Endless Bliss | Happy Lifestyle Blog: The Selection by Kiera Cass (Book Review).

The Selection by Kiera Cass (Book Review).

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When I was younger, I used to go to the library and spend hours judging books by their covers. I kid you not. When I went to go visit my mom for the summer, one of the first stops I would always make with my sister and step-dad was to the library. Recently, when I was casually browsing the shelves of the library on my lunch break (stop judging me), I remembered how I used to do that. Nowadays, I get recommendations online and read books suggested to me by others rather than just going to the library and picking up a book that I never heard of.

My library has this neat app where you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks online or on your phone. One of the books I stumbled upon was The Selection. I had never heard of this book before I started reading it, come to find that it's a pretty big deal in the YA world. As soon as I saw the cover, I knew I had to read it. I mean, look at it:

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The Selection brings you into a world where everyone is separated into different castes (8 total). Each caste has its own duties and specialties, and people within that caste can only perform those jobs. America Singer is a 5, and 5's are known for the arts - musicians, painters, singers, etc. There aren't many ways for you to deviate from the caste that you're born into, but America is more than willing to go down a caste level to be with the love of her life, Aspen, who is a 6. 

Prince Maxon has become of age to search for a wife, and so the Selection begins. Thirty-five girls are chosen at random from all eight castes to compete for Prince Maxon's heart. For some, it's a dream come true; for America, it's a chance for her to earn some money for her family and eat a decent meal for once in her life. 

With her expectations low and her judgements at an all time high, America is surprised when she begins to get swept away by the life behind the palace doors that she thought she understood, but really didn't. She starts to question the life that she originally set out for herself and starts dreaming of things that she never imagined.


I was immediately swept away by this book. I had zero expectations prior to reading it and didn't even know what the book would be about. It's the perfect combination of royalty, bravery, love, and The Bachelor; not that I'm a fan of The Bachelor, but it's the perfect way to describe it. Prince Maxon essentially invites all of these girls to his house palace as, not only potential brides, but also potential princesses. I adored Prince Maxon at times and loathed him at others. It's hard not to when 35 girls are vying after his attention, and some are clearly in it for the wrong reasons, including America. I felt like he was blind to some of their flaws, but of course, he is a silly teenage boys, and some of those girls are lethal and willing to do whatever takes to be the future queen.

I went in and out of liking America, but for the most part, she is a character to be admired. She isn't coy in any way, shape or form, and she's always willing to speak her mind. Most of her actions and words aren't thought out, but those were usually the times that I enjoyed her character most. With several brothers and sisters, you can tell that she's a caring person, and the bonds she formed with a few of the other girls in the castle made me so happy. She cared for those people like they were her own family, even those that were supposed to be considered beneath her. I also loved her interactions with Prince Maxon. While they do have quite a few hard times, some of the good times were shown with them being playful and sarcastic, and I was definitely team Maxon throughout the book (sorry, Aspen). 

There is also so much more to the book than the prince finding love. Behind the scenes, the king and queen, with the help of Prince Maxon, are trying to settle differences with other countries and calm down the rebels. There's more action in this book than one would think, and a lot of that kept me at the edge of my seat.

I easily give this book a 5 out of 5. It was so great to pick up a book with no prior knowledge of what it was about. I also didn't check the Goodreads rating, so I could dive into the book completely blind. I loved this book enough to read the rest of the series, and I can't wait to share my thoughts on those too!

For more about The Selection and its author, Kiera Cass, visit her official website and follow her on Twitter



32 comments :

  1. I love this series so so much! And I really love the ending of the last book! :)

    http://thewallflowersecrets.com/

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  2. I'd never heard of this book before I read your blog, but you've given such great reviews that I'm going to have to read it! :)

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  3. I've seen this book as I love to read YA, but I wasn't sure about it. However, your review has made me definitely want to check it out. I remember being the same way as a kid, and to some extent now, lol. I frequently judge books by their covers. Thank god there's Goodreads now.

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  4. I saw your post a little bit ago about books that needed to be turned into movies, and this was on it, so I got it for Kindle. I've read the first two books in 2 days. I've stayed up all night reading these books - they're so good!

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  5. I've heard so many good things about this book now, that I'm just going to have to get it! That's cool that your library has an app to borrow books e-book style. I wish mine did. Great review and I am now following you on bloglovin as well ;) Take care!

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  6. Just added this to my TBR! Thanks for the recommendation!

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  7. I'm glad you loved this book!! I have in on reserve at my library's e-library right now!! I am also a library lover and a book cover judger ;)

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  8. This sounds amazing AND I love the cover. Will definitely see if my library has it too. :)

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  9. this sounds really interesting! will check it out!

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  10. Um...now I REALLY want to read this! I've heard a few people mention this book, and it made me want to check it out. Now I am SO reading it! Thank you!

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  11. I've been on the fence about this book after reading loads of differing reviews, but yours has made me decide I'd like to give it a go! Adding it to my wish list now!


    Megan | Southern Charmed

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  12. Okay, I was unsure about this book - now I am off to order it. Sounds perfect for me.

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  13. It's really good! After I read it, I was quick to get my hands on the other two books in the trilogy. I hope you enjoy it!

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  14. I've recently seen a lot of bad reviews about this book, and I was so surprised. I was so engrossed in this book and loved it so much that I read all three books in the trilogy in one weekend.

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  15. Yay! I really hope you like it! It's incredible.

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  16. I'm glad you think so, and I hope you end up checking it out! It's so good.

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  17. I love the cover too! That dress looks overwhelming, but it just looked so interesting that I felt like I needed to read it.

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  18. Yay! I'm glad you judge book covers like me. I know they say not to, but it's hard when there are books that are so pretty like this one. I hope you enjoy it!

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  19. You're very welcome! I hope you enjoy reading it when you get around to it!

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  20. Yes, you definitely should! I am obsessed with my library's app. I can't get enough! I'm so happy you enjoyed the review, and thanks for following along!

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  21. Yay! I'm so happy you read it and love it. I'm obsessed! I read that she's planning on releasing two more books, and there's also a few novellas too! I can't wait.

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  22. I'm glad you understand judging books by their covers too. I can't help it when there are so many pretty covers now. I love Goodreads! I don't know how I functioned without it. It's so handy.

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  23. That's so sweet of you to say, Natalie! It was an amazing read, and I really hope you enjoy it!

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  24. I'm so happy you've read it! I don't know many other people who have, and no one in real life at all. I loved how they ended the book too. I read that she's going to release two more books in the series, and two more novellas too! I'm so excited!

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  25. I don't think I would ever put this book on my "to-read" list, but after reading your review, I think I will! :)

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  26. I love the cover on this book! I'm looking forward to reading it!

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  27. Yay! I'm glad. I hope you enjoy it if you get around to reading it!

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  28. Yay! I'm glad! It was a great read, and I hope you read the rest of the series as well!

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  29. I'm so glad you loved it. It doesn't sound like it'd be up my alley, but you never know. I'm just glad to hear how much you loved it.

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  30. Yes, I definitely loved this whole series! I'm so excited that the author will be writing more!

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  31. Finished the Selection, the Elite and the One in one weekend. Anxiously awaiting the next book!

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  32. I read all of the books pretty quickly too because they're so easy to get lost in! I'm so happy you loved them all! And I'm so excited that she's coming out with another book! She has some novellas out now that I still haven't read yet, but I'd like to.

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