The Selection by Kiera Cass: My Thoughts

The Selection by Kiera Cass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow! I'm actually really surprised with the many negative reviews and low ratings people have given this book. Having read this in a few short hours today, I must say that I really enjoyed The Selection and look forward to reading the sequel.

The plot reminded me of Violet Eyes: A Retelling of the "Princess and the Pea" in that there was a competition of sorts to marry the prince but not...meaning that there were no actual tests but the girls themseleves competed for the prince' attention. Much depended on the Prince' decision like The Bachelor. I, for one, am NOT a fan of The Bachelor or any similar shows but The Selection is full of danger, romance, heartbreak, and true friendship. It also highlights the injustices of inequality based on the Caste individuals are born into and how to move past the shallow and petty system. I loved how the MC, America, was not afraid to do what was right and stood up for others when no one else would.

“Good. Some help. Girls, you will immediately get to the water stores in the back and begin serving refreshments to the royal family and the ladies. Get going, now,” she commanded.
“No.” I turned to Anne and gave her my first real order. “Anne, please take some refreshments to the king, queen, and prince and then come join me.” I faced Silvia. “The rest can fend for themselves. They chose to leave their maids alone, they can get their own damn water. Mine will be sitting with me. Come, ladies.”
I knew we were close enough to the royals that they would have heard me. In my quest to have a level of authority, I’d spoken a little too loudly. But I didn’t care if they thought I was rude. Lucy was more frightened than most of the people in this room. She was trembling head to foot, and there was no way I’d have her serving people half her equal in goodness in her state.

I did struggle a bit in picturing what the world looked like. It is set in the future where they still have cars and cell phones but are divided into working classes that sometimes give the impression of a period of time from long ago...long, long ago.

I just lay there, still. It felt like only a few moments before my maids quietly tapped on my door. I let them in and, as strange as it was, let them dress me. They were just so excited to be helpful, I couldn’t ask them to leave again.
They pulled parts of my hair back with delicate pins and freshened my makeup. The dress—which, along with the rest of my wardrobe, had been created by their hands—was deep green and floor length.

A more than merely entertaining read, The Selection deserves to be read by any and all YA fans. Happy reading everyone! ^.^

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Forbidden Life by Kimberly Kinrade: My Thoughts and Review

Forbidden Life by Kimberly Kinrade

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"It ended...it ended...it ENDED" This is what I have been vocalizing for the past half hour. Thank goodness my brain can function enough to enable me to type the words that I, apparently, am unable to speak. What those words are...well...I don't have super powers like the amazingly detailed and realistic characters in this book possess so I need a human minute to think. *tick-tock* (10 minutes go by)...*humming JEOPARDY theme song*...Ah! Ok got it! I figured out what I wanted to say *drumroll*: IT ENDED! Oh boy, I need some serious help. I feel like I just don't know what to do now that this TOO-AWESOME-TO-JUST-BE-CALLED-AWESOME trilogy is over . . . over . . .  ov- aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!

Ok, for real? Forbidden Life is crazy INSANE (♪in the membrane♫) and puts the most daring, psychotic, adreneline-junky-who-risks-their-life-to-entertain-the-rest-of-us to shame. And yeah, I saw the video of the guy who jumps out of the capsule from 24 miles up. Impressive (to say the least because that took some serious skill to land on his feet like he did) right? What grounds do I stand on to support such an outrageous claim? The action is INTENSE (like INCEPTION-intense and almost as equally complicated)! It felt like every page someone was doing the impossible (like MISSION IMPOSSIBLE-impossible but better) and taking the meaning of extreme sports to a whole new level. The pacing is great; alternating point views of several characters from chapter to chapter never leave you bored or even a chance to catch your breath!

I had mentioned in my review of Forbidden Mind that the plot was "very ALIAS and DARK ANGEL-like with X-MEN as its backdrop". How so? (view spoiler)[Take the main character for example: Sam is employed by a super-secret organization that provides her with various false identities to get the job done...until she discovers that she works for the bad guys. Then Sam finds out that she was genetically engineered (test-tube baby) and realizes she has been trained to be like a super-soldier for a very specific purpose. Reasonably, Sam dislikes (really, that's an understatement) the plan laid out for her by her creators and runs away in an attempt to be free and live a normal life. One problem: How normal can one be when they can not only read but can control people's minds? Yeah, see what I mean? (hide spoiler)] Now just because I could identify certain aspects of the Forbidden Trilogy with other published works does not in any way imply that there is no originality. Quite the opposite! It only highlights the genius of Ms.Kinrade, creating a world that is both familiar and unfamiliar; making it her own. The fact that she has 1)seamlessly combined such action-filled movies or televison series (pretty sure that hasn't been done before), 2)described the action so vividly that one feels as if they are actually "watching" scenes from a film, not reading a book and 3) has added so much depth to the wide range of emotions the characters (readers too) experience, changing them for better or worse.

Forbidden Life , as full of butt-kicking as can possibly be (new powers are introduced, yay!), is strongly fueled by emotion; touching on such issues as redemption and forgivness, trust and betrayal, right and wrong. "How do you know what the right decision is?" often came up when a life was in another's hands, deciding their fate.

"Sometimes there are no right decisions, and you are left with the lesser of two evils."

Kinrade, Kimberly (2012-10-13). Forbidden Life (Forbidden #3) (Kindle Locations 271-272). Evolved Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Is there really a point of no return?

I screwed up in the most unforgivable way, but I'm back now, and I'll never leave either of you again. I swear. Can you forgive me?" I pulled out of his arms and stepped back enough to gain perspective. Could I forgive him? Would he hurt me again? "I will," I decided. "I will forgive you, but not yet. I'm not ready. It will take time."

Kinrade, Kimberly (2012-10-13). Forbidden Life (Forbidden #3) (Kindle Locations 4095-4098). Evolved Publishing. Kindle Edition.

What does it mean to truly sacrifice?

Luke smiled through his tears. "I told you, Sis, I'd always look out for you." She smiled back, but didn't want him to be hurt. Please, Luke, don't sacrifice yourself like this.

Kinrade, Kimberly (2012-10-13). Forbidden Life (Forbidden #3) (Kindle Locations 5791-5792). Evolved Publishing. Kindle Edition.

These thought provoking questions cause much pain and suffering to our beloved Sam, Drake, Lucy, and Luke. Will they find the answers that lead to happiness? Can they make the right decisions? Are there any "right" decisions? This masterfully written conclusion to a suspensful, thrilling, heart breaking, and fascinating series will have readers on a rollercoaster that may just blow their minds...and enjoy every second. ^.^

 

Favorite quote:

 

He wrapped Mary's shirt around two bars and started twisting. It took Lucy a second, but she almost laughed when she figured out the reference. She'd seen that in a Jackie Chan movie. He'd peed on his shirt and then did what Drake was doing to pull the bars in the cell together in order to escape. She really hoped he hadn't peed on Mary's shirt. Didn't Myth Busters prove that it didn't work?

 

Kinrade, Kimberly (2012-10-13). Forbidden Life (Forbidden #3) (Kindle Locations 5684-5687). Evolved Publishing. Kindle Edition.

The Athena Effect by Derrolyn Anderson: My Thoughts and Review

The Athena Effect by Derrolyn Anderson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazing! Just absolutely amazing! I could not put this down! The best of Ms. Anderson's works, that I have had the privilege of reading, by far!

Let me start with the characters. Cali is one of the best female MC's I have ever met! Not once did I feel annoyed with or irritated by her personality or actions. There wasn't a moment for me to yell "you're STUPID!" because she wasn't! Cali is intelligent, compassionate, and beautiful inside and out. I love her innocence and the pure love she has for Calvin. Now, I found myself comparing Calvin to Ethan from Marina's Tales only to realize the night and day difference between them. Calvin has become the perfect man for me Cali and loves unconditionally without being overbearing and possesive. He is strong, determined, and also goregeous (inside too!). I couldn't find one flaw with him(after he started to pursue Cali)and I was impressed by his maturity. I also enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters like Jarod, Crystal, and Layla. Cali's aunt and Phil can go jump off a cliff for all I care. GRRRRR!!! Anywho, as far as any respectable adult characters are concerned, Calvin's grandparents are the best! I wanted to see more of them and Rufus(i will always picture a naked mole rat when I read that name cuz of KP but this Rufus is a pit bull so yeah, way off on mental imaging 0.0)!

Other highlights to gush about? The love; its so believable and real that it can quite possibly be the best YA romance to come out this year. Think Pushing the Limits, Going Under, and Forever Changed without all the petty juvenile drama. Once Cali and Calvin get going, their love holds true; no games played or breaks needed to determine if what they have is real. No heartbreak or distrust, only true love...and I love it! Same for Cali's parents; had me wrapped up in it from the very beginning.

The story itself is beautiful. I really can't say anything without giving something crucial away but the cover gives a hint and those eyes play a major part in the plot. What I can say is that there is mystery, suspense, and enough action to barely give you a moment to breathe. My only regret is that I did not read this sooner. This has definitely become a favorite of mine and I cannot wait to tell the world! It appears that there is a sequel to this book coming out next year and I can hardly contain my excitement. Another work of art by Ms. Anderson; I loved every second of it and you will too!

I recieved a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review (THANK YOU Ms. Anderson!)

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