I haven't read the mini selection stories, The Guard and The Prince, but I included them in the series.
Plot of The Selection:
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.
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-review of three books from now-
I started reading this series about a year ago. I never really had any expectations because I didn't know anyone who had read it. What I didn't know, was that I was reading the second book, The Elite. I only realised it was the second book when I felt there were pieces of the story missing. That was maybe, six chapters in. So, anyway, I stopped reading.
About two weeks ago, I read the first book. This time I heard my friend saying it was good. And yes, I think so too.
At first America was with Aspen, until, of course, she joined the selection. I did like Aspen as a character, although he was a little cheesy. He said some really cheesy thing about loving her. I found that a little funny rather than cute.
America, having no choice but having been picked, moves to the castle with no intention of getting to know the prince, Maxon. The only thing she wanted to do was get away from Aspen.
I think the first book was the best in the series. It held the most events. It also started the romance between Prince Maxon and herself. I would rate it five stars. I think it was a good first book for the series. There wasn't many events, apart from her with the other girls, on the report and with Maxon, but it was still a quick and enjoyable read.
I felt the second book was a little bit of a let down. The romance between Maxon and America was growing, but to me, it was they love each other or not. America was very back and forth with her feelings for Maxon. There were some more events in the second book, this time, such as the Italian royalty and German royalty coming to the castle.
During this book, what came as I shock to me, was the reason Marlee wanted to stay at the castle. Not because of Maxon but for some other reason. I was having a bit of an angry-fangirl moment. I felt like crying for Marlee.
After Marlee disappeared from the castle, everything, I felt, was a little rushed. Marlee, had been her best friend during their time in the castle, but yet she wasn't that sad she was gone.
Then Maxon brought Marlee to America. They said they would see each other again, but they barely spoke. I think this moment was a little underdeveloped and could have been a little more thought out. Especially for the fact that they were supposed to see each other again. Marlee didn't come back in until the near-end of the third book.
Again, during the third book, Maxon and America's love was a little back and forth. Yes, the book was about their future together, or lack of future, but it was a little annoying. America was annoying. She was stringing both Maxon and Aspen along.
The ending of the third book, I was unsatisfied. I felt it was not developed well. It was like, after Maxon picked America, that was it. The book had to be finished, whatever way. Even before that it was rushed.
When her father died, yes, she was brave, but she didn't seem to be very sad. If it was my mother who died, I would cry forever.
While the castle was attacked near the end of the third book, I was screaming at the book. It pretty much goes like this; everyone is ready. The castle is attacked. She gets away. Its a few hours later and loads of people are dead. Including, the King, Queen, Celeste and Anne. One minute they're alive. The next, they're dead.
Throughout the book, I didn't really like Celeste. She was mean and full of herself. But through the third book, she just proved how desperate she was. She was fighting against everyone because that was the only thing she had. She didn't hold his heart like America, or make a very good queen like Kriss. I felt kind of bad for her. Then she got, and safe to say, I was upset.
Maxon; wow, I don't know how I feel about him. I like him, and I don't like him. I know he was pretty much dating each girl but he had a special connection from the start with America and it was kind of, I guess, douche-y in a way? (If that's a word.) Especially when he had Celeste pinned up against the hallway. But then I liked him for his little cute moments with America. And moments he stood up for her.
America; I liked her for the fact that she was brave and stood up for the things she felt right. If she had to do something that she didn't like, such as sending a man to jail for life because he was desperate enough to steal clothes for his children, she would make her own rules. She would fix the problem her own way. It was a little annoying in these moments, though, that she was impulsive. She didn't think things through properly. The only moments I didn't like her was when she was going back and forth between Maxon and Aspen.
All in all, as a series, I give it four out of five stars. It was cute, enjoyable and an easy read. There were some moments that I loved, some that I hated, but as I whole, I liked the plot line. It was also very original.
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