The Selection 5: The Crown - Kiera Cass

When Eadlyn became the first princess of Illéa to hold her own Selection, she didn’t think she would fall in love with any of her thirty-five suitors. She spent the first few weeks of the competition counting down the days until she could send them all home. But as events at the palace force Eadlyn even further into the spotlight, she realizes that she might not be content remaining alone.

Eadlyn still isn’t sure she’ll find the fairytale ending her parents did twenty years ago. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and soon Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more impossible—and more important—than she ever imagined.

Cover
I know that I used to say that I love all of these covers. And while the cover was indeed pretty, it wasn't as pretty as former ones. I felt like it was too pink? The background also didn't quite fit the dress.

Eadlyn Shreave changed?
Over the course of these two books, I feel like Eadlyn really found herself. She was actually bearable in this book! She started to see things from another perspective, and she didn't bother me as much as she did in The Heir. For example, she offered Josie (Kile's sister, who wants to be just like her but is a bit rude in the process) a chance to feel like a princess and she accepted the fact that her brother found a wife in France. However, this was such a big chance that I didn't quite buy it. Yeah, suddenly she was able to be nice? Was it because of her mother's condition or was it because she is a queen now? 

The Elite

What I also didn't buy, was her relationship with the one she was in love with. It was so incredibly rushed and it just felt wrong. There was no real build-up, so we didn't get the time to like him.
I really loved Henri, he seemed like such a sweetheart, but because of the language barrier, I didn't think that they would work. Eadlyn had a lot of chemistry with Kile, but his dreams lay elsewhere. Ean and Eadlyn had absolutely no chemistry, and without spoilering anything, because of his personal reasons Eadlyn wouldn't end up with Hale. So yes, I could have expected it, but I really, really don't like the guy she ended up with.

The Ending.
Oh no, just no. This ending was horrible, there was no logic and it was all so incredibly rushed. I really felt Kiera Cass was just trying to tie up loose ends. The ending make sense either, because Eadlyn was making this huge (political) decision all on her own. She didn't discuss it with her parents or ministers or whatever. The secret-reveal from Maxon was also really predictable. I liked that Eadlyn was finally getting to know more about her parents' pasts, but it didn't make sense to me for Maxon to tell her all this, right before she had to go on stage and choose her prince. Maybe Eadlyn could have just not chosen anyone and set an example, it would have been really cool. But again, I have made peace with this book, but these 2 books were so unnecessary....

I have no idea how to rate this. I liked it more than I liked The Heir, yes, but it still wasn't very good. Although I am going to read The Siren (Kiera's other book) one day, I am not re-reading the Selection anytime soon. I'm actually glad that it's over. 3,5/5 stars.

Dominique.

The Selection 4: The Heir - Kiera Cass

Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought. 

Cover

Beautiful, beautiful cover, as always. I love these covers so much, they're so dreamy and feminine, completely my style and it catches people's eyes really easily. They're also really fitting for the theme of the books. Cover

Eadlyn...

To say it discreetly, she wasn't the most humble character I've read about. Actually, she was a bitch. I couldn't believe the things she thought about doing to the Selected! I know that she has to have a cold side to be a great queen, but she isn't even a queen yet and for her to be mean to other people is just horrible. She is egocentric and plain mean. 'I am the most powerful person in the world.' Yes, you might be, but that doesn't give you the right to order your friends and family around. She humiliates the Selected on national tv, she swears at a young girl because the young girl wants to be just like her and so on. She does have some character development throughout the book, but I didn't like her attitude at all.

Eadlyn's family (Royal Family)
Like most spin-off series, writers try to include the characters of the prequel and it just doesn't feel right. America still had most of the things she used to have, but Maxon changed and that made me uncomfortable. I guess that was just me, and I know that these books are about Eadlyn and not about them, but I just missed them.
Eadlyn's brothers were more interesting than her to be honest. Ahren and his love-interest Camille deserved way more input in this book. First Eadlyn tells us that she relies on her brother a lot, but we don't even see that a lot. Her younger brother Kaden is way smarter and he would be a better leader than her. Osten is funny and he seems like a sweetheart even though he's ten. I don't know, Eadlyn should have been nicer, because while I know that the writer did this to make us pity her, I did not.

The Selected (mostly Kile, Henri and Erik)
Of course, because the Selected were boys, there had to be a rapist. I'm sorry, I do not wish for this to sound offensive, but they should have checked every Selected and they should not just apologise afterwards. But all right, I kind of liked these Selected. I mean, Eadlyn had a lot of chemistry with both Kile and Henri. But while I was scrolling the internet, I searched up for some spoilers to see if the one I thought was going to become prince was going to become prince, and then I realized that he wasn't. I really wanted to stop reading because of that. I really don't see them together, and I have a strong feeling that their relationship in the next book is going to feel very rushed. I am open to see them together though and I really want to like them together.
However, there is one thing that I really don't like. Where are the balls, the assignments and the parties we got during the first three books? This one mostly consisted out of forced appointments between Eadlyn and a Selected. I really hope that The Crown will be more spectacular and more like the first three books.

