The Selection (Paperback)
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Short Description for The Selection Thirty-five beautiful girls. Thirty-five beautiful rivals...
Full description- Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
- Published: 07 June 2012
- Format: Paperback 272 pages
- See: Full bibliographic data
- Categories: Fiction | Romance | Family
- ISBN 13: 9780007466696 ISBN 10: 0007466692
- Sales rank: 2,483
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Reviews for The Selection
- Top review
5*
This book was pretty good. A light reading and interesting characters. Second volume is already on the way :) by andreia curado
All my favorite Disney movies in a Dystopian jacket!
Throw all my favorite Disney movies in a mixer, add the talents of a great writer and some dystopian dust (you know, like fairy dust. Haha.), mix it up and voila! I got myself a brand favorite book of the year that makes my inner child come to life again (aka run around screaming with her arms in the air in a pink princess dress and a fake crown on her head). Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: THE SELECTION!
"I hope you find someone you can't live without.I really do. And I hope you never have to know what it's like to have to try and live without them."
I think it's obvious already that I loved this book. In case it wasn't, well, I did. I do. I love the story and the characters and everything about it! America is such a great main character, someone I could relate to in many ways. If I were to live in her world, I would be like her. A five. Only three steps up from nothing. But while she doesn't want to be a princess, I have always dreamed of it since I saw my first disney film so many years ago. I loved her and she would make a great Disney princess! (This book would be awesome as an animated Disney film, too.)
Now I shall talk about the first fictional character ever I fell in love with. (Seriously I shed a tear because I knew he wasn't real. Sigh.) Of course I'm talking about Maxon. He's so... Maxon. Sigh again. Maxon.
Okay moving on. Aspen. I loved him at first. So romantic and loving and caring and then... a complete stupid douchebag. I hate him.
Speaking of hating someone... I hated Celeste. She's so mean and stuck up and bleh. But I loved Marlee and May and all the other characters!
As I said, I loved this story. We got to know America while the story builds in the beginning until the inevitable moment she gets chosen for The Selection. She stays true to who she is and never forgot where she came from, another thing I loved about her by the way. She's different from the other girls in many ways and refuses to change for anyone. I loved how the relationship between her and Maxon grew along with the story and I fell for Maxon along with America. And when they kissed my inner child was so happy she fainted. Yes, that happens.
But not everything is rainbows and sunshine in the palace. There are these rebels, what their purpose is we have yet to find out, who form a threat to the royal family and I liked that. That's what gives it an extra dystopian touch. But life goes on in the palace and I loved every part of it! Until that douchebag Aspen came back into the story and messed things up again. I hope for him that he doesn't mess things up in the next book or else... Well not much he is a fictional character so I can't do much... But if he were real, I would kick is ass. For sure.
So in the end, this book is everything I hoped it would be and more. I can't wait to start the sequel (luckily I don't have to since I just got a copy from Netgalley, yay!). Great job Kiera! I LOVE YOU! by Bieke - Istyria book blogLoved it
Review:
I put off reading this book for a while due to some mixed reviews. I decided to give a try since the author is coming to town. I grabbed up the audio book from my local library and dove in. I was actually very pleased with the book. I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the writing style. The book is a quick paced read and it was very fun and enjoyable.
Long Story Short:
America Singer lives in a country that is divided by caste. A system in which a family and their generations are stuck in their roles in the society and give a number 1-8. Royalty is 1 and the bottom of the barrel is 8. America is a 5, she lives and works in the arts. She can play instruments and sing, her family range from sculptors to painters and this is how they make their living. She is happy, she is in love, but her love is with Aspen, a 6 and their relationship remains secret. It is frowned upon to date outside of your caste.
Prince Maxon is now of age... he will hold the tradition of The Selection to choose who he will marry. With coaxing, pleading, and bribing from those she loves, America signs up for The Selection and is chosen as one of the 35 women who will compete for Maxon's affections and the crown.
American doesn't want this life but for the money that will be given to her family she agrees. She finds herself living in a world that is out of her comfort zone. After meeting and getting to know Maxon and living the life she never had, she starts to wonder if this is a future she can endure.
