Book Review #1 The Selection

Straight From The Reader Mouth. 

One Read  At a Time.

Book Review #1
 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.

          -Goodreads.com

* The Break Down:

Welcome to a world where if the Bachelor and Graceling were to at one point have a child, this would probably would be their bi-product.

The Selection is centered around a caste system dwindling in wealth of each number starting with the richest, One to 10, which is basically dying on the street. Then there is "the selection" where 35 girls are chosen from different castes to compete for the heart of Prince Maxon and become is bride and queen of their country.

Enter Miss American Singer, who only enters the selection because her mom promises that she can keep half of her income if she does it. Thinking that she won't get picked any how and she'll live a long and happy, though relatively poor life with her secret boyfriend Aspine.

Just goes to show that fictional character should really stop expecting things:

Katniss: No, Prim its only your first year you won't get picked.

Percy Jackson: I'm probably just Hermes son.

Thomas: There is a wonderful world of freedom outside this maze, boys.

RIGHT… 

Much to her shock and dismay, America

is selected and goes to live the palace with Maxon and the other girls, where she learns and feels more than she ever expected.

When I started reading The Selection, I sure so sure that it wasn't going to do it for me, I mean lets just start with the names America Singer... does anyone else think it sounds like a superhero? Oh and guess what she sings. How ironic.

 Yeah. 

I LOVE it when a book turns out to better then I thought it would be, it's a pleasant surprise

Most of my doubt came in the beginning of the book because I didn't like Aspen

, I still don't. To me Aspen didn't seem that interesting, sure he was swoon worthy but really, I wish there was just more there.

Although I wasn't quite impressed with Aspen

's character it didn't take me long for my opinion of the book to change. I curled up in my bed at nine, and didn't sleep till two. It was just so compelling. I loved all the details of the contestants. It made even the characters with very few lines seem interesting and important and the dimensions of America's character grew as the story progressed, so I never felt detached. Though there was a lot of character reader friction.

 I still can't empathize for America

's reasons for wanting him so badly. I really want to understand what she views in him but I can't. I'm hoping he'll pull a Gale and I grow to appreciate him over time but at this moment, I hope he figures out that a supporting role is more fitting for him.

Now moving on to the other side of the love triangle; Prince Maxon.

*Pause to swoon

I found Maxon's character to be refreshing. He's lack of confidence, and frankly his lack of experience in life was surprising. This is a man who is supposed to one day be to rule the country, the guy who is render unless by tears, Too funny. It turns out that Maxon was NOTHING like I expected. Imagined that wrong twice in one post, wow. At the beginning of the book, when Maxon was just an allusion, I expected him to be a snobby, rich bad boy who could do anything he wanted. Could I have possibly been more wrong? Turns out during the end I really came to like him and I am proud to be Team Maxon.

PLEASE FICTIONAL GODS, DO NOT KILL HIM IN THE END!

The Selection in general was just enthralling subject with the caste system. This is a political point that now many authors of dystopian novels uses. Usually the dystopian world we are consistently to seeing is poor society with a wealthy powerful dictatorial head, such as the Capital or The Districts. This is a great tool for novels that are plot driven such as this one. It ables light to be shed without going into too much detail about each caste. 

Over all, I loved it and The Selection is one of my favorite reads from 2012. The plot was driven, the characters were defined and Kiera Cass, I praise you as an author.