The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi

“To find love is a curse ...

Prince Arris knows that marriage means murder. Thanks to a poorly worded wish to a sea witch, all one needs to rule the Isle of Malys is the heart and hand of the kingdom’s heir. Historically, this has been construed quite literally.

Thus, Arris expects that the day after his marriage and murder he will wake up as a sentient tree alongside the rest of his predecessors. His only chance at a long life is finding true and lasting love. When Arris's parents announce a tournament of brides to compete for his hand and heart, a slew of eligible, lovely and (possibly murderous) bachelorettes make their way to Rathe Castle. Amidst glittering balls in ozorald caves, strolls through menageries of daydream trees and pearl crocodiles, tea time on glass boats and kisses that leave his head spinning, Arris cannot tell who is here out of love for him…or lust for power.

Until he meets Demelza.

As a veritas swan, Demelza’s song wrings out the truth. Forced into hiding, Demelza strikes a deal. Arris will provide her with safekeeping in exchange for her truth-telling song to sort through his potential brides.

While Arris is used to dodging death threats and Demelza is accustomed to fighting for her voice to be heard, to survive the tournament of brides requires a different kind of bravery. And perhaps the bravest thing one can do is not merely protect one’s life, but find the courage to chase a life worth living.” - taken from Goodreads.

This story is best summed up as The Bachelor set in a fairy tale. Arris must marry but he hopes to avoid the fate of his grandfather and other descendants. He wishes to live a full first life before his second life, and when he becomes a tree. For Arris, marriage means murder at the hands of his wife. When Demelza unexpectedly shows up to the competition, she offers Arris her truth-seeking abilities as a veritas swan to keep him safe from a murderous bride. As the competition heats up, what happens when true love begins to develop?

Visit Roshani Chokshi’s website.

Every Spiral of Fate by Tahereh Mafi (This Woven Kingdom book 4)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first three books in the This Woven Kingdom series, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

Check out Epic Reads if you need a recap of the first three books.

“At long last, the wedding day has arrived.

The Jinn queen and the enigmatic ruler of Tulan are to be married in a magical, enchanted ceremony—but Cyrus, tethered by a blood oath to his bride-to-be, can find nothing to celebrate in this union. He’s falling ever more deeply in love with the one person oathbound to kill him.

Sworn to an ancient, unbreakable magic, Alizeh can only fulfill the prophecy to free her people by ensuring Cyrus dies by her own hand. And Cyrus is forced to await his end all while Prince Kamran inches closer, ready to take his place by Alizeh’s side.

The countdown to murder coils tensions ever tighter, but the historic wedding has already drawn deadly attention. To prepare for war and protect her people, Alizeh must finally discover her magic—and outrun the enemies trying to stop her.

Alizeh and Cyrus, along with Kamran and their friends from Ardunia, must flee on dragon-back to begin the perilous journey into the legendary mountains of Arya, where a firestorm of revelations, magical discoveries, and fresh allies awaits them. Every allegiance will be tested, every darkness uncovered, and when the shattering secrets of the Tulanian king are finally revealed . . .

Nothing, and no one, will be the same.” - taken from Goodreads.

WOW! This book really picks up the pace where the story left off in the third book. Without giving too much away, the cliffhanger ending sets up the ultimate showdown between Alizeh and Iblees in the final book.

This series is slated to end with book five, due out sometime in 2026.

Visit Tahereh Mafi’s website.

Alex & Eliza trilogy by Melissa de la Cruz

Alex and Eliza - book one

“Their romance shaped a nation. The rest was history.

1777. Albany, New York.

As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.

Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Love & War - book two

“1780. Albany, New York.

As the war for American Independence carries on, two newlyweds are settling into their new adventure: marriage. But the honeymoon's over, and Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler are learning firsthand just how tricky wedded life can be. Alex is still General George Washington's right-hand man and his attention these days is nothing if not divided--much like the colonies' interests as the end of the Revolution draws near. Alex & Eliza's relationship is tested further by lingering jealousies and family drama.” - taken from Goodreads.com

All For One - book three

“1785. New York, New York.

As a young nation begins to take shape, Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler are on top of the world. They’re the toast of the town, keeping New York City buzzing with tales of their lavish parties, of Eliza’s legendary wit, and of Alex’s brilliant legal mind.

But new additions to Alex & Eliza’s little family mean change is afoot in the Hamilton household. When they agree to take in an orphaned teenage girl along with Eliza’s oldest brother, John Schuyler, Eliza can’t help but attempt a match. It’s not long before sparks start to fly…if only Eliza can keep herself from interfering too much in the course of true love. After all, she and Alex have an arrival of their own to plan for, though Alex’s latest case brings a perilous threat that may destroy everything.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I enjoyed diving into this twist on the love story between Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schyler. As I read through this trilogy, I kept stopping to check the facts of their lives against the fictional tale of these two. The author does detail where she took her liberties with the story at the end of each book. A good read for those fans of the musical.

