The Selection

The Selection

Kiera Cass

Genre: Young Adult Dystopia

Summary (from the publisher):  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

Review: I had a hard time knowing how to rate this book.  On the one hand, it's a very light book based on a royal version of The Bachelor, clearly written for teenage princess-wannabe-girls, with very little action or conflict of any kind, and OF COURSE it has a love triangle.  But, it's fun and cute, and I read the entire book in less than 24 hours because I couldn't put it down.  And I just added the sequel to my hold list at the library.  :)  I guess I have a secret liking for fairy tales.

I liked the fact that the main character stayed true to herself throughout the competition, although I thought some of her romantic decisions were questionable.  Prince Maxon was a very likable character, who generally showed good judgment and sensitivity to the girls, and seemed to want to change society for the better.  This book has frequently been compared to The Hunger Games, which isn't very fair, since this book is light on the dystopia, doesn't touch much on social issues, and has no death or violence. 

Rating: 3.5 stars