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im_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
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
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