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tania_mybookishsecret's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Classism, and Bullying
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexism and Miscarriage
amelianotthepilot's review against another edition
3.5
Man this series is rough. The book cover is truly doing so much work here it is gorgeous. I still stand by that this would make a great tv show, the reality tv, pretty dresses, PeasantxRoyalty would be fun. Bummed the tv show never panned out lol
It's a fun trashy dystopian YA read from the 2000s. The love triangle is ridiculous and I can't believe this selection plot spans three whole books before the ridiculous ending it has. America and Aspen's relationship immediately falls apart in the beginning of the story only for her to pick it up again when he returns later in the book (spoiler i guess).
My main problem with the book (and series in general) is the random blatant sexism and racism. The girls in the selection are just wives who will bare children, they're objects, and while this is poked at (maybe once) it's not actually called out for being bad. The racism lies mainly in one character being Asian and is referred to as 'exotic' and also seems to be a 'conglomerate Asian' of just random various Asian stereotypes and cultural dress. But furthermore the two groups of rebels the north (implied Canadians) are described as 'civilized' and 'smart' while the south (implied Mexico and South America) are described as 'barbaric' and 'uncivilized', attacking viciously without purpose. There is also heavy classism. Although this is meant to be a dystopian plot device dividing the characters and their upbringings, the characters who rise classes basically immediately forget their struggles and upbringing and the commentary and morals end up not existing. America easily fits into her new raised class and bosses her maids around while displaying minimal niceties the reader is supposed to commend her for.
Overall this is a simple, albeit lacking 2000s dystopian with blatant problems and racism but at least it has pretty dresses and a fun little plot I guess....
Please ignore 2014 me's review lmao I was 15
It's a fun trashy dystopian YA read from the 2000s. The love triangle is ridiculous and I can't believe this selection plot spans three whole books before the ridiculous ending it has. America and Aspen's relationship immediately falls apart in the beginning of the story only for her to pick it up again when he returns later in the book (spoiler i guess).
My main problem with the book (and series in general) is the random blatant sexism and racism. The girls in the selection are just wives who will bare children, they're objects, and while this is poked at (maybe once) it's not actually called out for being bad. The racism lies mainly in one character being Asian and is referred to as 'exotic' and also seems to be a 'conglomerate Asian' of just random various Asian stereotypes and cultural dress. But furthermore the two groups of rebels the north (implied Canadians) are described as 'civilized' and 'smart' while the south (implied Mexico and South America) are described as 'barbaric' and 'uncivilized', attacking viciously without purpose. There is also heavy classism. Although this is meant to be a dystopian plot device dividing the characters and their upbringings, the characters who rise classes basically immediately forget their struggles and upbringing and the commentary and morals end up not existing. America easily fits into her new raised class and bosses her maids around while displaying minimal niceties the reader is supposed to commend her for.
Overall this is a simple, albeit lacking 2000s dystopian with blatant problems and racism but at least it has pretty dresses and a fun little plot I guess....
Please ignore 2014 me's review lmao I was 15
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Racism, and Classism
idyllisera's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? No
1.5
now I reread it and it's horrible. the "not like other girls" syndrome America has is not cute. it's annoying. she's like someone who actually thinks they're the main character. she describes the other girls as shallow.
the overall world building is bad - how do we decline to a monarchy with a caste system in the future again.
americas ex-boyfriend is every patriarchal red flag that exists. once he actually sexually assaults her.
her inability to choose could be relatable, if aspen was likable. her inability to COMMUNICATE is absolutely annoying. once she's sure about a decision about who she wants but doesn't tell the other guy. she quite literally says "no I don't even like him" to one of them while she promised the other that she'll stay with them.
people from other countries (such as Germany or Italy but especially China) get described in a VERY stereotypical way that borders on racism (looking at the description of Elise's family)
it's not cute. it's frustrating.
also. the writing is just bad. (though that could be the translation)
If I want the same plot I'd just watch the bachelor tbh.
also, go read the one star ratings on Goodreads. they are hilarious.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Racism
becca_w_'s review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Classism, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Violence, Sexism, Grief, Colonisation, and Infidelity
Minor: Death
maychan's review against another edition
slow-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? No
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
hollymileham's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
mega cringey but i feel like thats kind of the appeal, overall a very easy to read book which is what i need rn
i hate aspens guts he is so annoying and america annoys me whenever she goes on about him bc idk whats to like about him
and what is with maxon insisting on calling people my dear is he 84 years old
i hate aspens guts he is so annoying and america annoys me whenever she goes on about him bc idk whats to like about him
and what is with maxon insisting on calling people my dear is he 84 years old
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: War
Minor: Rape, Miscarriage, and Sexual assault
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: War
Minor: Violence and Sexism
embla_v's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
4.0
Jag gillade verkligen den här boken vilket jag inte trodde jag skulle göra. Jag trodde att jag skulle vara lite för gammal för att tycka om den men den var faktiskt väldigt underhållande.
Boken handlar om America som är en tjej som blir utvald att vara med i urvalet och tävla om att gifta sig med honom. Men Americas hjärta tillhör någon annan. Detta är en bok om vänskap och kärlek som samtidigt utspelar sig i en värld som är allt annat än perfekt.
Jag gillade verkligen boken som sagt och skulle säga att den huvudsakliga målgruppen för boken är tjejer 12+. Det är en fantasy (utan magi), dystopisk bok. Den är första boken i en serie.
Boken handlar om America som är en tjej som blir utvald att vara med i urvalet och tävla om att gifta sig med honom. Men Americas hjärta tillhör någon annan. Detta är en bok om vänskap och kärlek som samtidigt utspelar sig i en värld som är allt annat än perfekt.
