The fifth and final book of The Selection Series, "The Crown", is coming up today (May 3, 2016). All of the fans of this series are excited about the release of this book, and many fans, like me, have already pre-ordered a copy! (It's never too late to order if you haven't ordered already.)
As I said, I am excited! I can't wait to receive my copy in the mail, but I will only have time to read it over the weekend. So no spoilers, please!
Kudos to one of the awesome YA authors of our time, Kiera Cass, for writing such an awesome and magical series.
Before we all go and read "The Crown", let's have a quick review of all the books and novellas of the series.
The Setting: The Kingdom of Illéa
Illéa is a futuristic imaginary country that covers the whole continent of North America. It's named after the founder of the nation, Gregory Illéa, who saved the American States of China after the Fourth World War. The American States of China was the name given to the United States after it was invaded by the Chinese due to the country owing a debt from China that was not repaid. (Does that ring a bell?)
Novella 1: "The Queen"
We find out some details about the time Queen Amberly the Selection won King Clarkson's heart. The story was told from Queen Amberly's point of view. At least Kiera gave us a clue why King Clarkson was such a big jerk in the first three books and why sweet Queen Amberly seemed to be unattached with all the girls during Prince Maxon's Selection.
Novella 2: "The Prince"
The scene began weeks prior to the events of the first book until the middle of the first book. Written from Prince Maxon Schreave's point of view, we first saw how Prince Maxon was slowly being prepared to be the next ruler of Illéa, how Princess Daphne of France has the hots for Prince Maxon, and finally how Prince Maxon and Lady America Singer first met each other.
Book 1: "The Selection"
The first book introduced us to all the characters that will play a major role in the first three books in the series. Imagine, America Singer, who was broken hearted from her first love and never was expecting to fall in love again, was by chance chosen to participate in the Selection to win Prince Maxon's heart. All she can offer to the prince was friendship but we all know where it will lead to.
Novella 3: "The Guard"
The scenes in this story occurred in between the middle of the first book until the middle of the second. Told from Aspen's point of view, we saw in the story that Aspen Leger, who was America's first love, get drafted in the military and was assigned to be one of the palace guards. Luckily he gets to be near America every day, which we all know was trouble waiting to happen! But then again, at least he met his true love in the palace!
Book 2: "The Elite"
With the number of the Selected reduced from 35 to 27 and then down to six, the Selection just became more dramatic than ever! And also with Aspen showing up as a guard in the palace, America's heart just turned from being broken to being confused.
Novella 4: "The Favorite"
The scenes mainly took place beginning after the Halloween party in The Elite up to the last chapter of The One. Written from Marlee's point of view, this particular story told us things about Marlee Tames, America's spunky best friend, and Carter Woodwork, a palace guard.
I love this novella obviously because Marlee Tames is my favorite character.
Book 3: "The One"
Now with America falling deeply with Prince Maxon every day, she had to make a decision that will alter her entire life. We all knew how things ended in this book right?
Bonus Content 1: "Celeste"
Written from Celeste Newsome's point of view. this was just a look on three scenes, one from each book in the trilogy, that involved one of the most hated characters in the trilogy.
Novella 5: "The Maid"
Written on the point of view of Lucy, one of America's maids. The scenes took place in the middle of the third book. This was particularly about Lucy's disappointment over Aspen's alleged dishonesty over his romantic past with America.
Thanks a lot, Kota! You really are such a big jerk!
Bonus Content 2: "After The One"
We found ourselves two years after the events of the first three books. The scene took place the day of King Maxon's 21st birthday. And our beloved Queen America gave him the best birthday present ever: they were expecting a baby! Well, as it turned out they were expecting twins!
Book 4: "The Heir"
Fast forward 20 years after the Selection that brought King Maxon and Queen America together. The point of view of the book was now under Princess Eadlyn Schreave, the first born daughter of our beloved royal couple. Eadlyn became the first female to be heir to the throne of Illéa. If not for the law passed by her parents, her twin brother Ahren would have been the heir. We also saw in the book about how Illéa had changed over the past 20 years with the caste system being dissolved and the country being generally harmonious both from outside and inside (most of the time).
To appease the people, Maxon and America decided for Eadlyn to have a Selection of her own! Well, it was really about time for her have to have a Selection of her own even though we saw that she was totally against it anyway!
