Review of The Selection

The Selection (Book 1)

Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: April 2012

    Illéa has withstood three world wars, a dictatorship, and currently, a caste system. But don’t worry, this isn’t a depressing history book. The absolute monarchy of Illéa that keeps the caste systems in place has an interesting way of picking a princess when a prince is born, something they call The Selection. From each province, a girl is chosen at random via a lottery. Sent to the palace, they each compete for the prince’s hand. America Singer, who entered the lottery because of a bribe, is chosen to compete for Prince Maxon Schreave. America is a Five. Her only permitted way of making a living is to be an artist, but she loves singing and playing the violin. However, she has to keep her romance with a Six a secret. She never intends The Selection to be a love story. In fact, the only thing America wants to do is go home - at first. When her emotions overcome her will, America must come to terms with not just her heart but her changing world.

    The Selection, while following the path of a fairy tale romance, is a politically dystopian novel. That element separates the story from most other current dystopian novels, which tend to center around environmental collapse rather than cultural or political collapse. The caste systems are explained in detail without deviating from the plot and the pros and cons of an absolute monarchy are highlighted in bits and pieces. The plot is not the only cleverly detailed part of this story. The main characters develop significantly in a matter of months, transitioning from flighty and unsure of who they want to be to brazen, thoughtful young men and women. Unfortunately, one noticeable weakness is that while the story is obviously set in the future, the description of technology does not match. The use of medieval-esc architecture and lack of modern technology to enforce the idea of a culturally regressed society feels forced. Nonetheless, this book is a worthwhile read. If you enjoy it, there are four more books in the series. For readers on the younger side of the YA genre, this book is a topical yet emotional read. For older YA readers and adults, this book can be read as purely entertainment or a pondering prediction of the political future of America (the country, not the girl).

- D. K. Nuray