To be fair, I expected something very different, closer to the Hunger Games or The Testing, with actual danger for the contestants coming from the competition itself. Basically, I expected ladies fighting in pretty dresses. Yet, I wouldn't go as far as to say that I'm disappointed. 
 Yes, this is a "girlier" corner of YA. But is that a bad thing ? No. Girly things are cool, and can (and must) be appreciated. In this particular instance, I was not really happy about the love triangle (which I had really hoped to avoid) and there was a bit too much of the "not like the other girls" trope for my liking, but I'm still glad I picked up the trilogy. 
 And let's be honest : I had a good time. America is like-able, as well as some of the secondary characters like Marlee or the queen (who I'd love to see more of). I think the story has the potential to improve, maybe by having the girls do more thing. And all the "glittery" parts were nice - if this ever gets turned into a movie, I'd see it just for the costume porn ! By the way, that cover is gorgeous. 
 So all in all, I liked it. Maybe it's the feminist in me that makes me defend it as much, knowing full well how badly "girly books" are perceived. But I did genuinely like it, and I'm going to go ahead and start book 2 right now.