Written by Giovanna Napoleone
“You can be brave and still be feminine. You can lead and still love flowers."
I JUST FINISHED THIS SERIES and I can't believe it is over! #TheSelection
Okay, so first off, if you're here for a book recommendation, get out and read the first book of this series called The Selection because it really is adorable and I am so glad I picked it up on Valentine's Day last year. #bookreview #gnbooks #romance
In all honesty, The Selection Series isn't the type of book to cause you to think really hard about who's betraying who, or what the characters are hiding the whole way along the plot line. However, although the writing itself isn't that difficult, the series overall is so bright and feel-good that you can't help but smile while reading it and wish you were a part of the love story.
Example: If you loved Prince Maxon Schreave and America Singer's relationship from the first books, the relationship between Princess Eadlyn Schreave (America's daughter) and Erik (AWW the love interest, of course), is even more heart-warming when it comes around the second time. #lovestory #PrincessEadlyn #Erik
In the first book of this spin off called The Heir, the main protagonist's, Eadlyn's, confidence immediately draws you in.
“I’m smart and beautiful and strong. I don’t need to be rescued.”
Preach, girl.
Yet, while being insanely confident and intelligent are admirable traits, Eadlyn is constantly growing throughout the series with her responsibilities, which you can see at the end of her journey when she has a change of heart regarding opening up to the person that she loves.
One of my absolute favorite moments of this spin off series is when Ahren, Eadlyn's brother, writes his sister a letter which becomes the catalyst of her attitude shift in the novels. AKA, I'll put my favorite quote from this series down below:
“You can be brave and still be feminine. You can lead and still love flowers."
That lesson, right there, is something that I believe is so universal in our world and should be shouted from the rooftops more often - which is exactly why Kiera Cass pointed it out. It is so important for girls in the age range of 15-20 to realize that no matter where they stand, they can be both assertive and reserved, both confident and kind.
Because all girls have multiple moods, personalities, and phases that make them who they are, and people should not confine them to a box.
If you want to be fierce and competitive or outgoing, be that. And if in the next moment you want to be composed and quiet or elegant, be that.
The message is that the world is yours, and it is your choice on how you want to act in any situation.
“The world woke up when I looked at him.”
On another note, if the girl power themes aren't enough for you to read this book, the adorable little love story might be, if you're like me and are suckers for chivalry and forbidden encounters.
The person that Eadlyn ends up falling for completely surprises and delights the reader by the end of the novel, which makes The Crown so easy to fall into reading.
Within The Crown finale, Kiera Cass succeeds once again in making her readers question the source of love in their lives, as it may come from unexpected places.
I mean, Erik, out of all candidates?!?!
At first, Hale and Kile proved both compassionate and intriguing, while Henri was rather fun and exciting to interact with as a reader. Personally, I thought Eadlyn was going to end up with her childhood friend.
But the outsider, the outstander, Erik's personality combined with Eadlyn's stubbornness makes a perfect match surprisingly unlike her parents'.
But throughout this experience, we must remember that nothing and no one is perfect, and yet, we can always find what true love personally means for us.
With that said, Kiera Cass poses an awesome piece of advice within the very last words of her final Selection Series book, The Crown (Remember, don't read the quote if you don't want spoilers!).
“Finding a prince might mean kissing a lot of frogs. Or kicking a lot of frogs out of your house. Falling might mean running headfirst into something you always wanted. Or dipping your toe into something you've been scared of your whole life. Happily ever after could be waiting in a field a mile wide. Or a window as narrow as seven minutes.”
Well said, Kiera Cass.
I hope all you readers find true love, or another love story to swoon about! #truelove
P.S. Kiera Cass' best scenes happen through the letters her characters write to each other in the books, so keep an eye out!