The Selection: Appreciation Post

The Selection series was originally recommended to me by a friend, who had started the books herself and was really enjoying them. I'd had the first in the series on my shelf for a while, but hadn't been sure about whether or not the series would be for me. The idea sounded right up my street, and I thought the cover was beautiful. If I'm honest, I wondered whether it may be too much of a prissy story, with stuck up girls and a high and mighty prince. I was concerned that I would begin reading and find that the story was too superficial to be enjoyed.

I am so unbelievably glad that I took the advice to just try them. For anybody who doesn't know the plot, here's the blurb of the first book in the series: The Selection.

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. 

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. 

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Blurb taken from Goodreads.

This book took me to another world. It was glitzy and glamorous, but it had some serious dystopian undertones. There were also some real social media aspects (very similar to The Hunger Games) that added a really modern element to the story. It felt like this story could so easily be a reality.

I really loved following the strong-willed but vulnerable central character of America, and the series has become one of my go-to reads for a real love story. With the announcement that they will be making a Netflix adaptation (for which I am already way too excited!), this post is an appreciation of the series, where I'll talk about why I love it so much. This is just including the initial trilogy, and excludes The Heir and The Crown. That's a story for another post!

Get ready for my long, incoherent, excessive rambling, and I hope you enjoy! Don't forget to let me know your thoughts too!

SPOILER ALERT

The Idea

The world is Illĕa. Citizens are distinguished by caste, a system to which you are assigned upon birth by your family's status, and that continues to widen the gap between the rich and the poor. America is a five, and her life is tough. Her family struggle to have enough food to go round, and cannot imagine the world of twos and threes, who never have to worry about such trivial concerns. America also has a secret. She is in love with Aspen - a six. To continue the relationship with Aspen would be to marry even further beneath her, and sentence herself to a life of struggles.

The Selection process is a way for the future King of Illĕa to find a suitable partner to marry. A princess. Any girl across the nation can apply, and if they are among the chosen thirty-five, they are whisked away into the glitz and glamour of living in the palace, and living as a one.

These two very different worlds are merged together in one story. When America is chosen, to her own surprise and horror, she attends the palace and witnesses how the other side live. She is out of place, and she knows it. This story is a commentary on the dangers of judging people by birth. Injustice and poverty are rife in this world, and are seen through the eyes of the people who are in a position to make the necessary change, but it somehow isn't quite so simple. I love how the narrative focuses in on how monarchy and authority have a power that can be abused. 

Prince Maxon and his father, the King have completely opposite leadership styles. Underneath the main plot that follows America's journey through the Selection process, there is the much more serious plot progression of the rebels, and the way they are handled. The different leadership styles come into play and under scrutiny. Strong and tough like the King, or generous and understanding, like the Prince. But which one will, and should, win out?

Book 1: The Selection

The Plot

America lives in a caste five house, pursuing a career as a musician; a career that she is lucky to enjoy, given that it was chosen for her by birth. In the initial chapters, we learn about her living situation, and her relationship with Aspen. It's clear that they have a real connection, and to learn about difficult it would be for them just to be together was heart-breaking. If America and Aspen were to get married, she would be condemning herself to a life even worse than the one she already knows. It's impossible to imagine not being able to be with the person you love purely for the reason of not being able to provide for yourselves. Your birth shouldn't limit what you can be. This was the perfect entry to the reality of the world of Illĕa.

I really appreciated that Aspen was the reason that America applied for the Selection. It would have been very easy for the author to make it a random draw, but I preferred this. It indicates that some of our most impulsive and half-hearted decisions can actually lead to the most life-defining experiences we can have. Although she did not want to be chosen, I'm glad that she embraced the opportunity following the split from Aspen. When she ends up at the palace, it's game on. She's a fish out of water, which is always a great plot device, and she's certainly a breath of fresh air against the other girls, who all clearly crave the queen's lifestyle.

I loved the initial dynamic between America and Maxon. She was honest about how she came to be there, and that made her stand out. Their impromptu meeting in the garden followed by their first official conversation where they agree to be confidantes; I loved that they took a different path immediately. It's clear to us, even if it isn't to America, that Maxon is drawn to her. I loved their early interactions, with him calling upon her at breakfast, resulting in her receiving jeans to wear. It's a really sweet start to their relationship, based firmly on friendship.

