Finally! I’ve been waiting to read/review this book forever! (Okay, slight exaggeration.) I stumbled upon this series last August, when I needed some books on CD to listen to while I had a long drive to and from the ‘Write His Answer’ Writer’s Conference in Philly. I ended up grabbing the collection of short stories that is a companion to this series (‘Happily Ever After’) and was hooked immediately! I devoured the first 3 full length novels in the series and was thrilled to find out Ms. Cass had just released book #4 (The Heir – read that review here) – which is technically book 1 in this spin-off series! That is, until I read it and realized I’d have to wait another year to get my hands on the final installment. (Ack!) But, let me tell you, it was worth the wait! Read on to find out more about ‘The Crown’ by Kiera Cass!
Synopsis:
When Eadlyn became the first princess of Illéa to hold her own Selection, she didn’t think she would fall in love with any of her thirty-five suitors. She spent the first few weeks of the competition counting down the days until she could send them all home. But as events at the palace force Eadlyn even further into the spotlight, she realizes that she might not be content remaining alone.
Eadlyn still isn’t sure she’ll find the fairytale ending 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.
Review:
I’m happy to say this book ranked right up there with all of the previous books in this series – 5 stars!! Yes, it’s possible I just loved it because I’d already fallen in love with the story of America Singer (The MC from The Selection series) and the companion stories that went along with it. But I must say, I was just as hooked when I read about her daughter, Eadlyn, too!
To be honest, I wouldn’t say I loved the authors’ writing style, as I have with other books in my reviews. But what I can say, is that her writing was fluid and stayed out of the way! It never pulled me out of the story or got in the way of my thinking. Kiera Cass does a great job in keeping the reader engaged with her writing.
The previous book to this installment, was left on a cliff hanger, so it was great that the story jumped right back in and answered a ton of questions that all us readers had hanging over our heads. There is a definite change in Eadlyn’s attitude and even of those around her. The things that annoyed me about the MC in book 1 of her story (technically book 4) had come full circle and she had a much more mature outlook on the direction of her life and The Selection. For this, I am grateful. Although annoying characters are necessary at times, it can be tough to endure their attitudes until they’ve learned their lesson!
This book is filled with not only romance and struggles, but with a similar political shadow that plagued the earlier series. My heart was set on Eadlyn choosing Kile… until Erik became so darned sweet, and then, what was with that Hale?! *swoon* But what about Marid – who some say is the true heir to the throne? Would it be a better political decision for Eadlyn to join the two birth lines? Not a dull moment, here – I stayed up way past my bedtime reading! *smile and wink!*
Having said that, the only complaint I’d have to make about this book was that it moved too quickly! America’s story got told in 3 books and Eadlyn’s only got 2. Did it need 3? I’m not sure about that. But somehow, I felt an urgency from Ms. Cass to get the story told and done with, in just one more book. Yes, I loved the story. Yes, I loved the characters. But in a few spots, I wished things had slowed a bit – that conversation had gone on another page or two – and the reader could’ve had a little more time savoring the plot. But if this is the only complaint I have, then I bet you can guess, this book (series) is worth the read!
It was a perfect ending to a perfect series (even I can admit that I didn’t see the wisdom in what Eadlyn did until the very last page!) And I enjoyed the twists Ms. Cass put in for the readers to discover. This series is an extremely easy read (besides the fact you won’t want to put the book down!) and is recommended for all age YA readers.
Happy reading, friends!
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