Review of The First Three Books In The Selection Series By Kiera Cass

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.

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THIS REVIEW DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS

First and foremost, why, oh why, did there have to be a love triangle? I think the books would have been much better with out it. Also, I don't think anybody ships her with Aspen anyway. But nonetheless, there was. It does add more...drama to the books, but that was my least favorite part. Whenever America went to Aspen, I think a little bit of me died. I felt the same way when reading the Hunger Games, it is really mean to kiss a guy and then just run to another. it is not fair for either guy, and just makes the main character seem like a jerk. I hated how she simply forgot about maxon when she was with Aspen and vice versa. Also, in my opinion, it was a pretty easy choice. The charming prince who is madly in love with you and will end the selection at your word, or the slightly rude palace gaurd who is talking trash about the other guy you're in love with, and is illegal (punishable by death) to date.

Then, there's the world building, which is poor. I think it could have been worse, but it also could have been much better. The whole thing with the castes was alright, but unbelievable. I don't think that America (the country, not the character) will ever end up like that. I don't even think I can call this a dystopian series which is what it tried to be. Then, the rebels came in. Of course a dystopian needs rebels. So why not have them in this? Because they don't fit. This book is a romance, and should not try to be any think else. You can't just add rebels and, poof, a dystopian world. Wait, theres more. Some rebels are good and some are bad. Why? Why is this book trying to be something it's not. I did like that the storyline of the rebels took away from the storyline of the love triangle, but that was it. To make it even better, Maxon and America join forces with the "good" rebels. Of course they do. Because what is a dystopian book without it's main character spear-heading a rebellion? I think it would have been better if the Selection just stayed in it's own lane, instead of driving in someone else's.

One of my other problems is with America herself. I can't stand reading a book with an unlikable main character, especially if it's first person, which this is. I found her very idiotic and annoying. Her descisions were so stupid, I found myself yelling at the book or hitting it against my head way more often than I usaully do when reading. She kept questioning Maxon's love for her even though he kept telling her that he would end it for her whenever she said the word. She also got mad at him for dating the other girls. He deserves to be happy, even if it wasn't with her, which is what he wanted anyway! Why can't she just relieve him? Oh, yeah. Aspen. You know it's the wrong thing to do to be with him, but you don't even have a shred of common sense, do you? Even after you saw what happened to Marlee! You could be frickin KILLED for being with Aspen! I can't even express how much of an idiot I think she was for continuing with Aspen. And don't even get me started on what happened on the DAY OF MAXON AND AMERICA'S ENGAGEMENT. She was caught with Aspen even though they were practically engaged!

I do recommend these books despite my issues with them. They are well written and easy quick reads.