Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Review : The Selection by Kiera Cass

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 336
Source: ARC

The Story:

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.

- via Barnes & Noble

My Review: One word: CHARMING

Let me start off by saying I love modern retellings of fairytales. So I ws totally stoked to devour The Selection on the plane ride home from the RT Booklovers Convention in Chicago. And the only reason I managed to snag a copy was because I'd just so happen to spot it in a fellow book blogger's bag while she was rearranging it. I'd saked hr if they were giving ARCs out at the Convention but she answered "no." By pure luck, she also said that I could have the copy she was carrying because she had an extra one at home. To top it off with sprinkles: it's signed!

Readers began the story by meeting America Singer, a seventeen-year-old who lives as a Five. The caste system of Illea is rather interesting. Being a One means you are Royalty while being a Eight means you are homeless. Fives are the Artists. "And artists and classical musicians were only three steps up from dirt." America is a performer, a musician, who sings while her mother plays the piano. Her younger sister, beautiful and boy crazy May, is an artist like their Dad. Their little brother, Gerard, hasn't found his talent yet but then again he's only seven. While America's family - father, mother, younger sister and her little brother - aren't exactly starving, they can't have seconds at dinnertime either.

Addressed to the House of Singer was a letter in the post. All young women of age between 16 and 20 were encouraged to enter in the Selection, a lottery. And if selected, one girl from each province would go on to compete for the crown as a the future bride of Prince Maxon and princess of Illea. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. "Participants will be housed at the lovely Illea Palace in Angeles for the duration of their stay. the families of each participant will be generously compensated for their service to the royal family." Only problem is: America doesn't want to be a One.

What she wants is to be with Aspen Leger. The one who makes America's heart skip. The one she is forbidden to be with. Her secret for the last two years. The boyfriend she breaks Illea's strict rules and curfew to date unbeknowest to her family. Why? People marry up, like America's older sister Kenna, not down. And Aspen is a Six. Sixes are those you call when you need help with cleaning or serving at a dinner party. But after America finds out she has been choosen to compete for the chance to be the princess of a war-torn country, Aspen ends their relationship.

Practically forced by her caste climbing mother to participate in the Selection, America accepts her bid and makes way to the palace with the thirty-four other girls. She decides that she may as well use her time at Illea Palace to benefit her family. Who knows, once the Selection was over and done with, maybe she'd be able to utilize her new status as a Three to help her loved ones then. Besides, it isn't like Aspen would miss her while she was gone. Except, there is an unexpected hitch in her plan: Prince Maxon Schreave.

 The Selection is a story about a girl who just wants to be with the guy she loves, but instead ends up capturing the heart of a prince who isn't who she thought he was. And normally that would be an easy notion to disregard. But, instead of the stuck-up little wimp America pegged him to be, Prince Maxon is, in fact, a shy, compassionate person trying to find his place as a individual other than just the guy with the title of The Prince.

Kiera Cass' debut Young Adult novel is a soft, endearing read that will open your eyes to the possibility of a different happily ever after. The Selection has a little bit of everything for a variety of readers' tastes. There's dystopia, a love-triangle, a prince, a fairy-tale theme, a brooding beau and more.

Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!

***Check out Kiera Cass' website for more information about her and The Selection: HERE

Happy reading!
Sunday, April 1, 2012

Going to Chicago!

It's April which means ...


This year's convention will be held in Illinois (last year's was in Los Angeles and you can check out my post HERE) from Aprill 11th through the 15th. However, will only being attending the Giant Book Fair and, of course, Teen Day; both of which will be held on Saturday, the 14th.
In two short weeks, I will be arriving in Chicago, bright and early, on April 13th and leaving late on the 15th. So, that means I will have two whole days to explore the Windy City. Here are some of my ideas for sightseeing:
-- Navy Pier
-- The Bean
-- The Magnificent Mile
-- Skydeck Chicago
What do you guys thinks? Any other suggestions??? I would love to know where else I should visit.
Always,
Haysel