The Prince: A Novella (The Selection, #1)

by Kiera Cass

"Sixteen-year-old America Singer is living in the caste-divided nation of Illea, which formed after the war that destroyed the United States. America is chosen to compete in the Selection--a contest to see which girl can win the heart of Illea's prince--but all she really wants is a chance for a future with her secret love, Aspen, who is a caste below her"--

• ISBN10: 0062248162
• ISBN13: 9780062248169
• Publish Date: 5 March 2013 (first published 24 April 2012)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Collins
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 64
• Language: English

Reviews

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

American Singer doesn't want to be the next princess, but everyone insists that she enter the Selection. When she is chosen to move forward to the next round, America is both shocked and annoyed. This is not what she wants. So in the guise of competing, she makes a deal with Prince Maxon. If he lets her stay and eat and keeps sending money home to her family, she'll be his eyes on the inside of the circle of girls.

I'm not going to say that The Selection is a grand work of art, because it's not. It's cheesy and cliche and totally predictable. But The Selection is also highly entertaining. It's the closest I've seen to a book being both a dystopia and a "light beach read". The dynamics between the girls is interesting, and if dating shows are your thing, you'll probably like the love triangle. And this is one of those books where... well yes of COURSE there's a love triangle. It's still cliche and cheesy, but it's expected and works well enough. Except I dislike both the boys, but that's taste.

The Selection remains an entertaining read and something that I can see younger generations reading. It's not a classic by any means, but seven years later this book is still very accessible and fun.
_________

Original review: 5/4/2014. Four Stars.

Due to the height of negative reviews I feel the need to write one myself. A lot of people are saying this book is like The Bachelor. Most to go as far as to say that the only reason you'd like this book is because you like the TV show. I will agree there's nothing particularly bright and surprising about this book. However, I think it's charming. And, I hate that TV show.

Let's start with America. Most people find Her to be and cliché. Yeah, she's a little cliché. What were you expecting from a fairytale? Because, that's how I see this book. It is a little dystopian, but mostly, it's a fairytale. I actually find it refreshing that she's not all googly eyed over the men in the book. I find myself incredibly frustrated with the novels that seem to be all about how handsome the boys are. America actually cares. I won't go into details, because I'm not one for spoilers, but it's nice to see someone with a little bit of humility, and who is a little bit less superficial than we often see in these teen romances. And, if someone thinks that her humility is merely whininess then that's their opinion. It's not mine.

Yeah, the names are a little silly and the ending was predictable, but when I pick up a YA novel I'm not expecting rocket science. I want to be charmed and entertained, and I was. Maybe the marketing campaign was a little off and drew in some of the wrong audiences, but I fully intend to read the rest of the series. This seems to be a like-it-or-hate-it book. I liked it!

Thank you, Kiera Cass, for a delightful read.

[inlibrisveritas]

The Selection is a young adult fantasy version of The Bachelor, in fact very little is different about it aside from it being more age appropriate and having to do with a caste system. In truth the Selection did not wow me but it was a nice fluffy filler read while I came off of a book hangover.

America Singer is a Si, meaning she is lives within the caste that belongs to the Arts. She’s a (you’ll never guess) singer and instrument player, and she’s very good at it. At the beginning of the book she is in a relationship with Aspen, a Five and a cleaner. I did like that she had an existing relationship at the beginning of the book and there commitment to each other…but as soon as the Selection comes into play it goes downhill quickly and I hated the mention of Aspen. It was a plot device for tension and I never really go to know America until after she heads to the Prince’s home. I wouldn’t call her a stand out character but I did like her for the most part. I like that she’s very up front with people and doesn’t go into the Selection hoping to become a princess, she’s there for better reasons. I did like Maxon though. He’s very proper and charming, and I loved that America tested his boundaries making him think about subjects he’s never thought about before and that they seem to be friends first and foremost. Aspen is where most of this goes wrong though. I hate hot and cold people, and I just want him out of the picture entirely.

The world-building is very minimal and lacking. We do get to find out why the Selection happens, what the caste system is like, and in one chapter we are treated to a very oddly placed history listen about the country. While I do wish I knew more about the post-American world, I did appreciate it’s ease of writing. The Selection itself is a bit of an irritation as well, and since Maxon makes his intentions rather plane about 50% through the book I felt like it spoiled itself for me. I’m hoping the next book is actually different from this one in some way. The girls involved are either super catty or super bland, and Maxon seems to have a difficult time with it.

Overall The Selection is an easy read, good for those moments where you don’t require a lot of substance but fell a bit short of being great. It’s definitely an indulgent read, and very much what I would call ‘junk food’ for the brain.

[celinenyx]

The Prince is a novella set slightly before and during the events of The Selection. We get a glimpse inside Maxon's head, how he feels when he first meets America. More interesting are his interactions with his parents - I found it fascinating to see the King and Queen from Maxon's point of view. The novella lacked a clear ending point, which made the reading experience slightly unsettling, but it's definitely a good read for fans of the series.

