The Selection (The Selection #1)
by Kiera Cass
ebook
336 pages
Published April 24th 2012
by HarperTeen
Summary from 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.
Thoughts:
Despite all the drama surrounding the author of this book, I must admit I'm mildly curious about it but was not fully intrigued about the concept. I'm not a big fan of The Bachelor and watching a bunch of young, attractive woman fighting each other for the affection of one man made it very cringe worthy for me. So when The Selection was compared to that show, it definitely put me off but I guess curiousity got the best of me.
The Selection is certainly not that bad but it's certainly a far off cry from The Hunger Games. The book is told from the point of view of America Singer; a girl from a family of Five which means that they are artists and are slightly better than servants. Unfortunately for America, she's in love with a poor Six who urged her to join The Selection and broke up with her so she can find someone better. So off our dear America goes with a broken heart to the palace with other 34 girls. America is sort of the anti-heroine. She was forced to be in the game by her family and her ex-boyfriend but her heart's not in it. While the other girls are so obsessed in impressing the prince, she's busy stuffing her face with all the wonderful lavish food found in the palace. I can't help but love her for it. But after that she gets a bit confusing for me. Everything sort of went downhill from there. Eventually the attraction to the prince is unavoidable because he's just too perfect. And now our poor America have to decide where her heart truly is.
Some parts of the book left me wondering. Especially the part where some of the girls are cut in the beginning of the competition without any reason at all. What exactly happened? I feel as if the author is trying too hard to make America the good girl but she ends up a hypocrite. She might be nice to her maids and somewhat honest in voicing out her opinions to the prince but well she has an agenda of her own just like all the other girls. Ho hum.
Recommended for: fans of Cinderella story
Verdict: 3 stars.
In my Debut Author Reading Challenge
Available on: Amazon
Even before I read this, I'm in love just because of the amazing cover.
ReplyDeleteI really get sick of every dystopia being compared to The Hunger Games. There's only a small percentage of them that have anything in common with it. But, because of the popularity of THG, marketing teams compare almost all of them to it. I've seen The Selection touted as The Bachelor meets THG. No. It's more The Bachelor meets Cinderella.
ReplyDeleteThis book is better if you go into it for just a romance novel. They're disappointing their audience by selling it as something it's not.