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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
brittcorcoran's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It’s like the bachelor but it’s teenaged girls in a dystopian world being trapped in a palace and trying to impress the prince so they can access more of society’s benefits by moving up castes??? Basically?
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, War, and Vomit
merveille's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I picked up this book out of curiosity since it was very popular during the 2010s. I was about 9 when it came out so obviously I wasn't there for the hype, so seeing it in my school's bookstore now as a 19-year-old, I figured it might a fun and lighthearted read to get me out of a slump. To start on a good note, that's exactly what it did! I had a lot of fun reading The Selection, and it definitely held my interest the entire time. I love books with royalty aspects in them, especially when the main character is joining a royal family or is already in one, so this automatically had a nice atmosphere for me. I also think that the "romance" between the main character, America, and Prince Maxon was very enjoyable. I love the dynamic between them and how natural the two of them get along.
Now here's where my issue comes in. I absolutely cannot get behind the relationship between Aspen and America because...there is none. The book starts off with us knowing that they had been "together" for about two years prior to this, and we meet them quite literally at the end of that relationship. I don't know how the author expected me to feel something for her and Aspen as a couple when I literally know nothing about them or their dynamic outside of the small things mentioned here and there. It got to be especially annoying when watching her and Maxon's friendship blossom and grow into something I can root for because the whole time she is stuck harping on someone I (as the reader) never got to know. I can feel bad for her because she was hurt by their situation but hello!! You're getting to know and like this wonderful person right there in front of you!
So imagine how irritated I was to see Aspen is now working at the palace as a guard. And now knowing that the rest of the series is going to be America going back and forth between the two is really unappealing for me, as someone who doesn't care for love triangles.
Anyways, I gave the book 3.5 stars because I did enjoy the book as a whole, and even though America is kind of a typical white main character, I did like her character decently enough. I love her and Maxon's friendship and I think I will continue the series to see how it develops even more.
Now here's where my issue comes in. I absolutely cannot get behind the relationship between Aspen and America because...there is none. The book starts off with us knowing that they had been "together" for about two years prior to this, and we meet them quite literally at the end of that relationship. I don't know how the author expected me to feel something for her and Aspen as a couple when I literally know nothing about them or their dynamic outside of the small things mentioned here and there. It got to be especially annoying when watching her and Maxon's friendship blossom and grow into something I can root for because the whole time she is stuck harping on someone I (as the reader) never got to know. I can feel bad for her because she was hurt by their situation but hello!! You're getting to know and like this wonderful person right there in front of you!
Anyways, I gave the book 3.5 stars because I did enjoy the book as a whole, and even though America is kind of a typical white main character, I did like her character decently enough. I love her and Maxon's friendship and I think I will continue the series to see how it develops even more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Violence
sudatot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Violence, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Police brutality, and Torture
Minor: Miscarriage and Sexual assault
elderflower's review against another edition
1.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Xenophobia, and Body shaming
Minor: Sexual assault and Vomit
More content warnings: mild ableist language, slut shaming, purity cultureishouldbereading's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Gun violence, Death, and Violence
asthxte's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Confinement
Moderate: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault and Murder
trintrin's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
incredibly mediocre but addicting for some reason
Initially, I didn't understand what the hell was going on when people called the main character "America" and "Mer". Then I realised way too late that it must be her name -_-
This whole "Selection" thing is just a weird dystopian Cinderella (blue ball gown on the cover is not helping at all). Mer's "I'm only here for the food" was what kept me reading. I think I like Aspen more than Maxon in this one?? Maxon's first interaction with America gave me the ick, but I also think he might be an overall better fit for her.
The caste system, including its flaws, is pretty interesting. Not sure how accurate the world is politically (wdym China annexed a debt-ridden USA and renamed it The American State of China 💀 only for them to be invaded by Russia 💀 only for them to rebel against that and form a new nation of Illéa, named after the founder 💀) but whatever, it's a romance book anyways. Ended in a cliff-hanger, so might as well binge the next one ig
Initially, I didn't understand what the hell was going on when people called the main character "America" and "Mer". Then I realised way too late that it must be her name -_-
This whole "Selection" thing is just a weird dystopian Cinderella (blue ball gown on the cover is not helping at all). Mer's "I'm only here for the food" was what kept me reading. I think I like Aspen more than Maxon in this one?? Maxon's first interaction with America gave me the ick, but I also think he might be an overall better fit for her.
The caste system, including its flaws, is pretty interesting. Not sure how accurate the world is politically (wdym China annexed a debt-ridden USA and renamed it The American State of China 💀 only for them to be invaded by Russia 💀 only for them to rebel against that and form a new nation of Illéa, named after the founder 💀) but whatever, it's a romance book anyways. Ended in a cliff-hanger, so might as well binge the next one ig
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Rape, Misogyny, Violence, Bullying, and War
lara_bk's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Violence, Miscarriage, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: War and Sexual assault
fremzz's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Minor: Death, Sexual assault, and Violence