Review: The Heir

Twenty years after her parents met during The Selection, the kingdom changed. Now the caste system is obsolete, but the problems haven't gone away.

Princess Eadlyn has been preparing to take her father's place on the trone her whole life. With the political unrest, the people could use a distraction. So, she agrees to her own Selection.

A group of young men comes to the palace all vying for her hand in marriage. Princess Eadlyn is convinced she'll never fall in love.  She doesn't need the grand love that her parents have, but it would be nice to have a partner she can respect who will support and respect her. Will she find herself a prince consort among the contestants?

My Thoughts: I loved the Section trilogy, so I was SO happy to hear about the spin-off trilogy. And it didn't disappoint!

I loved the princess. I liked how Princess Eadlyn was torn between her duty of finding a mate and understanding her heart. I loved how she enjoyed politics and helping to run the country, even though at times it can seem like a burden. She's smart, determined, and blunt at times. I love how she began to understand her people and not see them only as a duty. She started to question  the idea of perfection and finding her self-worth outside her primary role. 

I loved learning more about the characters from the previous series and how their lives turned out. I really liked the blossoming friendship between the princess and Kile. I enjoyed her twin brother and his quirks. 

My only concern is why didn't the guys in the selection have to jump through hoops like the girls did? They didn't seem to have to plan or create anything to prove their worth.

I can't wait to see what happens next, especially after that ending!

Cover Thoughts: This one might be my favorite yet.
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: If you haven't read this one yet, what are you waiting for? It's got everything: friendship, family drama, romance, kissing, political unrest, and a smart heroine you want to root for. 

Books I'm Dying to Read: May Edition

So many good books are coming out in May- here are the ones I can't wait to get my hands on!

Lois Lane: Lois Lane, reporter, wants to solve mysteries

Scarlett Undercover: Muslim American Veronica Mars (Enough said)

School for Unusual Girls: Regency England - spies - and romance!

Huntress of Thornbeck Forest: Swan Lake meets Robin Hood in a forbidden love story

Novice: A trilogy with a fight for good vs evil - and the powers of summoning.

Tracked: Fast and the Furious set in the future

Wrath and the Dawn: Inspired by One Thousand and One Nights

NIL Unlocked: Back on the island - and back in danger

The Hunted: Sequel to The Living - can't wait for more of this trilogy.

Hold Me Like a Breath: A mob family that controls the black market for organ donations and a girl who desperately wants her freedom.

Saint Anything: Anything by Sarah Dessen is a must read for me.

Off the Page: Companion to Between the Lines - fairy tale that comes right from the pages of a book

Summer After You and Me: Summer on the boardwalk after superstorm Sandy hits - how will this summer go?

PS. I Still Love You: Pretend boyfriend turned into something more?

Fill In Boyfriend: I've been meaning to read her books because they all look fantastic and perfect for summer.

If I Were You: Freaky Friday scenario for two BFFs

Forget Me Not Summer: 3 Sisters spend the summer on Cape Cod

RSVP: 4 BFFs start a party planning business - but nothing goes right

Best Friend Next Door: Tween books about the power of friendship 

Summer on Lover's Island: The third book in the Jewel Cove series - Loved the first one, still need to read the 2nd books.

Matter of Heart: A swimmer with dreams of the Olympics - with a heart condition. 

Heir: I can't wait to see how American's daughter's own Selection turns out!

Eternal City: Romantic thriller set in Rome.

Sparks in Scotland: While vacating on Scotland, Ava learns more that just about her heritage - she learns about love.

Kissing in America: A romance reader meets a boy - will it be like the  books she adores?

Tiny Pretty Things: Elite ballet school filled with lots of drama

Improbably Theory of Amy and Zak: An accidental first date could lead to...something

Killer Within: I tore through the first book, excited to see what happens next

I already read and LOVED:

Top Ten Tuesday: Upcoming Sequels

This week's topic is our top upcoming sequels that we want to read. I'm going to slip my lists into two (look for the adult spin-off on Friday). I love series books, so this is hard for me to narrow down, but I'm going to do it.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Throne of Glass #4 (no cover or title yet)

Firefight

Ruby Circle

The Fixer (just finished book 2 and it was AMAZING - no cover)

The Heir

PS I Still Love You (no cover)

Miss Mayhem

Conspiracy of Princes

We Can Work it Out

I am the Traitor

Mini Review: The One

At the end of The Elite, it's clear that things look rocky for American. Maxon's father doesn't trust her and it's convinced she's Princess material. America is still confused about her feelings for Maxon -there have been so many mixed signals and misunderstandings. What will their future hold - marriage, friendship, or enemies? 

