Author: Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection #1
Pages: 327
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: 4/24/12
ISBN-10: 0062059939
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For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
I was prepared to hate this book, after all the controversy and negative reviews I saw. What I wasn't prepared for was to absolutely love this book. I was wowed from the start. I'm not sure where to start with this review, but well give it a try.
The World - this was not your typical dystopian. It wasn't the Hunger Games. This was a light dystopian. The caste system was something that I couldn't help but question. Why? How did the world become so segregated? I do hope to learn more about the how's and whys in the next book. Other than my questions this is something that I think could happen if we aren't careful, people labeled by there skills or money. I enjoyed the fact that it was a lighter dystopian, not everything has to be death and war. I think being on the light side left room in the story for other aspects to shine.
The Girls - we didn't get to know each and every girl in the selection, but we got the general idea of the different personalities and outlooks. I for one adore Marlee, and desperately want to know her secret! Celeste infuriates me, I would love to see her be sent home and have that I'm better than you attitude destroyed. One of the things I liked was the girls were a mix of castes, but the choices of the prince don't seem to be based on a number. I feel that how things were portrayed for this group of girls is probably very accurate, especially when the stakes are so high, to win a prince and a crown how far would you go?
Maxon - I love you! He always came off as sweet and kind. America does things that make you think that she should be going home, but for some reason he keeps her around. Maxon also appears to be an honest man, not wanting to get the girls hopes up if he knows hey aren't a good match, while some might see it as cruel I see it as a small mercy. Being sent away must be heart breaking, but. The longer you are lead on, given hope that he truly cares for you the harder it would be. I also really loved how be listened to what America said about the starving people and immediately tried to come up with a way to help.
America - oh little lady there is so much to say. One of her best qualities is she stats true to herself, she refuses to be made over into someone she isn't. She is brutally honest even with the prince. And all around she comes off as a good caring person. She worries and tries to help her family, even while the palace she doesn't stop thinking about them. She refuses to abandon her maids drying a time of danger. When I think of America, I can see her as a princess, she goes through the selection looking for certain qualities in the other girls, but overlooks them in herself.
Aspen - you my friend are an idiot. I get why you did what you did and yes that sacrifice might be the truest form of love, but you are still an idiot. I don't think you are a bad guy, I just don't think that you are the one for America. Actually that is the worst part of this triangle, both our men are good men. There's no good guy versus the rebel bad boy. I do have to agree if I was America I would have trouble choosing too.
The Romance - this was my favorite part. Watching what I truly believe was these who falling love. You can see clear as day that he cares very deeply for America, but she denies her feelings, or writes the off as an unknown feeling. But I feel that this is what I saw. There was chemistry, flirting, fun, and happiness. They are good together and the balance each other out. I lied every part f this book that they were together. This was a sweet story of friendship and attraction.
I give this book 5 stars, and strongly urge you guys to give this a try, you may be pleasantly surprised. You my want to go in expecting a light dystopian feel with a romance to it. I open you guys try it and enjoy it!
