ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES by Jennifer Niven

“Theodore Finch wants to take his own life. Violet Markey is devastated by her sister’s death. They meet on the ledge of the school bell tower, and so their story begins. It’s only together they can be themselves… But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink. How far will Violet go to save the boy she has come to love?”

What is the book about?

Theodore Finch wants to take his own life. He spends most of his life worried about the Asleep and the other part experiencing it. Violet Markey has a normal, perfect life until her sister’s death changed everything and made her revisit her thoughts on life. They meet on the ledge of the school bell tower both considering the same thing and wondering what would happen if they jumped. Together, they manage to get down and carry on with their lives, but now they are connected and their story begins. They both feel that life is not what it should be, that they should be able to be happy and feel free all the time, but it’s only when they are together that they can be their true selves. Violet spent the time after her sister’s death being cautions and fading into the background almost as if her life had stopped, but Finch is the opposite and he thrives in making himself seen and showing the world that he is a part of it. Violet has never met anyone like Finch and she begins to see that just because she is alive and her sister isn’t doesn’t mean that she isn’t allowed to live. But as Finch helps Violet’s world grow, his own begins to shrink. He starts to change and it’s almost like he isn’t present at times. Violet must make a choice and she must find a way to save him, but how far will she go and how much is she willing to do for the boy she has come to love? Violet has already lost one person she loved and she doesn’t want to make it two. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Most books that I liked to read where mystery and adventure, fictional books that bring magic to life. But when I started this blog I wanted to try out as many new genres as I could and I also wanted to read books with more important meanings. All the Bright Places was one of the books that had caught my eye when I was looking for young adult fiction books. I had really enjoyed reading The Fault in Our Stars and All the Bright Places was suggested for readers who liked it, so I thought I would try it out. I have always found that most the books I liked were too unrealistic and made me have rather high and strange expectations for real life, but All the Bright Places was a story that, even though it was fictional, still gave a realistic view on life and how not all stories end happily. The blurb made me even more intrigued and I was very interested in learning how someone who wants to die teaches someone else how to live. The book started really well and I was already hooked from the very first sentence: “Is today a good day to die?” I found that every page was more interesting than the last and I was ready for anything. I quickly found myself at the end of the book, and now I partly wish that it had never finished. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Theodore Finch. Violet was also a great character, but Finch was the one who made her life better and, even though she also did this for him, he was able to show her that she didn’t have to stop living just because her sister died. Finch was a rather odd character and he acted kind of crazy at times. One of the best things about him was that he saw the good things in life a lot better than others and was able to see the beauty in the world clearer than Violet did. When Violet visited somewhere that wasn’t relatively nice she told herself to look at it through Finch’s eyes and then everything became beautiful and magical. Although he had suicidal thoughts and always researched and considered different ways to die, he was still a really good and even inspiration character because of how he lived life to the full, as if every day was his last day. The strange thing about him wanting to die was that, despite how horrible his day, he always found something good to use as a reason to stay alive, no matter how small it was. There is one thing that makes me rethink my choice of Finch as my favourite characters, but there was so much good in him, that it is easy to ignore. Finch had his own problems and he struggled to stay present in the world, but he was still able to show Violet that she shouldn’t give up on life just because she is alive and her sister is not. It seems weird that a boy who wants to die is able to show someone how to live, but Finch had a really deep understanding on living and how you have to let go of your fears to be able to enjoy your time on Earth. He gave Violet an experience that she will never forget and he changed lots of people by just being himself. He was present for those he loved even when they barely payed any attention to him and didn’t acknowledge that he had a problem. Finch gave me, as a reader, a realistic view on what it’s like to be a teenager that is bullied, has problems of their own and sometimes thinks that life would be better if they had never existed. He might have been real, but he made some wrong choices and even though it is normal to make mistakes, it is important to see that sometimes a different path is better. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

