Review Wednesday: The Princess Trials by Cordelia Castel

Title: The Princess Trials (The Princess Trials #1)

Author: Cordelia Castel
1st Date of Publication: May 2, 2020

ISBN:  9798642502532
# of Pages: 202

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Society

Age Rating: 13+

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:
Thirty young women. A handsome prince. A battle to the death.

Water is scarce. Deserts have taken over the land. Nuclear war has devastated humanity. Humans live in walled super cities to keep out the irradiated. The land that was formerly known as America is divided into kingdoms ruled by royal elites.

Born into the lowest Echelon of the Kingdom of Phangloria, sixteen-year-old Zea Calico faces a life of hunger, thirst, and toil. The only way out of this drudgery is revolution, and Zea is desperate to help the cause.

When the palace calls for candidates to compete to marry Prince Kevon, Zea joins the Princess Trials to search the palace for weaknesses.

The trials should be a fairytale of sumptuous meals, ballgowns, and romance, but one misplaced word causes Zea to attract the Prince's attention. When Zea uncovers the man beneath Prince Kevon's public facade, she is at risk of falling in love and losing sight of her mission.

But the televised beauty pageant turns deadly, and Zea must fight for survival.

Setting: Phangloria
Point of View: 1st person- Zea Calico

Goodreads Rating: 3.43

My Rating: 3.25

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: This must be America still because she has red hair, but she's beautiful.
View on Title: After the trilogy has ended, it makes sense that the novellas that could follow would show how happy the start of America and Maxon's lives are together.

Pros:

• The concept of the novel/series is really interesting. It is basically a twist of The Selection and The Hunger Games. I thought the execution of this was done well enough.
• The characters in the novel were an interesting mix and was a perfect mix of The Hunger Games and The Selection
• Zea Calico reminds me more of a Katniss Everdeen as she is a rebel heart but her motivations are similar to America Singer. Zea is a bit on the naive side and is fueled by both anger and a desire for change.
• Ryce Wintergreen reminds me very much of Gale Hawthorne. He's a born leader and encourages Zea to fight for what she believes in. He does come off to be a little manipulative, and I wish there was more characterization on him.
• Prince Kevon doesn't remind me too much of the characters from The Hunger Games and The Selection. The closest association would be Prince Maxon simply because he seems to be taking this whole Princess Trials thing seriously as he tries to find his wife and future queen. I am looking forward to more of his characterization in the upcoming books.
• The cliff hanger makes me want to keep reading on despite some of the struggles of staying with the book in the middle of it.

Cons:

• This book felt a little bit difficult to stay focused on. It got lost mid-way through and struggled to get back into the story.
• Some of the plot was a little bit all over the place so it was sometimes hard to keep track of what is going on.

Critics' Reviews:

“This book was fast paced and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the story. I think the characters are well written and there is a good balance to the writing. I was really looking forward to reading the book and it did not disappoint." —Amazon Review

Cordelia K. Castel's Website:

http://www.cordeliakcastel.com

 

Other Recommendations:
The Jewel by Amy Ewing

The Selection by Kiera Cass
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review Wednesday: Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE SELECTION TRILOGY. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about The Selection by clicking on the link: Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Title: Happily Ever After (The Selection #0.4, 0.5, 2.5, 3.1, 3.5, 5.1)

Author: Kiera Cass
1st Date of Publication: October 13, 2015

ISBN:  9780062414083
# of Pages: 387

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Society

Age Rating: 13

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:
Meet Prince Maxon before he fell in love with America, and a girl named Amberly before she became queen. See the Selection through the eyes of a guard who watched his first love drift away and a girl who fell for a boy who wasn't the prince.

This series companion is a must-have for any Selection fan, and includes:
The Prince
The Guard
The Queen
The Favorite

Setting: Illea (United States) in the future
Point of View: 1st person- America Singer

Goodreads Rating: 4.17

My Rating: 4.25

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: This must be America still because she has red hair, but she's beautiful.
View on Title: After the trilogy has ended, it makes sense that the novellas that could follow would show how happy the start of America and Maxon's lives are together.

Pros:

• There isn't too much to say about this because these are separate novellas from the original series.
• All I have to say is that I love how you can get a view of several characters that we all love dearly. If you're Team Aspen or Team Maxon, this may sway you to be in the middle because I know I was Team Maxon when I read the original trilogy but now I am in the middle because Aspen's motivations are very valid and you can see his change a little more clearly. 

