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.

Review: Rebel Belle by: Rachel Hawkins

Rebel Belle by: Rachel Hawkins (April 2014)

345 Pages

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy

Source: The Library

Purchase: Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository | 

Goodreads Summary: Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

My Review

Rebel Belle and I didn’t always see eye to eye. I was actually really annoyed when I first started reading it. I wouldn’t necessary say it’s the book’s fault that we got off on the wrong foot so much as I was expecting something different than what Rebel Belle ended up delivering. I was expecting a more serious story, I don’t know why I just did, but really Rebel Belle is more of a comedy than anything. Once I became accepting of this oh so very wonderful trait Rebel Belle had to offer I enjoyed the novel a great deal.

The main character, Harper, is always trying to be the best and is always trying to be polite and proper, but when she becomes a Paladin, an awesome ninja type guardian, her life starts becoming just a little more complex and difficult to manage. Although Harper can be annoying with her very high school demeanor and attitude it was hard not to like her, especially with her always hilarious commentary on her Paladin abilities and situations she finds herself in. I did however 100% sincerely enjoy David and his snarky adorableness that he brought to the story and Harper’s life.

As for the overall plot of Rebel Belle, it was unique and very strong. Not to mention that Rebel Belle has a lot of good full blown laughing fight scenes in it and the ending was fast paced and full of little twists. Basically, Rebel Belle may be a comedy, but it’s also full of some awesome action that just added to its quirky weird funny charm.

Don’t pass up Rebel Belle. Pick it up this summer for a book that is just too much fun to ignore. I wasn't a huge fan of Hawkins’ Hex Hall series, (which was good but not great for me), but I’m glad I read Rebel Belle. Therefore, if you had the same feelings as me about Hex Hall don’t let that stop you from giving Rebel Belle a chance. I'm glad I did.