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Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

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Title: The Selection | Author: Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection  Book #1
Genre: Young-Adult Fiction, Romance, Dystopian
Format: Kindle e-Book
Date Finished: May 21, 2013
CoffeeNCrackers Rating: 4 Cups of Coffee



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 to 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


My Review

When I was trying to find a light reading (usually from YA realm), the gorgeous lady in blue dress on the front cover of The Selection really caught my attention. So, I picked this book. Though the synopsis doesn't wow me I decided to read it anyway just for fun. Surprisingly, Kiera Cass gives me more than what I expected. I really liked The Selection. Being told from the main character, America's point of view, the book started with her daily life and family and the social structure of the fictional country called Illea, where citizens are divided into castes. Then there's the Selection where girls are putting their names to be selected for the prince's future wife candidates. America is not interested but her family and boyfriend encourage her to participate for being the Selected means she's helping her family and herself for a better life. She is selected with 34 other girls and they have being put together in the castle to compete for Prince Maxon's heart and to be a queen. Well, if you ever read The Hunger Game, the premise sound familiar isn't it?

Right from the start I was hooked up with the story and characters. Kiera Cass did a very good job with the Selection because even though this a romance story, when most of the writers tend to exaggerate and make things complicated, she doesn't go over the top in narrating it. This makes the story more believable and easy to relate to. I really like America Singer due to several reasons. First, she is not fighting to win Maxon's heart let alone the crown but for her family to get a better life. Second, she keeps true to herself and speaks her own mind which I think it is a real beauty of a girl. She is not pretending to be someone she is not. The relationship between America and Maxon also is kind of cute and the parts that I really enjoyed and keep my eyes glued to the pages throughout the story is when they are having their dates. When I think that America and Maxon will fall to each other, then comes the annoying character, Aspen, her ex-boyfriend to win her heart's back. Argh! I hate love triangle. 
"No, I'm not choosing him or you. I'm choosing me"
Though the story enjoyable and fun, I still have some issues with this book. I don't really like Cass's selection of names for the characters especially the main character, America Singer. It is such a weird name and I don't really like it. Same goes to Maxon Schreave, Aspen, Marlee, Caleste, Bariel, Sosie and several others.The names got my tongue twisted. In addition, there are some characters which I think should have more roles to make the story more interesting. For example the antagonist character, Celeste. She is an interesting character, however she's not involved much in the story's development, which I think a mistake done by the author. 

All in all, it is an enjoyable ride. I'm having so much fun reading The Selection and can't wait to read it's sequel The Elite. So for readers out there, if you love Beauty Pageant Contest or The Bachelor, I recommend this book to all of you. Happy reading!

FOOTNOTE: This review is linked up to Saturday Situation hosted by Candace of Candace's Book Blog and Lori of Pure Imagination.
FOOTNOTE #2: This review is also linked up to Book Review Party Wednesday a fun weekly meme hosted by Cym Lowell

6 comments:

~Sara @ Just Another Story said...

I also really liked this book. I thought the concept was neat and creative and I liked the story. I am glad you liked it and I to am looking forward to the Elite.

Happy Reading,

Sara @ Just Another Story

Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic said...

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to The Elite. This book is so much more than the description. It really took me by surprise how much I connected to the characters and plot.

Unknown said...

This is not something I normally would read...but I also like the cover & I enjoyed your review...Thanks for bringing this story to my attention & linking to Cym's party.

Unknown said...

Hi Sara,
yeah! lets find out who is going to be the queen. Can't wait to hear what you think about the Elite. =) Happy reading.

Unknown said...

Hi Alexis,
Glad that you also liked it. I wonder why there are readers who read through a few chapters and give up on this book. But again, everybody has their own view.. we who love this book lets just enjoy it!

Unknown said...

Hi, Beachbrights,
Thank you for coming and read my review. I bet you'll be blown away by the Elite's cover. it's red!!! haha..