The One (The Selection #3)

Although I really like the story concept written by Kiera Cass, I found it difficult to listen to the nearly robotic sounding narration. Mostly intoned in a raspy whisper, I often had to leave the story to get a break from the monotony. I am certain that this narrator is talented as a voice actor, but her voice just does not suit the characters of this series. There is so little inflection during critical moments of the story that the main character seems somewhat bored with what is happening around her. I don\’t know if I will purchase the next installment in print or on Audible. I think the voices in my head could do a much better job. I\’m disappointed in the three performances I\’ve heard so far in this series. Perhaps this narrator is better suited to other stories which could be read with less emotion: non fiction might be a good fit. She reads clearly, just not expressively. Not her fault, just not a good voice match for the action & tone of these stories.

So I\’m an adult who enjoys the occasional YA novel. But this series, despite a promising premise, is hobbled by a completely unsympathetic core character. She\’s a whiny brat and its intolerable to listen to her.

I thought she was bad in the first (skipped the 2nd based on reviews) but the narration was even worse in the 3rd book. if I wasn\’t so compulsive about finishing books, I would have quit after the first few chapters.

I dont know what it is about this series but I was hooked from book 1. This is definitely one of my guilty pleasures. The final installment of \”The Selection\” may have been predictable but I so enjoyed the journey. Kiera Cass is a very talented author and I look forward to more of her books. This was a credit-worthy, 5 star listen. Good story, great narration and that cover art is perfection!

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. I cannot exactly place my finger on why it is so addicting, but it is. I tried explaining to my skeptical friend why she should read this series. It went something like, \”It\’s a dystopian romance with a caste system. It\’s sort of like the bachelor. Trust me, it\’s great.\” She was hesitant, but she became addicted to it too. My first comment is that I really believe this book would have been better as a two-book series. The second book was a waste of time/money. It could have been easily condensed into this book. OR if they wanted to keep three books, then focus more on the rebels in this one. The actions scenes were too rushed. But who cares about that when there\’s romance?! Maxon and America were precious. It got a little frustrating there when the same-old crap kept coming up. America: I just can\’t commit myself to someone dating other girls. Maxon: I just can\’t commit to you when I think you love someone else. We get it. We got it in the first book. Let\’s move on from it, please. Will this series go down as life-changing? No. It probably won\’t even make my Top Ten Series list. That being said, it does its job: It is an entertaining listen that allows me to escape for a few hours. SPOILER: I felt like there were a lot of unnecessary deaths. There was only one death that needed to happen. No one else needed to die for the story to progress. America could have had some other reason to leave the castle in order for Max to realize his feels for her. Also, Chris is a rebel?! Why wasn\’t this developed?! It could have been an epic plot twist. Why did Chris not realize that America was on the rebels\’ sides when she brought Georgia to the dinner? Would have made things more interesting.

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