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ashction's review against another edition
5.0
When I first started this book, I wasn't sure that I was going to like it. But by the end of it, I'm pretty sure I love it, and I'm definitely, absolutely hooked!
Hollis Brite (whose name unfortunately makes me think of Rainbow Brite and not a sophisticated young woman) has recently left King Jameson infatuated. Though Jameson has been a bit of a player of late, dating one girl for a while before moving on to the next, Hollis has snagged his attention with her humor, her laughter, and her beauty. However, as Hollis seems on track to be the next queen of Coroa, she meets a family from a neighboring country, including their oldest son, Silas. In the midst of her heart fighting between an elevated position and love, Hollis also must face and come to terms with the realities of what being a queen - and being wife to Jameson - would mean for her.
Full disclosure: the first third to half of the book feels so achingly like The Selection that it's ridiculous. The only difference is that Hollis is falling for the "poor" boy instead of the reverse this time around. Hollis seems rather vapid, too, for much of our book, and though I never disliked her, at first I found myself a bit bored. However, if you're able to push past the initial boredom and cheesiness (Hollis thinks Silas's blue eyes are special! Because apparently no one has them in her country, which is one thing, of course, but she couldn't be more basic if she tried!), then this book actual takes a pleasant turn into something inherently more feminist, enjoyable, and compelling.
The real story begins when Hollis chooses to follow her heart or her head. I won't spoil that choice for you (but know I did think it was done rather quickly, with not nearly enough build-up for my taste), but I will say that her choice leads the story to a path I didn't foresee, and one that makes me suddenly much more interested the trajectory of this series. What makes this feminist - especially considering the 15th century setting - is the way Hollis commands her own destiny in a time when many women were unable to do so - or, at least, not as outwardly as Hollis does. And when the plans change, she takes it in stride and follows her choices once more.
I wasn't sure I could find more than a historical version of The Selection here, but I was pleasantly surprised that this turned into something more. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series to see what happens next!
I received this book from Edelweiss and Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.
Hollis Brite (whose name unfortunately makes me think of Rainbow Brite and not a sophisticated young woman) has recently left King Jameson infatuated. Though Jameson has been a bit of a player of late, dating one girl for a while before moving on to the next, Hollis has snagged his attention with her humor, her laughter, and her beauty. However, as Hollis seems on track to be the next queen of Coroa, she meets a family from a neighboring country, including their oldest son, Silas. In the midst of her heart fighting between an elevated position and love, Hollis also must face and come to terms with the realities of what being a queen - and being wife to Jameson - would mean for her.
Full disclosure: the first third to half of the book feels so achingly like The Selection that it's ridiculous. The only difference is that Hollis is falling for the "poor" boy instead of the reverse this time around. Hollis seems rather vapid, too, for much of our book, and though I never disliked her, at first I found myself a bit bored. However, if you're able to push past the initial boredom and cheesiness (Hollis thinks Silas's blue eyes are special! Because apparently no one has them in her country, which is one thing, of course, but she couldn't be more basic if she tried!), then this book actual takes a pleasant turn into something inherently more feminist, enjoyable, and compelling.
The real story begins when Hollis chooses to follow her heart or her head. I won't spoil that choice for you (but know I did think it was done rather quickly, with not nearly enough build-up for my taste), but I will say that her choice leads the story to a path I didn't foresee, and one that makes me suddenly much more interested the trajectory of this series. What makes this feminist - especially considering the 15th century setting - is the way Hollis commands her own destiny in a time when many women were unable to do so - or, at least, not as outwardly as Hollis does. And when the plans change, she takes it in stride and follows her choices once more.
I wasn't sure I could find more than a historical version of The Selection here, but I was pleasantly surprised that this turned into something more. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series to see what happens next!
I received this book from Edelweiss and Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.
shystrawberry's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
crose13's review against another edition
3.0
I wish it was longer to flesh out some points, as a lot of things seem to have happened out of nowhere. The main character is kind of annoying.
stepka095's review against another edition
1.0
My expectations were pretty low already but this book still managed to disappoint me.
