The Selection Novellas by Kiera Cass

The Queen by Kiera Cass  (Book 0.4)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

This was a fascinating look into how the Kind and Queen came together during their selection. I confess that I hate the King and often don't respect the behaviors and choices of the Queen. All the same, I think their story is very interesting and provides a lot of insight.

Book 28 read in 2018

Pages: 72

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The Prince by Kiera Cass  (Book 0.5)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

So far, this is my favorite of the novellas, probably simply because it digs deeper into who Maxon is and what he thinks.

Book 28 read in 2018

Pages: 64

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The Guard by Kiera Cass  (Book 2.5)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

I enjoyed this less on the second read, mostly because I have lost a bit of interest in Aspen. I couldn't help wishing it was more about Lucy. That being said, it should still be read by those who adore the series, as it contributes more to who Aspen is.

Book 29 read in 2018

Pages: 64

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The Favorite by Kiera Cass  (Book 3.5)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

Okay, I was wrong before. This is my favorite novella in this series, because it's about Carter and Marlee, whom I adore. Their love story came out of the blue in the actual series, since they aren't the main characters, so it was great to see how that developed here.

Book 31 read in 2018

Pages: 58

The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

The Heir by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

I enjoyed this just as much the second time. I really like that initially, it's hard for me to like Eadlyn, and it takes some getting to know her (and her getting to know herself) for her to grow on me. It's kind of a reminder that if you judge people on first impressions, you really do miss out on a lot.

Book 26 read in 2018

Pages: 368

PREVIOUS REVIEW:
When I started this book, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to like it, despite enjoying the original series. I had trouble understanding the main character and didn't particularly like her. However, I don't feel it's necessary to like a character, as long as I can love their story.

The more I read, the more this grew on me. I actually started to understand the MC more and more, and I appreciated the ways she changed and grew throughout the story. I also really enjoyed the wide variety of guys and all of their interesting personalities.

If you secretly love the bachelor, this book is probably for you. If you haven't read the original trilogy though, I recommend you do that first. It's a bit light on the dystopia and heavy on the romance and drama, so I often wish that balance was reversed. However, it's a different, fun read. I'm happy I kept going long enough to give this story and its characters a chance.

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The Crown by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

Yep. Still love this. It's just fun on so many levels, though on this second read, I would have liked a bit more resolution at the end, even though it ends well, overall. That may just be me being greedy.

Book 27 read in 2018

Pages: 288

PREVIOUS REVIEW:
This was a great finale to a series that's perfect for anyone who is secretly or publicly addicted to The Bachelor on ABC.

Also, I think while the first book had some weaknesses (particularly in world building), despite being enjoyable, I could really see how the author has grown and improved her writing across the series.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

I started rereading this book 30 minutes before bedtime, having forgotten what a compulsive read it truly is, which means I was up late and am tired today, though I don't regret having stayed up to read the book straight through (again).

This story is full of drama and intrigue, a lot like The Bachelor, which is another guilty pleasure. It amuses me how the characters mirror behaviors you see from women thrown into the live version of this story, but it is still a compelling piece of fiction.

Is it fluffy?  

Absolutely.

Is if fun?   

Definitely.

Is it dramatic?

IS LIFE DRAMATIC? Oh, sorry. I mean yes. 

Yes, it is dramatic. 

Is the dystopian aspect of the story pretty weak?

Yep.

Do I care about that?

Nope. It's not why I showed up. I'm just along for the ride, which is always twisty and fast-paced.

I mean, come on. I already know how the story ends up, but I still found myself stressing out over what would happen with America and Maxon in the middle of the night. And that's what I want from a story--something that drags me in and won't let me go.

Also, just like I do while watching The Bachelor, I couldn't help shouting at the both of them a few times, to try to get them to comply with my wishes, which they rarely did. That's unfortunate, because I feel sure I could have helped them avoid a few errors and delays along the way. ;)

Book 23 read in 2018

Pages: 336

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The Elite by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

Somehow, I didn't review this book the first time I read it. I suspect that was because I was too busy picking up book 3 to stop and write one. The same thing happened this time. As soon as book 2 ended, I immediately flipped to book 3. This series is so delightfully compulsive. I suspect I'll revisit again, from time to time, because it makes me happy.

