The Selection

Summary (from the publisher): 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.

Review: In a world governed by the caste into which you are born, the Selection represents a rare opportunity for a girl from any background to literally become royalty. But for America Singer, being one of the 35 girls selected to leave her home to compete to marry Prince Maxon is a nightmare. She doesn't care about being wealthy or wearing fancy gowns, she just wants to be with her family and close to her secret love Aspen, who is a lower caste than her. Yet as she gets to know Prince Maxon, she begins to question the plans she had for her life and wonder about a different future life. 

This was solid young adult literature. Although there were too many girls to truly cover in any detail, America herself is fairly relatable and likable, as are Prince Maxon and Aspen. This novel is a mix of a Cinderella story meets the Bachelor, along with a love triangle, all set within a future kingdom that heavily emphasizes class and status. America is clearly written as the kind hearted girl from a poorer background who isn't in it for the fame or wealth and yet manages to begin stealing the prince's heart anyway. The tension of the novel is multifaceted. America is torn between Aspen, who represents her home and childhood first love and Prince Maxon, who represents a bigger future with the ability to shape the country and improve her family's life. There is also tension within the castle as the girls all jockey for Prince Maxon's interest and as the capital is continually besieged by rebels who attack the palace.  

There is very light characterization for most characters in this book other than America herself, partially because there's a huge cast of characters and there is simply not enough time to cover them all in detail. However, perhaps the next books in the series provide more complex looks at some of the characters. There were also scant details about the kingdom's history, the caste system, or why such a seemingly loving and just royal family would abide by a caste system that leaves children starving. Similarly, little details are shared about the rebels who are constantly breaking into the palace or any larger political details. But again, as this is book one in the series, there is still time for a more in depth look at those aspects of the story line. 

Stars: 3