The Selection by Kiera Cass

In a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels THE SELECTION is the chance of a lifetime: to compete for Prince Maxon's heart.

But for America Singer it means turning her back on her secret love, and leaving home for a prize she doesn't want.

Then America meets Maxon and all her plans start to crumble. Can the lie she's always dreamed of compare to a future she's never imagined?

And Kiersten White sums is up perfectly: "Reality TV meets dystopian fairytale..."

It's been a while since I last posted something because my stupid internet has been down and while it was down, of course, I read a book that I just had to blog about. I fully thought The Selection by Kiera Cass had been out for a while now because of all the reviews I'd read so when I saw it on the shelf I literally 'squeed' like a school girl. Turns out Cass's website says it's not due in Aus until August so that made me the teensiest bit happier. THEN I found out CW are working on a pilot and I nearly wet myself with excitement.

REVIEW FOR THE SELECTION

At Face Value: I haven't seen the cover with the pink background before but that's the one I got and I love it. The dressed up chicky on the cover wasn't overkill because it actually happens it the book. Crazy.

Immediate Reaction: How long should I wait to reread this? Now? Tomorrow? NOW? Holy crapola I loved it. 

High Five: HELL YES! I don't even know what it was that Cass did so well because it was a pretty cliched storyline. But whatever it was, I loved it. And she becomes the second book to get a high five! HAZZAR!

Favourite Quote: Where America pretty much gives the other girls a big 'F U'.

 "No." I turned to Anne and gave her my first real order. "Anne, please take some refreshments to the king, queen, and prince and then come join me." I faced Silvia. "The rest can fend for themselves. They chose to leave their maids alone, they can get their own damn water. Mine will be sitting with me. Come ladies." 

This book is pretty much exactly what you'd expect from the blurb. Kind of a 'Bachelor' meets 'The Hunger Games' but with a whole lot less killing. What's unexpected is the likability of the characters and the drop, dead, swoon-worthiness of the two main love interests.

And before you roll your eyes over the love triangle, PUT THAT SIGH OF ANNOYANCE AWAY because I still have no idea who the main contender is! It's killing me to know that the next book isn't out until NEXT YEAR because I love, love, loved it and I just need to know NOW.

America Singer (her name is probably the single thing that annoyed me about this book) is the MC. She's pretty, she's fun, and when we first meet her, she's totes in love with her childhood sweetheart. There's real struggles in her world and it kind of reminded of the whole Great Depression era, but because of what she's lived through she's totally smart and NOT MORONIC. She speaks her mind but not in a way that makes me want to punch her in the face.

Aspen is said childhood sweetheart. He's from a lower class and is totally hunky and sexy and they have this amazing Romeo and Juliet thing going on. Sexual tension to the max. Right from the start I was totally in love with this character until he made America apply for The Selection. It was sweet on his part but DUMBER than dumb because of course, she's taken away from him and howcansheloveanyoneotherthanyou, youdumbarsestupidhead?!

DEEP BREATHS

This is when we meet Maxon. At first, he's the stinky prince you'd expect. But the more time he's around, the more he melts your heart and steals your life. He's the sweet prince charming. There's none of the rugged handsomeness of Aspen but that's okay because Maxon is on a whole other level. I love him. And HELLO?! He's a PRINCE!

Then THE TWIST happens (which is totally expected right from the start) and of course she's forced to choose. It was around about this time I realised I had no idea who I wanted her to go for! Aspen, who is totally hot and has had her heart forever? Or Maxon, who is new on the scene but already treats her like his princess and has broken his way into her heart?

It's distressing not having a clear winner. But at the end of this book, I think the prince is ahead by the tiniest smidgeon. I just really hope neither of the boys have to die, or lose their legs, or something equally as horrific, for her to make her choice.

ON THE PILOT


I just wanted to include real quick thoughts on this. Firstly, I'm stocked it may be made into a TV series. Secondly, the casting for America is amazing. Thirdly, the casting for the boys makes me want to rip my head off, and fourthly, THEY HAVEN'T CAST MARLEE YET! You had best get this right CW, and I may just forgive you for the casting of ugly one and ugly two as my two newest literary loves.

Has anyone else read this and looked into the pilot?