Scan barcode
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
isabelleroyall's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, War, Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Blood, Classism, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Violence, and Child abuse
caroline_peacock's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: War, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse
shyleek's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
To say I devoured this book would be an understatement. It took less than 2 days from start to finish. I have been in my thriller, murder, mystery reading era and this took my back to my fairytale princess roots.
I can't pinpoint exactly what made this so good except I didn't want to stop reading it. I had to know what was coming next. The star crossed lovers, the bachelorette style competition for the princes heart, the attacks on the castle... It's just all so suspenseful.
Off to start book two....
I can't pinpoint exactly what made this so good except I didn't want to stop reading it. I had to know what was coming next. The star crossed lovers, the bachelorette style competition for the princes heart, the attacks on the castle... It's just all so suspenseful.
Off to start book two....
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: War
Minor: Violence
tara_o7c's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Wonderful Young Adult Romance! If you’re looking for something that’s a light read, but still entertaining, then this book is perfect!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Bullying
Minor: Sexual assault and Violence
helenafaustina's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I should preface this with saying that I just picked it up because it was popular. I didn’t have any excitement for it, or high expectations. But I did assume it would be better. But I did read it in five days, so I’ll give it fast-paced.
The main character, America Singer, was… annoying. I know a lot of people seem to dislike her name, but I think that America is a lovely name. 🇺🇸😂 She doesn’t think things through unless some bad shock happens to her. She’s rude, not to mention a not-like-other-girls type who thinks she isn’t pretty when she’s gorgeous, doesn’t like makeup, and prefers pants so much she had special allowance to wear them at the palace. I liked how she could recognize her faults, but that was few and far between and she didn’t really change from it. I liked her relationship with her sister, May, and with her maids. The only thing about her (by herself) that I liked was at the end, whenshe fiiiinally told Aspen “no” . Speaking of Aspen…
NO. Me no likey. Even when he was set up to be liked I didn’t. I don’t trust him and he’s just that annoying, sus, handsome guy.
Maxon was nice. Actually decent. Sometimes he annoyed me, but the whole point of the book is that he’s dating multiple women, so it was only a matter of time before he could annoy me. 😂 It’s definitely a lot like The Bachelor tv show, although more appropriate.
I didn’t like the romance. I’ve never liked love triangles, and ESPECIALLY when a character likes two people. That’s never something I understand or liked. The plot was very predictable, my updates have predictions that came true (and it wasn’t from a lot of detective work). However, it’s entertaining, so if you just wanted something only for the fun of it then this is good.
The main character, America Singer, was… annoying. I know a lot of people seem to dislike her name, but I think that America is a lovely name. 🇺🇸😂 She doesn’t think things through unless some bad shock happens to her. She’s rude, not to mention a not-like-other-girls type who thinks she isn’t pretty when she’s gorgeous, doesn’t like makeup, and prefers pants so much she had special allowance to wear them at the palace. I liked how she could recognize her faults, but that was few and far between and she didn’t really change from it. I liked her relationship with her sister, May, and with her maids. The only thing about her (by herself) that I liked was at the end, when
NO. Me no likey. Even when he was set up to be liked I didn’t. I don’t trust him and he’s just that annoying, sus, handsome guy.
Maxon was nice. Actually decent. Sometimes he annoyed me, but the whole point of the book is that he’s dating multiple women, so it was only a matter of time before he could annoy me. 😂 It’s definitely a lot like The Bachelor tv show, although more appropriate.
I didn’t like the romance. I’ve never liked love triangles, and ESPECIALLY when a character likes two people. That’s never something I understand or liked. The plot was very predictable, my updates have predictions that came true (and it wasn’t from a lot of detective work). However, it’s entertaining, so if you just wanted something only for the fun of it then this is good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Classism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Cursing, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Mass/school shootings and Panic attacks/disorders
Some concerning aspects are passionate romance, not to the worst level, but enough to skip a paragraph or two. Some crass language for sensitive issues. D*mn and h*ll are used a handful of times. I'd say for age 15+.mrsalexisrjones's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book is a dystopian telling of the bachelor. A prince in search for a wife, why not gather random women from different classes and let him date them all?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Classism, and Death
Minor: Sexual content
mrsalexisrjones's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book is a dystopian telling of the bachelor. A prince in search for a wife, why not gather random women from different classes and let him date them all?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Classism, Death, and War
Minor: Sexual content and Rape
abigailhaagen's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
This book is kinda cringe and filled with tropes, but I devoured it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Bullying
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, War, and Violence
tanvi45's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Minor: Sexual assault and War