Everybody has read that one story that they didn't expect to like but ended up enjoying.
The Selection Series by Kiera Cass stands out for me as one that I absolutely had no intention of reading.
First of all, it was romance. The book cover was that of a princess, and the plot was icky in my mind 😂😂
Mind you, I read this book when I was 17 and I had strict ideals over what 'manly' books I should be reading.
The ideals were broken though one extremely long, extremely boring Sunday afternoon with nothing but me, excruciating heat, and the book in a room.
Kiera Cass is an authoress I haven't heard of before, although I don't usually remember the authors unless the story had quite an impact on me. This story although didn't have a huge impact, did move me a bit, made me more sympathetic to the romance genre.
The Selection
Plot
The Kingdom of Iléa is about to have a national emergency. Their crowned Prince , Maxton Schraeve has reached the age of 19 but has no love interest to help him in securing the throne.
Thus he decides to host the Selection, a competition where 35 young ladies from different castes across the land is brought into the castle and made to compete for his hand in marriage.
America Singer, a 5, finds herself enrolled in this competition by her mother despite her wishes.
America lashes out, openly voicing her distaste for the situation and continues her rebellious actions in the palace.
Maxton, fancies her spirit and rashness and eventually America comes to like him too, soon she despite her efforts not to, she realizes that she's earned his favor and in turn, earned the other thirty four competitors wrath.
Like I said, it's been a while since I read this book, still like many a stories I enjoyed, I still remember some scenes and quotes.
The Selection is a Five Book series with the first three books centering on the selection and on Maxton and America, the last two books is timed twenty years after the previous three.
I've only read the first three though and I'd have to say that it was entertaining.
The story although centered on the romance between America and Maxton, managed to touch a lot of other things. First interesting thing for me was the caste system numbered from 1 to 8.
1 being the most privileged, i.e, royalty and 8 being the handicapped, poverty stricken and beggars.
America was a 5, meaning the middle working class a musician. She had daily contact with both the upper and lower caste, this made her character different from others. She knew things that either side didn't.
One thong I liked was how the book and story wasn't raunchy despite my earlier thoughts.
At first, I saw the cover and simply thought; "blehh, another romance with little to no character development, steamy scenes and a lot of drama."
I was wrong about the character development because the character growth seen was wonderful. Although there was an awful amount of kissing, nothing much more was seen and the drama was wholesome!
Apparently, it has a movie too, which is shocking but not surprising. It had the write plot and Kiera's writing and ability to casually paint a picture in the reader's mind is enviable.
I can't give a detailed review because of how long it's been since I read it, but it's a good story. A romance that Seki himself approves...
I give it a lovely 8/10✨
This is my response to the Hive Bookclub Monday Prompt.
Share a book that you were reluctant to read but found yourself pleasantly surprised by
Its #hpud and I've decided to join in the fun by powering up 10 Hive.
I've decided to be stacking up on my hive tokens and HP...
Thus although I've just powered up, the HP would most likely be delegated to some communities for me to earn more hive.
Regardless, it's a new month and so to all hiveans.
Happy Power Up Day!!!🔥
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