Release Date: April 24, 2012Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 327
Series: The Selection #1
Review Source: Edelweiss
Synopsis: (from 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.
My Thoughts:
There was so much drama about this book that I initially didn't want to read it. So many mixed reviews and negative reviews and everything going on around it. But then there were all these positive reviews coming out as well, and with that crazy concept I just couldn't resist. And then a TV pick up on the CW starring Miss Aimee Teegarden and I really couldn't resist. Verdict? I'm glad I decided to read 'The Selection' because it was frothy, addicting fun. Honestly I'm not sure why, but it just kept making me smile and giggle, and when I wasn't reading it I wanted to be reading it.
I loved the idea of this future kingdom taking the place of what used to be the USA. However, I didn't feel like there was a ton of world building or depth to the side characters. Yet somehow despite those faults I still found myself adoring this book, maybe because I felt like it was America's story, not a huge world building story. It was just such fluffy fun, yet it did have some depth to it as well (talking about conditions of the poor, international relations, etc).
My one huge complaint? That the book just keeps building and then leaves you hanging at the end. The story really just stops and you're left with no resolution until the next book. I really hate it when books tell half (or a third) of a story and then call it a full book. There are other ways to write series and create cliffhangers that are so much more preferable. Still, the fun characters and plot won me over enough that I can't help but like this book, complaints and all, drama and all. I'm really glad I read it because it was a lot of fun.
The Cover:
The colour is striking, and I loveeeee the crown symbol and the title font, but the picture itself? No times a thousand. Hate the picture! I guess it works for the book itself, but I don't feel like it represents America at all.
Rating:
[4/5]Find The Selection by Kiera Cass on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.
I feel the exact same as you Ashley! I really like the story, but the ending kinda did me in. And the cover? I likeish it (I read something on Goodreads where someone had said that it looks like she is sniffing her underarm and now I can't get that picture out of my head)... ;)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, and the CW thing? SO EXCITED!
Ohh, now I'm conflicted. I hate when there is all this build up and then the story is over and you're all... wait, what?
ReplyDeleteBut oh that cover! - though Avery does make a point, it does look like some sniffing is going on.
I guess I'll bump this to the maybe pile :P
Thanks for the review.
It was funny? Really? Huh, I hadn't expected that! But as long as it was a good thing. :P But that building-up doesn't sound exactly pleasant... I'll hem and haw over this one for a little while longer. Thanks for the review, Ashley! :)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say funny, no. More like silly swoony-ness and America being blind to her feelings.
DeleteOh, okay. I thought when you said "frothy"... but I see. :P
DeleteI have to review this one for Amazon Vine otherwise I'd probably wait until book 2 came out, so I wouldn't have to deal with that much of a cliffhanger. You're right--there are other ways to write series where the reader is satisfied at the end and yet still wants to pick up the next book!
ReplyDeleteSo difficult to decide if I want to read it or not. I read so many negative reviews about it.. Complaining about almost every aspect of the ook. But I also saw positive reviews like yours and I'm confused :p. Perhaps I'm going to give it a chance, but it's not high on my list..
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review though!
I've seen both positive and negative reviews for The Selection so I think I'll wait until bk 2 comes out since I really hate cliffhanger endings and it will frustrate me so much.
ReplyDeleteThere wasn't any world building at all. I mentioned that in my review, but I also mentioned that maybe it wasn't needed...at the same time it is a dystopian so it should have world building, lol.
ReplyDeleteTHAT FREAKING ENDING! I was SO mad at that ending. I'm getting upset just thinking about it, lol.
The cliffhanger aspect really turns me off from this one. Plus the lack of a world building... I'm still confused on why it was so good.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at CW. Seriously, their tv shows are just made of awesome. I'm still a little conflicted with all the drama over this book too and all the 5 star vs 2 and 1 star reviews. Your review was very helpful :)
ReplyDelete