Visit Melissa de la Cruz’s website.

The Crown by Kiera Cass (The Selection book 5)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first Four books in The Selection series, especially The Heir, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“Twenty years have passed since the events of The One, and America and Maxon’s daughter is the first princess to hold a Selection of her own. Princess Eadlyn didn’t think she would find a real partner among the Selection’s thirty-five suitors, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you... and now Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more difficult—and more important—than she ever expected.” - Goodreads.com

Who will Eadlyn choose? Does she find true love? What happens with Maxon, America and all their children? Will it be life happily ever after for Illéa’s royal family?

A terrific wrap up to this series that should leave fans satisfied.

Visit Kiera Cass’ website.

Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass (The Selection books 0.4, 0.5, 2.5, 2.6)

Meet Prince Maxon before he fell in love with America, and a girl named Amberly before she became queen. See the Selection through the eyes of a guard who watched his first love drift away and a girl who fell for a boy who wasn't the prince. This gorgeous collection features four novellas from the captivating world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series, as well as exclusive, never-before-seen bonus content.

This series companion is a must-have for any Selection fan, and includes:

• The Prince
• The Guard
• The Queen
• The Favorite
• Exclusive new scenes from The Selection, The Elite, and The One
• Introductions to each novella from Kiera Cass
• A map of Illéa and other illustrations
• And more!

Taken from barnesandnoble.com

The Heir by Kiera Cass (The Selection book 4)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first three books in The Selection series, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“35 Suitors. 1 Princess. A new Selection has begun.”

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!!! It has been twenty years since Prince Maxon Schreave chose America Singer to be his wife during his Selection. Now it is their daughter’s turn. Born seven minutes before her twin brother Ahren, her parents’ changed the succession rules to allow Princess Eadlyn, their firstborn, to become queen. When King Maxon first decreed that the caste system be abolished, the citizens rejoiced. Now, the citizens of Illea are rioting and Maxon nor Eadlyn know how to bring back harmony. When her mother suggests that Eadlyn hold her own Selection as a way to rally the country, she is horrified. Scared, she confides in Ahren on how she feels. He suggests that she work out some reassurances with her father. In discussing her own Selection with her father, Eadlyn wants a guarantee that she can have an out if she doesn't find anyone. She also asks if any boy can leave of his own free will and her father assures her that they can. He gently reminds her that as heir to the throne, marriage and a heir are a part of her ruling responsibilities. She promises that she will continue the Selection for three months. Her father believes that she will find her mate during the process. Eadlyn is not ready for thirty-five guys to invade her space. She is ready to find a way to make sure none of them want to stay.

It turns out, Eadlyn is a bit self absorbed. A young princess with the future weight of Illea on her shoulders, she likes to goes off alone to regroup. Preoccupied by only herself, she misses what is really going on with the people around her. Eadlyn cannot stand the Woodwick children who just happen to live on the same floor as the royal family. Josie, a few years younger, annoys her and her older brother Kile, is a bookworm that Eadlyn finds boring. King Maxon allows Eadlyn a luxury he didn’t have, she gets to choose the names of the Selected. She draws one envelope from each district and saves them to be opened during the Report. Opening the envelope from her home district of Angeles last, everyone in the palace is stunned when she opens the envelope and reads Kile Woodwick’s name. Once they are off the air, tensions soon rise. Kile claims that he didn’t enter his name. Eadlyn is furious and Kile tells her to choose another name. General Leger says that she can’t since the name was read on live television. Kile tells Eadlyn to eliminate him on the first day. She asks where does he plan on going since he will already be home. Kile offers to be sent away but his mother is adamant that he stay. Eadlyn is floored that he wants to leave, asking if the palace isn’t good enough for him. He retorts that it isn’t his and he is tired of her bratty attitude. King Maxon states that Kile is just one of several options and they should just go ahead to dinner. Eadlyn retreats to her room.

When the Selected arrive, Eadlyn meets each one individually. Several make either a really good or really bad impression. It is decided to hold a parade to unveil the boys to the public. Everything is going well until just before the end of the parade route. Eadlyn is hit with rotten food. The protesters on the route are demanding better jobs and saying the caste system still exists. She and the Selected are rushed back to the palace.Embarrassed,  Eadlyn runs to her room and cries on her maid’s shoulder. She doesn’t understand why everyone hates her. The Selection isn’t turning out as they expected it to. Ahren comforts her but lets Eadlyn know that she is seen as very aloof in the press. In an attempt to get some good press, Eadlyn decides to eliminate some of the boys. She keeps Kile because his mother wants him to stay around. The way she goes about it only further cements her distant demeanor with the public. Eadlyn is now in damage control mode but finds that some of the Selected might actually be worth knowing.

Can Eadlyn change her self-centered ways? Will Kile stay for the Selection or will he leave of his own free will? If he didn’t enter his own name, who did? Can the people of Illea move past the caste system? Does Eadlyn run off most of the boys chosen to participate? How will Eadlyn change the public’s perceived notion of her? Can she change her own perception of herself? Will any of the Selected capture Eadlyn’s cold heart? What happens when Eadlyn realizes the Selection is such a bad idea after all?

Eadlyn’s story will be wrapped up with book five of The Selection series in 2016.  Fans of the series will love seeing how their favorite characters from America’s Selection have grown over the past twenty years.

Visit Kiera Cass’ website.

The One by Kiera Cass (The Selection trilogy book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, The Selection and The Elite, Stop! I don’t want to ruin one of my favorite series for you.

It all began with 35 girls competing for Prince Maxon’s heart and to become his wife. For America Singer, it meant leaving behind her family and the love of her life, Aspen Ledger. When she first arrived at the palace, her heart was broken but she soon became friends with Prince Maxon. She stayed for the money for her family and to offer Maxon advice. Then, Aspen arrived at the palace as a member of the royal guard. America soon found herself struggling with her feelings as her heart was torn between two boys. As part of the Elite and with only four girls left, America decides to fight for Maxon’s heart, even though King Clarkson is dead set against her.

Who will be The One for America Singer; Prince Maxon or Aspen Ledger?

Fans of the series will be eagerly waiting to see how America’s story ends.

Visit Kiera Cass’ website.

The Elite by Kiera Cass (The Selection book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, The Selection, Stop! I don’t want to ruin one of my favorite series for you.

“35 girls came to the palace. Only 6 remain.”

There are only six girls left in the Selection. The winner becomes the Princess of Illea and the wife of Prince Maxon. The public opinion polls place America Singer at the bottom of the pile but Maxon wants to spend the rest of his life with her. He is willing to wait until she is over the boy who broke her heart back home in the Carolina province. Unknown to Maxon, that boy, Aspen, is now one of the guards at the palace and therefore helps guard America. He isn’t ready to let her go but will if Maxon is her choice. Aspen only wants what is best for her and will make her happy.

America is torn between two boys but also whether she is capable of being a princess. With the competition heating up, Maxon seriously begins to look for a second choice should America turn him down. As his attentions start to fall elsewhere, America discovers she has a jealous streak when it comes to Maxon. She begins to entertain a future with Aspen when he makes time to be with her. As Celeste continues to push America’s buttons, she continues to make unfavorable statements and disastrous actions. After writing to her father about her perceived lack of leadership qualities, she decides she has what it takes for the job. America decides she needs to step up her game if she has any hope of being Illea‘s princess.

Will America be able to choose between Aspen and Maxon? Can she navigate the political climate of the palace to survive elimination? Will Maxon see through Celeste? What happens when the rebel forces attack the palace? And in the end, will America be The One Maxon chooses?

The Selection trilogy will conclude with The One due out in April 2014.

Visit KieraCass’s website.

Requiem by Lauren Oliver (Delirium book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read the first two books in the series, Delirium and Pnademonium, Stop! I don't want to ruin one of my favorite series for you.

"They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past. But we are still here. And there are more of us every day."

In escaping the confines of Portland, Lena Haloway risked everything only to lose Alex and love in the end. Adjusting to her new life in the Wilds, she makes a new existence for herself. In becoming a part of the rebellion, she learned that maybe she could find love again. When the two people she loved most in the world turn out to be alive after she believed them to be dead, Lena’s world is rocked to its very core. Now in the heart of the resistance movement, Lena and her friends find themselves in the fight for their very lives while her heart struggles between two different boys.

Since Lena’s abrupt departure from Portland, Hana Tate has been cured of the deliria and received her procedural scar. She has been paired with Fred Hargrave, the mayor’s son. With the resistance infiltrating Portland, Mayor Hargrave is assassinated and Fred becomes his successor. Fred and Hana’s wedding is pushed up but Hana begins to have doubts. Guilt over Lena begins to consume her when she discovers what has happened to the family she left behind. As secrets about Fred’s first wife start to surface, Hana begins to question what her future life with him may entail.

What happens to Lena with her involvement in the resistance movement? Will she be able to work things out with Alex or will her involvement with Julian prevail? Can Hana make a worthwhile life with Fred or will she begin to see that Lena may have made the right choice? Will Lena ever see her mother again? And what happens when Lena and Hana’s paths cross again?

Requiem is told from both Lena and Hana’s points of view. Readers will find out what is going on in the Wilds and in Portland in the war over amor deliria nervosa. Secrets are uncovered and questions answered in this thrilling conclusion to the Delirium trilogy.

Visit Lauren Oliver’s website.



The Selection by Kiera Cass

"35 girls. 1 crown. The competition of a lifetime."

In the fairly large, young country of Illéa, the King marries off his daughters to princes of other countries to form alliances. His son however marries a young woman from his country to strengthen its citizenry. Any young woman in Illéa can be Queen. With Prince Maxon Schreave soon coming of age, he is looking for a partner to rule their country. To find his perfect mate, The Selection is utilized. Every single woman between the ages of sixteen and twenty completes an entry form for the chance to compete for the Prince’s hand in marriage. One young woman from each of the thirty-five provinces of Illéa is chosen for the competition of a lifetime. Each family is generously compensated for their service to the royal family.

America Singer and her family are artists. As such, their caste number is a five, only three away from the bottom. Artists are only steadily employed during the three holiday seasons. Times can be tough but America is a beautiful singer and a gorgeous young woman. Her mother is a social climber and hopes America will marry above their caste as her older sister did. Secretly, for the past two years she has been in love with the handsome Aspen Leger. Unfortunately, Aspen is a six, a member of the servant class. Dirt poor, he is struggling to provide for his mother and six younger siblings since his father’s death. In Illéa, it is unheard of for a woman to marry down. With starts in her eyes, America dreams of becoming Aspen’s wife, even if it means downgrading her status and being on the brink of starvation.

When the letter for the Selection arrives, America is adamant about not registering. Her mother sees it as a way for her daughter to better herself and vehemently pushes. She sneaks out of the house later that night after everyone has gone to bed to meet Aspen in a tree house in her backyard. After a heart-to-heart, Aspen begs America to enter the Selection. He doesn’t want her to feel guilty about holding back when she could better herself. She reluctantly agrees. The next morning, her mother wakes her up early and offers her a deal. If America enters her name into the Selection, she promises to let her keep half of her earnings and perform by herself. Since she had already promised Aspen she would, America sees this as an opportunity to begin her nest egg for her life with Aspen.

When America and her mother go to the Province Service Center to turn in her form, a mob is already lined up. The two stand in line with Aspen’s mother and his twin sisters. His mother lets them know that the winners aren’t randomly drawn but individually chosen, hence why some of the girls are dressed to the nines. The conversation soon turns to how suddenly Aspen seems happy and his mother suspects a young woman is the reason. America’s heart pounds as his mother thinks Aspen is considering marriage. When the government takes her application photo, America is smiling radiantly while thinking of Aspen.

The Singer family gathers around the television to watch the Illéa Capital Report for the reveal of the Selection names. After a brief update on the war, the host begins. America isn’t even paying attention when her name is announced. Her family is ecstatic but America is shocked. She never dreamed that she would be chosen. Life abruptly changes in the Singer household as Palace officials descend to ready America for the competition. After going over the rules, she finds out that no matter what happens her status is now a Three. As America is trying to decide what to take, the doorbell rings. Her mother answers the door to Aspen holding a bouquet of flowers from his sisters. As a Six, America tells him she needs his services to clean the mess she made of her room packing. Aspen cannot turn her down and follows. After everything they have been through, America finds it ironic that he is now allowed in her room.

Aspen tells America her photo was beautiful. She lets him know it was for him but he doesn’t understand. She informs Aspen she thought he was going to propose. He lets her know that he was waiting on the outcome of the upcoming draft. Twice a year, all nineteen year old men are chosen at random to join the military until the age of 23. Soldiers become an automatic Two but are not guaranteed to survive their enlistment. Aspen tells her he didn’t want to complicate her life in that way. She understands but soon their conversation gets heated when America pays Aspen for his services. They both know that he needs the money but his pride continues to stand in the way of all their plans. Aspen leaves and America softly cries.

The next morning is the big day. America is leaving to join the other girls for the Selection at the Palace. Her good-bye is bittersweet and soon America finds that nothing is what she expected. Will America survive the competition to become Maxon’s intended? Can she and Aspen ever be together? What dangers does America uncover at the Palace? Will the competition be one huge catfight for Maxon’s attention? Is Maxon at all what America expects? And what happens when America isn’t sure where her heart is leading her?

America’s story will continue with book two in the spring of 2013 followed by book three in 2014.

Visit Kiera Cass’ website.