Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass (2012)
336 pages
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian/Romance
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: The library.
Purchase: Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: 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.

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My Review

I finally did it! I may be the last person on the planet to read the Selection, but I finally read it! After many people telling me how awesome it is, and my co-worker exclaiming it is her new favorite guilty pleasure, I had to give it a try. So what did I think?

I should have listened to my bloggie bestie that warned me that this book probably wouldn't be to my liking. It wasn't to my liking. I really don't get what all the hype is about.

Disclaimer: I am sad to say this, but I really did not like this book. I know I am the black sheep. If you did like this book I am in no way judging you. It just wasn't for me.

What I Didn't Like

• The pretty basic dystopian type world. Nothing unique there.
• Because it is worth mentioning twice, the whole thing just seemed very stereotypical YA.
• I couldn't connect to America. She did grow on me a little bit when I kept reading, but there was nothing memorable about her, except for maybe her name.
• The way Prince Maxon speaks. It is one thing to be princely and formal. It is another thing to sound like a stuck up prince/an 80-year-old man. Just no. I wouldn't mind never hearing him say "my dear" again. Everything about him was too formal for an 18-year-old guy, even if he was a prince, even if he had manners. He did loosen up a tiny tiny bit with America, but not nearly enough. If I hadn't returned my copy of this book to the library already my whole review would just have been ridiculous quotes from him. I did like him as a person though. I liked him more than the other guy.
• The plot bored me. I was hoping for more drama.
• It was predictable to its core.
• America denying her feelings for Maxon also got pretty annoying. It was obvious she felt for him more than in a friendly manner considering all the times her stomach would "feel funny" when he was around. Sigh.

What I Liked (I would like to end on a semi-positive note.)

• It was a quick read. I didn't wast too much of my time on it.
• The two very small and very short exciting action scenes.
• America did grow on me throughout the book.
• At least the guys were not a-holes in this book.

The bottom line: Maybe I didn't enjoy The Selection much because I have read so much dystopian before this, or maybe it was because it was meant for a younger audience? I don't really know exactly. Will I be reading the next book? Probably not. I don't see why I need to. I am a little curious as to who she ends up with (I am hoping Maxon), but if I am ever curious enough I can always just google it.