Title: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: April 2012
Pages: 327
Series: The Selection #1
Source: library
4 Stars: I Really Liked It
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 the palace and compete for the heart of the 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.
My Thoughts:
This cover is my favorite cover of 2012 so far. It is gorgeous and eye catching. The cover, premise, and genre as a dystopian might make you think this book is dark, edgy, and mysterious . . . not true. This book was very light, especially compared to other dystopian books. It’s so light that you might even laugh out loud a few times; I sure did. 🙂
At first I didn’t like the main character America. She didn’t want to be part of the Selection, and was pretty upset about it. She had good reasons to be sad, but I would have been more like her friend Marlee, bubbly and excited to meet the prince. I grew to love America once she was in the palace. She was funny, strong, kind, and brave. I liked the way she interacted with her maids. The maids were fun. Prince Maxon was wonderful, and I liked the times America and Maxon were together.
The caste system was rigid, and the post- United States of America as we know it made this dystopian. The country in this book definitely had problems that will need to be taken care of for success and people’s happiness. I’m going to guess that the next book in the series will be more action packed.
I was so upset with the ending! You can’t leave me hanging like that! I expected more, but a lot was left for the next book in the series. I look forward to reading the next book. This was an enjoyable read.
Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: a few moderate scenes ( kissing while laying down, mention of cleavage, boy and girl laying in bed together, neck kissing, talk of virginity, advised to have sex with prince if asked, boy touched girl’s bare thigh while kissing )
Language: mild ( h***-4, d***-8, Lord-1, God-1 )
Violence: mild (slap in the face, mention of past palace attacks with fighting and death )
Buy it!
Reviewed by Kathryn Cooper
Creator of Clean Teen Fiction
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Kathryn Cooper 