Book #127 - The Selection (The Selection #1)

The Selection (The Selection #1), Kiera Cass
dystopian, romance, contemporary fiction
327 pages
Started 11/14/12
Finished 11/17/12
4 STARS

And my cover fetish strikes again. Have you ever seen a drop-dead gorgeous cover in the store, and without even checking out the dust jacket or Goodreads review, you find yourself in the checkout line just biding your time until you can get home and gaze lovingly at it? Ok - maybe that was just me.

America Singer is lower on the social totem pole, and she's in love with a boy who's even lower than her. Then, she gets the chance of a lifetime - she is selected to be one of 35 girls in the running to marry Prince Maxon, thus becoming princess of Illea. Her boyfriend dumps her, so America figures she has nothing to lose. And, no one is more surprised than she when she actually starts to care for the prince.

The cover didn't disappoint this time. You know - sometimes these things are hit or miss. I found The Selection really entertaining. Illea and its structure was fascinating. And a little depressing - I sincerely hope that our future society is nothing like this one.

America is strong and capable and sensitive. And kinda stupid - I mean, usually a girl can tell the difference between falling in love and indigestion. It's a little unbelievable that Mer couldn't. Other than her utter ignorance when it came to Prince Maxon, I really liked her.

This was one of those books where you aren't quite sure who you want the girl to end up with in the end because you like both boys. Aspen, although a complete idiot, really seems to live and breathe America. If he wasn't so caught up on his macho need to provide for his woman, he would be so perfect. And, it's obvious that America loves him. But, then there's Maxon, who is so much more than what meets the eye. He, too, loves America, and I think if she would stop being so blind, she would see that she cares a lot for him too. And, America would be a perfect princess for Illea. So, who should she be with? My vote right now is for Maxon. Aspen had his chance. You snooze, you lose, buddy.

I immediately put The Elite (The Selection #2) on my wishlist. I can't wait to see what happens with the northern and southern rebels. I'm sure there's a deeper story there. And, of course, who Maxon ultimately chooses as the winner of The Selection.