Coconut Harpsichord

By Lily B.

"The Selection" is a book about a girl named America Singer and her journey as she competes to become the princess of prince Maxon. She has to compete against 35 other girls who want the crown, and the prince. America is pushed by her family and boyfriend Aspen to participate in the selection and at first wants no part in it. When the selection first starts she has no idea if she will get picked by the prince. For America it means leaving her boyfriend and her family which she does not want to do. Fighting for a crown in a fierce competition which she does not want.

As the book progresses you watch as America's views on the castle and the prince change. I'm slightly disappointed in the book/series. I expected a lot to happen/a lot to be going on and I did not get much in return. In the first few chapters of the book you a sense for who America is. She is headstrong and stubborn. She is in the fifth caste and dating a member of the sixth caste even though it is not allowed. When she first enters the castle she has no interest in being there or seeing the prince. After her first encounter with the prince she says she is already his friend which is on the night she arrives at the castle. Then after a few encounters or meetings with the prince she fall head over heels in love with him. Also her personality changes after entering the castle. I don't like how she's instantly in love with him or in love with him from the get-go. That's a let down, But she remains true to herself throughout the whole book.They also could explain more about where she lives and why there were rebels attacking the castle. I'm left hanging. The story is told in first person by America and I like that. We discover things at the same time she does. This book was not my favorite book to read. But I would recommend that you read this book and the series.