Watching the development of this relationship felt really special.  We know before America does that she has come to really care for Maxon, and that Maxon is really falling for her. I loved the journey they went on to really come together. By the end of the first back, America understands that she is beginning to see Maxon in a new light, and I was so eager to read the next installment of their relationships. It was just a shame that Aspen came back into the picture right at the last moment, taken by the draft into the palace as a guard. It frustrated me so much that America was put in this position. On the one hand, I appreciate that Aspen never wanted to leave America, and that in his eyes this was all a huge mistake. On the other, I wished he would have just tried to let her go. Although, I suppose, there's no way he could have controlled that he would have ended up in the palace as well. It really set up the series for a complex and emotive second installment.

All of this is set against the glamour and class of the palace, which I have to admit I really loved. The competition element adds some structure to the drama, making the plot progression feel really natural. The little tasks the girls complete make the story so interesting and I loved watching America try to attempt to this type of lifestyle.

The Characters

America: America is a great heroine. She has come from suffering and so understands kindness and compassion. She has the strength and independence to make a real impact in Illĕa. She is clearly still a vulnerable girl, and when she is whisked away to the palace she misses her family dearly, and it takes her a while to feel comfortable in her surroundings. A girl with a broken heart, surrounded by a new environment to help it heal. A potential heroine and a potential princess.

Aspen: Aspen is tough, passionate and determined. He's had a hard life, and he wants to see and feel the necessary change. A born fighter, Aspen is motivated to get what he wants. I would normally love this character, because he's the figure of passion. But when you put him next to his competitor for America's heart, there really is no comparison. When America finds Aspen in the palace while she is walking with Maxon, I felt a kind of smugness that he had seen them getting on so well together.

Maxon: The exact opposite of Aspen in every way, Maxon is the epitome of royalty. Gracious, kind and caring for his subjects, he really is the symbol of positive royalty. It doesn't hurt that he is also a romantic and seemingly handsome to boot. He seems to be the whole package, and the way he treats the people around him, especially America and the other girls in the Selection process, really endears him as a character.

Marlee: Marlee is adorable. Every girl needs a loyal, fun and reliable friend. Marlee is that girl for America. America has never had that before, and I'm glad she began to find that in the palace. Marlee is the support that America needs, even through competition, and I love her character.

Celeste: The exact opposite of Marlee. Celeste is the girl we love to hate. But, the most honest girl of all. A lot of the other girls blend into the thirty-four strong Selection candidate background, so there aren't too many major observations to draw, but I do love the variety the Selection provides.

Anne, Mary and Lucy: I love America's maids. They become her family over the course of the book, and they are some of my favourite characters, even if they only show up now and again to help America be her best self. Girls support girls. 

My Thoughts

I remember finishing this book for the first time and being totally in love with it. The dystopian world with the caste system, when compared with the vastly opposite world in the palace; it has so many different levels of depth that have the potential to be explored. When you add in the Selection competition and modern social media element - awesome.

There's also a lot that goes on outside of the main plot that helps to give the story depth too. The rebel attacks add some further drama and suspense, and the dynamic between Maxon and his father also adds another layer. 

But ultimately, it's a love story, and I loved it first and foremost for that reason. It was sassy and sappy and utterly awesome.

✼

Book 2: The Elite

The Plot

The Selection girls have been whittled down to 6 by the time The Elite opens. This is a lot nicer to follow, as we can get to know each girl a little more individually. The plot as a whole feels to have a lot more depth as well, now that there isn't as much 'scene-setting' to be done, as is the case with all first books in a trilogy.

We learn a lot more about the rebel attacks and what they mean for Illĕa. The different camps of North and South rebels felt a little confusing. I understood the significance of them and exactly how they were different, but the southern rebels never really play much of a role. I'm still not entirely sure why they needed to play a part at all, apart from to create an atmosphere of war and terror. However, the dystopian nature of the plot did need some sort of rebellion, and this did the trick. I oddly really enjoyed the rebel attacks, as they presented opportunities for Maxon to be strong and masculine and have intimate conversations with America. But they did happen a little often.

