The Selection Trilogy

Grade: A-/4.75 Stars

Rating: PG (books 1 and 2 PG/ book 3 is PG-13)

Cautions:  Mostly clean. A few instances of violence... And one scene they get close to the line in book three.

This book is a cross between Hunger Games and the Bachelor.  I know, it sounds impossible, right?  Just think of this book as the dystopian version of the Bacherlor TV series.  Oh and add in Prince Charming and maybe Lancelot.  I think that will pretty much cover it.  I absolutely am a fan of this series.  I adore it and highly recommend it. 

So in Book One, we are introduced to America Singer.  She is in a very low social caste and lives in a place that is heavily regulated.  She has no intention of joining The Selection (a dating "contest" to win the hand of the Prince Maxon), but her boyfriend Aspen Leger insists that she do it. Of course they get into a big fight, she is chosen and leaves broken hearted.  I was super sad at first, but then I met the prince and forgot all about Aspen.

Book Two, We learn more about the characters the story advances and America starts to make a decision, to question that decision and finally come to terms. We learn more about the countries roots and founders and more about both of the love interests.  This book served mostly as a bridge between books one and two.  It was good, but it also frusterated me a few times... Okay several times.  Mostly because I hate cliffhangers.

Book Three, Has solidified this series' spot on my "favorites shelf." Now this does not mean that this book is without flaws, because they are there, but, I still really enjoyed it. 

America does have a tendency to do things that make me uncomfortable (ie. not telling Maxon sooner about Aspen) But Maxon pretty much makes up for that. Cause he's awesome. Don't get me wrong he has flaws, but they maybe that's why I like him. He feels so real. The end was wrapped up a little too quickly. There are a few things that I don't feel were thoroughly explained or brought to light. But, I guess that book was mostly about the love story, not the rest of the world as it was in the first two books, so really no surprise there. So... It's forgivable. 
There were a few things that I didn't love which is why I couldn't give these books a solid 5 stars.

(SPOILERS BELOW)
1. The scene where the almost get too physical (not necessary and kinda took away from the innocent love thing they had gong on... Thank you Maxon for putting on the brakes).2. A lot of violence at the end. (more than past 2 books)3. A little too convenient ending. (seemed a bit contrived and rushed, like maybe she was right up against a word count cut off)4. There were a few things that looked like "potential conflicts" (fight with Kota, Kriss's necklace) but nothing really comes of it so those things served no purpose and felt a little added-in.

All this being said, I adore the selection world. I love Maxon the most, America was interesting although some of her choices really drove me nuts, but I liked her enough to care, and Aspen grew on me a little more in this book too. Overall, I would recommend this series, I really enjoyed it. 

These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) By Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Grade: B
Rating: PG-13
Content:

Best Quote:
“Major, to what extent did you act upon your feelings for Miss LaRoux?"
"Medium."
"Excuse me?"
"How am I supposed to answer that question?” 



Titanic meets... star trek, marries Lost? I'm giving this book 3.5 stars because while it is better than average, it never hits that pivotal peak... and there were a few parts that were downright strange. However, with such a beautiful cover- I couldn't resist picking it up. This book looks like it will be primarily about space, however, it is more accurately described as a "survivor" story, so don't be fooled. If you are looking for space travel try the books listed below.  I am pretty sure I am in the minority, the overwhelming majority on goodreads LOVES this book, for me it fell flat and here's why:

What I liked: It had enough to keep me turning pages and the beginning was very titanic-esque with its upstairs/ downstairs feel, so it pulled me right in. Combine that with a military love interest and I'm definitely engaged. I loved the characters names: Lilac Laroux and Tarver Merendsen... great names. Every once and a while I enjoy a sci-fi ya romance... This one was ok, but I think it would have been more interesting to spend time on the ship then on the planet exploring the dystopian nature of their world then on a sic-fi planet. Personal preference maybe.

What I didn't like: Unfortunately, it lacked any real connection between the main characters and then the end while technically I should like it... it didn't feel quite right, felt a little to perfectly wrapped up and hurried. And the Lilac thing near the end... what??  The whispers were weird, and I think I understand them now, but not really. The rift idea was interesting, but that part of the book went so quickly as compared to the rest of the book that felt super slow, so the pacing was off for me.  This book seemed to have a hard time deciding what it was: dystopian, sci-fi, mystery, or ya-romance, it just never really decided.  The sci-fi parts were vague and never amounted to much, the dystopian parts weren't developed, the romance pacing was all wrong to slow then bam they can't live without each other-felt forced. 

 It looks like their may be another book in this series, if so I will check it out at the library and give it a chance, but I won't mark it on the calendar if you get my drift.

