what is the best way to read the select string in order?
I read the original selection trilogy in 3 days, one a night. It’s the fastest I’ve ever read any book. Since then, two more books and countless short novels have come out.
You are reading: The selection series books in order
There are three ways to read them all. the first is in publication order, which is how I read them.
The second way to read the selection string in order is chronologically.
and the third way is my own personal recommendation.
the selection string summary
the selection is about a girl named america singer who is a small hometown girl trapped in the caste system of a fractured future united states.
she is a peasant and will never be anything other than that. except that once a generation, a competition is held to find a suitor for the crown prince among the various women of the land, regardless of caste.
Everyone knows the competition is rigged, but every girl who enters gets a cash prize, and the family from America could really use the money.
she doesn’t want to go, in fact america is totally opposed to the idea, but as you can imagine she ends up in the competition and meets prince maxon who is not at all what she expected.
There is suspense, romance, and tension in this riveting adventure that is sure to have you turning pages at night.
We will start our lists with the selection of books in order by publication.
#1 The Selection Series in Order by Publication
The first way to read the selection series in order is by publication date. is the easiest way to do it.
This is the reading order used by millions of people, myself included.
I’m simply going to list the books in the selection series in order for you, then after the three ways to read, we’ll dive into each individual book and novel.
note: all four novels are included in the happily ever after collection. this is not a separate book, just a compilation of the four individual novels.
1. the selection (2012)2. the elite (2013)3. the prince (novel) (2013)4. the guard (novel) (2014)5. the one (2014)6. the queen (novel) (2014)7. the heir (2015)8. the favorite (novel) (2015)9. the crown (2016)
the books in the selection series
now let’s take a look at each book in the selection series individually and tell you what it’s all about. this will help you determine if you want to read the novels or not.
this list will place the books in the selection series in order by publication date.
See Also: 11 Board Games That Look Like Books – Have You Seen These Yet?
read on to discover two more ways to read the selection string in order.
1. the selection
Prepare to be swept up into a world of breathless fairy tale romance, dazzling characters, sparkly costumes, and fierce intrigue perfect for readers who love Divergent, Rave, or Rage & sunrise.
For thirty-five girls, the selection is the opportunity of a lifetime. the opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, live in a palace and compete for the heart of the magnificent prince maxon. but for the American singer, being selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love for Aspen, who is a caste below her, and competing for a crown he doesn’t want.
so america meets prince maxon…
2. the elite
the second book in the new york times #1 bestselling book selection series by kiera cass
With even more glamour, intrigue and swoon-worthy romance, this brilliant sequel to the selection will captivate readers who adored Veronica Roth’s Divergent, Lauren Oliver’s Rave or Renée Ahdieh’s Rage and Rage. sunrise.
Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the selection and win the heart of Prince Maxon. now there are six girls left, and the competition is fiercer than ever…
2.1 the prince
Don’t miss this captivating novel set in the world of the #1 New York Times bestselling series!
Get behind the scenes of the competition with this story from Prince Maxon’s point of view.
before the american singer was chosen to compete in the selection, there was another girl in the life of prince maxon. . . . In The Prince, she follows Prince Maxon through the week leading up to the start of Selection and the day she first meets America.
2.2 the guard
don’t miss this captivating novel from the world of the new york times #1 bestselling series! Set just after the selection whittles down to the elite, this story gives readers a glimpse into the heart and mind of America’s first love.
before the american singer met prince maxon, she was in love with a boy named aspen leger, who never imagined that he would follow america to the palace as a member of the royal guard. . .
the guard also includes a preview of the one, the exciting third novel in the selection series.
3. the one
the captivating third book in the new york times #1 bestselling selection series by kiera cass
The American singer seeks her happily ever after in this swoon-worthy dystopian romance, perfect for readers who loved veronica roth’s divergent, lauren oliver’s rave, or the wrath & by renée ahdieh. sunrise.
Making the selection changed the American singer’s life in ways she never could have imagined. Ever since she arrived at the palace, she has wrestled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen, and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. now she has made her choice. . . and she is prepared to fight for the future she wants.
3.5 the queen
don’t miss this original digital novel set in the captivating world of kiera cass’ #1 new york times bestselling selection series.
Before the American singer’s story began, another girl came to the palace to compete for the hand of a different prince…
This prequel story takes place before the events of The Selection and is told from the point of view of Prince Maxon’s mother, Amberly. She discovers a whole new selection with this inside look at how Maxon’s parents met and how an ordinary girl named Amberly became a beloved queen.
4. the heir
a new era dawns in the world of kiera cass’s #1 new york times bestselling selection series
See Also: Top Vegetable Gardening Books in 2022 – Garden Gate Review
the fairy tale romance of america and maxon captivated readers from the first page of the selection. Now find out what happens after Happily Ever After in this captivating fourth novel, perfect for fans of Veronica Roth’s Divergent, Lauren Oliver’s Delusion, or The Wrath & by renée ahdieh; sunrise.
Twenty years ago, the American singer entered the selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon. now the time has come for princess eadlyn to make a selection of her own…
4.5 the favorite
Revisit the captivating world of Kiera Cass’s #1 New York Times bestselling selection series in this original digital novel.
While the American singer’s heart was torn between Aspen and Prince Maxon, her friend Marlee knew exactly what she wanted and paid the price.
Told from Marlee’s point of view, this new 64-page story returns to the fateful Halloween when Marlee and Carter were discovered and reveals how that night, and Prince Maxon’s, changed their lives forever.
5. the crown
Now the end of the journey is here. Prepare to be swept away by the crown: the wonderfully romantic and eagerly awaited fifth and final book in the selection series.
In the heir, a new era dawned in the world of selection. Twenty years have passed since the American singer and Prince Maxon fell in love, and her daughter is the first princess to have her own selection.
eadlyn didn’t think she’d find a real match among the thirty-five suitors in the selection, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and now Eadlyn must make a decision that feels harder and more important than she ever expected.
#2 the selection of books in chronological order
The following selection series reading order is for fans doing a re-read. I wouldn’t recommend this path for new readers.
This reading order starts the series with two novels, and that means you’re reading about the supporting characters before you meet the main character.
but for fans looking for an actual timeline, this is the reading order for you.
0.1 the queen (novel)0.2 the prince (novel)1. the selection 2. the elite2.5 the guard (novel)3. the one3.5 the favorite (novel)4. the heir 6. the crown
#3 the selection string in order by recommendation
The latter path is for those looking for the best way to read the selection series to consider the final reading option.
This is my personal recommendation and is a mix of the two previous reading orders.
Since I think everyone should start their journey with the selection, I would recommend postponing reading novels until after book 1. I placed the prince after meeting maxon, but the queen later in the story, once I have spent more time with maxon’s dear mother.
1. the selection1.5 the prince (novel)2. the elite2.1 the queen (novel)2.2 the guard (novel)3. the one3.5 the favorite (novel)4. the heir 6. the crown
This reading method also allows you to read most novels at once.
As tempted as you may be, especially if you buy the happily ever after bundle, I strongly advise against reading all four novels at once.
at a minimum, don’t read the favorite before the one, as it contains spoilers for that story.
Looking for more books to read? Check out these 10 Throne of Glass books.
See Also: Book Back Covers: What You Should Include [Examples Inside] – Self Publishing School