The romance is soooooo boring and pointless. The development of the book is so slow you want to sleep during the entire book. It has no original phrases or scenes. It’s so cliche. The characters have no personality.
I’m so disappointed I can’t even say. Hated every word, and don’t even get me started on the predictable yet boring ending.
My strong advice is don’t waste your valuable time on this book, if I could give 0 stars I totally would.
I loved the selection so I can’t believe is the same author.
The romance is soooooo boring and pointless. The development of the book is so slow you want to sleep during the entire book. It has no original phrases or scenes. It’s so cliche. The characters have no personality.
I’m so disappointed I can’t even say. Hated every word, and don’t even get me started on the predictable yet boring ending.
My strong advice is don’t waste your valuable time on this book, if I could give 0 stars I totally would.
I loved the selection so I can’t believe is the same author.
kirstym3692's review against another edition
2.0
I made it through 50% and then decided I've officially grown out of most YA books. Sorry Kiera the Selection was amazing but this just... wasn't.
crystalsnfairydust's review against another edition
1.0
the book lacked a plot??
nothing happens and then they all just die ??? what even ??
i have no clue what happened in this book, it made no sense. after the selection series this was an enormous disappointment.
nothing happens and then they all just die ??? what even ??
i have no clue what happened in this book, it made no sense. after the selection series this was an enormous disappointment.
michaelasreads's review against another edition
Good riddance to the boring piece of crap
astrireads's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a huge fan of The Selection series and it is one of my favourites. When I knew that Kiera Cass would publish another book about royalty, I was so excited to read it! The excitement didn't last for long.
I just finished reading this book, and I am actually quite disappointed! I wasn't as drawn in to the story of Hollis Brite as much as I was to that of America. I remembered not being able to put down The Selection books once I started reading them and I could easily do that for this one.
I could not connect to the characters and story at all. The world was not described well, and I literally can't imagine how the characters, dresses, and palace will look like. The love story of both Hollis and Jameson and Hollis and Silas lack chemistry. I didn't buy the instant love between Hollis and Silas at all - I mean, come on, just because of the eyes? Seriously? I think there should have been a little more background of the characters, even the story of how Hollis and Jameson met was told indirectly through a conversation between Hollis and Delia Grace.
I thought the story was slow at first and felt a little rushed by the second half of the book. On a positive note, I did enjoy reading the second half of the book, and read it in one sitting. I felt like the second half saved the book, even though it all felt a little bit rushed and confusing. The ending left so many questions unanswered.
Overall, I did not enjoy this book and it fell a bit short of my expectations. However, I would still like to read the second book (should there be one) to know more about the next chapter in Hollis' story.
I rate this book 2.5 ⭐. Despite my low rating, I would still recommend it to lovers of The Selection series as it might be possible for you to love this one!
I just finished reading this book, and I am actually quite disappointed! I wasn't as drawn in to the story of Hollis Brite as much as I was to that of America. I remembered not being able to put down The Selection books once I started reading them and I could easily do that for this one.
I could not connect to the characters and story at all. The world was not described well, and I literally can't imagine how the characters, dresses, and palace will look like. The love story of both Hollis and Jameson and Hollis and Silas lack chemistry. I didn't buy the instant love between Hollis and Silas at all - I mean, come on, just because of the eyes? Seriously? I think there should have been a little more background of the characters, even the story of how Hollis and Jameson met was told indirectly through a conversation between Hollis and Delia Grace.
I thought the story was slow at first and felt a little rushed by the second half of the book. On a positive note, I did enjoy reading the second half of the book, and read it in one sitting. I felt like the second half saved the book, even though it all felt a little bit rushed and confusing. The ending left so many questions unanswered.
Overall, I did not enjoy this book and it fell a bit short of my expectations. However, I would still like to read the second book (should there be one) to know more about the next chapter in Hollis' story.
I rate this book 2.5 ⭐. Despite my low rating, I would still recommend it to lovers of The Selection series as it might be possible for you to love this one!
alessandragrosjean's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Normally I love kiera cass but this book wasn’t for me :(