Review of The Selection by Kiera Cass

Title: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Published by: HarperTeen
Pages: 327
Source: Library
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 4 stars

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 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.

The Selection is reality TV meets YA literature. 

The whole time I was reading The Selection I felt like I was watching The Bachelor.  There is definitely a reality TV vibe going on where all these girls are competing to be queen...oops I mean to win the princes heart.  Of course there is the sweet girl, the jealous one, the backstabbing witch and the one you hope is going to win.  Plus their wardrobes sounded amazing.  I was quite jealous of their dresses include to one on this cover. 

After finishing this novel, I'm still not quite sure how I feel about America.  At times I loved that she didn't conform to people's opinions or get swept up in the drama, and others times I found her whiny.  She's indecisive and not fair to Maxon or Aspen.  Maxon on the other hand is everything you want in a prince.  He's handsome, diplomatic, observant, and really cares about all castes in his country.  Kiera Cass gives you a sweet, hero with a heart of gold. 

But then...the dreaded love triangle.  Oh how I'm sick of the love triangle...anyone else?  Aspen or Maxon?  One is below her caste and the other way above it.  New twist, but same story. 

At times I forgot this was a dystopian novel, because I got swept up in the drama of the Selection but other times it was front and center.  I enjoyed the world that Kiera Cass slowly built and it was interesting to see throughout the novel how the governmental situation was escalating.  She left many questions and hooked us with some mystery surrounding the rebels and the contestants.  I think we will definitely see more of this unfold in the next novel.   

For some odd reason I didn't realize this was going to be a series so when I got to the end I had one of those "are you kidding me" moments where you want to know where the rest of the story is.  Just thought I should warn you in case you are having a ditsy moment like me.