Cons:

• I felt both satisfied and unsatisfied because I definitely wanted to read more about each of these characters.

Critics' Reviews:

“Reality TV meets dystopian fairy tale in Kiera Cass's delightful debut. Charming, captivating, and filled with just the right amount of swoon!" —Kiersten White, Author of Paranormalcy

Kiera Cass's Website:

http://www.kieracass.com/

 

Other Recommendations:
The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Eve by Anna Carey
Matched by Alley Condie

New Release Review: The Betrothed by Kiera Cass

Title: The Betrothed (The Betrothed #1)

Author: Kiera Cass
1st Date of Publication: May 5, 2020

ISBN: 9780062291639
# of Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Society

Age Rating: 13

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:
When King Jameson declares his love for Lady Hollis Brite, Hollis is shocked—and thrilled. After all, she’s grown up at Keresken Castle, vying for the king’s attention alongside other daughters of the nobility. Capturing his heart is a dream come true.

But Hollis soon realizes that falling in love with a king and being crowned queen may not be the happily ever after she thought it would be. And when she meets a commoner with the mysterious power to see right into her heart, she finds that the future she really wants is one that she never thought to imagine.

Setting: Kingdom of Coroa (Fictional)
Point of View: 1st person- Lady Hollis Brite

Goodreads Rating: 3.06

My Rating: 4.00

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The cover is absolutely gorgeous. The young woman is breathtakingly beautiful and seems pretty ladylike.
View on Title: I wonder who is betrothed to the king and what that looks like.

Pros:

• This book hasn't been getting the greatest reviews because people are either not reading the story and saying it's basically The Selection or they are comparing it to The Selection. The Betrothed is an entirely different book in its own right and needs to be judged as such. It is meant to be a tale of what it is like to grow up as a noble in a kingdom rather than a rags-to-riches tale like The Selection.
• The Betrothed is to be a little more suited for an audience slightly younger than The Selection. Personally, I think there is less teenage girl drama than The Selection because Hollis keeps a close circle and she really isn't competing with anyone.
• I like how this is a story about a young lady who is careful and just happens to accidentally catch the attention of the newly crowned King Jameson who has been trying to find a wife to become the new queen.
• I think a lot of young teenagers can relate to Hollis as she just wants to have a good time. She's witty and a great conversationalist, which she uses to her advantage.
• There was a twist in the story I wasn't expecting, but it added some depth to the story.
• I found it interesting how this novel touched on how politics happen between two different countries, especially ones that are somewhat at odds with each other.
• This story is great if you're looking for a short and fun read. I felt like I breezed through this tale.
• I am someone who doesn't like love triangles. This technically contains a love triangle but it didn't feel like it was really one. I think there was a clear indication and not much confusion for Hollis to choose between the two men.

Cons:

• There is not very much character development in most of the supporting characters, except for Delia Grace and Valentina, and you can't really relate or truly like the male characters, such as Jameson and Silas. I think this intentional for Hollis' journey because this is about Hollis learning about who she is and who she wants to be.
• Hollis' character seems fairly flat until you get to the last third to quarter of the book. It really started getting more interesting then and you can really see Hollis grow and have real conviction.

Critics' Reviews:

“Fans of The Selection series will anxiously await the second installment of this duology to learn Hollis’s fate." —School Library Journal
"A headstrong heroine whom Cass’s loyal following will champion." —Publishers Weekly

Kiera Cass's Website:

http://www.kieracass.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Selection by Kiera Cass
Eve by Anna Carey
The Jewel by Amy Ewing

New Release Review: The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine

Title: The Wish Granter (Ravenspire #2)

Author: C.J. Redwine
1st Date of Publication: February 14, 2017

ISBN: 9780062360274
# of Pages: 432

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon 

Book Description:
An epic, romantic, and action-packed fantasy inspired by the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, about a bastard princess who must take on an evil fae to save her brother’s soul, from C. J. Redwine, the New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Queen. Perfect for fans of Graceling and the Lunar Chronicles.

The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop.

Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.

So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.

But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul.

