The Crown

A selection can only have one winner.

A princess only has one heart.

When Eadlyn became the first princess of Illea to told her own Selection, she didn't expect to fall in love the way her parents did twenty years ago. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you...and soon Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more impossible- and more important-than she ever imagined. - excerpt from book.

The Crown by Kiera Cass is the last book in the series. I was excited to read this book but was disappointed that it was so short, everything wrapped up really quickly. The book felt like a rush job and everyone's story just completed in a matter of 278 pages which was way too short for me. I didn't get the satisfaction of the characters growing where they slowly transition into the person the author wanted them to be and have the ending that was meant for them. It was just "oh you were like this and then it became like that" nothing much in between happening. The readers would just have to accept that it ended that way for those characters which were the boys in the Elite specifically.

As for the plot, everything happened really quickly. The whole story was on a speeding train and there was so much more that I feel the author could have expanded on. Because there were so many characters involved, there are so many mini plots that could be written. Even though the book was short I felt that the plot was not exciting enough, I could sort of predict what would happen. Sad to say I'm not satisfied with the twist and turns because I saw it coming.

To be blunt, I was anticipating a lot for this book as the previous book ended with suspense. I am disappointed at the things that happened in the book, the speed of it happening. The characters all did not have room to grow at all and they could have had more happening for them. Overall, it ended the way I thought it would so no surprises there. The first 3 books were certainly good and this last 2 did not give me the same feelings previously. I would recommend people to only read the first 3 and as for the last 2 you don't lose much for not reading it at all.

The Heir

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection - and she and Prince Maxon have lived happily ever after. Princess Eadlyn has always found her parents' story romantic, but it's not what she wants for herself. Unfortunately, Eadlyn can't escape the path laid out for her...including her very own Selection.

Eadlyn doesn't expect to find love among the Selection's thirty-five eligible guys. But as the competition begins, new posibilities may just capture her heart - and prove that finding her own happliy ever after isn't' as impossible as she's always thought. - excerpt from book.

The Heir by Kiera Cass is the fourth book in the series which was announced after the third book was out. The third book was supposed to be last but the author managed to sign for three more books for the series. If you have not read the Selection please stop reading my review here. Like it's predecessor, the cover of the book is just gorgeous, I really love that dress. The book cover designer did a fantastic job.

The story continues to the daughter of America and Maxon, Princess Eadlyn. The whole book is in her point of view. Of course with the Selection happening again, we have a ton of new characters introduced into the story. While the characters that are important from the first three books of the series are already grown up and in their mid thirties to early forties. It's great to read about the oldies with a little bit of what happened to them.

The Darkest Minds

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp". She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America's children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her- East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp, Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no mater how much she aches for him. Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living. - excerpt from book

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken is a book set in a dystopian future where most children contracted a disease that cannot be cured, some die and some live. Those who live are put into rehab but that's not the truth. This is the first book of the trilogy. I have always love dystopian stories because who can tell how the future will turn out to be and so these books provides imagination to a future that has weird shit happening. The sort of apocalyptic world gives a great setting to the book. The world is a scary place and many are affected because of the diseases. 

I like how the author describes the world, the flow of words are often detailed, giving you a sense of feeling of the character's thoughts. She makes you feel her words in the book, it comes easily because of how beautifully she writes about Ruby's feelings. Ruby is the main heroine of the book which has a painful past and a secret that she's keeping. I love how Ruby does not give up everything to the readers and slowly along the book she grows. She grows because of situations and she grows because of other characters. Liam, who is the main male love interest of the book is also a wonderful character, he is a person who makes the middle part of the story move forward. As for his past and personalities, it is also revealed through his actions and his conversations with other characters. Two important side characters are in this book where they often influence the main characters. Their personalities are unique and special and they too developed with the plot.

Top 5 - Best Suggested Books You Loved

I have always been on the lookout in the book community for the hypes and the trends that is going on around the world. With technology being a necessity in everyday life, social media often influences my book buying. No longer do I just walk in a bookstore without any aim, walking along shelves to simply find a book by reading it's excerpt at the back. Nowadays, I often buy my books based on suggestions or reviews from Youtube (booktubers), Google+ (book bloggers), and also Goodreads.

