Fiction Fare

3.5 stars actually... I liked this book, I really did, even though I didn't really like the main character until the very end. The Selection is kinda sorta very very sorta a dystopian book. I think the only reason I would categorize it that way is because it's set in a future where there is no United States. America, our narrator, lives in Ilia. (Yes, her name is America... America Singer o__o) In Ilia, everyone is categorized into castes and she just happens to be a 5, the lower end of the spectrum (there are 8) where people don't always have food and children are forced to work to help make money to support the families. All this changes when Prince Maxon decides to marry. You've all see the bachelor right? (don't lie to me, you know you have.) America is selected with 34 other girls to be among the women that Prince Maxon gets to choose from but this isn't really what America wants. Her mother pressures her into it as well as Aspen, the boy she loves. Back to the bachelor, because this takes quite a bit from that show. Friendships are made of course, but there is backstabbing, jealousy, bitchiness. There is the cliched higher caste bully that tries to make America's life miserable and make her feel worthless, that eventually causes a disagreement between her and Maxon. The writing to me was very simple, middle grade level I think, but because of some kissing and groping I don't think you could put it at a middle grade level... What I liked... SWOONY BOYS - (you know this about me) Prince Maxon. I would pick him any single day of the week over Aspen no question, and while Aspen was sweet we only see him with her very briefly. I loved what she did at the end. and that's all I'll say about that. She's is choosing herself over the boys and I think that's the smartest thing she could have done. What I didn't like. I don't know. It may seem like I wasn't going to like this book from my comments, but that truly wasn't the case. I just had a hard time identifying with America. I didn't really feel any connection to her or like her because in the beginning she was just so ... unrealistic. I get the doing anything for love *cue meatloaf* BUT she grew up in the world she was living in. She knew the boy that Aspen was, and she dreamed of this future that just most likely wasn't going to be possible. I think that's what bugged me. The last few books the girls were kickass in and didn't have these dreamy dreams that they expected. I love hope and the desire for change, but IDK she just seemed to block out all the realistic reasons why it couldn't happen. I hated the names of almost every character in this book. LOL I get creativity and such, but give me a Jack or something LOL Aspen doesn't do it for me... which might be why I like Maxon more... it sounds tougher. And finally I DID NOT HATE THE END despite my comment there at the end. I happened to look at my % complete when the Prince narrowed the field to 19 and turned to my sister and said.... he's not going to pick his final girl in this book is he. *cue dirty look* she laughed. I try not to read reviews prior to picking up a book, other than to look at star ratings. Since the ratings were all over the place with this one, I was glad because it helped me come to my own conclusion. That being said, after I write my review up I tend to go look. This one had a few comments from people I follow and trust regarding some bad author behavior which for me didn't impact the book, but might make me think twice about reading anything in the future. SO - do you like the suspense of the bachelor? Do you like slight mystery's? Do you like swoony boys? This might just be the book for you!