The Selection by Kiera Cass is one of my all-time favorite books. It tells the story of a dystopian society in which what used to be the United States is known as Illea. There is a caste system that regulates the wealth people have the jobs they possess. America Singer, a young girl living as a Five, gets randomly selected to compete in a competition for the Crown Prince Maxon’s heart. However, all she wants to do is stay home with who she thinks is the love of her life, Aspen, who happens to be a caste beneath her. Throughout her stay in the royal palace, America discovers that not everything is as it seems, and that romance is a lot more complicated than she thought. America must stand up for what her heart believes is right, and it isn’t easy with a shady king and mysterious rebels lurking in the shadows. The book concludes with a cliffhanger that blends seamlessly into the next book in the series, The Elite.
I love this book with my whole heart. America starts out a naïve girl and grows to be a mature and understanding young woman who wants the best for her country. I love how the author shows her character development throughout the novel, and it gets even better in the sequel and the book following it. Enjoy!