The Selection by Kiera Cass

"The Selection" by Kiera Cass is a YA dystopian romance novel set in a futuristic society divided into castes. The story follows America Singer, a young girl from the fifth caste who is chosen to compete in "The Selection," a competition where thirty-five girls are chosen to vie for the prince's hand in marriage. At first, America is reluctant to participate, but she enters the competition to support her family. As the competition progresses, America finds herself torn between her growing feelings for Prince Maxon, the kind-hearted prince who is the future king of the country, and her past love for Aspen, a boy from her hometown who is now a soldier in the palace. America has to navigate the complexities of the competition and the politics of the palace, all while trying to decide where her heart truly lies.

                                                           

One aspect of the book that I particularly enjoyed was the world-building. Cass creates a unique and fascinating world where people are categorized into castes based on their occupation and the higher the caste, the more privileges they have. The concept of "The Selection" itself was intriguing and kept me hooked throughout the book. The author's attention to detail and vivid descriptions of the dresses, palaces, and the different castes made me feel like I was a part of the story. 

Another aspect of the book that I loved was the character development. America Singer is a relatable and likable character who is fiercely independent and does not conform to the norms of society. Her growth throughout the book was inspiring to see. I also enjoyed the dynamics between the other characters, particularly the relationships between America and her maids, and between her and the other girls in the selection. There's such a diverse cast of characters with their own unique personalities and motivations.

NOW, let's talk about the love triangle. While some people may be on team Aspen, I am fully on team Maxon. Maxon is charming, kind, and genuinely cares about the girls in the selection. He's literally the dream guy that comes out in all the fairytales. Well, he is a prince, so I guess that does make sense. But his relationship with America is built on such mutual respect and understanding, and I found myself rooting for them throughout the book. It does sadden me to think that it was effortless to predict the ending, as the beginning already hinted at it. From the start, with Mer's clear preference for Aspen over Maxon, it was obvious that her lack of interest in the selection would eventually lead her to win the Prince's heart. It's a cliche plot that lacked originality. 

Without Maxon, I would have given up on the series as I had anticipated that the books would be filled with indecisiveness and frustration. Nonetheless, the first book was enjoyable despite its predictability, and I recommend it to readers who appreciate a good romance and a bit of predictable drama.

- Lynn Lee