After a mix
of weird books and fairly normal, I have picked up a dystopia fiction, The Selection Stories, from a series
I've started a while ago, The Selection. My original plan was to read this book much
later on because it is fairly new and I've only just received it through the
post but once I finished Reckless, I picked up The Selection Stories immediately because I really wanted to read
this.
The Selection Stories is the collection of the two short stories from Kiera Cass's The Selection series which follows America Singer, a young woman who comes from an underprivileged part of the country she lives in where she used to work as a musician while the other members of her family are artistic types so they can earn money to survive as well as her two potential love interests. Along with thirty four other girls, America is chosen to be part of the Selection, their society's way of finding the bride for the prince of the ruling family when he becomes nineteen while the public watch through reports. Sometimes the Selection takes months, even years, for the prince to choose his bride but this time, it seems more urgent as the country is in crisis with people rebelling in certain parts and are even attacking the palace while the Selection are staying there. Unfortunately, America only put herself up for the Selection because her boyfriend, Aspen, told her to take the opportunity because it would be her best chance in life in his opinion as he is a lower caste than her. America is reluctant to take part in the Selection because she is still reeling from her break up with Aspen and unintentionally insults the prince, Maxon, on the first night but they start to get along and their relationship grows over the course of the first book and eventually fall for one another (him faster than her though). However, despite America seems to starts to get over Aspen, he shows up in the palace as a guard which throws her through a loop because now she questions her feelings for both Aspen and Maxon; the second book deals with how America comes to terms with her feelings for Maxon and Aspen and deciding which one she wants to fight for while neither young man knows what she is thinking.
The Selection Stories is the collection of the two short stories from Kiera Cass's The Selection series which follows America Singer, a young woman who comes from an underprivileged part of the country she lives in where she used to work as a musician while the other members of her family are artistic types so they can earn money to survive as well as her two potential love interests. Along with thirty four other girls, America is chosen to be part of the Selection, their society's way of finding the bride for the prince of the ruling family when he becomes nineteen while the public watch through reports. Sometimes the Selection takes months, even years, for the prince to choose his bride but this time, it seems more urgent as the country is in crisis with people rebelling in certain parts and are even attacking the palace while the Selection are staying there. Unfortunately, America only put herself up for the Selection because her boyfriend, Aspen, told her to take the opportunity because it would be her best chance in life in his opinion as he is a lower caste than her. America is reluctant to take part in the Selection because she is still reeling from her break up with Aspen and unintentionally insults the prince, Maxon, on the first night but they start to get along and their relationship grows over the course of the first book and eventually fall for one another (him faster than her though). However, despite America seems to starts to get over Aspen, he shows up in the palace as a guard which throws her through a loop because now she questions her feelings for both Aspen and Maxon; the second book deals with how America comes to terms with her feelings for Maxon and Aspen and deciding which one she wants to fight for while neither young man knows what she is thinking.
The Prince
The Prince takes place before the events of The Selection before the 35 girls arrive
in the palace and before America makes an impression on Maxon. Instead of seeing everything from America's
point of view, the reader sees Maxon's life leading up to the Selection as he
worries about what his future may hold for him.
On top of his worries, he deals with his father but with the help of his
friend, Daphne, the French president's daughter who he has known since
childhood. Other than his mother, Daphne
is the only other woman in his life which makes him wonder if he's ever felt
anything towards Daphne just so can know if he feels anything for the girls in
the Selection.
Rating: 9
Recommended To: Those that liked The Hunger Games
Favourite Characters: Maxon - nice to hear his voice
Favourite Part: I smiled to myself. One of my many worries was that these girls would be in a constant state of presenting the best sides of themselves, trying to impress me. I kept dreading that I'd spend weeks getting to know someone, think she was the one, and then after the wedding, some new person would come to the surface who I couldn't stand. - Page 40
Good Points: Maxon's perspective; Maxon has become more three dimensional; insight into the royal family
Bad Points: Too short
One fantastic point in my opinion about this story was that the perspective of the piece was changed to Maxon, the titular character of this short story, because it's interesting to see another point of a view of a world that has already established through another character. I found this refreshing because sometimes it can get a bit stale to hear from the same person constantly, particularly in a series, and while it can be confusing, having multiple narrators has a tendency to keep my attention as I find other points of view intriguing as they could have another opinion on an event or another way of seeing the situation. An example of this is Maxon's first meeting with America where she saw him as an arrogant prince that is playing with all of these girls' lives while Maxon saw her as a vulnerable young woman who is still wild in temperament because of her caste.
Recommended To: Those that liked The Hunger Games
Favourite Characters: Maxon - nice to hear his voice
Favourite Part: I smiled to myself. One of my many worries was that these girls would be in a constant state of presenting the best sides of themselves, trying to impress me. I kept dreading that I'd spend weeks getting to know someone, think she was the one, and then after the wedding, some new person would come to the surface who I couldn't stand. - Page 40
Good Points: Maxon's perspective; Maxon has become more three dimensional; insight into the royal family
Bad Points: Too short
One fantastic point in my opinion about this story was that the perspective of the piece was changed to Maxon, the titular character of this short story, because it's interesting to see another point of a view of a world that has already established through another character. I found this refreshing because sometimes it can get a bit stale to hear from the same person constantly, particularly in a series, and while it can be confusing, having multiple narrators has a tendency to keep my attention as I find other points of view intriguing as they could have another opinion on an event or another way of seeing the situation. An example of this is Maxon's first meeting with America where she saw him as an arrogant prince that is playing with all of these girls' lives while Maxon saw her as a vulnerable young woman who is still wild in temperament because of her caste.
Through
this story, I feel Maxon has become more three dimensional for me which was a
great point for me as I've always loved Maxon as a character. As everything we hear from Maxon or about him
comes through America, she could be forcing a particular opinion on us as
readers or she could be documenting how she wants to be perceived but this
time, we are inside Maxon's head and it's almost like getting to see an
uncensored version of him as he shares his thoughts and feelings on a situation
first-hand. Through this short story, I
think I've connected with Maxon more as I am more understanding of his thought
process and can see why he would react in a certain way.
Unlike the
other books where the story is told from America's point of view, this story
being told from Maxon's point of view as I've already mentioned which means
through Maxon, we have an insight into how the royal family actually are like
first-hand. I thoroughly enjoyed this
part because it was something new that was added to this world as through
America's conversations with Maxon and even Aspen, we always get a third hand
account of what life is like as a member of this family but this time, we
witness it as Maxon when his father tries to control his only son and how his
mother tries to keep the peace in this slightly dysfunctional family.
Out of this
series, America is ultimately my favourite character but unfortunately she
wasn't featured in this short story too much because it tells Maxon's story
before the girls from the Selection arrive at the palace as Maxon panics about
his future. Due to this, I found Maxon
becoming my favourite character as he grew on me because I was able to connect
with him more as he shared his thoughts and feelings about everything. Maxon is just a nervous young man who has
been pushed into choosing a bride before he is probably ready but he is truly
sweet as tries to protect his friend's feelings because he is unsure of his own
feelings for her. I enjoyed hearing from
Maxon as he made me understand his point of view through his narrative of his inner
monologue which is always helpful for a main character (slash narrator) and
makes a book even more memorable, or it does for me. I hope that Maxon will continue to be as
interesting in the rest of his series as he is in this short story even if he
isn't the narrator.
I found this story like every other short story I've read to be too short because I enjoy the story then it's gone within minutes of starting it, I want to have a full length novel if I enjoy a certain perspective so I can see how they view the world even more. While I am pleased I bought The Prince as a hard copy combined with The Guard, I just wish there was more told from Maxon's point of view as I found it fascinating to hear what another side of the palace that the girls and the reader are not likely to see because I assume that this series will end when Maxon chooses a wife, whoever that will be so we won't see what life will be like as a member of the royal family if Maxon chooses America to be the One.
I found this story like every other short story I've read to be too short because I enjoy the story then it's gone within minutes of starting it, I want to have a full length novel if I enjoy a certain perspective so I can see how they view the world even more. While I am pleased I bought The Prince as a hard copy combined with The Guard, I just wish there was more told from Maxon's point of view as I found it fascinating to hear what another side of the palace that the girls and the reader are not likely to see because I assume that this series will end when Maxon chooses a wife, whoever that will be so we won't see what life will be like as a member of the royal family if Maxon chooses America to be the One.
I smiled to myself. One of my many worries was that these girls would be in a constant state of presenting the best sides of themselves, trying to impress me. I kept dreading that I'd spend weeks getting to know someone, think she was the one, and then after the wedding, some new person would come to the surface who I couldn't stand. - Page 40
I adore
this part; it was one of the points where I connected with Maxon as it became
clear why he was a little distant from America over the course of this
series. Even in The Elite, he's trying to get to know all of the girls left
properly so he can make a well-informed decision and I thought it was a little
odd that he didn't pick America straight away if he thought he loved her that
much. However, with this clear and
pretty obvious explanation, I began to understand his reasoning and was
therefore able to sympathise with him. Another
reason why I loved this part was where I saw Maxon fall for America because she
showed him her true colours right before this moment so he knew immediately
what she was going to be like which made me laugh and gave me hope that someone
will fall for me like Maxon fell for America; unfortunately, my life isn't a
book.
