Do you like The Hunger Games?
What about the classic reality love drama, The Bachelor?
If you said yes, buckle up for The Selection, a romance that rivals both!
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 our protagonist, America Singer, the Selection is more of a nightmare. Living in a small, unnamed town that reflects her lower caste, she finds herself thrust into this competition against her will. Caught between the allure of a glamorous life and the harsh realities of her status, America must navigate her conflicting feelings about love, loyalty, and social obligation.
So what’s the deal with The Selection?
The Selection takes place in a dystopian United States called Illéa—a monarchical society with a strict caste system ranking citizens from one to eight—emerging after a devastating civil war that precipitated the rigid caste divisions. “Ones” are the royal family living in the palace, “Twos” are wealthy nobles and loyal guards, “Threes” are artists excelling in music, painting, and writing, “Fours” are merchants, “Fives” are laborers working in factories, “Sixes” consist of servants and housekeepers, “Sevens” are the farmers, while “Eights” represent the lowest of the low—the poor and homeless. America Singer is a “Five” forced to compete with other girls for the affection of Prince Maxon Schreave through a combination of glittering ball dances and dates. Despite her caste, America is a talented singer and musician, qualities that play a significant role in her participation in the Selection process. Her sarcastic and teasing personality shines in playful moments with Prince Maxon.
During one of the royal gatherings featuring all the contestants and the royal family, America’s impactful interactions highlight her character. She feels out of place in her extravagant dress at dinner, where everyone else is vying for the Prince’s favor. Celeste, her main enemy during the contest, makes a comment about America’s background and dress, to which America quickly retorts, “At least I know how to wear more than just a title” (112). The series blends elements of The Hunger Games (hello, dystopian society!) and The Bachelor (romance! Drama! Catfights!). For example, when America arrives at the Schreave palace for the first time, the transformation scene feels reminiscent of Katniss’s arrival in the Capitol. I can’t help but wonder: Was Kiera Cass, the author, aware of how similar her novel feels?
The setup revolves around a classic love triangle between Prince Maxon and America’s former lover, Aspen, who is now a palace guard. Initially confused and resistant to the Selection program and her feelings, America gradually discovers herself and what she truly wants in love and life.
The plot circles around classic romantic narratives: Which guy will win her heart? Which woman will the prince choose? Will America be selfless and try to win money for her family, or will she follow her heart?
While The Selection might not offer a strong, complex dystopian narrative, it explores more than just romance. The book delves into themes of social class, poverty, and societal expectations. It presents a society where individuals are primarily judged on their social status and physical appearance. There are negative reinforcements of gender roles, portraying a classic narrative of women competing for a man’s love, and it can slip into a rescue narrative, reducing the protagonist’s struggles. Despite these criticisms, Cass’s book shines a light on positive expectations and themes: individuality, friendships, courage, challenging authority, and hope. America remains true to herself while cultivating healthy relationships with some of the contestants. Ultimately, the series conveys an underlying theme of hope and the possibility of change.
How did I stumble upon this glittering world?
It was a boring day in 8th grade during a free class when I discovered this book in the library. While many kids headed to the gym, I stayed in the small school library. I was really into reading series books at that age and was drawn to the cover image of America in a ballgown. I read the back of the book’s description, and while it may have seemed slightly “odd” to me at the time, the intimacy of the love triangle didn’t deter me from reading the entire series back-to-back. Months later, I decided to join a reading competition in high school, hoping to win a gift card from Books-a-Million. My plan was simple: buy the whole series, read as much as possible, and win. It worked!
The Selection is a guilty pleasure for me—a charming blend of romance, dystopian elements, and reality TV drama that, while not exactly literary high art, offers a comforting and escapist read, even if it is geared toward young adults. It doesn’t include anything sexual or overly adult, so if that’s what you seek, this isn’t the series for you. However, if you’re looking for a gentle love story, it certainly relates to something like The Bachelor series. The story feels like a “soft dystopian” world in comparison to the harsher political dystopian narratives. I believe the story could benefit from a deeper exploration of the Selection process, and while these details would have strengthened the plot, the book excels in character development and vivid descriptions.
So, should you read The Selection?
If you’re looking for a lighthearted, romantic escape and are okay with a slightly predictable plot, this series offers the perfect distraction. Just don’t expect it to be War and Peace. It’s the literary equivalent of glitter and gowns—satisfying when you just need a break and a boost of romance.