Similar Books:

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfruend

Split Second (Pivot Point #2) by Kasie West

Grade: A/ 5stars
Rating: PG+
Content: Clean (no language or sexual content)
Recommendation: Read It!

Best quote: "Dad, she's beautiful.  I remember where she was standing..." -Trevor

Kasie West is one talented writer!  Sequels can be very difficult to navigate.  We readers are already invested in the characters and because we love them (otherwise we wouldn't be reading the second book, right?!) we want things to work out the way we want them to work out.  The only problem: we each have our own idea of what exactly that is.

What I am so happy to announce is that West creates a second story in the "Pivot Point" world, that is in and of it's self a great story, but at the same time builds upon the previous book to create its own unique story-not one that is just a rehash of book one or a drawn out conclusion to book one.  While this sequel does wrap up story lines from book one, it also builds (and introduces new) characters and has a story that is 100% its own.


I mentioned in my last review that I have recently been in a "second book slump"... I LOVE the first book of a series, but I have trouble getting into a second book... Well, I believe that this book has officially gotten me out of my slump!  I didn't know what to expect from this book, I new I loved Kasie West, but I wasn't sure how she would write this second book. In her first book, Pivot Point, West alternates between Addie's two paths that she can choose.  At the end of book one we get a great climax and then an ending that is left wide open for book two.  I didn't know how this style would translate into a sequel.  I wasn't sure there was enough room for book two and I didn't know how she would be able to keep up her back and forth between realities style.  Well, let me tell you, West not only does this but she totally ROCKS it!  This book goes back and forth between Addie who is visiting her father in the Norm world and Laila (her best friend who is still living in the Para world.

What I liked:
I liked that this book picked up right where Pivot Point left off.  I didn't feel like I missed any action, I just got to jump right back into the world.  I did re-read a bit of Pivot Point before picking this book up to make sure I remembered all the characters and the story lines. I'm glad I did, because there were a few names and abilities that I had forgotten, and West doesn't spend a ton of time in book two to remind the reader of what is going on (a little, just not much-which I appreciate).  I loved Addie- I knew I would- and I'm glad that she stayed true to character in this book.  While I was a little unsure about reading half a book devoted to Laila's perspective, by her second chapter, I found that I was happy to have her point of view.  I grew to love Laila by the end of the book actually.  This might have more to do with Connor than anything, but still I found I was enjoying both points of view equally. I think that is really saying something.



Of course, I loved Addie and Trevor.  I liked seeing how there relationship grew, how it differed from book one and how it was the same.  I admit that I think book one was a little stronger in terms of there relationship growth, but recreating the beginning of a relationship with the same two characters would be difficult and I DO think that West pulls it off.

The new Laila/Connor story line is great.  I like Laila after reading more of her, but I LOVE CONNOR.  His ability, his use of it, his story, how it all came together... really liked.  I don't want to say too much, because I think you should read the book and experience it for yourselves, but suffice it to say, I don't think you will be disappointed.

I liked that I got to see different sides of old Characters, specifically Stephanie.  I did not like her in book one, but in book two, I got to see her in a new light and that was brilliant I think.


What I didn't like:
Hmm this section is a little tricky because I don't like to spoil anything and some of the things I would have liked to be a little different are specific... I will attempt to keep this as general as possible so I won't spoil anything.  Most of my qualms about this book are very minor and character specific.

The chemistry between Addie and Trevor is good, but not as strong as book one.  I think, like I mentioned earlier, recreating that "first moment" is very difficult to get perfect twice.  (Still good though so don't worry.)  I would have liked to see more scenes that make me swoon, maybe a great kiss or some super sweet gesture that just makes me sigh, like Charles Dickens zombie you know(if you don't get this reference re-read book one before reading Split Second)... They seemed attracted to each other with our really knowing why... Dealing with erased memories and such can be difficult. I found myself wishing that they could both just remember.  I felt so desperate after book one because I knew they wouldn't remember and in book two I never quite got that desperate love feeling.

There are a few conflicts that are really built up and then are resolved way too quickly. There are two or three I can think of right away.  I won't spoil it though.  And in honesty, it didn't bother me so much, because I was happy to keep reading what came next.

I missed Rowan a bit in this book. I liked him in Pivot Point so I thought he would be here, but when I thought a little more on this, I realized that his storyline wasn't necessary and I enjoyed the new characters that were introduced.

Also missing in this book was Brody (he had a few small scenes, but not notable).  And I would have loved to see a small cameo by Trevor's mother, but unfortunately, she was only mentioned in past tense referring to the scene in book one. I can think of one scene that she could have been inserted into easily in this book, in fact I wonder if she was originally in the book and got cut because she wouldn't advance the storyline.  Anyway, not a big deal in the end.

