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A review by emilyusuallyreading
The Selection by Kiera Cass
3.0
What I Liked
The class system is well put-together.
This is a light-hearted read. I didn't go into this wanting an in-depth "thinking" book and I didn't get one. In terms of letting me relax and escape from reality for a little while, it definitely worked. I enjoyed several moments in the book... and I plan to read the next in line due to the fact that I bought a shrink-wrapped package of the series at basically the same cost as one book.
But honestly, I had a lot of problems with this book.
What I Didn't Like
America is a little angsty. Most of the time, she is likable, but she goes into these tangents of, "I am the ugliest person in this room." Or she tries to argue with someone that she is not pretty. Just don't. Just. Don't.
Maxon. I hate Maxon. I kind of wish someone would cut off Maxon's leg or destroy his life or something that would show a glimpse of humanity in this character that is otherwise as flat as a blank sheet of paper. He is handsome and well-muscled. He wears a suit in every single scene, except one where his suit jacket is off. He is always kind, always well-mannered, always in the right. He is innocent, never rogue-ish, and only ever frustrated or impatient when it's reasonable for him to act that way. He has no sadness in his past whatsoever, yet he is endlessly empathetic towards others. A character this perfect is annoying. It's impossible to relate to him. It's impossible to really root for him.
Many other characters have the same level of flatness. Celeste is mean and spoiled and only that. Tiny is shy and quiet and tearful and only that. Etc, etc, etc.
The world-building is also bothersome. There are all of these rebels, but they're just rebels. They're just faceless bad guys that pop up and scare everybody throughout the course of the book. Perhaps they will be explored more in-depth later in the series, but this book is suppose to stand at least somewhat on its own and it offers nothing in regard to the rebels. The history about the United States of China, Russia, and so on is a little cringey.
I think my biggest pet peeve with this book is that it can't stand on its own. It ends abruptly. There is a half-finished story line - no arc to this book. It's as if it ends on chapter 13 instead of beginning a sequel. Who are the rebels? Not only will we not know who they are, we won't even begin to approach who they are. The Selection/Fantastical Royal version of The Bachelor isn't concluded. Any real romance with Maxon isn't concluded. Any realization of Marlee's secret isn't concluded. Is there any knowledge I came to the end of this book having? No, not really.
The class system is well put-together.
This is a light-hearted read. I didn't go into this wanting an in-depth "thinking" book and I didn't get one. In terms of letting me relax and escape from reality for a little while, it definitely worked. I enjoyed several moments in the book... and I plan to read the next in line due to the fact that I bought a shrink-wrapped package of the series at basically the same cost as one book.
But honestly, I had a lot of problems with this book.
What I Didn't Like
America is a little angsty. Most of the time, she is likable, but she goes into these tangents of, "I am the ugliest person in this room." Or she tries to argue with someone that she is not pretty. Just don't. Just. Don't.
Maxon. I hate Maxon. I kind of wish someone would cut off Maxon's leg or destroy his life or something that would show a glimpse of humanity in this character that is otherwise as flat as a blank sheet of paper. He is handsome and well-muscled. He wears a suit in every single scene, except one where his suit jacket is off. He is always kind, always well-mannered, always in the right. He is innocent, never rogue-ish, and only ever frustrated or impatient when it's reasonable for him to act that way. He has no sadness in his past whatsoever, yet he is endlessly empathetic towards others. A character this perfect is annoying. It's impossible to relate to him. It's impossible to really root for him.
Many other characters have the same level of flatness. Celeste is mean and spoiled and only that. Tiny is shy and quiet and tearful and only that. Etc, etc, etc.
The world-building is also bothersome. There are all of these rebels, but they're just rebels. They're just faceless bad guys that pop up and scare everybody throughout the course of the book. Perhaps they will be explored more in-depth later in the series, but this book is suppose to stand at least somewhat on its own and it offers nothing in regard to the rebels. The history about the United States of China, Russia, and so on is a little cringey.
I think my biggest pet peeve with this book is that it can't stand on its own. It ends abruptly. There is a half-finished story line - no arc to this book. It's as if it ends on chapter 13 instead of beginning a sequel. Who are the rebels? Not only will we not know who they are, we won't even begin to approach who they are. The Selection/Fantastical Royal version of The Bachelor isn't concluded. Any real romance with Maxon isn't concluded. Any realization of Marlee's secret isn't concluded. Is there any knowledge I came to the end of this book having? No, not really.