The Selection

By: Kiera Cass

Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

For 35 girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime: the opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth... to be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels... to 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, leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want, and living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself - and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

©2012 Kiera Cass (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

You might want to wait... if you hate cliffhangers

I clicked on an ad—that said Hunger Games + Cinderella + The Bachelor = The Selection and totally impulse bought this audio book. I admit it, I was taken by the ad and the cover. Beautiful.

I don’t want to give away too much, but I found the main character to be charming and endearing in a “no, no… please don’t do that… oh you really did it now” kind of way. I really liked her family… in particular her youngest brother. I also felt like her relationship with her Mom really rang true for me. There were moments that made me cringe thinking about the trouble America got herself into through her impetuous responses. I am completely rooting for her—and have already picked which guy I think would be better for her. But based on how she reacted through out the book, and what my gut thought she should do—she will probably choose the other one. (So yes, triangle)

Beyond all of the romance stuff (which is front and center of the book)—is what I imagine for the author a slow build. I loved how the knowledge of this society is laid into the story.

But:
1)I thought—especially in the very beginning that the narrator sounded almost mechanical---wooden. Maybe this was on purpose?? By the end, I didn’t notice it anymore… in fact I did love the way she did the Prince’s voice---for that she deserves credit. If you are listening--let me to encourage you to push on.

2)The ending… I have rewound and listened to the last 20 minutes… oh man, seriously painful---and I would say abrupt ending. All I can do is hope it’s not a long time for the next one. But then maybe that’s a good thing…


Over all I really enjoyed it... but if you are more a fan of Hunger Games than Cinderella or the Bachelor then I’m not sure this is the book for you. Romance is definitely the name of this game.

108 of 116 people found this review helpful

Boring Cinderella meets copy of hunger games

Honesty? Too predictable, boring and flat, characters without depth or true conflict. I realize the target audience are teens, but still... The author could write as if they had brains which they do and don't use at all. Just another girl needing to be rescued. When will we see strong and realistic female characters?

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Entertaining

I'm writing this after listening to all three. Can't quite put my finger on why I purchased and "read" them all so quickly. This is not great lit, but at least the first one kept me happily occupied.

Yes, the story is predictable, but it was fun. "The Selection" leaves the reader in the middle of the story, so if you enjoyed it, listen to book 2. I wouldn't recommend the third as the story was stretched too to round out the ol' trilogy format. I found myself speeding up the narration to finish (not always a good sign).

Good fun in a world where "Hunger Games" meets "The Bachelor".

34 of 39 people found this review helpful

Intriguing Story, Abysmal Performance

Would you be willing to try another one of Amy Rubinate’s performances?

Normally I don't like giving bad reviews, but it felt like Siri was narrating this book. I didn't feel that the narrator put any emotion into the characters. I wanted to continue listening to the other books in the series, but I'll probably read them instead.

32 of 37 people found this review helpful

AMAZING book...HORRIBLE narrator

I've recently begun to love audiobooks...but this narrator is HORRIBLE! She reads so flat that it's hard to even hear the words...

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Among YA dystopian fiction, this is at the bottom

What would have made The Selection better?

The main character is annoying, the plot is incredibly predictable and offers nothing new. YA dystopian fiction is my favorite guilty pleasure of the moment so I've listened to/read a TON of them, and this is one of the worst. The plot draws heavily from other books- many of the minor characters are carbon copies of characters in other books (Hunger Games to name one). The author tries to portray the main character as above shallow things such as beauty, but Ms. Cass spends so much time doing this that it ends up emphasizing their importance.

Have you listened to any of Amy Rubinate’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I thought she did a good job.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Selection?

Remove the 'dear'- I know the author is trying to make the prince seem formal but its just awkward.

Any additional comments?

I've read a lot of books written around less interesting ideas, but enjoyed them much more than this one because of the quality of writing/character development, etc. It could have been a cool idea, but it was very poorly executed.

36 of 43 people found this review helpful

I agree with Shannon from Cincinnati (review 4/27)

I can't believe I liked this book and I can't believe I'm anxious for the next one!!! I think Shannon from Cincinnati did a good job reviewing this book (my thoughts exactly). I read so many bad reviews on Amazon, etc that I was certain I would hate it. I'm so glad I took a chance and got this book. It's not a literary classic but it was a FUN read. Can't wait for the next book to come out.

28 of 34 people found this review helpful

Loved it!!

Any additional comments?

I loved this book, but the other review is correct, if you hate cliff hangers wait. The book ends so abruptly, I was kind of mad. Can't wait to read more from this author.

12 of 15 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable But Frustrating

What did you love best about The Selection?

I really liked the main character and her transformation throughout the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Selection?

My favorite moment was when she told her friend to buck up and act like a queen during the first rebel attack.

Have you listened to any of Amy Rubinate’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really, it was more interesting to listen to but did not draw on anything deep, frustration a few times but that was more of towards the characters

Any additional comments?

I agree with fellow reviewers in that the book ended poorly, honestly it cut off so quick that I waiting a few seconds after Amy said, "End of Book 1" assuming the book would have 2 parts and it was just the end of part one actually. It seemed an odd time to end the first book because while the book was interesting it didn't end on a high climax but seemed to be building up to something then fell short by ending the book.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Engaging and entertaining

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would most definitely recommend this book to another person. It is fun, exciting, and kept me on the edge my seat. I cannot wait for the next book in this series to be released.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Selection?

I don't want to give anything away, but there was a moment, right as the main character was finally falling for the Prince, when an inconvenient character appears and causes a complete twist in the plot line. This appearence happens suddenly, and the effects complicate the main characters life inextricably.

Which character ??? as performed by Amy Rubinate ??? was your favorite?

I have to say, i quite enjoyed the prince. Innitially, while the character is stiff in personallity, the narrator made the Prince's speech haulting. He sounded much like you would think he well-bred, privileged, and slightly stuck up individual to sound. Later, as the character became less formal, so did his speech and the way the narrator pronounced it.

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

"the prince's best hope, is a girl who can't make up her mind."

20 of 26 people found this review helpful

Easy listener.

This one grabbed me from chapter one. I loved how the story unfolds and how relationships develop. It's a feel good, though very predictable. The cliff hanger ending is frustrating but now that the sequel 'The Elite' is out and read I'm happier.... but once again left hanging for the finale. So far, I preferred book one of the two, but don't bother if you don't intend to buy both it'll just leave you frustrated.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Worth a listen

Not a particularly high paced story but you do start to wonder what will happen next. I typical love triangle storyline but with a slight twist on 'The Selection'.

My advice would be to wait until 'The Elite' comes out because this book has been left on a bit of a cliffhanger and you won't want to wait too long for book 2.

Happy listening.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Thoroughly enjoyable

This was a very engaging book, set in a future time where people are born into certain 'classes'. The female lead character gets a chance to move to the highest class and secure her family's future by putting in for selection to marry the prince. An eventual love triangle ensues. Great listening.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent story, A must read for all

I loved this so much, the storyline is excellent but the characters make this story! It was amazing, you follow a journey of America where you truly see her grow and develop into a lovely young woman. This book had me shouting, clapping, laughing all at the same time and I can't wait to begin the sequel. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend to everyone.