Bloggers' Choice: Giveaway of The Selection by Kiera Cass (US + INTL)

The Selection by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

what I had to say about The Selection:

"On a serious note, I adored The Selection by Kiera Cass..."

"America is slow and thorough in her realizations, but she’s honest and as up-front with herself as she can possibly be while wading through her confusing and angsty feelings..."

"This love triangle between Maxon and America and Aspen is destined to bring pain and scars, because the two guys who come to mean so much to her are both genuinely good guys, both worthy and beautiful choices in their own ways..."

"The Selection by Kiera Cass has touches of dystopian in the caste system and its effects on the citizens, and in the rebellion that’s attacking with a vengeance those who uphold that system... Really, though, The Selection by Kiera Cass is more about the actual Selection than anything else, and the budding romance that develops as a result..."

what others had to say:

"I thought The Selection was a bit slow to start, but once it did, the storyline and characters kept me glued to the page...I liked America Singer as a character (the name, not so much); she’s strong, composed, and compassionate. The friendship she develops with Prince Maxon is comfortable and real. Her heartache over Aspen is believable and I felt emotionally torn along with her..." ~Jen (A Book and A Latte)

"The world Kiera Cass has crafted was just magical and I was swept up in it in an instant. I loved every moment of it – I loved that America was from the caste that was artists..." ~Erica (The Book Cellar)

"America is also honest with herself, and that honesty is apparent by the end of the book. The ending (which is NOT a cliffhanger) shows her courage, sense of adventure and ability to keep a level-head... side-note: I’m not a fan of the love triangle, and in this case it’s really killing me – I like them both!" ~Girls in the Stacks

"I loved the story in The Selection so much. It was just a ton of fun – and dystopians aren’t usually fun, per say. I liked idea of the caste system a lot and the idea of competing for the Prince’s attention. It was a combination of The Bachelor and Cinderella..." ~Tara (Hobbitsies)

"I wasn't expecting The Selection to be this much fun. I went into this with an open mind, regardless of all the pre-release talk, and I got exactly what I wanted: brain candy. Kiera Cass is quite evil to end the book where she did and, if I'm being honest, it felt a little incomplete to me. ALL BUILD UP. But the intrigue is in full-force and I can't wait for the EXPLOSION that the sequel will surely be..." ~Jen (Makeshift Bookmark)

a little worried by all the positives?

Listen to:

"So what IS The Selection? I thought it was a light read that heavily focused on the competition of 35 girls vying for the affection of Prince Maxon. It had the typical mean girls, pretty dresses, makeovers, and gossip. I wish more time had been spent developing the girls, and perhaps their provinces at the same time to flesh out the world of Illéa, but it was still easy to get swept into their drama..." ~Steph (Poetry to Prose)

And decide for yourself!

And NOW for THE GIVEAWAY:

Because YOU - or a majority of you - voted for The Selection as this month's Bloggers' Choice, and because Kiera was swamped this month with all the release buzz promotion, I AM GIVING AWAY a copy of The Selection to EVERYONE (so long as the Book Depository ships to your shipping address. You can find out by clicking here! and finding your country's name on the list.)

Official Giveaway Info:

• you do NOT have to be a follower
• there are extra entries available
• all entrants must be at least 13 years old or older
• giveaway deadline is May 28, 2012
• read my Contest | Giveaway page, as well as my Privacy Notice

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AND DON'T FORGET to vote for next month's choice!

ARC Review: The Selection

my thoughts in a few sentences: Peeps, The Selection by Kiera Cass so rocked my heart! Surprised? I was too. After all, there are only so many negative reviews you can take before you start to get worried. But you know what worked? Going with the flow, going in with no expectations. I figured, 'Asher, let’s not go into this book expecting some hardcore dystopian book with ALL THE CRAZY.' Besides, I wanted a love story. And, at The Selection’s core, that’s EXACTLY what I got, and I basked in it, burrowing into the promise of new love while dutifully, though miserably, resisting the temptation of love nearly lost. It also does help that the characters grew on me, The Selection part is coolness; and the tide of the story had me digging right in.

hooking first lines: " When we got the letter in the post, my mother was ecstatic. She had already decided that all our problems were solved, gone forever."

HarperTeen • E-ARC Request • Dystomance • 4/24/12 • $13.53

Covermarked: The Selection

Originally called Covetable Covers, Covermarked is a random feature I've revamped and invented to write cover reviews on those desirable and alluring (or not so alluring) book covers and rate them accordingly.

 The Selection has been marked:

But first, A Reflection of the Past...
Click here to read my thoughts on Endlessly!

Want full size? Click here.

Rating:

Add it to Goodreads?
Pre-order the book?
Releases: April 24, 2012

*eyes bulge*

Now I know I said last week that Endlessly was totally beautiful and blah blah blah. But I've become a philanderer at just ONE LOOK at this cover. My breath caught in my throat, and all those raging reactions that seem to take place in YA romances.

I know I got this look in my eye, this crazy gleam in my eye that says, I WANT THIS NOW.

First, let's start with the dress. I would not normally wear something like this dress, unless I was absolutely sure that I could pull it off. But man does this cover girl REALLY rock it. It fits her body perfectly, and those ruffles *drools* do wonder for the cover. It's the different shapes and the way it flows out encompassing that whole bottom half of the cover.

Typically a pose like that would throw me. It would look awkward anywhere else. Here it's intriguing. It makes you want to take a closer look.

Then there's the mind-numbingly beautiful background. At first glance, it appears as if she's outside. It looks like the rain has created a mirror room, but what's reflected is not the same girl in the same position. If you look closely it's either the same girl doing different poses, or different girls doing different poses. It truly is gorgeous.

The colors just add to the whole effect, varying from a kaleidoscope of blues and greens and a mix of both. There's also the font of the title. It wouldn't be anything too special if not for the crownlike swirls at the top of it. I'm a sucker for princesses, and princess-themed typography might as well be the same thing.

And the thing is there ARE princesses. At least the chance to be a princess is a part of the plot. Several girls are competing for the role of Prince Maxon's girl. There's secret forbidden romance with a low-class member, courtly intrigue, dreams at the tips of everyone's fingers. All I can is that my mind has been blown to smithereens, and I can't wait until this releases!