Book Review | The Selection

The Selection by Kiera Cass
April 2012 by HarperTeen
327 pages
Amazon + Good Reads
4/5 stars

"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."

-Good Reads

Let me just say, I had a total knee jerk reaction to this book before I picked up. Take an ultra-hyped book + dystopian + a series + a girl on the cover = not good for Alyssa. But I was wrong... I was really, really wrong. That isn't to say that I had an easy time getting in to - up until page 80-ish, I was sure that I was going to have to put this under "Did Not Finish." I really did not like the beginning... it was slow, I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into, and it felt like a typical YA dystopian story. But I am so glad that I stuck with it. 

It ended up being a one day read. 

I really enjoyed the main character, America. She tells it like it is and remains true to herself despite the fact that her feelings towards her situation changes. She realizes that she's growing and changing and accepts it while refusing to sacrifice who she is. She's up front and blunt and I really loved that. 

And the boys...

Prince Maxon? Aspen? Despite the fact that they're both idiots at different points in the story, I love both of them. Seriously - I don't know who I'm gunning for! The Selection felt like the princess version of The Bachelor with a hint of The Hunger Games in the back ground.

I need to know what happens next. 

Overall, I really enjoyed The Selection. It was a nice blend of a contemporary romance with dystopian... and just a smidgen of fantasy (you know, princesses and all). If you're hesitant about reading The Selection because of the hype, here's my advice for you. Stay away from reviews for about a month and then go pick it up. You'll still know that a lot of people loved this book but it won't be fresh in your mind.

P.S. - Max Irons as Prince Maxon?! 

Have you read The Selection? Let me know your thoughts!

-Alyssa