Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

(image courtesy of Amazon.com)

Genre: YA, Romance, Drama, Dystopian

Rating: 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚

Overview: Taking place in the near-future in what once was the United States, the kingdom of Illea now rules as a monarchy with a strict caste system in place for their citizens. Prince Maxon, heir to the throne, needs a wife to rule with him. Thus, the king and queen hold a Selection, designed to handpick the most eligible young potential brides.

America Singer, who belongs to the fifth caste, one of the lowest, wants nothing to do with the Selection. Her family is already struggling and they need her added income. However, the Selection does more than just choose a bride for the prince; it also holds the possibility of a better life in a higher caste.

When she is selected as one of the exclusive thirty-five girls, she is hesitant to leave her family and the man she loves, Aspen, behind. When she gets to the castle, she finds out that even though she is not vying for the crown, thirty-four other girls are, and they'll stop at nothing to get it. In the end, America must choose between two men competing for her love, as well as fight against injustice both inside and outside the castle.

(Stay tuned for a writing tip at the bottom of this post 📝)

Review: This book had me absolutely head-over-heels! The reason I decided to pick it up was because I'd heard a lot of good reviews on it and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It's safe to say that I wasn't disappointed.

First of all, I was hooked by the story line from the very beginning and it certainly did not let go, even at the end of the novel. For me, it was one of those books that I stayed up until half-past two in the morning reading. Even though I already knew who America was going to end up with (don't worry, no spoilers here!), the plot still maintained my interest.

The fact that Cass interwove some of the social injustices and stereotypes that are present in modern society into her story also impressed me. Problems like the fact that artists of all kinds are undermined and underpaid show themselves through America's line of work. It makes the reader want to take a stand right along with her against these inequities. Through them, Cass also teaches valuable lessons to her audience, like the important principle that beauty ultimately comes from the inside, no matter how much makeup you put on or how expensive your clothes are.

In addition, the drama that occurred once America got inside the castle had me bursting out with laughter and wanting to get a big bowl of popcorn. I'm not usually a person who likes to get involved with drama, but the way America had to deal with so many different situations was very entertaining.

The last reason I rated this book five out of five book stacks is because I was fixed by Cass's style of writing. I love how she conveys each character's personality through the choices they make in different situations. Prince Maxon, who at the beginning I thought was rather stuck-up, turns out to be literally the sweetest guy ever and perhaps my ideal boyfriend. Cass profoundly entwines romance with adventure and drama in a dystopian world, and I, personally, am all for it.

“I hope you find someone you can't live without. I really do. And I hope you never have to know what it's like to have to try and live without them.”

- Kiera Cass, The Selection

Warnings for Objectionable Content: There are multiple scenes depicting romantic behavior, but kissing is as far as it goes; there is also some minor swearing and brief mentions of violence.

Buy this book

---

Writing Tip: How to Create Round Characters

Writing emotionally round characters is essential to any story line. Yet it can be difficult to accomplish. Readers love characters who change and grow throughout the story; it helps them to relate and see the story as more realistic and engaging. With flat characters, the plot falls flat as well.

So, how do you write an emotionally round character? It can be difficult because many times their personality mainly shines through the choices they make. Merely listing off the qualities of a character is not effective in making them a round character. Likewise, Kiera Cass lets America Singer's stubborn but compassionate personality reveal itself through her reluctance to apply for the Selection and the kindness she shows to the other contestants once she gets there, even though they may not always be kind to her.

First, you need to have an idea of what you want your character to be like. Will they be caring, irresponsible, stubborn, or naive? One good tip is to take a look at your favorite novel. See how the author interweaves the characters' mentalities and emotions through the plot. Try to think from your characters' point of view. For example, if the character has the choice to either enter a dark, scary tunnel alone or step back and let another one of their friends do it, you will need to decide if they are stubborn and fearless enough to go at it solo, or if they are more hesitant to be the first one. What would you do if you weren't afraid? Would you step into that tunnel if you didn't think you could handle it?

Lastly, do not forget about character development. This is when you will need to ask yourself, "What major flaw/trait does my character have, and what do I hope to change about it?" Without character development, the story line will be lacking even if your character does have emotion. In order to practice the art of character development, try writing a few short stories while asking yourself the question mentioned above. It will help you practice and see where you need improvement. Remember, the development of a character should happen gradually over the course of the story. It is all right for that character to have some kind of revelation that changes them, but the reader shouldn't be left confused, wondering when and why that character happened to change.

Thank you for reading! Don't forget to subscribe!

Blessings,

Chasey 📚

Tags: book review, young adult, the selection, dystopian, drama, romance