Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Review : The Heir by Kiera Cass

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

Publisher: Harper Teen 

Release DateMay 5, 2015
Pages: 368
Source: Own

The Story:

Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series has enchanted readers from the very first page. In this fourth romantic novel, follow IllĂ©a's royal family into a whole new Selection—and find out what happens after happily ever after.
Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon's heart. 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.
A new generation of swoonworthy characters and captivating romance awaits in the fourth book of the Selection series!
via Amazon

Rating
THREE Gold Stars!!!



My Review

I am not going to lie, I was so stoked about reading 
The Heir. I loved The Selection trilogy and when I find out Kiera Cass was given the green-light to continue the series -- from the point of view of Maxon and America's daughter -- I almost cried. So . . . I may have set my expectations a bit too high going in. Do not get me wrong, I enjoyed reading the start of Eadlyn's -- you don't know this, but I didn't even remember her name -- story, it wasn't as grasping as her mother's.

Tag Line:

35 suitors. 1 princess. A new selection has begun.

Opening Line:

I could not hold my breath for seven minutes.

Plot:

T
here wasn't as much romantic sparks as I was hoping for-- you know, the swoony moments to die for. But the plot as a whole had promise. The plot was basically the same as for The Selection. Reluctant girl navigates through The Selection and finds a spouse. However, I enjoy Eadlyn as a character so she keeps me in the story. 

As for the sidebar: King Maxon changed the game, as he had dreamed, and rid the country of the caste system. America is gracefully and strong as ever. *And they are both still deeply in love* Eadlyn has adorable brothers with personality and one with his own subplot drama.

All in all, I enjoyed reading The HeirI do hope the next book in the series has a bit more drama to spice the plot up. Although it is not one of my favorites it is a decent read, worth the time if you are willing.  

Character Breakdown:

Eadlyn - I can say, without a doubt, I relate to Eadlyn. We have such similarities in beliefs and characteristics it was the books saving grace. Because the main character reminded me of me -- how vain that sounds -- I felt as if I were a part of the story. 

Meet the Author:


Kiera Cass graduated from Radford University with a degree in History. She grew up in South Carolina and currently lives in Blacksburg, Virginia with her family. In her spare time, Kiera enjoys reading, dancing, making videos, and eating unhealthy amounts of cake. You can learn more about Kiera at kieracass.com, follow her on twitter via @kieracass, and see her silly videos at YouTube.com/user/kieracass.


***Check out Kiera Cass' website for more information about her and The HeirHERE




Happy Reading!


Friday, June 5, 2015

Book Expo America 2015!


Everyone who knows me knows the most anticipated event I look forward to is BookExpo America. Already can't wait for BEA 2016, too bad it's in Chicago next year.

Once again, huge thanks to my Aides *job description: snagging ARCs and heavy lifting; a.k.a book slaves*, who are also my big little brother, my mother and my guy I was able to snag nearly all of the books on my most wanted list plus awesome books I didn't even know I wanted. Not to mention, I was able to share my favorite event of the year with my favorite people =)


May 27th: Day 1 Highlights






Autographing Area

Amy Ewing signing THE WHITE ROSE



Lines near Penguin/Random House booth






In-Booth Signing

Jennifer Donnelly signing THESE SHALLOW GRAVES at the Random House booth!









Before the madness began in the Autographing Area!




Prepping for Day 2

Day 1 Loot:

Can't wait to crack open the covers of THE WHITE ROSE written byAmy Ewing and WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER by Rae Carson and THESE SHALLOW GRAVES by Jennifer Donnelly.


***
May 28th: Day 2 Highlights







This year was lucky enough to be invited to Harlequin Teen Blogger Breakfast again. It was fantastic. We had speed dating with authors as well as Harlequin Teen personnel. AND we received a goodie bag with swag and ARCs (Advance Reader Copies).







*I received the ARCs of the following books:


Here is a closeup of the author panel from the breakfast:

Jennifer Amentrout, Katie McGarry, Eleanor Herman
& Adi Alsaid

 









Color-coded plan of attack for Day 2

















Autograph Area

Blurry but that's Josephine Angelini signing FIREWALKER










In-Booth Signing

Marissa Meyer signing FAIREST

In-Booth Signing

Libba Bray signing LAIR OF DREAMS









Autograph Area

My guy waiting on a long line



Day 2 Loot:

Favorites some this epic pile include: LOIS LANE FALLOUT by Gwenda Bond, THE CAGE by Megan Shepherd, HUNTER by Mercedes Lackey.





***

May 30th: Day 3 Highlights

The final day of BEA is always sad but, alas, still wonderful as ever.








 Oh, that's just James Patterson I spotted while waiting to check in my bag at the luggage claim









Autograph Area

The wait.


 
Autograph Area

Carrie Ryan signing DAUGHTER OF DEEP SILENCE








Autograph Area


Scott Westerfeld signing ZEROES






 









Autograph Area

Leigh Bardugo signing SIX OF CROWS

 
Autograph Area

Alexandra Bracken signing IN THE AFTERLIGHT







Autograph Area

Aaron Hartzler signing WHAT WE SAW






Autographing Area

Julie Murphy signing DUMPLIN'

Final Day Loot:

Usually, the last day of BEA usually accounts for the smallest book loot but not this year :)


The Tattered Page giveaway piles . . .


*Check out my posts for previous BEAs: BEA 2011 (Day 1Day 2 & Day 3), BEA 2012BEA 2013 & BEA 2014.

Happy Reading!
Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Wishlist Wednesday #36


*Wishlist Wednesday is where you show a book that has been on your wishlist/TBR list for a while, the meme is hosted by Pen to Paper*


Killer Within by S.E. Green

PublisherSimon Pulse 
Release Date: May 19, 2015
Pages: 304

The Story:

In the heart-pounding sequel to the “zippy, gripping psychological drama” (Kirkus ReviewsKiller Instinct, teen vigilante Lane must face the secrets and unexpected consequences that arise in the wake of her first kill.

It’s been three months since Lane made her first kill—the sadistic Decapitator—and now she feels both closer and more alienated than ever from her united, grieving family. Haunted by conflicting memories of her mother, Lane resumes her role as the vigilante Masked Savior out of a feeling of obligation—but her heart just isn’t in it anymore. Now that Lane has felt the rush of deeper, darker thrills, a growing part of her wants to revisit its seductive power, and she’s not sure how long she can resist.

Meanwhile, the Masked Savior has inspired its own fan site, where groupies gather online to praise, document, and debate each delivered act of justice. But one of Lane’s secret admirers is becoming a cunning copycat, exacting “justice” on defenseless innocents, increasing the violence with each attack.

Someone is watching Lane, edging closer to making contact. Someone who knows her darkest secrets. Will Lane be able to stop the copycat and keep her identity protected? Or will she give in to the thrills that tempt her?


-via Amazon

Want to see my entire Wishlist? Check it out on Amazon: Books I Dream About

Happy Reading!