So pretty much a big portion of my books are suggested by someone and sometimes I treat those as my research on what to read too =P. But sometimes I do pick up books based on people whom I know real life (my cousin sisters). Therefore the list below is really the best that I've read in no particular order:

The Selection series

This series was recommended to me by my cousin sister, she has already completed the series when she told me about it. She is known to not like books with romances but she actually enjoyed this hence I was interested in the book knowing that her taste in books are similar to mine. I really really enjoyed the series because it was not insta-love crap that I usually do not agree with. I like that through time America manage to make her decision and find true love from the series, also this book had a good message along with it. I've already written reviews for all three books, links are below:

The Selection, The Elite, The One

The Night Circus

This book was very enchanting, very magical and a book that is so hard to predict. The characters were fantastic, the descriptions of the place was so wonderful, it's definitely a must read and I always recommend it on bookstagram. This was a book that I learnt about from Youtube and I can't quite remember who was the booktuber. I also have reviewed the book, spoiler free here: The Night Circus

Top 5 Favourite - Buzz Words

This week's topic is top 5 favourite buzz words. It's words that is printed or used to described a book that will guarantee a buy from you. It's was kinda easy for me to pick those words as knowing myself as a person who always buy books based on this alone. So many times I would buy books from the book store just by browsing and upon spotting those keywords, my mind goes "BUY!!!!!". So here are my choices in no particular order:

1. Heist - I'm such a lover of heist type of stories, even for movies. My favourite is of course Six of Crow currently. What made me love heist so much is because I love the details of how the plan will be, how the people execute it and how there's always something that will go wrong. My love for heist is strongly influenced by Oceans 11 movie and the following ones too.
2. Con - This is one similar word to the one on top but there is a difference when it comes to the story. My favourite con related book would be The White Cat series from Holly Black. This was the series that made me love the author's works so so much. 
3. Revolution - Whenever humans are oppressed in stories and a group of people band together to start a revolution or resistance, I'm pulled in for sure. I love this because I love how the author can be creative on the suffering of the people, how that band of people come together and lastly how will they fight against this oppression. Books that are somewhat in this category would be The Hunger Games, The Mistborn, The White Rose and many more.
4. Anti-heroes - Bad guys who turn out to be heroes or heroes who are actually bad guys. It'll be like taking a candy from a baby for the publishers because I'm sold! I love how that people with powers who are supposedly be good but are bad instead, or people who are bad ended up fighting the good fight. Vicious and Steelheart are two books that I've read who are in this category.
5. Time travelling -  OMG!!! The easiest hook on me is this one. I love love love books on this topic because I'm intrigued as to how the author can deal with butterfly effect, how the story come together to explain time gaps and how when events happened are link to the time traveller. The series that I've in this category is Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, and Emerald Green. The author did a fantastic job with the series.

Some books that I've mentioned will have links to reviews that I've written, do check it out. Please share in the comments below what buzz word/s is a guaranteed buy for you.

The One

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. - excerpt from book.

The One by Kiera Cass is the final book in the trilogy. Finally we are able to find out who Prince Maxon shall choose as his wife. This book's cover is my favourite, the dress that the model wore is just to die for. That dress will make such a wonderful wedding dress. I was so excited to read the last book as I hope that America had finally made her decision. The plot for this book was very exciting, it was such a good page-turner. The twists of the book was so shocking, I absolutely loved it. You really could not predict it at all.

Each and every character in this book was very important to support the story. I loved the interactions between the characters, their reactions to situations that occurred.  The characters have a lot of growth in the story which made it so enjoyable to read. I like that the situations moulded some characters into development of their personality. I didn't feel annoyed with the main female heroine in this book, in fact I like her a lot now. As for the male characters, well I've already loved the Prince from the start so this book just adds a little more of admiration for him.

In conclusion, this was a fantastic end to the series, it was really exciting, it was heart warming, it brought some tears too. This book was very good for me because of the exciting plots along with the development of the characters. The plot was so so good, it captured my attention so well. I did not predict anything at all which gave me lots of surprises when I encounter a plot twist. I highly recommend this series because I love everything about it. The last book is certainly my favourite out of the trilogy. Readers who love romance topped with a dystopian future that has an imbalance society, this is your kind of series. I will definitely read this series again in the future for some fun and light reading.

The Elite

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. - excerpt from book.

The Elite by Kiera Cass is the second book to the Selection trilogy. The book picks up right where the story stops in the first book. I have to say the dress worn by the model for the cover is absolutely fierce and chic. In this book, I find that the main female character was a bit annoying for me as she can't decide which male character she loves. The love triangle in this story was a bit annoying for me as I have already picked a side and wanting the girl to be with the guy that I've favoured. In this book, the side characters were getting better as there were more emphasis on them. I like reading more about those who help support the story, people who influence the actions and reactions of the main character.

The plot for this second book was very very good, there were many exciting turn of events happening in the book. It captured my attention so well that I could not stop reading. I loved how the characters reacted to the situations, it was on point and revealed so much about their personality at the same time. I love that there is another agenda in the story that slowly surfaces and it was so so good. This is the part of the book that made me keep reading even though the love triangle was a bit off putting for me.

