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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I first read this book in middle school, and since then, this will be my third read-through. I loved the book as a teen, finding America funny and the idea of a “The Bachelor-type” game romantic. Reading this book almost 10 years later, I cringe. The writing is good and easy to entertain, but America’s inner-dialogue screams of the early 2010s with the NLOG-type theme very apparent.
However, despite my annoyances at America’s constant surprise at people mentioning how she’s “oh, so beautiful”, the occasional fat-shaming/borderline misogynistic comments toward her mom, and the horrible love-triangle with Aspen (I could write a whole essay on how much he annoys me) and Maxon, it’s easy to appreciate it for what it is—a cheesy, fluffy fairytale meant to entertain.
What The Selection lacks in substance, it makes up for with entertainment. The story is easy to get sucked into and has a good pacing that makes you eager for more. America’s relationship with both Marlee, Maxon, and her maids is sweet and I enjoyed their interactions, especially Marlee and America encouraging and building each other up. The friendship that started to bloom between America and Maxon, despite her hesitation and fears, was quite cute and I loved the building of a relationship between the two. It felt quite natural, unrushed, and a great segue to the budding romance.
However, some of America’s internal dialogue of the other girls was distasteful at times, downright petty and misogynistic other times. It was a bit uncomfortable reading some of the comments and observations America had. I did enjoy the commentary on class divisions, though, with America’s care and befriending of her maids. Especially since America, despite having conflicting feelings on her choice of actually competing for Maxon’s hand, realizing the influence she had to represent the lower castes.
All in all, it’s a fun read to suck you into another romanticized dystopia. Different enough to make it stand out from other dystopias of the time, but similar enough not to sway the reader away. It’s a product of its time that shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
It was good for what it was, but not necessarily something I would have continued to read if I didn't already have all the books.
I read this book back in middle school a really long time ago, and to this day it is honestly one of my favorites. The writing style is amazing and it’s a very quick read. I remember getting so swept up into the story I couldn’t not finish it (I remember reading book 2 in three days). The series is perfectly spaced out in my opinion and just the whole story is a really good romance.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A throwback to the dystopian era of the 2010s is always fun, even if the writing is lacking and the plot is cringe worthy.
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the opportunity of a lifetime to marry a prince. In a society where everyone is born into a ranked caste, these girls are able to break through this system and rise up into royalty.
America Singer is one of the few who doesn’t want to be Selected. She doesn’t want to fight for Prince Maxon’s amongst the backdrop of rebellions against the palace, when she’s already in love with a boy from home.
The plot to this first book in the series was incredibly predictable, but it was still kind of enjoyable. The writing definitely caters to a younger audience, but that feeds into the nostalgia effect. The Selection is a bit of an icky notion, and didn’t sit well with me though.
The concept of a society with different levels of class is interesting, but it felt underdeveloped. I’ll be interested to see how it does unfold in the later books, along with the rebellions.
America and Maxon were really cheesy characters, but they were relatable in their own way. I am still invested in their relationship and how it might change later on in the series.
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the opportunity of a lifetime to marry a prince. In a society where everyone is born into a ranked caste, these girls are able to break through this system and rise up into royalty.
America Singer is one of the few who doesn’t want to be Selected. She doesn’t want to fight for Prince Maxon’s amongst the backdrop of rebellions against the palace, when she’s already in love with a boy from home.
The plot to this first book in the series was incredibly predictable, but it was still kind of enjoyable. The writing definitely caters to a younger audience, but that feeds into the nostalgia effect. The Selection is a bit of an icky notion, and didn’t sit well with me though.
The concept of a society with different levels of class is interesting, but it felt underdeveloped. I’ll be interested to see how it does unfold in the later books, along with the rebellions.
America and Maxon were really cheesy characters, but they were relatable in their own way. I am still invested in their relationship and how it might change later on in the series.