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sisoykaty's review against another edition
5.0
The book that started it all…I read this book in high school that my friend let me borrow and wow…my first full book that I read willingly and the book that started my love for books 100% recommend
__charla's review against another edition
5.0
i kinda wanna rate this a four stars but this was like really entertaining so its a 5 stars.. i loved the characters
abby10's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The vibes are immaculate. What a fun time it is returning to one of my OG faves. I don’t care if it’s nostalgia goggles doing the talking but I love these books. I love America. I love Maxon. I simply do not care to think critically about The Selection.
sea_su's review against another edition
5.0
This book took me by complete surprise. I expected some cringey young adult book and it was actually a wonderfully written book taken place in another version of the US after world wars.
I loved all the characters and especially the main character. MC name is America which is honestly the only thing I HATE. Ugh. Getting past that though, I loved how she dealt with her heartbreak and her mixture of emotions for Aspen and Maxon. I hate love triangles, but at least Mer told Aspen about her growing feelings for Maxon and he understands it since it was him who messed up and broke up with her. I truly hope she falls for Maxon, but I guess we shall see.
I loved all the characters and especially the main character. MC name is America which is honestly the only thing I HATE. Ugh. Getting past that though, I loved how she dealt with her heartbreak and her mixture of emotions for Aspen and Maxon. I hate love triangles, but at least Mer told Aspen about her growing feelings for Maxon and he understands it since it was him who messed up and broke up with her. I truly hope she falls for Maxon, but I guess we shall see.
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
3.0
i never read this when i was a kid because the series featured GIRLS IN PRETTY DRESSES on the covers and i was NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS so i could never read a GIRL IN A PRETTY DRESS book obviously, but if 12 year old me knew that the main character also was NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS maybe i would have devoured this whole series lol.
exactly what i was expecting except somehow i enjoyed it slightly more than i thought i would? it is absolutely a cookie cutter example of the 2010s dystopian trend—society sectioned off into clear groups (labeled by numbers of course), a protagonist who is Not Like Other Girls (she doesn’t think she’s beautiful!!! but of course she is the most beautiful!!!!! also boooooo everyone who wears makeup is fake and ugly) + has a stellar name (america!), and an insufferable love triangle.
i wasn’t expecting to finish it in one sitting but i was here for the drama.
it’s a little misogynistic and one thing i thought was strange was the weird emphasis on the potentiality of sexual assault, where the girls are warned that they should never say no. naturally our protagonist gets a little scared which makes our love interest prince boy incredibly upset as if he’s the victim because how dare she be afraid of a very real power imbalance. also they do a lil virgin check before the contest begins omg i do not think that would fly in YA in this decade. semi-mixed messages but it is what it is. saying this is the hunger games x the bachelor is very accurate.
anyway, a note to me a decade ago: just read the fancy dress books. they probably will reflect your internalized misogyny. it’ll be fun i promise.
exactly what i was expecting except somehow i enjoyed it slightly more than i thought i would? it is absolutely a cookie cutter example of the 2010s dystopian trend—society sectioned off into clear groups (labeled by numbers of course), a protagonist who is Not Like Other Girls (she doesn’t think she’s beautiful!!! but of course she is the most beautiful!!!!! also boooooo everyone who wears makeup is fake and ugly) + has a stellar name (america!), and an insufferable love triangle.
i wasn’t expecting to finish it in one sitting but i was here for the drama.
it’s a little misogynistic and one thing i thought was strange was the weird emphasis on the potentiality of sexual assault, where the girls are warned that they should never say no. naturally our protagonist gets a little scared which makes our love interest prince boy incredibly upset as if he’s the victim because how dare she be afraid of a very real power imbalance. also they do a lil virgin check before the contest begins omg i do not think that would fly in YA in this decade. semi-mixed messages but it is what it is. saying this is the hunger games x the bachelor is very accurate.
anyway, a note to me a decade ago: just read the fancy dress books. they probably will reflect your internalized misogyny. it’ll be fun i promise.
carrk884's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
caglaada's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
muyaho_'s review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
d3monology's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
A cute and intriguing opener for a YA series that ends up not really delivering. The main character was likeable and relatable for most of this book, and while the writing could be lacking at times, it was clear that our female and male leads were given consideration and care to their individual developments. The love triangle wasn’t even that bad!!