There were a lot of good parts in All the Bright Places and a few bad, but there was one part that I remember really well and really enjoyed. This is the part when Violet and Finch were on top of Purina Tower and Finch mentions the Jovian – Plutonian effect. At first I was a bit confused at what he was saying and why he was discussing something so strange, but once he explained himself I knew that it was one of the sweetest, nicest things ever. It was like Finch declaring he loved Violet without saying those 3 special but simple words. Although he had already said “I love you”, hearing how he put his thoughts into words and managed to describe what Violet made him feel like so perfectly was one of the most beautiful and romantic things ever. It seems impossible to be able to explain just how much you love someone, but he made the most accurate description ever with just one simple thing. It might have been weird, but it showed Violet the true Finch and how he felt about her. They knew they were in love, but this gave them something special just for them that would explain their feelings without saying the words that so many people use to express themselves. The scene was perfect and, in a book that is meant to be realistic, this showed me that there are times when life is good and when it feels like you are living in a fairy tale, but you have to suffer to get the good or you will never appreciate those moments and you will miss them when they come. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, All the Bright Places was a really incredible book and there was a lot that I loved about it. The number one thing that made me love the book was how realistic it was. The characters were real, the story was real, but it was all fictional. When a fictional book is real, it’s one of the most wonderful things ever. I really liked how some of the things that Finch and Violet said and thought were really relatable and put some of the things that go though most teenagers minds into words. I really enjoyed how it showed both sides of death: what it’s like to want to die, and what it’s like to have someone you love die. All the Bright Places was just such a meaningful and realistic book that showed me that even in fictional stories you have to feel pain to get to the happy parts, and even after that life has a way of making things worse even after you have hit rock bottom. Another thing that I enjoyed about the book was the amazing writing. There were so many beautiful quotes that put things that are hard to express into words. Every page there was something wonderful to read, even in the sad parts, and every word made me love the book even more. I have read lots of books with really amazing quotes, and this All the Bright Places is one that I will never forget. One other thing that surprised me about the book was how, even though it was supposedly a very sad book, it made me laugh. So many parts of the book had funny moments and strange thoughts that made me smile. There might have been a lot of sadness but the funny and sweet parts made up for it and showed that sometimes you have to laugh through the pain and see the good things in life rather than just the bad. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I really enjoyed reading All the Bright Places and I recommend you read it. I think it is best for readers 14 and over, but if you think you are ready to see the truth about life and how it isn’t all good then I definitely suggest you read it. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A story full of love, laughs and tears that will give you a new definition of life and change your world. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

HEARTLESS by Marissa Meyer

“Long before Alice fell down the rabbit hole… And before the roses were painted red… The Queen of Hearts was just a girl, in love for the first time.”

What is the book about?

Before Alice fell down the rabbit hole and Hearts was ruled by a bloodthirsty monarch, the Queen of Hearts was just a girl falling in love and wishing for a new fate. Catherine Pinkerton is the daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Rock Turtle Cove and her life is not her own. The King has taken a fancy to her and now she is destined to become his wife and the next Queen of Hearts. Her parents are sure she wants it and are proud to see their daughter become a royal, but Catherine is not as pleased as her fake smile might suggest. Glittering crowns, beautiful dresses, and shining jewels are not her dream; the only thing she wishes for in life is to run her own bakery with her maid, her best friend, by her side. But she is the daughter of a Marquess, she is a lady, and there is no way her impossible dream can become possible. At the King’s black and white ball, one shocking event after another places Catherine in the presence of a man completely out her reach, but Catherine seems to only have impossible dreams and nothing she wants in life seems to be coming true. Catherine begins to fall in love and for once she starts to think that maybe there is a small chance of the future she has always dreamed of. Her love’s specialty is impossible and there may be a way for Catherine to be happy. But not all fairy tales have happy endings and it seems Catherine’s dreams are too far out of reach…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I didn’t know about Heartless until one of my friends said she found it interesting and wanted it when I asked her what she would like me to get her for her birthday. Of course, as soon as I looked on Amazon to buy it, I was completely mesmerised and was intrigued. I had always liked twisted fairy tale books because it gave a new view, usually from the villain’s side, and gave you interesting information on why the person was seen as evil. I’ve always loved being able to see into a villains past because I have never believed that a person just starts off evil, as said by Regina Mills in Once Upon A Time: ‘Evil isn’t born, it’s made.’ Once my friend had finished reading Heartless, I begged to borrow it and finally she brought it in to school for me to take home. I always loved Alice in Wonderland and adored the little animals and fascinating plants as a child; I always liked it and was interested in seeing what Heartless would bring. The blurb was short and to the point, so I didn’t get much insight on what would happen in the book, but I knew there would be a tragic ending for whoever it was that the Queen of Hearts was in love with. Once I began the book, it took me a few chapters to start to get used to the book but soon I was flying through it and wishing I would never find its end. The first few chapters weren’t the most interesting, however once I met the love interest, everything got a lot more fascinating. I knew it was going to be sad yet I still found it very upsetting, but I am glad I read the book as I have discovered another amazing author. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

