Kiera Cass

THE SELECTION
BY KIERA CASS

GENRE       :YOUNG ADULT

SYNOPSIS:

The Selection, a competition between 35 randomly chosen girls to become part of the royal family, will be held this year in honor of the illustrious Prince Maxon. America Singer, a member of one of the lowest castes in Illea, never imagined that she would become part of it. For America, the only life worth living is one with her beloved, Aspen. When she is selected to participate, America is horrified. Competing for a prince’s attention with 35 other girls? No thanks. That changes when Aspen does the unthinkable: he leaves her. Now the castle is America’s refuge, and she decides to make the most of her time there. As America leaves behind the ashes of her old dreams, she discovers a new future that she never believed possible.

In the beginning of The Selection, America Singer believes her future is sure and all her dreams will come true. When Aspen breaks her heart, she takes up refuge in the castle. America still doesn’t want to participate, but her circumstances have changed. She’ll fight for as long as she has to if it means she doesn’t have to go home. When America finally meets the prince, she realizes that if she wins, she will have a chance to make a real difference in the world. Suddenly this fight isn’t just to hide from Aspen, it’s an earnest fight to change the way Illea is run and help the lower castes out of their squalor. It’s a fight America wants to win.

America Singer is a very realistic character. As a part of one of the lower castes in Illea, all she knows is a life of hard work. Before she meets the prince, Maxon, America resents him and what he stands for. She doesn’t want to be a part of a higher caste; she doesn’t want to be a part of their snobbery. America is proud of her position. There are things she would change if she could- more food for her family, more money to pay the bills, etc.- but she is content where she is. However, when America arrives at the palace to take part in the Selection, her eyes are opened to a whole new way of life- and a chance to make a difference. At first she is reluctant, but slowly America comes to realize that Maxon is not an entitled brat, and that his goals are worth working towards. When America realizes this, she starts fighting in earnest for a chance to win- not just for the position, but for Maxon’s love as well.

America is feisty, intelligent, stubborn, honest, and loyal. Throughout the novel she grows and changes as a character as her perception of the world shifts. She becomes more aware of the world around her and life for others in it, not just her own way of life. The Selection is a worthwhile read, and an interesting idea of what the may future hold.

REVIEW :

I read this book because of its cover..Its cover is so beautiful. It just lures me in to read it.. This book is perfect to my taste.I really like a story with a fantasy romance so that's why I has been finished reading this book. actually this book is not a fantasy romance genre but I just thought that the storyline in this book is similar to any other fantasy romance books. The difference is about an evil and an angel  then a prince and a princess. But this story is about the protagonist America Singer (any guesses as to what her profession might be?) whose family is ranked FIVE according to the caste system in the dystopian world of Ilea, arguing with her mother over entering the competition to marry Prince Maxon. Her oh-so-very-fickle heart lies with Aspen, who by virtue of being ranked SIX struggles to make both ends meet. So, it's about a caste system.

At first, I hated Prince Maxon, a prince that involved in a competition to find his princess. He just can't make a decision who would be his princess so every participants, he treated equally like kissing them, hugging them any romance acts. I just hate it..I just thought he made a woman like a thing that he needed to check it first before buying. But I also read the sequel of this book, The Elite, so I changed my mind about him. Finally I knew that he had been fallen in love with America but he just not sure about him feeling and as a prince, he had to do his task well. So guys I recommend you to read this book. I just shared the book that I really loved..

But to start off, I will say that I liked this book more that I thought I would. I was originally looking for a book for a reading challenge (needed blue covers) and just happened to see this at the library and figured it didn't look too bad and that I would just read it since nothing else was working. I have now read this three times since it came out. It has yet to tire for me.
It is hard to explain why I like it. It is a true guilty pleasure, fluffy kind or read with a hint of action and intrigue for future books in the series.

