Question

[[deleted user]]

I have NOT read this book yet but I've seen the reviews are all over the place. I'll see a five star review clamoring over how brilliant the book is and the next review is one star with this book shelved on shelves like "kill it with fire". So, obviously, the reviews on this book are mixed to say in the least. What made this book so bad to some of you? And what made it so good to others?

No spoilers, please. I HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK

[Avani]

I liked this book. It felt like a girlier version of the Hunger Games.

[Melanie]

Avani wrote: "I liked this book. It felt like a girlier version of the Hunger Games."

Nice

[Ifrah]

I wouldn't (didn't) give it a five star rating but I would definitely not burn it.
It's not the greatest thing ever written. It won't make you go "OMG! That was epic! Perfection!!!" but it's worth the read. I liked the book overall. For me, it was higher than average but below phenomenal. (4 star)

[Eml]

I really liked it, but yeah, it's not God's gift to literature. I'm an obsessed hunger games fan, so I wouldn't say the selection is like HG. It has a lottery and it's set in the future, but the similarities end there. It's just a fun book to read. The concept gives sorta a twist to an old story. My only disappointment, that I realized awhile after reading the book is everything works out a little too perfectly for my taste. Maybe this will change with later books.

[Avani]

Eml wrote: "I really liked it, but yeah, it's not God's gift to literature. I'm an obsessed hunger games fan, so I wouldn't say the selection is like HG. It has a lottery and it's set in the future, but the si..."

Here are many similarities I found between THG and The Selection:
(view spoiler)[The lottery (reaping), they're both dystopian, Levels (Districts) involved in a social hierarchy of some sort, the Selection competition being a claim to fame and survival for their family (The annual Hunger Games), a teenage girl is thrown into a situation she doesn't want to be in, America has a boyfriend/friend she's known since childhood, Aspen (Katniss and Gale), and meets new boy Maxon (Peeta) who she reluctantly finds herself to have feelings for, they both have sisters to look out for...I think there are many. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Thanks! That really helps.

[Taylor]

It depends on what you like. If you have a soft spot for princesses, and don't mind love triangles then you'll enjoy it.

[Eml]

Avani wrote: "Eml wrote: "I really liked it, but yeah, it's not God's gift to literature. I'm an obsessed hunger games fan, so I wouldn't say the selection is like HG. It has a lottery and it's set in the future..."

I mean yeah there are some similarities like that, but those are in pretty much every YA book. Hunger Games is a much deeper story that can really make you think. It's brutally honest. Selection is more like a fun book to me.

[Avani]

Eml wrote: "Avani wrote: "Eml wrote: "I really liked it, but yeah, it's not God's gift to literature. I'm an obsessed hunger games fan, so I wouldn't say the selection is like HG. It has a lottery and it's set..."

Good point-- you're right, THG provides more of an overall message and theme than The Selection. The similarities I came with were purely plot-based, however. The on-the-surface similarities.

[TJ]

Ifrah wrote: "I wouldn't (didn't) give it a five star rating but I would definitely not burn it.
It's not the greatest thing ever written. It won't make you go "OMG! That was epic! Perfection!!!" but it's worth..."

I totally agree. It's not the most amazing thing in the whole entire world, but I'm glad I didn't pass it up. I say go for it. You wouldn't be wasting your time in my opinion.