[Jack]

So many feelings, quite a mixed bag. Guilty pleasure read I think. I wanted it to be good..and some of it was, but there's just so much lacking in world building it hurt.

Review to come.

[cornerfolds]

The one thing that keeps replaying in my head is: WHY did I wait SO LONG to start this series?! I honestly picked it up a couple years ago and read the first chapter and, for some reason that I can't recall, ended up putting it right back down and didn't give it a second thought... until this year. When I started blogging I couldn't ignore this book showing up on so many lists! And so I gave it another try. And now I'm devastated that I missed out for two years.

Silver lining: there are three books and two novellas available to read with no wait.

I just need someone to do one thing for me. Okay? Here it is:

Someone draw me a map of Iléa! Because I've seriously been trying to make it make sense in my head and I just can't figure it out! I went to the Interwebs for help, but came up empty handed (I did find a super cool Pinterest board though). Yes, I'm the kind of person who is going to go totally insane trying to figure this out.

Okay, back on topic. The Selection was amazing from start to finish. I do love the idea of the selection! Of course, I'm not sure how it would work in modern societies, but I suppose all the girls volunteer, so it's fine by me. I felt like the whole process was believable and the added drama with the rebels kept me on the edge of my seat! Oh, and the characters!

You know how sometimes there are heroines who are so good they're irritating? America is not that. To me she was totally real and genuine and I totally get her (obviously Kiera Cass did a good job writing this character). I understand why she made the decisions she did regarding basically everything. I'm not sure I could have been as bold with Maxon about my intentions, but it made me like her even more! I loved the progression of their relationship and America's opinion of Maxon.

The other characters were equally easy to love. Marlee especially was so, so likable! I'm excited to see how her story progresses, but I'm predicting something less than wonderful considering her attitude towards Maxon. Oh, and the man himself! I like Maxon. I really do like him, but I'm not 100% sure I can trust him. The whole selection process is just so strange... I'm not quite sure how to feel about Aspen either. I can see where he's coming from when he first pushes America away. But if there's one thing that pisses me off it's when characters make decisions for each other because they think they know what's best. No. No you don't. Get over yourself.

I'm sure that America's actions later in the book (if you've read it then you know and if you haven't, well, that sucks but I'm not spoiling it for you) were probably totally reprehensible to some, but I got it. I mean, I could really feel what she was feeling and I'm sure there have been a lot of people who have gone through similar things.

One thing this book has going for it is that this is truly a love triangle! Sometimes it's super obvious who will end up with who, but I've really found myself unsure a time or two (even though it's pretty obvious if you look at the titles of subsequent books - not sure that was the best idea).

Okay, okay. I've said enough. The moral of the story is that this is an excellent book, I can't wait to read the rest of the series, and I can't believe I waited so long! If you've been waiting on this series like I was, stop that! Go get yourself a copy and you'll probably be hooked too.

This review was also published at Cornerfolds.com

I'd rate it 2.5 if I could. I read this because I was curious as it seems quite popular but I didn't expect to like it. It was average on every level, I expected it to be worse but it was just unremarkable.

[Angie]

Reread Note: Definitely loved it more the second time!

I know there was a lot of drama surrounding this book, but I wanted to read, so I read it. I was intrigued by the "The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor" comparisons, although the only similarity to The Hunger Games was that the people are defined by a number. Instead of that number representing their district, it was their caste level. America's number is 5, so she's closer to poverty than to royalty.

I'd say that The Selection is more of Dystopia-lite. There's too much glitz and glamor, and it's quite fluffy and fun. The cattiness of the girls in the competition is entertaining, and I had a great time reading it. I did find myself question the world that this is set in though, but it didn't bother me too much. By the end there was more excitement and danger, so I'm looking forward to the next one.

America is a bit of an inconsistent character, constantly contradicting herself. One page she'll say that she's plain, then two pages later she "feels pretty" in her pajamas! One moment she's perfectly sweet, and the next she's kneeing the Prince in the crotch! She was just every back and forth with everything. She did grow on me a bit as the book moved on, but I would rather her have been either sickeningly sweet, or super feisty, not a flip-flopper.

I know a lot of people hate love triangles, but I'll admit that I mostly love them. Sure, the one in The Selection is the definition of forced, it was at least unique. America has a boyfriend at the start of the novel, Aspen, who she hopes to marry despite him being a caste below her. Unfortunately, like most men, he has a hero complex and can't stand the idea of her providing for him rather than the other way around. Then of course, she's selected for the Selection and is in the running to marry Prince Maxon. She may claim to hate him in the beginning, but it's obvious she'll grow to care for him. Their interactions were very sweet.

