Most of the time I wouldn't pick this off the shelves at my library or book shop. However as I searched through goodreads of kept popping out at me and by the end I felt I should read it. Imagine my surprise that just shortly after moving to Liverpool for university it was on the library bookshelf. I started it that night and loved it. 
 Now America singer is a caste five in Illea...the higher the number the lower on the social heriarchy you as. Whilst not the worst off America certainly isn't the best off. She is chosen to become part of the selection where 35 girls will compete to become the prince of Illea's queen. However America doesn't want to be queen, she doesn't want to be at the castle but she strikes up a friendship with the prince. 
 The book is good to read if your in the midst of a reading slump, its easy enough to immerse yourself in and start liking the characters and wonder. You cansneer and scoff at the idea love can come from something of a TV gameshow and no matter what you can laugh and scowl at the ways of a teenage girl. There's humor and seriousness,its not just a romance story but there so ething hidden behind with the rebels attacking the palace and risking the lives of the girls and the castles inhabitants.