Check the Shelf Review: The Heir

Shannan’s Summary

The cast system has been ended.  Eadlyn, Maxon and America’s oldest and heir to the throne, is always concerned about her job as princess, and not much else.   But Eadlyn’s whole family would like to see her loosen up a bit, and a selection seems to work in their favor, both for Eadlyn and the kingdom’s sake.  Eadlyn has built some loop holes into the process and is determine to come out on the other side unchanged, which may be more difficult than she originally thought.

First Off…

I loved the first three books, so of course I had to read the next one.  I was a little sceptic because the first three tied up so nicely, I wasn’t sure any subsequent books would be as good.

Thoughts:

I definitely liked it better than I thought I would.  More than anything, it made me want to reread the first three.  It took me a while to connect to this story, but once I settled into the rhythm, I really liked it.  I think part of me connected with the tenacity of Eadlyn and the resolution to make her own way in the world, without the necessity of marriage.  I got why Eadlyn was so resistant the dating/marriage thing, but there were times where I was really annoyed with the level of her resistance.  At times I felt like the point was being driven too hard rather than just letting the reader sink into it. I also had trouble connecting with the brattiness level of Eadlyn.  I struggle with how she doesn’t connect with reality outside the palace, considering her Mother came from a poor family.  I would think that seeing that side of the family and what they went through would overshadow some of the “raised in the palace” mindset that Eadlyn has.

The Writing

I really like Cass’ writing style because it’s so easy to read.  Like I said before, I felt that sometimes she was forcing the anit-marriage point of Eadlyn.  Something like that should be settled into a little more and shown more than told.  Which is weird, because after rereading the first three books, she does a good job of this with Maxon and America’s issues.  It just didn’t seem as fluid in this book.

I thought she did a pretty good job of character development.  It’s hard write that many characters at the same time and keep them all straight as well as develop backgrounds and personalities that stand out.

In the End

I’ll be reading the last one to see what happens.  I have my guesses.  I thought it was a good story in a world that I enjoy.  I still like the original three books best, but this was a better sequal story than some I’ve read.

10 Second Summary:

1. Back to a familiar world: I really enjoyed coming back to The Selection world.
2. Main character is a little hard to connect to at times:  Sometimes Eadlyn is a bit too extreme
3. You find out about past characters:  If you want to know what happened with everyone after the Selection was over, you get that in these books.

I say paperback on this one.  I enjoyed the story, but so far it’s not as good as The Selection Originals.