Ilana's Reviews > The Selection

Overview

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.

My Thoughts

I don't know why i'm ever surprised anymore - but sometimes i still get that little shock/surprise. I just started/finished 'The Selection' by Kiera Cass and i really really enjoyed it. that's not where my surprise comes from since i kind of had a feeling that this book would be right up my alley, but it's more to the point that it's already being made into a TV show on the CW. i think that it'll do well, i just hope that it doesn't give people and impression of the plot line since book 2 isn't even out yet

the surprise that i keep getting though as well is that if you read about reviews on the book online, they call it very Hunger Games-esque and i'm not sure that i agree with that. Let's talk similarities:

it's dystopian
there's a class/caste system in The Selection that i suppose can be compared to the Districts in Hunger Games
There's a love triangle
to me, that's where the similarities end. now onto the differences:

there's a royal family who's trying to keep the new country in order amongst threats from rebels
the 'competition' aspect is about finding love - not killing each other
the main character 'America' doesn't consider herself to be super tough and have the ability to excel against her competition like Katniss did. she actually kind of even takes herself out of contention so that she doesn't have to fight (which is what i would do cause you know that's how the winner is always determined)
anyway, i'm anxiously awaiting the next book, and kind of wished that i lived in NZ or Australia since i think it's out there already, and and book 3 might be out there already too. here...book 2 not until next year i think....

so to take it back to the topic at hand - I'm rooting for the book vs. the TV show which i know that a lot of eager readers find to be the case too.