If I had to vote on a “best cover for 2012” book.. this one would be in the running.

~ Sheila

The Selection

America Singer is a young teenage girl. She lives in a country, Illea, where people are ranked by their skills, or in castes. America is a five, only three steps from the bottom. Fives are typically artists or performers; America is a singer and is skilled at a few instruments. Her family constantly struggles to get the food needed, as well as keep the house heated through the winter season. America lives with her mother, Magda, her father, Shalom, her younger sister, May, and her younger brother, Gerad. Her eldest siblings, Kota and Jenna, have moved out of the house. Aspen, a handsome nineteen year old, holds America’s heart. America cannot truly be with Aspen because he is a six; women hardly ever marry below them. Aspen can hardly provide for his family, especially after his father’s death. America, because of money issues, enters in the “Selection” a contest in which the king and queen of Illea randomly choose thirty five women between the ages of sixteen and twenty from each providence to compete for their son’s hand in marriage. America, of course, knows she has little chance of being picked, but enters the contest for the possible compensation that her family could earn if she is selected. When America is selected, her whole providence of Carolina is dumbfounded.

America goes to the palace only to escape Aspen, who has recently decided to end their relationship. It is here in the palace where she meets the kind, generous, caring, and funny Prince Maxon. America has no intentions of coming to care for Maxon, and expects to be sent home in the first week. To her surprise, she becomes very dear friends with Maxon. Despite her still nagging feelings for Aspen, she finds herself and the prince growing closer and closer together. After brutal attacks on the palace and a surprise appearance from Aspen, she knows she must chose between the two, but who will it be?

The Selection is a book that is portrayed in great detail, and lets you really feel what the characters feel. It shows you the true meaning of life, and mostly, the tangled ways of love and how it creeps up on you at unimaginable times. I personally enjoyed this book immensely.  I loved it, and read it in a matter of hours. It is extremely hard to put down once you start, and is interesting and pulls you in from the beginning. Looking forward to the next book!

Note from Sheila:  Camryn told me this is one I do not want to miss!  Also, the book cover pic is always linked to where you an purchase the book but I also heard it is excellent in audio as well.  Audio lovers, here is a link for you.  😀

Camryn is 12 years old, soon to be thirteen and enjoys reading YA books of the fantasy and romance genre. A few of her favorite books are “Hourglass” by Myra McEntire, “The Other Countess” by Eve Edwards, “Hush, Hush” by Becca Fitzpatrick, “The Immortals” series, the “Marked” series and the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” series.  When she’s not reading she enjoys watching Gilmore Girls or going to book sales for more books to add to her ever-growing collection.