The+Selection

//The Selection// by Kiera Cass

Cotton candy. That's what I thought of this book when I finished reading it. Is it great? No. It's a soap opera in the form of a book. It's"The Bachelor" with a dystopian twist. America is a girl living in a caste society. Her only hope of leaving her artists' caste(#5) is to be very successful or marry upwards. But she's in love with a boy in the serving (#6) caste. Cue impossible romance. ;) Then, of all things, the prince needs to find a wife, and 20(?) girls will be "randomly" selected from the kingdom. Fill out a form, take a selfie and you could become the next princess! America's mom completes the paperwork hoping for a better life for her daughter. When reading this, you know America is going to be selected and a love triangle is to be created. While predictable and over the top sappy, I have teen readers who love this. //-Aubrey, Goodwin Public Library//

Uuuuuuuuuuuugh. Wait, I'm sorry, that's not a good review, is it? OK - I totally get why this is a popular book, and for the record, I flew through it, mainly because I forgot it was a trilogy and thought I'd actually get a story resolution by the end of it. Silly me! I just find it incredibly fluffy and the catty competition between the ladies a turn-off. - Liz G, Merrimack

Oh Liz, I am in complete agreement! I TRIED to read this and couldn't bear it. With that said, one of my best teen readers has not only read and loved it, but has re-read and loved loved loved it! I think the first word of your review is perfect. :) Lisa Houde / Rye Public Library

People who like dystopia check this book out expecting another Hunger Games or Divergent. It's certainly not that. It's not bad, but it's not that great, either. Those who like it at KHS are girls who want the romance portion of dystopia literature.

Kelly Budd, Keene High

Ah, the power of low expectations! I listened to this one and actually liked it better than I thought I would. I think the girly-girl cover will tip off any HG and Divergent fans that this is not quite the same. If we have to put another dystopian love triangle on the list I would say this is an adequate choice, but that's about all the enthusiasm I can muster for it. Kathy Pearce, Oyster River HS

OK, I have to agree with the above that this is very Fluffffy!. On the other hand, several of my devoted readers LOVE this book. Yes all in caps. The same teens who love books like "Between Shades of Gray" and " the Fault in Our Stars". That being the case it deserve to at least be considered. Sylvie B. Nesmith Library

America is a 5 in love with a 6. The caste system is working overtime, and it's really not OK for a girl to date or marry down a caste. She is encouraged by both her mother (a P&P Mrs.Bennett-type social climber) and her secret boyfriend to put her name in when the prince is looking for a bride in a Bachelor-type search. 35 girls from every caste will be chosen to compete for his affections and the crown. America agrees, only because she's convinced that she has no shot, and will then be able to go on with her life. This being her story, though, she does make it. I liked America, I liked Prince Maxon, I'm not so sure I liked Aspen, although the author tried to exonerate him. I have to wonder about the shrouded history, and I really want to know what ends up happening. It's the first book in a series, but besides the loose ends of a semi-cliffhanger, it stands alone. Definitely more of a book for older teen girls. Not that younger teen girls wouldn't eat it up, it's just not as appropriate for them. -Kirsten, Sandown Public Library

I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads at the time I read it. I'm a fan of reality shows and dystopias, but I'm soooo not a fan of the Bachelor. And yet, I really did like this. The dress on the cover is really striking as well. However, the second book was horrible. HORRIBLE. So I can't in good conscience recommend anyone read this one, because of the disappointment coming to them in the series. It leaves off in a bad spot, so it can't be read as a stand-alone. -- Julie A. Nashua PL

Okay, so we all agree... it isn't great. On the other hand, I feel that it isn't awful. This might be a good choice i f you are looking to recommend a book to readers who relate to fashion. Not recommended for this list because it doesn't stand alone. Wally Keniston - Oyster River High School, Durham. 2/6/2014

I had pretty low expectations for this book, but was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as bad as I thought? Can it stand alone? Not really. Will the girls LOVE it, many will. I don't have the stamina to read the second book so I will have to take Julie's word for it. ~ Sharon Flesher, Nashua High South