Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

THOUGHTS: 

YA books about the nephilim are everywhere, but most of the time, we read about these said nephilim being the earth's protectors or whatnot. Wendy Higgins, however, not only deviates from this very much overused concept, she also spins an original take on the world of the nephilim unlike any other. In Sweet Evil, we are introduced to a world where the nephilim aren't all high and mighty - rather, they are partly responsible for spreading evil in the world... and they actually revel in it! 

Sweet Evil is a captivating read, and I believe the factor that made that so is Higgins' world-building. I've never read anything that is even remotely similar to the world she brought to life. Sure, there's the expected nephilim and his or her parent, but the fact that the parent in question represents either a vice or one of the seven deadly sins and is a duke of hell is unchartered territory. Not only that, we are also made privy to the fact that the offsprings of these dukes - the nephilim - have to work for their parents in making sure that humans engage in sins and vices!

The nephilim proved to be interesting characters, and we are introduced to quite a few. There's Kaidan, the son of the duke of lust (I bet you guys can imagine what he does when he works for his father) and Kopano, son of the duke of wrath, and of course, Anna, the daughter of the duke of substance abuse, amongst others. This is probably an unpopular opinion, but while I agree with everyone that Kaidan is indeed hott (with an extra t, to quote Anna) and that I would enjoy learning more about him in the coming books, I actually prefer Kopano. I can't pinpoint why, exactly, other than the fact that he's practically an enigma - I just know that I do, just like I know that I like Jem better than Will. ;) 

There is one thing that I didn't love about this book though, and that's Anna. Anna Anna Anna. She brings a whole new meaning to the word 'naive'. Anna is portrayed as someone who absolutely refuses to do anything that she considers bad, which is obviously a bit difficult considering that she's the daughter of one of the twelve dukes. She's also too sheltered, and she practically knows nothing about the world. Moreover, though I can comprehend that the reason why Anna isn't innately evil (or at least as prone to reckless behavior as her fellow nephilims), reading about her internal struggles mixed with her naivety got a wee bit annoying to a certain extent. She was just too naive, too perfect, and too sheltered for my taste. I did enjoy the parts of the book wherein Anna interacts with her father though - their relationship is amazing!


Overall, I enjoyed reading Sweet Evil. I just can't get enough of the world Higgins created!


Rating: 4 Stars

Feature and Follow Friday [2]

Feature and Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. This meme is a great way to meet new bloggers, and to likewise know more about them. Follow me and I'll be sure to follow you back!

Q: Birthday Wishes — Blow out the candles and imagine what character could pop out of your cake…who is it and what book are they from?

I have to admit - a few characters popped into my head upon reading this question, but the first one that came to mind was Jem Carstairs of The Infernal Devices. I LOVE Jem! To those who haven't read Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices series yet, make sure to do so before the final book is released next year!

Storm (Elementals #1) by Brigid Kemmerer

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys - the ones she doesn't want.  Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water - just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.
 

When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all...

THOUGHTS:

Fine, I'll admit it - I initially read this book because I found out that it was the first in a series that centered on the lives of four brothers (Chris, Gabriel, Nick and Michael) who can control the elements. Yes, you read that right - this book has FOUR BROTHERS in it, and they have powers! If that doesn't even pique your interest in the slightest, I honestly have no idea what will. 

But hey, let me get this straight - I'm not saying that the book centers on the brothers being hot or anything like that. This book is AMAZING. It has a great plot, characters with depth and emotional background stories, intense action scenes, and of course, like any other first book in a series, this book brings forth a lot of questions - some get answered, but some don't.. yet. Moreover, this book gradually introduced us to the budding relationship between Becca and Chris - their relationship was fleshed out, and I really like how they didn't fall in 'can't live without you' in love after the first few chapters. We really need more of these relationships in YA, don't you guys think so?
  
