Sunday, May 17, 2015

The Selection by Kiera Cass

TheSelection THE SELECTION
by
Kiera Cass
(Website|Twitter)
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.

1star

For some reason The Selection reminds me of The Red Queen and Hunger Games I know I'm weird, but with its caste system and royalty and all, I can't help it. I loved that book if you didn't know yet.. And I obviously hated The Selection. I hate the messed up attempt for the love triangle, well I hated the romance department of this book overall, it's freaking unbelievable and messed up. There was a lot of hole in the world building department too, thus the very low rating.

WARNING: FROM HERE ON, THIS REVIEW WILL HAVE A LOT OF RANTING. TURN BACK NOW IF YOU LOVE THIS BOOK.


Here are some of the reason why this Book didn't work for me.

Plot: What you read in the blurb is what you get. Yes, this book was all about 35 girls, competing for the crown, and upon reading the summary for Elite and One, selection Book 2 and 3, it seems likely that the whole series will be all about this competition. That's why I don't worry that I might give out any spoilers in this review, since the story is pretty much predictable. I would bet all I have that the main character, America Singer, would be Selected, and then there's your happily ever after. Just my obvious prediction because I won't be reading the other books.

There were a lot of issues of which dress should be worn, which jewelry should match the dress and parties. I understand that this is a futuristic royalty romance story and all, but I hope it has a little plot twist or anything at all to make the story a little bit more interesting because they tend to get boring, At least for me, considering that it is a 300+ pages and all. I just wished that there should've been more to the story more than who America should choose between her love and interest, and who Mason should choose as well. There were a couple of rebel attacks, but there weren't any actions or any other happenings at all. Just a couple of rebels attacking the palace, oh but nothing to worry about, we need to focus on The Selection. of course.

World Building: The history is freaking unbelievable for me. It is basically like this: United States was renamed as ASC, American state of China, after China invaded them forThe US owed them a lot of money. But they started fighting back and attacked Russia, led by a person with Ilea as his last name and defeated them. Ilea then was a new name given to the United States because apparently, the country was so damage,from all of the bankruptcy and invaded issue no one wanted to adopt it. Seriously? who'd buy that? What happen then to China who conquered them first? ASC defeated Russia, so China automatically signed a peace treaty so that this Ilea person can take over? Seriously? China? I have a personal reason why I don't believe that.. at all. How the Caste System started wasn't even involved to their history. That's Bull. Try again.

Characters: I already mentioned that the characters can make of break a YA book for me. If the characters were just likeable, I think I can look past my world building and romance issues in the story, unfortunately they aren't. They are overly damn dramatic for my taste.

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America Singer. The character I super disliked in this book. Unfortunately for me, the story was told on her POV. She's fucking self-centered, selfish, jealous, a spoiled brat, which shouldn't be possible since she came from Five. Which was only three steps up from the dirt. Literally. Then can you explain to me America, how you become such a brat?
"I didn't think I could sacrifice my dreams, no matter how much my family meant to me. Besides, I had given them so much already."
She just wants you to fill up the form, and the girl's acting like, she's so sure that she'll be pick if she did. I know I also said that I wanted a realistic character, I would've understand her for thinking of herself first, but that statement of her is far from being stubborn like she was claiming, that was being overly insensitive.

She keeps on comparing herself to the other girls. the girl keeps insisting she didn't like the attention and all, but she goes admitting that she was the one who yelled at Maxon, the prince, in a public TV!
I wasn't looking forward to telling the country that I had chided he future king."
"Oh,so that'show you want to play this game america? you don't care if all of the girls hate you as long as Maxon is on your side? Why don't I find that surprising?

I also think, America thinks so highly of herself, she's arrogant.
"I wouldn’t put it past him. He’d invented an entire support system for the country based on my stories of being hungry."
She wanted to have everything her way. When Maxon, didn't gave her what she wants, which is kicking out Celeste, the mean girl everybody disliked, she made that an excuse to make out with her boyfriend!!! Well, of course it wasn't her fault, who said it was her fault? if Maxon just gave her what she wants, she wouldn't have thought it was alright to get comfort from her ex boyfriend.
"Part of me-a very upset part-felt like Maxon deserved this. If he wanted to spare Celeste and humiliate me, then I certainly wouldn't be a part of The Selection much longer"

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But when Maxon and her made up, she suddenly decided that what She and Aspen's doing doing was wrong!
"I’m part of the Selection right now. I’m here for Maxon, and I can’t date you or whatever this is while it’s still going on."
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“Well, great,” he said sarcastically. “Glad to know you’d be fine dating him if I wasn’t around.”
My thoughts exactly.

As for the two love interest, I don't really liked them too. Maxon is not too commanding for a Prince and a Future King. Aspen on the other hand has too much pride and i hate him so much i want to hit my face in the fucking wall! it bothers me that I can’t do this for you, it bothers me that I can’t provide for you.. Everything fucking bothers him! Whatever! I don't care who end up with who.

Romance: I don't automatically hate Love triangles, it all always comes down to how believable it would be. But no chance of that here in The Selection. It was Freaking Lame.
"No, I’m not choosing him or you. I’m choosing me.."
Bullsh*t! All I get to read on her POV was her struggles on who she needs to choose between Aspen and Maxon, and I guess, because she's selfish as she is, she chooses herself! oh yeah! real smooth America!!

I must admit, that cover was gorgeous and so as the Elite and One and even the Heir. But I'am afraid I won't be seeing this book to end.

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2 comments:

  1. I haven't read this book and I think I'll stay away from it based on your review. I had my doubts about it based on the blurb and some things I've heard. It just seems very superficial. I know a lot of people love this series but I don't think I'd enjoy it.

    Cayt @ Vicarious Caytastrophe

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    Replies
    1. Hi Cayt! thanks for reading my rant, err, review I mean.. most of my friends like this book too.. :( I just hate America intensely, she's the kind of girl I hate in real life.. :(

      Just added you in GR, Twitter and FB, not sure though how to follow you through the blog... :)

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