{Bookish Review} The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass

(The Selection #1) 

Genre: YA Dystopian/Romance

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

In The Selection, America Singer was one of the thirty-five hopeful ladies vying for Prince Maxon's affection to become the next Queen, except there she wasn't there to win.

Being a member of the lower caste meant life was tough for America and her family but joining the Selection could help with the situation. Even America's secret boyfriend, Aspen, urged her to join as well to eliminate any "what if" thoughts. However, they broke up before America left. The first encounter between America and Maxon was... not what you would expect and Maxon was kind enough to let her continue in the Selection. I guess being true to oneself makes one special in their own way. I was rooting for her throughout the book.

I chanced upon this book again during the last library visit and I grabbed it again. This is the second time I read this book and I still enjoyed it. However, this time round I do feel that there are not much insights on the reason behind the attacks on the palace but I do enjoy reading the interaction between America, Maxon and Aspen. I can't recall if I have read the second book but I definitely will want to read it to find out what happens next.

My rating: 4🌟

Source: NLB Singapore

{Bookish Review} Jet Black and the Ninja Wind by Leza Lowitz, Shogo Oketani

Jet Black and the Ninja Wind
By: Leza Lowitz, Shogo Oketani
Published by: Tuttle Publishing on October 29th 2013
Genres: Action/Fantasy (YA)
Source: Bought
Rating: 

Seventeen-year-old Jet Black is a ninja. There's only one problem--she doesn't know it. Others do, however, and they're scheming to capture her and uncover her secrets. When her mother dies, Jet knows only that she must go to Japan to protect a family treasure hidden in her ancestral land. She's terrified, but if Jet won't fight to protect her world, who will? Stalked by bounty hunters and desperately in love with the man who's been sent to kill her, Jet must be strong enough to protect the treasure, preserve an ancient culture, and save a sacred mountain from destruction. In Jet Black and the Ninja Wind, multiple award-winning author, poet, and translator team Leza Lowitz and Shogo Oketani make their first foray into young adult fiction with a compulsively readable tale whose teenage heroine must discover if she can put the blade above the heart--or die trying. 

I picked this book because of my interest in Japanese culture. Ninja story? Bring it on! Jet Black and the Ninja Wind is a story about a Jet's survival story as she travelled to her mother's birth country to protect a family treasure. This is also about her story to discover about herself, more specifically, trusting in her ability.

The book is filled with danger as Jet and her cousin travelled from one place to another and I was really engrossed in them. There is definitely character growth for Jet but somehow I didn't feel close to her as I thought I would. Don't get me wrong--I like reading about Jet's and her struggles through dangerous situation to protect what she need to protect. She did get on my nerves in the beginning but she slowly grew on me and I get to understand more from her point of view. Love interest? Not much. Not enough. I need more!

There is a valuable lesson to learn from the book alongside Jet which is why you need to read the book if you are interested. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about Ninja and Japanese culture but I'd hesitate if you are looking for some romance story. It's still a good read.