The Selection - Kiera Cass

I was originally going to save this book for the end of my review list but since I finished it after a few other books but I had to make my opinion known about how annoyed this book series made me. But before I go into details let me give a little information on it for those who haven't read it.

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In the beginning of this series, the book shows a family of commoners also labeled as fives. In this future of the USA everyone no matter age or race was ranked based on their wealth and power. The Royal Family ranking number one and the poorest ranking eighth. The family of fives was a pretty normal family. Two daughters, two sons and a husband and wife who seems like an odd match that works. The main character of that family is America Singer .. who is a singer (totally not joking). The start explaina the struggles America is going through, mostly normal teenage drama with her family and having a secret relationship with a male under her, Aspen Ledger, a six.

Now I know being one below her might not sound so drastic but it was. If they were ever caught there would be hell to pay. One day a piece of mail came for American inviting her to be apart of 'The Selection'. The Selection is a competition for young women who are invited to fight for the chance to win the heart of the Prince, Maxon. The country selects 35 girls and throughout the three books he one-by-one narrows them down to one with the help of his people and family.

American was the only woman in that country who reluctantly applied for the selection after much stress from her boyfriend, Aspen and her mother. When chosen her entire life changed as she was brought into a new world, a world where she felt safe and a world where she'd never go hungry. Despite her fears she did her best to try.

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Warning! I'm about to judge and give spoilers.

1.) I hate that American complained over and over .. and over about not wanting to be a princess, not having and experience and that she'd still be just her. But then she flaunts everything that she gains at everyone. I'm sorry but it's really hard to believe that when you're practically waving it in the other faces.

2.) I could not for one moment understand why Aspen and Maxon did not drop her inconclusive rear on some street. It's one thing to be undecided for a moment, but through all three books, even down to the day she won, she had been so back and forth with these two guys. "Oh I love Aspen .. no wait, I love Maxon today." It infuriated me and I know that's a strong word for a book, but it really made me so mad that she couldn't just pick one. At least Bella let Jacob know he wasn't the one and didn't drag him on like America.

3.) Those ridiculous names. That is all.

4.) I'm so mad that two of my favorite people died. American's dad and Maxon's mother sadly did not make it until the end of the third book. And in truth, it boggles me that throughout all these rebel attacks, American's father is taken out by a heart attack that he had supposedly known was coming yet it was never brought up in the books before.

4.) What is up with all this sexual tension with these teenagers. I know this is a real thing since I've been a teenager but if you're a young adult writer, I would think you would be a little more modest. I've seen this in a few books and I always call it odd because I truly and honestly believe that they shouldn't be pushing more sex in the faces of kids. They already see it in music, movies and the internet. My god there should be a limit at some point.

5.) I love how they just dropped the part about her dad being a rebel and not really exploring that afterward. I've not read 'The Heir' because it was set in the future, showing the life of Maxon's and American's child and I wasn't sure I'd get any answers there, but I will read it and if I'm wrong I'll return to say so. But this isn't the only thing that just dropped, Kriss (one of the selected girls) was also a rebel and I heard nothing more about that. It didn't even show how Lucy and Aspen became a thing. There is just so much that was left out that I kind of have to read the next if only for closure.

Okay now I know that all sounds really harsh, but I urge you to read it and sit through all the whiny, conniving and childish behavior that the main character shows. It irritates me that young women look up to books like this as how they should behave with men. But there were some good things that I liked.

1.) I loved Celeste's character. Not many liked her, but she was the one consistent thing in this entire series. (no there was the consistency of American being a whiny brat...but) She was funny and Kiera really showed the changes she made .. but then they shot her in the back of the head and that just sent me into all types of annoyance.

2.) I loved the maids and how dedicated and honorable they were through the books. Even though I didn't remember much about them, I liked that they were always there for American even when she was her worst.

3.) The book art was amazing, I have to admit it's what draw me in. I saw a lot of others reading and complimenting it and that cover being so elegant. I knew it would be an amazing and emotional read. I will agree that it was partially even if I did hate a lot of things about the book and the character, it had just enough to keep me interested and curious. Final rating would be three stars and worthy of a rainy day read.

~Daisy~