Prince Maxon is very stiff. Everything he says feels very scripted and rehearsed, even when he's off camera and in private. It was hard to get a sense of who he was, other than just the Prince and the token of 35 girls affections. I did like his vulnerable side that came out with America though. It was kind of cute.

Basically, I loved this book despite its flaws. It was fun, highly entertaining, and had just the right amount of Dystopia-ness to not be overly fluffy. I flew through it in one day and now I'm eager to get my hands on The Elite!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Berls]

This review appeared first at Fantasy is More Fun.

4.5 stars

I admit it. My desire to read The Selection stemmed almost entirely from the cover. I'm a sucker for a pretty cover. And I do like my dystopian. Plus there were good reviews. But mostly, it was the cover.

I've been burned plenty reading books because of their beautiful covers, but thankfully The Selection lived up to its cover and then some. I finally grabbed it during Dewey's 24 hour Read-a-thon and the time just flew. I was quickly addicted to the world and the characters.

The Selection takes place in a light dystopian version of our world. I say light, because so far I haven't seen anything especially dark.

There's a pretty rigid class system - people are born into a number and are known by that number almost more than by their name. The numbers go from one to eight, with one being the royal family and eight being the lowest level of society. There are very few ways to change one's number. A woman takes the number of her husband - regardless of who has the higher number. A person can buy their way up. And a woman can be "lucky" enough to be the right age when the prince is looking for a bride. The prince always marries one of the people, through a process called the selection.

Before starting The Selection I thought that participation was forced on the girls, but turns out they are given the option to submit their names. And, if selected as one of the thirty five that go to the palace to court the prince, they get an immediate upgrade to a number three and their families get financial compensation. Yeah, it's not ideal, but if you're comparing to the Hunger Games's lottery, it's looking pretty great to me. So yeah, light dystopian.

America Singer wants nothing to do with the selection though, because she's already in love. But her family doesn't know that - in part because they're fives and the guy she's fallen in love with - Aspen - is a six. And through a series of events America ends up entering the selection.

I really grew to love America. From the get-go she says she doesn't care amount numbers and class, she sees people beyond their numbers. And as The Selection progresses, you realize she's not all talk. She really means that. From the way she relates with her maids - sixes - to the way she isn't afraid to speak her mind and has no interest in becoming a one, she's just a genuinely good person who cares about others. What's not to like?

I don't care for Aspen. I liked him okay at the beginning, but he has too much pride - which perhaps comes from being a six and having to accept being seen as less so often - but it irked me. In this love triangle there's no question who I'd pick: Prince Maxon.

Yeah, I know, I picked the prince, big surprise. But just wait. I'm not picking him because he's the prince. I'm picking him because he's good and kind and clearly cares about his people. I believe he could be a good ruler and, just as importantly, he respects America enough to listen to her and let her be a good queen. The two of them together could be the start of positive change in this dystopian world.

But it's not that simple. Not only is America confused about her feelings for Maxon and Aspen, but there's a bit more going on in the world than we're privy too. From what we have seen, rebels are launching hard core attacks at the palace and I'm not sure I understand the why of it - I don't think I'm supposed to. I do suspect that things are going to get really serious on that front as the series continues and I think it will complicate things between Maxon and America. But that's just a guess.

I'm so excited to read the other books - heading out to buy them ASAP. I would get them from the library but I want to own these books. Because they're great so far. And... Well... Pretty covers!

[Nessa Luna]

Read this review and others on my blog October Tune!

It's not much fun reading a book series when you already know how it's going to end. Or at least, when you think you know how it's going to end. Of course, that's the problem with stalling to read several book series because you feel like reading other books instead. This was my problem with The Selection. I think I added this book to my to-read list a long time ago, but never really picked it up at a bookstore. Until a couple of days ago, when I decided to just go for it. Unfortunately, I wasn't really convinced by this book.

I immediately was confused by the whole 'Caste' thing, with people being 'Fives' and 'Sixes' and 'Twos', I had no idea what it meant, except that apparently Fives are artists and Sixes are cleaners. Eventually, I read in someone else's review that the author had made a page on her website explaining what each 'Caste' did; which in my opinion is not a good world building. You need to do the world building in your BOOK, not on your website as an afterthought.

Then, I started to realise this book felt a lot like the Hunger Games, which I had been expecting already because loads of people called it 'The Hunger Games meets the Bachelor'. But seriously, the girls get chosen and taken away from their families to travel to the palace. There, they get greeted by a lot of people who are already rooting for several of the girls; and then they get a make-over. There is also a guy who interviews the girls and reminded me a lot of Caesar Flickerman. But hey, at least these girls aren't fighting in an arena but instead they are fighting over a boy. Pff.

