Showing posts with label Dystopian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dystopian. Show all posts
Title | The Selection
Author | Kiera Cass
Publisher | HarperCollins Children's Fiction
Source | Review Copy & Purchased Copy
My Rating | 5/5
Thirty-five beautiful girls. Thirty-five beautiful rivals…
It’s the chance of a lifetime and 17-year-old America Singer should feel lucky. She has been chosen for The Selection, a reality TV lottery in which the special few compete for gorgeous Prince Maxon’s love.
Swept up in a world of elaborate gowns, glittering jewels and decadent feasts, America is living a new and glamorous life. And the prince takes a special interest in her, much to the outrage of the others.
Rivalry within The Selection is fierce and not all of the girls are prepared to play by the rules. But what they don’t know is that America has a secret – one which could throw the whole competition… and change her life forever.
Dawn-Tracy says;
I don't think I have EVER read a book in such a short amount of time as this one. Many people who read claim to have been sucked into the storyline but I can honestly say that I was well and truly swallowed whole by this book. It captured me so intensely that when I woke up the following day from reading it I just 'felt' like I was actually living in this dystopian world - and I admit, when I came to, I was disappointed that I was not living in this dystopian world and was in fact a human on Earth. In 2016.
This is one of the books of my summer in 2016 and I can't believe that I am still so hyped up about this book that I am reviewing it again. Read my first review of The Selection that I wrote back in August 2016 here . It was my most popular read (according to goodreads with well over 750,000 other readers having enjoyed this book last year).
I'd never read a fantasy novel or in fact a dystopian novel before this one, and wow - what a welcome to the genre I got! I devoured each page within a single day before desperately purchasing books 2, 3, 4, + 5 at around 1am in the morning when I finished reading this one! I became hungry and addicted. And it had nothing to do with The Hunger Games ;)
So what got me so captured, hungry and addicted?
The storyline! The characters are living in a world and society where everyone is assigned a number depending upon their class in society - Ones are the Royal Family, and Seven's and Eights are the lowest class. Prince Maxon is obviously a One, and America Singer is a Seven. America is dating an Eight (Aspen) when the competition to find Prince Maxon's bride, wife and future queen is announced. America enters - not willingly - as her heart is firmly with her Eight even if it does mean lowering herself class wise in society.
When America discovers that she has been selected, she realises that she will have to live at the palace and compete for Prince Maxon's love and hand with 34 other selected. But America has a plan to lose and is so far from caring about the competition she lets Prince Maxon know of her plan to lose.
When America discovers that she has been selected, she realises that she will have to live at the palace and compete for Prince Maxon's love and hand with 34 other selected. But America has a plan to lose and is so far from caring about the competition she lets Prince Maxon know of her plan to lose.
The competition between the girls is fun, yet intense and I loved the drama and girly sisterhood of it all. It was so compelling and addictive I could not put it down. I had a few favourites and didn't care for many of the girls being evicted out of the competition. I loved the glitz and glamour of the ball gowns and the private maids each girl had. It reminded me of the old tv show I used to watch; Ladette to Lady, mixed with Cinderella + the UK's own Royal Love Story with Prince William and Kate with it's own perfectly fantastical twist and take on it all.
The Selection was a perfect read for me, even as a 28 year old (I was 27 when I read it - you know that makes such a HUGE difference ;) ), and any Young Adult you know would love this book especially if they want a hip version of romance.
We can safely say that America doesn't get booted out of the competition - "hello - there are 4 further books!" but the twists and turns in the plot made for very exciting reading, which is why I immediately started book 2 The Elite which I will review in the coming days.
Books are written for entertainment and enjoyment, a way of escaping and relaxing and this book did ALL of those things for me and more. I now have fond memories of Summer 2016 through reading this amazing series of books.
If there was ever going to be a series of books that I re-read time and again, it will most definitely be these ones.
Thank you Kiera Cass for writing such a spectacular series of books that made me question which reality I was living in, that gave me the happiest summer memories ever, and please ... don't stop writing... ever... I can't wait to read more from you. You rescued my love of reading and books at a time in my life when I felt like giving it up.
We can safely say that America doesn't get booted out of the competition - "hello - there are 4 further books!" but the twists and turns in the plot made for very exciting reading, which is why I immediately started book 2 The Elite which I will review in the coming days.
Books are written for entertainment and enjoyment, a way of escaping and relaxing and this book did ALL of those things for me and more. I now have fond memories of Summer 2016 through reading this amazing series of books.
If there was ever going to be a series of books that I re-read time and again, it will most definitely be these ones.
Thank you Kiera Cass for writing such a spectacular series of books that made me question which reality I was living in, that gave me the happiest summer memories ever, and please ... don't stop writing... ever... I can't wait to read more from you. You rescued my love of reading and books at a time in my life when I felt like giving it up.
Hey there Gorgeous!
I have been expanding my reading genre reading list lately because it was all starting to feel stagnant and I was getting uninspired to read. You know when you hit a reading slump? Yep, that's what I was feeling and I desperately wanted to shake it off. So, I looked around at books that were on my TBR pile and noticed I have quite a few YA books. I've never thought much about reading Young Adult books because I thought that they just wouldn't interest me anymore. But boy was I wrong! I am hooked! So today here is the review of the book that got me addicted to YA in a way I never thought possible.
Title | The Selection
Author | Kiera Cass
Publisher | HarperCollins Children
Source | Review Copy
Rating | 5/5
I have been expanding my reading genre reading list lately because it was all starting to feel stagnant and I was getting uninspired to read. You know when you hit a reading slump? Yep, that's what I was feeling and I desperately wanted to shake it off. So, I looked around at books that were on my TBR pile and noticed I have quite a few YA books. I've never thought much about reading Young Adult books because I thought that they just wouldn't interest me anymore. But boy was I wrong! I am hooked! So today here is the review of the book that got me addicted to YA in a way I never thought possible.
Title | The Selection
Author | Kiera Cass
Publisher | HarperCollins Children
Source | Review Copy
Rating | 5/5
Thirty-five beautiful girls. Thirty-five beautiful rivals…
It’s the chance of a lifetime and 17-year-old America Singer should feel lucky. She has been chosen for The Selection, a reality TV lottery in which the special few compete for gorgeous Prince Maxon’s love. Swept up in a world of elaborate gowns, glittering jewels and decadent feasts, America is living a new and glamorous life. And the prince takes a special interest in her, much to the outrage of the others.
Rivalry within The Selection is fierce and not all of the girls are prepared to play by the rules. But what they don’t know is that America has a secret – one which could throw the whole competition… and change her life forever.
At first I struggled to get into the book until about chapter 3 and then I was like an addict and simply could not get enough or read fast enough. I feel that I must say that the only reason I think I struggled to get into it was because that I am so used to reading adult genres that it took my brain a while to adapt.
Anyway, back to the book which is why you are here. So, it's set in this dystopian world where things really are different to the way we know them. The country that used to be America is now not America after it was invaded by China and the Royal Family of old America has the entire country in a caste system. This caste system has eight tiers to it and America Singer (the girl) is a Seven. Each caste is a number with Eight's being the lowest.
When the next heir to the throne, in this case Maxon is of age they have a contest where all the eligible girls are whittled down to thirty-five whom then are invited to stay in the palace and compete to win the affections of Prince Maxon.
So without spoiling the entire story because what I've just mentioned is merely just the beginning, America reluctantly gets selected so off she goes to the palace where she makes quite the first impression on Maxon much to the annoyance of 'others'. There are quite a few characters that you 'love to hate' such as Celeste who appears as a stuck up snobby so and so.
Each page is jam packed with exciting drama and action and I devoured the entire book in less than 24 hours! Following on from that I immediately ordered book 2 which swiftly arrived as an e-book on my kindle and I gobbled that up in less than a day! I became so addicted that it got quite scary as I woke up thinking about America and Maxon and the dynamics between them, will they be the couple or is it going to be one of the other girls? I was hungry for more of this dystopian wonderland. So, a few hours into book 2, I ordered the entire collection in paperback which arrived 2 days later - I don't know how I coped without it!
To say that Kiera Cass has made my summer is an understatement. Kiera has created a world of excitement, romance, thrilling adventure, and an addiction in me for not only dystopian books but YA books in general. I could almost imagine it being like the whole Kate and William scenario in a altered universe.
Anyway, back to the book which is why you are here. So, it's set in this dystopian world where things really are different to the way we know them. The country that used to be America is now not America after it was invaded by China and the Royal Family of old America has the entire country in a caste system. This caste system has eight tiers to it and America Singer (the girl) is a Seven. Each caste is a number with Eight's being the lowest.
When the next heir to the throne, in this case Maxon is of age they have a contest where all the eligible girls are whittled down to thirty-five whom then are invited to stay in the palace and compete to win the affections of Prince Maxon.
So without spoiling the entire story because what I've just mentioned is merely just the beginning, America reluctantly gets selected so off she goes to the palace where she makes quite the first impression on Maxon much to the annoyance of 'others'. There are quite a few characters that you 'love to hate' such as Celeste who appears as a stuck up snobby so and so.
Each page is jam packed with exciting drama and action and I devoured the entire book in less than 24 hours! Following on from that I immediately ordered book 2 which swiftly arrived as an e-book on my kindle and I gobbled that up in less than a day! I became so addicted that it got quite scary as I woke up thinking about America and Maxon and the dynamics between them, will they be the couple or is it going to be one of the other girls? I was hungry for more of this dystopian wonderland. So, a few hours into book 2, I ordered the entire collection in paperback which arrived 2 days later - I don't know how I coped without it!
To say that Kiera Cass has made my summer is an understatement. Kiera has created a world of excitement, romance, thrilling adventure, and an addiction in me for not only dystopian books but YA books in general. I could almost imagine it being like the whole Kate and William scenario in a altered universe.
I loved the gentlemanly personality of Maxon who was the utter gent to all girls but especially America. The romance was so incredibly sweet and tender. And America's feisty spirit and independence is the stuff Beyonce dreams of! I adore the energy between the characters and the entire story is captivating and..... oh just go buy it, seriously it's amazing. And you get to return to your youth which I swear has taken 10 years off of me ;-)
Easily awarding this book (and the series of books having read them) 5/5 although I'm tempted to rocket it to a 10 because of how good this book was.
Hello Gorgeous Ones!
I love my blog so much, it's a huge part of me and my life. It's grown with me and I've grown through it, but it's been lacking a little "something" lately, so I've been coming up with brand new post ideas for you in between reading some amazing books.
So a new feature I'm bringing to you as and when appropriate is the "What Am I Reading Right Now?" feature because I know so many people who are nosey so and so's when it comes to what I'm reading, what I think of the book, and what have I just bought! LOL It's fine, seriously it's like water off a duck's back and I couldn't think of a more appropriate place to share my BOOKISH love with you than here on A Page of Fictional Love. Plus I'd rather have my nose stuck in a book than in someone else's business!
Before I dive in (get it.. duck... dive...oh well haha) and share with you what I'm currently reading I just wanted to say how in the past 2 weeks my blog has reverted back to it's original name; A Page of Fictional Love, and has a brand spanking new banner to boot! As you can see it now features YA fiction, because I am just SO in LOVE with Young Adult Fiction right now. Seriously, I've devoured SO many YA books it's unreal! Reviews will follow in due course.
Right *rubs hands together* it's time for me to share my book reading pile with you. Yep. it's time for the goodies!
First up is this amazing book I'm reading that was actually recommended by Reese Witherspoon - she has a whole book club going that you can search for on Instagram #RWBookClub.
Luckiest Girl Alive is not something i'd usually pick off the shelf but when the lady who made Legally Blonde so flippin' amazing (and actually helped me get through my first 2 years training as an accountant - Thank You Reese!) you just have to sit up and listen right?
So it's basically about a woman who is planning her wedding to the rich guy, she has the emerald on her fingers, she has the amazing job in the City, the house, the bank account ... and the past to match! But that's where this book comes into it's own, as it showcases her past that has made her who she is today. She wasn't always the ideal rich girl, far from it, she was the girl at high school that desperately wanting to fit in at any cost and indeed it did cost her in the most horrendous way possible. We get to follow her journey as she reminisces and shares her story with us. There are points in the book that I laugh because her bitchy sarcasm is unreal - we all know that bitchy cow with the snide comments and the sneaky undertones whilst she smiles at you as if she respects you and actually likes you. Well Ani (pronounced Ahhh-Neee) as she's now calling herself is that snidey cow, and I can see why some people reading would love her, or hate her. I guess we either know someone LIKE her or we know that we can be HER at times. (lucky for me I can say I know someone like her in terms of her bitchy personality).
However I adore the gentler more innocent side to her, the real Ani, the one that just wants someone to like her, and support her, believe in her and root for her because so many people didn't have that growing up, sometimes their parents were interested in other things or siblings, like Ani's mother was more interested in her getting her connections rather than a life! There are times during reading that I just want to give her a hug (Ani - not the people I know like Ani) and let her know that she doesn't have to be so tough all the time. She can be gentle and not get hurt. So without spoiling it, if this sounds like something you might be in to, head over to amazon using the link below to get yourself a copy!
Next up on my Currently Reading List (which btw bears no resemblance to my GoodReads account - naughty I know!) is one that belongs to a series of books.
I am HOOKED on The Selection Series, and I've become quite addicted to reading them. I simply can't get enough. The Heir is the follow on from the first 3 that detailed the selection process of Prince Maxon as her FINALLY chose America Singer to be his wife out of 30+ girls. It's a dystopian book, a young adult book, and it's flippin' addictive! I urge you to give them a try! Even my Mum has been giving the pages a turn so they have to be good.
This book fast forwards quite a few years into the future following Maxon and America's wedding, and now it's time for their daughter to make her selection! So exciting!
And lastly, but no means least, I also have my nose stuck in Tell Me Lies (Which does actually happen to be on my GoodReads account - see I can be Good!) Tell Me Lies features a whole host of characters that slice into you in the most captivating way ever! I loved the scene where DC Atherton (I swear I read this every time as DC Arse-er-ton - I know, I'm SO bad!) gets mentioned by the other detectives and they comment about how he always seems to be there like a nodding dog, and please excuse my language but i'm only using what they say in the book - that Atherton (again - I can't spell, speak, read that name without reading the above) is always around the Chief Superintendent ready to lick his Ar** lala. It makes me giggle all the time! From that point I was in love with the book! Again we all know someone who can be like that!
Anyway, there's been a murder (anyone hearing Taggart here? No .. Just me??) and the rich girl is in the firing line because he was her boyfriend/ex boyfriend and she was standing over him drenched in his blood ( OK... this is serious - I'm having Legally Blonde Flashbacks to when Elle Woods is in court talking about "the shower" and the daughter being questioned mentioned seeing the accused "Drenched in his blood") OK Back on Track People!
So it's a case of who dunnit (no there is no Eastenders Duff Duff here... well not unless you put it there... it might be good) and it brings up so many twists and turns, connections with other Detectives and their families/pasts, and it really is just so gripping! If crime/mystery/thriller/suspense is your thing, this book HAS to be a book to read!
So there you have it, 3 books i'm currently reading, which may change by tonight because books shift sooo quickly in my house! One book for each genre really apart from the sweet chick lit/romance (sorry!) I promise I'll try and do one of those in the next update.
If you LIKED this post, give it share, leave a comment below with what you're reading and of course stop by my social media hangouts and connect with me.
I love my blog so much, it's a huge part of me and my life. It's grown with me and I've grown through it, but it's been lacking a little "something" lately, so I've been coming up with brand new post ideas for you in between reading some amazing books.
So a new feature I'm bringing to you as and when appropriate is the "What Am I Reading Right Now?" feature because I know so many people who are nosey so and so's when it comes to what I'm reading, what I think of the book, and what have I just bought! LOL It's fine, seriously it's like water off a duck's back and I couldn't think of a more appropriate place to share my BOOKISH love with you than here on A Page of Fictional Love. Plus I'd rather have my nose stuck in a book than in someone else's business!
Before I dive in (get it.. duck... dive...oh well haha) and share with you what I'm currently reading I just wanted to say how in the past 2 weeks my blog has reverted back to it's original name; A Page of Fictional Love, and has a brand spanking new banner to boot! As you can see it now features YA fiction, because I am just SO in LOVE with Young Adult Fiction right now. Seriously, I've devoured SO many YA books it's unreal! Reviews will follow in due course.
