erin_ranta 's review for:

The Selection by Kiera Cass

3.25

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-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: Yes

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I first read this book in middle school, and since then, this will be my third read-through. I loved the book as a teen, finding America funny and the idea of a “The Bachelor-type” game romantic. Reading this book almost 10 years later, I cringe. The writing is good and easy to entertain, but America’s inner-dialogue screams of the early 2010s with the NLOG-type theme very apparent. 

However, despite my annoyances at America’s constant surprise at people mentioning how she’s “oh, so beautiful”, the occasional fat-shaming/borderline misogynistic comments toward her mom, and the horrible love-triangle with Aspen (I could write a whole essay on how much he annoys me) and Maxon, it’s easy to appreciate it for what it is—a cheesy, fluffy fairytale meant to entertain. 

What The Selection lacks in substance, it makes up for with entertainment. The story is easy to get sucked into and has a good pacing that makes you eager for more. America’s relationship with both Marlee, Maxon, and her maids is sweet and I enjoyed their interactions, especially Marlee and America encouraging and building each other up. The friendship that started to bloom between America and Maxon, despite her hesitation and fears, was quite cute and I loved the building of a relationship between the two. It felt quite natural, unrushed, and a great segue to the budding romance.

However, some of America’s internal dialogue of the other girls was distasteful at times, downright petty and misogynistic other times. It was a bit uncomfortable reading some of the comments and observations America had. I did enjoy the commentary on class divisions, though, with America’s care and befriending of her maids. Especially since America, despite having conflicting feelings on her choice of actually competing for Maxon’s hand, realizing the influence she had to represent the lower castes.

All in all, it’s a fun read to suck you into another romanticized dystopia. Different enough to make it stand out from other dystopias of the time, but similar enough not to sway the reader away. It’s a product of its time that shouldn’t be taken too seriously.