I thoroughly
enjoyed this short story because I found Maxon's point of view interesting much
like I do America's but he brings a new part of this world with his perspective,
the Ones, the royal family which is just as dysfunctional as every other family
in reality but presented to the world as perfect. However, I wish there was more to this short
story as I wanted to know what Maxon felt through this entire series along with
America because I believe they have great potential together.
The Guard
The Guard
Rating: 9
Recommended To: Those that liked The Hunger Games
Favourite Characters: America - she's Aspen's world and symbol of hope
Favourite Part: I had a vague sense that I was dreaming. America was across the room, tied to a throne, and Maxon had one hand on her shoulder, trying to push her into submission. Her worried eyes were locked one mine, and she struggled to get to me. But then I saw Maxon was watching me, too. His stare was menacing, and he looked so much like his father in that moment. - Page 123
Good Points: A fresh voice; Aspen's relationship with the maids; see another side to the palace
Bad Points: Aspen seems very naïve for me
Much like The Prince, I enjoyed hearing from another voice, this time Aspen, as he is a fresh voice in the trilogy who can give another perspective on certain events that affect his relationship with America. As readers, we hear his thoughts and feelings as he witnesses America face an extremely tough time in the Selection, losing her best friend because of a situation much like the one she is with Aspen; while America is torn between Maxon and Aspen in this point in time, Aspen wants America, no matter what so he's just focussed on his desires, trying to sway America to choose him. Like I said in The Prince, I enjoyed the point of view because Aspen sees everything differently to America and Maxon as he seems to have rose-tinted glasses with blinkers on when it comes to America as he only sees her and doesn't see how she could love Maxon at all because he believes the prince is just like his father. While I don't agree with his point of view, it made me understand him more which was good for me because I like being inside the heads of the characters to see what makes them tick and understand why they behave a certain way and if an author can do this well, I enjoy the book/series even more.
Recommended To: Those that liked The Hunger Games
Favourite Characters: America - she's Aspen's world and symbol of hope
Favourite Part: I had a vague sense that I was dreaming. America was across the room, tied to a throne, and Maxon had one hand on her shoulder, trying to push her into submission. Her worried eyes were locked one mine, and she struggled to get to me. But then I saw Maxon was watching me, too. His stare was menacing, and he looked so much like his father in that moment. - Page 123
Good Points: A fresh voice; Aspen's relationship with the maids; see another side to the palace
Bad Points: Aspen seems very naïve for me
Much like The Prince, I enjoyed hearing from another voice, this time Aspen, as he is a fresh voice in the trilogy who can give another perspective on certain events that affect his relationship with America. As readers, we hear his thoughts and feelings as he witnesses America face an extremely tough time in the Selection, losing her best friend because of a situation much like the one she is with Aspen; while America is torn between Maxon and Aspen in this point in time, Aspen wants America, no matter what so he's just focussed on his desires, trying to sway America to choose him. Like I said in The Prince, I enjoyed the point of view because Aspen sees everything differently to America and Maxon as he seems to have rose-tinted glasses with blinkers on when it comes to America as he only sees her and doesn't see how she could love Maxon at all because he believes the prince is just like his father. While I don't agree with his point of view, it made me understand him more which was good for me because I like being inside the heads of the characters to see what makes them tick and understand why they behave a certain way and if an author can do this well, I enjoy the book/series even more.
I loved
seeing Aspen's relationship with America's maids playing a part in this short
story because beside America, we don't see them interacting with anyone else
and they are integral to keeping America calm and more importantly sane during
this entire process. It also shows me
that Aspen is an open and friendly character as he develops friendships with the
three women and maybe even a potential love interest if he took off his blinkers
and looked at someone else other than America as she decides to commit herself
to becoming the girl Maxon chooses.
Yet again, The Guard shows another side to the
palace that the girls from the Selection and the reader doesn't see normally
and is different to the one Maxon sees as well; Aspen sees the inner workings
of the King's job as well as what life is like in the servants' quarters. This adds another dimension to the world that
has already been established but is ever growing, therefore making it
interesting as the expansion leads to more history and knowledge about the way
this world works.
