Book Recommendations (with spoiler-free reviews)

The Selection (series) ~ Kiera Cass

The Selection

The Elite

The One

The Heir

The Crown

SYNOPSIS: In a dystopian future, the United States of America has been torn apart by the Fourth World War and is now known as Illea. The people of the country are divided into castes, ranging from Ones (the royals) to Eights (the homeless). A system, known as The Selection, is used to find the future princess of Illea. What happens is that when the prince of Illea comes of age, a competition is held. By lucky draw, 35 young women are chosen from among the general population (irrespective of their castes) and are taken to live in the castle. Then, over the period of time, the crown prince interacts with each of them, and eliminates the ones he doesn't like. In the end, the one who remains becomes the princess i.e. the wife of the prince and the future queen of Illea. Now, the story revolves around a girl named America Singer (a Five) who is forced by her family and boyfriend Aspen (who is a Six) to submit her form for the Selection (because he doesn't want her to lose a chance of a better life because of him). She does this (unwillingly) and to her surprise, makes the cut of 35 girls. She is taken to live at the palace where she meets the enchanting Prince Maxon, whom she hates at first. She makes friends, deals with enemies and interviews and ball-gowns and maybe, just maybe, starts to like Maxon. But then, what about Aspen?

Okayyyy, so I read this novel on the recommendation of my sisters who said it was "really really really CUTE". So I thought "sure, why not? Cute sounds good." And MAN, I was blown. Away.

The character of America Singer is very interesting. She's unpredictable and dedicated (which sometimes makes her a bit annoying, but hey, nobody's perfect). The rest of the characters, whether they're major or minor are really good too. I think the best part is that they undergo a lot of character development. Shocking truths are revealed about some of them that just change our whole perspective and make us realize that they were not as simple as we had thought. Every character has depth and is memorable and that, I think, is one of the best things about a novel.

And now, SIT DOWN, because I'm starting to talk about Prince Maxon. I mean, PRINCE MAXON! I never thought, in my whole life, that I'd ever fall in love with a prince. To me, they always seemed shallow and whiney (a view I shared with America). But, oh my GOD, Maxon blew me away! He is so sweet and cute and gentle and kind and amazing but also strong and powerful and enduring. The fact that he doesn't know what to do when women cry in front of him ... man, trust me when I say I have found nothing more endearing! He is just PERF, you hear me? HE IS AWESOME!

*deep breath*

The plot ... wow. Like, you know, my sisters told me this series is really "light-hearted" and "fun" and not capable of inflicting deep-rooted emotional trauma and anxiety. I ... I should not have listened to them. So here I was, just sitting there and enjoying this supposedly "light-hearted" series. And it was light-hearted during the first two books. But, man, the third one is like: pain, pain, fear, anxiety, tension, tears, more pain. It was a rollercoaster, plot-wise. So many twists and turns that sometimes I was like "whoa, stop there, dude. Let me catch my breath!"

Seriously, though, you won't be disappointed. Go read it!

(Click on the external link to find my fancast!)

UPDATE: on 15th August 2014, The Selection fandom was given the best news ever by the lovely Kiera Cass. Guess what? Guess what? GUESS WHAT?!

We're gETTING TWO MORE SELECTION NOVELS!!! LIKE ACTUAL FULL-FLEDGED NOVELS!!! AS A CONTINUATION OF THE SERIES!

So, ahem, The Heir (aka the fourth book in The Selection series) is set to be released in spring 2015!!!

I'M SO EXCITED I'M CRYING I'M LAUGHING I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DOOOOOO!!!!!

UPDATE: The Heir and The Crown are everything I expected them to be. :') :')