My Heart Will Always Pick "The Selection"


Title:  The Selection
(The Selection #1)
Author:  Keira Cass
Format:  E-Galley
Length:  381 pages
Publisher:  Harper Teen
Rating: 4 stars

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.
-Goodreads

Just Let Me Look At You
At it's heart The Selection is contemporary YA with distopian elements.  Although it is easy to see why, given  similarities to a certain wildly popular series that shall not be named here, snap judgements and misplaced labels abound in relation to this utterly enchanting read.

Ms. Cass does a superb job of spotlighting the LOVE story that is America and Aspen.  The more that readers come to know about the two ill-fated hearts; the clearer it becomes that this story is one dependent on its distopian back-drop for success.  If anything...the caste system, reorganization of society, and seeming insurmountably of their circumstance is a universal premise that transcends the bonds of genre.
   
America The Beautiful
America is a girl that you can't help loving.  She is honest, knows what she wants, strong willed, loyal, and intelligent.  She is literally "the girl next door".  The thing that makes America the one to watch in this story however, is her unpredictability.  You are never quite sure what she is going to do or say from one moment to the next: you're just sure that you want to be front and center when it happens.

 I Didn't Fall I Was Pushed!
America has a knack it seems, for ending up in precarious positions.  First, through her relationship with Aspen; and then with her "do it for the family" guilt induced entry into the lottery to 'win' Prince Maxon.
Let the games begin!
It seems that our "don't call me dear" America has walked...or been pushed out of the of the fire and on to "The Bachelor".  Despite the fact that she is shipped off to the castle under protest, this is truly where America's true nature shines to its fullest extent  and readers are allowed the treat of seeing her really come into her own.

The Prince Or The Pauper?
Though that appears to have an easy answer in theory, in America's life, the answer is anything but.
You see though Maxon has the castle, Aspen rules her heart.  Or does he??
Is it possible that Cinderella (um I mean America) could get the prince?
Does he even want her?
Does she want him?
Where the hell is Aspen?

WANT ANSWERS???
READ THE BOOK!
I DID!

Happy Endings
I must admit that I literally BEGGED the publisher for the ARC that I received, and I am so glad that I did.  I devoured this book within hours and couldn't put it down.
I feel that I would be remiss in my duties as a reviewer if I did not make my views on certain comparisons between this book and afore mentioned one clear.
Though there are admitted points at which the two parallel...NO ONE IS FIGHTING HUNGRY IN THIS BOOK...and the only thing our heroine is shooting off in this story is HER MOUTH. 
Ms Cass has managed to  put a refreshing spin on the "love or duty" dynamic and has taken the LOVE STORY to a new and wonderful place.  Can't wait to beg for book 2.

 

6 comments:

  1. I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'm looking forward to reading it soon.

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  2. Great review as always! this is going into my tbr pile for sure!

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  3. I completely agree with everything you've said here. I totally loved this book, it was awesome, but it was nothing like the Hunger Games!! It was barely even dystopian, but I think once we see more of the outside world it will get a bit ca-razy. I'm definitely excited to see what Cass comes up with next! Great review :)

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  4. This book sounds SOOOOO good! I have been wanting to get my hands on it! Great Review!! =)

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  5. I won this book from goodreads and I can't wait to read it! I also heard that the CW is filming a pilot based on it
    New follower,
    Kristin
    Youngadultbookhaven.blogspot.com

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  6. I am so glad to hear a good review about this book! I am really looking forward to reading it but a lot of reviews I have read aren't that great! I hear they are making a TV show out of it. Thanks for the review :)

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