Just when I thought I’d seen a little bit of everything YA had to offer. . . along came The Selection series by Kiera Cass. This fast-read is Hunger Games meets Cinderella, reality tv style. Think The Bachelor, except set in dystopic, post-WW4 American-ish remains. In this re-imagined world, the former USA is splintered, ruled by a monarchy, and the people split into a caste system: the most elite being in the top caste, and the others trickling down. Our protagonist, America Singer (yes, that’s her name–I’m not making this up), is of a lower caste–a Five, which is the caste of musicians and artists–and while she’s content with accepting her lot in the lower end of society, her family is not. Nor is her lower caste boyfriend, Aspen, a Six. When she receives notice of her eligibility to participate in The Selection–basically a contest between selected women to win the affections of the newly-of-age Prince Maxon’s fancy–both her family and Aspen not only encourage her to participate, but twist her arm to get her to apply. The shenanigans that ensue are nothing short of reality tv worthy (but I’m trying really hard not to spoil it).
I guess I should put it this way: I was able to get the first book in the series from the library Friday. I started reading it Friday afternoon, and then spent Saturday running around town to get the rest of them! Thus far, they’re amazing, and definitely interesting, brain candy.
Now, from a more intellectual perspective rather than the gushing teenager-in-me perspective, here’s what made the protagonist winning (so far–I’m only in book 2): she’s not making stupid decisions. She comes close a few times, and there’s a few cringe-worthy moments along the way, but by and large, I can understand what she’s doing and why. For some reason, many of the protagonists in YA lit seem to have difficulty with logic in thinking through the long-term implications of their decisions. I know, I know: they’re teenagers! Cut them some slack. . . right? Well, kind of. But does that then mean that all female teenagers are young and dumb? Does it have to be that all of them are unable to see past what they want in the immediate? I find that a difficult pill to swallow; indeed, I find that an impossible pill to swallow.
That’s not to say that America is perfect. She’s not. And especially in her romance decisions with Aspen . . . well, there are moments. But she sees the need to do things she doesn’t want to do on both the micro (long-term benefits to herself or her loved ones) and the macro (potential to change the way things are happening for other people around the country, in other castes). In many ways, this left her reminiscent of the beloved Katniss Everdeen, except without being quite so abrasive of personality. Let me put it this way: if Katniss is a hard cup of black coffee, America is an espresso with light cream. Not lesser in power, but more refined in style and smoother to swallow. At the same time, I found that she is (at least thus far, and my fingers are crossed that she continues to be so) nowhere near as naive as, say, a classic Bella of Twilight fame or even Luce of the Fallen series. At the same time, she lacks the cocky self-assuredness of Legend‘s June, though she is infinitely more confident in her decisions than Divergent‘s Trice. In all, she’s a unique beast. Yes, she’s dealing with the done-over-and-over love triangle, but isn’t that part of what makes YA lit just that: young adult literature?
I guess the question fluttering around in my mind is this: What do you think about these female archetypes that seem to be clearly and rapidly developing in YA Lit? And have you had the chance to pick up The Selection? My understanding is that it’s twice been optioned for a tv series, but not once actually succeeded. Maybe Hollywood will listen to the prayers of little bloggers/avid readers and consider doing this series justice . . . ?
The Alpha and the Omega: The Endless Ramblings of a YA Lit Lover 