The Selection (The Selection #1)

Author: Kiera Cass
Pages: 336
Overall: 4.5/5
Setting: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Plot and Themes: 4.5/5
Cheers Factor: 4.5/5
Pairing: Something Blue

I thought this cocktail matched the cover. I also think it’s a cute reference to marriage as the Selection is a competition with the ultimate goal being marriage to a prince and a future at being Queen. So we have something blue.​

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Ingredients
-2oz vodka
-1oz blue curacao
-1oz lime 
-2.5oz cranberry juice
-ice
-lime wheel for garnish

Instruction
-Combine all liquid ingredients in a shake with ice
-Strain into glass of choice
-Garnish with lime wheel
-Enjoy responsibly

Take a Shot: America Singer is a 5. That makes her an artist in the Caste system of Illea. She’s musically driven whether it be through instruments or singing. However, because they are artists, they are unfortunately on the poorer end of society. They are far from being eights but much further from being ones. That is until the Selection begins because Prince Maxon Shreave is now of age for a bachelor style competition where women from different castes compete for his heart. America’s whole world changes when she herself is chosen and she’s taken on the journey of a lifetime.


"I needed to hate him right now. That anger would keep me going."


Setting
I do really love Illea. And I really love the palace and America’s family home. I think there’s a really great mixture of contemporary technology and scenery. We get to see the palace and we see our ladies travel by air. I really love the way the palace is laid out as well and the ways that the women get to wander around the entirety of the scenery.


Characters
I’ve read this title several times and when I first read this I really think I fell in love with the characters. But I was also in early high school so take it with a grain of salt. I do still love the characters, but I think with a more mature presence I dislike aspects of them more and am able to pick out flaws in them more easily. I do really love them, but I think they have some flat aspects that lead me to feel they aren’t real people. At least in this first novel.


Plots and Themes
I love the bachelor-esque inclusion with a class system. I really think this is an incredible plot and theme concept. I’m not a huge fan of the “she’s not like other girls” trope which is seems America follows. It’s almost like we are trying too hard to make every female main character so far from the normal, when really she is just normal? I don’t know it really felt like Cass was trying to make America a Katniss. However, I think overall, I really liked the plots and I am a sucker for this trope even though I’d like to see something else reflected in popular works of contemporary literature.


Overall
This is one of my favorite series and this being the first one leads me to obviously like it. I’m very protective over this series as well. I read them in a very formative time in my life and I felt very attached so naturally as an adult they are near and dear to me. I’m a big girl, but I’m still young at heart and I don’t think I will ever be convinced that this is not one of my favorite series.

Too Strong: “ShE’s Not LiKe OtHer GirLs.” trope
Reasons to Raise a Glass: The bachelor plot line


"After all this, I can only imagine what it would be like to see you actually try."

Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk.

I love this series and no matter how much older I get it will still hold a spot in my heart. I do realize as a grown up it would have been far more interesting and scandalous if it were more sexually focused but I respect that it wasn't in the whole effort to preserve a concept of monogamy. I really like this introduction because it sets up the whole series well. We get to really see Maxon and America have real and honest conversations as it is clear they are both awkward young people who don't actually know what they want. 
I love that we have a clear villain. I absolutely HATE Celeste and love that this is the point. We needed a villain other than just like this overhanging concept of the rebels. I do wish we got to see more of the whole royal family in this book. but in future installments we do so I guess that is also fine. I also like the moments we get with America's family. I really do love those little bits we get to see before she ships off.
Also side note her going away ceremony creepily reminds me of the reaping and the farewell ceremony to the tributes and even though America flies in a plane I can't help but imagine she traveled by high speed train to the palace i.e. the Capitol? Idk maybe it's also because Clarkson reminds me deeply of President Snow and so that's low-key triggering. 

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"I'm not choosing you or him. I'm choosing me."