20 Enchanting Books Like “The Selection” for Royal Reading
Diving into the magical realm of “The Selection” by Kiera Cass transports readers to a world of royal intrigue, societal challenges, and the tumultuous quest for love and identity. Centered around America Singer’s journey through a fierce competition to win Prince Maxon’s heart, it melds elements of dystopian society with the lushness of royal court life, making it a unique narrative beloved by many.
For those enchanted by the romantic, competitive, and aristocratic elements of Cass’s creation, finding books with a similar vibe can be a Royal Command in itself. Fear not, for we have compiled a treasure trove of 20 books that will whisk you away into worlds as captivating as Illéa.
The 20 best books to read if you liked “The Selection” by Kiera Cass
1. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Mare Barrow’s life in the Red village is forever changed when she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Amid a world where the elite are endowed with superhuman abilities, Mare discovers she, too, possesses a power of her own. This revelation spins her into a deadly game of power, revolution, and betrayal.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A sharply divided society based on inherent traits.
- A heroine who unexpectedly finds herself in the center of royal attention.
- An intertwining of romance, political intrigue, and the quest for freedom.
2. Matched by Ally Condie
Cassia’s world is strictly controlled by the Society, especially when it comes to love. But when she finds herself falling for Ky Markham, someone other than her intended match, she starts to question all she’s ever known. Her journey becomes one of love, defiance, and the search for freedom within a world that demands conformity.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A controlled society with futuristic undertones.
- The idea of ‘selection’ for life partners by a higher authority.
- A rebellion against societal norms sparked by forbidden love.
3. Glitter by Aprilynne Pike
Caught in a future where Versailles never fell, Danica must navigate a court of intrigue, deception, and artificial opulence. With her status guaranteed by marrying the king, and her survival dependent on smuggling a new drug called Glitter, Danica plots her escape in a world where every smile hides a backstab.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- The luxurious, yet deceitful setting of a royal court.
- High stakes and the allure of power play.
- A female protagonist torn between duty and desire.
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4. The Jewel by Amy Ewing
In a world where the royalty uses young girls from lower castes as surrogates for their own children, Violet finds herself among the ranks of the Jewel, the upper echelon. Stripped of her identity and surrounded by opulence and horror, she must fight to survive while protecting what she holds dear.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- The cruel underbelly of a seemingly glamorous society.
- A young woman’s struggle for autonomy in a world that views her as a commodity.
- Themes of rebellion, love, and sacrifice in a dystopian setting.
5. The Elite by Kiera Cass
America Singer continues her journey in the Selection, now among the Elite competing for Prince Maxon’s heart. As the competition intensifies, so do the threats from rebels, forcing America to decide where her heart truly lies—and what she’s willing to fight for.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- Continued exploration of romantic and societal challenges within the confines of royal competition.
- The evolution of the protagonist’s understanding of her society’s complexities.
- A deeper dive into the themes of loyalty, love, and revolution.
6. The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead
Elizabeth, posing as her servant Adelaide, escapes an arranged marriage only to find herself in the Glittering Court, a school designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear to be viable brides for the wealthy men of the New World. As Adelaide navigates this new life, she encounters love, danger, and competition.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A protagonist who defies her fate with a daring risk.
- The glamor and competitiveness of preparing for court life.
- Hidden identities and forbidden romance amidst a backdrop of societal expectations.
7. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
In New Beijing, Cinder, a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, is a gifted mechanic and a cyborg. When her life becomes intertwined with Prince Kai’s, she finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle. Cinder must uncover secrets about her past to protect the future of the world.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A futuristic setting with royal intrigue.
- A heroine who rises from obscurity to influence.
- Entwined fates and a battle against societal and external threats.
8. Legend by Marie Lu
June is a military prodigy from a wealthy sector, while Day is the country’s most wanted criminal from the slums. When their paths cross, the truths they discover about their government and society will change everything. Together, they embark on a journey for truth and survival.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A society starkly divided by class.
- A story of love and valor bridging different worlds.
- Political intrigue and the quest for justice.
9. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
In a dystopian future, love is deemed the most dangerous disease. Just months away from her cure, Lena meets Alex, a boy from the Wilds who lives under the government’s radar. As Lena questions the society’s norms, she dreams of a life where love isn’t a crime.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- The government’s control over personal freedoms.
- The rebellion sparked by forbidden love.
- A protagonist who challenges the status quo for her heart’s desire.
10. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette’s touch is lethal. As the world crumbles under a tyrannical government, she is seen as both a weapon and a threat. When given the chance to fight back, Juliette must choose between becoming the weapon she fears or fighting for a better world with the boy who believes in her humanity.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A girl with a powerful ability that sets her apart.
- The moral dilemmas of using one’s power.
- A backdrop of oppression and the fight for freedom.
11. Divergent by Veronica Roth
Beatrice Prior lives in a future Chicago divided into five factions based on virtues. When she learns she’s Divergent, fitting none of the factions, she faces danger from a society that seeks conformity. As Beatrice, now Tris, uncovers a plot to destroy Divergents, she discovers the strength within herself and fights back.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A society dictating individuals’ roles.
- A heroine uncovering dangerous truths.
- Romance that defies societal norms.
12. The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
Shahrzad volunteers to marry the Caliph of Khorasan, notorious for killing his brides. Vowing to end his reign of terror, she discovers not the monster of rumors but a troubled young king. Bound by love and revenge, Shahrzad finds herself caught in the complexities of the heart and the dark secrets of the palace.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A strong-willed heroine in a royal setting.
- Secrets and romance woven into court politics.
- The quest for justice within luxurious yet deadly walls.
13. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
In a world where some are born with Graces, a skill to do something exceptionally well, Katsa bears the Grace of killing. As she uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the realms, Katsa’s journey takes her on a path of self-discovery, where she learns the true nature of her power and the strength of unconditional love.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A protagonist with a unique ability challenging societal norms.
- High-stakes adventure and political intrigue.
- A deep, compelling love story amidst turmoil.
14. The Heir by Kiera Cass
Years after America Singer’s tale, Princess Eadlyn faces her own Selection. Eadlyn’s journey differs as she finds herself the center of thirty-five men competing for her heart. While initially resistant, she begins to find that love might not be such a bad prize after all.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- The reverse side of The Selection, from the royal’s perspective.
- Themes of love, choice, and royal duty.
- The pressure and spectacle of finding love publicly.
15. The Crown by Kiera Cass
In the final installment of The Selection series, Eadlyn has narrowed her own Selection down. As the stakes rise and pressure mounts, Eadlyn must make choices that will affect her entire kingdom. Through these trials, she learns what it truly means to make a difference and find her own happily ever after.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- The conclusion to a royal competition.
- A female lead’s growth into leadership and love.
- Political and personal decisions intertwined.
16. The Siren by Kiera Cass
Kahlen is a Siren, bound to serve the Ocean by using her voice to lure humans to death. When she falls in love with a human, Kahlen must confront the divide between her duty to the Ocean and her desire for her own life and love, challenging the very nature of her existence.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A love forbidden by the rules of society.
- The struggle between duty and desire.
- A protagonist’s journey toward agency and choice.
17. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in hiding, must reclaim the throne of her kingdom from her corrupt uncle. Armed with strength, intellect, and the Tear sapphire’s power, Kelsea faces a formidable journey to become the queen her kingdom needs, challenging those who wish to control her.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- Ascension of a young woman to power in a troubled kingdom.
- A blend of political intrigue, personal growth, and mystery.
- The weight of responsibility and making difficult choices.
18. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Celaena Sardothien, the kingdom’s most feared assassin, is offered freedom on one condition: she must act as the prince’s champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. But when her competitors start dying mysteriously, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival and a quest to uncover a greater evil.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A competition with high stakes in a royal court.
- A fierce female lead with a secret past.
- Intrigue, romance, and betrayal in a lavishly built world.
19. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre Archeron’s survivalist life in a magical land divided between mortals and faeries takes a dark turn when she unknowingly kills a faerie wolf. As punishment, she’s drawn into the faeries’ treacherous world, discovering that her captor isn’t the beast she expects but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A fantastical setting with mortal and royal elements.
- A strong female lead who defies societal norms.
- Themes of sacrifice, love, and the struggle for peace.
20. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Lena looks forward to receiving the government surgery that cures the delirium of love, a procedure that everyone gets upon turning eighteen. However, mere months before her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: she falls in love. Now, she must choose between a safe, predictable life without love or a life of true feelings in the Wilds, outside the society’s control.
Elements in common with The Selection:
- A dystopian setting controlled by strict rules.
- Love seen as a rebellion.
- A protagonist’s awakening to the injustices of her world and the power of her own voice.
Across these vivid tales of love, power, and defiance, readers can journey through worlds that echo the intrigue and romance of “The Selection.” Each story immerses you in an adventure where young women fight for their hearts and futures, making them perfect companions to Kiera Cass’s beloved series.
