Book recommendation: THE SELECTION

Time for another stellar book recommendation. I was reluctant to pick this title up when I first heard about it (which was only about a month ago - thanks Cindy Hale for asking me if I'd heard of it!), and for good reason. At least, it was a good reason in my opinion. 

See, a couple of years ago, I started a manuscript titled THE NEXT PRINCESS. I was in such a fairy tale mood at the time that I decided to write my own version of a fairy tale. I created my own country/world that was led by a king and queen, and tradition stated that when their prince came of age, he should take a bride from among the people. In a Bachelor-esque style, lucky girls were picked, seemingly at random (but not really), to participate in this competition. My main character, Caroline, was the poor daughter of a farmer who lived Outside the Wall. Prince James, the royal family, and all prominent members of society lived Inside the Wall. 

Anyway, Caroline and Prince James were playmates as little children. Caroline's father was one of the farmers who delivered produce to the palace, and she'd tag along when her father made deliveries. As time passed and she and the prince grew older, they drifted apart for political reasons (none of which were initiated by James). 

Long story short, they were reunited at the competition, sparks flew, drama flared (what do you expect would happen when you round up a bunch of girls in one place), and of course all ended happy.

That was my story.

So when I read about THE SELECTION, I was SO BUMMED. See for yourself:

 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 the palace and compete for the heart of the 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.

This dystopian version of the US is known as Illea, and when the prince comes of age, the Selection is instituted to pull together 35 girls to compete for the Prince Maxon's hand.

Hey, at least mine wasn't a dystopian...

But seriously...how HAPPY I am that I picked this up! It was fast-paced, the boys were totally dreamy, the antics of girls crazed at obtaining the crowd made me laugh out loud. I found myself waiting to get home from school so I could find out what came next. I haven't read a book like that in a long time. 

So, even though THE NEXT PRINCESS will never see the light of day, I'm extremely happy THE SELECTION did. The next book in the series, THE ELITE, will be out in April, and I also heard that the CW has a pilot episode based on this series. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it makes it to TV. 

To learn more about the series and its author, click here.