The aloof princess cracks…
Genre: Y/A, Dystopian, Science Fiction
No. of pages: 278
From Goodreads:
When Eadlyn became the first princess of Illéa to hold her own Selection, she didn’t think she would fall in love with any of her thirty-five suitors. She spent the first few weeks of the competition counting down the days until she could send them all home. But as events at the palace force Eadlyn even further into the spotlight, she realizes that she might not be content remaining alone.
Eadlyn still isn’t sure she’ll find the fairytale ending her parents did twenty years ago. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and soon Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more impossible—and more important—than she ever imagined.
This book is by far the my most favorite of the Selection series. Though the story is not as complex as the initial trilogy, ‘The Crown’ pulled more emotion from me than I expected. It is a guilty pleasure, a soppy romance, and was great escapism.
Its predecessor ‘The Heir’ left me a little despondent, I did not entirely like Eadlyn. She was cold, stuck-up, and a part from moments of a childish temper, fairly flat and boring in nature. But her journey through ‘The Crown’ made her endearing to me. It brought out her caring and compassionate side. The suitors (or bachelors) managed to drag emotions out of her and open her eyes up to the society she is slated to rule.
I was in a little disbelief at the ease in which the men vying for her hand left the competition towards the end, with little theatrics or heartbreak… it felt manufactured. I applaud the inclusion of Ean and Hale’s fate. It came out of left field but added another dynamic and commentary on Illéan society.
There are a few expected plot twists, and many unexpected. It was a nice surprise. As I’ve said about the entire Selection anthology, much of it feels derivative and trope-driven. But if you like a large helping of sugar with your reading this will go down smoothly. Like a B-grade horror film, or a cheesy Hallmark movie, ‘The Crown’ is entertaining and hits the bullseye for its intended market. There’s a heavy dollop of girlie fashion, food, and cute boys to gush over.
I read the book in a day and it was easy to get swept into, especially with storylines and characters we’ve known throughout the series getting involved in the culmination. A fun snippet of nostalgia. It was an effortless read, and only something I’d recommend to staunch fans of this series.
Overall feeling: Sugar-sweet-teen-girl-fantasy
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Genre: Memoir, Comedy
We get a peek behind the curtain at SNL and some of her acting jobs which was interesting – more so about how she dealt with the environment rather than juicy back stage gossip. But it is her journey through life, and events/opportunities continually coming much later than typically expected (another thing I related to), that were touching and heart-felt. It was not meant to be a poor-me sob story or pity party. It was a plain statement of how society puts pressure and labels on women of a certain age in the various stages of their life. Sometimes it just makes you want to scream ‘Assface’ at everyone, like one of the crazy New Yorkers she talks about. It is unfair and discriminatory (and somewhat bitchy) but Dratch navigates around it all silently, forever searching for her own happily ever after. But – she’ ain’t dead yet, so don’t expect to read it by the end of the book – though the spirit still lives strong in her heart.
I would have liked to read more about her creative process, and experienced a little more funny stuff in her book, but feel privileged to have been able to share this snippet of her life. It helped validate my own choices and circumstances.
Casey Carlisle 