A (very late) signing recap: KIERA CASS IN MANILA!!! + Giveaway

As you all know, we don't really get a lot of signings from international authors, let alone bestsellers, so I was really excited when I found out that Kiera Cass, bestselling author for The Selection series, was coming to Manila last August 3rd for a signing. You know that feeling you get when you know you're going to meet the author of the book you loved reading? THAT.

Oh look! A tower of The Selection / The Elite!

Before the signing we had a chance to ask Kiera some questions, and boy are we nervous. I was. I mean who wouldn't?! My question was: What was your favorite moment in either The Selection/ The Elite?

Her answer was that scene in the garden! If you've read The Selection I'm pretty sure you're familiar with that scene when Maxon and America kissed and it was the most awkward thing that happened when they were just starting to be attracted with each other. I think everyone squealed when we all remembered that scene. Awkward kiss? Typical Maxon!

While we were waiting for Kiera Cass...

What I love the most during signings like this is that I get to meet all my Filipino book blogger friends! It's always a riot when we all hang out and talk about the books we've read and we loved, fangirling over hot fictional boys and just exchanging book recommendations. You just don't know how much I miss these girls:

* Last two photos from Kate @ The Bookaholic Blurbs *

I was grinning like mad when I had my book signed. She's such a sweetheart!



Kiera was so funny and talkative! I love how she answered each and every question honestly and as thoroughly as she could! She told us she didn't really read the book once it's been printed out she doesn't know exactly what ended up being cut and what made into the book, and she avoids reading it because she might want to correct scenes here and there. She also explained in detail how the world of The Selection works and its caste-like system. Also, this might or might not be a major hint but she left us to ponder if America will end up being the Princess... or not. :)

* Photo from Kate @ The Bookaholic Blurbs *

You think it ended there? Nope.

* Photo from Kate @ The Bookaholic Blurbs *

We had to have the rest of our books signed, so we went to the public signing and BAM! Check out the photo below to get an idea how many people were there. We were all squeezed into a corner waiting for the signing to start and there's more than 600 people crammed in that little space, you wouldn't believe how long the lines were!

* Photo from Kate @ The Bookaholic Blurbs *

Yep, you read that right... more than 600 people. I think it's 642, to be exact. Kiera got a bit teary eyed when she got to the venue and saw how much people there were waiting for her! There was even a girl who cosplayed America wearing the same gown in the cover of The Selection. People were asking to take her picture!

Overall it was a fun, crazy, loud day but it was so, so, so worth it! Me and my signed books are so happy :3

Thank you to this wonderful duo and National Bookstore! You do know that they're bringing 3 YOUNG ADULT BEST SELLING AUTHORS here for a signing this September, right?

I wanted to give away a signed book but I only got 1 copy of both The Selection and The Elite signed and I treasure all my signed books, so... But never fear! I figured I'd give out something The Selection related instead. Check it!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Win a Kindle copy of The Prince: A Selection Novella by Kiera Cass!

Rules:

Open internationally

Ends 8/30

Must be at least 13 years old to enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass

I am bestowing the honor of  proving me wrong in ways I never thought possible to this book. I learned a valuable lesson when I finished The Selection. Leave the judgment on yourself, not on what you've read about or seen somewhere else.

Title: The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass
Pages: 352
Release Date: April 24th 2012
Published by: Harper Collins USA
Source: Publisher (thanks Sarah!)
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository
Buy locally: National Bookstore | Fully Booked

Summary:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Illéa is a young country constantly under turmoil. Although it's hard to believe that such an event as 'The Selection' takes place when war is constant as well as attempts to conquer the country, the concept is something you won't expect given the state of the society, you just have to read on. It seemed shallow and absurd at first, but what made The Selection different from The Bachelor, or Krista McGee's First Date is that it all happens in a society kept together by fragile diplomatic ties. They find hope, entertainment, and happiness for these ladies, a wonderful distraction from all the fighting, violence and the hunger. What I liked about this book as well is how the structure of the society was clearly presented by the number designations. You will see the difference of a life of a Five compared to a One. It's a different way of showing the disparity of life between the rich and the poor, the opulence of the privileged few compared to the poor masses.

As for the characters, I liked Maxon for all his awkward politeness and the stiff, unsure moments he always seemed to have. It's what you slightly expect from a Prince born in such a troubled time of his country, but it's still entertaining to see him flustered a lot of times. And although I never liked the concept of a guy dating multiple girls, let alone 34 others at the same time, Maxon made it seem like there's more to it than just a competition. He's a young leader who was sheltered from the horrors of society, finding out its real state in an unexpected time: during the Selection, from a Five who has lived through a lot of trying times. Princes always seem to have a certain awe factor in them, but Maxon will earn your love by being adorable, responsible, romantic and maybe even a little too naive and oblivious throughout the book.

America is your typical protagonist, a kind, humble girl who thinks of her family before anything else. In a way, she knows more about the realities of life than Maxon. As a Five, she had faced a lot of hardships in life and has seen the difference in the rankings. All her life her mother has stressed to her the importance of marrying someone with a higher rank, but she was willing to risk all for her forbidden romance with Aspen. She became a celebrity overnight and she takes it all in stride though initially breaking down because it was too much for her. I liked that she never changed despite of all the trappings of wealth she was being exposed to. I really wish her talent for singing has been introduced a lot more in the latter part of the story though, as it was made such a big deal at the onset of the story.

Another lovable part of this book is the romance, especially what Maxon and America had. Becoming friends, exchanging thoughts and opinions with each other, not being afraid to say what's on their minds. They breached the gap between a One and a Five, learning a lot from each others experiences. It felt so natural and unhurried. They have awfully sweet, chaste moments I couldn't help but cheer for the both of them.  The star crossed angle of Aspen and America's love story was good enough to be explored but for once, I liked the friends before lovers arc Maxon and America had. I'm a romantic at heart, and I've always wanted the Prince to sweep the girl off her feet for a happily ever after.

It's not just about the lavish ballgowns, the opulent grounds, the lifestyle of the rich or the possibility of becoming a queen. There's the competition, healthy or not, that will keep both the readers and the contestants themselves on their toes. How far can one person go to win the crown? The challenges faced by a young kingdom like Illyria is also a big part of the story. How much does a future leader need to understand and see in order for him to know what his country needs? The Selection blends together the typical, necessary things for a normal YA novel and, somehow, makes it into a very engaging read. Hopefully, in the next book we get to know more about the rebels. The attacks were always swift, and their presence, though always mentioned by the characters, has been vague and weak. I hope the author gives them a more solid role aside from being a phantom problem and one point of conflict for the book.

But really, color me surprised. It's a very sweet read, cut off at the very moment where one already yearns to know the results of The Selection. All the controversy and scandal surrounding this book? It's publicity. Don't let things like that keep you from reading a book you'd like to read. Who knows? It might turn out to be a pleasant and memorable experience like what happened to me.

Content (plot, story flow, character):
Maxon's innocence is something I found amusing and cute at the same time. You almost always never see a male lead like him.

Shining: Worthy of a Goddess' Love!

Book Cover:
It's what attracted me to the book. It was love at first sight.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.