A Selection Novel by Kiera Cass

The Selection

Prince Maxon is now at a legal age to get married, and as a tradition, he is to select his future wife and future queen from thirty-five candidates picked for him from thousands of applicants from *castes Two to Eight. One of the candidates is America, a Five.

America was secretly in a relationship with a Six, Aspen – before he and her mother asked her to join the competition, that led to her and Aspen’s separation. But being together with Prince Maxon always, she fell in love with him, and so does he. When everything was going well between them, Aspen appeared again – he was drafted as a soldier in the palace and his social status was promoted from Six to Two. And even though America is in love with Prince Maxon, there is no way she will forget her first love, and Maxon doesn’t know that it was Aspen.

Who will she choose? Will it be Aspen, especially now that even if she will not be picked, her life will be secured with him? Or Prince Maxon whom she loves now and can give her more than what Aspen can?

The Prince

This is the point of view of Prince Maxon of ‘The Selection’. His life just before The Selection began until he met America.

The Elite

Thirty-five ladies were cut down into six – the Elite – and America is still in the game. There were more challenges for them, to prepare themselves for the position as the new princess, the wife of Prince Maxon, and later on as the queen. Although America and Maxon is in love with one another, there is no guarantee that America will win the competition. Maxon has a lot to consider, and America, who is a Five, has no connection that can benefit the Palace, so Maxon’s father – the king – is against her. America thinks that she can’t be the queen though, so Maxon has to find someone from the other elites, get to know them in case America is not the one, which also created a distance between him and her. And because of this, America felt that she wasn't sure of Maxon’s love for her anymore. There is also Aspen who still fight for her love.

Who will America choose between Maxon and Aspen? Will she take the challenge to become the queen, with all the insecurities and disadvantages she have?

The One

This book hasn’t been published yet.

[Update] Kiera Cass will publish it on May 6, 2014. The date might change.

As for the review, I would like to write it when this series is over. I will make the review as a whole and not per book.

*Castes

What would you do if you have to choose?

“Fake it until you make it.”

If I Stay

One day, a pair of parent and a little boy was suddenly killed in a car accident, an accident that also brought the remaining member of the family – a classical cellist who has a budding future in getting into Julliard and be known worldwide – in her state of comatose. In her situation, it might be better to leave also – be with her family, be it not on earth – even though there is music and a special someone waiting for her.

In desperate times, promises are made, even if it will make you lose someone, but what will her choice be? Will she stay? Or not?

I didn’t have an idea as to what the story will be like. I am just holding to the fact that it is a bestselling novel and to a review that if you read ‘Twilight’, you will like it also. But I’m telling you they are different, except that their settings are both around Seattle.

At first, I had a good feeling about this story, but when the accident happened, just after a couple of chapters, it set me on a bad mood. I was saddened. It had a heavy start. I even had a thought of putting it down, but the author wrote it in a very interesting style. In between chapters of mourning, a happy memory is being retold, that somehow lifted the mood.

Where She Went

His prayer was answered, but she was not with him anymore. Losing her, made him like a ghost just like her. His pain made him write songs – songs that made him into a rock star. And then her ghost appeared, answered his questions, made him realized that it was him, his promise, that made her to become whatever she is.

Will he stick to his promise? Will she be able to move one?

First of all, I was shocked when the point of view in this book two was changed into the male character’s from the female character’s. I wanted to know what happened to the female character. But the story is not about the one who got away anymore but the one who was left behind.

I must admit, that I was more interested to the lyrics of the songs – which I quite don’t understand – than the story itself, because I have an idea of how it will end. What made me continue reading was the emotion, I want to cry – feel the pain of loving and losing someone – and the book gave it to me.

The ending is something that everyone will like, but you know somewhere that it’s not a happy ending, because something was gone, and even if they tried, it will never be back again to just like before.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

"Some infinities are larger than other infinities,” - Peter Van Houten

It’s not the love story but the battle against the big C. She was sick. He was sick. And it’s hopeless, but life must go on, whoever goes first.

I wasn't emotionally attached to the story but I admit I cried. It was a good read. It can make you reflect about some things in life.  The Fault in Our Stars is like My Sister’s Keeper minus the keeper. 

Call them Souls not aliens (The Host by Stephanie Meyer)

“...How much is physical, how much in the mind? How much accident and how much fate? Why did perfect matches crumble and impossible couples thrive? ... Love simply is where it is...” – Kathy, Wanderer’s comforter

The Souls, also known as aliens or parasites, need a host, and eventually they found and invaded the earth. Each of them lives inside the human body. Souls are very kind and honest.

Wanderer, the name of a soul from the origin who has travelled to eight different hosts already, lives inside the body of her ninth host of whose name is Melanie. Usually, the host cannot control the soul, but Melanie’s thoughts are very strong. She could show the soul what she wants to show, but never let Wanderer hears or sees all of her memories and secrets, because these could help the seekers find the pure humans she knows. Wanderer thought she could take control of Melanie, but instead of erasing her, she helped her find her family. But when she finds her family, she becomes a stranger to them.

What would Wanderer make them believe that Melanie is still alive? And what will happen now to earth with souls everywhere and only a few pure human remain, is there still a chance for these people?

Fifty Shades by EL James

Fifty Shades by E L James

I’ve finally brought myself to read this controversial trilogy, but after I learned of the lead male character, I’ve come to regret reading it. But because I’ve already started it, might as well end it and write a review on each book. And before I do that I’ll introduce the two main characters and give you a warning about the book or what to expect during the whole course of reading. Anastasia “Ana” Steele (21), from Portland, a freshly college graduate, no boyfriend since birth, loves to read novels, and thinks of herself very ordinarily and there is Christian Grey (27), from Seattle, adopted, a CEO of his own company Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc., he knows a lot of things except cooking, very gentleman yet cold, a control freak, and doesn’t do the girlfriend and love thing, he’s really mysterious.

Warning: In this book, you might need to familiarize yourself with terminologies on reproductive organs or the body itself so you would know where you are going, and methods of having coitus, but there is no need to worry if you feel uncomfortable Google-ing it, the book itself is an eye-opener, more like a modern version of Kama sutra with a twist of a story. And another one, if you decided to read the book, you’ll need to be always on guard when Christian Grey gets mad, because it’s going to be real hard, and I think it would be really painful for beginners. Take note also of Grey’s history. And oh… I hope the following won’t spoil you. Believe me I tried not to spill all the beans, but don’t worry, this is more like a synopsis. No details (or few details), no ending. One more thing, you can take your time reading it, but don’t take it slowly, don’t even linger at it, side effects might not be favorable.

It is not a Symbol nor a Word but a Faith

The lost symbol is circumpunct (ʘ) which is the symbol for gold, sun, or eye of God (origin). We can relate that the origin is the God and His word that becomes the flesh whom is Jesus and this flesh that becomes the word which is His teachings and can be found in the Bible. So in the end it’s the FAITH. With every person that has faith is powerful because they have their Lord in them, the Lord that has great plans for the humanity. 

The book will surely enlighten anyone who will read it. I like how Noetic Science was introduced in this book, and it’s true that a thought has a mass and it has a great impact to the humanity if everyone will think of the same thought and will put it into action.

The author of the book has somehow disappointed me with how he wrote the novel. This novel wasn’t as interesting as his previous novels. Nonetheless, it has a good message to cover up all the issues of The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons.

Twilight Saga

Twilight

It is where the mystery about the bloodsuckers unveiled when a vampire fell in love with a human.

This is my favourite book among the four. Everytime I read this book, it does not fail to make me cry. It is the most painful and heart-rending part of the saga.  Sadder than what people used to think, New Moon. Every line said by Edward Cullen seeps through the inner core of my heart. His character was best described in the book as I felt his desire of wanting to love Bella and his pain of being with her, of putting her into an absolute danger, which is somewhat the same with the narrator of the story, Bella, of wanting to be with him and hurting him too during the process.

If you think of it, we beat the mind reader, Edward, in this book, because aside from him, we were able to read Bella’s mind while he doesn’t. LOL!

New Moon

Separation, the effect of unexpected danger, causes pain in all of the parties that were involved.  And while on the period of mending her broken heart, another mystery of the shape-shifters was disclosed.

In this book, for me, nothing much happen, I think. Bella and Edward separated, which at first was painful, but after reading it again, it was nothing compared with the pain brought by Twilight to me, then a new mystery again, and this time with the shape-shifters or what they usually call in the book as werewolves. In this book, Bella mended her broken heart by being with her bestfriend, Jacob, which had potentials until Edward returned. Oh, by the way, the scary Volturi was introduced in this book. (Hmmm? While writing my review about this book, I guess New Moon is a bit interesting too. LOL!). But compared to other books, it doesn’t bring any emotion or sensation in me while reading it. It was blank for me.

Eclipse

Love triangle. Accepting the revenge. Forming a union. Winning and losing.

The book I hate the most, with Edward being martyr, giving only what will make Bella happy. Then Jacob, not giving up on Bella, knowing who she really wanted to be with already. I say that it pisses me off in a nice way, because it only means that the book had affected me. I don’t remember well anymore the fight scene in the book, but in the movie, it was very exciting. And lastly, though I’m not on the Jacob team, but seeing him hurt by the decisions of Bella was really painful, and making me want to wish that he find his happiness soon. I sympathize with him, poor Jacob.