The Selection #1
Kiera Cass
April 24th, 2012
HarperTeen
327 pages
Amazon/Book Depository/B&N
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 a palace and compete for the heart of 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.
After all the drama last year over the reviews of this book, I couldn't have been less inclined to read it. I tried the first two chapters back then, found them frivolous and lacking. Whether this was from previous perceptions or underlying grumpiness on behalf of all those involved with the drama-llama, I don't know. But, I had won a copy of the Elite and my co-blogger seemed to enjoy the series. So, in light of these recent developments, I picked it up and re-started it. Time must heal at least some things, because the second time around I didn't hear the snarky pitter-patter in the back of my head scoffing at everything on the page.
While some people try to tote this as "Hunger Games" meets "The Bachelor", throwing around the Suzanne Collin's hit in order to, I don't know, increase interest, it does the book a disservice. People are expecting that gritty post-apocalyptic randomness. That is not what this is. People in these books still have money and pay for things. Some people go hungry due to money issues. In fact, most of the population does. But, winning the Selection only helps the girl's family. It doesn't help her city-state as a whole. There is already rioting in the streets, nothing any of the girl's dressed up in pretty dresses do causes more or less dissension.
What it is, is very much Bachelor-esque. Thirty-five girls are chosen from applicants and sent to the palace in order to entertain and court the prince. It's a tradition going back generations. The prince will marry a common girl to boost morale and will choose his love from the spectacle that is the Selection. Like every Bachelor show, there are some in it for reasons that are not true love. There are essentially those that make the relationship between themselves and the prince more than it is. There are plenty of hurt feelings.
Within that love tetrahedron, American Singer has her own struggling love triangle. Originally I was glad she had moved away from Aspen. He seemed a poor choice, given his blatant disregard for her hard work. When he is moved to the castle and put on guard duty outside her room, the feelings reemerge. You would think with a possible death sentence for cheating on the prince that they'd be a little more discreet. But, no, they are upon each other immediately.
Some people have mentioned that the book ends on a 'cliff-hanger'. I wouldn't so much call it that as a lack of conclusion. Where the book ends is not overly exciting. It doesn't leave you in throws of intense emotions like a season finale for LOST. It just is.
I enjoyed the book more this time around. It was definitely fluff. Nothing to take overly serious. A good escape for the mind. I'd equate it to watching reality shows, but that seems shallow. It has a bit more heart, despite outside appearances.
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