Age Group: 13+
Plot Development: A+
Character Development: A+
Favorite Quote:
“If you don’t want me to be in love with you, you’re going to have to stop looking so lovely. First thing tomorrow I’m having your maids sew some potato sacks together for you.”
- Prince Maxon
Defined by a number, not your weight, height, or age. It's a caste you're assigned at birth based on your parents and their parents before them, all the way back about 300 years earlier. But you'll learn all about that later on in the series. However, it is important you have a basic understanding of the caste system of Illéa.
There are 8 castes, Eights being the lowest and Ones being the top of the food-chain. The easiest place to start is One, essentially it is the royal family and the extended family (so the winner of The Selection's family). Twos are celebrities like models, singers and actors/actresses; as well as politicians, police officers, firefighters, guards, and military members. Threes include inventors, philosophers, scientists, doctors, nurses, veterinarians, dentists, teachers, librarians, architects, engineers, therapists/psychologists, film directors, music producers, lawyers, and writers. Fours (in my opinion are a smörgåsbord of careers) real estate agents, property/business owners, insurance brokers, construction managers, jewelers, head chefs, and farmers. Fives are the not-so-famous artists and performers, although they are good, they aren't at the level of popularity of twos (but they can actually get there one day). Sixes are where we get into the "workers" which includes store clerks, secretaries, waiters/waitresses, housekeepers, seamstresses, and drivers. Sevens are the ones who are manual laborers and have a very low public perception. Eights though are essentially the outcasts of society or, as the book refers to them, the "Untouchables". It doesn't matter if you are gifted in a profession of the caste you are born into, you're stuck there and better find the most bearable one or you could wind up an eight.
America Singer, our female lead, is a five. She is extremely talented when it comes to music and can play multiple instruments as well as sing. When we meet America she is head over heels for her Aspen, who is a family friend and a seven. Doesn't seem like an issue right? Her parents must be thrilled she has found someone she loves and who loves her in return - right? WRONG! Her mom is a caste climber at heart and wants her daughters to marry up, which her eldest daughter has. However, America has fallen for a seven and if they were to get married, America would thus become a seven....super old-fashioned and misogynistic. Regardless...America doesn't care because she loves him, has been planning for it and knows they will find a way to survive. Unfortunately Aspen cares deep down because he struggles every day to provide for his mom and younger sisters since he is the man of the house. As is, Aspen's household barely gets by and often can't put food on the table or afford other basic necessities.
Then the palace announces the traditional Selection for Prince Maxon now that he has come of age. Eligible girls can submit an application to the palace for consideration to be a part of The Selection. America has never had an interest in The Selection nor the Prince, as she watches the announcement on TV with her family she feels sorry for Maxon that he has to find a wife this way.
Naturally, America's mom wants her to apply and at first America is totally against the idea. But when it comes up in conversation with Aspen during their secret rendezvous, it starts an argument because Aspen wants America to at least apply so years from now they wouldn't have to wonder "what if" and he won't forever feel like he's holding her back.
Obviously America applies and gets selected (otherwise there wouldn't be a book series). When she gets briefed on the rules and regulations of The Selection, she finds it actually quite beneficial because her family will receive compensation since she won't be able to work and contribute during The Selection. Secretly she loves this because it helps her family and she figures she can start saving up money for her and Aspen's future. When she gets to the palace, she is more than honest with Maxon about her intentions there, Hence why one of my favorite quotes of this book is the one at the start of this blog.
This book may seem slow to start at first but when you get into it, its AH-MAZING!! There are sooo many secrets that come out along the way and moments where you may have to read back over a certain section twice. No matter your age, its a good read. In my opinion it is like Hunger Games, Princess Diaries, and Divergent were put into a blender and produced a delicious YA smoothie!