There were a lot of unimaginable characters in Heartless and I would consider quite a few of them as my favourite, but there were a couple characters that I liked more than the others. One of my favourite characters was Jest. He was so funny and optimistic and when he came into Catherine’s life he made it seem like he could make her impossible dreams possible, and he almost did. He was such a brave and sweet character and gave Catherine everything he could. Even when Catherine began to doubt that there was any way for her to achieve happiness, he managed to find a way, no matter how difficult it seemed he was there for Catherine and was ready to give up everything, to ignore his orders, and her fell in love just as much as he did. Jest was able to put a smile on Catherine’s face even in the darkest of times and he never stopped fighting for their future together, even when it seemed so far out of reach that they would have been able to achieve it even with all the magic in the world. The other character that I liked was Catherine. The best thing about her was that she was a dreamer. Her whole life had pretty much already been decided, but she was ignorant to this and kept on believing that her little bakery would be possible and that she would be able to escape her fate. She was brave and strong and, even though she was destined to be the Queen of Hearts, she was kind. Catherine reminded me so much of Alice and I couldn’t help but see all the qualities we love in Alice also shining in her. The only bad thing about Catherine was that she let her anger and vengeance get the best of her and turn her into a heartless monster. I now have a lot more sympathy for the Queen of Hearts than I ever had before, but she let the thoughts of revenge, of murder, take over her mind when she should have been thinking of all the happy times she had and of how lucky she was to have experienced love. Not all stories can end happily, but sometimes you have to look past the bad and just wait for another chance to come along. Catherine definitely deserved better, and Jest too, but things could have ended differently if she had chosen to let her pain make her a better person instead of a villain. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

There were quite a few happy parts in the book, but also a lot of sad ones. If I were to choose a favourite part it would definitely be one of the happy because it gave, not just me, but the characters hope that there was a chance at a happier future. There were two parts that stood out from all the others. The first one, and most likely the best one, was when Jest and Catherine were together at the treacle well. This was such a happy part, the happiest and definitely the best. The reason for this is because it was when they admit to being in love and when a lot of my questions were answered. In that moment, Catherine and Jest believed that their love was possible and that they could actually have a future that doesn’t mean being forever apart. It gave them hope and, even though it didn’t last very long, it was the most beautiful part of the book because they were both given the chance to express their feelings and show how in love they really were. I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved this part and I am sure it is the most amazing part in the book. Even though I have said that the treacle well was the best part of the book, there was a second part that I also really enjoyed and might be my second favourite part of the book. This is the part when Catherine and Jest are dancing together. I know it seems very simple and normal, but it was anything but that. There was so much complicating their lives in that moment and it was as if everything around them was falling apart. But, although everything was an utter mess, they were together and holding each other in front of an audience without a care in the world. It was a short but sweet moment and I think it was the moment Jest and Catherine both knew that they wanted nothing but each other and would do anything to get to be together forever. Both of these parts were really romantic and sweet, even though the whole book was really good, I am sure that these were the best parts in the story.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Heartless and I thought that it was a beautifully well written book. One of the things that I liked about it was how the characters spoke. It was sometimes difficult to understand what they were saying because they were speaking like the characters in Alice in Wonderland. However, despite the struggles to understand, I really liked it and I thought that a lot of what was said was really beautiful. This made me see what a great author Marissa Meyer must be if she is able to write such strange but wonderful conversations, and I really want to read other books she has written. Another reason I liked the book was because it was an absolutely unbelievable retelling of one of my favourite fairy tales. I have always enjoyed fairy tales and I still do, even now when I am probably much too old for them. But a few years ago I became extremely interested in twisted fairy tales that showed me things from the villains view and made me sympathise with them. I didn’t think it would be possible to make me feel sorry for the Queen of Hearts, I always liked her as a character because of her power and strength but I wasn’t sure I could ever see her as part of a tragic love story. Heartless was able to make me see that no villain ever starts of evil and that the truth is not always what it seems. One last thing to mention about Heartless, which I thought was another thing that made me love the book but also something that I hated, was the ending. I knew there was going to be something terrible that would happen concerning Catherine and Jest, but I was still shocked at what happened and wish that things could have ended differently. Obviously there was no possible way for them to have a happy ending because this was a story made to show how the Queen of Hearts ended up so evil, but neither of them deserved to lose their happy ending. This made the book connect with me on a much deeper level, and I think it made me love the book even more because it made me see, once again but ever clearer, that not all fairy tales have happy ending and that even villains have their own stories. I really loved reading Heartless and I think that it was a perfect book and I don’t think I am even ‘mostly right’ after reading it. 

Would you recommend this book?  

If you enjoy fairy tales, adventure and a tragic romance then I recommend you read Heartless. I think that it is best for readers 13 or over, but I am sure that if you are looking for a perfect fairy tale retelling then you will love this book. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A magical romantic tragedy about a girl whose destiny is to become queen of a kingdom forbidding her to dream. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

HAPPILY EVER AFTER by Kiera Cass

“America’s story wasn’t the only one with a happy ending… Before Amberly came to the palace… She was a Four in love with a One. Before Maxon met the girl of his dreams… He was the boy of someone else’s. Before Aspen opened his heart to someone new… He was determined to fight for his first love. And before Marlee could fall for a prince… She was swept off her feet by a guard. Four stories to fall in love with! Plus exclusive scenes, lush illustrations, bonus epilogue to The One, and more!

