If you were in middle school when “The Selection” series was gaining traction, you lived the dream. My entire friend group had massive and near violent debates about the pros and cons of Aspen and Maxon, and we always discussed who we thought would make it to the next book like fantasy football. I had the absolute pleasure of devouring these books for the second time this past year, and I have a lot to say; however, for sanity reasons, I will only discuss my opinions of the main cast of characters.
Due to my frustration with all of the characters all of the time, they are ranked on a scale of annoyingness. If I find your favorite character annoying at all, don’t take it personally: I love these books with a passion, and I would never slander all the characters. At the end of the day, it’s undeniable that we’re all annoying. But if your favorite character happens to be irritating, it’s not their fault, it’s not your fault, and it’s not mine either. It just is what it is! (In all seriousness, if you disagree, that is completely fine! Just don’t be rude about it, please!)
~NOT ANNOYING~
- Maxon Schreave
My dear boy. He never deserved the unique nightmare that America is, and yet he handled it with such grace. God bless ‘im. Also how was it even that much internal conflict when she had to choose between Maxon (prince, kind, patient, attractive, likes her a lot, won’t commit treason by marrying) and Aspen (annoying). Cass’s perfect character, and by far the most complex out of the cast. I loved his moments of vulnerability, and it truly seemed like he fell for her naturally– I think they bring out the best in each other, and that is (in my opinion) the sign of a well-written relationship.
- Kriss Ambers
Controversial, I know, but she had a goal! She was on a mission, who am I to question this? She was covert, she almost won, no one suspected: I commend her! Sixth grade me was absolutely aghast at her reveal, so you know what? S-tier for her!
- Marlee Woodwork
Girl went through it, okay. And all in the name of an emotionally reciprocated and respectful relationship? I think so. I never once felt bad for Maxon, and I don’t think he was ever upset at her; she was looking for the same thing he was! And if you haven’t wronged Maxon, you haven’t wronged me.
She fought tooth and nail, sacrificing so much of her life to end up with the man she loved, and yet she went on to live a worthwhile life with a kind marriage. America may have ended up being queen, but Marlie is the definition of the word in my eyes.
~NOT THAT ANNOYING~
- Elise Whisks
With Elise, I feel similar to how I feel about Kriss. She had a mission to become queen, and she made a valiant effort to get there. Elise had political advantage and social proficiency, and had the potential to be at least a decent queen, though I wanted Maxon to be genuinely happy and in love, so kudos to Elise but she just wasn’t the one for the king himself.
- Gavril Fadaye
Very Caesar Flickerman, and I’m a sucker for the semi-neutral public figure in any dystopia. It adds a level of complexity to the reader’s understanding of the role of entertainment within politics in the fictional society, and that world-building can be indispensable. I think he adds a unique dynamic between the contestants and the royalty, and is an interesting melding bridge to the newly established celebrities and the well-known monarchy.
~KIND OF ANNOYING SOMETIMES~
- Natalie Luca
Natalie was pretty meh for most of her stay, but she made it pretty far and I was actually shocked when they revealed her family’s deaths following the rebel attack. Though it was tragic for her, I appreciate the fact that it established the severity of the rebel’s threat, but I wasn’t super sad about her leaving.
- Mary, Anne, and Lucy
The whole maid staff irritated me because it often felt like their purpose was to talk about how everyone loves how outspoken and low-maintenance America is, but the gossiping and the dress-making redeemed them from “pretty annoying.”
~PRETTY ANNOYING~
- Celeste Newsome
I appreciate a good redemption arc, and while Celeste’s was relatively effective (though short), I can’t forget the way she treated the staff for most of the series. Didn’t she slap someone?
I would like to throw Kiera Cass a bone here: Celeste’s death shocked me so much as a fifth grader that I would think about it often for years to come, despite forgetting most of the rest of the plot and characters until I reread it during quarantine. That was an insane way to introduce the explosion chaos that followed, and I personally think it was more than effective.
- Amberly Schreave
I understand that she was in a relationship founded upon a power imbalance and the waters there are a bit murky, but she had a lot of potential political pull that she actively neglected out of “compassion.” I have no compassion for the king, babe. I may not agree with America all the time, but any time she had a singular confrontation with him, I was shaking my grubby little fist in solidarity.
~CONSISTENTLY ANNOYING~
- America Singer
I know I slander America constantly, but I don’t actually hate her. The fact that she’s annoying is endearing to me, but until you finally reach the end of the series, she can make insanely frustrating decisions.
The one thing that holds me back from condemning her character entirely is the fact that me not agreeing with her decisions indicates a personality. A downfall of young-adult dystopia is the self-insert narrators that are entirely neutral in every way apart from the plot; you agree with everything they do, they make baseline jokes, etc. America makes decisions I agree with, and ones I don’t, so at the end of the day, I can see her as a character with an individuality spark. She’s still really annoying though. Ditch Aspen, it’s not that hard!
- Aspen Leger
I find no redeemable aspects in Aspen. I will never understand the love triangle, I will never understand the emotional turmoil America endures, I will never understand any of Aspen’s motives: I don’t understand the appeal of this character. His reasons for breaking it off with America make no sense to me, and then he has the nerve to go back and ask for her to commit treason after literally ordering her to take part in the same process???? Nuh uh. Get him out of my sight.
- Clarkson Schreave
If you’re looking for a Clarkson Schreave hate club, look no further. First of all, the only Clarkson I will ever approve of is Kelly: if your name is a last name, you’re either way too cool to walk among the mortals of earth or you’re unbearable to be around. Guess which one he is. He’s abusive, patronizing, and a shortsighted leader. Gross, creepy, and uninspiring: I’m done with him, let’s move on.
- Gregory Illea
This idiot is the reason we’re all here in the first place. How in the world would any human being’s first instinct to rebuild a war-torn country be to establish a caste system based around the workforce. Pause for three seconds of effect. HUH? No, ma’am. He’s also the reason America gave that sixth-grade level presentation, so immediate conviction for him.
***
These books are insanely entertaining, and are the perfect books to kickstart the end of reading slump, so even if you’ve already read them, consider revisiting them soon. I highly recommend listening to them on audiobook with a friend: it’s like watching “The Bachelor!” Check out the rest of Kiera Cass’s books, and feel free to respectfully comment your own opinions. (Also I think there’s a Netflix show happening relatively soon??? I am literally counting the days, trust me. I am going to be so annoying when that show comes out.)