Selection (1) - The Selection by Kiera Cass
The Selection by Kiera Cass. (in German Selection, in French La Sélection) I read it in German, where it contained 366 pages. Originally published 2012. Age: 14 plus (girls)
In Illéa, once called the United States of America, princesses are paired off for alliances. But princes get a Selection – meaning he has to fall in love with one of 35 girls, one per state of Illéa, in the biggest life show of the world. When America sees herself forced to join the lottery, she doesn't think she'd ever be chosen. She doesn't want to be chosen. She's already in love, thank you very much, and doesn't need a stiff and arrogant prince – or being watched by the whole country. But when her world breaks apart, the beautiful golden cage called palace becomes her refuge: Her shelter where she can mend her broken heart. And have friends for the first time in her life, like the generous Prince Maxon himself. But the palace isn't exactly a save haven: Not only do the rebels use the opportunity to attack, the one person from whom America flees is placed right in front of her nose...
I really adore this book. America is a strong personality, tough, loving, caring, brave... and very funny. She's spontaneous, tries to do the right thing by everyone, even if that means not doing the right thing for her. She's also honest to herself and the people around her. At least most of the time. But she's also a rebel at heart, she dislikes the system and she dislikes being told what she's supposed to do. She stands up for what she believes in and for what she wants. She's inspiring and hard to dislike.
The system itself is fascinating, how and especially why the castes are cut how they are, crimes, punishments and all that jazz – and how people try to survive in this.
This shown best by America's parents with their different views on the castes. Her mother wants her to marry up, to be at least a Three, if not a One, her father wants her to be happy. And wealthy enough to make it do. They are interesting. How her mother is fixed on appearances and society, how stubborn and loving she is. Her father's calmer, but – unlike his wife – speaks his mind quite often.
But America's little sister's the best. May is so sweet you could cry. She is sunshine, sees everything positive and knows exactly how charismatic she is – oh, and she's absolutely in love with America. And Maxon. The two of them would be best of friends.
America's also got a big sister, Kenna, of whom we know very little. Then she has a success-driven older brother, Kota, who's the black sheep of the family and whom America would like to drop on the head a few times, and there's Gerald, the baby of the family. So, a huge and not very wealthy family, and America's the heart of it. She's the one who draws her mother's anger on her so the others won't feel it, she's her fathers daughter, idolised Kota and keeps contact with him – as only one. She consoles Gerald and tries to help him where she can. She adores May and would do anything for her... and, well, as I said, we know little about Kenna. Except for the fact that she's married and pregnant.
America's boyfriend, Aspen, is the heart of his family as well – mainly because he's the one who feeds all of them and because he does everything he can to make sure that his sisters don't have to give up what they love most. He's a good person, but also very proud. He can't stand the fact that America has more than him and that he'd drag her down into poverty if they married. I understand this. I also understand why he asks her to join the lottery.
Spoiler:
But his later behaviour is really, really terrible. How he leaves her just like that, how he makes her think he's with someone else – only to show up at the palace and fight for her. If he'd said: Okay, she has a chance of new love, so I'm going to make sure she doesn't hold on to me. Fine. This would be honourable in a way, it would suck for Mer, but it'd be okay. But this double game? This... this sucks!
The selected girls themselves, the other girls who won in the lottery, are interesting as well. I love Marlee, she's a lot like May, only... well, with more scars in a manner. She doesn't let anyone too close to her heart. Celeste's a beast, but not overdone. Then there's the gentle and beautiful Kriss and several other girls who are a teeny bit paranoid. I like the relationships, the envy, the fighting, the measures to which some of them will go... and that there are friendships that can be forged. Because, believe it or not, two girls who love the same guy can be the friends. They stick together. Okay, behind the curtain, some of them will plot against the other and the envy between them is really, really bad, but there can be real friendships – it just depends on the girls. Okay, these friendships are usually a lot more easy after the situation is resolved – the guy chose his girlfriend/bride and maybe one of them falls in love with someone else? But this situation, a friendship forged in such a triangle can be very, very tight.
America's real friends are the maids. They are intend of helping her win the selection, of making her feel at home. But they also have their own problems, especially Lucy. I feel with her.
And to the last character I will describe: Maxon. He's so, so cool! I love him. He's generous and fair, tries to do the right thing and, what I find best, he likes strength and bravery. He gives America a chance even after she threw his politeness in his face, when she kicked him – this scene was so so gorgeous, I have to try that at some point – and he tries to understand her. That's... well, he's just a really nice person.
The characters are all very natural and realistic. The story captures you from page one, the style is nicely done and the ideas definitely original. Plus, there aren't any mistakes I found.
In brief:
I give this book five stars, one for all the ideas, one for the content, one for the style, one for the caste system and another star for the characters.
Extra:
Sequel: