Menu
America Singer is a 16-year-old girl living in Illéa. Illéa is a newly founded United States after the original United States lost World War III to China. Illéa’s people are organized by a numerical caste system. America’s family are Fives, which means they are required to become artists and musicians, regardless of their talent or desire. Much of Illéa is poor, and the government is constantly under attack from two rebel factions—one from the North and one from the South—both of which hope to overthrow the government. One day, America receives an invitation to apply to the Selection, a contest in which 35 young women between the ages of 16 and 20 , from any caste, live at the palace while competing to win the Prince’s hand in marriage. The contestants are paid to participate, and America’s mother pesters her to apply since the stipend will help the family financially. America feels repulsed by the idea, mostly because she already has a boyfriend.