My Thoughts:
I actually really liked this book. It did have some possible through provoking ideas placed in the story that I didn't agree with, but I didn't let those keep me from enjoying the book or change my thoughts about the book overall. I found myself smiling, giggling, and at times gasping throughout the book and to me that means it is my kind of book. I read simply for the enjoyment.I liked the characters. They all had their strengths and weaknesses, nowhere close to perfect, but that is what I loved about them. Maxon by far was my favorite. He was charming but with not so smooth moments. He really cared for his people and when he found he knew nothing about the way they lived, he attempted to do something about it. He respected others and he found the best in everyone. He didn't want to just choose a wife, he wanted to choose the one he was would love and be happy with but also could respect and trust. I feel he tried to make the best out of every situation, including The Selection, even if he didn't totally agree with the goings ons.
For most of the book I liked America. Not much on her name, but I dealt. For the most part, she is selfless, strong, and very independent. She cares for those around her very much. She has a bit of a temper and lets her assumptions get the best of her. She learns to play the role of a selected very well and I was amazed how well she fit in. To me she would fit the role of princess very well, especially after a little bit more growing and adjusting.
The one thing I didn't like... the love triangle. I couldn't hate either boy and that drives me insane. I felt for both although Aspen pretty much brought it upon himself. I do tend to love Maxon a bit more but I think that is mainly because I spent more time with him so I was more invested in his story. I also didn't like the way America goes about the love triangle. I understood her frustration and feelings... I just can't stand the fact she was she was so wishy washy. The love triangle makes sense in the story... I just didn't like it.
I did, however, very much like the growing relationship between Maxon and America. No insta-love. Strangers, then friends, then feelings. It felt natural to me.The book was very fast paced. I was never bored and never felt the book drag. The narrator was very good and I felt the tone through her reading the way I imagined it should have been. The story wasn't too original but wasn't one that is way over done either. I felt invested from the beginning and can't wait to read more.
In the End:
It was a very entertaining read. I will absolutely continue with the series. by Jennifer McDaidAmazing!!!
I was a bit worried about reading this book at first as ive not really read any dystopia before but I loved it, it was awesome.
The whole idea of being part of a reality contest against 34 other girls to win the princes heart is very exciting and the main character America Singer is portrayed excellently.
It is well worth a read.
Here is a video review of the book but does have spoilers towards the end.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW-U8ZU8wWw by Laura WillgooseExactly what I expected... and not any more.
From the blurb, The Selection sounds like a dystopian version of the show, The Bachelor. Thirty-five girls all attempting to snag the Prince and have their very own happily ever after - fairy tale style. Some token nice girls and a mean, conniving few just to scheme and mix it up a little. That's the reason I have wanted to read this book for a very long time. It's my guilty pleasure. I love the Bachelor. I've watched every episode from every season, every episode of the Bachelorette and all seasons of the somewhat ridiculous spin-off Bachelor Pad. It's a secret of mine that I tape every episode and then curl up in front of the TV and watch the drama unfold.
And whilst this book was just like a season of my beloved show with a few small dystopian elements thrown in for good measure, it wasn't quite enough to satisfy me. I feel a little contrary for saying this but it was exactly what I expected and that's why I was disappointed. I wanted more. More twists, more of the dystopian world Cass created and more of the other girls who made up the Selection.
In terms of characters, America is a textbook Mary-Sue. She's so beautiful, such an amazing singer, so brave and (despite a slightly aggressive meet-cute with Maxim) is practically perfect in every way. Even her name. America, it felt to me like Cass was trying too hard to make us love America - to dislike her would almost be unpatriotic. But as a person, America didn't always make sense to me. She's so giving and generous to her family and yet she jumps at the first chance she has to take half of her income away from them despite telling us often that they are next to starvation. It felt a little hypocritical considering some of the things she says about her brother. I think I would have found her to be a more likeable character had she had more insight to her own behaviour and motives towards others. She's just a little too perfect and lacks a certain depth.
The rest of the girls who make the Selection for Maxim to choose his future bride are an interesting lot - Marlee is as sweet as Celeste is ambitious. I liked the mix of girls included but would have liked to have seen more of them and their interactions with Maxim. Whilst this book is told in the first person narrative from America's perspective, it would have been interesting to have seen Maxim's dates with others though stories being told by the girls to America. There's not enough gossip!