I will admit, the concepts are not very original. The ideas that is is in between The Bachelor and Hunger Games (in the dystopia sense)is fairly accurate, with heavily leanings on The Bachelor. The love triangle setting adds a bit extra to character complexity.
I will not say much on what the books is about. The summary already does that in itself on this book. The book is written from America's perspective and what I will say otherwise is what I thought. First, I must admit, I dislike the character names. Yes I know the last names refer to what the person does, but the first names are horrid in my opinion. Yet the main thing is the writing style and pace. I literally laid down last night thinking I would read a few chapters. Next thing I knew, the sun would be rising soon and the book sat finished in my hands. I don't get that with many books anymore. This book made me giggle at times, and twitch in anticipation at others. It left me desperately craving the sequel. Wondering who she picks, or who Maxon picks,what is up with the other girls, etc.

So, while the concept is not original, the characters are interesting, and the story is written in a way that is easy to get wrapped up in it. I actually just put it back on hold at the library so I could skim through it once again before them next book comes out. I read it so fast I fear I might have missed things. I honestly had a hard time rating this. In the way in captured my attention once I started reading, and my desire to read it again I would normally say 5, but since it does lean SO heavily on the concept of The Bachelor. So, I give this a 4 1/2.

You can try read freely the epub and pdf of this book by downloading it on the link below.⤵

RATING:
💗💗💗💗💗

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THE ELITE

BY KIERA CASS

GENRE      :FANTASY, YOUNG ADULT

SYNOPSIS:

America remains in the palace, learning rules and how to run a country. On one of her dates with Maxon, she asks him what Halloween is. Since he doesn't know, he shows her the royal library and makes her swear to keep it a secret. Together, they learn about Halloween, and Maxon lends a private journal to America. This jounal used to belong to Gregory Illea, the first King of Illea, the country the old United States has become. 

Marlee is also part of the Elite and she and America are still close friends. Marlee encourages America to end the competition and agree to marry Maxon, but America resists, even when Maxon throws her a Halloween Party and invites the families of the remaining girls. Maxon admits he would have already married America except for her reluctance, and that night, America decides to accept him if he asks her. However, the next morning, America is woken up and told to dress in black. 

All the girls (except Marlee) are escorted outside. Marlee and another guard have been having an affair during her time at the Selection--a crime punishable by death. Maxon shows them mercy by stripping them of their castes (making them Eights) and publically whipping them. Broken hearted, America is determined to leave because she felt betrayed my Maxon. However, he convinces her to stay. 

One morning, the girls are outside planning a reception when rebels attack the palace. Panicking, America runs into the nearby forest and climbs a tree. While there, a rebel girl spies her and gives a mocking bow before running off with a large pile of books. America is found and returned to the worried Prince. 

But, America and Maxon begin to drift apart, and to battle this, America throws herself into her studies, including planning a reception for the Italians. The Princess of Italy takes a liking to America and unofficially supports her because in America, she sees a potential ally who would also like to erase the caste system. America begins to see Aspen in private, even after witnessing what happened to Marlee. 

Her emotions for Aspen return and after seeing Maxon make out with Celeste (America's least favorite person), America is DONE. She decides that for the philanthropy project she is supposed to plan, she will plan to eradicate the caste system, and leave the competition with a bang! 

However, her presentation accomplished nothing, and had the unforeseen consequence of Maxon standing up to his father, the King. America runs into Maxon as he leaves the hospital wing just when a group of rebels attack. They make it to a hidden room, where America discovers he took a beating from his father for her, he rescued Marlee as best he could, and he ALSO wants to end the caste system. However, he's doing it slowly, whereas America ruined her chances to stay after her public denouncing of the system. They talk long into the night, and America realizes she lost her chance with him. 

When they are found the next morning, America prepares to leave. At the last minute, Maxon catches her, and tells her that he sent another girl, Natalie, home. He told the King that America was responsible for saving his life, and she is allowed to stay so long as she behaves properly. Maxon also tells her that she has his heart, but not his trust, which she will have to earn back. The second novel in "The Selection Series" ends with the King threatening America, and her maids plotting on how to keep her in the game and win the crown.