More importantly, the competition really began to get good in this second book. We see America getting competitive with the other girls, and it really did feel like the stakes had been raised. The introductory parties the girls threw were fun and we see a lot of different tasks given to them. This was definitely more than just sitting round and looking pretty like in The Selection. It got more down to the nitty gritty and I enjoyed that.

The heart of the book, however, is obviously still with America and the way her relationships develop with Aspen and Maxon. If The Selection was her breaking her boundaries down, The Elite is about her making a decision about where her heart truly lies when she is given the choice. This is no longer the only romance she has ever known. She has two suitors of entirely different standards, and she has a real choice to make. Aspen, now a palace guard, is now a two, and she has no restrictions any more. There is a lot more of a love triangle in this installment. This is normally something that I love, but I rooted so hard for Maxon that it just frustrated me when America leaned a little further towards Aspen.

America's relationship with Maxon really deepened in this installment. There were a lot more tests and challenges that forced them both to try and connect, and understand each other better. They come from totally different worlds and are forced to take on different perspectives. America learnt the obvious lessons of grace, decorum, and diplomacy. But Maxon equally learns from America what the reality of the country is, and what the people actually need. I really liked this aspect of their relationship because they really helped each other to grow. One of the most touching parts for me was when Maxon sought approval from America's father, knowing how important this was to her. The Halloween party and the subsequent letters America sent to her father were very touching. His approval meant a lot to both of them, and I loved that he gave it. This book really develops and deepens the relationships that were introduced in The Selection.

The Characters

America: Well. America really goes on an existential crisis (or just a journey, I guess) in this story. It is clearly a very difficult situation for her. She is struggling to let go of Aspen when he is so close, but she also wants to pursue her feelings for Maxon. Meanwhile, she wants to improve the country and the caste system, not to mention solve the world's problems. She is a character with such a big heart, but this installment showed the growth that she really needed in the Selection process. She was clearly still so insecure about her potential, and seeks regular reassurance from her father. I think her emotions really do get the better of her at several points, and she becomes hot-headed without giving Maxona  chance to explain. I felt a little sorry for Maxon when he was attempting to calm her down. But, and this is a big but... I also think she really grows over the course of The Elite. She learnt what right and wrong really means, and that there are ways to go about chasing the truth. Her mistakes inspired her to be and do better. I admired her for her vulnerability and strength. She finishes this book in a very different place that she begins it.

Aspen: Aspen is the perfect soldier. He follows instruction and is passionate and devoted to doing what is right. To the point where he gets a little crazy and manipulative. He is utterly besotted with America, and he just cannot let her breathe. Normally I love a man who is head over heels for a heroine, but there are several points in The Elite when Aspen deliberately encourages America to follow a path of self-destruction. He persuades her not to trust Maxon, and lets his own wishes get in the way of her wellbeing. 

Maxon: You probably already know exactly the kind of praise I'm going to give Prince Maxon, again. Maxon continued to improve in my eyes through this book. He continued to show care and attention to all the girls in the Selection, and his devotion to America only grew. He clearly worships the ground she walks on. I think America was very hard on him during some moments (led astray by Aspen for some of them). If she had taken the opportunity to ask him first on many occasions, she wouldn't have ended up rubbing so many people up the wrong way. At the Halloween party, for example, America is resentful because Maxon spends a large portion of the evening with the other girls before attending to her. When he finally gets a chance to explain, he assures her that he wanted to get his obligations out of the way first, so he could enjoy the rest of the evening with her. They then go on to have an intimate dance in front of everybody (which was one of my favourite moments, by the way). But they also share a lot of tender moments that highlight Maxon's inner strength and kindness. When America discovers Maxon's problems with his father and sees the marks on his back, she understands his mentality. Maxon carries the weight of this secret, but only every exudes kindness. All he did was grow in estimation throughout this book.

The King: What can I say? America is a pest, granted, but she isn't that bad. There's no need to be that way, Your Majesty.

