Book Reviews: The Selection series by Kiera Cass

Admittedly, I'm pretty late to the game on this series. There has been plenty of buzz about this among middle- and high-schoolers, and it took me until now to get all three books read. I enjoyed them enough to read them back-to-back-to-back.

In a future America, democracy has failed and a monarchy now rules the country. Citizens are born into a caste system, with eights being near unmentionables, and ones being nobility. Prince Maxon is of age and the realm of Ilia is in need of an heir.  35 young women from around the country are chosen to take part in The Selection. These 35 women range in cast from fives (musicians and laborers) to twos (wealthy, priveleged elitists). The idea is that selecting from any caste gives the country hope that anyone can step into the Monarchy. But there are plenty of problems to begin with; the country is in ruins and two different rebel groups are threatening. 

In The Selection, America enters the contest at the urging of Aspen, her boyfriend (a six) who worries this could be her only chance to make something of herself. Of course America is chosen, and Aspen breaks off their relationship knowing he'll be heading into the draft with at least four years of unknown travel ahead of him. America tells Prince Maxon from the start that she's only there for the food, and the extra money her family receives for her participation. Unknown to her, the Prince falls for her from the start. Aspen is back in the picture, conveniently taking an assignment in the draft as a guard at the palace -- thus creating the love triangle between a female protagonist and two willing young men that has become so necessary in YA romance over the last decade.

In The Elite Lady America has emerged in the final six candidates. Rebels continually storm the castle, and America realizes the remaining candidates are serious contenders for a prize she still isn't sure she wants. However, she is growing stronger in her convictions and realizes she can have influence for as long as she's there. Now, however, she's beginning to wonder if she does, in fact, want to stay with the prince.

By The One, America has fallen for Prince Maxon but is now faced with a king who doesn't want her around her son. Trust issues erupt constantly between the prince and America, which initially gives the story a sense of realism -- what couple doesn't go through that? -- but ultimately the dramatic emotional highs and lows seem more apt to middle school relationships than a potential queen and future king. But middle- and high-schoolers who are the target audience will relate, and will no doubt be anxious for more. 

While the series is formulaic (The Bachelor on a grander scale), it's still fun and a romantic read. Not everything comes to a happy end, but things end happily enough for the rags-to-riches Cinderella story most readers will expect when picking up the first in the series. America is a likable character who retains her sensibilities and convictions amid the storm of political life, and Maxon seems a capable ruler given the abuse he's quietly suffered. Aspen, the secret boyfriend in all of this, also grows as a character and shows maturity in his choices (and the choices of others). This isn't Shakespeare, but it will certainly see a lot more circulations than Shakespeare does!