What is the book about?

Not only America and Maxon ended up with their own happily ever after… Meet the young destined to become queen, endlessly in love with a prince she has only admired from afar and confident that she will be perfect for a life of luxury and stress. She was only a Four in love with a One, but she had a regal air around her and was made for royalty. See part of the Selection through the eyes of Prince Maxon, and watch him fall in love with a wild Five determined to stay and enjoy the food as long as possible. Discover how, before Maxon met his soulmate, he was once the man of someone else’s dreams and he broke a heart without even realising it was his. Hopeless with romance but ready to do anything to convince the crazy red-headed girl he met at night that they were perfect for each other. Watch as Aspen fights for his first love while struggling to open his heart to someone new. It might be hopeless, but Aspen is determined not to give up on the girl he once imagine a future with, and still wants to be with. He can’t give up on her until he is sure that there is no hope, or until he is sure his heart is elsewhere. And admire Marlee as she sacrifices everything for a romance she never imagined. She entered the palace for the prince’s heart and found herself in love with a guard that literally swept her off her feet. She knows the risks, but loves him anyway and is ready to face death if it means she can spend some time with the man of her dreams. Beautiful illustrations, exclusive scenes, a bonus epilogue, and more about the extraordinary characters from The Selection series. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Once I finished The Crown, I was terribly upset at the fact that there were no more books to read and no more stories to fall in love with, but as soon as I discovered that there was this book, filled with short stories and bonus scenes, I was just as excited as I was when I was ready to begin any of the five books in The Selection series. I was very interested in reading the short stories, especially when I found out that there was one in Maxon’s point of view and another in Aspen’s. When I was reading The Selection, The Elite and The One, the only thing that I thought could have made the books better would be if there were Maxon’s and Aspen’s perspectives included alongside America’s. They were both really important characters in the book and I would have liked to see things through their eyes, to understand better what they thought of America and their reason to fight for her heart. The Selection turned into a fight over America instead of Maxon and I would have like to see things though the boy’s eyes so that I could have had a stronger opinion on which one was best for America. I was very excited to get to finally heart from Maxon and Aspen, as well as Marlee and Amberly, because they had all been such amazing characters. I had lots of questions about wat happened to Marlee and mainly how an amazing person like Queen Amberly ended up in love with a cruel husband like King Clarkson. I was very glad I would get some answers and also that I would be able to see a little more of America and Maxon after The One, because they were one of the best couples ever. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

It was much harder to choose a favourite character in this book because I got to see things through quite a few really amazing characters eyes and I didn’t favour anyone just because their point of view was the only one I got. I obviously liked all the characters and they all had unique qualities that made them stand out, but there were 2 characters that I liked more than the others. The first was Queen Amberly. There was a lot I liked about her when I was reading the other books in The Selection series, but I had also questioned her for ending up with such a cruel and horrible husband when she was the complete opposite. I know now why she loved him and married him and that is one of the reasons I like her so much. She always looked for the good in people and thought that everyone had some good in them. It is alway7s difficult to try and be nice to someone who has done nothing but be mean to you, however Amberly thought that it was possible for everyone to be kind so she managed to be sweet to everyone no matter how they treated her. She was loyal and sweet and was able to highlight the good in King Clarkson, whenever they were together, he was a better person and I am sure that she did that to a lot of people. When I read her story, The Queen, and also Maxon’s story, The Prince, I could tell what a special person she was and how she was definitely perfect for the role of queen. She sacrificed herself for her husband, even if he was less than worthy of her love, and protected and loved him with her last breath. The other character that I also liked and admired for her bravery and sacrifice was Marlee. She risked everything for a forbidden romance and when she was discovered, all she could think about was the time she had spent with her soulmate. She thought she would die but, although she was scared, she wasn’t too worried because she knew she wold rather die than end up without the one person she loved. She was strong enough to get through the suffering and what got her through it was the fact that she would have her love by her side. What she did was admirable and she deserved every bit of happiness that came after. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