REVIEW:

This is going to be a tough review for me, be warned. Last summer I read The Selection and I loved it. I thought the whole idea of a story like this was really original. I loved that it was like The Bachelor put into a dystopian book. I saw a lot of positive reviews about it so I figured it would be positive for me too. So I had to read The Elite also of course and I must say (obviously) I'm rather disappointed by it. Actually a whole lot disappointed. 

I really wanted to like this book, more so than some others because The Selection was so good for me. Maybe I had to high hopes but I wanted to enjoy this. The fact that I didn't was a big disappointment because I just wanted this book to be done and over. And that's just never good with any book.

I was so frustrated with pretty much everything and every character in The Elite. First of all, America. What was up with her? She kept running back and forth between Maxon and Aspen. It was literally one page she was loving on Maxon and the next she was crawling back to Aspen. Girl, no, just no. The whole book was like this. All about that stupid love triangle. I can like love triangles if they are done well but in this book it has got to be one of the most terrible I've ever read about. And what was up with her decision making? I could hardly follow her train of thought. Doesn't she think at all? At least the one thing that I didn't totally hate was how America was able to read Gregory Illea's diary. What a jackass he was. That's the only thing I want to know more about. Is the diary what the rebels are after or is it something else?

I used to love Maxon to bits and pieces but this book ruined him for me. I didn't like him one bit. I guess that The Selection is some sort of game and Maxon has to be sure that he makes the right decision but please, I can't stand the whole thing. Dating all these girls, messing around with him. Ugh! No wonder America got so jealous. And really, Maxon, Celeste? REALLY? The only thing that's not totally awful is that I can sort of understand him a bit, with everything his father (who is a totally pyscho by the way) puts him through he wants distractions but there are other ways. I did feel sorry for what America witnessed at some point...

Aspen still is some sort of vague character for me. He wasn't that much in the book but also not totally absent. He did some pretty nice things for America but after what happened to Marlee I can't understand why both him and America would take such huge risks. They are asking to get caught! And no, it doesn't mean that when I'm no longer team Maxon that I'm suddenly team Aspen. I can't pick any teams in this book because they both suck. I'm team America, get the hell out of there and work on yourself, please.

The remaining girls in The Selection are definitely on my black list. Especially Kriss. I can't stand her. I get that America messed up and that suddenly Kriss and Maxon got close but it was all so awful to read about. And Celeste, I need her to leave already. 

There were some rebel attacks again. Wonder what that's about. It's awful but I'd rather read about them attacking the palace and have some action at least than America going back and forth with her two guys. Seriously. But even with the few attacks, we don't know anything. So yeah, frustration everywhere for every character. 

I was also quite disappointed with the author's writing. And I'm not saying this to bash her or anything. I don't even like giving a book this low a rating because I barely do that. But I couldn't get over it. I didn't like the writing at all. It felt rushed and I can't remember I hated it this much with The Selection. What happened I wondered. I missed action. A lot of them. You'd think because there are rebels, they should've been more of that than there was. Sadly enough it wasn't so. And I really disliked the ending. Literally nothing happened throughout this book. Nothing. I am so disappointed! At least the cover is beautiful and it was a fast read.

Overall, The Elite by Kiera Cass was a huge disappointment. Everything from the frustrating characters to the lame plot to the weak writing, it all felt rushed. I wished I had liked it a lot more, but sadly enough I didn't. But I decided I will read the third book once it comes out because I want to know the ending. I hope it won't disappoint me again

You can try read freely the epub and pdf of this book by downloading it on the link below.⤵

RATING:
💗💗

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THE ONE

BY KIERA CASS

GENRE      :FANTASY, YOUNG ADULT

SYNOPSIS:

The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen--and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

Find out who America will choose in The One, the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series!

REVIEW:

AFTER READING THE ONE:

When the book came out I cowardly avoided reading it even if I was so excited for the release. I just didn't want the series to end and me become an emotional wreck because of it or because Kiera pulls of a John Green or a Rick Giordano or other authors who do their best to mess us up. But in the end, a friend just gave me the book and the temptation was just to much and I had to read it. Even if I was reluctant for it to end, I definitely do not regret it.

