Books Time – The Selection, by Kiera Cass

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Young Adult time! Yes, sometimes I just need to read something refreshing, easy, simple, and possibly with an happy ending. So my choice has been The Selection, by Kiera Cass, which actually is the first in a series of five. We can describe it as a dystopian fairy tale, a mix between an evergreen classic and a modern reality show. If you feel a bit confused, let's proceed with order.

The world created by Kiera Cass, in which The Selection takes place, is very interesting.

The world is basically divided in classes, all of them numbered according to their level of wealth: so the Ones are the super rich, and the Eights are homeless, poor and jobless. All the numbers in between have different degrees of wealth, decreasing as the number increases (Twos are a bit richer than Threes, which in turn are a bit richer than Fours, and so on).

Main character of the story is America Singer, a sixteen years old who belongs to the category of Fives. She is an artist, as the rest of her family. In this world in fact children have to carry on the job of their parents, so if one is born in a family of artist, they will become artists as well; if they're born in a family of doctors, they will be doctors too.

America is a singer and a violin player, and is the third among five children. She is in love with a neighbour, Aspen, a few years older, who's a kind of handyman, and unfortunately, is a Six.

In the world created by Cass marriage between different classes is possible, but if one chooses to marry a person belonging to a lower class, they will automatically lose the privileges of their own, and acquire those of the lower one. America is so in love with Aspen that she really doesn't mind, but he has other ideas, and feels terrible thinking that everything he will ever be able to provide to the woman he loves is a hard, difficult life.

That is the reason why when The Selection comes up he pushes for America to apply.

The Selection is a sort of reality show during the which the Prince of the Country chooses his wife. Every girl can apply, regardless of their status, and have the opportunity to become Queen (a bit like Cinderella's ball, where all the girls could participate). America is doubtful, she loves Aspen and doesn't want to become a puppet for a boy she never met, but both Aspen and America's mother push for her to apply, and she does it.

A few days after America sent her application form, Aspen breaks up with her. America tries to surprise him and prepare a few treats (Aspen's family is so poor they struggle to have enough food for everybody), but the boy is very upset. As a man, he thinks he has to provide for his woman, not the other way around. He feels so wounded in his pride that he decides to never see America again.

Now, if you ask me, this is the part that I liked less. To me, it is very forced, and not realistic. It comes out of the blue just because America needs to be free when she reaches the palace, and the author needed her to break up with Aspen. But his reasons are totally silly! And the trigger pushing him to finish their relationship is even more unrealistic: how can you break up with the woman you love so much, only because she can buy a little more food than you?? Let's not forget that America is a Five and Aspen a Six, so there's not a massive difference between their status. The author pushes the decision on the fact that Aspen is very proud, but come on, they've been meeting for over two years, and it just came up to him that he is poorer? By the way, let's carry on.

At this point America's heart is broken, and she joins the Selection almost gladly, as in this way she'll be away from home and won't be meeting Aspen. Also, as a member of the Selection, her family will receive some extra money, and that is very handy.

Before meeting the Prince, America meets some of the other 34 girls who participate together with her; some of them are lovely, like sweet Marlee, others are true witches, like arrogant Celeste.

The first night she spends in the palace America feels overwhelmed. She is homesick, still heartbroken, and she panic. She feels the need to breath some fresh air, and frenetically looks for the royal gardens. The guards won't let her pass through, but exactly when America feels like fainting, somebody orders them to let her out. That person is Maxon, the Prince. He worries for America, and asks her if she feels ok, but still under shock, she treats her poorly (if not rudely).

Despite their turbulent first meeting, America and Maxon will start getting along pretty well. At the beginning America tells him that she has no feeling for him, that she is heartbroken because of Aspen, but she wants to be his friend and help him find a perfect wife. With time though, as she knows him better, she starts developing feelings for him... Until the day she meets Aspen again, when he becomes one of the Royal Guards. So what will America do at this time?

As I said, this book is very refreshing, simple and easy to read, perfect if you're looking for a light novel. I haven't read the other books of the series yet, and I don't think I'll do it in the close future, but I found the first volume intriguing enough to carry on with the series at some point.

Did you read this book, and the entire series? Did you like it? Let me know what you think, and if it is worthy to carry on with The Selection or not! Talk to you very soon,

M.