The Crown by Kiera Cass | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)Bittersweet, sophisticated and totally romantic. Those are the three choice words I have for the final installment of the beloved The Selection series by Kiera Cass. After five books and one collection of short stories, the series wraps up its final chapter with The Crown; leaving readers breathless and more than a little sad to say goodbye.
As always, with Kiera Cass, loose ends are tied up and there are many moments to swoon over. If you were one of the many who didn’t find themselves that fond of The Heir, this one is the superior of the two–it’s all about growth, decisions, love and the choices we make that can be longstanding.
Refresher, time! When we left Eadlyn Schreave she was in the process of not only coming of age in the public eye but making history by being a female heir to the throne who is having her own selection. Eadlyn is a mix of both good and bad qualities between her parents, our beloved America and Maxon. For many readers, this becomes a problem–because she is a child, she is a bit spoiled and she can be aggressive in many ways.
(I have to be honest, I don’t think she’s as bad as everyone else seems to and firmly believe that if she were a male, she wouldn’t receive half as much hate from the fandom.)
The Siren by Kiera Cass | Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2.5)“There’s always room for love. Even if it’s as small as a crack in the door.”
As someone who has been a massive fan of Kiera Cass since the second I finished her The Selection series, it will come as no surprise to hear me say that I had looked forward to reading the revised edition of her first novel The Siren. It was only doubly appealing to think of all the mythology, the romance and the soothing and delectable tone her writing takes on.
Say what you will about the simplicity of it all, there’s just something so damn fun and appealing about the way her stories unfold. Kiera Cass is a romantic at heart and manages to put a hint of suspense in everything. If anything, this is something we should keep in mind–her prose is deeply satisfying in all its flaws and The Siren, though at times dull and rushed, is still a page turner and a simple read.
In fact, while it wasn’t my favorite read this year nor my favorite release by her, it is a grand addition to your summer reading list. There’s no guilt in reading it and it won’t take readers long to complete it.
The Siren is a tale of forbidden love, with mythology here and there to keep things going. I have to admit, I expected more of it and wished for more development. Sometimes, I felt the characters were likable but merely there and the dreamy tone didn’t offer much to help me. I also wasn’t that pleased by the relationship we witnessed–it was sweet, but a little too rushed and I just couldn’t get into it.
Happily Ever After (TS Companion) by Kiera Cass | Rating: ★★★★★For the first time maybe ever, it didn't matter if I looked beautiful or not. I felt it.
It’s funny to think that, all those years ago when first novel to the series, The Selection was announced I had no idea I would end up so consumed by this series. Truthfully I had no idea I would even like it slightly based on how it was marketed as a mix between The Hunger Games and The Bachelor. I mean… come on.
I was intrigued, though, and that alone sparked just enough curiosity in me to pick up that first book.
I’ve been hooked ever since. And years later, fans like me have been treated to an expansion of the series and now a brand spanking new (and absolutely stunning) hardcover companion novel. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m feeling positively spoiled!
Kiera Cass has an incredible talent and a colorful way of expressing her characters emotions. In writing so simple, she conveys complexities of emotions and the turmoil of love that is trying and unexpected. It’s easy to get invested in the lives of her characters and their world of intrigue, glamour, royalty and danger.
The Heir by Kiera Cass | Rating: ★★★★☆ "I think you're mistaking comfort for joy."
The Selection trilogy is one of my favorite novel series in the young adult genre solely based upon how sweet and fluffy it is. There's something so easy about this series to escape into that it reminds me how fun reading is. It’s a simple read that doesn’t slack on entertainment. While it isn’t the best, most creative novel series in a life changing way; there’s [still] something utterly light, intriguing and action packed about this world that Kiera Cass has given us.
The Selection series is certainly reminiscent to the reality shows of our modern times, except with a futuristic and royal twist filled with a rich history of its own. It is no secret that the series has a massive following and with that comes a batch of those who dislike it for one reason or another.
