So I suppose this book represents a tiny landmark in my life by being the first roman that I've read entirely in French. 
 I do think that changes my opinion a little. As was confirmed when I went to France earlier this month, I am nowhere near fluent in the language speaking-wise, but I am pretty much there in terms of reading, and this was a nice little way of practising as well as boosting my confidence. 
 Anyway, I feel like I wouldn't have gotten along as well with this book if I read the English version. 
 It starts off with an exposition dump and I found myself laughing at the "dystopia" element, because it was nonsensical garbage. It would've been much more believable in some kind of fantasy setting instead; at least then I could suspend my disbelief a little further. I feel like it was just shoehorned into the "dystopia" corner because that's what was going to sell best when it was published. 
 Aside from that, it was a decent enough read. America didn't get on my nerves as much as I expected (though her name did), and I thought Maxon was a decent kinda guy, too - and note how I said 'guy,' not 'character,' because he's on the shelf with the trademark edge of blandness most characters of his ilk carry. I liked the way the pair's relationship was actually developed, but in doing this, Cass neglected developing every single other character. There are no stakes if we don't get a good feel for what the other young ladies in the Selection are like (and let's just say I barely knew who any of them were by the end of the novel, so there were absolutely no stakes.) 
 Oh, and the end isn't actually the end. It has a cheap pull for you to read the next book, (view spoiler)[ just like the end of The Force Awakens. Yeah, I went there. (hide spoiler)] There is no real conclusion. I don't consider this a spoiler, because people should know that the book they're getting isn't actually a complete story - and my friend paid 16,90 EUR for this chunky bastard. 
 Two and a quarter stars for the French version at least. I don't much care to read the rest of the series. 
 (view spoiler)[ Aspen breaking into America's room and basically forcibly making out with her is disgusting and invasive and selfish and not at all romantic. Fuck that. (hide spoiler)]