Review: THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass

TITLE: The Selection

AUTHOR: Kiera Cass
AUTHOR WEBSITE: www.kieracass.com

GENRE: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopian, Fantasy
PUBLISHED: HarperTeen, April 24, 2012

MY RATING: 3
FIND ON: Amazon

SYNOPSIS:

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

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 chose this book because of the beautiful cover. I expected girly teenage drama and got exactly that, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The story is engaging. What’s going to happen? The main characters are interesting. Who will she choose? And the situation was a cross between Cinderella and Hunger Games. I love both of those stories. So, I enjoyed this one as well.

It was difficult to wrap my head around 35 girls, so I’m glad she chose just a handful of girls to really give a face and personality. I was surprised there wasn’t more girl-drama.

The caste system made me sad. The beautification process was fun. The love story was engaging, especially because it is a love triangle. (I adore love-triangles! Thank you Twilight!) I’m always rooting for the best friend but honestly, I like the prince in this one. He’s pretty cool. The only not cool thing about whether or not she would choose him (in my opinion) is the “job/role” that comes with it.

RATED:

This was a cheeky, delightful story. I plan to read the second book. I rate it at a 3 out of 5. It was a pretty good read and held my attention. It threw me into an interesting post-American world, far off into the future where a monarchy has taken over North America with a caste system and social injustices.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

This book has some teenage kissing but no sex. (Thank goodness!) So I would recommend it to my teens. No blood, no gore. (Just off camera conflict.) It would probably make a good PG movie.