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westsideswiftie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Minor: Miscarriage
katbsc's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Minor: Classism, Colonisation, Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Police brutality, and Physical abuse
itsmeyseniab's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
2nd read: April 2022 - 4.5 stars
This was so much fun the second time around! The plot was the perfect amount of lightheartedness that I needed, and it truly reads like a reality television show at times. Although I find the plot to be interesting, it was lacking at times, it just felt very repetitive and lacked substance at times (ie. the "dates" weren't unique to each other, and a lot of the same conversations were had between our main characters). I did notice that Kiera Cass borrowed a LOT from Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games: from the caste system to the love triangle to the Selection itself. I don't think it's a bad thing to be inspired by another story for your own, but it just felt as though I were reading the same story at times (minus the murder lol). It got a little distracting at times. I also felt like the ending was incredibly rushed, which contributed to me not giving it another five star rating.
I thought our two main characters America and Maxon were good, but like I just stated I felt as though they were clones of Katniss and Peeta. America was very abrasive, self-sufficient and opinionated (much like Katniss) and I loved to see it! Prince Maxon started as being very soft-spoken, gentle and romantic in a shy way (hello, Peeta??) which gave me butterflies. I just loved how they complemented each other, and how they put a lot of emphasis on their friendship: it was refreshing, especially in the YA romance genre. I did enjoy the supporting characters as well, I just wish America developed more relationships with the other girls in the Selection (aside from Marlee and Celeste) so their departures would hold more weight. I cannot STAND Aspen, and I am not invested in the love triangle whatsoever. I will say, the reason why I docked it half a star on my re-read was due to the characterization - I felt as though Kiera Cass struggled with this at times, specifically at the end. There was a particular conflict with Maxon that felt incredibly out of character, and was obviously put in place to push the plot forward to book 2, which took me out of the story.
I am excited to continue on with this series though!
1st read: July 2018 - 5 stars
This was so much fun the second time around! The plot was the perfect amount of lightheartedness that I needed, and it truly reads like a reality television show at times. Although I find the plot to be interesting, it was lacking at times, it just felt very repetitive and lacked substance at times (ie. the "dates" weren't unique to each other, and a lot of the same conversations were had between our main characters). I did notice that Kiera Cass borrowed a LOT from Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games: from the caste system to the love triangle to the Selection itself. I don't think it's a bad thing to be inspired by another story for your own, but it just felt as though I were reading the same story at times (minus the murder lol). It got a little distracting at times. I also felt like the ending was incredibly rushed, which contributed to me not giving it another five star rating.
I thought our two main characters America and Maxon were good, but like I just stated I felt as though they were clones of Katniss and Peeta. America was very abrasive, self-sufficient and opinionated (much like Katniss) and I loved to see it! Prince Maxon started as being very soft-spoken, gentle and romantic in a shy way (hello, Peeta??) which gave me butterflies. I just loved how they complemented each other, and how they put a lot of emphasis on their friendship: it was refreshing, especially in the YA romance genre. I did enjoy the supporting characters as well, I just wish America developed more relationships with the other girls in the Selection (aside from Marlee and Celeste) so their departures would hold more weight. I cannot STAND Aspen, and I am not invested in the love triangle whatsoever. I will say, the reason why I docked it half a star on my re-read was due to the characterization - I felt as though Kiera Cass struggled with this at times, specifically at the end. There was a particular conflict with Maxon that felt incredibly out of character, and was obviously put in place to push the plot forward to book 2, which took me out of the story.
I am excited to continue on with this series though!
1st read: July 2018 - 5 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Bullying
Minor: Death and Miscarriage
ohworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Rape, and Police brutality
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