The Crown by Kiera Cass Review

So I'm jumping a little out of order here on my TBR list, but it's only because I have been awaiting this release since I found out there was going to be two more books in the beloved Selection Series. So when this book hit shelves, I had it downloaded on my Kindle in seconds. Then I tore through this beauty so fast and was left with so many emotions...Ugh.

Anyways, for those of you who don't know anything about the Selection Series. I highly suggest you hop on that train and binge read the entire series since all five books are finally out. The first three books in the series follow the story of America Singer, a girl in the country of Illea, who is competing with thirty-five other girls for the heart of the prince. However, America isn't trying to win his love, but keep the stipend the crown is sending her family. Now, it's hard to go much further into detail without giving away anything about the series so if you haven't read the Selection Series I would STOP READING NOW. And for those of you who haven't yet read The Crown and don't want any spoilers, then you should also STOP READING NOW.

The Crown follows the end of America and Maxon's daughter's journey to find love and eventually run the country. Eadlyn never though she would find love in The Selection, but she has, and now it is a matter of holding on to it or doing what is best for her country.

Alright, so first off, I think this is a very classic and simple way to end such a beautiful story. Very fitting. I know this might not be a popular idea, some people might be wanting more, especially with the mixed feelings towards the series to begin with, but I thought this story was great. It wasn't supposed to be anything incredibly mind blowing, it wasn't supposed to tug on your though process and make you think about the world differently. It was written to entertain readers and it definitely succeeded.

Now onto my reactions. First of all: MY SHIP SANK. Oh man, since The Heir I had formed a beautiful ship between Eadlyn and Kile and I wanted that ship to sail so badly. I loved them. Their story was perfect. Children who grew up hating each other, then turned into friends, and then grew feelings for each other...UGH perfect. I hate that my ship sank so badly, but at the same time I see why it had to. Kill would have to sacrifice everything to be with Eadlyn - as romantic as that is. Eadlyn loved Kile too much to take away his dreams. Am I a terrible person for wanting her to take away his dreams? Probably.

On the other side of the romance, the guy Eady actually fell in love with, Eikko or Erik. I think this romance had some build up going towards it, but I wanted so much more build up. I think I could have really gotten on board with this ship if only there had been just a bit more. More drama. More tension. More. Honestly I think they work and I'm so happy they get their perfect ending, but I felt like there could have been more build up towards it.

I'm also very confused. Why would a king and queen just happily hand their reign over to their teenaged daughter so they can live their happy life as just people? I get the appeal, and I can see that they're going to have a tough time being the king and queen, but there is no way in hell they would just let their teenage daughter run their country. Doesn't make any sense. Sorry Kiera Cass.

However, I loved this story. I was so happy with it, kind of put off by some of the things that happened and it took me a while to get over the shipwreck. And that's what I uncovered when I read this lovely book cover to cover.

The Best Fairytale Retellings of YA

I don't know what it is about this time of year that gets me in the mood for fairytales. Maybe it's because the new year brings hope often felt in fairytales or maybe it's just because I like finding excuses to talk about fairytales. Regardless, fairytales have become an inspiration for many writers and have influenced many aspects of their stories. Popular in young adult fiction is fairytale retellings. Here are some that I've read and loved and recommend for those of you out there that have a soft spot for them.

1. The Lunar Chronicles by: Marissa Meyer

The Lunar Chronicles is a series about classic retelling fairytales set way into the future. It's filled with sci-fi and fantasy and is promised to fill all of your fairytale needs.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by: Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses  is a beauty and the beast retelling. Although Maas has added a fae element, which was something I was unsure of when I picked up this book, I haven't let it influence my opinion of the book in one way. Instead, I was reading the book and I fell in love with it.

3. Throne of Glass Series by: Sarah J. Maas

While this series may not seem like a retelling from first read, there is definitely a fairytale influence to it. It's not really seen at first, so I won't give anything away, but once you continue on with the series, you'll see those aspects.