The idea of the numbers representing ones station in society and the rewards/disadvantages that went along with ones number was a captivating concept. I thought it was interesting to see the contrast between America's life as a 5 and then living in the lap of luxury.
Plot wise, this is a fairly predictable novel but I don't think that's a bad thing. There's a love triangle that's only just getting started, beautiful gowns and a trio of maids that reminded me of a Disney Princess' animal sidekicks in the most delightful way. Will I be reading The Elite (The Selection #2)? Absolutely. Whilst I may have had some issues with this first book in the series, I admit that I'm hooked to the drama, the cattiness and I can't wait to see happen next in this not-quite-fairytale romance. by KateWonderful book!
They say that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but in this case that is not true. The coves says it all, and the story is just as enchanting as the cover. It is a really girly book and the storyline is lovely. Although I'm not a native speaker of English, the book was still really easy to read. :)
I would truly recommend reading this book, if you like chick-lits. by iriswindmeijerLoved it!
(Source: I received a copy of this book as a Christmas present! Yay!)
17-year-old America Singer is a five. That's one up from a six, and one down from a four. Caste's mean everything, and although she's in love with a six, it's a relationship that is unlikely to ever be anything but a secret.
In Ilea, the prince's bride is always picked from the common people, those in caste's 2 to 8, and when the application forms are sent out, America's mother, and strangely enough her secret boyfriend Aspen both want her to apply, so she does. Banking on the fact that only 35 girls will be chosen, and so she is unlikely to be among them, she is shocked when she makes it through to the selection.
Even though Aspen has ended things with her, America knows that her heart still belongs to him, and so when she meets Prince Maxon, she tells him that they can never be more than friends, and offers to help him make his choice in exchange for allowing her to stay, as her family need the compensatory cheques that the royal family send to the families of the girls in the selection.
The longer America stays in the palace though, the more complicated things turn out to be, and she begins to believe that she may really have a place in the selection.
How does Maxon really feel about her though? What of Aspen? And what is really going on with the rebels who keep attacking the palace?
I really enjoyed this book. America really showed that she was beautiful on the inside as well as the outside, and I loved reading as Maxon fell in love with her.
This book really was a cross between a dystopian and a reality TV programme, it had a real 'hunger games' feel to it at the beginning with the picking of the contestants, and then felt more like a TV show with the makeovers and lessons.
I loved America and her attitude towards the whole competition. I loved how she had absolutely no intentions of falling for Prince Maxon, and instead tried to be a friend to him. This allowed them to get to know each other without the pressures of the contest, and helped America to relax a little.
I wasn't able to guess what would happen overall, and the story had just enough mystery to leave me wondering what would happen next. I actually tried to read a review book part way through reading this, and just couldn't stop thinking about this book for long enough to concentrate on another!
I sometimes find that when I have been anxiously looking forward to a book that it ends up not meeting my expectations, but that didn't happen here, in fact I think Maxon may have stolen a little bit of my heart as well as America's.
The first 70% of this book was a definite 4 stars out of 5, by 75% I knew it would be a 5 star finish, and by 80% I was pre-ordering the next book! I seriously cannot get this book out of my head now, and can't wait until 'The Elite' is available! If you like dystopians, and don't mind a little romance, pick this up! You'll be pleasantly surprised!
8.5 out of 10. by Sarah ElizabethPretty good YA fluff
If, like me, you just want a fluffy story out of this, then you won't be disappointed. If you're after a story line with a bit of meat to it then I would look elsewhere. The one thing that disappointed me was that I was expecting this to be a stand alone book, but it cuts off right where things get interesting. I don't think I'll be getting the sequel though. by Kaitlyn
Amazing
I am a teenage girl reading this book and i found t impossible to put down. I finished it in one afternoon, not because its short (but is is an easy read) but because I found that i honestly couldn't stop reading.
The main character is a girl named America in a futuristic world where people are ranked by the jobs they do. If you are royal you are a 'One" and if you are homeless or penniless you are classed as an 'Eight'.