The book was still a bit too much for my heart. It has been more than a week after reading the book and honestly I still don't know what to say without spoiling it for anyone. However, I can say that it is amazing and Kiera has definitely learned how to play with our feelings because by the end of this book, you'll feel like you've gone through boot camp/ marathon/ war. Basically just an emotional rollercoaster. I guess cause now the tables have turned with America having definite eyes on Maxon and Maxon now having eyes for not only America but for Kriss as well, you no longer feel comfortable or sure about what happens at the end.

The last few chapters of the book definitely messed me up. I was a mess and everything just went by so fast cause I wanted to go and find out what happens at the end, I had to re-read those chapters to make sure I didn't miss anything else important and to savour the end of the trilogy.

The love triangle was frustrating to me in this book, although it made sense in the first book where Aspen just arrived at the castle it was dragging on a bit by the 3^rd book, and I would have loved to go into the book to shake America. But this book was most interesting for me from a political standpoint – it investigated much more how Illea come to be and America struggles not only with being in the spotlight and if she really wants to be Queen but has to decide what type of country she would like to run and how she would work to shape it if she is selected by Maxon.

And honestly, when I first picked up The Selection eight months ago, I never thought that I would come to love this series as much as I do. Honestly, I was so very close to not even reading it in the first place because I wasn’t too thrilled about the synopsis. But…I bought it, I devoured it, and I have been in love with the story of America Singer and Maxon Schreave ever since.

America really made me proud in this book! She really did. I noticed how much she’s grown throughout the series and she is now officially one of my favorite female characters. She became a true fighter—like a metamorphosing caterpillar into a magnificent butterfly. She wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she truly believed in, even if it meant possibly losing Maxon. Throughout the book I told myself no matter the outcome of the Selection, America was fit to be one fierce queen.

Maxon will always be one of my favorite male characters, and he will always have a spot in my fictional boyfriends party bus! He frustrated me to no end in this book but honestly, I know what it’s like to be afraid to put yourself out there for someone to possibly break your heart and so I couldn’t blame him for feeling the way he did. I know in my heart that he will make a great king. 

The only real complaint that I have about this book is that A LOT of things happened in the last thirty pages and I feel like the events could have been broken down throughout a few more chapters. I found myself looking a lot like this while finishing up the last few chapters:But, this book is truly amazing..I'll give 5 out of 5 for this book. 

RATING:
💗💗💗💗💗

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THE HEIR
BY KIERA CASS

GENRE: YOUNG ADULT

SYNOPSIS:

In The Heir, Princess Eadlyn (Prince Maxon - now King- and America Singer's - now Queen- eldest child) must find a husband in order to secure the country of Illea's peace and safety, as there have been many disturbances in recent times. Maxon believes that holding a Selection for his daughter and heir is the best way to do it, but she disagrees. Eventually, Eadlyn agrees to hold a selection after talking to her brother and twin Ahren (Eadlyn holds onto the fact that she was born 7 minutes before Ahren, had he been born first then she wouldn't be forced to hold a Selection). She chooses 35 Suitors at random, and they arrive at her palace not long afterwards. She goes on a parade with them to show off that she is willing to look for a husband for her people, but it ends in disaster as disgruntled members of Illea and rebels throw food at her. She is reluctant to spend any time with the suitors although some slowly start to win her around.

After several are kicked out, one Suitor nearly attacks Eadlyn, and she becomes disheartened towards the whole process once again but finds comfort in her 3 younger brothers. A short time later Eadlyn is invited to play a game of baseball with some of the remaining Suitors although she is meant to be in a meeting with her mother and an advisor. She has a few games with them and her parents join in as well. Later that night, the other Suitors are upset with Eadlyn that she didn't invite them to play in the game and say that the other Suitors have an unfair advantage over them. She and the Suitors agree that they can spend some time with her to make it up to them. The Suitors then proceed to perform different tricks and skills before her in the Great Hall. As time passes, Eadlyn invites the French Princess, Camille, (and Ahren's girlfriend) to the palace to add a bit more interest to the proceedings. Eadlyn starts to feel a little more excluded as her brother spends more time with his girlfriend than with his sister. Eadlyn confronts him about his "love" for his girlfriend and warns him off her. At dinner Ahren isn't there, and it is later confirmed that he has runaway to France and has eloped with Princess Camille with the Queen of France's consent. Eadlyn is hurt by her brother's betrayal. She runs to her room to find a letter written by her brother telling her that the people rebel because of her and that she uses her power too much like a sword and that the difference between Camille and her is that Camille uses her power with gentler approach.

