The Selection

by Kiera Cass

"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."

The Selection was inexplicably addicting. I started reading it on a whim and didn't put it down until I was halfway through the story. I really enjoyed the introductory aspects of the dystopian world - that is, the concepts of the castes and their occupations. The fact that America and her family were musicians really interested me. Furthermore, the characters who were her parents and siblings were well developed, and I quickly took a liking to May.

As the book opens, America already has a boyfriend, though he is kept a secret: Aspen. Aspen is a Six, while America is a Five, meaning he cannot provide for her and, in the case of their marriage, his social status would bring America's down. For this reason a certain forbidden love is formed, and when the opportunity to join The Selection arises, America is faced with the choice of pursuing an opportunity of caste ascension, or remaining with the boy she has been with for two years.

Aspen doesn't make her choose. Instead, he insists that she apply, claiming that if she does not, he'll always feel like he held her back from a possibly life changing experience. What Aspen doesn't expect is that America will, in fact, be one of the lucky chosen ones to compete in The Selection - and when she is, he finds himself at loss, shocked and full of regret, as hopeful as he is for America at the same time.

I really enjoyed The Selection; it was light, fast paced, and very sweet. America was a wonderful protagonist, especially because she wanted to stay true to herself the whole way and refused to be molded by the media. Though I'm leaning towards Aspen at the moment, I still haven't decided whether I would like her to choose him or Maxon. 

I found the rebels in the book to be unnecessary, and the fact that Aspen was later drafted and conveniently placed to be a little too lucky. However, I was able to look past those things, as the shiny dresses, humorous courtship, and kind maids took precedence.


4/5 stars.