4. The Selection Series by: Kiera Cass

This series is a bit of a Cinderella retelling. A poor girl gets invited into the palace and ends up winning the prince's heart. However, this is not without Cass's own twists and turns. Our protagonist is only there to keep food on her family's table and she's not a step-child. It's the perfect story that will have you swooning.

5. Entwined by: Heather Dixon

This is a retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses. It's enrapturing and fulfilling for the fairytale lover in all of us.

6. The Hollow Series by: Jessica Verday

 This is the retelling of the legend of Sleepy Hollow. This is one of my favorite books series of all time. There are so many aspects about this book that kept me reading had me up at night thinking about it once I had finished the series.

7. Red by: Alyxandra Harvey

This book, inspired by the tale of Red Riding Hood, follows one girl as she's forced to live with her grandmother at some giant manor surrounded by secrets and monsters.

8. Beastly by: Alex Finn

This book, turned into a movie, is another beauty and the beast retelling. The boy, cursed by a witch to be as ugly on the outside as he is on the inside, is forced to find love to break the curse in the modern world or live the rest of his life like that.

9. Splintered by: A.G. Howard

This series sheds a new light on the stories of Alice in Wonderland. The dark twisty elements make the light tale we all knew growing up more enticing to our older selves. This is, in my opinion, one of the best Alice in Wonderland retellings. If you haven't read this series yet, you must.

10. The White Rabbit Chronicles by:  Gena Showalter

Another fabulous Alice in Wonderland retelling. This one, however, is much darker. Ali has fallen down the rabbit hole and found herself in zombieland.

12. Drown by: Esther Dalseno

This is a very well written retelling of the Little Mermaid, but with so much more. This is a complete reinvention of the original story from Hans Christian Anderson bound to impress readers.










And I'm sure there are many more, but let's be honest, these are just a few that have taken over the YA world. Maybe you've heard of some of these. Maybe you've read them all already. Regardless, these twelve need to be on your book shelf.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer Review

A series that is taking the YA world by storm is none other than The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. I'm ashamed to admit, but I am a little late to the Lunar Train, but with the final installment, Winter, coming out soon, I figured now was as good a time as any to hop on board.

**WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD**

The first installment in this series is Cinder. It's a dystopian twist on the classic fairytale Cinderella, as I'm sure you probably guessed from the title. Now, I'm not a big fan of robots when taking that approach to dystopian novels. I just don't like robots, they seem cheesy to me. And that's one of the reasons it took me so long to pick up this book. But I did, I put my bias opinions aside about robots, and ended up falling in love with this story.

Now, this one took a bit to get going for me, but it did it in a way that was very relatable to the classic tale. A lot happens in the story, but it doesn't really pick up the pace until the last quarter of the movie. Same with this story. I liked it in the beginning, but I didn't love it until the last part of the novel.

One of the greatest aspects of this story is the parallels between the original and the dystopian. The futuristic inspired characters based off the original ones, is incredibly adorable. The evil step-mom, the fairy godmother, the carriage, IKO! Meyer creates adorable and lovable characters in a very dark setting. Her style really pulls you in and the story keeps you hooked.

The rest of this series is going to be thrilling and I can't wait for it. Cinder is a marvelous retelling and an enthralling set up for an exciting adventure and that's what I discovered Cover To Cover.

1. When Rowan Sees the Scars on Celaena's Back

Eek! It's here! Queen of Shadows is here! (For your information, this post was written in advance because I cannot be bothered right now because I am reading this book!) With this highly anticipated fourth installment in the Throne of Glass series, comes the final fave moment from the series in our countdown.

I would like to first thank all of you for sticking it out and checking back every day to see what we over here at Cover to Cover Reviews have to say about this series. Remember, you are more than welcome to post comments! We really like hearing what you have to say! Of course, I'm sure many of you are probably not reading this as well today because, like me, you're off reading the book, but I hope you checked back after you finished!

Now. Without further adieu. The number one favorite moment from the Throne of Glass series is...the time in Heir of Fire where Rowan notices that Celaena - who is a princess - has been a slave before (internal screaming).

Now, I was a die-hard Chaol + Celaena shipper. Their being together was the only thing I wanted for two and a half books. But then I met Rowan. And ohmygod there is nothing I want more than for them to be together. Regardless of if it happens or not, I really like the relationship forming between them. They are equals on so many levels. They're both warriors and princes/princesses. They each have such a hard head and are completely stubborn, but are willing to die for the people they love and care about.

While there are plenty of more moments in Heir of Fire where Rowan and Celaena cause me to go into fangirl mode, this moment was the one that kicked it all off. Rowan has been constantly teasing and harassing Celaena for being a princess and spoiled. And I really hated him for it for the longest period of time because I knew what she'd been through since I was basically there for it. But then he sees her back. All those scars. And everything between them is forever changed.

It was such an intimate moment that I felt almost strange for witnessing, but that was the beauty in it. This is my favorite moment because it was raw and defining. It's starting so much that I wish Sarah J. Maas would just send me all of her plans for the series so I just know. It sparks want in readers and hope in the story.

Queen of Shadows goes on sale today! So make sure you have your copy, if you don't already!.

2. When Celaena Decided to Stay and Fight in Heir of Fire

We're down to the top two! And the number two spot goes to the point in Heir of Fire where Celaena fights as the compound is getting raided, but she does it by using her magic and nearly killing herself.

I really love this particular scene because it really shows her newfound character in this story. She hates her magic. She hates the fae side of herself, but here she is, embracing it, for the safety of the people inside the walls of the compound.

This entire book is extremely important to the story for many reasons. The entire story is taking a completely different turn by bringing in magic and Rowan (hello, dreamboat) and we get to see all of these things affecting our beloved protagonist as she transforms from Adarlan's Assassin to the hero, and rising queen, she was born to be.

I am so incredibly excited for the release tomorrow! Number 1 on the countdown will be shared with you then, and remember to get your copy of Queen of Shadows as soon as it goes on sale! I have a feeling this installment is not one to be missed!

3. When Celaena and Chaol Finally Ended Up Together

Eek! We're so close to the release day, I can almost feel the book in my hands! Queen of Shadows is about to grace our hands! Just a few more days, people! Technically two, if you don't want to count today. And as we're approaching that lovely release day, we have finally hit my top three favorite moments from the series.

Today on the countdown is dedicated to that moment in Crown of Midnight, I believe, where Celaena and Chaol finally end up together, which up until this point has all been under the radar and neither of them ever admitted it. So, yes, I practically screamed when I read that scene, if you know what I'm talking about.

This made this list, and I wish I had some profound reasoning, but really I was shipping them from the first chapter of the first book and was so excited. Of course, I kind of change my tune later on, but you'll get that news on September first.

Anyways, this was the moment all those on Team Chaol literally lost it and screamed. Yes, I am still screaming. Of course life had to go and complicate their relationship and now I'm not sure which boat I'm shipping, but I do know that this moment really made me happy.

Check back tomorrow for number two on the countdown and be sure to by your copy of Queen of Shadows on September 1st if you haven't preordered it already.

4. That Moment We Realize Celaena isn't Really Working for the King

Number four on the countdown to the Queen of Shadows release is the moment in Crown of Midnight  when we see that Celaena isn't really killing all the people the king is sending her out to murder. She's helping them escape and fake their death.

Celaena is Adarlan's Assassin. She's renown for her skill, her killings, and her dramatics. She's incredibly talented and she has killed before. One would figure that several more deaths on her hands wouldn't be too much of a problem for her. All she has to do is kill these people and move on with her life after four years. But she's not! Instead, she's saving them. She's giving them a chance at life and to get away.

This speaks volumes to Celaena's character, which is why this moment made the countdown. I remember squealing in delight and pride for this character that I have grown so attached to. There starts to be this detachment from Adarlan's Assassin and Celaena Sardothien. The girl that existed before Endovier seems to be gone or going. She's growing as a person. And it's still mind-boggling that she's so young, yet that means that growth is expected for her character. The person she is now, is probably not who she's going to be in the far future.

Check back tomorrow for number three on the countdown! And remember to get your copy of Queen of Shadows September 1st!

5. When Celaena becomes the King's Champion

Sorry this post is a little late, guys! But number five on the countdown goes to the end of Throne of Glass when Celaena wins the competition and becomes the King's Champion!

This moment was so important. Notice, she wasn't ecstatic about winning. It's no fun to win when everyone else dies. The competition put a real strain on her, plus she absolutely hates the king for what he has done to her family. He's her sworn enemy, yet she has just won a competition that puts her at his feet. But she does it not for the honor of winning, but because after four years she will be free from him. And that's all she's ever wanted.

I like this scene because it is crucial to the series plot development. And of course, as a reader, I get this weird feeling in my chest at the end when I realize what she's going to have to be doing and all the many levels that are associated with the simplicity of winning a tournament.

Check back until the Queen of Shadows release to see the official Cover to Cover Reviews' favorite moments from the series!

Queen of Shadows is available September first!

6. Celaena's Flashback to When She Totally Lost It

Number six on the countdown to Sarah J. Maas' Queen of Shadows release day is the time where we get a flashback to the infamous day in Endovier where Celaena hit her breaking point.

Celaena is probably the most interesting character I've ever read about. She's an assassin, who's actually a good person, but is completely strong and her own person. Let's not remember the times when YA heroines were completely dependent. And it's hard to when Maas has created characters like Celaena.

But so far in the story we've only seen the Celaena that has tried to put her past behind her. She doesn't think or talk much about her times in Endovier unless she's bragging about how she made it to the wall in an escape attempt when most don't. There's this mythical day that Celaena really pushes down and I was incredibly curious about what happened that day. But when we finally get insight into that day, it was more than I expected.

In this flashback, probably one of the most important flashbacks in the entire series, Celaena had broke. She killed plenty and tried to escape, but if you were to analyze this section of the book, you'd ask if she was really trying to escape, or if she wanted to get caught. Celaena was ruthless and readers got to see the darkest side of her that she has been trying to hide since Throne of Glass opened up.

Celeana is incredible at putting on a face and trying to be this tough person. And for the longest time, readers believed she could do no wrong. Even her mistakes were admirable. But then we get this flashback and suddenly everything is different. Sadder. It's not that we start to see Celaena any differently, but there is a definite newfound respect for her that grows after this scene.

Not only is it crucial to the storyline, but it's crucial to Celaena's character development and for that it has become one of my favorite moments in the series, even though it's not as bright and cheery as some of the other scenes.

Remember to check back tomorrow for number 5 on the countdown and get your copy of Queen of Shadows available September 1st!

7. When Celaena First Meets Chaol and Dorian

And the countdown to Queen of Shadows begins!

Today, I am sharing with you one of my favorite moments from the series as part of Cover to Cover Reviews's countdown to the Queen of Shadows's release!

**Warning! Potential Spoilers**

Now this moment comes from the first book and happens literally right away. Mainly, I like this because it sets us up for a very interesting love-triangle, yet we don't really know it, yet (we have our suspicions, however). We get to know Celaena and Chaol and Dorian more than just their names. We start to see dynamics between them forming, plus Celeana is completely badass in this scene as she always is. For me, meeting this people in this moment, just opened the doors to this beautiful story, so how could I not put it on the list!

Check back tomorrow for #6 on the countdown and feel free to share in the comments some of your favorite moments from the Throne of Glass series.

Queen of Shadows is on sale September 1st 2015!

The Last of the Firedrakes by: Farah Oomerbhoy Review

**WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD**

Ah, how do I put this lightly. This book was cheesy, to say the least. Think Harry Potter meets Twilight with dashes of medieval times. Needless to say, I felt like the author was trying too hard with this one. Ask anyone, Harry Potter and Twilight don't mix.

First, I would like to comment on the cover of the book. I really liked it. It was part of what inspired me to read this book. That and the summary. It captures the story perfectly and was just the right kind of cover to capture the eye of readers as well.

So let's start with aspects I didn't like. There was too much telling and not enough showing. The author would just say that something was and everyone (characters) would automatically believe it. But then later, she would show something that completely negated what she had said earlier on.

I felt like a lot of times the story line got way too cheesy for my taste. Like "Oh! Rafe!" was a bit too much for me. And while I'm all for a knight in shining armor, Rafe's character definitely felt too good to be true. And - for the record - I called him on being the crown prince like a long time ago.

Another problem I had was the naming. Now, I'm a huge supporter of weird names. I like the unusual and always have. However, there were some names in this story that I couldn't shake. Two, in particular, kind of sat wrong with me because all I could think about was Disney. 1) Aurora. Now this one didn't bother me too much because they called her "Rory" for the majority of the story, but all I could think about was Sleeping Beauty. The other Disney flashback was 2) Morgana. First, she was playing the villain and with a distinctive name like Morgana, all I could think about was Ursula's evil sister from The Little Mermaid II. Like, I literally was waiting for some underwater ice cave to pop up out of nowhere. Other than that, some of the names were just really hard to pronounce and I kept getting tripped up on them, but that's nothing new for me. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm pronouncing "Cassia" right (and yes Ally Condie and I'm looking at you).

Now, every person in this book just seemed to go along with the crazy. Aurora would explain something to them and they would be like "Oh, yeah, you totally have my trust." I kept waiting for one of them to turn on her (besides the obvious like Damien and Leticia). But no, everyone was so cool with everything, even once they found at she had like fae-mage powers.

And that brings me to the parallel between Harry Potter and Twilight. Obviously the mage aspect of the story with a special mage school just screamed Harry Potter to me, but in a definite cheesy voice, because it didn't fit right in this world. The fae part reminds me of Twilight because I've learned that fae seem to be the new vampires. Like Stephanie Meyer who altered the vicious version of vampires into these sparkly fairies (yes, pun intended), the author chose to ignore the more vicious side of the fae that I've kind of gotten used to, and made them happy powerful people. It took me a long time to warm up to fae in my beloved novels. But as long as they like killing people, I'm totally good with it.

(I would like to make a note that I do not hate Stephanie Meyer or her vampires or Twilight! That is the book that got me reading again and I owe my gratitude to that woman!)

As if the magical folk in this book couldn't get even more outlandish, the author has this pegasus. I like flying horses as much as the next eight year old, but in a YA novel, I expected more from the horse. Like, why couldn't it spit fire? While Snow, the pegasus, was probably one of the more badass characters in this story, when she talked, all I could hear was this majestic lady voice that was even more prestigious sounding than the dragon in Eragon and that dragon was a badass.

Literally, this book reminded me of drunk college girls on a very basic level. It was like, if one person said, "Hey! I'm a fae-mage!" Everyone else would shout, "I totally support you!" in a high pitched squeal that would have everyone sober within a five-mile radius covering their ears.

However, the story at its bones was good. I liked the concept of a strange new world with a girl who discovers she's heir to a throne and has all these powers she has to control, plus that forbidden romance blooming. It's the bones of most YA books, which is why I appreciate it. There definitely could have been more done to it to enhance the book. The meaty part was lacking. The execution of the storyline could have been better. Maybe all it needed was the right eye to look at it and help the author, because I feel like this story definitely had potential.

The Last of the Firedrakes is the first installment in this series, and I will probably read the rest just because I want to know how this story ends and it was a quick read. I also look forward to seeing how this author's writing grows the more she writes and the more books she puts out. 

Writing is a process, I know, and I hate judging books when I realize how much effort an author has put in to this story. I appreciate that. I didn't fill those pages, the author did. But I promise honest reviews and I would be betraying that promise if I sugar-coated everything I wrote.

And that is all I have to say on The Last of the Firedrakes. I hope you like what I discovered, as I read this book from cover to cover!