The book was filled with short stories and scenes so, to make things simpler, I will choose a favourite story instead of a favourite part. This is still a very hard choice because every story special in some way, but there were 2 stories that stood out from the others. One was The Queen, because of how interested I had been about Amberly’s story and how much I wanted to know about her. She had been such a great queen and everyone in the books admired her. When I learnt about what the king was really like, I was surprised that they were together, but I guess opposites attract. When I read about Clarkson’s Selection, I knew there was no one there better than Amberly and I was also sure that there was no one there that would have loved him more than she would have. Her story was really interesting, and there was a little foreshadowing about the future in there, and once in read it I knew for sure that Amberly was the kindest, bravest and most loyal queen ever. The other story that I liked was The Prince. I had wanted so badly to get to hear Maxon’s point of view that as soon as I knew that I would finally get to see his perspective I was already overly excited to read it. The best thing about his story was getting to relive some of the scenes from The Selection – the first book in the series. I loved getting to see America through Maxon’s eyes and how much I learnt about what Maxon thought of her. After a shocking event in the gardens, Maxon was angry and embarrassed, but after thinking things through he knew he had to let America stay and it was hilarious seeing ow his mind worked and how much he loved her from the very start. I had loved all the stories, but The Queen and The Prince were definitely the ones that most interested me and that answered the most questions.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, the book was really amazing and I enjoyed every story and scene that was included. One thing that I liked about the book was how I got information about the remaining Elite girls who had gone home without winning the heart of Prince Maxon. It was very interesting to see how each of them got their own happy ending and, even though one of them definitely did not get what she deserved, I was glad for how things ended. Another thing that I enjoyed about the book was the bonus epilogue from The One. The One was my favourite book in the series so I was very glad that I got to have a little extra information about the characters and how their happily ever after was working out. I enjoyed seeing Maxon and America as a married couple and how happy they were together, they were definitely made for each other. I also liked that I got to see a lot of other characters enjoying their own happy endings, like for example, Aspen and Lucy, and Marlee and Carter. All the character deserved to be happy and, although a lot of them lost their lives at the, I think most people got the best endings they could ever have wished for. The book was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the characters again and getting to see some scenes from the books in The Selection series through different eyes. There were a lot of happy people and I can’t believe that a series could end so perfectly for so many characters. I really loved reading The Selection series and I know for sure that I will never forget any of the books. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I recommend this book for anyone who has already read the five books in The Selection series. I suggest this series for readers over 13 and if you enjoy romance, drama and a happily ever after then I can confidently say that you will enjoy reading these books. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

Stories full of sacrifice and romance, and admirable characters that will do anything for the people they care about.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE CROWN by Kiera Cass

“A Selection can only have one winner. A princess only has one heart. 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. But as events at the palace force her even further into the spotlight, Eadlyn realizes that she might not be content remaining alone. Eadlyn still isn’t sure she’ll find the fairy-tale ending her parents did twenty years ago. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…”

What is the book about?

Princess Eadlyn never wanted to have a Selection, but to make her family happy and to calm her people; she chose to have the first female-led Selection. When she agreed, she was confident that she would never find a single boy out of the thirty-five suitors that entered the competition, she was sure that it would be impossible to find her soulmate in a small group of people. After a while she started to realise that every boy would forever hold a special part of her heart, and that her choice would be a lot harder than she thought it would be. And, because clearly that problem wasn’t big enough, event at the palace force Eadlyn further into the spotlight and the issues force her to make her choice before she is ready. Eadlyn knows that her life isn’t truly her own, but until now she always believed that her heart could be her own. Eadlyn realises that she will never be happy remaining alone, but she also knows that she can’t give her heart what it really wants. She never believed that she would find her own fairy tale ending and she never thought she needed romance to make her life complete. Now she is sure that she will never have it, because of course her heart loves the one person she is not allowed to be with. But life is full of surprises and with the right choice; Eadlyn might just find her happily ever after, after all.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Shocked and worried after the ending of The Heir, I picked up The Crown prepared to get my answers and hopefully another perfect fairy tale ending. I had lots of questions and suspicions, so I was very anxious to get answers and have things properly confirmed. After reading the blurb I was sure there would be a beautiful ending just like in The One, but I didn’t know how easily she would get it and what problems, other than that her love was forbidden, would stand in her way. I opened the book as quickly as I could and I was not at all surprised to find how quickly I fell in love with another book in The Selection series. The book started almost immediately where The Heir had left off and I was very glad for that because I was worried that I would miss something important. It was such a quick and captivating start that I barely remembered that the story had been spilt between two books. It was a very interesting start and I had lots of questions that I really wanted answers to so I found myself nearing the end of the book without even realising that I had been reading for hours. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

When I read The Heir there was one character that made me smile every time he was in a scene, but there wasn’t much to say about him other than that he is sweet and funny so I didn’t choose him as my favourite character. Now, after reading The Crown, I cannot just discard him and I know for sure that he is my favourite character. His name is Henri and he was one of the Elite in the Selection. I was sure that he was a great choice for Eadlyn if she decided to go through with picking a husband, but there was one thing that made it seem like a bad idea. Henri was from Swendway and didn’t know how to speak English very well, so Eadlyn struggled to communicate with him without his translator there to explain. Even though there was the language barrier to think about, Henri was the sweetest and the most enthusiastic contestant and every time he spoke he brought a smile to my face. You could tell immediately that it was him speaking because of the interesting way he greeted people, Eadlyn in particular. I am not kidding when I say that he literally made me laugh and cry because of how kind-hearted he was, every time he said “Good, good” was music to my ears and the way he smiled even though he had no clue what was going on was the cutest thing. He tried so hard to master more English and he managed to communicate how much he liked Eadlyn. When I read the letter he wrote to Eadlyn all by himself, I was crying from how sweet it was. He was so innocent and sweet that, even though Eadlyn knew that the language barrier would be a struggle, she couldn’t send him away because she didn’t want to hurt him. It was so cute to see how he spoke and see him struggle but still be so confident and optimistic. The best thing about him was that he was the one that gave Eadlyn the confidence and the chance to do something for herself and not for her country. He told her and the man she loved: “You being together. I make you cake!” which was the funniest thing ever and also the sweetest. She almost made what would have been the worst mistake of her life, which would have ruined not just her life but two others, but Henri could see clearly what was happening and, although he lost something, he still remained the happiest, sweetest and most optimistic boy in the world. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

There were a lot of parts of the book that I liked but the ones that really stood out to me were near the end of the book. I know I have said lots of time that the ending has been my favourite and I have been unable to tell you a specific part, but this time I will explain 3 parts that I absolutely loved. The first was when Henri recited a letter he wrote to Eadlyn all by himself. It was so sweet to hear him explain what he thought of her, especially because he struggled a lot with his English, and I loved how cute it was. In that moment, I knew for sure that Henri was the best boy that entered the Selection and I couldn’t believe how amazing he was. The next part that stood out to me was Eadlyn’s announcement. It was not what I was expecting, both the husband and the change in government, but it was perfect all the same. I always had hoped that Eadlyn would be able to choose who she loved but as I got to the last 2 chapters and found her still undecided, I was not so confident anymore. I was glad to see she would get to be happy and that she would get to see that she did need romance to be happy after all. The third and final part of the book that I loved was the epilogue. It wasn’t at all the sort of epilogue I was expecting, I had wanted one like in The One, but it was so beautiful that once I read it I completely forgot how upset I had been. It might have been short, but in that one simple page, I learnt so much and I had so much confidence in fairy tale endings. America got hers and Eadlyn too, and I know that they are fictional characters in a book, but maybe happily ever after are possible in the real world too. If you are looking for a book to make you believe that life isn’t all bad and that there is a chance you can be happy, The Selection series is definitely one you should try, it changed my world. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, The Crown was a really wonderful book and I cannot believe that it is the last book in the series. I guess that is my fault because I powered through the books as if my life depended on it, and technically it did because I don’t know what I would do without books. However, even though I didn’t want the book to end because it was the last one, I read it rather quickly and really loved it. One thing that I liked about the book was, obviously, the ending. It was happy and perfect and I can’t believe I got another happily ever after. Eadlyn’s story was a bit like America’s in the way that I was a bit frustrated when reading it. America and Maxon annoyed me because they were always fighting when they could just have said that they loved each other and gotten married in the first book. Eadlyn annoyed me because she didn’t have any arguments with her lover and they both said they loved each other, but they couldn’t be together because of the fact that the romance was against the rules. Eadlyn’s romance seemed impossible while also being possible and, although that makes no sense if you haven’t read the books, I was so annoyed that she couldn’t just be with the one she loved. Another thing that I liked about the book was the characters. The last few boys left in the Selection all had something amazing about them and they made the book so much better because of how sweet and kind they were. In some ways, Eadlyn didn’t deserve any of them because technically she had never wanted them and had planned to make their lives miserable, but she had such a hard life that they made things easier while also harder for her. The boys were the main reason for why I laughed and cried when I was reading and their personalities would have been sorely missed if the book hadn’t included them. I enjoyed every part where one of the Elite was included and I loved the books because of them. Although The Crown was perfect, there was only one thing that I didn’t really like and that was the fact that so much was happening that I sort of got a little lost. The main thing in the book should have been the Selection but there was so much happening that I felt that it trailed off from the main plot. I know that everything that happened was important so I wouldn’t necessarily want to change anything, but I think it would have been better if the events of Eadlyn’s Selection happened in 3 books instead of only having 2 books. Other than that everything in the book was really great and I loved reading it, I can’t wait to have a look at some of the short stories there are.

