The Selection by Kiera Cass Book Review

Title: The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass

Bought: BooksAMillion

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰     5 stars

Genre: YA Fiction

Format: Paperback

Page Number: 327 pages

Synopsis provided by Goodreads:

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.

Review:

 Quickie Review: Ever since I bought this book at Books-a-million, I couldn't wait to start it. I've heard nothing but good things about this book, so I had extremely high expectations. I was definitely not let down. This book was AMAZING! You know that feeling you get when your so close to finishing a book, and you can't wait to feel that accomplishment of completing once again, another book? (Maybe it's just me) With this book, I didn't want it to end. I wanted the story to go on and on and on. I found myself falling in love with each of the characters which I don't usually do. I completely fell in love with the world, and I applaud Kiera Cass for writing such a phenomenal book. If you're hesitant about reading this book because of all the hype, or whatever reason you may be putting it off, you need to stop whatever you're doing right now and pick it up. The characters are amazing, and you will find yourself getting so attached to each and every one of them. 

In depth:

The Caste System

The book starts off with America sneaking off in the middle of the night to meet her boyfriend, Aspen. Here's the problem, in this world, everyone is grouped in a certain caste number.

1- The people in caste One are royalty. This includes the King, Queen, the Prince, and their family. They are the wealthiest and with the most power. Prince Maxon is in this caste. (Not a dictatorship)

2- The people in caste Two are celebrities, actors and actresses, models, members of the military, etc. One of the girls who is chosen for the Selection, Celeste is from Caste Two and she is a model.

3- The people in caste Three are teachers, writers, inventors, etc. All girls who are chosen for the Selection are automatically moved up from whatever caste number they belong to, to a Three unless you are a two. Our main character, America, is bumped up from a Five to a Three once she is chosen. 

4- The people in caste Four are vendors, farmers, shop owners, and merchants. One of the girls in the Selection, Marlee, who has become quite close with America, is a caste Four.

5- The people in caste Five are artists, singers, musicians, stage actors, etc. Before the Selection America was a Five along with the rest of her family.

6- The people in caste Six are servants, maids, and secretaries. Aspen is a Six.

7-  The people in the caste Seven are manual laborers.

8- According to The Selection Wiki, 8 - "Untouchables"; in the deleted scene from Ch. 8 it is noted that Eights are "People who had been abandoned or orphaned with no way to prove their caste. And then people who fell into heavy drug use, the mentally and physically handicapped, they were all unemployable and left in the streets to beg."

Aspen

This is where Aspen comes into the picture. So, how is this a problem for Aspen and America? Well, Aspen is a caste Six, while America is  a caste Five. Women don't usually marry men who are in a caste below them. A man from a lower caste may propose  but it isn't likely they'll get a yes. Because of this, America has the keep her secret relationship between her and Aspen a secret, so she won't disappoint her parents. At the beginning of the story, I loved Aspen so much! I knew that wouldn't change. He was always there for America ,and they were just perfect together. America refuses to join the Selection no matter what, and she makes that very clear. Being chosen for the Selection comes with it's benefits. First, your family will receive a check for every week that you are still in the competition. This is why Aspen wants America to enter so badly, he thinks that if she has a chance to live better, she should take it, even though she isn't interested in Prince Maxon at all. To seal the deal, her parents say that whatever money she earns while working, she can keep half of it for herself-- if she enters. 

Eventually, America enters the competition, and her family are left waiting to see if she is chosen. With her being the main character, obviously she gets picked. This isn't a spoiler, everyone! It happens within the first 5 chapters.

The Writing

Kiera Cass's writing really brought the story to life. I felt as if I were there in castle in the competition. I didn't want the story to be over. It was JUST THAT GOOD. She can definitely write! She will have you turning page after page just to find out what happens next. 

Rebel Attacks

Don't think this book is just a la-la-loopsy story will girls in long dresses, living in a castle like princesses trying to win over the Prince's heart. It's not like that at all. Kiera Cass also throws in really serious problems in the book considering the attacks on the castle by rebels. This is the only reason why majority of families are worried for their daughters. It is known that there are rebel attacks on the castle very often, and that puts lots of people in danger. 

Are you sold yet? This book was just great. You won't be disappointed! I know I wasn't.

 I am Team Maxon all the way! Let me know your thoughts on the book down below. I'd love to discuss!