Kiera Cass : THE ELITE

Warning: This story is addictive! And if you are expecting an easy ride and love-story, you are in for a big surprise!

THE ELITE is the second instalment in THE SELECTION series written by the very talented Kiera Cass. You all know, how much I have enjoyed the first book, so logically I couldn't wait to put my hands on the the second book.

The only question was: 'Will the second book measure up to the first one?' As I have mentioned couple of times,  I have a major problem with the second books in series.. New Moon and Torment being the prime examples, so I was going into this little adventure with a small hope for a good instalment. But Kiera Cass didn't disappoint. She actually wrote even better continuum of the original story.

THE ELITE picks up where we left. America made it to the final six girls to compete for Maxon's heart and affections. Aspen is back on the scene and is doing everything possible to win America back. But he has stumbled on a slight problem. While he was away, America fell for our loveable Prince Maxon and is determined to find out if they can make it as a couple. So Maxon and America are getting closer, but the war is getting closer. The rebels continue their attacks on the palace and America keeps on struggling to become in terms of possibly becoming a Princess. She isn't sure she can be what everyone wants her to be. They a tragedy strikes, which drives a wedge between the lovely prince and her and it seems that our favourite OTP might not make it. Will be America the next to leave The Selection? Will she finally made her mind up and listen to her heart to find out who is her true love?





Let's talk about the edition first. Paperback. 323 pages long. A beautiful photograph of America in gorgeous dress on the front. I love the fact that the publishing house went with the original idea and made sure that all the instalments in the series have the same design. Kiera Cass didn't disappoint and there is a funny dedication again: "Call out the servants! The Queen is awake! (FOR MUM)" . Brilliant this woman is hilarious and I adore her for that. Not to mention the first paragraph from her acknowledgement : "Well, Hello there, Sassy Reader. Thank you for reading my book! I hope it made you have unbearable feelings that you find yourself tweeting about at 3:00AM. That's what it does to me, so..." Exceptional.

Let's dive to the story. Gosh, this story made me angry, happy, sad, angry, happy, sad, angry, happy sad, happy... in that order. Wonderful. Straight front the first page, I have been hooked even more than on the first book. I couldn't put it down. It had me on the edge with its constant twists and turns. There were times I was screaming at America, cursing Aspen and pushing Maxon not to lose hope. This book just got quickly under my skin and wouldn't let go. Even when I tried. I found myself saying : Just one more chapter! That was at 4AM in the morning and I had to force myself to put it down. We have finally got to explore more of Maxon's character. We got to know the Queen and the King a little bit more.

At times, I was cursing the author herself. What are you doing to me Ms Cass? You are messing with my OTP! You are making me angry so much. But at the end, that's what a story is about. Like Olicity (Felicity and Oliver's relationship on the show ARROW), it's a slow burn. But oh my... America needs to get her heart in order. It's time to fight for what she wants.

The writing was thrilling. Exciting. Modern. Easy to follow. It's a page-turner packed with twists which will make your head hurts. What a joyful ride.

I cannot wait to start reading the next book. THE ONE is the next book on my list and I am absolutely giddy to find out more from America's story. Will we find the end of the love triangle at the end. Who will win America's heart and which girl will become the next princess of Illea?

All in all a brilliant continuum to the story. Job well done Ms Cass!! 

JANUARY READING CHALLENGE

2015 is here. It's a brand new book with 12 chapters and 365 pages !! And January is the first chapter in this book. So let's make it awesome! 

Every month I will choose up to 6 books I want to read that month. Plus some other goals too. This months is a month of cleansing and fresh starts. 

Here are my 2 main goals for this month:

Health wise, I am going VEGAN for 30 days. It's a big challenge for me as I love cheese and eggs but this year I have decided to get the body of my dreams so going vegan is one of my new things. Also Yoga classes and running are a massive plus. At least 5 times a week :)

Now blog wise, I am going to read, read, read and read. 6 beautiful stories ahead. I am also theming up for read along challenge with Sara from http://carpelibrumgirl.blogspot.co.uk !! Announcement is coming soon,  so keep an eye on both of our  Instagram accounts for details ( @zuzvystrcilova & @carpelibrumgirl ). 

So let me share with you my TBR list for the cold month of January 2015: 

JANUARY READING CHALLENGE

THE KISS OF DECEPTION by Mary E. Pearson

A princess must find her place in a reborn world. 

She flees on her wedding day. She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection. She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father. She is Princess Lia, seventeen. First Daughter of the House of Morringham. The Kingdom of Morringham is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance. Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive - and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets - secrets that may unravel her world - even as she feels herself falling in love. 

THE REASON I JUMP by Naoki Higashida ( Introduced by David Mitchell)

One boy's voice from the silence of autism. 

THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by Jennifer E. Smith

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of Hadley's life...

Her father is getting married in London to a woman she's never even met, and she's just missed her flight. 

Hadley has never believed in destiny or fate before...

But, stuck at the airport in New York, today is also the day she meets Oliver. He's British. He's cute. And he's on her new flight. 

Set over twenty-four hours, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it. 

ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER by Stephanie Perkins

Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on brooding artist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And, after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer break, romance might be closer that Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to face uncertainty about their futures, and the very real possibility of being apart. 

Set against the stunning backdrops of New York, Paris and Barcelona, this is a gorgeous, heart-wrenching and irresistible story of true love, and the perfect conclusion to Stephanie Perkins's beloved series. 

SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE  by Morgan Matson

Emily's best friend Sloane disappears, almost without a trace - the only thing left behind is a to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that wallflower Emily wouldn't normally do, and definitely not without her best friend. But what if completing the list could bring Sloane back?

Dance until dawn? Sure. Why not?

Kiss a stranger? Um...

Go skinny dipping? Wait...What?

Emily only has the summer to check everything off Sloane's list. The question is, what will she find at the end of it?

WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman

It's been three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life. 

And three years he's spent wondering why. When their paths cross again in New York City, Adam and Mia are brought back together for one life-changing night. 

Adam finally has the opportunity to ask Mia the questions that have been hating him. But will a few hours in this magical city be enough to lay their past to rest, for good - or can you really have a second chance at first love? 

What is on your TBR list this month? Do you have any recommendations for me? I'd love to her your thoughts...

WELCOME TO 2015! The Year to make it big and wonderful!

I hope you have said a proper goodbye to 2014 and have welcomed 2015 with a bang. I am very excited about this year. So many plans. So many wonderful things ahead. And so many books and stories to be discovered. 

Firstly, I have decided to take a part in Sara aka Carpe Librum Girl 's TBR Pile Challenge 2015 and I challenged myself to read over 60 books this year. It seems that discovering fan-fiction last year caused me to lose focus on reading the books I have at home. It's time to take charge and read all the lovely stories which are waiting for me on my book shelves. 

Secondly, I have set myself a ban. I am not allowed to buy any books until March 31, 2015. According to my yesterday's count of un-read books I own, I came to a number 154...Wow..It's time to give my card a break and start reading what I already have. 

Thirdly, the time has come to make this blog even more beautiful and bigger. As you could see in recent moths, I have been playing with various settings, different picture taking, discovering new projects. I will try to do this and more in 2015. In Spring I am launching A blind date with a book where my unwanted books look for a new home. Will you adopt a book? It will include a little bit of a twist. But all will be revealed in later post. There will be some other posts coming out too featuring the love for books and everything related to it. 

So let's all enjoy the wonderful new time ahead of us. I hope you all have a wonderful and joyful year. Thank you very much for reading my blog last year, and I truly wish you will enjoy reading it this year too. 

HAVE A BRILLIANT 2015 darlings!! 

Zuz xoxo