Hi all! Tonight I am super excited to review The Crown by Kiera Cass. I have been looking forward to this book’s release date since I finished The Heir last summer (which ends on the craziest cliffhanger EVER!). My sisters and I may have made a bit of a scene at Barnes and Noble looking for the display. The clerk even joked with us and said they had already sold their quota of the book so we had to come back tomorrow. Haha. Luckily that was a joke.

I absolutely loved the original three books in The Selection Series and was so excited when Cass continued the story in these follow up stories. Check out my reviews of The Selection Series and The Heir.

Also, if you buy this book–buy it from Barnes and Noble because there is a lovely bonus epilogue that really completes the story.

A few initial thoughts:

• I love this series because it shows that true love is possible and desirable–despite all odds and in any circumstance.
• I am impressed how well this book fits into the overall story and feel of the series.
• I devoured this book in less than 48 hours. It’s definitely a quick read and full of lovely romantic moments. Swoon worthy in every way.

The Crown by Kiera Cass is the concluding novel in The Selection Series. It follows the ending of Eadlyn’s selection–one that started with 35 gentlemen vying for her hand in marriage. She starts this book by selecting the elite (6 finalists) and truly wanting to follow her heart and find love. Her mother, America Singer Schreave, is recovering from a haert attack with her father, Maxon, at her side constantly. Eadlyn must shoulder more responsibility as the princess regent and continue to go on dates to discover her true love. But things never come together as you think. Eadlyn becomes queen earlier than she expects but she feels ready for the responsibility. But the boy she falls in love with surprises everyone. Can she win the approval of her people? And can true love triumph over all?

While Eadlyn was difficult to like in The Heir, I was always cheering for her in this novel. She has matured and gained wisdom during these novels–making her a more likable protagonist. I wanted her to find love. I wanted her to find happiness. And I wanted her to be liked by her people. I love that she discovers that love is not weakness–but strength. I respected her more for what she does for her parents and brothers during this book because of her love for them. I don’t want to give away specific details, but she seems ready to be queen in this book. She is ready to hold the title and the responsibility that comes with it. Most of all, I love that she seeks, fights for, and ultimately wins true love. She deserves a beautiful happy ending.

The plot in this novel is as exciting and enthralling as in the previous novels–but felt a little rushed at times. I felt that the action moved quite quickly with fun twists. But I realized that Cass was doing in one book what she had two books to do in the original series. So the way we get to the ending felt a bit rushed at times. For example, I thought the twist that two of the boys liked each other was underwhelming. We get no hint of that until one confesses to Eadlyn. And it seemed like a too easy way to get two of the boys out of the picture before she lade her final choice. The action only takes place over a few weeks (if that) but so much happens. I wish Cass had another book to develop some ideas like Eadlyn’s relationship with her brothers, Marid Illea (son of ex-rebels we meet in the first three books), and her advisers. There seems to be a lot more we could learn about other characters. But again, I applaud Cass’s efforts to move the plot and give readers a beautiful happy ending.

I knew a beautiful happily ever was coming. But it still surprised me. I hoped that Eadlyn would make the choice she does–but I wasn’t sure how she could. I love that Eadlyn goes to Maxon for advice right before she makes her decision. Such sweet daddy daughter moments in this book. Without giving away the ending, I just want to say the ending is a lovely tribute to true love and the importance of following your heart.

I think what I love most about these books is the way they forward the idea of true love. Too often in today’s world we see negativity and sadness in connection with families and marriage and love. People don’t seem to be happy or love forever. But I think that is possible today. I am in a beautifully happy marriage and plan to stay that way for my entire life. Yes, it isn’t perfect. We disagree and even fight sometimes. But that doesn’t weaken our love, it strengthens it. The same is true of the characters in these books. They aren’t perfect, but they love deeply and loyally. I love that.

Some of my favorite quotes from this book are about love. I had to share several:

“His whole world has hung on her since they met. . . . She was his match in every way. 

You have to embrace the idea of imperfection, even in the thing that is most perfect for you.

Wars and treaties and even countries will all come and go. But your life is yours, singular and sacred, and you should be with the person who make you feel that way every blessed second you live it.  

You are always just Eadlyn. And you are always the Queen. You are everything to everyone. And infinitely more to me.”

The Crown, pages 4-5, 64, 187, 195

The ending epilogue (not the extra one) sums up the beauty of love well.

I basically just love that entire quote 🙂

Overall, a lovely romance great for teenage girls and women alike. But if you haven’t read any of The Selection Series, start at the beginning and experience the whole story.

Have you read The Crown yet? Or other books in The Selection Series?
What did you think?