Which is your favourite book in The Selection series? (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)

I know that I always say that I loved all the books I have read equally, and then I go ahead and pick a favourite, but I am not lying when I say that all five books in The Selection series have changed my life for the better. They all have something special and they have all given me hope that a happily ever after is possible, even when you least expect it, but there is still one book that pops into my head when I try to choose a favourite. Once again, The One is my favourite book and I am sure that it is the best one in the series. There are a lot of good things in The One, but the best thing about it is the happy ending and the shock I got when I thought that the characters were going to lose it. I have never been so tense and anxious in my life, and I couldn’t believe how angry and frustrated I was that America and Maxon were almost going to lose each other because of another stupid argument. I was sure they would end up together from the very start but the last twist at the very last second almost made me lose all hope. This also kind of happened in The Crown, but it was so much more heart-breaking in The One. There were other things that made me love The One, like sweet Maxon and his amazing declaration of love and the letters he wrote for America, or the deaths in the book that made me cry my eyes out, or the character developments that allowed me to see the worst characters in the best light, but there was nothing as magical as seeing a couple get to be together forever and get to have the best life they could have ever had. I had my doubts about The Selection series in the beginning, but right now I have no idea what I was thinking when I was worrying that it would be boring. I know this is the end but I am definitely not ready to say goodbye. A lot of book series that I have read have left me heartbroken and waiting for more, and The Selection series was not an exception. It left me with the feeling that I was losing a part of myself, but also a feeling happiness. The series gave me, not just one perfect fairy tale ending, but two, and I am so glad that I chose to go on this adventure. There were quite a few bumps along the road, but I cannot believe what an extraordinary series this turned out to be. I will miss America, Maxon and Eadlyn, and so many other characters, but I know that I will always remember them. This was just such an amazing story and I cannot believe that I got to be a part of it. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I recommend you read The Crown, particularly if you are over 13 and enjoy reading romance and drama novels. You must read the first four books in the series before this one, not just because you will be confused, but also because there are all amazing and I am sure you will love them.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

Romance, drama and fantasy all wrapped up into one happily ever after.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE HEIR by Kiera Cass

“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 doesn’t expect her own story to end in romance – she has no interest in repeating the fairy tale. But a princess’s life is never entirely her own – and Eadlyn cannot escape her very own Selection, and one particular entry who may just capture her heart…”

What is the book about?

20 years after America and Maxon's Selection, their daughter, Princess Eadlyn, prepares for her own. She is the eldest with three younger brothers but her parents didn't want her to lose the right to rule the country just because of her gender, so she is next in line for the throne. Eadlyn has never wanted to find love, never believed she needed it or it was possible for her, because no one is as powerful as her and she doesn't need a man in her life to help her. Eadlyn has spent her whole life hearing her parents fairy tale and how they are still very much in love after so many years, but Eadlyn has never been interested in repeating the story or finding her own happily ever after. However, the Selection has a bigger effect on her than she thought it would and she feels her heart begin to change. Her life is never her own and she always has to put a wall around her for the cameras around the palace. Eadlyn cannot escape her Selection, even though she never wanted it in the first place, and she may just find one person who she can stay with for the rest of her life, if only she learns to open up and let her heart lead instead of her head.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I first bought the five book series, I had believed that they were all about the same main people, so initially I thought that The Heir would be more about Maxon and America. Obviously I was disappointed that the story was about their daughter and not about them, but I was also very happy because it meant that their story really was a happily ever after fairy tale and that I didn't have to be worried that there would be any more break ups or anything like that. I was also a bit upset that it was skipping to 20 years later because I would have liked to have read more about Maxon and America, but I know there are some short stories that I am sure will give me a little more information. Once I had discovered what The Heir was truly about and I had read the blurb, I was even more intrigued to watch another beautiful couple fall in love and hopefully stay together forever. The beginning of the book was very interesting and I liked the strange first sentence of the book and how it caught my attention and soon I had felt as if I had known Princess Eadlyn my whole life. I read so fast, taking in every detail and living through Eadlyn's Selection with her, helping her decide if any of the boys would be suitable husbands. I was attached to the story from the very start and I knew it would turn out to be a really great book.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I think that my favourite character would be Princess Eadlyn because of her strength and confidence. She was the first female heir to the throne and, from seeing things through her point of view; I could see how much pressure it was. Even though she was constantly under surveillance and any wrong glace could be used against her, she managed not to crack (at least not in public) and she was able to put on a brave face to make her family happy. She never believed she would need to find love, or that she ever could, but she still agreed to have a Selection and to properly consider her options, even if she hated the idea. The thing I liked best about her was that, no matter how stubborn she might have been, she was able to admit to herself that maybe love was worth it and that maybe it would be nice to have someone that would be there for you no matter what. There was one other character that I liked: Ahren, Eadlyn's twin brother. The thing that made him stand out to me was how different he was from his sister, especially with his opinions about romance, but how they still had such a great bond. He knew what it was like to be in love and he was sure Eadlyn would regret not properly taking part in the Selection, and he was right about it. I really liked reading about the relationship that Eadlyn and Ahren had and I thought it was really sweet that she knew she could always depend on him. They were both really great characters and I can't wait to read more about them in The Crown.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

