Reviews with content warning for Panic attacks/disorders - The Selection

I would have eaten this book up if I had read this in middle school. Now I’m not really into love triangles. It fits into the Divergent, Hunger Games, Giver, Matched, etc theme I was reading back then. I think the world being built on what caste you’re in is an interesting take. It’s very much needed in this day and age to realize your privilege even though there isn’t a government mandated caste (sometimes it can feel like there is).

I don’t know if I’ll read the next book. I hate second hand embarrassment and I can tell that not telling Maxon about Aspen is not going to be good.

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agateg's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

“True love is usually the most inconvenient kind.”

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 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, a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want, 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.

This was a very compelling story that, once I started, I could only put down after finishing. The world-building was easy to follow and comprehend, but I did think there were some inconsistencies with it, how come America was in the Fifth caste yet could still have a two stories house with her own room? But that's something I can look over, what I cannot look over is that the main character's name is America Singer whose occupation is, you guessed it, a singer, that feels a bit on the nose, doesn't it? Even if I were to ignore that, I didn't really love America at times, she felt too pick me, quirky, and not like other girls for me to completely love her. I really liked and fell for Maxton though, I truly think that he was a great love interest whose truthful feelings toward America you can feel from almost the first page. Aspen, on the other hand... get him away from me. I did not like his fragile ego and stance that America should immediately go back to him just because he's finally grown up enough to support her the way "real men do it". I am team Maxton, and in my opinion, that's the only team that really matters.

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ellasommers's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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lazy_liz's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I definitely like the book. Don't love it though. There is many clichés, which the book exaggerates. There's a love triangle, and tons of drama. (Low-key was rooting for the side love interest and not the main one.) I don't like the fact that the main character seemed to be 100% the girl who's winning the selection from the very beginning. The book made her "pretty" and "smart" and "not like other girls", which to me is a very annoying cliché. Still, the book is overall great and wholesome (most of the time). Parts of the book focuses on war and classism. Its fast pace is probably the main reason why it's so hard to put it down! Literally, I read it all in one sitting. Definitely doing to read the sequels.

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becca_w_'s review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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im_just_vidu's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

It's been a while since I've finished reading this book. And all I could think was "this is unfair". Cuz I'm not an avid series reader. And I was hanged on a cliffhanger and all I could think was "what happened next?". And now I have to read the other book to find out really what happened.
So talking about the book, it was good. I like that it can be focus on more younger audience as well. It's like family friendly way of telling a fairy tale. It was nice how the story is flowing on. There's no rush, maybe because this is a series. But the small details make the story more realistic. I know my opinion might change depending on the way the story goes in the next books. However as a single book, this was a good one. I listened to the audiobook, and there wasn't a single second that I didn't like. There wasn't a single moment I waited until the chapter over. So I think it's a plus sign.
My heart is with Maxson even though America likes Aspen. Yes, I know they've been dating for about 2 years and had history together. But there's something about Maxson that screams he's the better one. I wish Aspen cheated , moved on or something else. Cuz that would've been easier for America to move on and falling in love with Maxson. At least Maxson should've stayed at home. Why the hell he came to palace to see America and staying there like a maniac. If he didn't come, America would've thought that he already moved on and she'll eventually move on too. Aspen you complicated everything. But yeah I know it was the purpose. To make the story more complicated and making it interesting that way. I understand the author's intention. But god, I hate it when there's a love triangle and you have a past with someone in that case. How the hell are you supposed to give a chance to the other one when you already had so many memories with that person. It's kind of unfair. But Aspen was the one who asked for a chance and give him time for dive into her heart too. So I guess it's fair in that way.
I wish the selection was going further cuz I wanted to spend more time with all the other girls. At least with another 10 girls so that we see better about all of their thoughts and intentions about the selection. And also about prince's feelings towards the girls. I want more of those girl parts. More girl talks. More time in "women's room". I enjoyed those things more than anything else. Also America's relationship with her maids. The story of Lucy and her trauma. What happened to her in the past and what made her the way she is now. I want answers to all those questions. I hope I'll find answers to them in the other books of the series. After all, this is a series for a reason. All I want is this to not disappoint me.
I'm giving this 4 stars. Don't ask me why I didn't gave it 5. It just feels like something is missing and I want to keep my 5 to something I feel like it deserves it. But this is a good book for sure. There's no doubt that this is a good one. And there's a reason this is famous as the way it is.
I'll read the series somehow, cuz I'm so emotionally attached to this story. Hope it'll be end up being a 5.

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haleybre's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-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

5.0

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