Right *rubs hands together* it's time for me to share my book reading pile with you. Yep. it's time for the goodies!
First up is this amazing book I'm reading that was actually recommended by Reese Witherspoon - she has a whole book club going that you can search for on Instagram #RWBookClub.
Luckiest Girl Alive is not something i'd usually pick off the shelf but when the lady who made Legally Blonde so flippin' amazing (and actually helped me get through my first 2 years training as an accountant - Thank You Reese!) you just have to sit up and listen right?So it's basically about a woman who is planning her wedding to the rich guy, she has the emerald on her fingers, she has the amazing job in the City, the house, the bank account ... and the past to match! But that's where this book comes into it's own, as it showcases her past that has made her who she is today. She wasn't always the ideal rich girl, far from it, she was the girl at high school that desperately wanting to fit in at any cost and indeed it did cost her in the most horrendous way possible. We get to follow her journey as she reminisces and shares her story with us. There are points in the book that I laugh because her bitchy sarcasm is unreal - we all know that bitchy cow with the snide comments and the sneaky undertones whilst she smiles at you as if she respects you and actually likes you. Well Ani (pronounced Ahhh-Neee) as she's now calling herself is that snidey cow, and I can see why some people reading would love her, or hate her. I guess we either know someone LIKE her or we know that we can be HER at times. (lucky for me I can say I know someone like her in terms of her bitchy personality).
However I adore the gentler more innocent side to her, the real Ani, the one that just wants someone to like her, and support her, believe in her and root for her because so many people didn't have that growing up, sometimes their parents were interested in other things or siblings, like Ani's mother was more interested in her getting her connections rather than a life! There are times during reading that I just want to give her a hug (Ani - not the people I know like Ani) and let her know that she doesn't have to be so tough all the time. She can be gentle and not get hurt. So without spoiling it, if this sounds like something you might be in to, head over to amazon using the link below to get yourself a copy!
I am HOOKED on The Selection Series, and I've become quite addicted to reading them. I simply can't get enough. The Heir is the follow on from the first 3 that detailed the selection process of Prince Maxon as her FINALLY chose America Singer to be his wife out of 30+ girls. It's a dystopian book, a young adult book, and it's flippin' addictive! I urge you to give them a try! Even my Mum has been giving the pages a turn so they have to be good.
This book fast forwards quite a few years into the future following Maxon and America's wedding, and now it's time for their daughter to make her selection! So exciting!
And lastly, but no means least, I also have my nose stuck in Tell Me Lies (Which does actually happen to be on my GoodReads account - see I can be Good!) Tell Me Lies features a whole host of characters that slice into you in the most captivating way ever! I loved the scene where DC Atherton (I swear I read this every time as DC Arse-er-ton - I know, I'm SO bad!) gets mentioned by the other detectives and they comment about how he always seems to be there like a nodding dog, and please excuse my language but i'm only using what they say in the book - that Atherton (again - I can't spell, speak, read that name without reading the above) is always around the Chief Superintendent ready to lick his Ar** lala. It makes me giggle all the time! From that point I was in love with the book! Again we all know someone who can be like that!Anyway, there's been a murder (anyone hearing Taggart here? No .. Just me??) and the rich girl is in the firing line because he was her boyfriend/ex boyfriend and she was standing over him drenched in his blood ( OK... this is serious - I'm having Legally Blonde Flashbacks to when Elle Woods is in court talking about "the shower" and the daughter being questioned mentioned seeing the accused "Drenched in his blood") OK Back on Track People!
So it's a case of who dunnit (no there is no Eastenders Duff Duff here... well not unless you put it there... it might be good) and it brings up so many twists and turns, connections with other Detectives and their families/pasts, and it really is just so gripping! If crime/mystery/thriller/suspense is your thing, this book HAS to be a book to read!
So there you have it, 3 books i'm currently reading, which may change by tonight because books shift sooo quickly in my house! One book for each genre really apart from the sweet chick lit/romance (sorry!) I promise I'll try and do one of those in the next update.
If you LIKED this post, give it share, leave a comment below with what you're reading and of course stop by my social media hangouts and connect with me.
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