The Good: A perfect end to a fantastic trilogy filled with romance, friendship, family, danger, moments that made me gasp and my heart stop.

The Bad: It's over

Overall: If you haven't read this trilogy yet, run to a library and get all the books and read them! They're amazingly good.

Top Ten Tuesday

This week's topic is  Top Ten Best Sequels Ever . I read a lot of series books and I admit that it's hard for me to take them as separate books - but I will try. I can't not choose my favorite Harry Potter book - because I love them all, but one for sure would be on the list.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Harry Potter

Crown of Midnight
The Elite

Dark Triumph

Perfect Scoundrels

Girl in the Clockwork Collar

Taken by Storm

Mastermind Plot

Pies and Prejudice

Sweet Legacy

What about you?

Review: The Elite

 * Sequel to The Selection - which comes out April 23rd*

America's still at the Palace along with 5 other girls, all wanting Maxon's heart and hand in marriage. Maxon's waiting to hear that America's decided her future.

She's torn between the Prince and a boy from her home, who just happens to be at the castle too. Her heart and her head is torn. She's not sure she has what it takes to be a Princess and help  rule the land.

The longer she puts off her decision, the more contests pop up, showing off strengths and weaknesses of the other girls. The Rebels are also growing more and more daring. Soon it's not just America's heart that might not be safe.

My Thoughts: I devoured this book. I loved the tasks given to the girls to proof their ability to continue not only in the selection but also their lives as Princess. I enjoyed the various levels of comradery between the girls. I liked America unraveling her thoughts: her worries, her fears, and her desires. There were times when I wanted to tell her she was being silly, but I liked watching the process. There were so many emotions flailing through this book: horror, awe, adoring, scared, anxious.  I can't wait to find out how it all ends!

Cover Thoughts: Great!
Source: Sent for Review
Fun Fact: The Show for CW is still in the works!This makes me VERY excited!!

Teen Book Character Outfit: The Elite

I read The Elite by Kiera Cass. She has a great wardrobe, I wouldn't mind wearing some of her dresses. (Review coming soonish).

Here's what I picture her wearing.

The pin will also go up on my Library Pinterest Board

Review: The Selection

America's world isn't great, but it isn't bad either. There's always food on the tables. She loves her musical job. She has a secret boyfriend, whom she's planning a life with. But one moment changes all that.

Prince Maxon's looking for a wife and one girl from each province (35 total) will compete for his hand in marriage. America has no interest in throwing her name into the ring, but separately, Aspen and her mother convince her to participate.

America's stunned when her name is announced on the news. She's elevated into society and taken to the Palace with the other girls. There she will meet the Royal family, including the Prince.

In leaving her home, America's heart broke. She needs to stay at the palace to recover from her heartache, but also to help her family financially. The longer she's there, the more money her family receives. They could certainly use the help.

The first night, America befriends the Prince. Her low ranking among society and her beauty make her a favorite with the people. The more time she spends with the Prince, the more her heart starts to unthaw. Could she ever love him?

My Thoughts: I didn't realize this was the start of a new series  and was surprised when it ended, but I'm happy there's more coming. I devoured this book - I could not put it down. 


I really liked this world with the castes and society. I loved how America befriended the Prince and their first moments together. I loved their relationship - their easy manner, their banter, and their honesty. I love how America might be opening his eyes to all the castes of society and the hardship for the lower people. 


I liked America's family, especially her two younger siblings. I found them entertaining. I hope there's more of them in the upcoming books. 


I loved the Palace and the descriptions of the dresses. I liked the other girls, especially Anne, Mary and Lucy (her maids) and Marlee.  


I liked the ending and admired America.


Cover Thoughts: I adore the cover - although I wish it tied into the book. There were so many dresses described...


Source: my Library.


Fun Fact: There's talk of this becoming a show on the CW - which would be cool. They shot the Pilot, but are going back to change things. It's not slated for Fall release, but it might be a mid-season show.