Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Title: The Selection | Author: Kiera Cass

Series: The Selection  Book #1

Genre: Young-Adult Fiction, Romance, Dystopian

Format: Kindle e-Book

Date Finished: May 21, 2013

CoffeeNCrackers Rating: 4 Cups of Coffee

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 to 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. -Goodreads

My Review

When I was trying to find a light reading (usually from YA realm), the gorgeous lady in blue dress on the front cover of The Selection really caught my attention. So, I picked this book. Though the synopsis doesn't wow me I decided to read it anyway just for fun. Surprisingly, Kiera Cass gives me more than what I expected. I really liked The Selection. Being told from the main character, America's point of view, the book started with her daily life and family and the social structure of the fictional country called Illea, where citizens are divided into castes. Then there's the Selection where girls are putting their names to be selected for the prince's future wife candidates. America is not interested but her family and boyfriend encourage her to participate for being the Selected means she's helping her family and herself for a better life. She is selected with 34 other girls and they have being put together in the castle to compete for Prince Maxon's heart and to be a queen. Well, if you ever read The Hunger Game, the premise sound familiar isn't it?

Right from the start I was hooked up with the story and characters. Kiera Cass did a very good job with the Selection because even though this a romance story, when most of the writers tend to exaggerate and make things complicated, she doesn't go over the top in narrating it. This makes the story more believable and easy to relate to. I really like America Singer due to several reasons. First, she is not fighting to win Maxon's heart let alone the crown but for her family to get a better life. Second, she keeps true to herself and speaks her own mind which I think it is a real beauty of a girl. She is not pretending to be someone she is not. The relationship between America and Maxon also is kind of cute and the parts that I really enjoyed and keep my eyes glued to the pages throughout the story is when they are having their dates. When I think that America and Maxon will fall to each other, then comes the annoying character, Aspen, her ex-boyfriend to win her heart's back. Argh! I hate love triangle. 

"No, I'm not choosing him or you. I'm choosing me"

Though the story enjoyable and fun, I still have some issues with this book. I don't really like Cass's selection of names for the characters especially the main character, America Singer. It is such a weird name and I don't really like it. Same goes to Maxon Schreave, Aspen, Marlee, Caleste, Bariel, Sosie and several others.The names got my tongue twisted. In addition, there are some characters which I think should have more roles to make the story more interesting. For example the antagonist character, Celeste. She is an interesting character, however she's not involved much in the story's development, which I think a mistake done by the author. 

All in all, it is an enjoyable ride. I'm having so much fun reading The Selection and can't wait to read it's sequel The Elite. So for readers out there, if you love Beauty Pageant Contest or The Bachelor, I recommend this book to all of you. Happy reading!

FOOTNOTE: This review is linked up to Saturday Situation hosted by Candace of Candace's Book Blog and Lori of Pure Imagination.

FOOTNOTE #2: This review is also linked up to Book Review Party Wednesday a fun weekly meme hosted by Cym Lowell

First Impression: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

 

Title: Clockwork Angel | Author: Cassandra Claire

Series: The Infernal Devices #1

Genre: YA Fiction, Paranormal, Adventure

Format: Large Paperback, 479 Pages

Date Started: July 17, 2011

 The Blurb

 Magic is dangerous - but love is more dangerous still

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray arrives in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Friendless and haunted, Tessa seek refuge with the Shadowhunters, a band of warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons. drawn even deeper into their world, she finds herself fascinated by - and torn between - two best friends and quickly realizes that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

 My First Impression

Advanced Rating: 4 Stars

The demon exploded in a shower of ichor and guts. - 1st line

I've been meaning to read this book for quite a long time but always forgetting to get to it. I love the cover. I bet the guy in suit featured on the cover is one of the Shadowhunters in this book. Well, I can see the tattoos shining! The cloth he wears, the clockwork gears and the clock tower give sense of the clockwork world and the time setting in which this story is taken place. For the story, I think this would be a good one. I've read City of Bones, and it impressed me. So I really hope that Clockwork Angel can give me the same impact. And since this is said to be a prequel to the Mortal Instruments, I'm eager to discover how this story is related to the Mortal Instruments world. 

First Impression: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Hi welcome to "First Impression". Let me tell you what's going on today. First I will share the first line of the story and my opinion on the the book that I've just started reading: the cover, the story, and will give an advance star rating to the book. Second, you'll share with me your "First Impression" by linking it back to Coffee N Crackers through the link widget below. Rules: The book must be a book that you just started reading, not a book that you already finished. Easy right? And you can post your First Impression whenever you start reading a new book: no specific day.

 *****

Delirium, by Lauren Oliver: Love (deliria) is a disease and scientists have created a cure for it. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain, safe, measured, predictable, and happy. But with ninety five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

 It has been sixty-four years since the president and the Consortium identified love as a disease, and forty-three since the scientists perfected a cure. - 1st line

The Cover: Just a simple cover. But I think it is creative when you can actually see a face of a cute babe through the alphabet of the title and author's name. But, still I don't like the background's color. What is it? light blue? turquoise? whatever.  


The Story: There're lots of readers out there giving a high credits to this book. But, I don't have a high expectation in this one though. I know the idea of manifesting love as a disease called "deliria" is quite intriguing.  But isn't this just another love story? Wait! don't kill me. That was what I thought before I flipped the cover and  read. But, after reading a few chapters, I think Delirium is going to be a book that I'll enjoy reading.


Advanced Star Rating: 3 Stars

Friday Memes Mar. 11, 2011

The Friday 56: Hosted by Freda's Voice.This week's Friday 56 is from "The Brethren" by John Grisham. One was sent for text evasion. Another, for skimming bingo profits. And the third, for a career-ending drunken joyride. The Brethren: judges-turned felons can use their time in prison to get rich, very fast. 

"How much can they pay? have you guys quoted a fee?" Trevor asked. -The Brethren, pg. 56

Book Blogger Hop: Hosted by Crazy for Books. This week's question is "If I gave you £50 (or $80) and sent you into a book shop right now what would be in your basket when you finally staggered to the till?". My answer: Book 2-6 of Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage and Book 2 to 4 of Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. Is $80 enough for all these?? If not can I ask for another $80?? Greedy...=b

Friday Follows: Hosted by Parajunkee's View: This week's question is "Who are you the Boy/Girl instead of you a blogger? ". My answer: I'm CJ the student. Doing degree in Forensic Science and currently in my final semester. Wish this will end real soon!! 

Friday Finds: Hosted by Should be Reading where book bloggers sharing great books we hear about/ discover this past week. So, here are my Friday Finds!! Mine, this week with Historical Fiction theme

The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan

My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum

Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

First Impression: The Maze Runner

Hi welcome to "First Impression". Let me tell you what's going on today. First I will share the first line of the story and my opinion on the the book that I've just started reading: the cover, the story, and will give an advance star rating to the book. Second, you'll share with me your "First Impression" by linking it back to Coffee N Crackers through the link widget below. Rules: The book must be a book that you just started reading, not a book that you already finished. Easy right? And you can post your First Impression whenever you start reading a new book: no specific day.

 *****

The Maze Runner by James Dashner: The Glade is an enclosed structure with a jail, a graveyard, a slaughterhouse, living quarters, and gardens. And no way out. Outside the Glade is the Maze, and every day some of the kids the Runners venture into the labyrinth, trying to find an exit from this hellish place.What is this place, and does Thomas hold the key to finding a way out? 

He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air. - 1st line 

The Cover: I love the cover. It's a simple one but the walls covered with green (weed??) look beautiful and definitely a world that I would love to know.  

The Story: I already read through a few chapters and found out that the story have a good start. The Maze Runner looks like a story that I'll enjoy reading as the premise of the book sounds interesting and original. I would expect something enthralling  and captivating and it will bring me through an unforgettable ride of adventure and action.  


Advanced Star Rating: 5 Stars

WWW Wednesdays Feb. 23, 2011

A fun weekly meme hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading. This meme gives opportunity to  readers to share our current reading, books we recently finished and books we're going to read next.

What are you currently reading?

"The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. A rich and compelling tale of love, ambition, lust, and intrigue. Introduces a woman who survived the most glamorous and dangerous court in Europe by following her heart. Currently on page 58. 

What did you recently finished reading?

A fast-fired action thriller by Sean Slater, "The Survivor". No known motives, and no suspect, Detective Jacob Striker worked against the clock to solve the mystery behind Active Shooter at St. Patrick High. Everything lies behind the Red Mask. 4 Stars read. 

What do you think you'll read next?

I'm planning to read Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices book 1, "Clockwork Angel" and  the first book of Caster Chronicles Series by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, "Beautiful Creatures".  

WWW Wednesdays Feb. 9, 2011

A fun weekly meme hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading. This meme gives opportunity to  readers to share our current reading, books we recently finished and books we're going to read next.

What are you currently reading?
I'm reading a thriller novel by Jan Burke, "Bones". I picked this novel from library shelf. But Parrish is the murderer. Julia Syre was his victim. Next victim for his terrifying plan will be a crime journalist, Irene Kelly. 

What did you recently finished reading?
I finished reading "City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare. An outstanding YA fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed the action, the adventures, the quest, and the romance. Absolutely a 5 Stars reading and I should find the rest of the series as soon as possible. Full review in progress.

What do you think you'll read next?
Next come on my list is "The Survivor" by Sean Slater. I received this book from the publisher for Thriller & Suspense Challenge hosted by Book Chick City. I also plan to read the first book of Caster Chronicles Series by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, "Beautiful Creatures".

Teaser Tuesdays Feb. 8, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays: A fun weekly meme Hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading where readers share the teaser sentences from their current reads. This week's teaser is from Cassandra Clare's "The Mortal Instruments" series,"City of Bones". I'm currently on page 321 and am enjoying it!!

City of Bones: Clary Fray is seeing things: vampires in Brooklyn and werewolves in Manhattan. Irresistibly drawn towards a group of sexy demon hunters, Clary encounters the dark side of New York City and the danger of forbidden love.

"I was trying to make you jealous!" Simon screamed, right back. His hands were fists at his sides. "You're so stupid, Clary. You're so stupid, can't you see anything?" -City of Bones, pg. 294

 

WWW Wednesdays Jan. 12, 2011

WWW Wednesdays: A fun weekly meme hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading. This meme gives opportunity to  readers to share our current reading, books we recently finished and books we're going to read next.

What are you currently reading?

I'm reading a digital ARC of YA fiction novel by Sarah Porter, "Lost Voices". Is a story of an ignored, mistreated girl, Luce who becomes a mermaid, beautiful, free, and ageless. But, her new life put her in a new conflict and dilemma. A story of one self to find a place where she belongs to. Lost Voices is the first book of the Lost Voices Series. Currently on page 12.

What did you recently finished reading?

I finished reading "Julie & Julia" by Julie Powell. I loved the idea of the book but something about Julie Powell's writing made me feel uncomfortable with the book and put me in a mixed-feeling situation. 2 stars read and my complete review is coming soon.

What do you think you'll read next?

It's about time for me to start reading "City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare. Read lots of great reviews about this first book of Mortal Instruments Series. I also borrow "Cut" by Cathy Glass from Hidayah's Book Club. Have to return the book soon so, I decided to put it on my next read.

CNC Book Discoveries #1

"The Sherlockian" by Graham Moore:  Dec. 1893, Arthur Conan Doyle had killed Sherlock Holmes In 1901, he abruptly resurrected the hero. Why? He never explained but his diary, now missing can tell everything. Harold White a literary researcher uses wisdom and methods gleaned from countless detective stories, takes up the search, both for the diary and for the killer of Doylean Scholar.

"The Holmes Affair" by Graham Moore: Victorian London: Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker roam the dark streets of Victorian London searching for clues as to what happened to the girls who were brutally killed. Modern-day New York: Harold White is solving the mystery of Conan Doyle's missing diary and Doylean scholar murder. 

"Wither" by Lauren DeStefano: At age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years to live. Thanks to a botched effort to create a perfect race, all females live to be twenty, and males live to age twenty-five. After Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she is desperate to escape from her husband’s strange world, her attempts to flee brings her into a society spiraling into anarchy.

"Feed" by Mira Grant:  Two experimental viruses escaped the lab and combined to form a single airborne pathogen that swept around the world in a matter of days and raised the dead. Newsflesh trilogy follows a team of bloggers, led by Georgia and Shaun Mason, as they search for the brutal truths behind the infection. "Feed" is the first book of the trilogy.  

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa + Giveaway

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, Iron Fey Book 1

Finished Reading on December 29, 2010

Young Adult Fiction, E-Book, 176 Pages

The Story: Meghan is an ordinary normal girl (or so she thinks). But everything changes when her brother Ethan is taken away from home by the mythical faery creature. With help of her best friend Puck, she goes to the fairy land, Nevernever to save her brother but she could never have guessed the truth that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king. With her companions Grim, Puck, and Ash, she's now going to face the mysterious evil creature, Machina, the Iron King in order to free her brother.  

My Thought: An enchanting story that left me with a sigh of amazement. At first I don't have any high expectation for "The Iron King" and been so skeptical about the story of faeries and all those mythical creatures. But when I finished the first chapter of the book, I found out that this is something different, fresh, and enjoyable read. Julie Kagawa writes the story in a very fluid way with amazing setting combining the real world and fantasy land supported by the very inventive characters which fit in the story. With the well paced and exciting adventure and action with the injection of some romance, The Iron King surely a page turning book which I enjoyed so much. It is so interesting when Julie invents a new type of Fey, the Iron Fey which come from the evolution of the technology and computer world. There's character called Virus and also bugs which are the antagonists in the story and the name derived from computer terms. The love triangle between the main characters Meghan, Puck, and Ash also gives spice to the story and I'm sure that readers out there will be put themselves either in Ash Team or Puck Team. For me, if Puck doesn't want to confess, Meghan would be Ash's for sure as Meghan really adores him. Well, I guess everything will be clear in the next book, "The Iron Daughter" which I'll definitely read. And FYI, the third book "The Iron Queen" will be released in this coming Fabruary. Looking forward for it!! 

CoffeeNCracker's Meter: 4 Cups of Coffee

Announcement: Grab the chance to win The Iron Queen. For the giveaway details you can click on the banner below. Giveaway hosted by Reading Teen and ends January 30, 2011. Good Luck!!

WWW Wednesdays Dec. 29, 2010

WWW Wednesdays: A fun weekly meme hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading. This meme gives opportunity to  readers to share our current reading, books we recently finished and books we're going to read next.

What are you currently reading?

I'm reading a historical/paranormal fiction novel by Elizabeth Kostova, "The Historian". This book combines the history of Europe and it's spookiest legend, Dracula. So far, I enjoy this book. Currently on page 137.

What did you recently finished reading?

I just finished reading "The Iron King" by Julie Kagawa. This is the first book of Iron Fey Series and I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Meghan Chase and her companions, Grim, Ash and Puck in the land of fey in mission to rescue her brother Ethan who has been taken away by the Iron King.Review in progress.

What do you think you'll read next?

A book I borrowed from Hidayah's Book Club, "Julie & Julia" by Julie Powell and an ARC of "Lost Voices" by Sarah Porter, downloaded from Net Galley.

Caster Chronicles Giveaways

Steampunkery & Book Reviews and In the Closet With a Bibliophile are hosting international giveaways on Caster Chronicles books, "Beautiful Creatures" and "Beautiful Darkness". Those who want to participate and win these books can click on the banners for the details. Good Luck!!

Teaser Tuesdays Dec. 28, 2010

Teaser Tuesdays: A fun weekly meme Hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading where readers share the teasers sentences from their current reads. For this week's teaser, I pick from the book I'm reading, "The Iron King", the first book from Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa. 

The Iron King: In determination to find her brother who was taken by fey, Meghan travels to the world of Nevernever and experiences countless of adventures. With help of Grim, Puck and Ash, she's now going to fight the mighty Iron King, Machina and free her brother.

His fingers tightened on mine and pulled me forward. Startled and overbalanced, I looked up at him, and then he was kissing me. The Iron King, pg. 282

Cover Crush: Boys Don't Cry

What if you were left holding a baby? Boys Don't Cry a novel by Malorie Blackman. The cover looks cool and the story sounds hilarious and intriguing.

This is the explosively page-turning new novel for teenagers from the author of the award-winning "Noughts and Crosses" sequence. You're about to receive your A-level results and then a future of university and journalism awaits. But the day they're due to arrive your old girlfriend Melanie turns up unexpectedly ...with a baby ...You assume Melanie's helping a friend, until she nips out to buy some essentials, leaving you literally holding the baby

11th On My Wishlist

This week On My Wishlist are two books from the YA genre. The first book is The Thirteenth Chime, a book written by a blogger-turned-author, Emma Michaels. The second book would be The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff. Both were published in 2010.

The Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels

No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs. In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives. The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.

With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago. Hatred never dies.

........

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, Mackie comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement—left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is slowly dying in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with an oddly intriguing girl named Tate. But when Tate’s baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.


Credit: On My Wishlistis a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too.

The Friday 56: The Maze Runner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Series: Maze Runner Book #1
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Details: PDF, 199 Pages

Thomas felt a pang of guilt over Chuck—felt sorry for him. The kid tried so hard to be everyone’s friend, but no one seemed to like him or even pay attention to him. Yeah, he was a little excitable and talked too much, but Thomas was glad enough to have him around.

  

........

The Friday 56 Rules

• Grab the book nearest to you. Right now.
• Turn to page 56 and find the 5th sentence.
• Post that sentence (or plus one or two others you like) along with this instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Story Time With Tonya and Friends.
• Post a link along with your blog post back to Story Time with Tonya and Friends.
• Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the closest.

Cover Crush: Incarceron Series

Book covers play an important role in my reading habit. It's one of the various reasons why I pick up books to be read. So, starting this September I'll post entries on book covers which caught my interest and which I think amazing to share with all of you, readers of Coffee N Crackers. My Cover Crush for this time are the covers of the books from Incarceron Series, Incarceron and Sapphique by Catherine Fisher.

Well, what do you think? I think they are awesome!! For more information about this series feel free to visit Catherine  Fisher's official website HERE. Have a pleasant day guys! Ciao..