Dating Meets Dystopia

I first heard about The Selection from my little sisters, who, by this point, have already read the first three books in the series. I've never watched any of the popular reality TV dating shows, but the prospect of reality TV dating show + future dystopia combined into one novel was enough to intrigue me. So, when I heard about the opportunity to review the book through CleverGirls, I signed up right away!

The Selection, by Kiera Cass, follows the story of America Singer, born into a society of numbered castes, where the caste you're born into determines your lifestyle and career. Suddenly, however, she is cast as a potential candidate for the prince of the realm to possibly choose as a wife, and now she has the opportunity to change both her life and the lives of her family if she moves to the castle, meets the other contestants for the role of wife-to-the-crown-prince, and manages not to get sent home to early. Joining The Selection means leaving behind the boy who had her heart, but the more she gets to know the crown prince, Maxon, the more she is intrigued by the young man and the kingdom he will rule.

This was a quick and fun read, and one that launched several Skype discussions with my little sisters. They aren't huge fans of the love triangle element, as they insist that America should be firm in her convictions and choose one guy or the other, instead of keeping both in mind and becoming distressed because of it. Apparently, being ultimately practical about affairs of the heart takes a high priority in their minds...I wonder who they get that from...

My sisters also described the books as rather "scandalous," but said that I probably wouldn't find it "scandalous" because I don't cover my eyes and run out of the room when a couple kisses on tv (you know who you are...). They were right. A couple of kissing scenes do not scandalize me, though they might seem risque to some. Reading local news is possibly more scandalous than this book, in my opinion.

I'm fond of giving the heroines in my books unasked-for advice (which they never heed). As a big sister, I'd be telling America, "Don't play games. Don't be coy. Tell him how you honestly feel about him and don't be afraid to ask for his answer." People wouldn't have to guess nearly so much if they would just talk!

Enough with the spoilers, though. The Selection is the first in a series, which makes me all the more likely to approve of it, because I prefer series to stand-alone books (it gives me more time to get to know the characters). It's followed by The Elite and The One. I and my little sisters were all excited to find out that the 4th book in the series, The Heir, will be released on May 5th. That means there should be just enough time for you to get all caught up on the series before the new one comes out, if you start now! I do so hate having to wait forever in between books in a series, don't you?

Have you started reading this series yet?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.