The Selection

The Selection by Kiera Cass is a dystopian romance that takes place in a strictly regimented society where citizens have no choice as to their lot in society.  America is a five, both of her parents are artists and she has grown up in poverty.  She is secretly in love with Aspen, a six who is destined to work as a servant his entire life and who is forbidden to America because of his caste.  When a letter comes in the mail inviting America to enter a contest to become the newest princess America reluctantly applies and finds herself flown into an extravagant bachelor like contest to win the heart of the prince.  Will she be able to leave her childhood love and move on? 

This was a strange strange book that I couldn't put down.  I sped through the book finishing it in less than a day all the while being amazed with the the absurdity of the concept of a dystopian dating reality show.  I liked America as a character but found the other characters to be one dimensional.  There's the nice one and the bitchy one and many many who aren't important enough to get a real personality.  The two leading men are interesting enough but I didn't find myself rooting for one over another.  The book ends on a cliffhanger with no real resolution which is frustrating.  This story is being made into a pilot for the CW this fall.

Appropriateness:  There are a few heavy makeout scenes and discussions of virginity.  Nothing that is shocking and it's easily skimmed or skipped.  While America is a teen, her life is more like that of a girl in her young twenties and thinking of marriage than a teen which will make the book attractive to older YA's and the crossover audience.  I recommend this book to readers 13+

Review copy provided by Amazon Vine