The Selection Review: Lack Of Novelty Makes This Fairy-tale A Displeasing Read

I selected ‘The Selection’ as my next read for two reasons. First, that the book cover looked breathtakingly beautiful. And second, that Emma from ‘emmmabooks’ recommended The Selection series to those who are in a reading slump and wish to have a light read to help get out of it. Before picking up The Selection, I was in a terrible slump. Not just a reading slump but also a drama slump. I was unable to read any book and lost interest in watching dramas. I took Emma’s advice and ordered The Selection and I was glad that it really helped. I felt better after reading this book and then quickly ordered the next two books. However, while reading the second book in the series i.e. ‘The Elite’, I started to wonder why I was reading it. I tried to recollect what happened in book one to connect the link with book two but unfortunately, I could hardly remember any major twists or plotlines from the first book. The only thing I remembered was the heroine America running out of the palace and the hero Prince Maxon coming to her aide. That’s it. When I read the book, I thought I loved it but, when I went into book two it dawned upon me that the first book made hardly any sense to me. It was like, when you are extremely famished you relish anything on your plate even if it is broccoli. At that point, all you are concerned with is filling your stomach. I experienced something similar with this book. I was so desperate to get out of the reading slump that I made myself believe that I LOVED The Selection. I certainly enjoyed reading this book but surely won’t place it high on my recommendation list.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperCollins

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

(Blurb as on Goodreads.com)

I LIKE The Selection Because,

…it is a quick read. The language is simple and the first-person narration makes it easy and smooth to read. There are healthy doses of romance which keeps you engaged. It really is a good pick to get you out of a reading slump.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Do NOT Like The Selection Because,

…it is HIGHLY predictable. You can easily foresee the repercussions of every major action. The limited twists in the book do not fully help to boost interest in it. The monochrome tone and the lack of novelty makes the story a dissatisfying read.

…I fail to understand what kind of a dystopian land the story is set in where people follow the caste system. I thought the future means a new world, new problems but here we are borrowing problems from the past. So basically, the writer is trying to say that after World War 3 and 4, we humans, end up going back to living the way we did back in the period BCE. Seriously?! Did the wars teach us nothing?

…the writing could have been better. I don’t know why exactly this book falls under the young-adult section when it is more suitable for the children’s book category. Maybe some kisses and a make-out session is what qualifies it for the YA section. I have read quite a lot of YA books over the last few years and this is the first I am feeling that a certain book has been written for preteens and not young adults. 

 

Favourite Quotes in The Selection

“No, I’m not choosing him or you. I’m choosing me.” 

“It’s always the fear of looking stupid that stops you from being awesome.” 

“America Singer, one day you will fall asleep in my arms every night. And you’ll wake up to my kisses every morning.” 

“I hit your thigh!”
“Oh, please. A man doesn’t need that long to recover from a knee to the thigh.” 

“Listen to me, kitten. Win or lose, you’ll always be a princess to me.” 

“What do you think my chances might be of finding a soul mate in the group of you? I’ll be lucky if I can just find someone who’ll be able to stand me for the rest of our lives. What if I’ve already sent her home because I was relying on some sort of spark I didn’t feel? What if she’s waiting to leave me at the first sign of adversity? What if I don’t find anyone at all? What do I do then, America?” 

 

 

Final View: All in all The Selection is good for a quick mindless read. If you enjoy reading fairy-tales then pick this book it as it has all the necessary tropes to satisfy your fantasy-teen-romance fiction craving.

 

You can check out Amazon.in for a discount on this book.

 

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