Review: The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

Well, let me tell you… when I started reading this series, I was done with my university and I was absolutely at peace. And, I just flew through this series. It is really fast paced. I usually do a book by book review of all the series but the line separating the books have turned a bit hazy in my mind. So, I thought let me just make it one single post. However, if I get time in this week, I will try my best to write short reviews for the books (separately, of course!) and post it here.

BLURBS

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. (add on goodreads)

The Selection began with thirty-five girls. Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon’s heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies.
Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?


America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America’s chance to choose is about to slip away. (add on goodreads)

The time has come for one winner to be crowned.
When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon’s heart.



But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she’ll have to fight for the future she wants. (add on goodreads)

THOUGHTS

This book is set in a post apocalyptic world. There are constant reference of a World War 4!! (*I was honestly scared when I read that*) And the society is back to being ruled by monarchy (our favorite Regency Era; with ball gowns, crown princes and all those things we dream about); the society is divided into 8 parts according to the jobs of people.
The main character America Singer belongs to fifths of the society who are artists/performers. She comes from a family that is barely makes a living. But her mother is the absolute replica of Mrs. Bennett (from Pride and Prejudice). She wants her daughter to participate in the Selection (an event where 35 girls are selected all across the nation for the Crown Prince to choose a bride who will be the future Queen!) and she hopes that her daughter wins the selection or at least participate in the competition which will help her climb up the ladder in the social rankings and make her future brighter. The story begins to roll when America is selected as a contestant in The Selection and moves to the palace to meet Prince Maxon along with 34 other contestants.

After reading many many amazing things about this series, I finally thought I should give it a chance given it was sitting on my shelf for over a year. The book gave me mixed feeling through out. I was on the edge the entire time! However, I would have preferred it as one thicc book instead of three separate books; but no major complaints whatsoever. The story had an air of unpredictability to it, I mean I know what was about to happen but still I was unsure of it. There were so many twists and every book ended in cliffhangers. At a point of time, I felt the ending will be a not so happy one, because of a few surprises. Also, the characters were super enjoyable: the banter, the drama and the politics! Well, you know the book is good when a person who absolutely is not interested in politics reads an entire series because of it.

At every point of time I was like, “oh my god, what now!?”

I would say all the characters were a teeny tiny bit shady? or may be “grey” will be a better word. But who are we kidding, we book people are in love with our grey fictional characters. isn’t it?

I loved Prince Maxon though! He was soooooo good, and his romantic lines.. (excuse the fangirl moment) his stand on situations, practical approach and he was the one who made some rational decisions. Also, Celeste was amazing, I loved how badass she was. America was portrayed as a sweet and compassionate girl. Coming from a not so affluent background she was very aware of what society needed and that gave her an edge in the competition for sure… and she had the spine to stand up to people no matter what was admirable. I loved her banter with Prince Maxon. But there were like 20% of time she did some very questionable things in my eyes. Well, reading about Teenagers and their indecisive nature for relationships (basically cheating trope) makes me want to punch people. But I loved Mary, Anne and Lucy and the fact that they were the ones who were behaving absolutely normal.

Nevertheless, I had a great time with these books! I would recommend these to people who are looking for a quick, heartwarming and witty read. Also, they will definitely help you out of a reading slump if you are in one. 😊

And you can just skip the last two books, because it is on a different time line and with different central characters. It felt like spin off.

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have you read this series? who was your favourite character?

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let’s chat in the comments section. 😊