Selection Stories (2) - The Prince by Kiera Cass
A story that does not really belong to the series, but is very interesting either way: The Prince, or as Selection Stories The Prince and the Guard (in German only available as Selection Storys Liebe oder Pflicht, in French Le prince or as La Sélection, histoires secrètes Le Prince et Le Guarde) by Kiera Cass!
Maxon Schreave is excited – nervous – terrified. All his life he has been looking forward to this moment, to his very own Selection. The place where his parents found love. The only occasion on which he himself can find it – and tie the knot. Who will be the woman on his dreams? But then, something terrible happens. His only friend turns his back on him, the Selection is manipulated… and the one girl he finds interesting has no intention to stay.
This book is actually quite interesting. You get to understand the strained relationship between Maxon and his father a lot better, but what's actually surprising is Maxon himself. His view on different aspects of his life. First of all, how well he gets his parents' relationship, but also how he really sees the Selection as a chance – and hates the politics interwoven with them. I also like how awkward he feels and how he feels that he has to compete and meet the girls' expectations instead the other way around. It fits very well to his personality and, plainly said, makes him adorable. Especially how he wants so desperately for America to like him and fears he'll seem to be either too bold with her or too fearful.
He's the complete contrast to America in that way. She hates the Selection doesn't even want Maxon to like her. But she doesn't have a choice in any of this – well, she actually does, but she doesn't have many alternatives. Maxon on the other hand seems to have all the choices, if he manages to go against his father – of which he's terrified.
Well, they are both surprised. Maxon by his father and America by actually falling in love and wanting to be queen.
Well. I also like how he sees the selected. Kriss has her very first debut – and it's explained why he actually likes Celeste in a way. This is the great mystery in part 1 & 2 of the series, but it actually makes sense. These two very different views on one event actually show the differences between girls and boys rather well. America sees a tank of sharks with pretty faces who'd do next to anything in order to fight for the crown – and the man, at least in some cases. Maxon sees lots of pretty girls, of whom one could change his life forever.
And the one who does really turns his world upside down. I like the reasons for which he actually lets her stay after the garden scene. IT MAKES SENSE!
Especially with the family in mind. I'm sorry for Amberly. But I'm even more sorry for Daphne. That poor girl…
Spoiler:
That must have really sucked. She was in love with him almost her entire life and then she goes out to tell him and he hasn't even noticed. Typical boy reaction – actually typical reaction for almost anyone, no matter what gender – but this is so… this is so so terrible! And then she has to see him falling in love on TV!
In brief:
I give this book one star for characters, ideas, content and last, but not least, for style.