Okay this was more of a guilty pleasure read than serious literature which is fine! This book mixed dystopian and the Bachelor in a fun way.
America Singer has been in love with Aspen for two years and they are secretly dating even though it's kind of taboo because they're from different castes. America is a 5 and Aspen is a 6. When it's announced that Prince Maxon has come of age to choose a bride. Girls everywhere are frantically signing up for the Selection for their chance to be chosen to marry the prince. All girls except America. She doesn't even want to bother with the Selection because she has Aspen and she wouldn't be picked anyways. But when Aspen and her mother convinced her to try she signs up. Soon after Aspen breaks up with her realizing he can never be good enough for her and that she deserves better. Hurt and heartbroken America is surprised when she is chosen for the Selection and sees it as a way to earn money for her family (the families of the girls chosen receive compensation)and as an escape from her life to mend her broken heart.
America goes to the palace and quickly makes it clear to the prince she has no interest in actually winning the competition but she will help him choose a good wife and be his friend with the condition he will keep her there as long as possible so her family won't have to struggle and can save up money.
It's obvious that even though America has made it explicitly clear to Maxon she's not an option that he has developed a crush on her and tried to win her over to see if she would even consider marrying him. But when America does start to fall for Maxon the complication of thirty-five other girls vying for his attention and the sudden appearance of Aspen in the Palace Guard complicate their budding relationship. Not to mention the rebel attacks on the palace that occur regularly and the strain of the entire nation watching with baited breath to see who will be their princess. Throw in the restrictive caste system that constantly chafes America and you have a recipie for disaster (and probably revolution).
Overall I enjoyed this book it was a quick read and I got to escape the monotony of everyday life. Like I said earlier this was a guilty pleasure read so don't expect anything groundbreaking or an intellectual commentary of society. It's a fun read where a girl gets a chance at being a princess and honestly after an entire childhood of Disney movies who didn't at least once dream of being a princess. Personally I wanted to be Belle because she got a prince and a stellar library! (Mostly though I wanted to be Kayley from Quest For Camelot). I will probably read the entire series.
Predictions for the series: America will struggle with her feelings for both Aspen and Maxon (can we stop with the love triangles for a while please?!). America will either be kidnapped by the rebels and learn that they want to rebuild the United States as they were and reinstate democracy and they want her to help by probably being the poster child. Her name is America so I really don't think that's too much of a stretch. Marlee is either a.) exponentially amazing at manipulation and intrigue and is playing nice to win over the prince, b.) a spy for the rebels, c.) option a AND b, or d.) dating a guard. I hope it's option c! Please? I have been really good this year!
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