Book Review: The Selection by Kierra Cass

The Selection, by Kierra Cass, 2012, 327p
My Rating=5 stars, YA Dystopian
Source: Audiobook borrowed from the library

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)

America Singer doesn't want to enter the Selection since she's in love with Aspen, who she's been secretly dating for the past two years, and thinks the Prince looks stuffy and boring. However, it will help her family financially and they are so excited for her. Aspen also encourages her to try out so she does and, to her surprise, makes the cut.  She automatically becomes a 3 so that puts a further divide between her and Aspen.

She leaves Aspen on a sour note and is heartbroken as she heads to the castle. She meets Prince Maxon and is surprised at how easy he is to talk to and makes a deal with him so he'll keep her around. Prince Maxon is intrigued with her and enjoys her company. She learns about life in the castle and what the rebel attacks mean. She enjoys getting to know the other girls and she especially loves the food! 

She's pleasantly surprised as she gets to know Prince Maxon better and starts to have feelings for him but she's still also hung up on Aspen. Can she forget about Aspen? Does she want to? Will she stay or ask to leave?

I listened to the audio for this and loved it!! I used to watch The Bachelor and it has that feel to it, where you can tell the favorites right away and the villain is obvious but always seems to stick around. In this case, though, Prince Maxon is a gentleman and not looking to get in the hot tub or fantasy suite. 

I like the three main characters. America is a young girl who is really confused by her feelings. She has Aspen, who she's loved for two years and Maxon, who is easy to talk to and she does start to have genuine feelings for. If she's chosen, she and her family would live comfortably the rest of their lives, and since life hasn't always been easy, that is also a factor for her. I didn't feel like I got to know Aspen enough to form a strong opinion of their relationship, but he seems like a genuinely good guy who is working hard to improve his lot in life. The fact that their relationship was secret had to be difficult when they were with their families or out in public together. Prince Maxon is shy and open and trying to figure out what he's doing. He doesn't have any experience with girls so it's overwhelming to him to choose from the cream of the crop. He opens up to America about his insecurities and is easy to love! 

I also enjoyed how America treated her maids and the other girls in the Selection. She gets along well with people but stands up for herself and others when she needs to.

I currently have my favorite and I really don't know which direction America will go. Book 2 recently came out and, from what I've read, she won't make a choice in that book, either, so we'll have to wait for book 3. Since I haven't read a book with a love triangle in a while, I'm actually enjoying that aspect of the book. I have the audio of book 2 on hold so hopefully I'll get it soon, but then I'll have to wait a while for book 3--aagh!! I recommend this to anyone that enjoys a dystopian, bachelor themed book! 



The Prince: A Selection Novella by Kierra Cass
2013, 64p, My Rating=4 stars, YA Dystopian
Source: Purchased on Kindle

Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection...

Before Aspen broke America's heart...

There was another girl in Prince Maxon's life...

Don't miss this thrilling 128-page original novella set in the world of the New York Times bestselling novel The Selection. Also features a teaser to The Elite, Kiera Cass's hotly anticipated sequel to The Selection. (Goodreads)

This was fun to read since we got Prince Maxon's perspective on the process and his life before the girls came. We learn more about who the girls are that have been chosen and what it means for him to choose certain girls. 

I probably like Prince Maxon so much because I read this story from his POV. It was fun to read some of the early scenes, like when he met the girls and his reactions to them and where he's at in his thinking. I wish it was a novel, instead of a novella, because it seemed so short and I wanted to hear more from him.

Just who is the girl we learn about and will she appear again later in the story? It seems a little too random for her to not show up again. Will she put a wrench in his plans? Hmm...