Marlee: Marlee's plot broke my heart into a million pieces and then put it all back together again. It's clear for a little while that she isn't invested in a relationship with Maxon, but it takes a little time for America to discover quite why. I think Marlee's ultimate ending was beautiful. She fell from grace, but she had never been happier because she was able to feel love. It was pure and wholesome, and I absolutely adored it. It suited her kind nature, and I'm glad she could be happy.

Celeste: Eugh. She only gets worse.

Kriss: How pleasant Kriss is. I hated her increasingly with every pathetically perfect thing she did.

Elise and Natalie: I understand the points behind their characters but I wish they had a little more substance.

America's Family: America's father, and her younger sister May, are two of the most wholesome characters in the whole series. May is the definition of kindness, and she lit up every scene she appeared in. Her father, on the other hand, is the kind of guide we would all hope to have. He gave his approval to Maxon only on the condition that America was happy for him to do so. He only wanted what was best for her, and he only ever saw the best in her. When she ran forward to attempt to protect Marlee, he showed only praise. He's a shining star.

My Thoughts

For those other book reviewers out there, how do you rate a book? Do you have a system you follow with a number of different criteria? I go purely based on the feelings I get from any story. The Selection was an all round definite five star rating for me. I loved every moment of it from beginning to end. The Elite was a little more problematic. America was far more difficult to relate to in her building emotions, and the plot, although detailed and full of depth of a number of relationships, was not as logically structured. 

However, I loved the way this allowed for the relationships to develop. We really see the personalities grow and learn a lot more about why Illea became to be the way it is. We discover what makes people tick, and how they are being forced to adapt. It was, in this way, the perfect second installment, and set the story up perfectly ready for The One.

✼

Book 3: The One

The Plot

And so, with the opening of the final book in the trilogy, the competition is really hotting up. There are a lot of interesting challenges that have the potential to throw America into a hot-headed and rebellious, unprincesslike manner. Yet they actually do the opposite. America has made the decision to fight for Maxon, and her decisions, although still definitely her own, abide by a more reasoned and cool-headed temperament. They show America in a very impressive manner, and she becomes a popular front-runner amongst the public. The rebels agree with this, and in the words of Georgia, those who do not seek power are probably the best people to have it. She recognises that America is selfless, and the rebels see who they want to be their queen. 

Meanwhile, America has made the full decision to pursue Maxon and not Aspen, and we see this come into effect for the entire book. Hooray! I do wish America would have said something to Aspen a little sooner, and we could have avoided the whole palava at the end when Maxon eventually finds out about their prior relationship. But anyway. On a trip outside the palace to see the rebels, America is wounded, and on their return, Maxon recognises America's handwriting in a note on Aspen's wall. We can see him finally beginning to question the truth. This truth, of course, comes out only a little while later when America visits her family for her father's funeral. Which, by the way, I had forgotten about and which broke my heart all over again when I came to that part of my re-read. He was such a pure soul. Her family find out about her relationship with Aspen, and she vows to tell Maxon the truth on her return to the palace, before it can come back to haunt her.

Of course, this would be easier if Maxon didn't propose almost immediately on her return. This was so adorable, and I almost cried. Again. These books make me unnaturally emotional. They spend the night together, and are discovered by Aspen the next morning. When Maxon goes to tell Kriss that he has chosen America, he instead finds Aspen and America in a compromising conversation, and it all coms out. Ah. He revokes his proposal, and this is the only time we see a mean side to Maxon, because his heart has broken. Of course, if America and Aspen had just had a conversation a little earlier, this wouldn't have mattered, because we later learn that Aspen now has his heart set on somebody else. 

But there's another twist. Of course! This book is full of very rapid twists and turns to keep us on our toes. The rebels attack, and Maxon is injured. Understanding that his life is in danger, he confesses to America with the ultimate YA romance quote:

"Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway."

Because, ultimately, this book is about Maxon and America and their love story. The One gave us some of the sweetest moments between them. Maxon's genuine eagerness to see America excel. His constant hints that he wants to marry her and make her a princess. When Maxon tells America he loves her, and when America realises that she loves him back. When she returns from visiting her family and she learns of the diary he kept while she was away, indicating how deep his feelings truly run for her. His proposal, and the night they spend together. And when he is wounded, and he pours his heart out to her and for anybody else to hear. I melt every time I read the famous quote above. They are perfect together and the final stages of the plot really cemented their love.

