Review: Where She Went

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I would like to start off by saying that the only reason that this review is two days late is because I haven't had internet that last few days. But that is neither here nor there.

I love this book. I say that a lot and it's always true when I say it but in this case I have to say that I liked this book even more than the first one. For those of you who don't know, Where She Went is the sequel to If I Stay which I really liked. Far more than I liked The Fault in Our Stars which a lot of people might try to compare it to. Having said that I find that I like this book even more. And it's not just because we get to see the other perspective. I think it is because I could relate to this story a lot more.

Though it still ties back into the events of the first book as that does heavily influence many of the characters, there is something more to be said of this book and the struggle that we witness. It is about someone who is trying to figure out their life while everyone else around them is telling them that it has to be a certain way. And in a very clear way it also says that no one can tell you what your life should be or how you should live it. Only you can decide that. And really, your life isn't worth living until you make the choice for yourself.



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Review: The Selection

The Selection by Kiera Cass

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I honestly wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book. When I first read the back I thought that it was an interesting premise. A mix between an arranged marriage and The Bachelor. And I have to say that I enjoyed myself very much reading it. Though I won't lie and say it was an easy read. Very well written, America comes to life. And with that in mind, she's very much a teenager. There are times I wanted to strangle her. There were times when I was seriously questioning her sanity and reason. And, of course, there were times when I really wished she would just open her eyes and grow up (still waiting on that so we'll see).

But I think that those little flaws in her, are what I like. She's not some perfect little grown up. In some ways she is still a child which is very appropriate for her age. And yet she also has those moments that, as a big sister, I can empathize with. The worry. The command. The simply wanting time alone or with friends who don't mind you being yourself. I've already decided I'm reading the second book as soon as I can get my hands on it. Kiera Cass has certainly brought this world to life.

With an interesting view for a future world, The Selection has this feeling of being both distopic and elegant at the same time. It is not the dark hardships of The Hunger Games or Divergent, but at the same time it is not some sweeping romance like Pride and Prejudice or Austenland. It is somewhere in the middle. Now some might question my choice of comparisons, but I feel that is the best way to describe the rich world that Miss Cass has begun to build. A world that I eagerly hope to return to very soon.



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