Jag gillade verkligen boken som sagt och skulle säga att den huvudsakliga målgruppen för boken är tjejer 12+. Det är en fantasy (utan magi), dystopisk bok. Den är första boken i en serie.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, War, Classism, Alcohol, Bullying, Rape, and Mass/school shootings
michellemaas's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
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? It's complicated
2.5
* Beware of minor spoilers
2.5 - ⭐⭐💫
The first installment in The Selection series. Young Adult Dystopian novel with a The Bachelor-like concept and featuring the "he falls in love first", "fake dating", "forced proximity", and "love triangle" tropes.
The Selection was blissfully mediocre. I don't know what happened or when but up until 75% I was really enjoying it. Enjoying it so much that it was on the road to a strong 4 stars but then it somehow just fell apart.
"I hope you find someone you can't live without. I really do. And I hope you never have to know what it's like to have to try and live without them."
America Singer comes from a lower-class family, so when she gets picked to compete alongside 34 other girls for Prince Maxon's heart you think she'd be thrilled. You'd be wrong. Nursing a broken heart, the last thing on America's mind is impressing some boy, but the longer she stays there and the more dangerous the rebel attacks become, the more America starts to wonder if a future with Maxon would really be that bad . . .
"True love is usually the most inconvenient kind."
First and foremost, I think that America is quite annoying. She just has such "pick me" and "I'm not like other girls" energy that she's difficult to root for and I know that was very much the stuff that 2014 female main characters thrived on and I also realize that it is very likely a product of her age, but it's still tough to swallow. Maxon's a cutie though and I would for sure marry him if he asked. Then there are the rebel attacks (seriously though, name 1 dystopian novel that doesn't have some sort of rebel group) which could have been cool but were wholly underutilized. I'm assuming Cass is going to elaborate on them in the coming books but as for now, it was just a plot device to make Maxon and America forgive each other for losing their tempers without needing an actual apology.
"It's always the fear of looking stupid that stops you from being awesome."
Some points I enjoyed: I like that Maxon and America were real. They acted their age, in the sense that they were prone to impulsive emotional outbursts, but they are also mature enough to acknowledge that and apologize when they were in the wrong. Their relationship development also felt very natural. America mentioned how she couldn't just get over her relationship of 2 years simply because she was developing feelings for Maxon which is not something a lot of writers remember or care to admit. Maxon was also just so charming and cute and inexperienced in a way that made him endearing, but he was also emotionally intelligent and compassionate. He really is the perfect guy.
"No, I’m not choosing him or you. I’m choosing me."
Overall there was nothing really creative about the plot (I said this during every update but it is LITERALLY just The Bachelor with the worldbuilding of The Hunger Games. Seriously, everything from the concept to the girls getting jealous and the speed dating is exactly what happens every season on the show . . .) and the writing was average at best but I'd be damned if I said I wasn't entertained for the most part. This is not a book I will be jumping to reread by any means, but I wouldn't consider it a waste of time and I am happy to finally know what all the hype was about.
2.5 - ⭐⭐💫
The first installment in The Selection series. Young Adult Dystopian novel with a The Bachelor-like concept and featuring the "he falls in love first", "fake dating", "forced proximity", and "love triangle" tropes.
The Selection was blissfully mediocre. I don't know what happened or when but up until 75% I was really enjoying it. Enjoying it so much that it was on the road to a strong 4 stars but then it somehow just fell apart.
"I hope you find someone you can't live without. I really do. And I hope you never have to know what it's like to have to try and live without them."
America Singer comes from a lower-class family, so when she gets picked to compete alongside 34 other girls for Prince Maxon's heart you think she'd be thrilled. You'd be wrong. Nursing a broken heart, the last thing on America's mind is impressing some boy, but the longer she stays there and the more dangerous the rebel attacks become, the more America starts to wonder if a future with Maxon would really be that bad . . .
"True love is usually the most inconvenient kind."
First and foremost, I think that America is quite annoying. She just has such "pick me" and "I'm not like other girls" energy that she's difficult to root for and I know that was very much the stuff that 2014 female main characters thrived on and I also realize that it is very likely a product of her age, but it's still tough to swallow. Maxon's a cutie though and I would for sure marry him if he asked. Then there are the rebel attacks (seriously though, name 1 dystopian novel that doesn't have some sort of rebel group) which could have been cool but were wholly underutilized. I'm assuming Cass is going to elaborate on them in the coming books but as for now, it was just a plot device to make Maxon and America forgive each other for losing their tempers without needing an actual apology.
"It's always the fear of looking stupid that stops you from being awesome."
Some points I enjoyed: I like that Maxon and America were real. They acted their age, in the sense that they were prone to impulsive emotional outbursts, but they are also mature enough to acknowledge that and apologize when they were in the wrong. Their relationship development also felt very natural. America mentioned how she couldn't just get over her relationship of 2 years simply because she was developing feelings for Maxon which is not something a lot of writers remember or care to admit. Maxon was also just so charming and cute and inexperienced in a way that made him endearing, but he was also emotionally intelligent and compassionate. He really is the perfect guy.
"No, I’m not choosing him or you. I’m choosing me."
Overall there was nothing really creative about the plot (I said this during every update but it is LITERALLY just The Bachelor with the worldbuilding of The Hunger Games. Seriously, everything from the concept to the girls getting jealous and the speed dating is exactly what happens every season on the show . . .) and the writing was average at best but I'd be damned if I said I wasn't entertained for the most part. This is not a book I will be jumping to reread by any means, but I wouldn't consider it a waste of time and I am happy to finally know what all the hype was about.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Misogyny, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
mellysay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
I hate Aspen so much
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting