It's that time of the year to get all cosy with a good drink and a warm blanket and to read an amazing book. Well I can tell you, this book will be the perfect book for moments like this. I enjoyed this so much, not only because of how cozy it was in my room but also because of its content. This book will not leave you untouched: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.
Louisa Clark has never been out of her hometown and she never saw any reason to. Soon she finds herself changing for the better and that all by the man that she should be changing. Disabled in a wheelchair, Will Traynor has lost his interest in life and Louisa tries her best to make him think differently again. What they don't know is that both of them are in for a ride full of emotions and life changers. Both want the best for each other: Will wants Lou to live life but Lou wants for Will to find that passion about life again. Yet soon they find themselves battling against the other to make them realize life can be perfect, but not easy...
Yes. I have seen the movie first. I know. It's not okay! Of course I loved the book more but let me just explain. I was going to read the book first but I just didn't get around to buy it and there was a day where I just wanted to watch a movie... so it actually just kinda happened?
First off, I'd love to talk about Louisa Clark because this character was my absolute favorite! Not only because of the way she dresses, but also because she's such a deep character. You'd think a girl that wears the clothes she wears is confident. If I would wear the clothes she wears, I'd be judged and watched and I'm not even kidding about that! But we see that Lou actually isn't that confident about herself. The book will really show us so many facets of her insecurity and I was so keen on it. It often felt like she just didn't want to try something new because she thought she wouldn't belong.
My heart rooted for this character! She's very special, and I really saw that in her insecurities that alternated with her determination. As the synopsis tells us, Louisa goes to a new job with a disabled man who doesn't love life anymore. This will affect her deeply and will show us many times that Louisa is actually a much stronger girl that we might once have thought.
The thing I didn't like with Louisa, and this isn't anything directed to this character, was that she keeps being tossed from one to another. It was always her that needed to do things because the family needed it, because she shouldn't be selfish, because it's her duty and so on. I really felt with this character because of this, I wanted her to discover what she loved and what she wanted to do in life but many other characters held her back. And the good heart she has, she lets them.
Louisa Clark is really the character that makes you recognize things in yourself. She's a very reliable and realistic person and that's really what made this character amazing and deep and strong. Lou really sees the good in everything, she'll try everything she can and would put her whole life to a stop for someone else. Amazing character!
Another character I love to discuss is Katrina Clark, Lou's sister. Not for the same reason as Louisa really because I adored Louisa but I hated Katrina. In the movie, I didn't feel bothered by this character but as always, the book goes a lot deeper than the movie. Katrina is horrible. There isn't anything I love about her.
Katrina is the younger sister of Lou and during the book we often get the impression that she's the "better" one of the family, aka better than Lou. She's also a mother of a 5 year old which I don't mind. It does show us the reality of it all, people can have kids. But it's really the fact that Katrina is one of the people that stops Lou from doing whatever she wants to be doing. I really find her egocentric and selfish and there's nothing I can tell more about Katrina. She pushes Lou into everything, tells her she needs to do this or that for her own benefit. She always wants everything and is selfish. But we do see some change in a positive way at the end of the book.
This character of course gives us a very good impression on the insecurities of Louisa so Jojo Moyes did do a great job on Katrina Clark. The contrast between these two is very big and therefore very distinct which I loved. It gave us a much deeper level of understanding and it's something that I appreciated. But I just didn't grow to love that character because I always was team Louisa!
Then we have Mrs Traynor and this is a character you really grow to understand. In comparison to the movie, I feel like she wasn't pictured right at all. We know her son is disabled and how he feels about life and the movie really just shows us she doesn't want him to feel like it. The book goes into that so much more and explains how she feels. But the most important is, is that really reflects what she must feel like and how she tries to handle it.
There was also a part in the book where Mrs Traynor got her own chapter and explained her feelings and her posture and so on. She really does want the best for her son, that's also why Camilla is so weirded out and surly towards Louisa. The bonding between mother and son is reflected well and emotionally, to my opinion, which was a great asset to the book.
Three down, two to go! Will Traynor, in the movie played by Sam Clafin which is my bae, is great. Just fantastic. We all get a certain picture of how someone might feel in this state, and I'm pretty certain it's far worse than what's been shown in the book itself. Yet I really loved to read about it and to get descriptions of the hospital appointments, the meds and the things he goes through. If these descriptions wouldn't have been there, I'd feel like this book would be very superficial but it is there and it gives a certain depth to it.
The grumpiness of Will was something we grow to understand, it's not only because he doesn't enjoy life, there's more to it than that. That was something you really can understand and makes you see things in his perspective. A great asset to the story to my opinion! But his mood will lighten from time to time, which I was happy about because really... I love Louisa and he was mean to her...
What I loved about this character was that even though he doesn't enjoy his life anymore, he will try to make Lou come out of her comfort zone. We know now that Louisa is held back by different people and even though he's disabled, Will will try to make her understand that things can turn out differently in just a second and that you need to make your life worth it. It's not only amazing to see and see her transform in a certain way by him, it's also a very nice and emotionally loaded message that's so important and greatly transferred to readers by the author.
Lastly, I really want to discuss Nathan. He's another caretaker at the Traynor's and god, he was amazing. I loved his accent in the movie, but also the book gives us a bit more perspective on this character. Nathan also had a little chapter in which he gives us clarity on what he is thinking and feeling and how he wants this to turn out. I'm really happy we got to see a bit more of this character because he has to go through this too and understand what's going on. Although I did miss him a bit at the ending of the book, but I also missed him at the end of the movie. So not much has changed.