Often compared to The Hunger Games and The Bachelor; the original series focused on the life of a young woman named America Singer as she struggles to fit into this world of romance and luxury; leaving behind a boy from home as she joins the competition to become the next queen of this fictional land. She never expected to fall in love, but she did -- and the decision of who she is, who she wants to be and who she cannot live without is ever so present throughout the series' original run.
The One by Kiera Cass | Rating: ★★★★★"You are not the world, but you are everything that makes the world good."
Okay, guys. I have a lot of feelings on this one — a lot, a lot, a lot. Way more than I’d ever planned when it came down to this trilogy; while The One had moments that seemed rushed and had its fair share of weaknesses, it is by far the best in the trilogy. And the perfect end to America’s story.
I’m going to warn you now that my review will not be spoiler free. I’ve given it a bit of time since its release date to review it and if you have not yet had the pleasure of reading it, I suggest you turn around now. I will leave you with some words that will give you the general idea of what this novel contains: tears — happy and sad, swoons, laughs and more tears.
Did I mention tears? ‘Cos there’s a lot of tears. Just thought I’d clarify.
Kiera Cass has managed to make me a full time fan and believer through the course of her trilogy. There were times in the first book that, while I didn’t hate it, I thought I may not continue the trilogy. And then I picked up my copy of The Elite and everything changed for me when it came to my feelings towards this story.
In the course of these three novels, she has managed to build her world and make the story more and more intriguing. It’s soapy and sweet and funny and romantic. The series, as a whole, just kept getting better and better as it went on. The One manages to complete the series with several twists, turns, confessions, redemption and resolutions.
The Elite by Kiera Cass | Rating: ★★★★☆"Love is beautiful fear."
All right, all right — let me start by saying that The Elite was much better than The Selection. It made me a bigger fan of the romance and glitz of it all — it definitely made me a bigger fan of Maxon in spite of his flaws in this novel. Perhaps it was witnessing a great deal of his flaws that made me enjoy him further as a character. But yes, it’s official — I’m totally on team Maxon!
Can I first start by saying that I’m disappointed this series never did get picked up as an adaption on the CW? Although I typically hate their “adaptions” (see: Gossip Girl, The Secret Circle and more) I would give anything to see these books as a television series or movie. Can you imagine all the fashion and scenery? I’m practically drooling — and getting off topic, if you couldn’t tell. But back to the review at hand…
I’m glad we got to see a bit of a change in America in terms of going out there and getting what she wants. She’s fickle — it’s a human trait that I certainly don’t hate and I’m glad that she’s beginning to come around to it all. America is a very interesting character to read and get inside her mind and I do believe that she’d make a wonderful leader — princess, queen, anything. Although she doesn’t always do the right thing, I think her determination is admirable and she is caring and intelligent and just the right fit.
The Selection by Kiera Cass | Rating: ★★★★☆“True love is usually the most inconvenient kind.”
I’m going to start by saying that I had very low expectations for this novel. Previews of it I’ve read and descriptions on various book sites didn’t do much for me in terms of sparking my interest. However, I have had plans to read the first of this trilogy since the plot had been announced. And while I’ll admit right now that the plot and writing were at times weak, it was still a very entertaining read.
(At the same time, I think it had a lot more potential to be something bigger than it was. But I don’t want that to take away from the positives of it.)
I’m giving off a bit of mixed reviews for this, aren’t I? I’d like to clarify before we go on that I really did like the story. This novel is solid enough to make me want to read the remainder of the series. Just had to throw that out there!
As stated, my expectations were low when the plot was at first described as “The Hunger Games” (I mean really, what? In what way is the plot even similar to that? C’mon!) meets “The Bachelor” — it lacked its appeal for me since I’ve never been that interested in reality dating shows. And essentially, that is where the majority of our plot takes place. In the future country of Illéa, the current prince must choose his future wife during a competition called The Selection.
