Book Attic: romantic

The Selection Series

by Kiera Cass

Fiction, Coming of Age, Dystopian, Futuristic, Romance
11-20 age range
published April 24th, 2012 by Harper Teens
available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, AbeBooks
Overall Rating ★★★★★

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."-Goodreads

Overall Review

Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from this series, seeing as it's the kind of books that I do everything in my power to avoid. The "girl meets boy, changes her life for boy, they fall in love, get married and live happily ever after" type book. Typically, I'll put down books if they follow this general plot, but I couldn't ignore all the positive reviews. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that I couldn't put the book down and read all 5 books in a week! I loved the series and am sad that there are no more books to come. I am however hoping that a movie will be coming along soon. I'm hoping that by the time a movie version of The Heir comes along, I'll be able to audition for Eadlyn. (Who I wish with every bone in my body to be!)

However, it is my absolute hate for ALL things romance that causes me to give the series four stars instead of five. I did love this book though and think all teenagers or others that love YA should read it. The writing was good, and most of the characters seemed relatable. Personally, I relate most to Eadlyn, a strong, independent, caring girl in line for the throne, that believes that men will slow her down or distract her from her duty. If you're looking for a book to read and you just can't decide, the Selection series should definitely be on your radar. No matter what it seems, this is not your average romance novel with girly girls who'll give up their life for someone they just met. (For goodness sake the first time America and Maxon meet America yells at him.) I wish I could be more like the strong independent, and brave women in this story. To be honest, I cried multiple times PER book, an impressive feat seeing as the only other book I've cried about is Allegiant.

Individual Ratings

*Spoilers ahead!! Read at your own risk.*

The Selection: ★★★★★

Sturdy character development
Relatable characters
Interesting and unique plot

The Elite: ★★★★★

Interesting plot
Annoying love triangle *cue eye roll*
(Mostly) Characters stay true to themselves

The One: ★★★★★

Brave, independent heroine
America stops being STUPID (Seriously America get a grip!)
Shows the consequences of rebel attacks through main character deaths (I know it's sad, but do you want a Breaking Dawn situation where there's a lead up to a big battle only to end it with a handshake? Huh, HUH????)

The Heir: ★★★★★

Shows that women can lead the country too (Go Eadlyn!!)
Displays that no matter how good the cause, people won't change if they don't want to
Eadlyn is a strong independent woman who doesn't need a man!
(Eadlyn in general because she's my favorite character and I wish she was real because I would no doubt 150% be BFFs with her!!)

The Crown: ★★★★★

True love is a force to be reckoned with (EW! Why must all good characters fall in love?!)
Even the "best" people, can have ulterior motives (I'm looking at you Marid!)
Some rules are made to be broken

Character List

*Spoilers ahead!! Read at your own risk.*

America Schreave: Main character, wife of Maxon and mother of Eadlyn, Ahren, Kaden, and Osten, formally America Singer, formerly a 5
Maxon Schreave: Beloved prince of Illéa, husband of America, father of Eadyln, Ahren, Kaden, and Osten, son of King Clarkson and Queen Amberly
Aspen Leger: Ex-boyfriend of America, palace guard, wife of Lucy Leger, formally a 6, became a 2 when he became a guard
Amberly Schreave: Queen of Illéa, wife of King Clarkson, mother of Maxon, formally a 4
Clarkson Schreave: King of Illéa, husband to Queen Amberly, father of Maxon
Eadlyn Schreave de Koskinen: First female heir of Illéa, daughter of America and Maxon, sister to Ahren, Kaden, and Osten, wife of Eikko
Ahren Schreave: Husband to Camille, brother to Eadlyn, Kaden, and Osten
Kile Woodwork: Selection participant, son of Marlee and Carter, brother to Josie
Eikko Koskinen: Prince Consort of Illéa, husband of Eadlyn

About Kiera Cass

"I am a graduate of Radford University with a B.S. in History. I grew up in South Carolina and currently live in Christiansburg, Virginia with my electrical engineer hubby, car-obsessed son, and princess-loving daughter. I'm a #1 New York Times bestseller, woohoo! I'm also a valued customer at my local cupcake shop.

Things I hate:

When people fail to use turn signals, flying, salads.

Things I love:

Office supplies, boy bands, desserts." Kiera Cass's Official Website

Divergent by Veronica Roth, first published May 3, 2011, is about Beatrice Prior, a 16 year old Divergent girl.

Tris lives in a futuristic Chicago which has been divided into five factions, Abnegation: home of The Selfless, Amity home of the The Peaceful, Candor home of the The Honest, Erudite home of the The Intelligent and Dauntless home of the The Brave. Most of the buildings are crumbled except for The Hub and the glass buildings they make.

Tris must choose between family or being who she really is. Every year at the choosing ceremony all sixteen-year-old's must choose which faction they want to spend the rest of their life with. Tris's decision surprises everybody, including herself. During initiation, she tries to find out who her real friends are and finds unlikely love with a boy who can be both romantic and infuriating. Tris also has a dark secret that no one can know; not even her family because she has been told it is deadly.

One Choice

Decides your friends

One Choice

Defines your beliefs

One Choice

Determines your loyalties-

Forever

One Choice

Can transform you

I liked Divergent because it was a great book and was very much like The Hunger Games. I would recommend this book to people who like dystopian fantasy and The Hunger Games. Recommended for ages fourteen and up due to mature content.

IL: UG - BL: 4.8 - AR Pts: 16.0

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The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

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