Title: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: April 24, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 327
Source: Publisher

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.

America’s interest in the Selection only went as far as wanting to help her family, which it would certainly do. She knew she’d never be selected to live in the mansion and fight for the affections of the prince, so she didn’t try in her audition video. It was a sad, last-ditch effort, if you will, to help her family elevate themselves. Little did America know, however, that she would be selected for the great honour, and she would have to go, regardless of the fact that she already had her boyfriend, Aspen. The Selection is about to become the biggest whirlwind of her life, and America has to decide, once and for all, what she really wants.

I’m not going to lie, kiddos, I’ve seen some pretty hideous reviews for this one and, having read the book, I’m going to guess it’s because of what it was touted as. The Selection by Kiera Cass has been consistently hailed as “The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor.” In my entirely humble opinion, I think that’s been a bit crippling. If you’re expecting an epic death match dystopian, you will be sorely disappointed. If, on the other hand, you’re expecting a sweeter take on dystopian with a touch of fairy-tale romance, you might just get what you’re looking for. With a finer hand, a lot of tulle and a saccharine-sweet storyline (with all the backstabbing that comes with the girls), The Selection is the perfect futuristic fairy tale.

I’ll be perfectly honest. Because of the gorgeous cover, the hype and some very lackluster reviews, I wasn’t really expecting much from The Selection. I got a lot more than I bargained for though. America was the epitome of a lovable heroine. She wasn’t vain; she didn’t fight tooth and nail for prestige and power. Rather, she was a humbler, selfless girl who only wanted the best future for her whole family. She was both the beneficiary and victim of a situation that many would covet, but she was unsure of how to bear. Most of all…she was pretty clueless as to the envy that other girls felt for her status in the mansion vying for the affections of Prince Maxom who, by the way, lives up to his name. Holy hunk. Yum. Lingering in the background, however, tethering her to reality, is Aspen. He’s genuine, he’s true and America isn’t sure that the Prince is the one for her. Her confusion, her self-sabotage and her utter realism was totally endearing. Were there a lot of frilly dresses and fluff in The Selection? Sure, but there’s also meat below the layers of fine fabrics and catty girls. America has a chance to make a difference, and the Selection is merely her first step towards it. I thought the writing was fun, eager and enticing and, heck, the book had well-rounded characters. While The Selection is the first book in the series, it comes somewhat full-circle, so it can stand alone, which is a testament to the writing style.

If you can put aside your reservations and pre-conceived notions, I think that readers will really enjoy The Selection. It’s fun, funny and sweet, and I’m so glad I gave it a shot. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy lighter dystopian and fairy tales.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: Eden's Root
Author: Rachel Fisher
Publisher: Self-Published
Publish Date: December 17, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 352
Source: Author

It is 2033, and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. In the United States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every family. Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own family, toughening her beyond her years.

But a shocking confession from her dying father will push her toughness to its absolute limits. Saddled with an impossible secret and the mission of saving her little sister, Fi sets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that evil can be accidental and that love can be intentional.

The year is 2030, and the world is on the brink of utter catastrophe. Faced with crop deaths, food shortages and imminent destruction, the human race is just barely struggling to survive. Fi is just a young girl, watching as the Sickness begins to touch her family, creeping into her house and threaten the ones she loves. When her dying father tells her his darkest secret though, Fi’s world is turned upside down. The secret is bigger than her father, bigger than herself and it’s bigger than anything one girl should ever have to bear alone. But Fi must make a decision – grow touch, and strong, and vigilant, or watch as the world crumbles around her, and her family falls first.

You know how much I like dystopians, guys. It’s my thing. Well, that and issue books. Do you think that says something about my psyche? I digress. Eden’s Root is a self-published novel by newcomer, Rachel Fisher. With a fascinating premise and startling realistic imagery, this novel fits seamlessly into the genre, standing apart, as well. Rather than simply taking an old idea and rehashing it, yet again, Eden’s Root tackles issues that could, potentially, happen, and it gives a heroine in which we can become invested and care for. Disastrous and disheartening, somehow the book seems to draw you into a world that, thought bleak, is one that you find a semblance of hope in, and you continue to look for more.

Because of my extreme love for dystopians, I should point out that I have very high standards. Eden’s Root features a complex cast of characters that are struggling against all odds to survive. The world is very much a bleak one, and it seems as though the conflict surmounts anything in the novel. Yet, somehow, through the action and suspense, we get to watch a Fi’s character grow and evolve, which is truly one of the strengths of the novel. Furthermore, the plot spins us into a web that’s multi-layered and tangled, but we never feel lost or confused as to how we’ve arrived in a certain place in the novel. The true beauty of Eden’s Root lies within the premise, itself though. We’re given a disastrous dystopian world that could actually come about. Imagine knowing that every bite of food you eat is slowly killing you, but you have no choice but to eat it and sustain yourself for a small while. It’s eerie, and it’s frightening, which lends a great strength to the story. My main issue with the novel, however, was that it felt a bit rushed and unfinished. We’re given a great set of plot arcs, conflicts and characters, but it seemed to piece itself together too quickly in the end, and I wanted to know more. In that sense, I feel as though the novel fell a bit short.

Overall though, Eden’s Root was a strong novel that will definitely find its place in the dystopian market, and I definitely expect to read a lot more from Rachel Fisher. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

-----------------------------

In an effort to raise awareness for Eden’s Root and author, Rachel Fisher, I’m giving away my copy to one lucky reader! Here are the rules: 

 You do NOT have to be a follower to enter but, as always, it’s much appreciated if you are! This giveaway is open internationally and will end promptly at midnight (12 AM EST) on March 15, 2012. Good luck! 

 Click HERE to enter!