The Selection Series

The Selection Series is a series of five young adult novels written by Kiera Cass. It focuses on The Selection, a competition for the current king's heir for a hand in marriage. The first three books are from the point of view of America Singer, joining the selection after bribery from her mother, who doesn't know she is in love with Aspen, who is a caste lower than her. The two sequels, The Heir and The Crown are written from the point of view of Princess Eadlyn, the firstborn daughter of Prince Maxon.

Plot and Setting

America Singer is a seventeen-year-old girl who lives in the country of Illéa, which was once the United States. Their society is divided into eight castes, the lowest and poorest being Eight and royalty One. America is a Five and is in a secret relationship with a Six named Aspen Leger, which they kept hidden by sneaking out at night for dates in her backyard tree house. When America and Aspen grow apart because Aspen feels like he will never be able to provide for her, he tells her to join the Selection, a competition designed to pick a woman to become the future wife of Prince Maxon and take on the role of Queen of Illea. Although America is indifferent to the Prince and the Selection, she is pushed by her mother and Aspen's words to apply. Miraculously, she gets in and is sent to the palace, where she slowly falls for the prince and begins to learn that there are rebels who want change in the country. Aspen is drafted for the army and sent to be a guard at the palace which confuses America as her relationship with Maxon develops. Her friendship with Maxon slowly grows into affection until one day when one of the Selected girls, a friend of America, is whipped and thrown out publicly for being found kissing one of the guards. America becomes enraged at the way things are run and realises what being the princess would entail, and takes it out on Maxon, becoming distant from him. As other girls are slowly eliminated from the Selection, America and Maxon slowly get closer again and apologize to each other during a rebel attack at the palace while in hiding together. Their relationship goes through many ups and downs, until Maxon sends everyone in the Selection home except for America and another girl named Kriss. Maxon tells America he loves her but finds out about her previous relationship to Aspen which she had been hiding from him. He becomes angry and takes back the-known-engagement. The next morning a rebel attack happens. Maxon is shot and apologizes to America, saying he does not care if she breaks his heart a million times, he still wants her and no one else. The King and Queen are killed by the rebels, leaving Maxon to become the King. He proposes to America and he reveals he will eliminate the castes.

In the epilogue, the setting is their wedding ceremony.

Characters

• America Singer - The protagonist of the first three novels. She is a somewhat rebellious girl with intentions to do right. She has red hair and is 17 years old in the beginning of the novel.
• Prince Maxon Calix Schreave - The heir of King Clarkson Schreave and Queen Amberly Schreave. He has blonde hair and brown eyes.
• Aspen Leger - The ex-boyfriend and first love of America. Later on, a guard at the palace. He has dark hair and green eyes.
• Celeste- One of the Selected who is rivals-at first- with America but they mend their differences and become friends. She is killed during the last rebel attack by the Southern Rebels.
• Marlee- America's first and best friend at the palace. She is whipped and let go from the Selection after being found having a relationship with a guard named Carter who she later marries.
• Elise- A quiet girl. She is one of the last four Selected remaining, known as the "Elite".
• King Clarkston Schreave- A harsh king and Prince Maxon’s father. He despises America and horribly misteats Maxon. He dies in the final rebel attack.
• Queen Amberly Schreave- A gentle and kind queen. Also, the mother of Prince Maxon. Unlike the king, she is kind to America. She also dies in the last rebel attack.
• May Singer- America's younger sister. Her and America share similar traits. They are very close to one another.
• Anne- One of three of America’s kind and caring maids during the selection. She is strong and the one who takes charge.
• Lucy- Just like Anne, Lucy is one of the maid America had during the selection. She is timid and falls in love later with Aspen.
• Mary- A steady and hardworking maid of America’s during the time of the selection.

Reception

On February 4th 2015 The Guardian posted a review about Kiera Cass saying, “"Cass makes it a suspenseful read with dramatic events and romantic moments and you never know what is coming up in the next chapter".”^[1] On October 24th 2015, The Guardian added, “"The story is also excellent for gripping people who don’t generally enjoy reading".”^[2]

Adaptation

Warner Bros. announced that they will distribute the film adaptation of the books.

References

• http://www.kieracass.com/books/