Setting: Fictional world of several kingdoms
Point of View: 3rd person- Arianna Glavan, Sebastian Vaughn, Alistair Teague

Goodreads Rating: 4.11

My Rating: 4.25

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: It looks like a quilt where there is magic involved through the circular motion as if the wind is blowing it.
View on Title: Who is the Wish Granter? Does he or she truly grant wishes or is there more to it?

Pros:

• This book is a stand-alone despite being in the same world as the previous book.
• I really like that you get to see more of the world that you saw from the first book, The Shadow Queen.
• You get to see the main characters, Lorelai and Kol, from the previous book in a short scene of this book.
• The characters I thought were also very well-developed.
• Princess Arianna is a very bold character and is relentless in what she thinks is right. She never loses her servant attitude even though she literally went from rags to riches, which is the same for her brother, Thadeus.
• Sebastian is a heartthrob and he is good with weapons. He is the perfect hero who struggles with his past and tries not to become what he is predisposed to in his early life.
• Teague is so cutthroat and manipulative. He's basically a mob boss, except that he's the only mob boss in the entire kingdom. He's willing to go at any lengths to gain the ultimate power. His character is how I really see Rumpelstiltskin. 

Cons:

• The only thing I did not particularly like was how rushed the end felt, which I felt the same with The Shadow Queen. I understand that the situation was dire and last minute, but it felt like Sebastian and Ari went from nothing to "we have to do this now."

Critics' Reviews:
“Satisfying fare for fantasy fans.” -Kirkus Reviews
“A welcome feminist revision of the classic fairy tale.” -School Library Journal

C.J. Redwine's Website:
http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/

Other Recommendations:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan

Anticipation Friday: The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine

Goodreads Description
An epic, romantic, and action-packed fantasy inspired by the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, about a bastard princess who must take on an evil fae to save her brother’s soul, from C. J. Redwine, the New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Queen. Perfect for fans of Graceling and the Lunar Chronicles.

The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop.

Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.

So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.

But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul.

Preorder on Amazon

Other info
Expected Date of Publication: February 14, 2017
Stand-Alone or Series/Companion: Stand-Alone and Companion (Ravenspire #2)
Genre: Young Adult Fanatsy

Why Am I Anticipating This Book?

• The first book, The Shadow Queen, was a rendition of the Evil Queen. This one seems to be about Rumpelstiltskin as the Wish Granter.
• I'm pretty sure that the two main characters, Lorelai and Kolvanismir, from The Shadow Queen are going to show up sometime.
• I like how it starts with a set of twins where they both try to protect each other.
• Finally, I hope to see more of the world rather than Ravenspire.

Review Wednesday: A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Title: A Game of Thrones (A Song of Fire and Ice #1)

Author: George R.R. Martin
1st Date of Publication: August 6, 1996

ISBN: 9780553103540
# of Pages: 694

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 17+

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.

As Warden of the north, Lord Eddard Stark counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honour weighs him down at court where a true man does what he will, not what he must ...and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty.

The old gods have no power in the south, Stark's family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, the vengeance-mad heir of the deposed Dragon King has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities. He claims the Iron Throne.

Setting: Medieval era, Westeros
Point of View: 3rd person- Many characters

Goodreads Rating: 4.44

My Rating: 4.75

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The sword's handle looks really cool with its intricate design and the blue background sets a somber or cold tone.
View on Title: Who doesn't like to play games? Or being royal? It made me think of a game of wits.

Pros:

• It's a whole new world. It is a more modern version of Lord of the Rings without the elves and hobbits, but there are dragons.
• This book is full of knights, kings, and dragons. It makes the story more interesting as it develops and the characters cross paths.
• I liked how it didn't show the world as glorified, which made it more believable.
• There is a lot of character development and the reader can understand the motives of a character because there is several different chapters dedicated to different characters.
• There is a very distinguishable line between good and evil for many characters but there are others that seem to see actions and morals as bendable.
• There is not a clear line of power and politics because those who may be in political power may not actually have power at all.

Cons:

• There are so many characters with odd names that it's a little difficult to keep track of everyone in the beginning.
• It's in third person, which I'm not a fan of, but it is necessary for the story.

Critics' Reviews
"The major fantasy of the decade . . . compulsively readable."—Denver Post
"We have been invited to a grand feast and pageant: George R.R. Martin has unveiled for us an intensely realized, romantic but realistic world."—Chicago Sun-Times
"A Best Book of 1996: Martin makes a triumphant return to high fantasy . . . [with] superbly developed characters, accomplished prose, and sheer bloodymindedness."—Publishers Weekly
"A splendid saga . . . . Inventive and intricately plotted."—BookPage

George R.R. Martin's Website:
http://www.georgerrmartin.com/

Other Recommendations:

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Anticipation Friday: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Goodreads Description
Long before she was the terror of Wonderland—the infamous Queen of Hearts—she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Long before she was the terror of Wonderland, she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love. Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen.

Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Preorder on Amazon

Other info
Expected Date of Publication: November 8, 2016
Stand-Alone or Series/Companion: Stand-Alone
Genre: Fantasy

Why Am I Anticipating This Book?

• Marissa Meyer's first series, The Lunar Chronicles, was an excellent. I have been really anticipating this since I've heard of it because she expertly executed The Lunar Chronicles' four main character chapter splits.
• Who doesn't like the world of Alice in Wonderland? This is about the Queen of Hearts so this story discusses a story that isn't about Alice like the original story. I like how this is an origin story.
• The cover is also very beautiful partly because it is simplistic with the red roses and thorns in front of a black background. Maybe the red is the blood that has been shed and why her heart has turned black.

Review Wednesday: The Black Key by Amy Ewing

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE JEWEL. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about The Jewel by clicking on the link: Review: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Title: The Black Key (The Lone City #3)

Author: Amy Ewing

1st Date of Publication: October 4, 2016

ISBN: 9780062235848

# of Pages: 295

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Age Rating: 15+ (Language, Violence)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description: 
For too long, Violet and the people of the outer circles of the Lone City have lived in service to the royalty of the Jewel. But now the secret society known as the Black Key is preparing to seize power.

And while Violet knows she is at the center of this rebellion, she has a more personal stake in it—her sister, Hazel, has been taken by the Duchess of the Lake. Now, after fighting so hard to escape the Jewel, Violet must do everything in her power to return to save not only Hazel, but the future of the Lone City.

Setting: Various Locations in Lone City (Fictional)

Point of View: 1st Person- Violet Lasting

Goodreads Rating: 4.11

My Rating: 4.25

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The cover looks really cool. It looks like the girl is surrounded by broken glass, and there's a person in each little shard of glass.

View on the Title: In the second novel, you find out that the Black Key is a rebel society fighting for equality, but they have not physically fought yet.

Pros:

• The book seemed like it went so quickly that I didn't realize that I was near to the end. The action was very balanced and continued at a very quick and easy path.
• I really liked Violet's character in this book. She has more purpose and drive to get the Auction to stop and for everyone to be free. Her character becomes more mature
• The Paladin are better exlained and their powers are truly seen by the end of the series. It makes me want to be a Paladin.
• The Duchess of the Lake, the villanous, becomes a more redeemable character. Her actions to her entire situation make her seem more human.

Cons:

• The only real issue I had was Ash. I wish Ash's character had more development. I felt that he has always lacked in character after the firs book. He's the boy who is taken advantage of and is willing to do anything for Violet. I just feel like his character is very flat.

Critics' Reviews:

“Excellent world building… skillful descriptions.” -Booklist
“Ewing writes a fast-paced story that takes readers into the inner workings of a society that is obsessed with power and perfection.” -School Library Journal
“The story’s setting is interesting. A decadent matriarchal society is thought provoking. This is a quick read. Good storytelling.” -VOYA
“Ewing bravely blends several genres. This solidly sets fans up for the next volume.” -Kirkus

Amy Ewing's Website:

www.amyewingbooks.com

Other Recommendations:

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Eve by Anna Carey

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Review Wednesday: The Tyrant's Daughter by J.C. Carleson

Title: The Tyrant's Daughter

Author: J.C. Carleson
1st Date of Publication: February 11, 2014

ISBN: 9780449809976
# of Pages: 304

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon 

Book Description:

From a former CIA officer comes the riveting account of a royal Middle Eastern family exiled to the American suburbs.

When her father is killed in a coup, 15-year-old Laila flees from the war-torn middle east to a life of exile and anonymity in the U.S. Gradually she adjusts to a new school, new friends, and a new culture, but while Laila sees opportunity in her new life, her mother is focused on the past. She’s conspiring with CIA operatives and rebel factions to regain the throne their family lost. Laila can’t bear to stand still as an international crisis takes shape around her, but how can one girl stop a conflict that spans generations?

