REVIEW: The Selection

Technically, this book comes out tomorrow, but thanks to my local Coles, I got my hands on an international paperback a few days early.

Title: The Selection
Author: Keira Cass
Pages: 352

Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Utopia

The story takes place in Illéa, a monarchy created from the United States after a 4th world war. Whenever a prince comes of age there, 35 girls from around the country are selected by lottery to compete for the prince's heart, and their place in the royal family. Like every one is saying, the Bachelor meets the Hunger Games.
Another thing particular to The Selection are castes: numbers that indicate the citizens' place among society, a One being a member royalty, an Eight Being an unemployed homeless person.


Our main character, America Singer is a Five at the beginning of the book. Her and her family are literally starving artists. Her boyfriend of 2 years, Aspen, is a Six, which mostly means being a servant. Though his family is worse off than America's, she is determined to spend her life with him, but Aspen insists that she enters the Selection. And, of course, America is chosen, and leaves the castle after a big heartbreak.
Then America meets the prince Maxon and strikes a deal with him, becoming the lonely prince's first friend.


This is the first book of Keira Cass that I have read. Her writing style flows well and is nicely paced for the most part. I really liked her character development, how America is stubborn and smart, not another airhead damsel, how Aspen is selfless and so devoted to the people he loves and Prince Maxon, who always tries his best to do the right thing. Although, sometimes it could be a bit confusion with all the other girls.


What I didn't like was how the book ended with no real conclusion. Obviously, it's another series. Although I'm getting somewhat tired of them, I'll probably get the next book anyway, since the story is quite captivating.


Lastly, I wish I got to hear more about America's family, like in Wither (Lauren Destefano) where Rhine talks a lot about her brother Rowan and what her parents were like before they died.


I'd recommend The Selection to people who like reality TV competitions and who enjoyed the love triangle from the Hunger Games and the Chemical Garden Trilogy. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.


For more info, here's the book trailer (though I think it sucks):

If anyone has any requests, please comment.
And if you agree or disagree that the trailer sucks, please comment.
(Or if someone, somewhere, actually read my review, please comment)

REVIEW: Shatter Me

I know I haven't really written a review in a while, so here's Shatter Me. I read this back in January, and liked it enough to read again.

Title: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi
Pages: 338
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Dystopia/Paranormal

Shatter Me is the story of Juliette, a girl who's been isolated because she has the power to torture people, and ultimately kill them, only by her touch.

Now, this book went in a completely different direction then I expected.

The story takes place in a world that is slowly dying. There's very little food left, death and diseases is everywhere, and 'The Reestablishement' has taken over the world.

'The Reestablishement' has also taken control over Juliette, and plan to use her as weapon.

But Juliette doesn't want to hurt people, even after a lifetime of family and friends neglecting and hurting her. So, along with her lost and found childhood friend, Adam, she battles her way through this new and dangerous world.

For more info, here's the book trailer: 

One of the many things I found interesting in this book, is the use of strikeout words. This adds to Tahereh Mafi's beautiful poetic style. It also shows how Juliette grow stronger and more confident as the amount of strikeouts diminishes.

Juliette is an superb protagonist. She's a very strong person who tried her hardest to love, even if no one would return it. I really felt bad for her, seeing her be outcast at school, trying to help a child, but failing disastrously. Yet, after all those years, one person has shown her affection. Can you guess? Yep, it's Adam.

Which brings me to a final point. The romance in this story is amazing. It isn't the whole love at first sight, that drives me up the wall. It's really the kind that grows over time, that's all worth the wait. Plus, the way it's written is amazing. You can feel the rush through the words.

I'm giving Shatter Me 5 out of 5, for this breathtaking story in this difficult world. I can't wait for the sequel!