The Selection

The Selection, Book 1

By: Kiera Cass

Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Fall in love - from the very beginning. Discover the first book in the captivating, number one New York Times best-selling Selection series.

Prepare to be swept into a world of breathless fairy-tale romance, swoonworthy characters, glittering gowns, and fierce intrigue perfect for listeners who loved Divergent, Delirium, or The Wrath & the Dawn.

For 35 girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, live in a palace, and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.

Then America meets Prince Maxon - and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Don’t miss The Betrothed, a glittering royal romance sure to captivate Kiera Cass’s legion of loyal listeners and lovers of courtly intrigue alike!

©2012 Kiera Cass (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

My Daughter kept asking me questions ...

Would you listen to The Selection again? Why?

So I had to listen to this book. Great great. More teenage babbling and by Chapter two, I was hooked. Its very light listening but I had to admit, I loved it :-)

What does Amy Rubinate bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrating was fine, for me I listen to audio books because I paint and dog walk and reading whilst doing either of these would take talent I don't possess but she reads it more of less like it sounds in my head when I read and yes, I have read all four books in this series. But don't tell anyone

Romance Disguised as Dystopian, But Still Good

What did you love best about The Selection?

I thought the story was well written and the main character had a reasonable amount of depth. While the book didn't really get into a lot about the dystopian world that it took place in, it was still a great read and I expect the later books in the series to address more of those issues.

Any additional comments?

As a bit of warning, it does leave pretty much everything as a cliff hanger at the end. This is not the sort of ending where most of the ends of tied up with a couple remaining to take you into the next book in the series. This books feels more like "Part 1" instead of "Book 1."

Great story

Good story. The performer is ok but not great but still delivers! I can't wait to listen to the next book

In love with this book!

Completely love this book and can not wait to see what happens to America! Love all of the characters!

Engaging story and performance

Fond of dystopian societies and romance? This is a good blend of the two with just a bit of action/excitement thrown in. There are some parts that are obvious (hello, there's no series if she gets sent home), but there are a few nice surprises tucked in with America's spunky, genuine personality.
I wasn't quite sure how much I would like the audiobook version, but I'm really glad I decided to take a chance on it. Kiera Cass has a wonderful series here and, though I've read it before, it's enjoyable enough to read again - and enough that the audiobook was worth it. Amy Rubinate's performance was great. The performance was enough that I could really visualize what was going on, but I didn't get the feeling that she was overacting. There are some narrators that you can't wait to be done with, but Amy's performance was soothing and engaging all at once.

Story: Yes. Narrator: NO!

I enjoyed the storyline, and It left me wanting to know what happens in the next book. But the whole thing was all but ruined by this choice in narrators. I could hardly bear to listen to the monotone, lack luster reading the narrator gave. She seriously made me want to scream sometimes, how she had no emotion in her voice and almost sounded robotic sometimes. This narrator sucked the life out of all the characters, and I am dreading hearing her voice for the next however-many books there are in this series...🙄😖

Definitely a quick run read.

Is it my favorite? Definitely not. But I enjoyed it and think most would. It's a little silly, but come on; it was fun and clearly I finished the series.

AMAZING!

I loved it, it was so good. good enough to read twice! can't wait to read the second book!

Great book

I loved this book, lots of details and things you never saw coming! overall, awesome characters and great setting❣

Hunger Games meets Next Top Model

What did you love best about The Selection?

I like how this concept could be really silly or dumb or shallow, but it doesn't seem to be heading that way.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Maxin is actually decent. That's so excellent. And America is a genuinely good person. Usually that can be boring, but it was such a relief to see actual, decent, kind people.

What about Amy Rubinate’s performance did you like?

It was different. The timbre of her voice was so unusual. The first chapter or two, I thought it was bland and unemotional, but it grew on me and I couldn't image anyone else narrating it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Oh I have no idea. This was a failed TV show anyways.

Any additional comments?

I wish the TV show hadn't failed.