While I have
a tendency to favour the main character/narrator of the story, I found America
was my favourite character this time because I found Aspen to be very naïve in
his way of thinking and close minded while America is still the same girl she has
been for the entirety of this series and at this moment, she is Aspen's entire
world and what he is fighting for whenever anyone attacks the palace, making
him a strong, protective character which is a great thing about him. She's strong-willed as she tries furiously to
protect her friend yet completely vulnerable when she believes her world will
crumble as Marlee's did when she was caught with a palace guard. She is a completely open book in Aspen's eyes
as he understands and as Aspen knows her so well, it allows the reader to know
her better because he gives another interpretation of her actions.
As I've mentioned previously, I found Aspen to be very naïve in certain aspects of this story, particularly when it concerns America as he only sees her and views Maxon as an enemy which he is in a way because they are both competing for America, waiting until she decides to fully commit to one of them. However, from my point of view, America is leaning towards Maxon because they complement each other better and could work together well while Aspen is her past, almost a comfort blanket in this scary new world and Aspen doesn't see that she is just going back to him out of fear which she isn't doing out of malice, she's just scared. Something that I've said before is that Aspen needs to turn his attention onto someone else for once despite loving America, she won't help him grow as a character and makes him seem a bit pathetic as follows her around like a puppy.
As I've mentioned previously, I found Aspen to be very naïve in certain aspects of this story, particularly when it concerns America as he only sees her and views Maxon as an enemy which he is in a way because they are both competing for America, waiting until she decides to fully commit to one of them. However, from my point of view, America is leaning towards Maxon because they complement each other better and could work together well while Aspen is her past, almost a comfort blanket in this scary new world and Aspen doesn't see that she is just going back to him out of fear which she isn't doing out of malice, she's just scared. Something that I've said before is that Aspen needs to turn his attention onto someone else for once despite loving America, she won't help him grow as a character and makes him seem a bit pathetic as follows her around like a puppy.
I had a vague sense that I was dreaming. America was across the room, tied to a throne, and Maxon had one hand on her shoulder, trying to push her into submission. Her worried eyes were locked one mine, and she struggled to get to me. But then I saw Maxon was watching me, too. His stare was menacing, and he looked so much like his father in that moment. - Page 123
This was an
extremely dark moment in my opinion but it made it clear for me why Aspen
behaved a particular way when Maxon was around or even mention; he truly sees
Maxon as the villain in his story, like his father, the King, in every way. This was the moment where I almost fell in
love with Aspen as well as Maxon because his character became clearer; he is
protective of those he loves (in this case, America) and wants to save them
which is what makes him a great guard. If
Aspen wasn't so focussed on getting America away from Maxon, he could see the
whole picture; that America needs more than him as she has great potential in this
world that Cass has created and getting away from her could allow him to grow
as a character too.
This was a
great short story because it allowed me to understand Aspen's point of view better
from inside of his head rather than watching him from America's point of view
but overall, I think Cass just brought Aspen back into the story to create a
love triangle between him, America, and Maxon which has become a cliché in
young adult dystopia fiction. This story
is worth a read if you are an Aspen fan or you are a big fan of this series but
in my opinion, it isn't as memorable as The
Prince because Maxon expands the world even more so than Aspen due to the
fact that he brings an entirely different caste into the story, the Ones.
Out of the two short stories in this book, I preferred The Prince simply because I found Maxon the more appealing character out of both short stories despite Aspen hating him for stealing America's affections; Maxon and America have more potential as a couple because they care for one another, complementing one another's character, and Maxon seems to adore (maybe even love) her and she him. Before the events that occur in The Selection, I am sure America and Aspen were a great character but it was more puppy love than true love and a way for both parties to escape and they only go back to one another because they are scared of the unknown.
Out of the two short stories in this book, I preferred The Prince simply because I found Maxon the more appealing character out of both short stories despite Aspen hating him for stealing America's affections; Maxon and America have more potential as a couple because they care for one another, complementing one another's character, and Maxon seems to adore (maybe even love) her and she him. Before the events that occur in The Selection, I am sure America and Aspen were a great character but it was more puppy love than true love and a way for both parties to escape and they only go back to one another because they are scared of the unknown.
Predictions
1. The King tells America he knows about her and Aspen
(he sees everything in the palace)
2. America and Aspen will be found out just as she is
finishing it with him, deciding to commit to Maxon, but Maxon refuses to do
anything about it even though it breaks his heart
3. America tries to convince Maxon to get rid of the caste system
3. America tries to convince Maxon to get rid of the caste system
Other Books by Kiera Cass
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