J.C. Carleson delivers a fascinating account of a girl—and a country—on the brink, and a rare glimpse at the personal side of international politics.

Setting: Washington, D.C. in the 21st century
Point of View: 1st person- Laila 

Goodreads Rating: 3.73

My Rating: 3.90

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: Who is the girl hidden by the veil? Is it worn because of her culture?
View on Title: Why is she the tyrant's daughter? Is she royalty?

Pros:

• It was interesting to see a character from the Middle East get used to America culture. Laila gets used to the ideas of school, freedom, and dating.
• I liked how the chapter's were short. It made the book go at a quicker pace.
• Laila seems to be very smart as she tries not to betray her family and does what she thinks is right.
• Laila's relationship with her 6/7 year old brother is interesting as she tries to keep his innocence, but not lie him since he is the rightful ruler of their country but is in hiding from their dictator uncle.

Cons:

• I felt that there was a lack of character development in some of the characters.
• Laila's character was a bit frustrating because she would make the complete opposite decision in the end. It was a constant annoyance.

Critics' Reviews:
"Carleson, a former undercover CIA officer, infuses her story with compelling details and gripping authenticity." -The Boston Globe
"This is more than just Laila’s story; rather, it is a story of context, beautifully written (by a former undercover CIA agent), and stirring in its questions and eloquent observations about our society and that of the Middle East." -Booklist
“Laila is a complex and layered character whose nuanced observations will help readers better understand the divide between American and Middle Eastern cultures. Smart, relevant, required reading.” -Kirkus
"Filled with political intrigue and emotional tension, Carleson’s riveting novel features a teenage refugee caught in a web of deceit and conspiracy." -Publishers Weekly

J.C. Carelson's Website:

http://www.jccarleson.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Milk of Birds by Sylvia Whitman
A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman

Review Wednesday: Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ RED QUEEN. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about Red Queen by clicking on the link: Review: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Glass Sword (Red Queen #2)

Author: Victoria Aveyard
1st Date of Publication: February 9, 2016

ISBN: 9780062310668
# of Pages: 444

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13 (Death, Bullying)

Buy on Amazon 

Book Description:
If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different.

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

Point of View: 1st person- Mare Barrow

Goodreads Rating: 4.01

My Rating: 3.90

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I think that the crown looks really cool with it made of glass and blood running down. It makes me wonder why there is blood dripping.
View on Title: Since Mare is the Red Queen, it made me wonder if she is also the Glass Sword.

Pros:

• There is a lot more action in this book compared to Red Queen. It made the read a lot faster and easier to read.
• A bigger glimpse of the Scarlet Guard and the world around the reds and silvers makes the book series more interesting. While Red Queen shows a town filled with reds and a town of silvers, but you see many villages of reds and the silvers that live among those.
• Mare's relationship with her not-so-dead brother, Shade, is shown and how much she truly loves him. A lot of her identity is based on her relationship with him.
• Cal's character is interesting as he deals with a world full of reds who absolutely hate him because of his brother, step mother, and father's oppression but also somewhat respect him for killing his father, the king.

Cons:

• The way Mare reacts to everything really bothered me, but they were typical reactions to those kinds of situations.
• I was hoping for more character development. I felt that the characters seemed flat from the beginning of the novel to the end. Sure, they go through some pain and suffering but their responses are the same and do not seem to grow very much. They just get angrier.

Critics' Reviews:
“Aveyard certainly has a flair for the dramatic… The action hits the ground running and doesn’t stop until after the last page is turned.” -School Library Journal
“High-stakes excitement and sharp plot twists… make this a fast-paced, exciting read and a thrilling sequel.” -Booklist
“Fast-paced and action packed, Glass Sword is compelling and strong, guaranteed to gratify anxious readers of the series and fans of dystopian and fantasy literature.” -VOYA

Victoria Aveyard's Website:
http://victoriaaveyard.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Review Wednesday: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Red Queen (Red Queen #1)

Author: Victoria Aveyard
1st Date of Publication: February 10, 2015

ISBN: 9780062310637
# of Pages: 383

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13 (Death, Bullying)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

Point of View: 1st person- Mare Barrow

Goodreads Rating: 4.11

My Rating: 4.00

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I thought the cover was pretty interesting. The background color is almost bland, but it makes the crown so stark and sharp. I was wondering why the crown looks upside down and why it's covered in blood.
View on Title: The title made me think that maybe this "Red Queen" is vindictive and causes many of her citizens to die.

