Book Review :: The Selection, by Kiera Cass

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.

Last updated on 19 January 2022

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All about The Selection by Keira Cass

The Selection, by Keira Cass follows the story of America Singer who lives in a future world, which is similar, but not quite the same as our own (World War Three has already happened and is a part of their history lessons).

The Selection is a process in which girls of a certain age can put their names forward in hopes of becoming one of 35 girls that will move to the Palace to try and win the Prince’s heart and his hand in marriage.

Like all good stories, there’s a love triangle and as America leaves her boyfriend Aspen to move to the Palace (duh, of course, she’s selected…even though putting her name forward was something she really didn’t want to do) with the other girls, she meets the Prince and they become friends…or do they become more than friends!? Dun dun dun. America is really only there for the good food and the promise that her family is being compensated in money and food while she’s there, but she does make some friends in the other girls and her maids, of which she has three (THREE!)

In regards to genre, it’s probably the popular YA dystopian genre, as they live in a society which is in the future, and where there are castes of people, each with a different number. Keira Cass breaks the castes down for us on her website:

America and her family are Fives, hence their last name being Singer. I’m quite happy to see that ‘Philosophers’ are in a high caste – that makes me feel better about my degree.

It’s a nice, easy-read book that doesn’t take long to get through. It is written for teens, and although this is the case I did quite enjoy it. There are more books to come, apparently, but I don’t think I’ll be rushing to the library to get them. It was one of those books that, yes, it was all right and I enjoyed it, but it’s not going to ruin my life if I don’t read the next one. You know?