Review: The Heir by Kiera Cass

 

The Selection: The Heir (4)

by Kiera Cass

Genre(s): Young Adult, Romance, Dystopian

Pages: 342

Published: May 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Official Synopsis:  Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.

Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

Review:  When I first started this, I did not like Eadlyn's character.  She took some time to grow on me.  But she does, in her own way.  As the future  queen, and daughter of the beloved Maxon and America, she has a lot to live up to.  The people are still unhappy with their lives and she it told to host a Selection as a distraction so her parents and officials can hopefully find some solutions.  She wants nothing to do with the boys that show up and boy does it show!

Her choices include, a sweet tailor, a crazed wacko, money-hungry mongrels, a family friend and one who doesn't even speak the same language! Plus several others. How she deals with some of these guys is fantastic, other times cringe-worthy.  I really liked the different dynamics of the guys.  They really shine through on the pages. 

Task It Tuesday-Week 14 of 2016- Catch up!

So this past week I tried out a couple games, made good progress on the bathroom and got a bit of reading in.  There were some unexpected, and highly unwanted interruptions that caused problems. 
The one good bump was I got a new computer and printer!  It is all set up but now I have to learn Windows 10.  And I have office again! So happy about proper documents and spreadsheets.  But I have a lot to still convert and organize.  So please bare with me.
I have a lot going on the next couple weeks.  We are still working on the bathroom, plus the computer changes.  Then in less than 2 weeks is Dewey's 24 readathon, plus Morro Bay Kite Festival we are a part of.  So, must plan for Deweys, prep festival and book gear and snacks. Plus I have some overdue manga read4reviews I need to get to before they expire on ADE.  
So that is my plan this week and next.  Not adding too much new, besides the mangas.  Just focus on the projects and what is past due here. And yardwork (weather permitting).  Although I did add a few fun goals.


Understanding the color code used:

Red=Past Due by this date

Blue=What I have done since late week

Black=Not Due or New
*Fun Will never be red & new additions will be added in green.

Blogging or Book related (not reading)

• Write/post 14 reviews (1 done)
• 7 Discussion/other Post (meme styles don't count) (1 done)
• Finish getting Archive, Genres And Guest Interview pages up to date
• Catalog 1375 books I own
• Catch up on comment responses for 2016
• Responding to all comments made prior to 2016
  

• clean up social media and other blogging follows and likes so I actually find the content for those I really have an true, regular interest in.
  1. Twitter
  2. Facebook
  3. Pinterest
  4. GFC
  5. Bloglovin
     

• Organize Goodreads shelves for TBR, owned books and kindle books (progress)
• Organize Manga bookcases
• Go through Netgalley new titles I REALLY want to read ASAP
• STS post
• Update all challenges.  Submit as needed.
• Go back and add links to all edelweiss reviews.
• Start a preliminary list of Dewey's readathon possible books to read
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Select readathon snacks and book possibilities 
• Make list of all items needed for trip, start packing
• Prepare Dewey update post formats

Reading

• Read Sierra Jensen series Bks 8-12 (started 8)
• Read Ashley Bell
• Read Rebel Nation
• Finish Ready Player One
• Finish The 5th Wave
• Finish Golden Son
• Read Eldest
• Finish The Gateway through which they came
• Finish Black
• Finish Steampunk
• Finish Inkdeath
• Finish Gameboard of the Gods
• Restart Nameless
• Finish Lost Tribe of the Sith collection
• Finish Jesus the One and Only study
• Finish Dungeons and Dreamers
• Re-(Skim) Read Viral Nation
• Re-read the Walking Dead Compendium 1
• Read Pride and Prejudice
• Read By fire, by moonlight
• Read Daylighters
• Re-read Splintered
• Read Little Women
• Read Black Moon
• Read Submissive Fairy Tales
• Re-Read Magic Kingdom For Sale-Sold!
• Re-Read The Book of Three
• Read My Heavenly Hockey Club Vol 1
• Finish The Fault in Our Stars
• Finish The Walled City 
• Read Assassination Classroom 9 & 10  (Read 9, holding off a bit on 10)
• Read Grimm Fairy Tales graphic novel
• Read The BFG  (progress)
• Read Hostage Run
• Read Queen 
• Finish Pure (progress) (was previously just to start)

Prep Tips and plan for 24 hour readathon

 

It's almost here.  Dewey's 24 hour Readathon!

Now some of you may wonder why I am posting about preparation now.  I got almost two weeks and it is only a 1 day event right?  Well, to me, there is more to it.

First off, I am sharing this in the hopes that maybe some of you will join my in the readathon.  It is a huge internet event with over 2000 participants!  All around the world, at the same time, readers put aside the next 24 hours to reading.  Can't do that much?  It is okay, everything is your pace. If you got an hour, that is great!  Got 12 in you- fantastic! This is a pressure free readathon.  The only objective is to have fun!  Some don't even read, they just cheer or host events!  The only goals are ones you put on yourself (if you even want to).  Blogs, twitter, facebook and goodreads are all very active with updates, fun challenges, cheering and more!

For me this readathon weekend also coincides with a huge festival my husband and I take part in.  So I am going low-key this round.  No specific goals.  Just to read what I can.  We will be in a hotel room so I am limited on what I will have with me to read (can't take it all, lol), so my next week or so will be filled with choosing my stack of books. I will still bring plenty to keep me busy.  The real trick is food.  Being as I will be in a hotel room, I can't have foods I need to cook up.  It all has to be ready to eat snacks.  Any ideas?  I would love to hear them!  

Being my husband and I will share a room it is doubtful I will go the full 24 hrs.  I doubt he would be appreciative my keeping him awake reading.  But he has been forewarned I will still be up quite late (and early since it starts at 5am my time!).  So festival set up and party the day of the readathon and a busy, kite filled day on the beach the very next day!  It is going to be crazy-both fun and hectic.

If you are going for several hours to all 24 hours here are some tips you may want to keep in mind.

Stacking the Shelves 102

 

So it has been 3 weeks since my last update.  I am slowly getting better at taking less books on.  Mind you, I still have lots of room for improvement but I can honestly say my ratio for books added to shelves vs books read is starting to even out! 

To begin, I want to show off the amazing gift I received in March from my #otspsecretsister.  Who is now not so secret, but I think it will make it more fun for us to hopefully chat and get to know each other.  

This (plus Red Rising hardback earlier in March) is what Ashley from BookishRealm spoiled me with!  Thanks so much Ashley!!!  

  

  
A wonderful Fairy Tale themed gift set!  I love so much!!  She got me caught up on the Dorothy Must Die series, a graphic novel, some coloring, new movies and lots of snacky goodies to enjoy while I read!  And the little clues/hints were a lot of fun!

I also got some review books and a few free ebooks.  Now this list is a bit longer than the actual haul since I realized I missed a handful of James Hunt books in my last haul (these books are the ones without author name below). 

  

REVIEW: Six Points of Light: Hook's Origin by Kalynn Bayron

Six Points of Light: Hook's Origin (1)

by Kalynn Bayron

 

Genre(s): Adventure, Retellings, Young Adult

Pages: 206

Published: April 2015 (originally)

Re-published Jan 2016

Publisher: Booktrope Editions

 

Official Synopsis: "St. Catherine's is a place for misfits, for the forgotten, and it is also the only home James Cook has ever known. Abandoned on the front steps as an infant, James is raised by Sister Maddie who loves him like the mother he never knew. Growing up at St. Catherine's, James battles one illness after another, and spends most of his time in the infirmary.

One night, a young boy is delivered to St. Catherine's in the arms of his distraught mother. The boy, Peter, is mischievous and James tries his hardest to stay as far away from him, and his band of merry followers, as possible. The younger boys at St. Catherine's are drawn to the charismatic Peter, but James, being older and in his humble opinion, wiser, is not recruited so easily.

As the two become more closely acquainted, Peter reveals to James that he has a secret. This secret will turn James' life upside down and set he and Peter on a collision course with destiny in that far of place known to children and dreamers...Neverland.

Before he was Captain Hook, he was simply James Cook, and as it turns out, he was not such a dastardly villain after all.

Join some of the most beloved characters in literature as their roots are laid bare and the truth of their humble beginnings is revealed."

 

 

Review: This is quite a different retelling. This isn't some happy new imagination of a fun adventure. No, this is darker, twisted and will make you rethink the story of Peter Pan. All our favorite characters are here. James Cook (Hook), Peter, Wendy, John, Micheal, Smee, Tigerlily, Tinkerbell and even Hook's least favorite crocodile! They all play a part. And for many of them, the roles are not quite what you'd expect from the original tales.