I waited a long time to read this book, even though I have had it for a month and a half. Part of me just wasn't in the mood for the syrupy-sweet love story, and part of me didn't want the series to end (how is that for opposite feelings?). Anyway, I was finally ready to finish the story that started with my favorite character in the novels, America.
This book started off where the last one ended - America had a heart attack. Her family was doing all they could for her. Meanwhile, stubborn Edalyn was still in the middle of her selection and struggling to help run the country as she acted as regent while her father, the king, took care of her mother. She narrows the selection down the elite, and then more trouble begins to brew. It seems as if there is another family that wants to rule the country, and they have a plan. All of this means that Edalyn, once again, puts herself into a position of taking on great obstacles and trying to do it all on her own.
Throughout this book though, we do get some new information about some of the characters that had remained a mystery up until this point. We also see a bit more development in terms of America and her friendships, which had been completely absent from the last book. I did like that part. I also liked that Cass tied up most of the loose ends, and you are left with a complete ending to the series. Predictable? Yes. Still an okay read? Sure.
In the end, I see the appeal of this series, especially for my students. Like I said before, this is kind of like The Bachelorette meets The Hunger Games, so it is exactly what many of my female students really like to read. I definitely got into the series, especially when I was able to read the first four books close together. Waiting on the last book allowed me to get some perspective, kind of like when you have to take a break from binge-watching a show on Netflix, and then you realize it isn't really that great, and you don't NEED to watch the next episode nearly as much as you thought when you were caught up in the "next episode will begin in 20 seconds" moment. Overall, a good young-adult series, appropriate for middle/high schoolers. Now, onto the crime series that I have been waiting to read!
This book started off where the last one ended - America had a heart attack. Her family was doing all they could for her. Meanwhile, stubborn Edalyn was still in the middle of her selection and struggling to help run the country as she acted as regent while her father, the king, took care of her mother. She narrows the selection down the elite, and then more trouble begins to brew. It seems as if there is another family that wants to rule the country, and they have a plan. All of this means that Edalyn, once again, puts herself into a position of taking on great obstacles and trying to do it all on her own.
Throughout this book though, we do get some new information about some of the characters that had remained a mystery up until this point. We also see a bit more development in terms of America and her friendships, which had been completely absent from the last book. I did like that part. I also liked that Cass tied up most of the loose ends, and you are left with a complete ending to the series. Predictable? Yes. Still an okay read? Sure.
In the end, I see the appeal of this series, especially for my students. Like I said before, this is kind of like The Bachelorette meets The Hunger Games, so it is exactly what many of my female students really like to read. I definitely got into the series, especially when I was able to read the first four books close together. Waiting on the last book allowed me to get some perspective, kind of like when you have to take a break from binge-watching a show on Netflix, and then you realize it isn't really that great, and you don't NEED to watch the next episode nearly as much as you thought when you were caught up in the "next episode will begin in 20 seconds" moment. Overall, a good young-adult series, appropriate for middle/high schoolers. Now, onto the crime series that I have been waiting to read!