Book 24 read in 2018

Pages: 336

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The One by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

This was just as much fun as when I read it the first time, perhaps more so, because I had some amount of certainty that it would end on a good note. Yes, I say some, because the best stories always make you worry, even when you logically know there's no need.

Book 25 read in 2018

Pages: 368

PREVIOUS REVIEW:
WARNING: Stupid grins, swooning, crying, racing hearts, yelling at the story, and flailing may occur (In the best of all possible ways).

I loved this final novel in the trilogy. It was exciting and satisfying in all kinds of ways. I was very worried, as I often am about a final book, but it was all for nothing. This book sucked me in from the moment I glanced at the first page until I read the very last words...which were perfect.

The Crown by Kiera Cass

The Crown by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a great finale to a series that's perfect for anyone who is secretly or publicly addicted to The Bachelor on ABC.

Also, I think while the first book had some weaknesses (particularly in world building), despite being enjoyable, I could really see how the author has grown and improved her writing across the series.

Pages: 288

The Heir by Kiera Cass

The Heir by Kiera Cass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shortly after I started this YA novel, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to like it, despite enjoying the original series. I had trouble understanding the main character and didn't particularly like her. However, I don't feel it's necessary to like a character, as long as I can appreciate their story, so I kept reading.

The more I read, the more this grew on me. I actually started to understand the MC more and more, and I appreciated the ways she changed and grew throughout the story. I also really enjoyed the wide variety of guys and all of their interesting personalities.

If you secretly love the bachelor, this book is probably for you. If you haven't read the original trilogy though, I recommend you do that first. It's definitely better.  The whole series is a bit light on the dystopia and heavy on romance and drama, so I often wish that balance was reversed. However, it's a different, fun read. I'm happy I kept going long enough to give this story and its characters a chance. I am hopeful the next book will end up being better than this one.

Pages: 368

The Heir by Kiera Cass

Summary: "Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn't expect her Selection to be anything like her parents' fairy-tale love story ... but as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought."

Unfortunately, The Heir did not live up to the fun and excitement of the previous 3 books in the Selection series. Princess Eadlyn is a spoiled, self-centered brat. She's also incredibly dim, dull and downright insensitive at times. I didn't relate to her or root for her at all. However, the end of the book indicated that Eadlyn might have learned from her mistakes and is willing to change her ways. I am hopeful that the next book in Eadlyn's story will turn things around. 

346 pages

The One by Kiera Cass

Summary: ""As her Selection approaches its finish, America must decide where her heart truly lies--and Prince Maxon must pick one winner to wear the crown." 

The One is the third and final book of The Selection series by Kiera Cass. I read it in one day! It's more fast-paced than the previous two books, and I was anxious to see how it would all end. It definitely had some surprises and shocking moments, even though the flow of it is a little predictable. It becomes predictable that America will be joyously happy one moment, then it all falls apart in the next chapter. 

323 pages

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Summary: "Sixteen-year-old America Singer continues competing in the Selection--but before she can fight to win Prince Maxon and the Illean crown, she must decide where her own heart truly lies."

The Elite is the second book in the Selection triology by Kiera Cass. I enjoyed it overall, but America makes some truly frustrating decisions that had me in fits! She is a flawed heroine who makes selfish and impulsive decisions that have serious consequences for herself, her relationship with the Prince and for the country!

323 pages

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Summary: "Sixteen-year-old America Singer is living in the caste-divided nation of Illéa, which formed after the war that destroyed the United States. America is chosen to compete in the Selection--a contest to see which girl can win the heart of Illéa's prince--but all she really wants is a chance for a future with her secret love, Aspen, who is a caste below her." 

The Selection is the first book in a trilogy by Kiera Cass. It's kind of like The Hunger Games meets the Bachelor. The story starts out a bit slow, but picks up once America (weird name!) finally gets to the castle and meets the Prince. Overall, the book could be a little more developed, but I actually couldn't put it down towards the end. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!

327 pages