I'm glad that we got a resolution with Addie and her father, but I felt like her poor mother got left hanging... Alone. I like that I got to know her character a bit better, but I would have loved to see her story line a little more wrapped up.  Again, she wasn't the main point of the story and it didn't really bother me while I was reading the book.


Conclusion:
Great book... Go out and purchase it... Go... Now :)

Other Books you may enjoy:

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi

Grade: A-
Rating: PG-13+/R

Content: A few cautions: There are characters whose language is colorful (soldiers) but it is throughout the book when these characters are present and near end of book there is violence and sexual content (a few short scenes not graphic, but certainly more than I would hope would be in a ya book).
Recommendation: Read it!

Best Quote: "In a world where there is so much to grieve and so little good to take? I grieve nothing.  I take everything... Ignite, my love.  Ignite."

In 2012/13 I finished a number of delicious books, Divergent, Delirium, Eve, The Selection, Birthmarked... Let's just say 2012 was book Nirvana in the dystopian genre for me.  Among those books was Ignite me. 

To be honest, I picked up the first book not really knowing what to expect, my knowledge of this book was limited to it being a 1. dystopian and 2. love story.  So I picked it up and sentence number one grabbed me and sucked me right into the book.

Mafi's writing style was unique, much of the language is in metaphor. The Main Character Juliette, sensors her unwanted thoughts, using strikethroughs like this.  The novel begins in an asylum with Juliette locked up using numbers to distract herself. Between the numbers, the strikethroughs, the metaphors, it literally made me feel like I was locked up in an asylum. The writing was beautiful, almost poetic.

So the way I see it, you either like this style of writing or you don't.  And I my dear reader, loved it.  This series is a trilogy, which begins with Shatter Me; The second book in the series is Unravel Me and the final book Ignite Me concludes the series.  There are also two companion novels: Destroy Me and Fracture Me (combined in one renamed Unite Me).

The last few dystopian trilogies I've read I have been so disappointed in the final book... so I was hesitant to pick this one up because I so desperately wanted it to be amazing. And... it was. It so was. I got what I wanted from this book, lose ends tied up, great love story, etc. This book was a little different from the other two books in the series in that Juliette has grown up. She no longer censures her thoughts and feelings, so there are no more strike throughs for her thoughts, she shares exactly what she thinks and feels despite who it may hurt and she really has learned how to protect herself. I do recommend this trilogy, the way it is written is very different stylistically than 99% of books out there and you will either love it or hate it. I loved it. 

SPOILERS BELOW:Poor Adam. I think maybe the author didn't like him much by book three? I don't know what I was hoping for his character, I just can't help feeling he got that short end of the stick. he just got left hanging. I felt that in book two to a degree, but book three, I really felt for him. He is a good guy, great big brother and I felt sad for him when Juliette "outgrew" him and could be so cold to him. She basically retracts any feelings she had for him in book one and then claims that their only link was Warner. Again, poor Adam. I understand that couples fall out of love and relationships end and I get that her character finally learned to be honest with herself and defend herself, but come on, be humane to the first person to treat you humanely. I don't feel like I got much of a resolution with his character, I kind of just watched him fade away, become angry and emotional and get beat up the whole book. Adam's character ARC was not my favorite, but love triangles are tricky and I was team warner, so in the end... 

Then there is Warner, Aaron. Misunderstood, slightly crazy, Aaron. The guy you love, but kind of hate and completely distrust, but somehow with each new layer and truth you can't help but root for him to win the girl. Their scenes together so good. The conversations and the way each character speaks... so good. Relationships take center stage to action in this book, which I didn't mind. A few issues I take with this book, yes Anderson bullies Juliette, he tries to kill her, but Warner, maybe even Adam, had more cause, in my opinion, to be the one to end Anderson. The entire series builds to this climax, this end, and it felt a little glossed over. Not necessarily rushed, but like the book became less about the story and more about the relationship, again OK with me but maybe not some. I would like to have seen more of a resolution for Adam and for Warner with both of his parents, between Juliette and Adam and was it just me or did anyone else think that Juliette would make absolutely THE worst leader of a country ever! by the end of this series she has just barely harnessed her fatal powers, she is a little too honest, and has become pretty selfish. I don't knows that strength makes you the best leader necessarily. But, I guess it did make for a good ending. soooo.... I know it sounds like I have some misgivings about the book, but it was hard to tear me away from, I really did enjoy it and I would recommend the series. I will read more from this author.

If you like this book you might also enjoy:

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Divergent by Veronica Roth

Pivot Point by Kasie West

Birthmarked by Caraugh O'Brien