Pros:

• I really enjoy Mare's character. She wants to provide for her family and not become a number of the lowly citizens sent to war. She has a deep sense of purpose and justice.
• The distinction between the citizens that are higher and lower is interesting because of their blood. Mare is a lower citizen because she has red-colored blood which makes her inferior. The silver-colored blood citizens are superior because they come from nobility and have super-human powers. The silver bloods aren't nice to red bloods and oppress them.
• I love how this book is like a rags to riches books even though Mare didn't really do anything to gain status. She was just at the right place at the right time. She becomes an inspiration for every other Red.
• The Scarlet Guard was an interesting and necessary part of the story. This group is full of red bloods who seek justice for the way the silver bloods treat those who are red.

Cons:

• There is a love triangle in here and almost a love square (I think you can call it that) and I wasn't a fan of that. I feel bad for Mare since she really has no choices and is forced to comply to the king.
• This book is really hard to get into, at least for me. It seemed very slow and that may have been purposefully done because it could be done to set up the storyline in the following books in the series.
• I also wish there was a little more character development which I think would add more depth to the book and make it a slightly easier read.

Critics' Reviews:
“A sizzling, imaginative thriller, where romance and revolution collide, where power and justice duel. It’s exhilarating. Compelling. Action-packed. Unputdownable.” -USA Today
“Fascinating world building... Readers will be intrigued by a world that reflects today’s troubling issues concerning ethnic inequality, unfair distribution of wealth, pollution, warfare, political corruption, and the frightening power of the media.” -VOYA

Victoria Aveyard's Website:
http://victoriaaveyard.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Jewel by Amy Ewing
The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

Review Wednesday: Winter by Marissa Meyer

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ CINDER. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about Cinder by clicking on the link: Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer


Title: Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4)

Author: Marissa Meyer
1st Date of Publication: November 10, 2015

ISBN: 9780312642983
# of Pages: 824

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13 (Death, Violence)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:
Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

Point of View: 3rd person- Winter Hayle, Crescent "Cress" Moon Darnel, Scarlet Benoit, and Linh Cinder

Goodreads Rating: 4.51

My Rating: 4.85

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: This is my least favorite cover of the series, but it is as predictable (that's a good thing in this case) as all the other book covers. This one is obviously about Snow White's retelling. I like how the theme of the red is continued through this cover using an apple.
View on Title: I thought the title is very clever because Snow White is a wintery sort of name so it made the most sense to rename her character wWnter.

Pros:

• I have to say Cress is my favorite book of the series, but Winter is the best written one in the series.
• I thought making Winter into a crazy Lunar princess that everyone adores was a good way to show how imperfect she is yet is still loved. It shows how Cinder can be loved as their future ruler if she wins. Plus, she is a great addition to the not-so-perfect perfect team.
• Scarlet's character shows how strong and resilient she is as she is imprisoned as basically an animal in a cage, but manages to become a huge part in Cinder's success. Her compassion for Wolf continues to astound me too.
• Cress expands her comfort zone as she is beside Carswell Thorne and learns how to fight for what's right outside of a computer screen. She becomes less naïve and obviously learns some street smarts as she keeps her expectations of love.
• Cinder becomes even stronger in this book and almost resilient throughout the book even though there were several events that she could have quit and accept defeat.
• The male counterpart characters get even better as the story continues
• Emperor Kai's development grows immensely. You could tell that he knows where his part in putting Cinder on the Lunar throne as the rightful queen. Plus, his love for Cinder is completely adorable.
• Carswell Thorne has become my favorite male counterpart. He learns from Cress's compassion and unfailing love which makes him a better man. He continues to be very protective of Cress and encourages her to be brave and fight. Who doesn't love a man like that?
• Ze'ev Kelsey, or Wolf, development changes very little like Cress. He continues being close to a zombie until he reunites with Scarlet (we all knew they would meet again). I just feel really bad for him since he has found purpose in life which got stripped away from him.
• Jacin Clay is definitely my least favorite male counterpart. I understand that he loves Winter and that he will do anything to protect her, but his best chance was always Cinder and he seemed to constantly just go against what Cinder was doing which caused more problems.

