Book Review: The Selection (Book 1 of the Selection Series)

Title: The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass

Pages: 327

Rating: 3.5/5

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) 

Warning: SPOILER 

I have heard both good and bad things about this series. I was kind of reluctant to buy this at first, because when I watched a book review on this, that person said this book really made her frustrated. But then, the boxset for this series was available (with a poster), and I had a 10% discount, so I bought it.

My initial thought when I read the first few pages (page 20) was, “Don’t they have condoms?” Because we were following America’s train of thoughts, and she said that only the rich could control how many kids they have, or something like that. I know condoms are not 100% full-proof, but still?

At first, I was really rooting for America and Aspen, because their love was passionate, and Aspen was kind of hot. Their love also made my heart ache. All the “feels” from the beginning of the book was because of America and Aspen.

So, because of that, I thought, “Hey, America’s not so bad. I wonder why people were so frustrated.”  My answer came when I got to page 45.

Maxon was stiff and quiet. It was hard imagining anyone being happy with such a wimp. — America Singer

This really changed how I felt about America. She’s judging Maxon without even knowing him, and I hate when people do that.

Despite this, I was still rooting for America and Aspen. Yes, Aspen’s an idiot for breaking up with America, but I thought maybe they’d get back together or something. Then, page 73 happened.

Aspen was standing there with Brenna Butler in front of him, casually holding her around the waist and smiling.

So, Aspen is an idiot. If America was right, and he really was just using her, then he’s also a douche. But if not, then he’s just an idiot.

As usual, when I started to like one pairing, I tend to not like the competition (in this case, Prince Maxon). But Maxon is such a sweetheart, I can’t help but like him, even though I know it would be painful to read, because of the potential love triangle. I really dislike love triangle. Maxon’s personality—his patience, understanding, cuteness (because he’s so blur about some things sometimes)—it just won me over. If I was there, I probably can’t help falling in love a bit with him.

I felt relieved when America told him the truth, an offered to be his friend, and help him narrow down his candidates, and he took her offer (even though I had a feeling that Maxon probably already has some kind of feeling for America, but he just took whatever America gave him as long as he has America). I started warming up to America again as her opinion on Maxon changed.

When I thought all was going well (because America is finally going to give Maxon a chance), everything went south. Kind of. Aspen was posted as a guard at the palace. From here onwards, I started getting annoyed with America again. I was so irritated at how easily she went into Aspen’s arms again. I have never been in love, so I guess I don’t understand what it’s like but still… She’s stringing two men along, and to be frank, Maxon didn’t deserve that.

But in the end, when America told Aspen she’s going to stop secretly making out with him because of the selection, and maybe sort out her feelings, saying that she’s neither choosing Aspen or Maxon, I was happy again… for now.

America can figure out her feelings while I cheer for Maxon on the sideline.

In conclusion, if I didn’t know about other people’s thoughts on this series, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up the moment I read the book’s summary. The setting and the concept was interesting, the plot was too—it is definitely something that I like reading about. My only dissatisfaction with this book was America’s indecisiveness. If I ignore that, and the fact that she’s giving Maxon hope that she’ll return his feeling, but secretly went off to make out with Aspen, I definitely enjoyed the book.