Another Perspective on All That Drama: Kiera Cass’s Selection Stories

Prince? Check. Young women vying to beat the shit out of each other for said prince? Check. National rebellion? Check. Difficult and slightly squee love triangle? Check. Am I talking about the latest in reality television, British edition? NO!

Recently (again, now that the long-winded Victorians appear to be behind me) I indulged in finally reading through Kiera Cass’s companion novel, The Selection Stories: The Prince and The Guard. Honestly, I didn’t really have high hopes for these, which is why I’d backburnered them. I sort of put reading them in the same category as Stephanie Meyer’s leaked Edward-narrated version of Twilight. Interesting, total brain candy, but nothing really beyond that.

Here’s where the two differ (and don’t get me wrong, cause I love me some Stephanie Meyers): this is actually a finished collection, reflected in the quality of the writing and the completeness of the selections presented. Sure, more could be written, but as companion pieces, they were enjoyable and certainly clarified some of the elements of the original, America told story, that seemed somewhat puzzling. (Like just how did Aspen get that note to America? And what was Maxon gonna do in the garden, if not make a pass at America?)

As with any given love triangle, there are certainly eye-roll-inducing moments, all the way around. Case in point: Really, Aspen, it didn’t occur to you that you actually really cared about America AND that she cared about you in return? And, Maxon, it never occurred to you that you might have some ladies participating in your selection who find the entire experience overwhelming? Or who might garner in-fighting to get a “leg up” on their competition?

But all in all, these companion pieces do just what companion pieces are intended to do: shed a little bit of additional light on a story that’s already loved and enjoyed enough that readers are interested in getting every little bit more about it that they can. If you’re a fan of the Selection series and have a spare afternoon, this one’s a super fast, super enjoyable read that helps offer a little clarity on the original.

Also, for those Selection fans out there, don’t forget that the next book in the series, The Heir, is out in a couple of weeks (!!!!) and the second companion book, Happily Ever After, is due out this fall.