I wish there had been more content between Maxon's injury and the actual wedding. We learn that the King and Queen died during the attack, and that Maxon is now King, and that he plans to eradicate the castes. Then we find ourselves at the wedding. I felt a little shortchanged, as so much happened in such a short period of time, and I wanted to hear more about the interim.

That being said, they got their happily ever after, and that made me incredibly happy.

The Characters

America: This is the first installment where America has completely had her heart set on Maxon, and where she really considers that she might actually be a good princess. The death of her father symbolises the loss of her naivety; she grows into a person who can make tough decisions and who can lead. She starts by telling her older brother to stop being so selfish, and she ends up embracing the idea of the crown completely. I wish she had had the courage to tell Aspen about her feelings earlier, as it would have made for a much smoother ride. However, she learnt through every mistake she made. She grew through the experience, and in a really odd way I'm proud of her. She wasn't immediately a queen, but she grew to be worthy of the title, and I think that's more important anyway.

Maxon: He's perfect. He was perfect the whole time, but he really excels in this book. Utter perfection in a fictional hero. America is lucky to have him. The way he treats her is perfect to a fault, even when she doesn't necessarily deserve it, and the way he deals with the rebels is diplomatic and sincere. He's a great character that is very deserving of the title of Prince, and when he becomes King, it feels the perfect fit for him. He's grown into a new person for knowing and loving America, and seeing him thrive in The One made me really happy.

Aspen: Let me just say that I'm glad that he didn't end up as the man scorned, a la Gale in Mockingjay. Do I think the situation was handled well by Aspen or America? No. Am I glad they were able to move past it? Very much so. I wasn't a massive Aspen fan throughout the series (can you tell?), but I'm really glad that they could move forward as friends. They went through a lot together, both at home and in the palace, and I'm glad that bond wasn't completely damaged. I thought it was adorable that he gave her away at her wedding, as a friend and significant figure in her life. Weird, yes, but very sweet. He and America had such a history together, and I'm glad they found a way to support each other. I'm sure he and Lucy ended up very happy.

Kriss: Eugh. I probably really irrationally hate this girl. She's pure and perfect and every inch a princess. I prefer my girls a little rough round the edges and a little bit sassy. 

Celeste: Probably the biggest plot development in the entire series, and she ends up shot through the head for it. It's a shame it wasn't Kriss instead.

King and Queen: How important it was for the nation that the King died, leaving Maxon in his place to rule with care and sincerity. But the Queen deserved so much better. I think she would have been a really influential and significant figure in America's life.

My Thoughts

As a book, The One is definitely the least cohesive, with less logical structure, and the story with the least depth. The plot instead moves rapidly and in different directions. There is no real resolution after the final rebel attack, except that Maxon becomes King (which, I guess, was the whole plot purpose). The King and Queen are dead, and we have no idea what became of many of the smaller characters. I wish there could have been a little more discussion about what this meant in the long run. 

But...

There are some books that you fall in love with because they are so perfectly written, and are extraordinary pieces of literature. There are others that you fall in love with because they mean something to you, and move you. And there are some that you just fall in love with, for the simple reason that they make you happy. I fell in love with The Selection immediately after finishing, and that love remains throughout the whole series. I have never been happier than seeing a happy ending for two of my favourite fictional characters, and this was one of my favourite happy ever afters. They found each other, grew together, and fell in love to last a lifetime. At the end of the day, we all just love love.

✼

The Verdict

From the moment I read the synopsis for The Selection, I knew it had the potential to be a very special story for me. Is the series perfect? No, it definitely isn't. The story brings together two opposite worlds that collide. America is messy, insecure, impulsive and definitely not a princess. Maxon is smart, well-spoken, diplomatic and full of the right appearances - the perfect prince. Together, it is a real rollercoaster ride, but that's the beauty of the story. They complement each other, and make a perfect power couple.

I loved the glitz and glamour of the palace, and the backdrop to the story was a pleasure to read about. I loved the satisfaction of a harsh world on the mend. But more than anything, I loved the love that jumped off the page at every turn. This is a beautiful, romantic, passionate, modern love story. And I love it very much.