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.

173 people found this helpful

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...

94 people found this helpful

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.

77 people found this helpful

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".

47 people found this helpful

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?

22 people found this helpful

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.

37 people found this helpful

Bachelor meets hunger games

The reader is unlike any reader I've heard before, her voice sounds more similar to something ready by a computer. The story line is very similar to the bachelor. Multiple girls fighting for a man to love them, then add in 'casts' which are like districts in The Hunger Games I will not be finishing this series.

4 people found this helpful

Enjoyable But Frustrating

What did you love best about The Selection?

I really liked the main character and her transformation throughout the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Selection?

My favorite moment was when she told her friend to buck up and act like a queen during the first rebel attack.

Have you listened to any of Amy Rubinate’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really, it was more interesting to listen to but did not draw on anything deep, frustration a few times but that was more of towards the characters

Any additional comments?

I agree with fellow reviewers in that the book ended poorly, honestly it cut off so quick that I waiting a few seconds after Amy said, "End of Book 1" assuming the book would have 2 parts and it was just the end of part one actually. It seemed an odd time to end the first book because while the book was interesting it didn't end on a high climax but seemed to be building up to something then fell short by ending the book.

14 people found this helpful

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.

44 people found this helpful

Loved it!!

Any additional comments?

I loved this book, but the other review is correct, if you hate cliff hangers wait. The book ends so abruptly, I was kind of mad. Can't wait to read more from this author.

15 people found this helpful