Cons:

• This book is a little slower than the other ones when it comes to the action, but once the action starts it pretty much does not stop.
• For some reason, I did not like Winter's character at all in this series nor Jacin, but that could be because I'm not really a fan of Snow White and never have unlike all the other characters and their stories. I'm just glad she wasn't perfect like the fairy tale.
• And where are her 7 dwarfs? I felt cheated that her little companions weren't "whistling while they work."

Critics' Reviews:

“In this final book in the Lunar Chronicles, the stepdaughter of the wicked Queen Levana joins Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress to defeat the Queen and restore Cinder―aka Selene―as the rightful ruler of Luna. Yes, it's another one of Meyer's very fractured fairy tales, in which she offers a new amalgam of Grimm's fairy tales, science fiction, violence, women's lib, and romance. Our Snow White stand-in, Winter, is beautiful in spite of facial scars, kind to all she encounters, mentally fragile, and in love with her lowly guard, Jacin . . . Meyer's series has sold well and achieved a degree of acclaim. This conclusion's cinder-block size should only drum up further interest.” ―Booklist

Marissa Meyer's Website:
http://www.marissameyer.com/

Other Recommendations:

Entwined by Heather Dixon
Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

Review Wednesday: The One by Kiera Cass

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE SELECTION. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about The Selection by clicking on the link: Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Title: The One (The Selection #3)

Author: Kiera Cass
1st Date of Publication: May 6, 2014

ISBN:  9780062059994
# of Pages: 323

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Society

Age Rating: 13

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:
The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

Setting: Illea (United States) in the future
Point of View: 1st person- America Singer

Goodreads Rating: 4.21

My Rating: 4.30

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The dress is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. Obviously, it's a wedding dress.
View on Title: I love that it's a pun. The One as in the highest caste in the social system. The second The One is in the man that America will marry and/or the woman Maxon will marry.

Pros:

• The One is my favorite book in The Selection trilogy despite knowing the main part of the ending. It was the journey that made it beautiful. It is a perfect blend of how The Selection and The Elite's structures are written. You get to see America equally with Maxon as she is without him. Her growth in the trilogy felt like it slowly sneaked upon you and into something extremely beautiful and mature.
• The ending was very satisfying but not too satisfying. It has a typical dystopian ending of a happy ending with a sense of loss and sadness. This installment truly shows the impact of love and loss. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I felt love, grief, excitement, and fear. America's emotions are so raw and real, but she handles them in a much more refined and regal manner unlike how she acted in the previous two books.
• I love America's character so much more in this book than in The Elite. She knows what she wants and isn't playing around when it comes to love and even diplomacy.
• I continue to fall in love with Maxon's character as he develops more thoroughly. He truly stays to be the character he always was.
• I thought it was neat how the rebels became incorporated more into the novel and how essential they were in order for America and Maxon to really work together as a possible royal couple.
• You'll realize that the characters you thought you didn't like are not really as bad as they seem. They are struggling as well and are reacting to the only way they are used to reacting. I thought that the way Celeste's character is developed more and you come to really realize her character.

Cons:

• I absolutely abhor King Clarkson. I think he is very scummy. He treats America so poorly even though she could very well be his daughter-in-law.
• Aspen's character frustrated me so much. He should not be pushing America to do something she does not want to do.
• The ending seemed a little excessive (you'll understand once you read it), but I feel like it was a necessary part of the novel.

Critics' Reviews:

“A real page-turner. Romance, royalty, and revolution in a reality-show format serve Cass’ boldly rendered heroine well in her quest for justice and love.” —ALA Booklist

"Who will become the future queen of Illea and Prince Maxon's wife? The final book in Cass's "Selection" series begins in the midst of a rebel attack on the palace. The heroine, America, is one of four remaining ladies competing in the selection process in this dystopian saga. Through bravery and a strong character, America has won the people's hearts. However, the king continues doing everything in his power to undermine her opportunities to succeed. While the contestants are competing for Maxon's heart, many other events from the outside world transpire: America's father dies and leaves her a letter, she is shot visiting rebels outside the city, the relationship between Aspen and America shifts, and the Southern rebels begin attacking people in the castles. All the while, the protagonist continues to fall deeply in love with Maxon even though he is involved with her competition. Fans of this series will not be disappointed by the ending. Major plotlines are tied up, and questions left unanswered in the previous installment are resolved here. The star-crossed duo's relationship has its many ups and downs, but their love for each other remains. For general purchase in libraries where the earlier books remain popular and for devotees of beauty pageants, dystopians, and drama-filled romances." —Seattle Public Library, WA