Overall I think the second book was really good, the twists and turns were better than the first, the characters revealed more which was interesting. I love that this book is a quick read, enjoyable and like the first a wonderful page-turner as well. If you have read the first book, you'll definitely pick up the second book. I highly recommend this trilogy to young adult lovers as the story is getting better and better, readers who enjoys love triangles and also readers who enjoys books on imbalance society.

Favourite books of 2014

For the year of 2014 I managed to read 50 books and completed my Goodreads reading challenge. I was quite proud to have read this many books and I believe it's the most books I've read in a year in my life. Out of all the books I've read there were good ones, okay ones and definitely awesome ones. The list below are books that I absolutely loved and would not hesitate to read it again and again. The list below is not in any order and some books are not published in the year 2014 either.

1. Vicious by V.E Schwab - A story about two good friends then turned enemies in the future. It's exciting, unique characters and great plot. Page turner, hard to put down. My full review: Link here
2. Champion by Marie Lu - The last book of the Legend trilogy, I loved this book the most but the first two books were just as good, I gave all 3 books 5 stars. I choose this book because of the ending which made me cry. The whole series is action packed with a fantastic plot.My full review: Link here
3. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - This is a adult book which was really funny, cute and enjoyable to read. I really laughed out loud in public and people were looking at me weirdly. I absolutely enjoyed the book from start to end, my favourite type of romance plot.My full review: Link here
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - A really special and magical book. I love the characters of the book and all the different perspectives in the story. The setting of the story is just so beautiful and magical, I wanted to work in that circus.My full review: Link here
5. Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo - This is the second book of the Grisha trilogy and my favourite out of the 3. All 3 books have gotten 5 stars from me. This book is action packed, great characters, wonderful world and an exciting plot. I love the relationships in this book and plot twists. This was one book that was hard to put down. Full review to come soon.
6. To All the Boys I've Loved before by Jenny Han - A story about a girl who wrote letters to boys she loved but it's just for personal keepsake. Things got weird when the letters were mailed out to the boys. This story is super super cute to read especially the female lead in the book. The plot is simple yet lovely and fun to read. A definite page turner for me.My full review: Link here
7. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson - The first book that I've picked up by this author and imediately I knew I'm gonna love the books he writes. The idea of the story is well done along with the world that is built. The plot is mysterious and the plot twist of the book just hooks you to wanting the second book. When I read this book it felt like a movie that I'm watching. My full review: Link here
8. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - The last book of the "Anna and the french kiss" series which had a very good ending to all. I love the plot of the book, it was very sweet, cute and quite real of a relationship. My full review: Link here
9. Since you've been gone by Morgan Matson - A story about a girl completing a checklist sent by her best friend who went missing when summer started. The story is about growing, friendship and stepping out of your comfort zone. It was such a fun book to read and so suitable for the summer. I got hooked so fast and to the ending I wished it was longer.My full review: Link here
10. Delirium by Lauren Oliver - I love the first book the most out of the Delirium trilogy. A dystopian setting where the world sees love as a disease. When teenager reached a certain age, a cure is given to remove getting the disease and then a match is picked by the system for the person to be with. This story's idea was unique to me and it has a good meaning behind the book. I enjoyed the plot twist and how the story progressed.My full review: Link here
11. Half Bad by Sally Green - It's about a boy uncovering his roots and choosing a path. It's also a book where the character is always put into bad situations. I like how this book is not all happy and colorful with sad and painful things happening. I love how the character grows in the story. It's not your typical magic related/fantasy book.My full review: Link here
12. The Archived by Victoria Schwab - The first book of the archive duology. A girl is given a duty by her grandfather to protect the archive. This book has action, mystery and great characters. The story is unique and I loved every bit of it especially the character interactions.My full review: Link here
13. The Unbound by Victoria Schwab - The second book of the archive which I also love, it was hard to choose between both. This book was also action packed and filled with more human emotions. I like the new characters introduced and also another side of the male lead was included which made things so much more interesting. I literally could not put down the book.My full review: Link here
14. Bared to you by Sylvia Day - An erotic novel about a woman meeting a man who she knows nothing about but she fell in love with him. They both have their own demons and how they try to overcome it together. I compared this series to fifty shades of grey and I like this one quite a lot because the characters are more deep and real. I liked how strong and weak the characters can be at the same time. Full review to come soon.

I'm so happy to have read so many great books and discover some new authors along the way. Those books really gave me a new world to explore and great enjoyment imagining it. For the year 2014, I truly fell in love with young adult books and authors such as Holly Black, Victoria Schwab, Brandon Sanderson, Morgan Matson, Marie Lu and Jenny Han. I'm looking forward to reading more books by these authors and I've already have a good series by Brandon Sanderson sitting in my TBR pile. I will post another blog post for my reading goals of 2015. The following link is to the books I've read in 2014: Goodreads link