[Book Review]: The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard by Kiera Cass

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Book Title: The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Purchased
Genre: Dystopian Young Adult
Year: 2014
Page Count: 173
ISBN: 9780062318329
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My Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0

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Goodreads' Blurb:

Two novellas set in the world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series are now available in print for the first time. The Prince and The Guard both offer captivating views into the hearts and minds of the two men fighting to win America Singer's love. This collection also features exclusive bonus content, including a sneak peek at The One, the eagerly anticipated third novel in the Selection series.

Before America arrived at the palace to compete in the Selection, there was another girl in Prince Maxon's life. The Prince opens the week before the Selection begins and follows Maxon through the first day of the competition.


Raised as a Six, Aspen Leger never dreamed that he would find himself living in the palace as a member of the royal guard. In The Guard, readers get an inside look at Aspen's life within the palace walls—and the truth about a guard's world that America will never know.

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This edition is a renewed one which compiles two novellas, The Prince and The Guard, into one book. The Prince is narrated by Prince Maxon Schreave, while The Guard is recounted from the first point of view of Aspen Leger.

Not much can I retell about this book aside from the blurb above. The two novellas originally were published in separate. The Prince was published in 2014 and The Guard in 2014. If you can take a look of both sides, they were the original cover for each book. I must say that the author and publisher have really good taste that it can captive readers easily.

From the story, the compiled book has nothing really new at all. The Prince only puts in a bit about a girl who loved Maxon before the Selection takes place. As for the rest, both Thee Prince and The Guard only retell what are already inside those three books from Maxon and Aspen's point of views. From the experiment, I can argue that the author a bit more skilled in writing from Maxon's point of view than when she has done in America's. Not that bad if you are looking for a light reading.

[Book Review]: The One by Kiera Cass

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Book Title: The One
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Purchased
Genre: Dystopian Young Adult
Year: 2014
Page Count: 323
ISBN: 9780007466719
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My Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0

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Goodreads' Blurb:

The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen—and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

Find out who America will choose in The One, the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series!

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This third book focuses how America finally chooses Maxon over Aspen, even though the Prince has put a great affection toward Kriss. America has a great intention to win Maxon's heart again. Meanwhile the political situation in Illea heating up, America finds herself get involved in a scheme to eliminate the caste system where Maxon cooperating with the Northern rebels.

At the end, Maxon accidentally catches America's involvement with Aspen. Can Maxon really be assured that he is the only one who has America's heart?

The One is the third book of The Selection series. The previous books are The Selection, and The Elite. The fourth installment, The Heir, will be released on summer 2015. Kiera Cass also published two companion novellas for the series; The Prince and The Guard. To read my review for The Selection and The Elite, please click here.

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I was really glad to read and find that Ms. Cass finally mended the previous mistakes in The Elite by this book. In The One, we can get a bit more of adventure of America and Maxon to end the Southern rebels and eliminate the caste. I think the author really works hard in this book to pay for the mistake that she sets up everything logically. Even though it doesn't seem that smooth, I appreciate the effort.

I'm still on my ground that Ms. Cass is not that good of an romantic author, but generally she has done a great job so far on the plot. I'm really curious on how America and Maxon finally be the monarch and rule Illea, how is America's journey with her family and the rest of the Selection girls, and how finally America and Maxon are getting an heir. Thus I can't wait for The Heir to be released soon. Summer 2015 sounds such a long time to wait!

I heard there will be two other novellas to be released in between the end of the year and early 2015, titled The Queen and The Favorite. The latter will recount story focusing on Marlee. While I'm expecting the other books, I'm going to sit back and read the first novella, The Prince and The Guard :)

[Book Review]: The Elite by Kiera Cass

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Book Title: The Elite
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Purchased
Genre: Dystopian Young Adult
Year: 2013
Page Count: 323
ISBN: 9780062059970
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My Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0

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Goodreads' Blurb:

The Selection began with thirty-five girls.
Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?


America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.

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This second book continues America Singer's journey as part of the Selection participants to become the crown princess of Illea. As Maxon's promise at the first book that he wants to keep America as long as possible to help her mend her broken heart at the palace, America is now one of the six Elites, along with her best friend, Marlee.

However it is not that simple. As both of them realizes their fondness to each other, things keep getting complicated. America is still not sure whether she wants Maxon or Aspen, the rebels getting more savage as they break down to the palace a number of times and when Maxon is becoming tired of America's hesitancy, he turns to the other Elite, Kriss Ambers.

The Elite is the second book of The Selection series. The previous book is The Selection, and the third one is The One. The fourth installment, The Heir, will be released on summer 2015. Kiera Cass also published two companion novellas for the series; The Prince and The Guard. To read my review for The Selection, please click here.

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Personally, this second book is a bit annoying for me. There are just too many times at America's narration which is kind of boring, not plausible and inconsistent, whenever she comes to think about Maxon and Aspen. I don't think that America is a dull character, but the author fails at the her characterization in only a little part, but significant one. Such as when America meets again with Marlee after the latter leaves the palace, the author even makes a much better job on Marlee than America.

In my opinion, the book would be much better if the whole romance part was cut. The idea about the process of the Selection, the mystery behind the palace politics and social issues are brilliant. But the Kiera Cass is just not a good romance author.

Despite being a bit disappointed with this installment, I will still carry on to the third book. The book still has that promising chance, I believe. I hope the author will mend this issue in The One.

[Book Review]: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Image Source: Goodreads

Book Title: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Purchased
Genre: Dystopian Young Adult
Year: 2012
Page Count: 327
ISBN: 9780062059949
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My rating: 4.0 out of 5.0

Goodreads' Blurb:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.


Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

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In the country of Illea, people are distinguished by castes which each one has their own rights and obligations. A higher number of caste you are born into, a lower your position in the society. When the palace announces the Selection for every young lady of Illea to win the place as Prince Maxon's mate, America Singer is forced to participate by her mother. Being a family of a Caste Five, the Singer family is sure that the Selection would absolutely lift their social status if America was ever selected.

Torned among the unwillingness to participate, determination to help her family and being heartbroken by her secret lover, America reluctantly comes to the palace when she is entitled for the Selection. When she accidentally bumps into Prince Maxon in the night before even the other Selected girls are entitled to officially meet him, America begins her cordial relationship with the Prince. She then volunteers to help Prince Maxon selects the girls as she is certain she has no romantic feeling toward him. But would she really never fall into the prince's charm?

The Selection is the first book of The Selection series. The next book are The Elite and The One. The fourth installment, The Heir, will be released on summer 2015. Kiera Cass also published two companion novellas for the series; The Prince and The Guard. To read my review for The Elite, please click here.

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I am a completely sucker for romance. That is my first confession. So when I read the blurb of this book from the internet, I was immediately interested and wanted to get my hands so much onto it.

I'm fairly entertained by the author's means of remaking the typical romance plot, and also appreciate the relationship development between America and Maxon. Even though I am a bit irked at America's former involvement with Aspen, but the author does not really explain from their first romantic journey until the recent stage, so I guess that is still acceptable.

The book makes me dying to get to the second installment as I really want to know Aspen's secret and how America eventually is selected to be The One. If you have the relish for romance novel, I guess this series is worth to try :)