Friday 30 January 2015

The Selection (The Selection #1) by: Kiera Cass

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopia, Romance
Published: April 24, 2012 by: Harper Teen
Pages: 336
Rating: 4.5 Stars


The Selection follows the life of America Singer, who has been selected out of her town to be a suitable wife to the prince, who is looking for love. This requires America to leave her family, and secret love Aspen, who persuades her to go for the luxury and fame. America is not looking forward to any of this, until she meets Prince Maxon. Suddenly America's plan to leave the castle as soon as possible has changed, and she begins to be torn between the life she's always known, or a new opportunity.

I have heard everyone and anyone talk about this book, so I decided to give it a go. I have to say that I was quite impressed with it, and I didn't think that I would be. Going into it, I thought that it would be cheesy and plot-less, but what I got was a charming book that had some amazing plot twists.

Reading summaries of this book, I was kind of dubious to read a book involving princesses, which could be portrayed as cheesy or childish. I have to say that I was completely wrong. The book contained a perfect amount of dystopia, to romance, to royalty that just complimented each other.

I think that what really got me into this book was the fact that it wasn't predictable. Romance books, and especially love triangles can be a hit or miss, but I did not find myself practically knowing the outcome. I wanted to keep because of every twist and turn in the plot.

This book contained a lot of themes which I think would be great for many different tastes. Along with romance, there was a sort of post-apocalyptic feel about it. It involved themes of a corrupt government, and rebelling against traditional values. It was enough to keep anyone interested.

Even if you are not a fan of romance, I would still give this book a try. I personally prefer a happy medium of action to romance, which I think I got in this book. It's not a mushy romance novel with a dramatic love triangle, so do not be fooled.

Overall, I gave this book 4.5 stars out of 5 because it was a very easy to get through book, and also quite adorable. It was a great break to the more heavier and emotional books that I have been reading. So if you want to get out of a reading slump, or just want a break from very dramatic books, I would definitely recommend this. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Have you read The Selection? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

9 comments:

  1. I love The Selection trilogy! I know that many people don't find it quite as impressing as I do but I think it's a creatively written, awesome novel, even though it does have some mistakes. I have to ask: are you team Aspen or Maxon? :DD

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    1. I agree, Veronika! It was quite unique. I am definitely team Maxon for now because I feel like Aspen is hiding something... Maxon's such a sweetheart! My opinion will probably change another 5 times throughout the rest of the series though because I'm indecisive like that!

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  2. I'm so glad you enjoyed The Selection, Emily! I'm also not the biggest on romance and was quick to doubt, but once I started, I fell in love with the series. Like you, I also thought the post-apocalyptic feel was a nice addition, and I'm team Maxon:D <3 the review!

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    1. Thanks, Claire! I was quite surprised by this book. Hopefully America will choose Maxon!

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  3. Hey Emily! I just wanted to tell you that I nominated you for the Liebster Award...The post is up on my blog :)

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    1. Thanks, Kate! I've already done that post, but I appreciate you nominating me :)

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  5. I was also kind of doubtful over this book because it was highly hyped at school, and I didn't want to read what everyone else was reading :P But I gave it a go last year, and I actually liked it too! And I'm definitely rooting for Maxon lol. :D But you know what bothers me about it? It's America's name. Such a name is so uncommon for a girl to be called as. But nonetheless, I really liked the story! Glad you did too, Emily :)

    Jillian @ Jillian's Books

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    1. I'm the same! I didn't know if the hype would be good or bad, but I'm glad I followed it. Maxon is just every girl's dream guy, he's such a gentleman. I was a bit weirded out by america's name as well! Why is she named after a country, and why is no one else?

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