Words on The Selection by Kiera Cass (The Selection #1)

Romace
Mar 25, 2015
6 min read

In Illèa, the country that was once the United States, citizens live in a rigid social system called the Castes. Eights are the homeless, Sevens not much better off, if you're a Six, you're a servant, Fives are artists, Fours work in farms and factories, Threes are the upper middle class, and Twos are celebrities. Ones are royalty. America Singer, a Five, works tirelessly to keep her family afloat. Money is tight, and Ames can't care less about the lives of the more fortunate. She has no wish to move into a higher Caste through marriage or hard work, happy to stay with her family. Her mother, however, has other wishes for her daughter.

When an heir to the country's throne comes of age, one of two things will happen. If it's a princess, she'll be married off to help make healthy alliances. If it is a prince, the Selection will take place. Thirty-five girls from around the country will be chosen to compete in the Selcetion, given a chance to become a princess. The prince will choose a bride from the Selected girls, eliminating contestants as he goes.

When America's mother recieves a letter inviting America to apply for the chance to become a part of the Selection, her mother is thrilled. Her daughter could become royalty! America is, at best, indifferent. She has no wish to try to marry a boy she doesn't know and win a crown she doesn't want. Besides, unknown to her family, her heart is already set on someone else: Aspen, her neighbor. Aspen is a Six, and America's mother would probably have a heart attack at the thought of her daughter moving down a Caste. Aspen isn't thrilled at the idea of the girl he loves being worse off, either, and pushes her to join the Selection.

America reluctantly agrees, conviced she won't be chosen. To her shock, she is Selceted and sent to the royal palace to compete. Surrounded by other girls who want to be there, America feels like a mistake. She never ment to be a part of this. The competition is fierce, and not all the girls are playing nice. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Despite rocky first impressions, the two feel a connection and become friends, America offering to help the Prince pick his bride. She admits that she has no wish to be part of the Selection, but her family needs the money they are being given from her participation. Even though America tries to make it clear that she has no interest in trying to woo the prince, she isn't sure she believes her own words, and America wonders if maybe she could be happy at the palace after all.

America is the kind of person who makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. She's honest and real, refusing to try to be someone she isn't for the sake of winning or entertaining the cameras that broadcast the Selection to the country. America is sweet and warm, being kind to everyone, at least until they start acting like a jerk to her or other people. She doesn't think she superior to people who are in a lower Caste than she is, either. For example, she talks and plays with her maids, treating them like equals while some of the other girls are harsh and stiff with them. America isn't in awe of Maxon like some of the other girls are, not afriad to yell at him or scold him for doing something stupid. She's also very modest, downplaying her skills and appearance when others praise her. All in all, she's a very likable heroine, and I can't wait to see how she may develop!

I also really liked America's family. Her mother, Magda Singer, may come off as unsatisfied with others and nagging, pushing everyone to do better and make ore money, but she really just wants what's best for her children and family. In comparison, America's father is much more laid back, letting his wife take charge and offering up a word of wisdom every now and then. May Singer, America's younger sister, is enthusiastic and bubbly, axting as a little ray of sunshine in the Singer household. She helps cheer Ames up and is very innocent, thinking everything will work out all right and positive that America will get the prince like in all the fairy tales. It's not suprising that America is such a loving person when she has a great, supportive family like this one.

Next, there are two notable girls in the Selection competing alongside America. First is Celeste, a Two. She is, to sum it up, not a very pleasant person. Celeste is stuck-up and selfish, acting snobby and superior to pretty much everyone because of her status in the Castes. She has little respect for those who aren't as fortunate as herself, shunning America for being a Five as well as another competing girl. Celeste isn't above using her looks and, um, assets to get what she wants, if you know what I mean.

On the other side of the spectrum is Marlee, a girl who befriends America. She's enthusiastic about competing and is thrilled to be a part of the Selection, eager to try and win the prince's heart. I couldn't help but like her, because she's just so friendly and sunny. You can tell what she's like just from the spelling of her name: The girl is fun and makes you laugh with her contagious excitement! She doesn't see America as an enemy, and the girls often work together and act as confidants for each other. Secretly, America thinks that Marlee should win and thinks she would make a exellent queen.

And now for Prince Maxon. My first impression of him was a little mixed. on the one hand, he was way to formal and I (As well as America!) didn't really like that. On the other hand, he was trying to help her, and he seemed like a nice, genuine guy, which was nice. Once you get to know him, he's sweet and friendly, making America laugh with his jokes and vise versa! Having been in the palace his whole life, he has no experience with girls, and it shows! His cluelessness is cute, but it means that it's easier for Celeste to not play fair. Maxon is also a little lonely, not having many friends. His title of prince probably alienates him from other a little bit. One of the funniest things about him is his fear of crying women. He has no idea how to console them and is totally lost! I feel sorry for the guy, but it's kind of cute. I think America has a big influence on him, opening him up to some of the hardships faced by the lower castes and helpinghim become more aware of the struggles everyday people face. Personally, I feel like he and America make a great team and I can't wait to see how things turn out with the two of them.

Last but not least in the Cast of Important Characters, there's America's maids. There are three of them, and I love them all. Anne is the leader, doing most of the talking and keeps the other two in line. She helps them all work smoothly. Second is Lucy, who is more emotional, and her past haunts her. She tries to hold it together for the sake of the others, even when she's terrified. Third is Mary, a lighthearted girl who always has a story or a song to help eveyone relax. All three girls are eager to help America and serve her, trying to help her be the best she can be in the Selection. While I wouldn't say they're confidants, they're America's friends, and their chatter helps her unwind and laugh a little. They're sweet girls, and I think that without them, America would be very lonely.

Now, one thing I have to say is that in real life, I don't think the Selection would be a great idea. The whole point of the Selection is to help the prince find a bride, but what if, out of 35 girls, there isn't one he wants to spend the rest of his life with? The Selection was designed with the assumption that the prince would find love and get a fairy tale happily ever after, but I don't think that's realistic. Of course, the Selection is better than an arranged marriage. At least Maxon gets to choose who he wants to be with. If you stuck 35 random guys from around the US in front of me, chances are I'm not going to find one I want to marry. Its' the same with the Selection.

I loved the world of Illèa. It was interest how the future and the past blended a little bit. One one side, you have everyday technology. On the other, you have girls in a castle with extravagant dresses. I thought the characters were great, and there were plenty of times when they made me laugh and feel all warm and fuzzy inside, such as every time America was in the book! She's so kind and lovable. The idea is creative and the plot was fast with plenty of action, friendship, and romace thrown together for the perfect blend. I can't wait to see how the story goes and the character's develop in the second book! I think this would be a book for fans of The Hunger Games, although this book desn't have as much blood 'n guts. 4/5 stars!