These books are so easy to read. The words are easy and the books are not that sad. I feel like beginner-readers could really enjoy these books, and they could be some light readings for more advanced readers. As a hopeless romantic, I have a weakness for sappy books like these. And although I hate the main character, I did get that same feeling I got with the past books. Yes, I do feel like Kiera Cass should have written just three books, but I did enjoy this book. I am not sure what rating to give this book. I feel like it's more of a 3,7/5? Let's just say it's a 3,5/5 stars.

Dominique

(I'm deciding on what book series to read next. Hard choices)

The Selection: The One - Kiera Cass

The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

Cover
I can't get over the beauty of these series covers. They're just so gorgeous. I literally stroked the book because it was so beautiful. I can't wait to read the sequels with her daughter, so I can have those beauties in my hands as well.

America being herself again
Ah, yes, ol' sweet America being her indecisive self again. When have I seen this before? Right, yes, in EVERY book she's in. And when this girl finally makes up her mind, she doesn't act out on it because it 'isn't the right time'. Are you serious here? Couldn't you have just told him when you had the chance and not lead your ex-boyfriend on? In my opinion, she was a little bit too full of herself. One minute I loved her, and then she had to ruin everything again by being the rebellious person she is. However, despite all this, I still loved her. I don't know how Cass did it, but it was definitely good. 

Maxon Shreave, how did he do it
How could Maxon keep up with America's behaviour? I mean, I agreed with most of the things America did, but she didn't listen. I would have send her away. Then again, he loved her, and I guess his love was stronger than his anger. 
That just proves how much of a sweetheart he is. He accepts everyone in their own way and he doesn't want to offend anyone, but he will also do what is right. However, sometimes he was a bit of a slut. I mean, he knows that he loves America and he wants a future with her, but leads Kriss on in case America backs out last-minute. Then again, America still let Aspen on even after she realized she had loved Maxon, so they're a perfect fit.

The other remaining Selection-girls
Wow, there was a lot of character development going on here. Celeste may not annoy you so much in this book, instead, I actually thought she was sweet. I loved how we got to know more about Elise as well, cause she is always so quiet. Turns out, Elise has an entire story of her own. I just wish that there were novellas from her point of view. 
Kriss is entire different story. While I enjoyed her sudden "secret reveal" and I do really think that she is sweet, I had my troubles trusting her. In the end, I realized that I had nothing to worry about, but in my opinion, she was the least interesting of the remaining Selection-girls. She was just there as a second choice.

The rebellion(s)
Absolutely loved this add. I loved every little thing about this. They weren't that predictable either. I loved the development Cass decided to give them and how we started to know North and South and how to differentiate them. I also love how this book was still mostly about America's love for Maxon, and it wasn't a dystopian (I just don't have a thing for dystopia). In the earlier books, the castle attacks weren't that horrible just yet, but in this book, and trust me, they were. Not going to say more about that though, spoilers :(.

The Ending.
Rip my heart, I am still not over that one. Why? (I am trying my best not to spoiler anything here) Anyways, I feel like the ending was still amazing, despite the sadness of it. I am thinking of reading the novellas because they seem interesting to me, but I am definitely, without a doubt reading the "spin-off" ones with her daughter. The Selection books are amazing, even with an annoying main character. I literally flew through this book and I read it in 2 days (with school!). I highly recommend this series, I am so in love with them, even though I am slightly embarrassed about that. 5/5 stars, I think might even be my favourite Selection-book.

Dominique
(I am going through books really fastly these days. Love it.
Expect two Percy Jackson reviews and two Harry Potter reviews soon!)

The Selection 2: The Elite - Kiera Cass

My Selection review :)

The Selection began with thirty-five girls.
Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.

Cover

THE COVER IS SO PRETTY! Totally shows the atmosphere of the book and I love the style and colour in it. Some would say the first book's cover looks better, but I can't choose, every cover in these book series is a beauty on it's own.

America Singer

OHMYGOD. What a 'great' start this will be. I'm sorry, I can't stand her. She's selfish. So, so selfish. Every choice she makes is for her needs. When she can't get Maxon, she goes to see Aspen. When she's with Aspen, she's still so selfish to think about her relationship with him. 

Don't get me wrong, I like America, she's just annoying. She keeps telling Maxon 'she needs more time', while as Maxon is there for her at all times. She says she doesn't want Maxon and wants to leave the palace, but when he talks to other girls, she freaks out. If you want him to give you time, you could have expected he would start talking to other girls, wouldn't you? 

I really hope I'll start liking her more, because I think the series are great.

Prince Maxon

I liked him. He seemed nice. But there was something about him. Like he had this big secret and was really a different person. 

I thought it was really sweet of him to give America time, but come on, so much time? I'm glad he kind of got mad at her towards the end of the book. 

I'm also glad we got more background of him in this book. We found out one of his biggest secrets, which was very interesting.

