The Selection ~ Kiera Cass (The Selection #1)
★★★★☆
It's like The Bachelor meets the biblical book of Esther, with some occasional rebels trying to kill everyone, but in the future in a post-USA country with a numerically based caste system and a cheesy love triangle. And, against my better judgement, I strangely loved it.
The Writing and Worldbuilding
The writing wasn't anything special, but the romantic tension was well done and the silly parts honestly made me giggle out loud and grin like a fool. I really found myself enjoying this.
It was really hard to remember what time period this was supposed to take place in, and it felt more almost fairytale medievally, and much less futurey. A lot of that had to do with the prince's dialogue, the clothing, and the general structure of the country, but I don't live in a monarchy, so I can't really say if they're actually like that or not, can I? I can say that it felt a bit separate from reality, like a fictional European Hallmark movie kingdom. The threat of the rebels and how slowly they moved only increased that strange out-of-time feel; didn't they have cars? Cross country car travel doesn't take weeks, especially from the southern US to mid-East coast. I can go from Seattle to Salt Lake City in less than a day, though the West is a lot less populated between those two points than the East coast. But I've also never been to the East coast, so I guess I can't really say for that, either, can I?
The Characters
America Singer: I have to admit, the moment I read her name in the blurb, I rolled my eyes so hard I almost saw my own brain. But I found her nice and relatable, albeit a bit brash and somewhat annoying sometimes, but I also had to remind myself that she's 16, and therefore allowed a certain degree of immaturity.
Maxon: I loved Maxon! He's so sweet and somewhat awkward and he's just my baby and I love him. While his dialogue and actions made him a tad cliché, I didn't mind at all. He was caring and probably more woke than most people in his position, or at least more open-minded.
Aspen, or as I like to call him, Pigpen (or another name I dare not type): He was so annoying! Like, I understand his desire to provide, and how that lack made him feel immasculated, but like, dude, cool it with the neediness, okay? Let America choose herself and move on already.
Marlee: I have the deepest suspicion that she's secretly gonna betray America, or is actually lesbian; one or the other—or both! Both would be pretty interesting. (Or she could be in love with someone else, like another guy, but this is too white and straight atm, which normally doesn't bother me too much, but this genre usually has more diversity and substance, sooo)
Conclusion
This was literally the last book I ever planned on reading—and I was obvious about it too! I was that hypocrite jerk who trash talked and rolled her eyes without having even tried reading it first. And for that, I apologize. After reading a review that finally gave me a better idea as to what genre this even was, and needing something a little lighter than my usual preferred books (which tend to be quite dark and depressing), I decided to read this, and I'm very glad I did. It made me smile and laugh, and was altogether fairly wholesome and fun, albeit cheesy. I'm not particularly eager to read the sequel quite yet, but I know I will eventually. I suspect this series and I will have an off-and-on-again kind of relationship.
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