Joei Vidad

Book Review 1
Book: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass

The Selection, by Kiera Cass is about seventeen year old America Singer, who
was chosen to compete in the Selection. Thirty five girls, all around the nation, were
drawn to compete for Prince Maxons heart and also for the throne. The competition
started with thirty five girls, living in the royal castle, but only one will remain. It all
started when America received the letter, stating that the prince of Illea will be holding
the Selection. Participating in the Selection means that you and your family gets paid.
Since America and her family struggled to earn a stable amount of income, her mother
encouraged her to sign up. She had already decided that all of their problems were
solved and gone forever, but only if America just signed up. Her mother wasnt the only
one who wants her to sign up. Americas little sister Marlee, also wanted her to sign up,
because Marlee loved thinking about the fact that she might get to meet the prince of
Illea one day. The only problem was that she didnt want to, because she thought of the
prince as a shallow, disgusting, cocky person who didnt care about anyone but himself.
America had a strong hatred for Prince Maxon. Her hatred for the prince wasnt the only
thing that was holding her back from signing up. She didnt want to fall in love with no
one other than Aspen, her current boyfriend that shes secretly been dating for two
years. She hoped to get married to Aspen and Aspen hoped to get married to America.
That same day, America snuck out to the treehouse, near her room and met up with
Aspen. America informed Aspen about the whole situation, thinking hed hate the idea.

Instead, Aspen encouraged her to sign up, so he knew he wasnt holding her back from
anything that could give her a better future. Her mother bribed her to sign up for the
Selection and America made the decision to sign up. Aspen was a caste below America
and wanted the best for her. The next time they met up in the treehouse, America
surprised Aspen with a bountiful meal. He became upset, because he believed that he
should be the one providing for her. Aspen broke up with America.
America quickly made friends with one of the girls that have also been selected
on her flight to the capital. Within the first week of her stay at the castle, she also made
an enemy, Celeste Newsome. America struggled to get some sleep the first night and
made a run out to the garden, where she met Prince Maxon for the first time. Although
she didnt notice, Americas feelings and thoughts began to change as she went on
more walks with him and got to know him better. He was nothing she thought he was.
On their third date, Prince Maxon finally got his first (and second) kiss. Thats when
America realized that she might, one day, fall in love with him, marry Maxon, and
possibly forget about Aspen. Americas feelings for Maxon grew stronger, the longer she
stayed at the palace. America eventually saw Aspen again when he entered the castle
as a new guard. She began to get confused because of Aspens unexpected
appearance. Aspen snuck into her room and she admitted that she still loved him.
Aspen took a number of risks to spend time with America, knowing hed be punished
with treason if they ever got caught. Maxon narrowed the Selection down to only six
girls. America was shocked to find out that she was one of the remaining six that were
going to stay. She finally figured that she does have strong feelings for Maxon and could
see them happy together. With that thought in her mind, she told Aspen that they could

no longer continue their secret affair while she still remained in the competition. Aspen
became even more motivated to win Americas love again, over Maxon. The book
finished off with America waking up, knowing that the Selection was no longer
something that was happening to her, but something she was actively part of. America
Singer was an Elite.

America Singer is a beautiful seventeen year old girl with radiant red hair who
tends to be stubborn at times. Even though she tends to be a little rude at times, she
still finds a way to touch peoples hearts. Her caring and unique personality is what most
of the characters in the book like about her so much. She does whatever she feels like
and is not afraid to speak freely about whats on her mind, but she does it in the best
way possible. America is the middle child of five kids and grew up in the fifth caste in
Carolina. Shes musically talented when she sings and plays the violin and the piano.
America Singer is definitely princess material.
America is torn between the prince of Illa and a boy in the sixth caste, living in
her province. The prince of Illea is Prince Maxon. He is a nineteen year old boy who
gets caught up, annoyed, and stressed with all the pressure and work he has to face
with such a great amount of responsibility he has, as the prince. He tries his best to
keep the people he cares about and the country, happy. Aspen is a tall, handsome
nineteen year old with dark (black) hair and green eyes. He is a very hard working
fellow who tires himself out, in order to support his family. Both of the young men want
the same thing, and its Americas heart.
I believe that the lesson the author is trying to give is to always think twice about
what you think, say, or do. All throughout the story, characters are predicting things and

events that they think will never happen. On page 22, America states to Aspen that she
doesnt want to be royalty and all she wants is to be Aspens wife, I dont want to be
some princess. All I want to be is your wife. Although, the longer she stayed in the
castle, the deeper she fell for Maxon, and less for Aspen. America thought of Maxon as
a self centered jerk who only wanted a bedmate. She eventually figured that Maxon
wasnt what she thought she was on page 248-249, Maxon Schreave is the epitome of
all things good, He is going to be a phenomenal king. Whoever he marries will be a
lucky girl. After Maxon had attempted to kiss America for the first time, he thought that it
was a stupid move, he never should have done it in the first place, and that America
didnt like the fact that he tried to kiss her. On page 253-254, Maxon thought wrong,
With his hands holding my face toward his, Maxon lowered his lips to mine and gave
me the faintest whisper of a kiss.Something about the tentativeness of it made me feel
beautiful. In my opinion, Kiera Cass is trying to signal us to always think twice.

I strongly recommend this book to someone who loves to read about adventure
and romance. The way the author narrates the story from Americas point of view,
makes it so much easier to understand and feel the emotions she receives as she goes
on this journey of possibly becoming Illas princess. As you read this book, you will find
yourself deep into the thoughts of America and feel like youre in the story as well. You
will laugh out loud during some chapters, feel a small ache in your heart that is caused
by some of the emotional scenarios thatll occur, or even get butterflies in your stomach
when you reach the sweet and genuine moments between America and Aspen or
America and Maxon. All the suspense and thrills that occur in each page will make you

want to read more and more about what will happen next. I highly recommend this book
to anyone who is into a little bit of suspense and romance.