I didn't like America very much (seriously, her name is America Singer, and what does she do for a living? Take a guess. That's right. She sings). She was very unkind to the prince from the beginning, screaming at him and kneeing him between the legs. Seriously, that is not going to get you bonus points girl. And then there's Aspen. Her one true love. I swear, she's what, sixteen? And you are already convinced you are going to spend the rest of your life with this guy? Nah bro. I liked her friendship with Marlee and some of the other Selection girls, and eventually her friendship with the Prince as well; but yeah I'm not really a fan of her.

And let's talk about the romance. Okay. America and Aspen. I liked them at first, until Aspen started acting weird right before she went to the Selection. Then, there was Prince Maxon of course - and I was really hoping at first that they would just stay at being friends and that neither of them would start having feelings for each other. Eventually, I think I can say I kind of ship it, though I am not 100% convinced yet. Maybe something nice will happen in The Elite. Yes, I'm hoping for that.

The writing was very quick and very easy to read, and I think I read the majority of the book in one day, so that wasn't really a problem. My problem was the lack of action, actually. There were two scenes where rebels attacked the castle, but we didn't really see much of that because the first time the girls and the royal family were in the Great Room hiding and it was mostly America talking to Prince Maxon; and the second time they were hiding in some cellar and there was more of America talking to Maxon. Yeah it was a bit boring. But hey can we talk about how GORGEOUS that cover is? I love gorgeous covers and this one is just beautiful wow wow wow I want to frame it and hang it in my room!

In the end, I found The Selection nice, but lacking action and world building. And nice characters (okay I liked Marlee and Maxon, and perhaps May (it's the M, I swear); but other than that, nah). But yeah, if you are into the Bachelor and the Hunger Games, you should give this book a try!

My opinion on this book in one gif: 

[Katie King]

**1.5 stars**

Ah, the infamous book that launched a thousand drama llamas. We meet again.

Let's just jump right into it. I can sum up this entire book thus: the cover is deceiving. Yep, it's one of those super pretty ah-I-need-it books with a boring plot and awful writing. Pretty standard fare these days.

The characters are completely one-sided. The author made a few weak attempts at crafting diverse, multi-faceted people but that just made them seem forced. America's mom was super weird and excitable. She comes across like a former beauty pageant queen who tries to relive her glory days through her daughter. I kinda feel like I just ruined some secret in the coming books for myself. Anyways, she's annoying. Aspen is the tough guy in lurvvv but at some point he blows up at America because she spends her own money on food for him and this challenges traditional gender roles. HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE PROVIDER, AMERICA. What is this, the 1800s?? I thought this book took place way beyond present time. There's also a bit of girl hate - Celeste is the beautiful but cruel bitch that will do whatever it takes to win the crown/princess-ship (is that a word?). She also like, probably sleeps around to get ahead. She targets America by trying to swap dresses at the photoshoot, which obviously nobody would notice. She is a menace to us all.

The relationship(s) is/are completely one-sided. America goes on and on about how much she loves Aspen, but where is our evidence of this? Because they make-out a lot? Because he touched her hand while they helped her brother move? Why do they like each other?? And of course as soon as America's at the palace, we don't really hear anything about Aspen until he physically reappears in her life. Which, let me just say that the whole excuse of "catching" that other girl that "fell" at America's going-away party is probably the worst excuse I've ever heard. But America buys it and throws herself at Aspen until she remembers she's falling in love with Maxon. I guess the only time she likes him is when Maxon isn't around. Don't worry, he's never going to give up!!!1

The writing is just..ugh. Queen Amberly is just so amazing and smart and beautiful and everyone loves her but we never SEE that. We are told that by America and many other people. The King is strong and brave and protective but we never SEE that either. For rulers of the country (why did America become a monarchy?) they might as well just be paintings on the wall for all they contribute to the story. Those violent attacks by the rebels where they sack the place looking for something (THAT NOBODY IS CURIOUS ABOUT) are so out of place and unnecessary I'm not sure why they're included. So that Maxon can tell America state secrets? So that America can be speshul and caring because nobody else cares about their maids' lives? So that we stick with the series to uncover the mystery? Not likely.

The whole Selection process just read to me as a ripoff of The Hunger Games. The girls are selected from each state (?) through a random drawing. They have going away parties and their families are compensated for their involvement. They have interviews with a flamboyant character on the government-run TV channel. The people are updated with their progress throughout the process. I would almost bet my cat that the author read The Hunger Games and thought, "what if the competition was to marry a prince??"

Things That Fall Flat In The Selection

• America


• America's friendships with the other girls


• America's relationship with her family


• America's relationship with Maxon


• The characters


• The plot


• The writing


• Everything else

 
Summary
I distinctly remember liking this a lot more the first time I read it. For a hot second I thought about scanning this review for spoilers but then I remembered nothing happened for me to spoil. Good thing I have the sequel! :/ Why did I give this that extra half star? The cover.