As for the plot, what can I say? It was great. Firstly I'd like to discuss the fact that some characters got there own chapter. I already said that Nathan and Mrs Traynor had their own chapter. But also Katrina and Mr Traynor get their own chapter. I'm a big fan of this because it created a bigger point for us, we knew more, we felt more, we got more into the story and got a lot out of the story. It's really amazing to see how the other characters think about this or that, and how they feel about it. Some even compare things to their own life which was also an interesting thing to know, in my opinion.
Although I wish there was a chapter by Will too! He's a very important character and I hoped we'd know more about how he thought about Louisa for instance or about her efforts. All we knew was his mood and sometimes he'd say something, but I feel like his inner emotions will always be a big mystery for us. But I can see the fun in that too, now we can imagine ourselves!
Another thing that was really present in the book was the discussion about euthanasia and I was a great fan of this being presented in the book. The story takes place between 2007 and 2009, so the mentality about euthanasia was different. The book really clears things for us and how the mentality is about doing this to yourself. At a certain point in the book we also see a big contrast between the people who are okay with it and support the person who wants it because it's his decision. At the other side of that we see the people who disagree and say it's not morally right to do this.
I really was keen on seeing the contrast and just in general to see this topic, which is still very sensitive for some, presented in the book. Some might be shocked that it turns out a certain way, others might not be shocked because they support. This book really makes you think about that and see the reactions. It might even make you feel very, how do I say this? Loaded? If you agree or not, it will give you a certain feeling. I loved that!
Further more there is the whole Louisa has a boyfriend and works with Will situation. I have to say I didn't really like her boyfriend at all. It's not that he's a bad person, I do generally think he's an okay guy. I just thought he thought a lot about himself and his interests and never really saw what Lou felt or wanted. The relationship between these two will be accentuated at a few moments and give a certain heated situation to the book I never expected.
As for the relationship between Will and Louisa. I was just all about that! Seeing these two grow and see their relationship grow from nothing to real friendship? It's too good for words. This book really shows us how slow the process of a very close friendship can be and what can all get in the way. Will and Louisa are an amazing team although they something didn't want to admit it, they just work.
The plot will try everything to make Will love his life again. Louisa tries to do a lot of things, mostly get him outside of the house and it's really working out for the both of them in a certain way. I really was keen on Lou planning all these things because it showed her determination but it also did things to Will which gives the plot an interesting turn of events. What I loved most was the fact that Louisa was in contact with other people that were in the same situation as Will. It gave a bigger picture of it all and also showed many ideas of what can be done and what can't be done. The activities Louisa plans really gave us a funny feeling or a very loving feeling and I was also very happy about that.
Trying to make Will love his life again gives us also a very emotionally loaded and important lesson with the book, a moral. When books give you a certain lesson, I'm always grateful for it. In some ways you've experienced it through another body and another story, even though it's fictional. Me Before You shows you this on a very different way and it shows you the road down to a happy ending and a non happy ending. It really approaches both and closes with the moral of the story. Absolutely appreciated this!
I think we can conclude this book with saying that it's an emotionally loaded book but that has a very special and fantastic message in it. The characters were very deep and because of added chapters in other people's perspective there came a new level of depth. We understood them more and saw them handle things in the way they wanted to. Not only that, we also saw how and why they acted the way they do and see them come to their closure at the end of the book. The plot shows us the growing bond between the characters and represents this realistically, added with some humor at times. Above that, an asset to the book was a very sensitive topic which will make you see the pro and cons about it and makes you feel very loaded and self-conscious. I really loved this book because it was so emotionally, sensitive but funny at times and because you could really relate to characters and feel with them. I therefore also really recommend this book to everyone!
“Push yourself. Don't Settle. Just live well. Just LIVE.”
Remember when I said I didn't enjoy The Elite as much as I enjoyed The Selection? Guess what, I finished the third and last book in the Selection trilogy and I'm without words. This didn't only overthrow Elite, it overthrew the Selection! The One by Kiera Cass was my absolute favorite in this series, and also the cover is the one I absolutely would pick out of all three.
If you haven't read the Selection series at all, I highly recommend for you not to read on. This is the third and last book in this series which means changes and developments have taken place and you will be exposed to spoilers! If you haven't read the first book, The Selection, and are interested in reading that book: I wrote a review on that one which you can find HERE. If you read the first book and would like to know my opinion as to why I didn't enjoy The Elite as much as The Selection, you can also read that review HERE.
Determined to win her true lover's love, America throws in everything to win The Selection. When she first entered the competition, she never thought she'd end up this close to the crown and grow to adore the palace and all that comes with it. To have the future she wants to have, she'll have to go under more pressure to get what she really wants: the love of her life. Yet the treat of the rebels is still lurking around and ready to overthrow everything that they've ever known. As she finally discovers what she stands to lose, America also discovers how much she needs to fight for what she truly desires.
She's back! Remember when I said I wanted Americas determined side back instead of her grumpy, angry one? Well, The One made sure we'd see America grow back into herself. Although we still see America's struggling with her doubts and insecurities (which will less), we also see her grow into a strong woman again. If all, this competition really changed her and this experience will play in her favor because we haven't seen everything she's capable of.
I was absolutely amazed to see the big changes America makes during this book. She won't only stand for what she thinks is true and fair, she'll also stand for the ones she absolutely loves. Although she made me doubt during the Elite, America will make you change your mind once again.
As for Maxon, I said I didn't enjoy him in The Elite. Also he will show major changes! If you wanted to see a bit more of the Maxon from the first book in this trilogy, I can guarantee you that that will most certainly happen. This time around, we'll also see him struggle a lot with finding the right words and do go by his father. The day he'll become king is something that still frightens him because he thinks he might not live up to his fathers wishes. In The One, Prince Maxon will concentrate on his insecurities but also on finding the right princess to help him with these.
I have to say, in the Elite I really didn't like him and America because of their temper, but this book will show you that they'll only become stronger because of them and both will find a way back to your hearts desires. I was really fond of these characters during the whole trilogy, just a bit less in the second book. They did really make up for it in The One.
Another, and last, character I really want to discuss is Celeste. Celeste is the meanest girl you could ever imagine in this competition. I never liked her, and I thought I never would but during this book she'll surprise you a lot. It might not make you love her, but you will come to understand her and that's a great asset to the book. Not only will we grow to understand Celeste, but also the other girls left in the Elite. We finally will get to know the girls on a more personal level and see that without the gowns and jewelry, they're just girls trying to find the Happily Ever After. I really loved that in this book and it was a great asset to plot and the characters!
Speaking of the plot, as I already said in my review of The Elite, it has much in store for us. Although this time around, the book mostly takes it turns to two things that need to be solved: the rebels and the competition. The rebels have been a problem since book one and it isn't until book two that we start to find possible motives for why they do the things they do. This time around, the plot will go deeper into this and will not only create suspense, it'll also create a lot of action. This action that takes place was actually something I never saw coming in this book series, but it did and I'm really happy about that.
The action only makes sure we grow to understand the danger even more but also grow to understand their motives more and how to solve this problem. If all, it also makes the reader very excited because there's something else than the palace surroundings and the safe rooms. Although I really loved the book creating the safe rooms and adored to see what all happened with an attack in the palace, this action and danger is something very refreshing I did really enjoy.
The sad thing is that I find we didn't really knew the outcome. Of course, we knew the attacks, we had the action and we had possibilities of how to solve things but the plot won't go deeper into how it really ended, if it ended at all. That's something I really missed in the plot!
Now, the other big chunk of the plot concentrates on the competition. The Selection will come to and end, ladies and gentlemen! Building up to the moment where the Prince will decide, the girls do get some little tasks but The One won't really concentrate any longer on if they're fit to become the princess. They won't bother with too many assignments! Did I think that was a pity?
Well no, because as a replacement, the plot will now focus more on the girls and the queen. I loved to see more of the queen because we haven't seen much of her! I was also very fond that the plot concentrated itself more on the girls because we really saw them bonding and realizing that although it was a competition, they're all normal girls. They all lived up, together, to the moment of truth and as a reader you'll really appreciate all the little things the girls will go trough and will do together. If all, it'll give them more understanding about each other and that was a great thing to experience too as the reader.
During these big parts of the plot, the storyline will also cover little things such as the bond between the main character and her long lost lover from the past but also on the bond between America and Maxon. Also, unexpected things will happen and families will arise from the dark again. The One will really go back to the core of how things were in the first book, The Selection, only to intensify things more. This of course includes for us the feels. Also in this book, they'll be closely ready to give you everything you need to enjoy the book even more.
These little things also cover aspects that will surprise you during the plot. There will be a few moments during the development of the plot you'll come across changes you never expected to come. This is something I absolutely see as a great asset to the book and it contributes to the feels we'll already be feeling.
By coincidence I also had After the One, or as Goodreads calls it the Epilogue! It came with my box and even tough it's not a very long one I did really love to read it. We get to see a bit more about what is happening now at the palace. The Epilogue will concentrate on the events of two years later. If you want to have a nice but little taste of that, I do recommend it because it was swoon worthy and adorable!
As a conclusion to this review about The One, and also to this trilogy, I can say that this book was my absolute favorite. We will get surprised in this book, heartbroken from time to time, angry and frustrated but we'll also receive a big portion of action, adoration and understanding between the characters. As a reader, you'll really live up to the end of the Selection and the (possible) end of the rebellion together with really swooning for the little moments and things in this book. Also, you'll be surprised a lot with things you never expected to come which is also a very great asset to The One. Again, there's a very strong plot and the characters will be on their best behavior only to see them change in to even better ones during the development of the book. I couldn't wish for a better end of this trilogy!
"35 girls entered the Selection. Only 1 can win. The time has come for one winner to be crowned."
A while ago, I posted my review about the first book in this series. I said that I doubted if it would be as great as I imagined and it turned out it was amazing. This summer, I therefore started to read the second book in this series but it took me a little while to finish it caused by my reading slump. Eventually I finished it beginning of September but the review is only here now, sorry guys! The book I'll be reviewing today is The Elite by Kiera Cass.
If you haven't read the Selection series at all, I highly recommend you not to read on because this is the second book in the series. You will be exposed to spoilers since there have been many developments and changes since the first book and already know how certain things have turned out since book one. If you are interested in reading the first book, I recommend reading the review on the first book The Selection by Kiera Cass HERE.
Still running in the competition, America is having a battle with herself. She's confronted with a long lost lover as well as with her growing feelings for the prince. She's all over the place and is losing her territory during the Selection. Because of her many doubts if she'll be able to become a princess, she's turning her back on herself and other people that are quiet important for her. Above that, the treat of the rebels is still lingering while all
America wants is some peace of mind and a clear view on what she really wants.
This book wasn't as good as the first one, I'm just going to say it. It took me quiet a few pages before I started to enjoy the book and that really bothers me a bit. Especially because the part where I started to enjoy the book, was really good! Maybe it was the slower build up in the beginning or not that excitement of being chosen to be in the Selection, I honestly have no words for why I was less into that part. And then of course came that reading slump to irritate me so it did take me a while to finish the book.
During the part I was eagerly excited about again, I did see huge changes in America. She wasn't as determined anymore as in The Selection and she started to neglect during the competition. As said in the synopsis, America is confronted with someone she loved a lot in the past and this brings out many of her insecurities and also brings many doubts to what position she's in and who to love now.
These doubts will affect the surroundings and I wasn't eager on how many of the people around her reacted on this. It's a very new thing to see in America, these doubts if she'll be good enough to be the princess but also her doubts in her love interests. If that isn't enough, she'll be put under a lot of pressure in the competition she's doubting was ever a good idea.
This all will lead to this character to become very fierce in her reactions, do things that'll end up wrong and her being very insecure and doubting about herself which again will lead to frustrations. I don't know if I liked this side of America as much as I loved her determination to stay herself during this competition. Especially because she got angry at the prince for things she did too and that were things that unnerved me with this character. I do appreciate the fact that we see this side of her because we all have a moment where we'll doubt and get insecure or struggle with the situation and need to solve it. And that's something the author visualized amazingly during the read.
As for Maxon, the prince, I absolutely did not enjoy him. As I said, the feelings America is having will affect her surroundings and it sure did affect Maxon. Also, he became very impatient, had a lot of frustrations and did things that'll boost the feels the reader is already feeling. I just wished he would show more concern towards America, but the author chose to show us his other side that's always under pressure. I did like to see this side because he's a prince and that way we get to see what he has to go through but I did want to see his compassion a bit more during this book.
Marlee, oh one of my favorite characters! She's in for a bumpy ride this time around. As I said in the review of The Selection, she has this mysterious vibe hanging around her near the ending of the book that suggest she's keeping secrets. You can be sure that The Elite will cover this again and make you question even more, only to find out what's happening to this amazing character. Marlee's personality is still very kind and caring which I still appreciated a lot in her. It isn't until certain events start to happen that I truly understood this character and began to love her even more. I hope to see her in the next book!
This time around I want to cover the maids of America too because they left such a great impression! I did already like the maids because they were always there for America and always supported her and made sure that she was all nice and clean. It isn't until this book though that we see how much they really, really care about America and how great their bond actually is. I absolutely loved to see them because they brought so much joy and light to the book and to America when she needed it. Yet we did also find out that each of them is having a hard time dealing with their position as a lower cast and I'm eager to find out how others will respond to this.
As for the remaining girls: I hated each and every one of them. It might be because I'm team America all the way, it might be because their personalities are just not my thing. The author writes this way that you'll either grow to love one of them or hate one of them and that's such an asset to the book. You'll feel as if you're the prince and need to pick someone. You'll begin with weighing off pros and cons about each girl and start deciding for yourself who is or isn't appropriate and who you would want to be the next princess.
This said, let's move on to the plot! The plot again, holds a lot in store for us! As I have mentioned before the treat of the rebels is still lingering and I was still very eager about this. It's about time we would found out their motives or feel even more thrill when they arrive at the castle and everyone needs to hide. Again The Elite will make sure you feel the thrill of hiding yourself and we'll also have a bright person trying to figure out why they're always attacking and what they're looking for.
This was also a great asset to the plot because as a reader you get new information and you automatically start to form theories together with the character. You'll try to find their motives and might bump onto a very big possibility of this "why". Still, we don't know anything for sure and I hope that the last book will cover this part.
Also this time the rebels will be more fierce and this will make sure some girls come under a treat, this causes a lot of feels developing with the reader such as a bit of fear, tension and a bit of stress because you don't know how they'll get out of the situation and if they'll make it out alive and well.
The plot in this book will also take turns to the whole doubting of America about her current love situation. Someone from her past is back, someone she loved fiercely all the while she's also having growing emotions towards the prince in this competition. This will make sure we're in for a ride filled with bumps. We'll see a lot of emotions caused by this event and it will affect everyone that has to do with this. We'll see the pressure it brings, we'll see the frustrations it brings and the heartbreak each time she even thinks about these things. For short, the feels around this part of the plot will be everywhere and the reader sure is all over the place. You'll experience so much during these events and grow frustrated, heartbroken, you'll smile again and then get angry. This was absolutely great! Especially because the characters are caving under their pressure and this will affect things even more.
Another thing that is beginning to form is the idea of the world and how it's all looking now. We'll get a closer look on how things became as they were, we'll zoom in on the casts and we'll also get more information about the king. America will enfold some of the history of the country and this was something I enjoy a lot because it explains so much and explains how things became as they were. Not being a fan of the casts, the reader will be brought a possibility of getting them away but not everyone agrees with this. This said, America will be in store for very harsh feelings from some persons but also for very supportive people and support coming from people we didn't expect.
It's also because we get this closer look on it all, we'll finally start to unravel the king and who he actually is. We've never seen his personality or his reactions but during this book you'll find out a lot. Is he really the composed person he shows us to be? Is he different from what we always thoughts? You'll sure find out!
Lastly, the competition. It's of course still important in this book and it will be different from the first book. This time around the remaining girls will be given assignment that has to show Maxon who is capable of being a princess. These assignments bring us, the reader, a whole new exciting part and I was very eager to read this parts because I just loved to see how the girls acted and how they would get this act together.
I can conclude that I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did The Selection. The characters each show us a different side of them and grow very frustrated and insecure in this book. At some point, they really annoyed me because they were really running in circles without trying to solve anything. Yet the plot does make up a lot for their behavior and it will all change once you're in that flow. The plot will also make sure you're covered for the feels and the ending will leave you breathless and excited for the next book. Although I didn't like the beginning and sometimes the character's behavior, I still enjoyed the book because of its strong plot and therefore still give it a 4 out of 5.
"35 girls came to the palace only 6 remain."
My first book by this author and a theme I was a little bit unsure of when I read the first few pages, yet I can really conclude that I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to finish up the rest of the series. Kiera Cass, you surprised me in a very good way! The Selection by Kiera Cass.
America Singer is drawn out of all girls in Illéa to participate in The Selections, a big competition between 35 girls to win the prince's heart. America's world collapses when she hears she's participating, whereas other girls are full of joy. America is devastated, participating means leaving behind her family, her life and most important her true love. The more she's at the palace and the more she gets to know the prince, the more she actually starts to realize that she never thought about a future like this, about the "what if"...
Honestly, this book got me all over the place. I was very eager to start reading this series but when I got in the first few pages, I started doubting if this theme would be something for me... It's definitely something for me! It's something new but it's something I did grow to adore a lot!
America Singer therefore was also a role model in my opinion. The very first moment she steps into the palace she's determined to be herself, even if that means she has to leave the competition and that would mean a mother that's furious. That was the thing I admired a lot in this character, her determination and the will to be herself and not someone else. A book, again, learns us something! I said the same thing in my review of The Distance Between Us by Kasie West, here the lesson is to always be yourself and I couldn't agree more!
This way, America does stand out between the others and gets a lot of attention, yet she doesn't react on this attention like the other girls do. She just tries her best but mostly ignores it while she stays in the palace. The reason why America ignores most of this attention is because she doesn't want to win the prince his heart at all. She's in love with another but stays put in the palace for her family, which makes her a very brave and strong character. Other things about her that I noticed, is that she's an emotional person that would carry the weight of the world if she could. She's a stubborn girl but at the same time she's a very gentle and sweet girl that helps the other girls. These make America a very relatable character for almost everyone, including myself. This character will surprise you with her wisdom, as well as with how she acts around the other 34 competitive girls and this all the while you can really recognize yourself in certain traits of her.
Another character I really want to discuss is Marlee, she's also a contestant in The Selection and there to win the prince his heart. She was the first friend America had made during the contest and one that sticks around. What I appreciated most about her was that she was as supportive as America and she also didn't hate on the others. Of course she had a moment of doubt towards America because she didn't want to talk about her adventures with the prince because this was still a competition but the two come out of this a lot stronger which made sure their bond stays strong! I really loved their bond and adored to see how their friendship grew into something that would last for a lifetime, no matter who won.
Marlee has a very shining and bright personality which makes it very hard for you to hate her. She's a girl that smiles a lot and thinks positive but won't make the others feel bad. Marlee is a character where you'd think she could be everyone's friend because she helps and consoles most of the girls when they need it. I really appreciated her in the story and I am very curious to what will become of her in the second book, especially because Marlee reveals feelings and secrets near the end of the book...
Next up is the prince, of course because he's also a very important character and deserves some explanation in this review! Prince Maxon, to be honest he surprised me most of all. In the beginning, I rather found him very stiff and formal but during the book we do get to know more of him and see some rather new and interesting sides. It's together with America that we get to know him and discover how it feels for him to be a prince and never be out of the palace. This discovery with America is a great asset to the book, in my opinion, because it's how we learn to understand the opinions of America and see why they change. Other than that, I only want to say that Prince Maxon is a very special gentlemen that'll cause some humorous moments and some pretty serious ones!
Then the last character I really want to describe is Aspen because I feel like he's such a game changer in the book! Aspen is America's mate that she has to leave behind when the competition starts. In the beginning, I was such a great fan of him and I adored him and understood why America didn't want to leave him but then, what can I say? I guess I fell for the prince his charms! But then Aspen comes back around and together with America our heart starts to beat a little bit too fast and a little bit too loud. Aspen has such a great personality because he does everything for his family, he's the one that provides for his family and will let them eat while he starves. That were the first things that made me swoon for Aspen. Together with that comes his tenderness and gentleness that gives him a very soft side while he seems rather the strong bad boy! Really adored this character too!
The other girls we'll discover while we read but it's clear that everyone has different intentions. Often I thought some girls were only here for the prince, other times I thought they were there for the crown. Some were their for the support they could provide doing this for their families. It's really interesting to see their intentions and see how they make them come true or not come true during the competition!
As for the plot, things were great. If you thought this was all about romance, you're wrong. Of course the biggest part contains some romance, most of the time it's rather a subtle thing and something that's very sweet and swoon worthy but there's so much more than just romance! Another thing I really enjoyed in this book were the castes. Every person has a number from one to eight, if you're a one you're rich and all that but an eight has the worst and hardest life. It's a little bit like the Hunger Games with their districts and each district has a special thing. Here that's the same, sixes for example, are all servants while fives are the ones with talents such as singing or making art and so on. Seeing this made the competition with the 35 girls a lot more interesting because some girls found themselves better because they're a better number and that will create discussions and, of course, backstabbing which is always there during a competition.
Speaking about backstabbing, the plot will focus a lot on the girls and their behavior which is something logical but I'm glad that we saw a very wide side of all the girls and their behavior. Kiera Cass didn't focus on all girls, that'd make a book itself I think, but she did pick multiple girls and through America's eyes we see how they behave and react on Maxon or on the other girls. Some books would rather skip that part or make it something very little but The Selection gave me a good amount to be very satisfied!
Also, I want to mention the feels! The characters will become close and closer but we'll see them turning their backs on each other because of a small fight too. Above that the book made me stand in the middle of two camps: Team Aspen or Team Maxon and I really adore it when books to that. I think I made up my mind though but you never know if the next book will change that. It'll be a discovery together with America.
Two more things to cover! First the rebels... because yes, there's also a part to this book that has a lot of thrill and tension. Rebels of the north and south are trying to get into Illéa and make it their own. This will make sure that the girls will have to go hide multiple times during the plot because the rebels are attacking and I really think that this breaks through the romance and fighting between the girls and gives this book something else. I really appreciated it, and I'm pretty sure many others would like this too so there's something refreshing instead of reading about the competition the whole time.
Lastly, I want to point out that next to thrill, competitive girls and romance there's also a lot of humor. Maxon, America, as well as many others in this story, are very funny and will cause embarrassing moments that are funny to read. Which again makes sure we break through all the backstabbing and love parts in the book.
Overall, I can conclude that this book was something very refreshing and for a theme totally different from what I'm used to with princesses and all, this was a very amusing read. It has amazing characters and will break through with parts that contain tension and humor. If you haven't read The Selection, I recommend you do! Not only will you be torn between two teams, but you'll also feel as if you're part of the contest yourself.
"35 girls. 1 crown. The competition of a lifetime."
I can't believe it. I can't believe that it has come to an end! A little while ago I put my film comparison of Catching Fire online. It took me one more book before I was allowed to finish this fantastic series. You know what else I can't believe? That I waited this long with going into this series! Which means a thank you is in order. Fien, thank you! Without you, I probably would never have come around to read this series, and it would be a shame! I gladly present you my feelings towards the book: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.
My feelings on this book are still very raw and when I just closed the book I was shocked, confused but so happy. This end was really worth my time! I do warn that there might be spoilers in this, I'll talk about developments that have happened in this book and also tell how I felt with this series. If you haven't read Mockingjay, I strongly recommend not to read on and to go read my reviews on the previous books: The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.
Katniss Everdeen closed Catching Fire with blowing up the arena and being saved my her mentor and the Head Gamemaker. Facing hard times with the Capitol, it's decided that Katniss will have to become the symbol of the rebellion: The Mockingjay. All that while there's no sign of Peeta and other tributes that weren't saved from the arena, Katniss is facing the problems and nightmares all by herself. It's not until there's an unexpected turn that Katniss realizes who the real enemy is...
First of all I'd like to tell that this book really showed me the most emotional side of Katniss. She's facing the capitol without Peeta which also means there's nobody to comfort her when the nightmares come. I really think this was a great asset to the book, over the three book we saw Katniss develop from a young volunteer to a strong woman that carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. And that not only as a tribute but also as a symbol: the Mockingjay. She never asked to become this symbol but she became it and that all because of the little things she did that were against the capitol.
What I find most interesting is that most of the time Katniss didn't understand what she was doing or that she was provoking the Capital. Some may say it made her look foolish or naive but if all, I think it made her look innocent and this projects all the lives that have entered the Hunger Games. Each person was an innocent person. An innocent child who didn't know what would happen and didn't know how to provoke the Capital. And that innocence grew out to be a strong woman that has faced a million things.
I can't say that I always related easily to her since she's in a war and I'm obviously not, but I did find myself in her feelings at times. When she volunteered, I understood why, I could relate. There are definitely moments you can relate with her but there were also moments you can't understand her logic because it went against your own. That was something that I really liked because it gave you such a different angle on what she was thinking. She worked on her impulses and instincts and that made it all the more dangerous but also more thrilling while reading.
Of all movies I was also the biggest fan of Mockingjay part I (I haven't seen part two, I had promised myself not to watch it until I read the book). And therefore it was also really amazing to read how it all looked and to see the differences. What a book has more in comparison are the thoughts of the character. It's the thing I missed in the movies but were, of course, strongly present in the book. I really enjoyed to read into the thoughts of Katniss while she observed District 13. How she saw it and how she felt in it.
The first part really kept my attention because of District 13, because of the new things Beetee and Gale invented and because Katniss could relate a lot with Finnick. The emotional state they were in while Annie and Peeta were captured really pulled at me. Yet there was one thing I did miss and that was Effie. I know the movie mentions her but now there was no word of Effie. The uncertainty of knowing where she was and whether or not she was alive was really eating at me. In each previous review I told you I was a great fan of Effie and each time I said I wished we would see a little more of her but this time she was gone. We didn't know where she was or if she was alright.
And yes, I'm going to say it again: I wish I saw more of Effie because she's always been so eccentric which I loved about her. She was always optimistic even though she felt the effects of the Capitol. And sure, you can say that she was as much as a puppet of the Capitol as the prep team but for me it felt differently. Above that it made me feel how Katniss must have felt while Peeta was gone: uncertain and incomplete.
Speaking of the prep team, the moment they were found in the cells because they stole bread I knew there was something more dark to District 13. Something I hadn't seen coming while I read the previous books but in that instant I was completely sure that something wasn't right. Was it only the fact that the prep team was harmed? No, it was also Coin. Somehow I didn't feel like trusting her. She didn't say a lot, she didn't come around a lot and most of all she wasn't that open towards others.
Many characters gave me the impression that I understood them, their way of thinking. I could see through them, but Coin... She was just different in a way I couldn't put my finger on it. Yet ever since that one moment, I knew she wasn't as innocent as I expected her to be. And after everything it became more and more clear she had her own hidden agenda. Now I wonder, if it's a shout out to our real world? Some of the previous leaders had their own hidden agenda's. It's just a thought that came in my mind while I read the book...
Meanwhile I really started feeling it for Haymitch. The moment he goes to Katniss in the hospital and tells her he'll glue the earpiece to her head or find a different way, it becomes more and more clear he really cares about Katniss in a way I wasn't prepared for. Also, we finally find out what happened to him, what the capitol did to his family and loved ones. It might sound weird but it felt like bonding with him. And if I can be honest... I secretly hoped he would get together with Effie... Whoops!
Another character that really grew onto me was Finnick. Somehow between Catching Fire and him losing Annie, I really lived up to his character. The moment he dies, I didn't believe it. I couldn't believe it! I reread the page two times because I thought I misinterpret the passage but no. Finnick died just when I was so fond of him. I keep wondering why now, he was just married with Annie, he had just gotten her back and now she loses him. Above that the book never really gave me a satisfying answer on what Annie did and how she reacted. I wish I knew how she reacted. One time we see her again and she reacts so calm, all the while I remember her being confused very easily and a little crazy. I wonder if she went more crazy after she realized she lost him or if because of his death, she ever felt the need to kill President Snow herself. It might just be me thinking it and asking myself, this book is just this fantastic that it made me overthink a lot of the passages and then I form these sort of questions!
Of course there are also characters that bitterly disappointing me! Which, I'm sorry to say, was Gale. In the beginning of the book, he was my hero. I was still in the middle of choosing Peeta or Gale, but Gale started to irritate me more and more when I read on in the book. I didn't know if it was because he was always so negative towards Peeta or if it was because of his jealousy, I just didn't like it. Then we enter part two and he stuck with Katniss until the end, kept moving and kept helping. I felt good about him again, but already made my mind up to who I wanted with Katniss.
But he was also the one who wanted to murder so many people in District 2. I partly got why he wanted it, they are close with the capitol and somewhat their puppets but I never saw Gale as someone who'd play as dirty as the capitol. The end of the book then tells me that Gale is in district 2, working there and he didn't return for Katniss. This stung a little. Gale was such a good friend to her, and he started irritating me but I thought their bond would be stronger. He's having such a good position now, which made me feel like he was now a puppet in the world after President Snow. So his character disappointed me during the last book, I just wish he stayed good friends with Katniss!
The good thing about is it that Gale was out of the way and Peeta could be all over Katniss but things didn't seem to go as fluent as we thought now, did it? Peeta has been tortured by the Capitol, as well as in the movie as the book I was really moved about it and very curious to if we'd ever get him back and in what state he'd be. The rescue mission comes along and I was so happy that Katniss and Peeta would be reunited but I guess it's safe to say Peeta was just not up for it.
In that moment I really lived up to Katniss and her emotional state. She turned away from him because he wasn't himself anymore. I got that a lot, Peeta said things that really hurt to hear out of his mouth. Therefore the moment she decides she wouldn't go through with it and leave him alone because all he does is say hateful things, I wasn't really glad. I saw my ship shatter with each word Peeta said! The team then tries to get his memories back to the reality of it, this was something I was keen on but wished to see some more of.
Speaking of helping him out with if his memories are real or not real, we're already in the Capitol by then and it's right at that moment the thrill comes alive even more. Johanna hasn't been able to come which is a sad thing because for some reason also Johanna began to grow on me. She's all alone but still very strong, in the beginning I thought she was stupid and harsh but eventually she's not the girl you see her for. Johanna has a thick skin but there's a big heart beating underneath it.
It's only in part two that I realize that the end is really nearing. It's also in part two that I realize how big the damage will be after the war. The Capitol has prepared herself for attacks and has such a fine technique of harmful aspects that I was really surprised. I even got scared a little when the mutts came around, calling her name. That was terrifying but it's also where we lost most of the people I wanted to have around after the war.
Which eventually brings me to the fact that Prim... also isn't around anymore. That was a big shock though I knew that it wasn't the Capitol that threw things out of the air. Somehow my gut told me that there was more to that than Katniss knew at the time. All of this eventually was confirmed by the one and only President Snow. More about him in a few, I just want to talk a bit more about the post-war time where Katniss was so in shock that she didn't talk and eventually met Snow. The time she didn't speak, I at least had wanted a little more empathy with Katniss but a lot of the characters, hello Gale, just weren't around that much or not at all. She's been the Mockingjay but nobody turns around for her? Luckily, there was Haymitch who eventually realized this wasn't anything to laugh about anymore.
But it was also a time to find out that Effie was still alive, yet damaged. I can't tell you how happy I was that she was at least still alive! Just captured but also hurt by the Capitol. With Effie came also the biggest plot twist of the post-war part because Katniss does it again, she turns again towards the Capitol...
President Snow, captured in his rose garden which felt a little easy for him but as long as he died in the end I was happy, told her it wasn't him that killed Prim. He gave so many aspects that confirmed what my gut was telling me all the time: Coin is a threat. But Coin saw Katniss as a threat, my mind hasn't made up if she was all bad or if it was just because she didn't like Katniss. Then came the vote for a next Hunger Games which was so unexpected, especially because they fought for a country without them! Followed by Katniss turning towards the Capitol, towards the new power. I was glad, I was relieved and I was a little excited because after all, Coin wasn't my favorite and now she's dead.
The story doesn't end there of course, people think Katniss is just crazy and they lock her up which showed us readers how weak she was feeling and how much she was grieving. She wanted to escape and die, rather than live and have a trial. It's right in that moment we see that Katniss isn't the Mockingjay, she's the volunteer again. She's the child again that doesn't know what's going to happen but wants to survive and then decides to give in and let go of life. That was such a heavy part but it was followed by a much better part where she went back to live in her District and Gale never coming again but Peeta being there for the nightmares.
If all I can say that this book was the most thrilling of all and it broke me the most. Many of my favorite characters died but it was also the book that made me realize how much I loved certain characters. Some people aren't happy with the ending because it's sad but it's as my friend Fien says: it's realistic. It shows the effects of the war, of being a leader in the war and seeing everything from the first row. The people with a ship got what they wanted, it was a very sweet ending but the reality and the grief did come through and that's something I really enjoyed. The last sentence that's being said in the book also made me realize that this isn't the end of them. It's just the beginning...
All together I think we can say that this book was amazing, the character developed more than I expected after already starring in two books, the thrill was there, the emotions all over the place and as a reader you're really pulled into the story and became a soldier of your own. You hated, you loved, you cried (admit it), you felt the end and started with a new begin. The series has it all! I'm really happy that I decided to read the books because I'm someone who tries to keep books that are highly spoken of on a little distance. But standing ovation for Suzanne Collins, she made me feel everything and nothing with this series.
"If we burn, you burn with us."
In my opinion, summer started on the first of July. Why? Because then school is officially done which means the holidays have started... I'm so glad that it is summer! And a holidays of more than two months! Speaking of more than two months, this means I've got a lot of time to read. That's a good thing because I have a lot of books that need to be read!
Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Remember the time I said that this book was delayed? And that it was such a pity because I wanted to read it while I was in Italy? Well, since it's summer, I decided this will be my first summer read. My trip to Italy felt like holidays and like summer since it was so hot, which means this book will feel like summer to me.
Lina spends her time in Italy, not because she wants to but because her mother ordered her to. On her trip in Italy, she has to find her father and get to know him but the thing that bothers Lina the most is that her father wasn't around for quiet some time. Together with her mother's journal, Lina discovers the little things in life and starts to appreciate her time in Tuscany. With the new friend she made, Lina discovers way more than she had ever expected to...
I'm really looking forward to reading this because this is a debut book so who knows if I really enjoyed it Jenna Evans Welch could be my next favorite, or one of my favorite, authors! Also the thing I'm absolutely keen on is that it's in Tuscany! It was my favorite place in Italy on my trip with Florence as my favorite city. I'm hoping the book will describe a lot of its surroundings, then I can relive my trip too.
"People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more."
Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
Last summer my mother brought back Red Queen by this author when she was in England. I was seriously addicted to this book when I read it and was so pleased that this was a series. I had pre-ordered a signed copy but bol.com told me that Aveyard put a stop on the signing for a while and later on I got to hear I couldn't get a copy that was signed. I was really, really disappointed but of course, I bought the second book because I wanted to read on!
Mare escaped from the silvers but that doesn't mean she's safe. The silvers, and more in particularity the Queen and her son, are trying to find her and are trying to get her killed. Mare is running for her life but also knows that she's not alone in this. She's not the only one that's different, she's got a whole group that supports her and are more alike to her than she had ever dared to imagine. Together they try to overthrow the Queen and her son but soon Mare finds herself being on a crossroad: becoming what she's trying to destroy or shatter under the weight of the rebellion...
If all, I'm already feeling the anticipation in this book! I'm really curious about Mare and find out what she's going to do or who she's going to become. This book is definitely on my summer TBR, especially because it's been laying at home for a while now!
"If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different."
Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Next on my list of to be read books is a book by one of my favorite Authors! It's the 4th one in the Covenant series: Apollyon. It's been so long since I've read a book by her, the last book I read by her was Deity that stopped with some sort of a cliffhanger which means it's absolutely time to read this book!
Alex has always feared that she'd lose herself during her life and this time, she feels lost in her new world. The gods are also making a mess of it by killing everyone and everything that comes in their way. Luckily for Alex, there's one thing stronger than fate and one person that'd risk everything, even fighting his own gods, to bring her back to the world she has always known and also to make her be herself again. But Alex is having a tough time in finding who she really is. Will she set Seth free or will she become the thing she never wanted to be?
This book is the last but one in this series which means I'm in for a book full of thrill because we're coming closer to the end of the series!
"Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex."
The Selection by Kiera Cass
A series that everyone seems to enjoy a lot is the Selection-series. For my birthday, I've received the first three books and I'm planning on reading each and every one of this series this summer!
The Selection is the opportunity every girl has been waiting on. It's the time where you can change your normal life into one with crowns, absolutely amazing dresses, glittering things and a palace to live in. Thirty-five girls will fight against each other to get what they want: the Prince and the new life. America Singer is one of those girls that is selected yet she wishes she never was selected at all. She doesn't want the crowns, the dresses, the glitter or the Prince. She wants her life, which might be normal but still amazing...
I'm really curious to what's going to happen since America isn't keen on it at all. Who knows maybe she'll want it after a while, maybe she'll be a rebellion? I don't know at all! All I know is that I want to read the books especially because they got such beautiful covers!
"The life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined."
How Hard Can Love Be? by Holly Bourne
A book that I've bought recently because I couldn't put it back is this one! I've never read a book by this author so I'm really in for a summer full of discovery! It feels very summer-y which is why I really want to read it now!
Amber feels like she needs some love. Her mother, who remarried and went to live in California, never really was the caring type which is why Amber feels the need to change this. She goes live with her for one summer, trying to get her mother to show some affection. And then there's someone else who also grabs her attention too but would he ever give her the attention she wants?
I feel this book will contain a lot of feels and how do I feel about that? Really good. Either that new person will rip her heart out or her mother will rip her heart out or just maybe things will walk very smoothly... All I know for certain is that I will enjoy this book!
"There's no escaping the fact: love is hard."
So these were five books I really want to read during the summer but believe me, I've got more books that need to be read... So many books and so little time! I think we all know this struggle! Other books that need to be read are the following:
* Did I Mention I Miss You? (Estelle Maskame)
* Torn (Amanda Hocking)
* Haze (Paula Weston)
* The Power (Jennifer L. Armentrout)
* Let The Sky Fall (Shannon Messenger)
* Invaded (Melissa Landers)
* Teardrop (Lauren Kate)
See what I meant with too many books and so little time?
"Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight
to the imagination, and life
to everything."
Louisa Clark has never been out of her hometown and she never saw any reason to. Soon she finds herself changing for the better and that all by the man that she should be changing. Disabled in a wheelchair, Will Traynor has lost his interest in life and Louisa tries her best to make him think differently again. What they don't know is that both of them are in for a ride full of emotions and life changers. Both want the best for each other: Will wants Lou to live life but Lou wants for Will to find that passion about life again. Yet soon they find themselves battling against the other to make them realize life can be perfect, but not easy...
There was also a part in the book where Mrs Traynor got her own chapter and explained her feelings and her posture and so on. She really does want the best for her son, that's also why Camilla is so weirded out and surly towards Louisa. The bonding between mother and son is reflected well and emotionally, to my opinion, which was a great asset to the book.
