The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection (The Selection #1)

By Kiera Cass

Published April 24th, 2012 by HarperTeen

327 pages

4 stars - I really liked it!

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.

Ok here is the review of The Selection that I promised you.  So this was a pretty interesting book.  I didn't think that I would like it as much as I did, even if the cover was really pretty looking, but I was wrong.  I know that not everyone has been giving this great reviews but I think that it's pretty good.  The Selection isn't just about 35 girls competing for Prince Maxon and the crown.  First there is the reason why some of the girls have signed up and then there is the fact that the palace is being threatened.  Why is it being threatened and does everyone know the real history of the country?

America Singer is a teenage girl living in a country called Illea or formerly known as the United States of America.  The citizens of Illea live in caste systems from level 8 to 1.  The lower you are the less food and money you get, basically the less of everything you get.  America and her family are at level 5 and they are all talented in the arts.  Whether its music making or painting, each one of them has a gift.  But the times are hard and winter is coming up with little promise of work for the family.  Then the Selection is announced on tv.  Its a chance for 35 girls across the land to compete for the crown and Prince Maxon's heart.  Just being one of the 35 girls and participating gets you money for your family.  Money that a lot of the families in the lower castes need.  Before she knows it America is entered into the Selection.  She doesn't want the attention or to try and love someone she doesn't even know because she already loves Aspen.  But Aspen is a caste lower and that means she really couldn't ever marry him.  So with a ton of pushing from her mom and some convincing from Aspen America enters...and she gets in.  Now everything is changing for America who doesn't even want the crown.  But once she actually meets Prince Maxon will her thoughts change?  And with the attacks on the palace and the games played by the girls will she fight to stay in the competition?  And the biggest question, is there a chance for America to win at all?

The Selection was interesting throughout.  It's not your typical YA novel and I think that's what kept me reading.  I literally finished this book in a day.  I can't say that it has any action but it was definitely interesting reading about what our country had come to.  The fact that the country was using a caste system and had royalty was different.  I felt like I was able to feel for America and even Maxon at times.  I mean to have to decide between your own wants and your family's needs is tough.  America didn't want to enter the competition but the chance to help her family out financially was large.  And Maxon who has just come of age and never once dated is starting all this with the cameras on him.  I also liked how Maxon listened to the girls and tried fixing the problems that he didn't know about in their society.  He wasn't just thinking about himself.  I guess if your looking for more adventure and action this book might not be the one for you but it was a good read to me.  It was different from the usual.  At some times it might have gone a little slowly but overall it had my attention and I can't wait to read the next in the series.  Besides the whole competition thing there are some secrets that the king and queen have been hiding or that the country has been hiding.  Either way check it out and see for yourself.

Vanessa