*No Spoilers*
A quick background on author, Kiera Cass is a Radford University alumna of Puerto Rican heritage and resides in LA with her family. Renowned for her #1 New York Times bestselling novels, including the beloved “The Selection” series, Cass’s captivating storytelling continues to enchant readers worldwide, with her latest release, “A Thousand Heartbeats,” adding to her legacy of literary success.
The book in this post’s review is The Selection, book #1 of the Selection series. The story starts off in the dystopian society of Illea, where society is divided into eight castes, with the royal family at the top, America Singer, a member of the Fives, finds herself reluctantly thrust into the televised event called The Selection. Her mother sees this as an opportunity to alleviate their financial struggles, but America, harboring a secret relationship with Aspen, a lower caste member, is initially resistant. Encouraged by Aspen and enticed by her mother’s promises, America reluctantly enters the competition, hoping to secure a better future for herself and her family. However, her dreams are shattered when Aspen abruptly ends their relationship. Despite her heartbreak, America is shocked to find herself among the thirty-five chosen candidates, including herself, competing for the affections of Prince Maxon, the heir to the throne of Illéa. As she navigates the challenges of palace life and the intense competition, America grapples with her feelings for Maxon and her unresolved emotions for Aspen, all while trying to reconcile her desire for love and her loyalty to her family.
Overall I thought this was a cute, youthful book. It was easy to follow and read, and despite the predictability of the story, it did keep me interested into wanting to know what will happen (even though I can guess what happens in the final ending of the series). I will have to continue reading to find out.
| Characters ( /10) | 8 |
| Atmosphere/setting ( /10) | 6 |
| Writing Style ( /10) | 6 |
| Plot ( /10) | 8 |
| Intrigue ( /10) | 8 |
| Logic/Relationships ( /10) | 9 |
| Enjoyment ( /10) | 8 |
| TOTAL CAWPILE SCORE ( /70) | 53 |
Final Rating
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