The Selection by Keira Cass

            The selection is about a girl named America Singer. America gets pressured to put her name in a drawing that is supposed to be randomized, but really the King just wants to pick the prettiest girl in each town to compete for his son, Maxon's, hand in marriage. As much as America dislikes all things surrounding the castle, she puts her name and picture in. Who would have guessed that she would have been picked? America thought she wouldn't be picked. Out of all the girls she couldn't possibly be the one to go.

            America Singer is not like other girls. She doesn't want to marry Maxon. She couldn't care less about living in a castle. She just wants to go home to her ex-boyfriend Aspen and spend the rest of her life with him. But as we know, life does not go according to our plans. The Selection takes us through America's journey in the selection.

            The selection is my favorite series of ALL TIME because America isn't perfect. In fact, it seems as if everything she does is somehow wrong. We are mistake making people. We can never be perfect. Although I do think that Maxon is more perfect than we are likely to find in our lives. Coming back to reality, I realize that none of us are likely to find a prince, but maybe we can learn as America did to find someone who makes us feel like their princess.

              Moving on to team Maxon or Team Aspen. I am team Maxon. Never in a million years would I pick Aspen over Maxon. NEVER. I don't know why. I think Aspen needs to let go. Start over. Find someone new. Just a few suggestions I would give him if he was real. Don't pine after a girl who is essentially taken. No America may not be Maxon's yet, but she signed a contract that she wouldn't even consider anyone else. America also needed to move on. Try something new. Anything but going back to Aspen. He dumped her before she was even chosen to be in the selection. You should almost NEVER go back to someone who discarded you. Maybe he had good intentions, but it left you heart broken the first time. What happens when he comes back and breaks your heart again. For Maxon it is different. He has never been allowed to even think about girls in any way but friends. So when he gets 35 girls pushed into his home and they tell him to pick one, what do you think is going to happen. He doesn't understand them. He tells America when he finds her crying that he can't handle crying women. Why pick Aspen over Maxon??? It is simple. Don't do it! 

                Finally let's skip to the newest and last book in the trilogy: The One. If you have not read it and would like to do so before hearing or reading spoilers, do NOT continue reading.

While reading the second book, The Elite, I told two of my closest friends that I would like to see Aspen and Lucy end up together. I could ship them more than I could ship Aspen and America. Was I right? YES I was. No greater joy have I found in a book than being able to have my  OTP (one true pair) end up together and the maid and guard that I shipped. I was truly sad that Marlee could not continue in the selection after her misfortune. The pain she must have felt when being whipped during The Elite must have been awful. Marlee and Maxon were my two favorite character. Now the ending of The One caught me by surprise. I was not expecting the rebels to ruin the engagement announcement, but when I thought about it more, I realized that the foreshadowing was there. I didn't pay any attention to it, but it was there. Celeste may not have been my favorite character, but by the end of The One, she had a special place in my heart. She died on good terms with America and with those she treated horribly.

               I encourage all to read this amazing book series. If you liked The Fault in our Stars or If I stay, I highly suggest you read The Selection by Kiera Cass. I laughed, I almost cried (Remember to take into account that I don't cry very often), I did a couple face palms, and lastly I loved each character more than I probably should have.  It may be your choice, but I advise you to choose wisely. Life is full of choices. Don't regret this one.

"You don't choose him; he chooses you." - Kiera Cass from The One