Anyway, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I started reading Storm. Yes, I did expect that the four brothers would all be hot (come on, don't tell me you didn't), but I certainly didn't expect them to have so much more going on for them. I didn't expect to like the brothers for who they are, hotness aside. I didn't expect to feel sorry for Michael whenever his brothers treated him with disrespect; I didn't expect to empathize with Chris whenever his need to belong was highlighted; I didn't expect to adore the relationship Nick and Gabriel had with each other, and last but definitely not the least, I didn't expect my chest to tighten whenever Becca was bullied or to feel proud whenever Becca stood up for herself. Simply put, I didn't expect to feel so many things while reading this book. 

Becca. Yes, the brothers made Storm interesting, but Becca was the heart and soul of the book. The way Brigid Kemmerer portrayed her through moments when she had to toughen things out, stand her ground, and protect herself was downright realistic. I also loved it when Becca stood up to the brothers instead of cowering in fear - we don't see that enough in YA books.  I truly felt like Becca was a good friend all throughout reading the book - that's how real her character was.

All in all, if it isn't that obvious from my gushing, I loved this book - though I found some plot twists a little predictable - and I can't wait until the next book in the series comes out!


Rating: 4 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday [2]

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Today's WoW spotlights Corrine Jackson's If I Lie:

Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.

Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.

Teaser Tuesdays [2]

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB.

Rules:

• Grab the book you are currently reading and share teaser sentences.
• Don't include spoilers!

Today's teaser is from Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins:

"His voice seemed to reverberate around the silent room. He held my gaze, but I had to look away. His soulful gaze made me feel like he could see too much."

p 278  

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey that spotlights the books you are currently reading, as well as the books you are planning to read throughout the next week.

Currently Reading:

Up Next:

Last Week's Posts

• Review of Angel's Fury by Bryony Pearce
• Review of Life on the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux
• Review of Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly

Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly

Angie always thought high school romances were just silly infatuations that come and go. She certainly never thought she would fall in love over one short summer. But when she meets Jack, their connection is more than a crush. Suddenly, Angie and Jack were filling their summer with stolen moments and romantic nights. But as fall grows closer, they must figure out of their love is forever, or just a summer they'll never forget.

THOUGHTS:

I've never heard about this book before I bought it, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this book is widely considered as the first book to target young adults as an audience. I was even more excited when I further discovered that Seventeenth Summer was written during the forties, and was written by author Maureen Daly when she was only seventeen, thus making me believe that the thoughts and emotions showcased by the book's heroine would be authentic in nature. To top it off, the book is set during summer, and I simply adore books that tell the tales of summer romances. All in all, I should have enjoyed this book, and though I tried my hardest, I simply didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

First and foremost, I felt nothing while reading about Angie and Jack's relationship. They never really talked - they went on dates and hung out a lot, yes - but they never seem to just talk. Moreover, while reading, I got the feeling that Angie was only interested in Jack for the sake of dating, and I found it immensely difficult to believe that she loved him, even though she hints at it a few times during the course of the book. (She was so mindblowingly disgusted at Jack because he clicked his spoon with his teeth - that doesn't spell love to me!) Meanwhile, though I honestly believed that Jack loved Angie, I couldn't quite understand just how it is he came to love her. She never seemed to express herself when she was with him, she never talked, she mostly just sat with him... I just couldn't make myself believe that Jack and Angie were in love no matter what I did. 

Second, the pacing of the book was ridiculously slow. I had to read pages and pages of overwhelmingly detailed and flowery descriptions of the weather, the dresses Angie wore, how her hair was styled and so on and so forth before I could get a glimpse of how Jack and Angie's relationship was coasting along. As much as I loved reading about Angie's world, the writing wore me out halfway through the book. Also, nothing really happens with Jack and Angie - they just go out every night, sit beside each other, talk a little, and that's it. I really don't think that that's the way people in love are supposed to act, even in the forties. 

As a matter of fact, the only reason I kept reading the book was because Angie kept on hinting that something big was going to happen with her sister Lorraine who ended up heartbroken by the end of the book. As Lorraine was the only character in the book that had, well, character, I really wanted to know what happened to her. Let me tell you now - we don't find out.

Seventeenth Summer isn't a horrible book, but it simply wasn't for me. I couldn't get into into the plot and the characters no matter how much I tried. While the ending did have me feeling a little wistful, this is one of those books that I really don't consider a must-read. 

Rating: 3 Stars

Stacking the Shelves [2]

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It's a great way to show other people the books that you've bought or received for the past week!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver 

I've been meaning to jump on the Delirium train for a long time now, and finally, I did just that! I have other books to read before I sink into this one, true, but right now I'm just excited that I finally bought this book!

Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly

I love YA books set during summer! When I spotted Seventeenth Summer at the bookstore, I just knew that I had to have it - the blurb looks really promising. I'll be reviewing this in the coming days, so look out for that.

Intangible by J. Meyers

J. Meyers was kind enough to send me a pdf copy of Intangible to review, and I just can't thank her enough. Again, thank you, J! Anyway, I'm almost done reading it (loving it so far), so expect a review sometime next week.

**Anyway, guys, I've been blogging for a week now, and I'm just having so much fun! Thank you all so much for the kind welcome, the encouragement, the comments, the views... I honestly think that I'm going to be blogging for a long time to come. I really can't thank you guys enough!

Feature and Follow Friday

Feature and Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. This is my first Feature and Follow Friday, and I'm excited to meet more fellow bloggers!

Q: If you could “unread” a book, which one would it be? Is it because you want to start over and experience it again for the first time? Or because it was THAT bad?

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto - honestly, I tried my hardest to like the book, but it just wasn't possible! The characters were both one-dimensional and too good to be true, and the plot was pretty much nonexistent.

Rules:  

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}

• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts. 

• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.

• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed

• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”

• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers

Life on the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux

Title: Life on the Edge
Author: Jennifer Comeaux
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Published By: Astraea Press

Nineteen-year-old Emily is new to pairs skating, but she and her partner Chris have a big dream–to be the first American team to win Olympic gold. Their young coach Sergei, who left Russia after a mysterious end to his skating career, believes they can break through and make history.

Emily and Chris are on track to be top contenders at the 2002 Winter Games. But when forbidden feelings spark between Emily and Sergei, broken trust and an unexpected enemy threaten to derail Emily's dreams of gold.

THOUGHTS:

I don't know about any of you guys, but YA books that spotlight the lives of female athletes have always piqued my interest (case and point - Catching Jordan, the Pretty Tough series, etc.). One day, I chanced upon a list on goodreads that listed these kinds of books, and this was how I came to find out about Life on the Edge. Upon reading the blurb, I was at once intrigued - I immediately wondered how Comeaux will go about the forbidden relationship, and whether she can actually make the said relationship feel right. I also wondered if she would be able to give both aspects of the book - the sports part and the romance part - equal attention, or whether one aspect would just eat the other up.

Let me start with this - both the sports part and the romance part of the book were done perfectly.

Nowadays, we see interpretations of forbidden relationships everywhere - in TV shows, movies, and even books - but Comeaux's story is unique in the way that it tugs at your heartstrings and makes you root for the couple to end up together. I often roll my eyes at the portrayal of teacher/student relationships in media (sorry, Aria and Ezra), but Emily and Sergei's relationship felt... real. Their relationship was gradual - they didn't fall in love with each other overnight - and feelings blossomed between them not because of the 'thrill' of an illicit affair, but rather because of the fact that they liked each other as people, first and foremost. This was the deciding factor that really made me love the book and root for Emily and Sergei.

Because this is a book about figure skating, expect to see some skating terms thrown in here and there, but they're easy enough to understand. Comeaux wrote the story in such a way that even if you don't follow skating as a sport, you would feel the passion the skaters in the book exhibit during trainings and competitions. In fact, the passion and zest Emily displayed when she skated had my heart pounding - I got overly anxious whenever Emily and Chris signal the beginning of their routine, and my heart rate would only slow down once I realize that Emily and Chris in fact nail the routine. Comeaux's writing was also detailed - not only could I feel what Emily was feeling during her performance, I could also practically see Emily and Chris' routines in my head! Moreover, all the characters - not just Emily and Sergei - had their own stories to tell, and these stories in turn play an important part in Emily and Sergei's journey not only as two people in love but also as an athlete and a coach.

All in all, I loved this book. I've read this book twice now, and I bet I would read it again soon. I cannot wait for the sequel and to read more about Emily and Sergei! Oh, and I DEFINITELY have to get this in paperback one of these days!

Rating: 5 Stars

PS. Thank you so much to Astraea Press for agreeing to send me another copy of this ebook after my laptop conked out and took my paid copy with it!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This is my first WoW post, and I can't wait read all of yours!

Today's WoW spotlights Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian's Burn for Burn:

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...
THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB. This is my first time to participate, and I'm looking forward to reading all your teasers!

Rules:

• Grab the book you are currently reading and share teaser sentences.
• Don't include spoilers!

Today's teaser is from Life on the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux:

" I didn't know if I was looking at him as if he was my own world, 
but he certainly was making me feel like I was his entire universe."
                                                                                         
p 24

Angel's Fury by Bryony Pearce

"I've started to have dreams while I'm awake. I remember music I've never heard. . . . I've got all this extra stuff in my head, but I'm forgetting things from my own life. I feel like I'm being taken over."

Cassie Farrier has always suffered from terrifying nightmares. On a trip to Germany she recognises scenes from her dreams and finds evidence of a sixty year-old massacre. Fearing for her sanity, her family sends Cassie to a retreat where she meets others with symptoms like her own and finds out that she has lived a number of past lives. 

However, the Doctor at the retreat is not what she seems. Cassie and the boy she comes to love must escape the Doctor’s influence but can they also escape the misery of their shared past? 

THOUGHTS:

Cassie Farrier is a girl who has nightmares when she sleeps. Every night, she dreams about the violent death of a little Jewish girl named Zillah at the hands of a Nazi. She can't control the dreams - she can't stop them no matter what she does, and she's done everything. Fervently hoping for the dreams to cease, Cassie travels to Germany - the site of Zillah's death - but things only get worse. Out of sheer desperation, Cassie's parents enlist the help of a doctor who informs Cassie that her dreams are actually memories of past lives, and that she can help Cassie get rid of them once and for all. However, Cassie soon realizes that the doctor is not who she seems...

Remember how I talked about books that you can't stop thinking about after you finish them? (I know, I know, you probably don't, but humor me for a bit here!) Well, this book is one of them. I finished reading Angel's Fury a few hours ago, and I just can't stop thinking about it. It's hauntingly good - scenes that Bryony Pearce described with such detail are still flashing through my head, and I bet they will be doing just that for at least a couple more days. I can't help but marvel at the never-before-seen premise this book offers to us readers... I've never read anything like it, and I don't think I will.

Honestly, upon picking up the book, I didn't know what to expect - the blurb didn't really shed a light on what the book will be about (other than the fact that an angel will come into play) but I was gripped from the very first chapter. I was turning the pages as quick as I can, devouring each word, taking in each scene, that I soon forgot the promised angel. Let me tell you right here - the angel part of the story doesn't come into the story until the latter part of the book, but don't be disheartened - the plot of this book will keep you in the edge of your seat. As a matter of fact, I will be very surprised if you don't finish this book in one sitting.

What impressed me the most about Angel's Fury (other than the plot, which I cannot even fathom how to rave about) is Pearce's writing. The raw emotion she put into her scenes - whether be it through Cassie's eyes or through one of Cassie's past lives' - is just... overwhelming. Her words reverberate with this quiet intensity that will surely make you think about them later, and I certainly did just that.

I know my review's a little cryptic, but I really don't want to spoil anything for you guys! Trust me - just grab a copy of Angel's Fury, sit somewhere comfortable, and read. You won't regret it, and I guarantee that you'll enjoy reading this book!

Rating: 5 Stars 

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare

 

  
   Title: City of Lost Souls

   Author: Cassandra Clare

   Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
   Release Date: May 8, 2012

   Goodreads | Amazon

The New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments continues—and so do the thrills and danger for Jace, Clary, and Simon.

What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

Wow. Just WOW. I wasn't expecting City of Lost Souls to be THIS GOOD, especially with how lackluster City of Fallen Angels was, but Cassandra Clare pulled a good one on me. Clare kept me on my toes with her writing, and every page had me discovering more on the characters I previously thought I already knew so well. I still don't give a damn about Maia and Jordan, but hey, I don't think it's possible to like all the characters a series has to offer, so I'm fine with that. The book opens with the readers finding out that Jace and Sebastian are still missing, and the Clave deciding that the search for the boys won't be that much of a priority anymore. Clary is understandably distraught, but in a move that surprised me, she decides to take matters into her own hands after chancing upon the two boys. When I say OWN HANDS, I really mean that Clary had no one else to rely on but herself. It doesn't take too long for Jace to convince Clary to be with him and Sebastian, for they are now bound to each other. Simply put, what one feels, the other feels as well. Clary agrees, but under false pretenses. Jace thinks that Clary has accepted his ties with Sebastian, but Clary is actually looking for a way to break the two's bond. Ahhh, the plot thickens!

This storyline reminds me of how Vampire Academy's Rose sets out to find Dimitri after he was turned into a Strigoi in Blood Promise, and like Rose, Clary's grit and determination impressed me to no end. Truth be told, I've never been a fan of Clary - I've always been neutral towards her. Sure, she's likeable enough, but that was it. I've always found her character lacking, but after reading City of Lost Souls, I can now say that I actually like Clary. She was brave, strong, powerful, focused - everything that a worthy heroine should be. She never gave up, even when the odds were bleak, and she stood tall until the very end.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading City of Lost Souls. The book was  beautifully written, and all threads that Clare left hanging in the previous books were explored, presumably paving the way to the series' conclusion. Honestly, I've always preferred The Infernal Devices as compared to The Mortal Instruments, but I'm considering jumping ship after finishing City of Lost Souls. It's THAT good - I cannot stress this enough! Go start reading both of Clare's series if you haven't yet - you can still make it before both series conclude in the next two years!

Rating: 5 Stars

Stacking the Shelves

 

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It's a great way to show other people the books that you've bought or received for the past week!

 

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand  

I've been wanting to read Unearthly for ages - I've read nothing but good reviews for this book, so just imagine how excited I am that I finally got a copy! I'll probably review this next, so look out for that.

The Selection by Kiera Cass
I just finished reviewing The Selection, so feel free to check out the post right below this one!

Angel's Fury by Bryony Pearce
I have no idea what to expect with this book. The book blurb intrigued me, so I just went ahead and bought it - it's a bit cheaper compared to the previous books, so...

Ha, as you guys can see, I'm still trying to get the hang of this blogging thing. I know I sound a little awkward, but do hang in there!

The Selection by Kiera Cass

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 the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on 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.

THOUGHTS:

If you're looking for a book that will haunt your mind days after you read it, put The Selection down - this book isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a light, simple read, prepare to finish this book in one sitting.

Upon reading the book blurb of The Selection, the first thing that came to my mind was the reality show The Bachelor. The premise is pretty similar, except for the fact that this book is set in a world where the USA is no more and a modernized caste system is back in action instead of a big mansion in the middle of some city. (Yes, Prince Maxon's search for the love of his life is also televised!) The heroine, America Singer, is a relatively poor girl who doesn't even want to compete for Prince Maxon's heart to begin with, because her heart belongs to a servant named Aspen. Things don't really go America's way for lo and behold, America is Selected!

America came into the competition thinking that Prince Maxon is a self-obsessed jerk, but she gradually realizes that he's the exact opposite. The relationship - the build-up to a relationship, rather - between America and Maxon is what I liked most about this book. I've seemingly read dozens upon dozens of YA books where the hero and heroine realize that they can't live without each other after only a few chapters, but in The Selection, America and Maxon's relationship is fleshed out. I particularly enjoyed their private conversations and their banter, and the readers can truly see how the two's friendship progressed to something more.

The readers are left hanging upon the book's ending, so don't expect to read a concluded story. Sigh. I hope that Cass reveals more about the world she built, and continues all those storylines that she's been hinting at during the course of The Selection, in the sequel which is due out sometime next year.

Overall, I enjoyed reading The Selection. It's a fun, light read, and I recommend it to those who want to shut everything out even just for a little while. This book is the perfect escape from the real world and all the problems it has to offer, so why not read it?

Rating: 4 stars