35 girls, only one will be QUEEN👑

The Selection Series by Kiera Cass Published April 14, 2012 Rating: 💍💍💍💍.5

By: KC💝

35 girls are given the chance of a lifetime, go to the castle and have the chance to be able to win the 💗 of Maxon Schreave, the only Prince of Illéa. The problem: Only one can win and be named queen.

American Singer is one of the chosen. She entered the competition, not thinking she would be chosen, but is soon on her way to the castle, leaving behind her boyfriend and family.

America is now in Angeles and moved up to the third caste. If she were to become queen, she would become a one. A very big difference from her old caste: five.

The competition surprises America. There she meets friends and learns Maxton is not at all like he is on the tv. Instead, she learns he is actually kind and has a very big heart with hobbies just like anyone. He cares for the people in his country and wants to do what is best for them.

However, there is unrest in the country. People are getting upset at the caste system and want change. If America and Maxton do not find a way to help their people, they may be caught in the crossfires.

Will Maxton be the ONE for America or will she be sent him with 33 other girls like herself?

I hold the Selection Series very close to my heart. They were the books that got me back into reading. Without them I would never have found the wonderful community of booklovers and my very own love of books.

When I first picked up The Selection I was not expecting to love it. Although, most books I don't think

are interesting turn out to be my favorites, I did not think this about The Selection. True fact, my mother was the one who though I might like the book because it had what looked to be royalty on the cover. (Fun Fact: I love royalty and anything to do with it!). I was skeptical about this book, but it did not DISAPPOINT! 🤩

There are THREE books in The Selection Series, with TWO books in a sub-like series and MULTIPLE novellas that can be found in one book.

Main books:✨

• The Selection- book one

• The Elite- book two

• The One- book three

• The Heir- book four

• The Crown- book five

Novellas:🎇

• Happily Ever After- book six

  • The Queen

  • The Prince

  • The Guard

  • The Favorite

  • Scenes from Celeste

    • The Arrival

    • The Kiss

    • The Departure

  • The Maid

  • After The One

  • Where Are They Now

  • Scenes Peek at The Crown

I really liked The Selection Series because...

• It has a fierce main character, even if she can get a little to hot- headed and stubborn for my taste💥, but I love her.

• It is realistic about the time and strength it takes to be in a relationship, and the difficult choices one has to make.

• YA rated

• Maxton, just Maxton (you're find out why)🤭

• Dystopian universe

• Royalty 👑

• Friendships

The Selection was the perfect book to get me back into reading. America is strong-headed, but has a kind heart and Maxton is sweet with a good-will, while Aspen is protective and sacrificing. I love that these books go from like kind of enemies (only from America's view) to friends to eventually lovers. It was really neat how you could see how America was growing and changing in the palace. She was learning to trust, build friendships and eventually learn to find love.🤗🤧 I think Kiera showcased that really good throughout the books.

I loved how throughout the books America was learning how to fit in and grow. Even though she was from the lowest caste, she wanted to help the country and doing things that would help others. She didn't have to do that and could have just sat back and just tried to win Maxton's heart, but instead she chose to use her spotlight for good. I think that is why I really wanted America to win and become queen was because I knew she and Maxton would really turn the kingdom around after Maxton's dad reign.😡🤮

There are two main love interests in the series.💝 Aspen, America's childhood sweetheart who eventually becomes a guard in the castle, causing Aspen and American to meet again and then there is Maxton, Prince of Illéa and first inline to the throne and the prize of The Selection competition (I LOVE Maxton!!😍😍) I like Aspen. He is protective and wants what is best for his family and America, but to me, he comes nowhere close to how much I like Maxton. Maxton is such a sweetheart and is willing to do anything for America. It is funny because Maxton and American are such opposites, but that almost makes them better together. They are willing to do anything for each other and their country.

I can't tell you too much because then I will spoil who America ends up with and we don't want that. Personally though, I was rooting for Maxton the whole time and I am sure you will see why when reading the book. 💖💖😜

A character I really hated was Maxton's dad, the King Clarkson.🤮 I can't tell you why, but you will learn in the books, but... UGH... I really disliked him. It was not because he was written badly, but because he just acted horrible and was a terrible king. His wife, however, Amberly, I LOVE her! She was so kind and caring in the books and was such a good mother to Maxton. She was definitely one of my favorites!!😁

There are a few things I disliked about the books, but otherwise it was a really good series. Some people may like it, but I DISPISE love triangles with a passion excluding a few.🙄 I just hate how in almost every love triangle the main character is leading on the other love interests. It just makes me so mad!! Like if you are not going to be with that person tell them so you can save them from further heartbreak!!😡 This was the case in The Selection Series between America, Aspen, and Maxton, but it was not the worse love triangle ever. 🤷‍♀️

Another thing I didn't really like was how much America would argue and how hot-headed she was. Throughout the entirely of The Elite, it seemed like she was always arguing and yelling at Maxton or someone else. It was like girl, GIVE IT A BREAK!😑 Poor Maxton was probably just like if you actually thought before you said something, we could actually figure it out. That's why The Elite is my least favorite book in the series, with the Heir coming in shortly behind.

I'm only going to talk a little about The Heir and The Crown because this post is already getting pretty long. I did not like The Heir because Eadlyn just seemed so stuck up and always complaining even though she is literally a PRINCESS.🤦‍♀️ She got better though and seemed to mature a lot by the time of The Crown. Another thing I thought was weird was when Maxton gave regency to Eadlyn. I know there was a lot going on, but like REALLY, she was so young and needed to ACTUALLY figure out what she was going to do for the kingdom when she became queen. But it turned out fine, so I guess it was okay.🤷‍♀️

With that being said, overall, The Selection Series is a really good series. If you like the dystopian with royalty and romantics, then I would recommend The Selection Series. I really enjoyed it and always go back to The One as a kind of comfort book. I do want to reread the series again as I last read the whole thing a couple series ago, to just experience it all again from the beginning!😊

Kiera Cass has also written another royalty series beginning with "The Betrothed" and that is a two book series, along with a standalone called "A Thousand Heartbeats", which is another one of my favorite books, as well. ✨👑

Good Reading, KC