Let’s talk about the gem that is The Selection Series! The is the first book in The Selection series by author Kiera Cass, a dystopian young adult novel and an absolute read.
In The Selection book review we’ll dive into an overview of the plot for book one, and why it still ranks high on my list as a favorite romance series!
It is an electrifying dystopian novel that will totally ensnare you into the world of glittering competition. The writing style and pace of the book was absolutely perfect and made for a super easy read! I felt every moment on the page and found myself giggling with the character. Love and duty are constantly at war throughout the whole series as the pristine veil of the kingdom of Illea is slowly lifted. This book was one of the first dystopian stories and this constant struggle of heart and obligation kept me enthralled and maintained this throughout the rest of the series.
In this book review I’ll dive into all of the reason this series still ranks as one of my favorite dystopian stories!
The Selection
The Selection a first person centered around 17-year-old America Singer who is a fiercely independent musician who is thrust into a whirlwind of royalty and romance with a castle full of teenage girls all after the same thing – Prince Maxon Schreave. Every few years the royal family host a competition known as “The Selection” to find a perfect match for a royal. The Selection gathers thirty-five girls from every caste between The Ones and The Eights; the highest caste at a one, to the poorest caste, which is an eight, to win over the heart of gorgeous prince Maxon. In simple terms: think The Bachelor meets Hunger Games.
Back home, America has left her first love Aspen Leger who is a 6. By kingdom rules, if America marries Aspen she would descend a caste. With her family refusing to let her settle, America and Aspen foster a secret relationship over the alternative of not being with each other at all. Knowing this can’t last forever, it is Aspen who strongly encourages America to join not only because it’s a rare opportunity for each girl selected, but also because with every round they advance, their families back home receive financial rewards and a chance to rise to a higher caste. Begrudgingly, America signs up solely for that reason – and by both of their surprise, out of thousands of young women throughout the kingdom – America was selected as one of the lucky 35 for a chance of a lifetime. Of course, you can tell that America doesn’t see it that way and detests the entire idea of The Selection, but for the benefit of her family alone she decides to go. Neither Aspen nor America ever imagined that she would fall in love — but fate had other plans.
Inside the castle the girls are thrust into the spotlight surrounded by fierce competition, priceless jewels, and the opportunity of a lifetime fighting for Prince Maxon’s heart. Upon initial meeting, he is quite different from what America expected him to be. Though it is a competition Maxon constantly displays his kindness and attention to each girl. We quickly see that this is much less a competition for a princess for Maxon, but we see his yearning for real true love. As America moves through the competition, she starts to realize this too and that there’s so much more to Maxon than she originally gave him credit for.
This is where we start to see America run into her biggest dilemma as she’s caught in a battle between her love for Aspen and her life back home, – and these budding feelings for Maxon that are growing each day she’s in the castle. I have to say seeing Maxon slowly breaking down America’s defenses with his pure vulnerability and sincerity was great to read and was one of my favorite things about this book. You can also see that though America is falling for Maxon more with each day, she is becoming less fond of the crown and seeing behind the curtain of everything that comes with it which presents another interesting crisis for America. Slowly, America is being forced to decide if she wants a piece of the prince’s heart or to return to the secret love that she left back home.
Meanwhile, lurking just outside of the palace walls we are introduced to the restless and chaotic rebels. We see the increasing violent rebel attacks that are intended to challenge and upend the monarchy. Though there is not much known of the Northern and Southern rebels, we see their threats pushing Maxon to rise above his title of prince and begin shaping himself into a true leader – being a good example of hope for the people of Illea. Kiera Cass breaths life into each character, not only giving them depth, but room to grow. As the competition intensifies, secrets stir in the shadows, and danger creeps closer, we watch each of the girls and even the prince himself walk the fragile line between innocence and awakening.
This was an incredible book that really carried the momentum throughout the entire series. It was so well-paced, and the story though centered around The Selection, was so multifaceted and did a phenomenal job diving into struggles with the caste system, duty and sacrifice, love, self- discovery which all effect the society as a whole. Again, I can’t rave enough about this book. It is a must read if you enjoy, ya books, dystopian novels, a good love triangle, and impactful drama. The buildup in the end of this book sets up a lot of tension and angst going into the second book. I highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick read to get you out of a reading slump it’s worth checking out and even better when you get to the end and have that feeling of wanting more the next book is there patiently waiting for you to uncover even more secrets and revelations.
Stars: 5
Spice level: 0
Tropes: love triangle, slow burn
Trigger warning: death, war themes, poverty
I hope you enjoyed The Selection book review, and happy reading royals!
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