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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 culturetrintrin'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
aria_'s review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really hated America. She is one of the most awful and frustrating protagonists in any book I have ever read. She is selfish, a complete hypocrite, and really not that interesting a person.
But I still loved the book. If I were to give it ratings based on different aspects, it would go something like this:
10/5 for enjoyment
-10/5 for diversity
3/5 for writing
4/5 for plot
100000/5 for fluff
5/5 for cool worldbuilding/ dystopian society
My two biggest issues with the book?
1. Does this dystopian society have to be so misogynistic? I mean, it just got on my nerves, although I know it's kinda crucial to the plot
2. Where are the lesbian/bi/pan etc. girls who were selected and fell in love with each other? (I mean, statistically speaking, at least one affair like that would have happened, alright.)
What I loved about it?
The Selection has sort of brought me out of a reading slump because of how fun and entertaining it is to read. The second I finished it, I immediately jumped into the second book, which I flew through as well.
And for the characters...
Maxon: oh yes
Aspen: seriously no
Marley: my favorite character
America: why are you the protagonist?
Mai: we deserve more of you darling girl in the book
Queen Amberly: I want the story of your selection
King whatever his name is: you're a jerk and I hate you
But I still loved the book. If I were to give it ratings based on different aspects, it would go something like this:
10/5 for enjoyment
-10/5 for diversity
3/5 for writing
4/5 for plot
100000/5 for fluff
5/5 for cool worldbuilding/ dystopian society
My two biggest issues with the book?
1. Does this dystopian society have to be so misogynistic? I mean, it just got on my nerves, although I know it's kinda crucial to the plot
2. Where are the lesbian/bi/pan etc. girls who were selected and fell in love with each other? (I mean, statistically speaking, at least one affair like that would have happened, alright.)
What I loved about it?
The Selection has sort of brought me out of a reading slump because of how fun and entertaining it is to read. The second I finished it, I immediately jumped into the second book, which I flew through as well.
And for the characters...
Maxon: oh yes
Aspen: seriously no
Marley: my favorite character
America: why are you the protagonist?
Mai: we deserve more of you darling girl in the book
Queen Amberly: I want the story of your selection
King whatever his name is: you're a jerk and I hate you
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
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