Book Review: The Heir (The Selection #4), Kiera Cass

Title: The Heir
Series: The Selection #4
Author: Kiera Cass
Published: 06/06/2015, HarperCollins Children's Books
Pages: 342
Source: Netgalley (10 chapter teaser) & Bought
Format: Ebook teaser & Paperback
Rating: 4/5

Eighteen years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon's heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn't expect her Selection to be anything like her parent's fairy-tale love story... but as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought. A new generation of swoonworthy characters and captivating romance awaits in the fourth book of the Selection series!

Before starting The Heir, I was a bit apprehensive. I'd heard so many conflicting opinions. Lots of people loved The Heir, yet so many people hated it. However, I'm very happy to be saying that I really liked The Heir. Sure, it wasn't the original trilogy but it was something different and, therefore, it didn't feel like I was reading The Selection all over again.

The Heir begins 20 years after the original trilogy ends. And even though it is the same Illea, the changes were amazing! Maxon and America achieved a lot in those twenty years. The old caste system has been abolished and people are now free to make their own life choices. However, Illea still faces many difficulties.

But, of course, The Heir is not about America and Maxon. Instead, the story follows their daughter, Eadlyn, as she reluctantly takes on her very own Selection. And, as expected, everything isn't plain sailing for her.

I'm not sure how I feel about Eadlyn. She is a spoilt, naive brat. However, I'm putting this down to her privileged upbringing - she is, of course, a Princess. Her parents also wouldn't have raised her up the same way that Maxon was raised by his father. They were most definitely softer on their children. It's clear as day that she is the apple of Maxon's eye and her relationship with her brothers (Ahren, Kaden and Osten) is just the cutest. They clearly adore her.

As her Selection continues, we begin to slowly see a different side to her. She becomes more aware of others and does get nicer. I also feel that Eadlyn is extremely unsure of herself and she tries to hide a lack of confidence. She worries about taking the throne a lot.

I don't feel I know enough about any of the Selected yet. Eadlyn does avoid a great deal of them. However, I do think Henri is quite sweet. But, I don't think he's the one for Eadlyn. I really, really like Kile. Like Eadlyn, he is reluctant to be in the Selection. I would love Eadlyn to eventually choose him. They would be so adorable together.

The ending is pretty climatic and there is a massive, terribly heartbreaking cliffhanger that made me want to through my book at the wall. I cannot wait to see what happens next. I need The Crown now!

I would definitely recommend The Heir to fans of the original trilogy. I'd just advise them to have caution as it is a bit different.

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