Kiera Cass's Website:

http://www.kieracass.com/

 

Other Recommendations:
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Review Wednesday: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Title: The Selection (The Selection #1)

Author: Kiera Cass
1st Date of Publication: April 24, 2012

ISBN: 9780062059949
# of Pages: 327

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Society

Age Rating: 13

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:
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.

Setting: Illea (United States) in the future
Point of View: 1st person- America Singer

Goodreads Rating: 4.16

My Rating: 4.25

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The cover is what truly caught my eye. My favorite color is blue and I just want to be in that dress. Plus, the girl (America) is absolutely gorgeous in front of all the mirrors.
View on Title: The title was intriguing. Who is being selected? Why are they being selected?

Pros:

• First off, this is a response to pop culture, which I think is an excellent way to gain the attention of teenagers. The concept behind the book series is The Bachelor meets royalty. This shows a response to the popularity of the show The Bachelor along with the growing popularity of the marriage between Prince William and Duchess Kate in 2012.
• I love the main female character/protagonist, America. America is a very strong female protagonist with a strong sense of duty and morals while staying true to herself and love for her family. It's clear she isn't perfect, but she doesn't necessarily try to hide it. America's combination of natural beauty, confidence, and sassiness makes this book a fun adventure and a great getaway from everyday life.
• In my eyes, the only main male character is Maxon. He is your dreamy prince that you want to love and want to get to know better.
• This isn't your typical love story. America from the start isn't very nice and is only in the Selection to help her family get money for food. Maxon, though, is compassionate and continues to forgive her for all her mistakes. But, he also has flaws that add to their friendship/relationship with each other. It feels very normal.
• I feel like this book shows the true colors of competition when it comes to females, especially when it comes to a supposedly hot and rich bachelor.
• Many teenage girls and young women can relate to America. If you're an older sister and care for your family, you'll identify with America. If you're unsure about your feelings about the male species, you'll relate to America. If you felt the strains of financial struggle as a kid and a teenager, you will relate to America and her decision to doing something that isn't your cup of tea to ensure her family is taken care of at home.

Cons:

• This has a love triangle and I absolutely hate love triangles. I feel that they are unnecessary and only for plot purposes and to spice things up. I felt that the competition was enough drama to make the book interesting since America went to the palace already heartbroken. In the end, I felt that the love triangle was a little overwhelming if not annoying.
• As I continue to reread this series, I dislike Aspen more and more. I see him as this manipulative character who toys with America and makes her decisions and life so much more difficult.
• Some of the side characters seemed to be underdeveloped, but I feel like this is a specific technique to make you feel like you were in America's place of barely knowing her rivals and how quickly they leave.

Critics' Reviews:

“Cass’s immensely readable debut novel is a less drastic Hunger Games, with elaborate fashion and trappings. The fast-paced action will have readers gasping for the upcoming sequel.”--Booklist
"A cross between The Hunger Games (minus the bloodsport) and The Bachelor (minus the bloodsport), this trilogy launch employs multiple conventions of the dystopian romance genre—strong-willed heroine, heart-wrenching love triangle, far-future setting divided by class. That said, it’s a lot of fun. In a post WWIII U.S. divided by caste, teenage America Singer and her family are Fives, struggling musicians and artists. In love with a Six, America is headed for a life of servitude and hunger, until she is chosen for the Selection—a contest through which Prince Maxon will pick his princess. The Selection brings America instant notoriety and prestige, but also thrusts her into a ring of jealous, desperate girls all trying to win the prince’s heart. Cass (author of the self-published The Siren) deftly builds the chemistry between America and Maxon, while stoking the embers of America’s first, forbidden love. Headstrong and outspoken, America is an easy heroine to root for, and the scenes where she tries to fit in to her new royal life are charming. A TV drama based on the books is in production." --Publishers Weekly

Kiera Cass's Website:

http://www.kieracass.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze
Eve by Anna Carey
The Jewel by Amy Ewing