The Selection
JUVENILE FICTION
HarperTeen
April 24, 2012
Hardcover
336
"Sixteen-year-old America Singer is living in the caste-divided nation of Illâea, which formed after the war that destroyed the United States. America is chosen to compete in the Selection--a contest to see which girl can win the heart of Illâea's prince--but all she really wants is a chance for a future with her secret love, Aspen, who is a caste below her"--
WrensReads Review:
This book isn’t action packed. It isn’t full of weird battles or anything like that.
What this book is: a story about a girl in a dystopian world trying to get over someone she dated for two years.
I usually like books that have a lot of raw battle and decisions in it; but I like this book because it takes things for the opposite angle and focuses more on the heart and the mending than the torn decision.
America Singer is a five in a system of Ones threw Eights. She is better off than Sixes but worse off than Fours. Her family struggles for necessities, but they make ends meet.
She is secretly dating a Six who she is madly in love with (Aspen).
She gets a letter saying she is eligible for signing up for “The Selection.”
The Selection: a group of thirty-five girls, varying numbers, trying to win the heart of the Prince, Maxon. AKA: The Bachelor.
It’s better than it sounds, trust me.
She doesn’t want to sign up, but her bossy mother and her love-obsessed sister want her to. They need the money. Aspen wants her to as well, just so he doesn’t have “what if” lingering over his head.
She reluctantly does it, knowing she doesn’t get picked.
And she doesn’t.
JOKING. What kind of story would this be if she doesn’t get exactly what she wants?
So what happens with her and Aspen? Does America have any feelings for this business-like prince, or does her heart still long for another?
This story is an interesting one. Yes, you have the typical love triangle; but what isn’t so typical about it, is that someone gives her up (I’m pretty sure this is obvious who does). Someone is prideful.
The palace does keep getting attacked by rebels (Northerners and those lethal Southerners…). What is that about anyway?
This is a story about a FRIENDSHIP blossoming with the possibility of something more. This is a story about what a friendship can do for a broken heart. This is a story about how friendship can come from various aspects, even a competitor.
This is just a story. It isn’t anything less.
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