It's very obvious to me how hard he works, but how little recognition he gets for it, I hope his father would accept his child, but I have no high expectations. 

Aspen

I didn't like him. I felt like he wanted to protect America, and saw her as a little girl. I tried liking him, but I just couldn't. Aspen is also selfish, maybe as selfish as America. In that aspect they are a perfect match. 

In the first book, it was still possible to ignore Aspen because of the distance between him and America, but in this book, he's a knight. There is no escaping anymore. It annoyed me so much, I am definitely for Maxon.

I didn't like how Aspen was treated, however. I didn't like how both of the guys were treated. They were given hope and a few days later America was already gone, of to Maxon. I hope America chooses soon.

The other 5 girls

I loved most of them, until we got further into the book. I found out everyone in the selection is a bitch, basically. Except for Marlee. She was lovely. I'm not gonna say more cause I'd spoiler, but I was really sad when she had to leave. Kriss seemed like a girl, although a bit more arrogant towards the end. Natalie was a sweetheart, but she could never become a queen. Elise was pretty okay, and would be a great queen, she's just not that an important character in the books. Celeste was the most interesting member of the Selection to me. I'd love a novella written about her, but sadly, there isn't one.

Ending, next book and rating 

The ending was really interesting, but honestly, nothing I hadn't expected. I love the South and North rebel attacks so much to be honest, although the book wasn't boring, adding these made it a little bit more exciting. I get why these books are being compared to The Hunger Games, but I honestly don't see that much resemblance. I'm genuinely excited for the next book. I very much enjoyed reading this book and I couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to seeing the characters develop. 4,5/5 stars.

Dominique 

(Happy New Year!)

The Selection 1 - Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Cover

I am really glad I didn't read this on the internet and get it in my library. Cause wow, this cover is so beautiful. The dress, the blue, just plain gorgeous. It really gives off this royal feel, which is a big thing in a books as well and I love that. I love books which covers give off the book's content. 

America Singer (-_-)

Really? America Singer? Apart from someone being named after a country/continent, did the author really have to make her a singer? And did the country she was named after, have to be the country where Illéa (America in the future) is now? 

She seemed like a very nice and down-to-earth person. She did whine a bit in my eyes. Saying stuff like: 'I only have a few dresses.' And she thought it was okay to have two boyfriends without telling them?
My friend told me she was going to annoy me in the second book, so I'm really looking forward to that haha.

Prince Maxon

I don't really know what to think. I don't know him that well yet. I feel like there's a lot I need to know before I can make assumptions. He seemed very humble and down-to-earth to me. He has respect for women, but is shy and doesn't know how to act around them. America and him become friends and she teaches him how to act around the 35 women (then 32?). Problem is, he is unable to feel anything for the other women, and starts feeling something for America. I love the way he handles his feelings, Maxon is so gentle and well-mannered. I feel bad for the fact that America doesn't like him that much yet. 

Aspen

HKJHKJLDHmxncmms. WHY. One way it was interesting to see America being together with a 'normal' person, but I want her to be with Maxon ajhc mdjab. I don't really like Aspen, but it made the book more interesting and I'd like to find out more about him and his family.
There's this 'Romeo and Juliet' feel about him and America. Because Aspen is a caste 6, she can't be with him. Which makes me wonder, why doesn't she just pair with Maxon and skip all the stupid drama?

The royal family

The royal family was seriously interesting. Apart from the king and his relationship with his son, there was also the queen. There's a lot about her that's still unknown and I'd love to see more of her. How she wanted to have children but wasn't able to, where she came from (she's a caste 5, just like America), what her opinions are, her own family. I'm glad there is a novella written about her, because she seems really interesting. 

The king though, he didn't let his son say a thing, he pushed his son into doing things. I'm sure he meant well, but I didn't really like the king. 

 The other 34 girls

34 girls, of course you'd have different personalities. The ones that got talked about mostly were Marlee, Celeste and Kriss. Marlee was nice, but kind of mysterious and I feel like she has a big secret, maybe about her family at home. Celeste, however, was an entirely different thing. Who did she think she was? Why did Maxon stand up for her? Have they met before? Let's just say Celeste is the stereotypical bitch in The Selection. 

Kriss seemed sweet and interesting. She wasn't that important, but I'm glad there was someone I seriously liked. 

The second book 

I'M SO EXCITED TO READ THE SECOND BOOK. I do not regret finally starting this series. It wasn't that long either, so that was great too, I love books that are fairly small. 

What kept me reading too, was the North and South thing. I'm not going to say anything more about that, so you might be confused, but I'd really like to know more about that. Definitely picking up the second book once I go to the library again!

Overall, this book was pretty great apart from some small things. I would definitely recommend this series to friends who like books with royalty. 

4,5/5 stars from me!

Title: The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass

Series: The Selection (book 1)

Dominique 

(I've been so incredibly busy with school lately, I didn't get any time to read, sorry, but book life next week!)