May started off slow, but really caught up because I started an amazing series, and then ended with a rough surprise. I did start working on my May post a bit ago, but I'm just now getting to the point where I can finish wrapping it up. With that being said, I did finish 5 books.
I'm now at 23/60 finished books for my 2018 Reading Challenge! Check it out here - https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/7501-2018-reading-challenge
You'll find each book's review and synopsis below.
1) THE SELCTION - BY: KIERA CASS - 214 PAGES - 5/5 STARS
MY THOUGHTS: First off, I just need to get my excitement to even read this series off my chest!!!! I had seen this series on Bookstagram FOREVER ago, and immediately fell in love with the covers! Little to my surprise, the books definitely lived up to all the hype! Seriously.
The books genre falls under young adult romance. What really made me love the series though is that its set in a dystopian fairy-tale world! I really love dystopian based books, and I honestly don't think I've read one that I haven't enjoyed. What made this dystopian world interesting is that there's a caste system that divides up and creates various classes of people, and they're based on employment. There's still a king, queen and royal family that runs the whole system, but its cool that they decide to hold "The Selection" to find a suitable match for the Prince.
The dystopian aspect, romance and what not was fun to read about, but then the author added in drama (among the girls, of course), family trauma, and conflict (in the rebellious sort). Not to mention the character development and assortment. Characters I disliked at first ended up being among my favorites, and vice versa.
If any of that sounds like your cup of tea, I would give this series a try.
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS 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..
2) THE ELITE - BY: KIERA CASS - 342 PAGES - 5/5 STARS
MY THOUGHTS: The second book was just as good as the first one, and still full of lots of dystopian, romance, conflict and drama.
In this book, America becomes more herself and learns what she truly wants, even though she still feels torn in two directions. Did I mention that there's a love triangle in the heart of this series? It gets a little intense.
The book review from Publishers Weekly for The Elite is "A cross between The Hunger Games (minus the bloodsport) and The Bachelor (minus the bloodsport)." Which is such a good brief summary of the series and what you should expect. There is a little "bloodsport" in the series, but that's because of the rebellious conflict going on in a supporting plot.
I loved The Hunger Games, so a little bloodsport doesn't scare me. What I hadn't watched was The Bachelor, but now I've seen a couple seasons. I can't tell you how appropriate the above quote is. So if you enjoyed either or both, this is a fun series to read!
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 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.
3) THE ONE - BY: KIERA CASS - 342 PAGES - 5/5 STARS
MY THOUGHTS: Which cover has been your favorite so far? Mine is a tie between The Selection and The One. This is the book that everything has built up to, so A LOT happens. It keeps you on your toes and throws a lot of unexpected plot twists your way.
I just don't even know what to say, I could literally not put this book down. All I wanted to do was hurry up and finish it so I could find out what happened at the end. There were even times where I'd have that, what?!? moment where something totally unexpected happened. You learn so much more about all of the main characters, and its fun to see how their past shaped them into who they become in the end.
It would be amazing if they could make a movie adaptation of this series, or if I could just have some princess dresses!
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 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
4) HAPPILY EVER AFTER - BY: KIERA CASS - 387 PAGES - 5/5 STARS
MY THOUGHTS: So, if you decide to read The Selection series, and you end up loving it (which you will), then you'll want to get Happily Ever After. Why? Because it takes all of the popular characters and expands their storyline to give you just a little more, and gives a better look into what made some characters tick.
It's kind of like Harry Potter where you have all the additional books that go with the main series, and how that only enhances the main series. Plus it takes you back into a world that you love and enjoy. Who wouldn't want more?
Something to note is that you should find this book to buy, there are a couple others where you can just get specific stories. This is the one that gives you all of them in one book.
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: The contents of Happily Ever After are as follows:
-The Prince (with the two bonus chapters), Maxon’s novella
-The Guard, Aspen’s novella
-The Queen, Amberly’s novella
-The Favorite, Marlee’s novella
-Three scenes from Celeste’s POV
-Lucy’s scene (bonus scene from The One)
-The bonus epilogue
-Where are they now?
-A map
-Various illustrations
5) THE HEIR - BY: KIERA CASS - 342 PAGES - 5/5 STARS
MY THOUGHTS: I gave this book 5 stars, but I'm going to be honest, it's just not as good as the first three. It's worth the read though for a couple reasons.
It's still set in the same world and setting, and gives you the chance to see where the characters from the first three books end up and how their lives are going. Those parts are some of my favorite because of how fun it is to learn more about where everyone is now and how they developed into some amazing adults!
Another good reason to read this is because it ends in a much more exciting way, I promise!
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 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.
But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.
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.
6) THE CROWN - BY: KIERA CASS - 278 PAGES - 5/5 STARS
MY THOUGHTS: So the last book does a great job of wrapping everything up, and also has amazing character development for the main character, Eadlyn. I guess you just need to be patient with her until this one.
I did not want this book to end! I don't know that I could have wanted anything to be different about this series. The author, Kiera Cass, has such great character development where at times you almost feel like the character is just so very childish and selfish, but then something just clicks. They end up learning what they want for their life while also working their hardest to better those around them.
Since this series has the whole royal family aspect, it also does a good job of showing the developments in how the country is run, all the conflict, why there's conflict and who contributes what.
Also, this cover is gorgeous!
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 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.
I don't know about you, but if you aren't sold on reading this series I obviously said something wrong. It's just so good!!! One another note, I ended up loving this series and Kiera Cass so much that I got a book called The Siren, also by her. I have no idea what it's about but I'll let you know once I finish it :)
My June and July reads will be coming at you soon! If you have any questions or want to discuss any of my reads just let me know!