By the end of the fourth book we saw these chain of events:
Ahren eloped with his girlfriend Princess Camille of France.
With her twin brother leaving, Eadlyn became devasted.
Upon learning about her first born son eloping, our beloved Queen America had a heart attack.
With everything going on, Eadlyn was determined to finish her Selection and was now ready to fall in love.
More commentary on each book in the coming weeks.
Which brings us to speculating about what will happen on the fifth book. We want some questions answered!
What will happen to our beloved Queen America?
The whole story of the Selection Series had revolved around her and Maxon's love story. Even though "The Heir" and "The Crown" is being told in Eadlyn's voice, I still can't imagine having America die in the fifth book. America is too young to die — she's just 37 in the fourth and fifth book! I want her to see all her kids and future grandkids all grow up.
Who put Kile's name in the Selection?
As it seemed to imply, the process for Eadlyn's Selection is way more different than her dad's, that being the identity of all suitors will all be announced on the spot instead of them being pre-selected ahead of time just like the one during Maxon's Selection. The process of entering the Selection seemed to be the same: the letters were sent out, the would-be suitors need to go to the provincial office to submit their application, and then get some headshots. Assuming that the process was really the same, how did Kile's name ended up in the Selection? Did someone filled out the application on his behalf and sent a headshot of him? Whose scheme was it to put his name in there?
I would suspect Marlee, Kile's mom, was behind it in some ways. She didn't want Kile to leave the palace, remember? She has the only motive to do that to keep her son to the palace longer.
Is Eadlyn having a Selection of her own the only choice that Maxon and America have in order to appease the people?
Face it, Maxon and America is still young they still could have another baby! We never know if another baby was really an option the couple seriously considered. But maybe Eady having a Selection of her own is both timely and more practical in order for Maxon and America to buy time appeasing the people and solving their problem.
And most importantly, since Eadlyn is ready to let her guard down, who would she choose?
Almost the whole The Selection Series fandom already had their pick of who would they like to be Princess Eadlyn's Prince Charming. Let's get down to all the teams shall we?
Team Fox
By how Fox is being depicted, he really seems to be so superficial. Makes me think about how girls a few years back have all the hots for Taylor Lautner! And I would predict that all the girls have that same hots for Fox now! I pity his story about his family, though. He's not my candidate, though!
Team Ean
Let me first say: ugh! That boy disgust me most of all! Be mad at me at me all you want but it's clear that he's there for all the wrong reasons in the world! Gosh! Such a gold digger I would say! And with no intention of being friends with his fellow suitors? Cry me a river — sounds like Celeste in the beginning! I think Eady just keep him because she refused to fall in love at first. But points for him being so highly composed.
Team Henri
Well, Henri is a good guy but he's just new to Illéa. But I pity him for being thrown into the brawl right away. And he is Limited English Proficient because his family migrated from Swendway, but thanks to Erik for being his translator. I think he really needed to learn how to speak English, he will not always have a translator close by anytime. He is intelligent after all, he can do it!
Team Hale
Hale is a sweet guy too. I like how he tries to make an impression on Eady! I agree with his way of how to win Eady's heart, I can see myself on his shoes in this matter. He's very friendly and upbeat, I would say. He is more like a male version of Marlee. The story of his family is much similar to Aspen's family. Points for him for having a very high sense of fashion. If Eady will not choose him, I'm confident that he will be world famous and sought-after tailor in all of Illéa.
Team Erik
Or should I say Team Eikko! I know he is not an official suitor but he and Eady had made some connections. I will not be shocked if there is a sudden twist of events and Eady eventually can choose him over all the suitors.
Team Kile
Last but not the least, of course! I'm personally a Team Kile since his mom is one of my favorite characters in the original trilogy. Many fans of the series also wanted Kile and Eadlyn to be together. I can state many reasons why Eadlyn should choose Kile but I'm not gonna! They knew each other since childhood and already lives in the palace. Though they've had many rough patches before they've already gotten to know each other better during the Selection. If I can recall correctly, the two of them shared a lot of kisses throughout the entire book. Maybe the two of them are destined to see the world outside the palace together!
I would be happy when Kile and Eadlyn end up together no matter what they choose to do in life.
Let me know in the comments down below of what do you think should happen in "The Crown".
But for now, let us just watch the book trailer for "The Crown".
