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becca_w_'s review
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
ilovegilmoregirls's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Violence, Bullying, Classism, War, and Trafficking
Content warnings more about - rape (past) War- mentionedim_just_vidu's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It's been a while since I've finished reading this book. And all I could think was "this is unfair". Cuz I'm not an avid series reader. And I was hanged on a cliffhanger and all I could think was "what happened next?". And now I have to read the other book to find out really what happened.
So talking about the book, it was good. I like that it can be focus on more younger audience as well. It's like family friendly way of telling a fairy tale. It was nice how the story is flowing on. There's no rush, maybe because this is a series. But the small details make the story more realistic. I know my opinion might change depending on the way the story goes in the next books. However as a single book, this was a good one. I listened to the audiobook, and there wasn't a single second that I didn't like. There wasn't a single moment I waited until the chapter over. So I think it's a plus sign.
My heart is with Maxson even though America likes Aspen. Yes, I know they've been dating for about 2 years and had history together. But there's something about Maxson that screams he's the better one. I wish Aspen cheated , moved on or something else. Cuz that would've been easier for America to move on and falling in love with Maxson. At least Maxson should've stayed at home. Why the hell he came to palace to see America and staying there like a maniac. If he didn't come, America would've thought that he already moved on and she'll eventually move on too. Aspen you complicated everything. But yeah I know it was the purpose. To make the story more complicated and making it interesting that way. I understand the author's intention. But god, I hate it when there's a love triangle and you have a past with someone in that case. How the hell are you supposed to give a chance to the other one when you already had so many memories with that person. It's kind of unfair. But Aspen was the one who asked for a chance and give him time for dive into her heart too. So I guess it's fair in that way.
I wish the selection was going further cuz I wanted to spend more time with all the other girls. At least with another 10 girls so that we see better about all of their thoughts and intentions about the selection. And also about prince's feelings towards the girls. I want more of those girl parts. More girl talks. More time in "women's room". I enjoyed those things more than anything else. Also America's relationship with her maids. The story of Lucy and her trauma. What happened to her in the past and what made her the way she is now. I want answers to all those questions. I hope I'll find answers to them in the other books of the series. After all, this is a series for a reason. All I want is this to not disappoint me.
I'm giving this 4 stars. Don't ask me why I didn't gave it 5. It just feels like something is missing and I want to keep my 5 to something I feel like it deserves it. But this is a good book for sure. There's no doubt that this is a good one. And there's a reason this is famous as the way it is.
I'll read the series somehow, cuz I'm so emotionally attached to this story. Hope it'll be end up being a 5.
So talking about the book, it was good. I like that it can be focus on more younger audience as well. It's like family friendly way of telling a fairy tale. It was nice how the story is flowing on. There's no rush, maybe because this is a series. But the small details make the story more realistic. I know my opinion might change depending on the way the story goes in the next books. However as a single book, this was a good one. I listened to the audiobook, and there wasn't a single second that I didn't like. There wasn't a single moment I waited until the chapter over. So I think it's a plus sign.
My heart is with Maxson even though America likes Aspen. Yes, I know they've been dating for about 2 years and had history together. But there's something about Maxson that screams he's the better one. I wish Aspen cheated , moved on or something else. Cuz that would've been easier for America to move on and falling in love with Maxson. At least Maxson should've stayed at home. Why the hell he came to palace to see America and staying there like a maniac. If he didn't come, America would've thought that he already moved on and she'll eventually move on too. Aspen you complicated everything. But yeah I know it was the purpose. To make the story more complicated and making it interesting that way. I understand the author's intention. But god, I hate it when there's a love triangle and you have a past with someone in that case. How the hell are you supposed to give a chance to the other one when you already had so many memories with that person. It's kind of unfair. But Aspen was the one who asked for a chance and give him time for dive into her heart too. So I guess it's fair in that way.
I wish the selection was going further cuz I wanted to spend more time with all the other girls. At least with another 10 girls so that we see better about all of their thoughts and intentions about the selection. And also about prince's feelings towards the girls. I want more of those girl parts. More girl talks. More time in "women's room". I enjoyed those things more than anything else. Also America's relationship with her maids. The story of Lucy and her trauma. What happened to her in the past and what made her the way she is now. I want answers to all those questions. I hope I'll find answers to them in the other books of the series. After all, this is a series for a reason. All I want is this to not disappoint me.
I'm giving this 4 stars. Don't ask me why I didn't gave it 5. It just feels like something is missing and I want to keep my 5 to something I feel like it deserves it. But this is a good book for sure. There's no doubt that this is a good one. And there's a reason this is famous as the way it is.
I'll read the series somehow, cuz I'm so emotionally attached to this story. Hope it'll be end up being a 5.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Bullying
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, and War
Minor: Slavery and Gun violence
haleybre's review
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Minor: Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Infidelity, Police brutality, and War
izzybunii's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Classism
Moderate: Bullying and Vomit
Minor: Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Miscarriage
dayniw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Classism, Bullying, and Child death
nottheexplorer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-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
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Violence, and War
Minor: Kidnapping
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
gothmiku's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Bullying, War, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Miscarriage and Infertility
embla_v's review
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