So yesterday I started reading (and FINISHED) The Selection by Kiera Cass. For the past year I have been meaning to read and review the book, as the cover is so beautiful and I've heard a fair few people give great reviews and talk about the book in a positive manner, however it seemed that I could never take the time to buy and read the book
However, this time was different.
During a free period yesterday, whilst I was very bored and waiting for the kids at camp to finish their activity, I decide to purchase the book and start it, to see whether I enjoyed it.
I normally like YA Paranormal Romance, or Dystopian genres, so I was unsure whether this book would be right for me. Whilst it is YA and dystopian (I think), it didn't seem like a typical read for me. But I put aside my doubts and bought it anyway.
And thank the Lord I did.
The book and author took me on a rollercoaster ride, and I knew from the start that this book was going to be intense, and fantastic (which it OBVIOUSLY was).
Here is the cover and synopsis, for those of you who know nothing about the book.
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.
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.
Now, unless you are either a total imbecile or just not interested in my blog or the book, or somehow overlook the fact that there is Romance AND Royalty, along with obvious angst and desperation and plot twists just waiting to be discovered, you have to admit that this book is currently sounding pretty good, right?
Believe it or not, it gets better.
So, as always seems to happen in books (twilight, the hunger games) there is ONE girl and TWO boys. Occasionally you'll find a book with ONE boy and TWO girls, but that very rarely happens, and in this case it is indeed one girl and two boys, however one boy is poor and whilst he is America's (the lead girl) first love, the other is a Prince (who I am in love with). There were moments when reading this book when I just wanted to jump into the pages, shake America and say "COME TO YOUR SENSES, MAXON IS PERFECT. If you don't want him, GIVE HIM TO ME" but unfortunately, that is not possible, so I was left feeling nothing but anger and regret for America who was wasting such a golden opportunity to take something that was obviously SO perfect for her.
Bah. Characters.
I will try NOT to spoil the ending, which you wouldn't guess anyway, but as you may have guessed or assumed, America starts to have feelings for Prince Maxon. She originally tells him that she does not want him, she will not and simply CAN not fall in love with him, whilst her heart belongs to another (Aspen, the boy in a lower caste than herself who she was dating secretly for 2 years). Even though he broke her heart, I can understand why she would still have feelings for him, but everything Maxon says and does just makes me want to hug him and be his wife and look after him.
I think I'M in love.
Anyway, as the story goes on and America gets to know Maxon more, she realises how she does indeed actually have SOME sort of romantic feelings towards him. This quote to me shows the moment when she realises how good he actually is, and how he would be PERFECT and would take care and cherish her, make her his entire world. Now what girl doesn't want that? I know I do.
"Maxon Screave is the epitome of all things good. He is going to be a phenomenal king. He lets girls who are supposed to be wearing dresses wear jeans and doesn't get mad when someone who doesn't know him clearly mislabels him." I gave Gavril a keen look, and he smiled. And behind him, Maxon looked intrigued. "Whoever he marries will be a lucky girl. And whatever happens to me, I will be honored to be his subject."
Kiera Cass is honest to God a genius. I finished The Selection with 3 hours, and then following that, purchased The Elite (the second book in the trilogy) and finished that this morning. I can not WAIT for the third book to come out in 2014- The One.
Kiera Cass, I salute you.
I shall leave you with this quote, which is perhaps my favourite from the entire book. I urge you to buy this book NOW, read it, love it and then TELL me how much you loved it!
"It was a hard question to answer. Would I be willing to live a life I'd never wanted? Would I be willing to watch as he kindly tried to date the others to be sure he wasn't making a mistake? Would I be willing to take on the responsibility that he had as a prince? Would I be willing to love him?
"Yes, Maxon", I whispered. "It's possible."
