Book Recap: The Selection by Kiera Cass (ARC)

Cover Inspection:
I want this gown for myself. 

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):
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.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	3.5
Plot	3.0
Writing	2.5
Characters	3.0
Ending	1.5
Overall Rating	3.0 Very Good! (89% to 92%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

LOCATION/SETTING:
The story is set in the Kingdom of Illea. It's basically a dystopian society, where a caste system is imposed with the royal family on top. Illea is a new country. It is newly established, and so there's a rebellion problem.

MAIN CHARACTER:
The main character is America Singer. She belongs to a family of artists, and being so, she belongs to the lower middle caste. She's a simple girl, and therefore she wants the simple things in life. She's easy to be with, and although she hates being in the spotlight, people cannot help but flock to her.

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:
The Selection is a process of selecting a bride for the crown prince of Illea. It's very similar to how The Bachelor works. America Singer didn't really want to enter the selection, but she did for the purpose of improving her family's situation. (There's compensation for the participants.) However, after meeting the prince, America was shocked that he isn't as stuffy as he appears on TV and that she might actually be feeling something for him.

LOVE:
There are two love interests in this book, and I love them both. Now let's analyze the prince and the pauper, and their relationship with America.

America-Aspen Relationship
Aspen is America's first love. It just happened that Aspen belongs to a caste lower than America so they have to hide their relationship. I love Aspen because he's amazingly hard-working and selfless when it comes to his family. He is in love with America, and he wants America to be his wife, but he knows that he won't be able to give America what she deserves. So, he lets her go. I hated that it all ended too soon for these two lovebirds, because I surely want to read more about their passionate make out sessions on a tree house.

America-Maxon Relationship
Maxon is the crown prince. But beneath that regal exterior is a normal boy who just wants to find someone to love, and someone who will love him back. Maxon is sweet and generous. (But I can't help but think that Maxon is generous because he can afford to be generous. Unlike Aspen who gives and gives until he has none for himself.) Nevetheless, what I loved about their relationship is their friendship. They started out as friends. Plus I really enjoyed Maxon and America's little bargains and games. Although it is clear that Maxon feels something for America, he is gentleman enough to step aside if America prefers someone else.

So yes, there is a love triangle in the story. So now, the question is: is it the good kind? I have to say yes. Although America is leaning towards Aspen, the glory of first love and all, its actually unpredictable who America will choose because near the end of the book, I believe she might actually be falling in love with the prince. And that is more than enough reason for me to read the sequel.

NO LOVE:
The book is too short, and the ending is just so abrupt. It came out of nowhere and just when things were getting really interesting. For this reason, the whole book felt like an introduction or a prologue. Plus, it left more than a cliffhanger. The story ended without really tying loose ends. In short, conflicts were not resolved at all. Another thing I didn't like is the inconsistent pacing. There were parts that were really interesting that the pages were flying. But others were just so slow and boring that I found myself skimming already. Also, I couldn't believe that rebels would attack the palace, the seat of governmental power, several times. (Yes, several times, so maybe they do deserve to be deposed.) Anyway, these Illean royals must have some complex network of security no matter how newly established Illea is. I also didn't like how America behaved sometimes - bordering on rude. I am all for "being yourself," but there has to be some boundaries too.

FAVORITE CHARACTER:
All of the characters are really fun and great, but no one really stood out. So I don't have a favorite.

FAVORITE LINE:
I am withholding lines and scenes as the book I'm reviewing is an advance copy.

MUSINGS:
For a dystopian story, I think that the story is a bit shallow for focusing too much on the fairytale romance and not putting emphasis on the political aspects of the story. (I'm really not complaining. I love romance books.) I just think that the book would be more "well-rounded" if there's politics, or more of it in this case. After all, this is a dystopian story. If you are looking for some action, then this is not for you, unless you count cat fights and backstabbing as "action." Nevertheless, fans of fluffy romance would devour this book in a matter of hours. The romance in this book is STEAMY. The tension between Aspen and America is just amazing. Very good romance! So, all in all, The Selection a very easy read and it is very light. Although the story is not exceptionally good, the book is very entertaining and I really enjoyed reading it.

DOODLES:

No trailer yet.

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:

Kiera Cass

SIMILAR READS:

Wither by Lauren DeStefano 

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

CONTENT REVIEW:
profanity: mild
violence: mild
sexual content: mild - moderate
mature themes: moderate (virginity, talk of marriage and children)
age recommendation: 13+