America is a pretty lowly 'Five" because once you are born into a family of that status you automatically have to find a job that is in the same ranking. 'Fives' are musicians and artist, America chooses her career to be music.
She was always expected to marry a higher rank and move up the social ladder but she falls in love and secretly dates a boy from a lower ranking for two years. When she ends up getting a letter from the Royal palace saying that the Price is now of age and needs to take a bride from the age of 16 - 20 her mother is ecstatic. America ends up submitting a form of entry as well as all of the other women in the 35 provinces between the specified ages.
As she waits to see if she is picked (even though she expects that out of the thousands of women she would never even be considered) her long time boyfriend realises if they start a family they could never have enough money to provide for them. He ends up breaking up with her because he can't bring her down like that, America is heartbroken. She is unexpectedly chosen as the one woman to represent her province and go to court the Prince but she never wants the palace life, only the cheques that will compensate her family for the time she is away. She wants her family to be comfortable so she goes for the money.
America goes but her relationship with the Prince is slow and she is still trying hard to get over her old love. Prince Maxon ends up being nicer than she expected, though she finds it hard to love him when she still loves her old boyfriend. As icing on the cake he ends up being drafted as a soldier at the castle. Let the love triangle begin...
This book is an absolutely fantastic read and i am so looking forward to the next book. I would recommend it to girls from about 13-16 in age, boys probably wouldn't get this book at all though ;) Thanks for reading and please buy this book!!! I promise you'll enjoy! by Grace HolnessThe Selection by Kiera Cass
This is a world with Kings and Queens and Princes and Princesses. A world where royalty rules, and the Princes are just as gorgeous as Prince Harry. Yet we are not inside my imagination (yes, Prince Harry is very much so in my imagination. Did you see him this weekend? Phwoar). We are in the future.
Welcome to the world of Illea, a country that has grown from the ashes of its past to rise up once again to be the super power it once was. Where the current King's son, Prince Maxon, is about to choose his bride. But remember, this is the future. In the past, Kings and Queens sold off their daughters and sons for allegiances - and still do, in this new world - but in Illea, the Prince gets a choice. 35 girls, from all over the country, from a range of castes, whittled down to one girl, who would then become Princess of Illea, wife of Prince Maxon and a future Queen.
For America Singer, however, this is not a perfect world. Her love for a boy a caste below hers means that they have to keep their relationship a secret, and soon America finds herself thrust into the spotlight when she becomes part of The Selection, the broadcasted event to find the Prince's future wife. America doesn't want to be a part of the Selection, but she soon realises that she doesn't have a choice, and instead befriends the Prince. But what consequences does this have for America, especially in a country where rebellion grows daily, just like her feelings for Maxon?
The Selection was a novel I have been looking forward to reading since I first heard about it, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Just the way that Cass has created this new country, and the history behind Illea, was enough to captivate me. It was so refreshing to see a dystopian novel taking a new approach to the way society has developed. So many dystopian novels concentrate on a world that has progressed in the future in terms of technology, way of thinking etc. Don't get me wrong, I love this, but The Selection managed to create a world that I loved. The whole idea of going back to the way things used to be - using caste systems, having a Royal family rule the country - was what I loved most about this book. How other countries had joined together as well - such as Sweden & Norway (Swendway, I think it was called) made me laugh at first, but the more I thought about it, the more logical it sounded.
You can't beat unrequited and forbidden love as well. America and Aspen's story line made my heart melt, and I really connected with America's feelings. I loved how she wasn't opposed to the Selection in terms of rebelling against it, but more because she believes in true love - and how much she loved Aspen. I thought that Maxon as a character could have been a bit more developed - as much as I wanted to connect to him, he didn't make my heart go all in a tizzie. That was Aspen's job. Other minor characters, such as the King and Queen, could have been a little it more developed as well, as I felt like we didn't really know them quite as well as we could have.
Overall, The Selection wasn't a fast paced, full of action dystopian like some of my favourites, but it had it's own charm. The subtle way that Cass gave us an idea of what the world was like, post invasion and post war made the novel charming in that old fashioned way that I totally lapped up - being a total period drama junkie, this was right up my ally, and I am literally hanging off the edge of my seat waiting for the next book in the series. by Hannah
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