In Illea, a nation forged from the remnants of a war-torn United States, America Singer is one of thirty-five girls given the chance to escape a predestined caste system and enter the Selection—a contest to captivate the heart of the charming Prince Maxon. While the glitter of royal life tempts many, America despairs at leaving behind Aspen, her clandestine love from a lower caste. Thrust into a cutthroat competition she never desired, America navigates a world of stunning gowns, vicious intrigues, and the peril of palace life under rebellion's shadow. As she spends time with the prince, America's initial resistance wanes, and she begins to envision a future far different from the one she thought she wanted—one that could include a crown, love, and power. Yet choices loom, and America must decide where her heart truly lies, reevaluating her fears and dreams in the face of society's expectations and her own desires.