THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass

Dude, I've really been enjoying a lot of the books I've been reading these days. And you'd be surprised to learn that I've branched out beyond YA. I know! You thought it would never happen! Well. It has!

This week's recommendation is THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass. I bought this book a long time ago, and recently found the time to sit down and devour it.

First, a bit about THE SELECTION: For thirty-five 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. 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.

I really liked America as the main character. I thought the set-up for the society and how a person lives in a specific caste. I found that system fascinating, and would read more about that specifically. I rooted for America and Aspen... until I met Prince Maxon.

He's a great lead male character as well, full of fire and faults--which isn't always the case with our heroes. Since he doesn't narrate, we don't know everything about him, but we know he's not perfect. I liked that in a literary world where often our male MC's are perfection on the page.

I liked that there was more to this plot than just a romance. There's some dangerous things going on outside the castle that I was extremely interested in. I didn't get all my questions answered in THE SELECTION, so I'm excited to read THE ELITE.

If you liked WITHER, you'll like THE SELECTION. If you liked MATCHED, you'll like THE SELECTION. It has the same feel as both of them, while being able to be unique enough to be discussed on it's own merits.

Check out what the other Bookanistas are talking about this week:

• Corrine Jackson is swept away by SUCH A RUSH
• Christine Fonseca interviews THE LIES THATBIND authors Lisa & Laura Roecker
• Stasia Ward Kehoe parties with the Academy of American Poets on POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY
• Jessica Love is wowed by WHERE THINGS COME BACK by John Corey Whaley
• Tracy Banghart delves into THE HOST (book & movie) by Stephenie Meyer
• Katy Upperman discusses Erica Lorraine Scheidt’s USES FOR BOYS

Favorite read this week?