Recommended order
The main The Selection books are best read in the recommended order below, with optional companion works placed where they fit most clearly within the sequence:[4-13]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Selection | 2012[14-15] | Introduces America, Maxon, Aspen, Illéa, and the Selection. |
| 2 |
|
The Prince | 2013[16-17] | Gives Maxon’s view of the opening Selection events. |
| 3 |
|
The Elite | 2013[18-20] | Continues America’s place among the final candidates. |
| 4 |
|
The Guard | 2014[21-22] | Reframes events from Aspen’s palace-guard perspective. |
| 5 |
|
The One | 2014[23] | Concludes the first main Selection arc. |
| 6 |
|
The Queen | 2014[24-27] | Adds earlier royal background through Amberly’s Selection. |
| 7 |
|
The Heir | 2015[28-29] | Begins the next-generation Selection storyline. |
| 8 |
|
The Favorite | 2015[30-31] | Expands Marlee and Carter’s side of the main arc. |
| 9 |
|
The Crown | 2016[32] | Continues from The Heir. |
| 10 |
|
The Selection Coloring Book | 2016[33] | Non-narrative companion. |
Chronological order
TA chronology-focused read may begin with The Queen, then proceed through the rest of the series in order. This approach highlights the royal family’s earlier history before shifting to America’s story.[4-13]
However, the chronological order is less ideal for first-time readers, since the prequel and viewpoint stories are more effective once the main books have already established the world and its characters.[4-13]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Selection | 2012[14-15] | First published novel introducing the series. |
| 2 |
|
The Elite | 2013[18-20] | Second main novel continuing America’s story. |
| 3 |
|
The One | 2014[23] | Concludes the original trilogy. |
| 4 |
|
The Prince | 2013[16-17] | Companion novella from Maxon’s perspective. |
| 5 |
|
The Guard | 2014[21-22] | Companion novella from Aspen’s perspective. |
| 6 |
|
The Queen | 2014[24-27] | Prequel novella about Amberly’s Selection. |
| 7 |
|
The Heir | 2015[28-29] | Begins the next-generation storyline. |
| 8 |
|
The Favorite | 2015[30-31] | Companion novella focusing on Marlee and Carter. |
| 9 |
|
The Crown | 2016[32] | Concludes Eadlyn’s Selection arc. |
|
|
The Selection Coloring Book | 2016[33] | Non-narrative companion. |
Publication order
The following list reflects the exact publication order of all major Selection titles. This differs slightly from the recommended reading sequence above, which groups companion works for clarity:[14-33]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Queen | 2014[24-27] | Prequel focusing on Amberly’s Selection and earlier royal history. |
| 2 |
|
The Prince | 2013[16-17] | Maxon’s perspective before and during the early Selection events. |
| 3 |
|
The Selection | 2012[14-15] | Introduces America and the main Selection storyline. |
| 4 |
|
The Elite | 2013[18-20] | Continues America’s progression in the competition. |
| 5 |
|
The Guard | 2014[21-22] | Aspen’s viewpoint during the palace events. |
| 6 |
|
The One | 2014[23] | Concludes America’s Selection arc. |
| 7 |
|
The Favorite | 2015[30-31] | Expands Marlee and Carter’s storyline. |
| 8 |
|
The Heir | 2015[28-29] | Begins Eadlyn’s Selection in the next generation. |
| 9 |
|
The Crown | 2016[32] | Concludes Eadlyn’s Selection arc. |
| 10 |
|
The Selection Coloring Book | 2016[33] | Non-narrative companion. |
Works in sequence
The essential reading path consists of the main novels that carry the principal storyline from America Singer’s Selection to Princess Eadlyn’s later Selection. These books contain the central continuity and should be the priority for first-time readers. They are The Selection, The Elite, The One, The Heir, and The Crown.[4-8]
The supplementary works expand the series through alternate viewpoints, earlier royal background, side-character material, or non-narrative companion content. They are useful for fuller coverage, but they are not required before reading the main novels, and readers can skip them without losing the core storyline. These supplementary titles are The Prince, The Guard, The Queen, The Favorite, and The Selection Coloring Book.[9-13]
Readers who want only the main story may begin with the essential works and return to the supplementary titles afterward.[4-13]
1. The Selection
The Selection (2012)[14-15] establishes the central structure of the series: a televised royal competition in which thirty-five girls are chosen as possible brides for Prince Maxon. America Singer enters reluctantly, torn between family pressure, her past relationship with Aspen, and her growing connection with Maxon.[4]
This novel introduces Illéa’s caste system, palace life, rebel threats, and the emotional triangle that drives the first arc.[4]
2. The Prince
The Prince (2013)[16-17] revisits the beginning of the Selection from Maxon’s perspective. It shows his anxiety before the competition, his difficult relationship with King Clarkson, and his first encounter with America in the palace gardens.[9]
The story is not a replacement for The Selection, but it adds useful context to Maxon’s position before the main plot is already underway.[9]