There were a lot of really great parts in the book, and I consider a lot of them to be my favourite, but there were two that I thought to be really special. One of them was the secret date in the kitchen. I will not mention the names or anything like that so I do not ruin anything for those who have not read it, but it was a really sweet moment. The boy was one of the sweetest there was and what I liked about it was how innocent it was. It wasn't a planned date or anything so the boy wasn't trying to be impressive but he still was. One of the best things about it was that it was one of the times when the princess thought that the Selection wasn't all bad and that there were some good options and I thought it was one of the moments when Eadlyn realised that her heart was actually in it. The second part of the book that I thought to be one of my favourite was the baseball game. I won't say much about it because it happened nearer the end of the book, but it was a very happy part. The main reason I thought it to be such a great part was because it was one of the times that Eadlyn forgot all the strains and worries hanging over her family and when she almost forgot that she lived, not just for herself, but for the whole country and that her life was not her own. It was nice to see how the royals acted when they forgot they were royalty and I liked seeing them enjoy the good parts in life. Both these parts of the book were really great and I cannot wait to finish the last book in the series and, hopefully, get another fairy tale ending.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall The Heir was a really wonderful book and I am very glad that Kiera Cass decided to write another two books to add to The Selection series. I loved everything about the books but there were a few things that made it unique. One thing that I liked about the book was how against love the main character – Eadlyn – was, even though she is participating in a Selection where she must choose a husband. It was funny seeing her dismiss the feeling of falling in love as something different or just ignoring it. She was so sure that she would never find someone to love that it was almost funny to see her actually fall for some of the boys and have some part of her worry about losing them. I don't know for sure who she will end up with, but I am sure that the Selection will not end how she planned and she will have a ring on her finger by the end. The ending – which was another thing that I liked about the book – basically, admits this as the truth and it showed me that she was starting to see the point of romance after all. One last thing that I really loved about the book was getting to see the process of the Selection from the other side. I was very disappointed that I didn't get to see Maxon's point of view but I am very happy I got to understand the stress through Eadlyn's. It was clearly very different for Maxon because one, he is a boy, and two, he was already in love from the very start, but I still got to see a small part of the pressure on him and I got to understand him a little more. The Heir was a really incredible book and I am so excited to read the next book and see the end of Eadlyn's story.

Which book did you like better: 1, 2, 3 or 4?

All the books I have read in The Selection series so far have all been extremely interesting and I have loved them all. The first three were about America and Maxon's Selection and how they fell in love and then this fourth book and the fifth and final book are based on their daughter Eadlyn's Selection. Of course it is very difficult to compare books when they have different main characters and plots, but I think that, for now, The One remains my favourite book so far. There are obviously lots of reasons for my choice but the main one is simply because it ends happily. I have read lots of books that haven't ended happily and have instead ended with the couple separated by death and it was so refreshing to have a literal Disney Princess ending. One other reason why I think The One is my favourite is because I prefer Maxon and America's story to Eadlyn's. I don't exactly know why this is, but I think that it's mainly because I don't yet know who the romantic interest is, I have my suspicions but I am not yet 100% sure and I won't be until Eadlyn admits it. The best thing about Maxon and America was that Maxon claimed his love for her from the very start so I was pretty confident that it would end in the two of them getting married, especially since America was the main character and the one I heard from chapter after chapter. The weird thing about the Selection in The Heir was that the person I was hearing from was the Selector not one of the Selected. It was exciting to have a new point of view but I preferred Maxon and America. One last thing to mention about The One is the following quote that I have committed to memory (which is a bit silly since I have my GCSEs soon and I should be memorising educational things not book quotes): “Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway.” This quote is what Maxon says to America to propose to her and tell her that she is the only one for him and I think it is one of the sweetest things I have ever read, and I only memorise really good quotes so this is a special one. There are quite a few other quotes in the book that I think are really sweet and the whole time I was reading them all I was thinking was how much I want something like that. The beautiful parts make The One stand apart from the others and I am very confident in my choice to have it as my favourite when I look back on them. Obviously I loved all the books and I am sure I am going to love the last book – The Crown – just as much.

Would you recommend this book?  

I absolutely recommend you read The Heir because it is a very good book and I am sure that if you enjoy romance and drama books you will like this one very much. I suggest this book particularly for readers over 13 and I also recommend you read the first three books – The Selection, The Elite and The One – before reading this one because it will show you the first story.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A magical and entertaining novel that will catch your attention and keep you dreaming from the very second you open it.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego