The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection
(The Selection #1)
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 the palace and compete for the heart of the 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.

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The Selection  is a sweet young adult romance set in a dystopian future. The story begins with some insight into America and her family, which was vital in order to understand the strange caste system in this future world. Somewhere along the line someone decided that families should be labeled by caste depending on their career and income. Further family members continue to be forced to choose the same career area and are labeled with the same caste. This causes a lot of strife for America's family, who are musicians and artists and are Fives. This is fairly low in the caste system, but not quite as low as Aspen, America's secret, almost-boyfriend and a Six. 

After being talked into it by her family, America enters The Selection, a nationwide contest to help the teenage prince find a wife. Clearly, America has no real interest in getting picked to be in the top thirty-five that go to the palace, but, of course, she does get picked and is whisked away from her family and Aspen.

What I loved about this book was the growing relationship between America and Prince Maxon. America travels to the palace planning on hanging out for a bit so her family gets their compensation for her participation, and then complacently going home whenever the prince decides he doesn't like her. But, as the story continues on, America finds herself growing more and more interested in Maxon. With Aspen still heavy on her mind she can't really give in and let herself fall in love again, but Maxon's refined awkwardness and thoughtfulness chinks away at her armor. 

There were several funny moments and even more sweet moments between these two. I enjoyed Cass' portrayal of the prince as being a bit unprepared for how to interact with all the girls. I also enjoyed the moments we got to see of America with her designated maids. Those were some of my favorite scenes because they showed us America's caring and easygoing nature. 

I would have liked to see some more world building here. This is, after all, a dystopian. It appears to be set in the far off future - two world wars and a new name to our country in the future. And, somehow, we have not made any technological advancements as a society? I also longed for a little more action while reading. There were several points in the story where I thought Cass missed an awesome opportunity to weave in some action or a suspenseful moment. America is carrying some secrets throughout the story, and I so wanted the fear of some of those things getting out to drive the plot a little more. There are also some run-ins with rebels who are attacking the palace, and I could have used a little more in those scenes as well.

So, despite some missed opportunities and mediocre world-building, I did truly love this story. The heart of the plot - one romance possibly lost and a new one possibly blossoming - really shines. The reason there are so many books and movies about situations like The Selection that happens here, is because it really is a little girl's fairy tale that most of us never grow out of. I would recommend this read to anyone in the mood for a sweet romance or a fairy tale. 

This review is based on an advance copy of this book.

   

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