19 Books Like The Selection by Kiera Cass
If you’re a fan of “The Selection” series by Kiera Cass and craving more captivating reads with a blend of romance and dystopian intrigue, you’re in luck!
Dive into our handpicked selection of books that will sweep you off your feet and transport you to thrilling worlds filled with love, adventure, and intrigue.
Whether you’re seeking royal dramas, futuristic societies, or forbidden romances, these recommendations are sure to satisfy your literary cravings.
Let’s embark on a journey to discover your next favorite read!
Books Like The Selection
1. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
In “Red Queen,” society is divided by blood color—red for the common folk and silver for the elite with superhuman abilities. Mare Barrow, a red-blooded girl, finds herself working in the Silver Palace, where she discovers that she possesses a deadly power of her own. As Mare navigates the treacherous world of the Silver elite, she engages in a dangerous game of deception and betrayal.
Major Similarities: Like “The Selection,” “Red Queen” combines elements of dystopian fiction and romance within a rigidly stratified society. Both novels feature a young female protagonist who unexpectedly finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue and power struggles, challenging the status quo and engaging in a complex love triangle.
2. Matched by Ally Condie
“Matched” is set in a society where the Officials decide everything for its citizens, including whom they love. When Cassia is matched with her best friend Xander, it seems perfect, until she sees another boy’s face flash on the screen for a moment. This glitch ignites her curiosity and leads her down a path of discovering the dark truths about her seemingly perfect society.
Major Similarities: “Matched” and “The Selection” share a theme of young love and societal control, where the protagonists question the established order and face the consequences of forbidden romance. Both novels explore the idea of choice versus duty in a tightly controlled society.
3. The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead
“The Glittering Court” tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. The Glittering Court aims to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear as prosperous brides for the empire’s wealthiest men. Adelaide’s journey is filled with unexpected challenges and opportunities for love.
Major Similarities: Both “The Glittering Court” and “The Selection” revolve around young women who enter competitive environments to change their fates, disguising their true identities. These stories blend romance, social commentary, and the theme of self-discovery within a pseudo-historical setting.
4. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
In “Delirium,” love is considered a disease, and society is cured of it at the age of eighteen. Lena looks forward to her procedure until she meets Alex, who makes her question everything she has been taught. As Lena discovers the beauty and pain of love, she begins to see the flaws in her society’s foundation.
Major Similarities: “Delirium” and “The Selection” both explore themes of love in dystopian societies where choices are limited and controlled by the government. The protagonists challenge societal norms by choosing their paths and questioning the world around them.
5. Legend by Marie Lu
“Legend” is set in a dystopian future where the United States is divided into two warring nations. The story follows June, a prodigy born into an elite family, and Day, the country’s most wanted criminal. When June’s brother is murdered, and Day becomes the prime suspect, their paths cross in an unexpected twist of fate.
Major Similarities: Like “The Selection,” “Legend” features a strong female lead and combines elements of romance, action, and societal conflict. Both novels involve characters from different walks of life coming together, challenging their preconceived notions, and fighting against the injustices of their worlds.
6. The Jewel by Amy Ewing
“The Jewel” is set in a world where the aristocracy uses young women from the lower classes as surrogates for their children. Violet, the protagonist, is sold at the Auction and bought by the Duchess of the Lake. In the palace, Violet finds herself trapped in a life of luxury and deadly politics, where her survival depends on her ability to play the game.
Major Similarities: “The Jewel” shares with “The Selection” the theme of young women caught in a competition for a higher status, albeit in different contexts. Both novels explore themes of opulence, servitude, and the quest for autonomy against the backdrop of a rigid class system.
7. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
“Cinder,” the first book in the Lunar Chronicles, is a futuristic retelling of the Cinderella story, set in a world where humans, cyborgs, and androids coexist. Cinder, a gifted mechanic and a cyborg, becomes entangled in a deadly intergalactic struggle when she meets Prince Kai. She must uncover secrets about her past to protect the world from a looming war.
Major Similarities: Both “Cinder” and “The Selection” are reimaginings of classic stories with a modern, dystopian twist. They feature strong, resourceful female protagonists who must navigate through a society that undervalues them, uncovering secrets and forming unexpected alliances.
8. The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
“The Wrath & the Dawn” is inspired by “A Thousand and One Nights.” It tells the story of Shahrzad, who volunteers to marry Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan, who is known to take a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. Shahrzad plans to survive and avenge her best friend’s death, but she finds herself falling in love with the very man she intended to kill.
Major Similarities: Similar to “The Selection,” “The Wrath & the Dawn” features a strong female lead navigating through court politics, romance, and personal vengeance. Both novels blend elements of fantasy and romance within a royal setting, focusing on the complexities of love and power.
9. Divergent by Veronica Roth
In “Divergent,” society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue. Tris Prior discovers she is Divergent, fitting into more than one faction, and soon uncovers a conspiracy to destroy all Divergents. As she tries to find out why Divergents are dangerous, Tris learns the truth about her society and herself.
Major Similarities: “Divergent” and “The Selection” share dystopian settings where the protagonists must choose between their family and their identity. Both stories involve young women facing dangerous competitions, societal expectations, and the discovery of hidden strengths.
10. The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
“The Kiss of Deception” is the first book in the Remnant Chronicles, which follows Princess Lia, who flees on her wedding day to escape a life she never wanted. Her pursuit by a vengeful prince and an assassin sent to kill her leads to a dramatic adventure where Lia must navigate her destiny and the conflicting desires of her heart.
Major Similarities: Both “The Kiss of Deception” and “The Selection” feature royal protagonists struggling with the expectations of their societies and the desire for love and freedom. The novels blend elements of fantasy, romance, and political intrigue, with heroines who defy their roles and seek their own paths.
11. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
In “Graceling,” Katsa is graced with the skill of killing, a talent she’s forced to use in the service of her uncle, the king. Yearning for freedom, Katsa forms an unlikely alliance with Prince Po, embarking on a quest that uncovers a horrifying secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms.
Major Similarities: Like “The Selection,” “Graceling” features a strong female protagonist who challenges societal norms and discovers her true strength and potential. Both novels are set in richly detailed fantasy worlds where romance and political intrigue play crucial roles.
12. Frostblood by Elly Blake
“Frostblood” is set in a world where flame and ice are mortal enemies. Ruby, a Fireblood, has the ability to create and manipulate fire, a dangerous gift in a kingdom ruled by Frostbloods. When her mother is killed by the ruling Frostblood king, Ruby is determined to seek revenge. Her path crosses with a young Frostblood monk who offers her a chance to fight back.
Major Similarities: “Frostblood” and “The Selection” share themes of rebellion, hidden powers, and the struggle against a tyrannical society. Both feature strong female leads who must hide their true abilities and navigate a path fraught with danger and romance.
13. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
“The Star-Touched Queen” is a mythological fantasy novel with an Indian touch, following the story of Maya, who is cursed with a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction. She becomes the queen of Akaran, a realm she never knew existed, and embarks on a journey that reveals her mysterious past and her connection to the strange, enchanted world.
Major Similarities: Like “The Selection,” this novel combines elements of romance, fantasy, and a strong female lead navigating through a world of political intrigue and ancient magic. Both stories explore themes of destiny, love, and the power of choice.
14. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
“A Court of Thorns and Roses” is a fantasy novel that blends elements of “Beauty and the Beast” with faerie lore. Feyre, a young huntress, is taken to the magical land of the Fae after she kills a wolf in the woods. There, she learns that her captor is not the beast she expected but one of the immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
Major Similarities: Both novels feature a young woman’s transformation from a life of hardship to one of magical intrigue and power, navigating through complex relationships and political dynamics in a fantastical setting.
15. The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard by Kiera Cass
While technically part of “The Selection” series, “The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard” offers new perspectives from the male characters, Prince Maxon and Aspen Leger. These stories provide insight into their thoughts and feelings about the Selection process, giving fans a deeper understanding of the series’ world.
Major Similarities: These stories directly complement “The Selection” by providing alternative viewpoints on the events of the main series, enriching the original narrative with background stories and motivations of key characters.
16. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
“Shatter Me” follows Juliette Ferrars, a girl with a lethal touch, making her the perfect weapon for the repressive regime controlling her world. As Juliette fights for her freedom, she discovers the strength of her own voice and power, finding love and hope in the most unexpected places.
Major Similarities: “Shatter Me” and “The Selection” both feature young women with extraordinary abilities in dystopian settings, exploring themes of self-discovery, the struggle for autonomy, and the complexities of love and power.
17. To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
“To Kill a Kingdom” is a dark fantasy take on “The Little Mermaid.” Princess Lira is a siren renowned for her heartlessness and the prince’s hearts she’s collected. After a twist of fate, she’s transformed into a human and must deliver the heart of Prince Elian to regain her place in the sea. But as they journey together, they start questioning their loyalties and desires.
Major Similarities: Both books involve royal protagonists, hidden identities, and a storyline that challenges characters to make difficult choices between duty and desire, set against a backdrop of fantasy and romance.
18. Wings by Aprilynne Pike
“Wings” is the story of Laurel, who discovers that she is a faerie sent among humans to guard the gateway to Avalon. As Laurel transitions between her human life and her role in the faerie world, she faces dangers that threaten both her worlds and must choose where her loyalties lie.
Major Similarities: Like “The Selection,” “Wings” combines elements of fantasy and romance, with a young female protagonist discovering her true identity and navigating through a world filled with intrigue and danger.
19. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
“Across the Universe” is a science fiction novel set aboard a spaceship, Godspeed, where Amy, a cryogenically frozen passenger, is mysteriously unfrozen 50 years before the ship’s scheduled landing. Amy must navigate life on Godspeed, where she uncovers the ship’s secrets and questions everything she knows about her mission and herself.
Major Similarities: This novel and “The Selection” share a theme of young protagonists thrust into unfamiliar environments, where they must adapt, uncover secrets, and navigate complex romantic entanglements.
