The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352

Summary: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined

My Thoughts: I will not try to include too many spoilers in this review. If you want to know NOTHING about this novel, please stop reading now!!!! And come back to my review after you read the novel and see if you agree or disagree with me! I warn you, stop reading! I may or may not gush consistently in this review!

Every once in a while, you come across a book cover, that you swoon over. It's so beautiful and you hope that the cover is a pure indicator of how good the novel will be. Once you start the novel, sometimes your disappointed, and sometimes your so thrilled that its so perfect. It's exactly how you imagined the story would be.

The Selection is that kind of novel. From the moment I saw the cover, I adored it.

As I opened the novel to page one, I felt myself sucked into this magical world of America's life. Yes, her name is really America Singer. It fits perfectly. America has red hair, a wonderful singing voice, and a big family. She's generous, sincere, and an amazing person.

But what does having a big family mean when your not exactly coming in with the money? Less food and more mouths to feed.

The Selection starts off by introducing us into America's way of life. The society is classified into numbers. A Caste. Basically each person has a different number. You could either be really rich, in the middle, or poor. In America's family, there is always someone still hungry and no second helpings.

America's family isn't exactly rich so when The Selection sends her a letter, her family is persistent that she sign up. If she won this, her family would be better off. They could actually provide and eat comfortably. They are thrilled.

What is The Selection you ask? Let me sum it up in short. It's basically a contest that girls enter to become the wife of Prince Maxon. Thousands (maybe even millions of girls) enter and its slowly cut back until there is just one left. A girl to become his wife.

Let me talk about the guys for a minute here. America's heart already belongs to someone. His name is Aspen and he's a caste below her. She doesn't care though, she wants to be with him. She knows if she marries him, she'll go to his caste level. He wants good things for her so when she gets the chance to be a part of the Selection, he tells her to do it. He wants her to be happy.  He breaks up with her so she can have a chance to marry Maxon. Even if it is a small chance. His twin sisters also enter!

Than there is Maxon. Oh, sweet Maxon I thought I would hate you. There for a while I wanted too. I wanted America to end up with Aspen. But once I got to know you, that all changed. I felt myself drawn to you and secretly rooting for you to steal America's heart.

Maxon and America's relationship isn't what you'd think it would be. They are just "buddies." The way they meet at first was pretty awesome.

As the competition gets fiercer, the girls are all trying to steal Maxon's heart while America is just trying not to think about Aspen.

When a mysterious person shows up during the selection, America is even more confused. With her new friends, her maids helping her out, America is just trying to get through each and every day. She doesn't really care about the selection, but being there each week provides more money for her family.

I read The Selection in one sitting. I stayed up until 3 in the morning reading. I never got tired once. I was so addicted to this novel. Some will compare this to The Bachelor and if you don't like The Bachelor, this novel will bore you. Well, I for one, have never once watched The Bachelor but I adored this novel.

Honestly, I loved this novel. It was everything I wanted it to be. It was beautiful, it was thrilling! Yes, at times it did feel a tad bit slow but you have to sit back and appreciate the beauty. You have to just let it guide you and not be worried about not much happening at times.

I'll stop there about the plot. Just read the book to find out what happens. Am I Team Aspen or Team Maxon? Ohhhhh, this is so hard to decide! I'll wait until the next book to decide.

I also have to add that when I finished the book, I threw it on the floor, said in my most whiny voice to my boyfriend, I am done reading first novels! I hate that they end on a cliffhanger, I hate this! I boycott reading from now on! He just laughed and gave me a funny look. Yeah right! As if I could stop reading!

Overall: Kiera Cass, you have made me fall in love with the characters in this book! You created this wonderful world, this wonderful setting, and these two wonderful guys! I want the next book now! How am I going to wait to get it? I need it right this very second or else I'm going to cry! And I don't care if you haven't written or finished it yet! LOL

Cover: Love it!!! The girls in dresses, the colors of their dresses, its perfect! PERFECT! Even the way her hand is on top of her head! It just fits! America looks like who I would picture in my head! One of the best and most pretty covers of 2012 I'm sure of!

What I'd Give It: