The Heir by Kiera Cass

Publication Date:  May 5, 2015

Publisher:  HarperTeen

Series:  The Selection #4  

Pages:  342

Genre:  Dystopian

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:  I honestly cannot believe I read this.  After all the frustration and straight up ridiculousness of the original trilogy, I don't understand why I decided to put myself through it all again. Curse these books for being so damn entertaining.

Kiera Cass isn't blessed with magical writing skills, but she does know how to spin a story into the most dramatic mess of all time so that you have no choice but to continue on.  I'm not sure if that is a good thing. 

I'm not sure anyone knows what they're looking for until they find it. 

The plot is all over the place.  When I got to the end of the book, I went, that's it?  Nothing noteworthy happened except for a few brawls and whiny boys.  It made me want to rip my hair out. Welcome to the Selection series, folks. 

Here is my biggest complaint:  the "reason" the selection absolutely has to occur is malarkey.  It is an excuse to add on another book to a supposedly finished series.  Are you kidding me?

 I’m smart and beautiful and strong. I don’t need to be rescued.    

I have seen people complain about the leading lady, Eadlyn, for maybe a thousand million times.  I want to reach through my computer screen and shake them.  Yes, she's annoying, and yes, she is spoiled rotten and rude.  But she is so much better than America Singer.  For one, Eadlyn is decisive and is independent to an extreme.  Just remember, she has a right to be a little better. She doesn't want to be a queen, she doesn't want to fall in love--and she has no choice.  Cut her a break. 

All the boys are fine.  Just fine.  I have certain opinions on who Eadlyn should end up with (since she has to, according to her parents and everyone else).   Henri is sweet, Ean is an option to consider, and Hale is alright in the end.  But I like Kile and Erik. They are the only two Eadlyn really opens up to and seem like the best fits for her. 

Failure meant having my life led by someone else. 

Here is a point of contention:  why does Eadlyn have to fall in love and get married?  Every single character acts as if this is as necessary as breathing.  This girl is eighteen.  She may need to reach out and accept some things, but she certainly does not need a husband to do any of that.  A plain and simple friend would suffice.

After all of that...  I will be reading the sequel.  I can't help it. These books are too addictive to quit now. There's no book rehab (although there maybe should be).

2.5 Keys