3. The Elite
The Elite (2013)[18-20] continues the story after the competition has narrowed to six remaining candidates. America’s feelings for Maxon and Aspen become more complicated, while palace politics, rebel activity, and the cruelty of the caste system move closer to the foreground.[5]
This book depends on the first novel’s setup and should be read after The Selection.[5]
4. The Guard
The Guard (2014)[21-22] retells part of the first main arc from Aspen Leger’s point of view. Set during America’s time among the Elite, it focuses more on Aspen’s duties as a palace guard, his knowledge of palace security, and his view of the monarchy.[10]
It reads best after The Elite has established the events and tensions that Aspen is experiencing from the margins.[10]
5. The One
The One (2014)[23] brings the first major arc to its conclusion. America remains caught between personal loyalty, romantic uncertainty, and the political crisis surrounding the palace, while the competition reaches its decisive stage.[6]
Because it resolves conflicts developed across The Selection and The Elite, it should not be treated as a standalone starting point.[6]
6. The Queen
The Queen (2014)[24-27] is a prequel centered on Amberly’s participation in an earlier Selection, when Prince Clarkson is choosing his future wife. It broadens the royal family’s background and gives context for the previous generation of the Schreave monarchy.[11]
Although it takes place earlier in the internal chronology, it is more useful after the first arc has already introduced the royal household.[11]
7. The Heir
The Heir (2015)[28-29] begins a later sequence focused on Princess Eadlyn Schreave, the daughter of Maxon and America. Set after the old caste system has been removed, it follows Eadlyn as she reluctantly agrees to hold a Selection of her own to help steady public unrest.[7]
This book starts a new arc, but it grows out of the political and family history established in the earlier novels.[7]
8. The Favorite
The Favorite (2015)[30-31] expands Marlee Tames and Carter Woodwork’s story, returning to events connected with the first main arc. It shows Marlee’s position inside the Selection, her forbidden relationship with Carter, and the consequences that follow.[12]
This story is supplementary rather than essential, but it is most meaningful after readers understand Marlee’s role in America’s storyline.[12]
9. The Crown
The Crown (2016)[32] continues from The Heir, with Eadlyn facing both the remaining suitors and new responsibilities as Illéa’s future ruler. This book follows the conclusion of her Selection while also dealing with unrest, public perception, and the monarchy’s future structure.[8]
It should be read after The Heir, since it completes that second-generation arc.[8]
10. The Selection Coloring Book
The Selection Coloring Book (2016)[33] is a non-narrative companion rather than a story entry. It features illustrated characters and moments, as well as hand-lettered quotations from the five main Selection books.[13]
It does not advance the plot, so it belongs after the novels for readers who want a visual companion to the world of Illéa.[13]
References
- Books in series The Selection. HarperCollins Publishers.
- Books in series The Selection Novella. HarperCollins Publishers.
- The Selection Coloring Book. HarperTeen. Copyright page. ISBN: 9780062641144.
- The Selection. HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780062059932.
- The Elite. HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780062059963.
- The One. HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780062059994.
- The Heir. HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780062349859.
- The Crown. HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780062392176.
- The Prince. HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780062248169.
- The Guard. HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780062317148.
- The Queen. HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780062351203.
- The Favorite. HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780062351210.
- The Selection Coloring Book. HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780062641144.
- The Selection. HarperCollins Publishers.
- The Selection. HarperCollins Publishers Canada.
- The Prince. HarperCollins Publishers.
- The Prince. HarperCollins Publishers Canada.
- The Elite. HarperCollins Publishers.
- The Elite (The Selection) by Kiera Cass. HarperCollins Publishers UK.
- The Elite. HarperCollins Publishers Canada.
- The Guard. HarperCollins Publishers.
- The Guard. HarperCollins Publishers Canada.
- The One. HarperCollins Publishers Australia.
- The Queen. HarperCollins Publishers.
- The Queen (The Selection) by Kiera Cass. HarperCollins Publishers UK.
- The Queen. HarperCollins Publishers Canada.
- The Queen (The Selection). HarperCollins Publishers Australia.
- The Heir. HarperCollins Publishers.
- The Heir. HarperCollins Publishers Canada.
- The Favorite. HarperCollins Publishers.
- The Favorite. HarperCollins Publishers Canada.
- The Crown. HarperCollins Publishers Australia.
- The Selection Coloring Book. HarperCollins Publishers Canada.