#SundaySeven (17/04/16)

I know it's very late this week, but better late than never right?
There have been some really amazing photos this week, which is partially why it took me so long to get this post up. I've also been doing a lot more school work, which is also why it took so long.
But before I go and watch Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I better get this post up!

1. 

@mylibrary__

First place this week goes to one of my favourite accounts and someone who tags me in loads of photos, which is brilliant because I love book tags! This photo is quite a simple one, but simple can often mean absolutely stunning. I love the page background, which I'm sure I've mentioned before, but I also love the colour of the photo and that book cover is gorgeous!

2. 

@book_lovers_15

This account hasn't been featured since the first week, but has made a comeback with this lovely photo of The One, a review of which can be found on this blog. I love the setting of this one, with the trees reflected beautifully on the lake. Plus the covers of Cass' books are so pretty too!

3. 

@ash.reads

Ever since starting #SundaySeven, I have been waiting for Ashley to make the top seven. Not only is her account one of my absolute favourites, she is one of the nicest people I have met since joining bookstagram! A review of Throne of Glass is also up on this blog and, although the book disappointed me, this photo certainly doesn't! I just love the colours and that necklace is so pretty. 
4. 

@demmi_writist

Unsurprisingly, here we have Demmi's third feature and many of her other photos made it to this week's shortlist too. All of her photos are just so colourful and eye-catching! Two things really made this one for me. One is the bookmark. I love adult colouring, and I love the idea of colouring bookmarks! The colours chosen are so bright and could lighten up even the most fullest of days. The other thing I love are the book covers; I need to buy those books!

5. 

@thehufflepuffle

I clearly cannot get enough of Lindsay's account. Third week in a row, and she featured last week twice! Her photos are always so beautifully cluttered and so stylishly done. Zodiac has totally made its way onto my TBR now just because of this photo. I really wish I could take photos as amazing as this!

6. 

@sobookinggood

This photo is Tracey's fourth feature, wow! That's more than half the posts! Whenever I even try to go outside, I never get gorgeous photos like this. Maybe I'm just unlucky, but Tracey clearly isn't! I love the way the glare of the sun is in the top of the photo, and I just love the tree that the book is nestled in. It's such a lovely photo; it really makes me want it to be Summer!

7. 

@conireads

What's this? A week without Harry Potter? Wow! Instead I have this lovely photo from one of my new found accounts. I'm such a dog person and, although not a really planned out photo like those above, I will stop and always love any photos featuring your reading buddies! Plus the book cover is pretty intriguing too!

Thankyou for reading, and thanks to all the bookstagram accounts (both those featured, and the countless others I poured through in order to decide on my seven). 

None of these photos are mine, and I have credited the account and notified them that I am using their image. Occasionally, it is known for accounts to repost photos without crediting the original owner. I do not support this. All photos are, to my knowledge, original to the accounts credited. If not, I will happily amend and assist in reporting accounts that are stealing photos. (To the accounts featured: I am not suggesting this applies to you, I am merely covering myself. This paragraph shall feature on all #SundaySeven posts in the rare and unfortunate case problems may occur.)

Book Review: The One by Kiera Cass

The One – Kiera Cass

*Warning – may contain spoilers*

Previous reviews: TheSelection; The Elite

Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperCollins

First published: 2014

Cover: Paperback

Pages: 323

Blurb:    When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown – or to Prince Maxon’s heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realises just how much she stands to lose – and how hard she’ll have to fight for the future she wants.

History of my copy: I bought The One, along with Lady Midnight (review here) and Winter to make the most of the postage I paid to receive Lady Midnight on release day and, after loving The Selection and The Elite so much, The One leapt to the top of my TBR list.

I have just realised that the covers of The Selection series are blue, red and white, coincidentally the colours of the American flag, and I can’t help but wonder whether this was done on purpose or not, especially as the main character is called America.

Plot: I can’t help but feel highly disappointed in the final instalment of Maxon’s Selection. The story itself had so many little twists that had the potential to become something fantastic, but were wrapped up much too soon. The alliance with the Northern rebels could have been developed so much more, giving an interesting side plot to the story as Maxon and America worked against the King for a different Illéa. Furthermore, the attack when the pair sneak out of the Palace also could have been a bit more dramatic and a lot less confusing, with perhaps one of them getting kidnapped. And what even happened to Paige after that?

         In terms of The Selection process itself, the book focusses on the remaining four girls: America, Celeste, Kriss and Elise. However, they don’t seem to do much. In fact, most of the book is Clarkson being harsh on America. The only vaguely interesting development was the Convicting.

         And then there is the ending itself, and the events leading up to it. C’mon, if you’re going to have a massive attack, make it interesting! Make it good! It seemed much too rushed, much too sudden and much too quickly brushed away and replaced by the wedding.

         Then there’s the matter of character development and the way Cass used the characters for different things, which I shall delve into later.

         I also feel as if having both the King and Queen dying in the attacks was a bit too strong. Yes, she died for him, but it just seemed a bit too sudden and a bit too much. Plus, Maxon didn’t even seem too bothered about it. I know he was a jerk, but he was your Father and your Mother was nothing but an angel. Show some respect.

Setting: Admittedly, Cass kept the setting up. I still want to go to the Palace and see how beautiful it is for myself. Maxon’s room sounds amazing. I also enjoyed how, when America went home, there was that contrast between her old home and her new one.

Characters: My first problem regarding the characters is the way Celeste entirely changed. For some reason, Cass decided to show a ‘nice’ side to the girl who had been a right bitch throughout, and the other girls seemed to forgive her? Why? Oh yes, just so that when she gets shot the reader is supposed to feel something for her. Sorry, didn’t happen. Celeste was more interesting as a mean girl, and the change in her character did nothing for me.

                Then there is America’s father’s death. Not sure why that happened either, maybe just to send America away from the Palace over Christmas, despite how beautiful any festive scenes between Maxon and America would have been? Oh and yes, of course, Aspen had to give America away at the wedding, a little symbol of their relationship between them. Didn’t like that at all, it felt like his death was just to show that, and to show that he was a Northern rebel. But it was nice to see why America had that name.

                And now to Maxon, who I did love but now I hate. His reaction to Aspen and America was ridiculous. At least give the girl a chance to explain! Jheez, grow up, don’t act all petty just because she had a previous romance and you didn’t.

To read or not to read: Don’t read. I know, if you’ve reached this far you just want to get to the end of Maxon and America’s story, but this book is such a disappointment compared to the other two. Sure, read it to finish this part of the series, but don’t go expecting much. I almost wish I’d finished The Elite and decided that I could imagine them ending up together and how it happened without picking up The One.