Eadlyn decides to tell her parents about the letter and goes to her dad's room hoping to find them there. She finds the room empty and sees on one of the walls a collage of pictures mostly consisting of her mom including a picture of just after she and Ahren were born. She realizes that the collage is a shrine to her mom, showing her that her dad's love for her mom is so strong and deep that maybe she could find something as strong in one of the men in her Selection. As she absorbs the collage, she is told that her mother has been rushed to the hospital wing having suffered a heart attack. She rushes there to find her dad in tears and Aspen trying to console him. Her brothers are there too, trying to seem strong. It is said that the reason Queen America Schreave had a heart attack is because of the shock of her son, Ahren leaving abruptly. The Suitors soon turn up having heard about what happened and wish to pray with them all as America's life hangs in the balance. It is then that Eadlyn realizes the only thing that will come of her Selection is her engagement and future wedding.

REVIEW:

As a fan of the Selection Trilogy, I was very much looking forward to The Heir and going along for the ride of another fairytale love story. You can imagine my disappointment finding out that Princess Eadlyn not only wants nothing to do with The Selection but is also basically guilted into it. The country is in unrest after the removal of the caste system and The Selection is brought back as a means of distracting the people. 

I have two main issues with this book and basically ruined the experience for me. ONE, Eadlyn is a very unlikeable character. Whereas America, yes she could get on our nerves, but she had spunk and Fire! Eadlyn is spoiled, snotty, and rude for the majority of the book. And her reluctance and distance to The Selection process made it really hard to connect to the experience and really root for anyone. TWO, what the hell happened to our beloved Maxon and America!?! I find it incredibly hard to believe that these two raised such a selfish child. They both had such strong and recognizable qualities about them but they were lost in this book. America had ZERO of the fire that I loved so much about her. She basically sat in the shadows and was really nice to everyone. Maxon, while he did some really great things in the past 20 years, we only get to see this tired, run down, aging man. I couldn't even picture them as the same people from the previous books. Ugh! 

What I did like though were the selected boys! Besides the first couple of meetings, Eadlyn's interactions with them were my favorite part of the book. Some were actually quite charming and funny! There are a handful who I really adore and think would be great matches. Although my heart is already stuck on KILE! Even before he was selected he roped me in :) I will be greatly upset if Eadlyn doesn't choose him lol. I am a sucker for childhood sweethearts. Even though they technically never were, I still get the same kind of vibe from them growing up together. 

Overall, Cass is undoubtedly a fantastic writer and kept me turning page after page even with a spoiled princess narrating. I did read it in under 24 hours after all! I do have hope that the next book will redeem itself. It has excellent potential with Eadlyn seeming to finally realize the error of her ways and wanting to change on the very last page (of course). Here's to hoping for character growth!

So yes, I will be counting down the days till the next installment to find out how Eadlyn's story ends and hopefully choosing my boy :) I will cry if she doesn't!! I know it seems like I didn't like this book but that's not true at all. Even with the issues I had, I did enjoy it quite a lot and I recommend it to anyone who's a fan of The Selection. It's fast paced and addictive and will leave you reeling after that terrible cliffhanger! 

However, my biggest issue comes with the end. It was so rushed. The main focus had been the selection process and then all of a sudden it wasn't? I just didn't see where the turn of events came from. I know there's still another book to come but I felt this one was very introductory, not much happened, and there were too many loose ends. I still enjoyed it but not as much as the previous books.

RATING:
💗💗💗

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