Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass
When I first picked up The Selection by Kiera Cass, I was intrigued by the blend of dystopian themes and royal romance. The concept of a competition to win a prince’s heart felt almost like a fairy tale with a contemporary twist, and who doesn’t love a good fairy tale, right? Little did I know I was about to dive into a whirlwind of names that Alexa D. would cringe at, worldbuilding that defies logic, and a whole lot of entertaining absurdity that would leave me giggling, questioning, and ultimately, connected to a ridiculously outlandish journey.
At its core, The Selection is about America Singer (yes, you read that right), a girl from a lower caste who finds herself swept into a competition to become the future princess of Illea. The premise is compelling, but as I progressed, I realized that it also comes bundled with a tangled web of ridiculous names—Aspen and Maxon included—that made me wonder if Kiera Cass was tapping into something prophetic about the future of American naming conventions.
The book tackles themes of love, class struggle, and identity, though not always in the most elegant way. America’s character oscillates between being relatable and frustratingly naive. While I appreciated her self-awareness and moments of kindness, her interactions often came off as self-centered, leaving me to ponder just how meaningful her growth truly was. The prince, Maxon, felt equally inconsistent—at times charming, at others, bewilderingly aloof.
Cass’s writing is filled with earnest emotion, though I found it lacking in depth at times. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but chuckle at some of the more colorful descriptions and dialogue. There’s a particular scene where America describes her breakfast in such vague terms that I felt the pancakes could have been ethereal clouds based on her reaction. It’s moments like these that make The Selection an engaging read, even if it doesn’t always hit the mark.
Then, there’s the worldbuilding, which famously leaves readers scratching their heads. A wealthy businessman leads the charge after the U.S. is invaded by China? It reads like a dystopian melodrama, punctuating how absurdly disconnected from reality some plot points are. Yet, I couldn’t help but find joy in this illogical world; it felt almost like a social experiment wrapped in a romance novel.
In the spirit of full transparency, I laughed, rolled my eyes, and even engaged in spirited debates (with myself and my boyfriend) about the sheer ridiculousness of certain events and dialogues. At times, I felt like I was participating in a shared absurdity rather than reading a serious piece of literature. Cass herself has become somewhat of a cultural oracle, as evidenced by my update on her uncanny predictions around societal dynamics—who would have thought we’d find ourselves nestled in a realm that resembles her fictional one?
If you enjoy a lighthearted, albeit nonsensical, take on dystopian romance and can appreciate a good critique of societal structures (even when it’s not particularly well-executed), The Selection might just win your heart. It embraces campiness while engaging with ideas about love, society, and personal identity.
Ultimately, this book won’t change your life, but its entertaining absurdity may evoke a satisfying chuckle or two. Is it a literary masterpiece? Not quite—but it is an experience worth having, especially if you’re looking for a breezy escape filled with drama. If you’re ready to have a laugh while navigating a world of dystopian intrigue and unexpectedly whimsical characters, grab a copy and immerse yourself in the spectacle that is The Selection. Happy reading!
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