I enjoyed this a lot more than the Selection series as a whole. I personally don't see this as part of the Selection series, but more of its own sequel duology because even though it follows a second selection it's very different. And I like that this is a duology because I do think that the original trilogy was too long and a lot of the political stuff got boring and was poorly executed and felt like it was shoved in to create drama/fill space on the page.

First of all, I like the Eadlyn wasn't perfect. She's very entitled and unlikable, but changes as the story progress. Such a step up from her parents who were decent people and their character development involved more falling in love than becoming better people.

I also like that unlike in The Selection, we don't know how it's going to end. I know Eadlyn's going to choose someone, but I don't know who.

I enjoy how it shows the political angle of a Selection too, ie, the people are upset, distract the media!!! Not only did it show how much of a show it can be, but it also points out a lot of stereotypes and double standards since it's now the reverse, a girl choosing from a pool of guys. It's so easy to see where something that happens in this Selection just wouldn't fly in a male lead one, or how even though it's supposed to be Eadlyn choosing all the dates etc the Selected still feel the need to take her out. I like the idea of the Selected taking the monarch out to try and woo them and it would have been cool in the original trilogy.

This one is definitely a bit less of a guilty pleasure/comfort read than The Selection is. I enjoyed this one a little bit more and I'm hoping unlike the trilogy this doesn't get worse with each installment.