The Selection (The Selection, #1)

by Kiera Cass

[ladygrey]

I was kind of surprised at how much I liked this book. I mean, great cover. Which always makes it easy to want to like a book. But I didn't expect it to be so un-typical (I do know that's not really a word).

Admittedly, it took me a while to get into the story; maybe as much as half way through. I think in part because it has a lot of exposition to cover early on to establish the world. And [a:Kiera Cass|2987125|Kiera Cass|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1318605410p2/2987125.jpg] handles it pretty well, but it's still a lot of exposition. And the writing style is really straightforward. Not as simplistic or prosaic as some others but still straightforward. Which is great if you're a teenage girl because I imagine that's the reading level that is the easiest for you to get engrossed in this story. But, for me, is kind of distracting. Also it's kind of more of a cerebral book rather than an emotional one. And I love to feel what the characters are experiencing.

But the book grew on me. I liked America more as the story went on. I liked her in her struggles and that she could be upset and momentarily caught up in an option but then be so reasonable in the aftermath and apologize and listen and be honest. I loved that she wasn't afraid to acknowledge when things changed.

I loved the honesty in America and Maxon's relationship. So much.

I LOVED the way their friendship evolved so gradually and so normally. (ok that was a little bit a spoiler but really you're not surprised and I'm on my phone - cut me some slack.). That almost never happens in YA and even less since [b:Twilight|41865|Twilight (Twilight, #1)|Stephenie Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1361039443l/41865._SY75_.jpg|3212258] and it was so much fun to read.

I adored Maxon and the way he changed because of his relationship with America. Playfulness is a very easy sort of charm and he was sort of wonderful.

If the writing made me feel more this would have easily been a 4 star book. As it is, I totally respect what it's doing as a book and think its a great addition to the YA realm.