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.

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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...

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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.

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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".

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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.

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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.

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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?

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24 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

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."

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Poison for Young Brains

What disappointed you about The Selection?

Aside from it being a complete and total Hunger Games rip off, and a complete and total "Bachelor" rip off, the book also manages to shoe horn in a heaping helping of misogyny. Good job, female author!

Would you ever listen to anything by Kiera Cass again?

On moral principle I will never give this writer any of my hard earned dollars/credits ever again.

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

Everyone deserves a second chance. (Except author Kiera Cass)

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I think this writer thought she was writing a strong heroine and had some kind of message about female solidarity, which makes the story all that much more sickening. The detestable heroine is hung up on a dweeb but is so rude and self-centered she easily wins the heart of a prince. Then she decides she will be his confidant and tell him what girls to date and then gets super confused about how she feels.This effing book. It assumes all girls are vain, cowering, idiots, except the heroine who is only marginally less vain, marginally less cowering, and somehow even more idiotic.

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Impressed

I highly recommend this book if you are a YA fan. It was an interesting premise and well constructed. The diolage is very believable. The only bad thing about this one is that I have to wait for the next book in the trilogy to come out. Worth the credit.

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