Review: The Queen by Kiera Cass

Goodreads Overview:

Before America Singer's story began, another girl came to the palace to compete for the hand of a different prince….

Don't miss this digital original novella set in the captivating world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series. This prequel story takes place before the events of The Selection and is told from the point of view of Prince Maxon's mother, Amberly. Discover a whole new Selection with this inside look at how Maxon's parents met—and how an ordinary girl named Amberly became a beloved queen.

Review:

After reading this novella it is hard to understand how Prince Maxon's father turned out the way he did. He was actually a very likable character in this story. His parents weren't the best role models and I believe it was his mother who may have set the poor example he eventually emulated.

I enjoyed learning more about Amberly and her selection process. She wasn't as strong and polished as  she was in the Selection series. She came from a farming background and her family was poorer than their class rank implied. In addition, the conditions in the region where she lived often lead to illness. For years Amberly suffered from headaches as a result, but she discovers the effects may be greater than she imagined. As much as she wants to marry the prince, she doesn't know how she will ever be able to compete. It was interesting to see what qualities appealed to Prince Clarkson and why she was eventually chosen.

This is a quick read and a nice addition to the series. While it isn't essential to the overall story, I would recommend reading it if you have read the rest of the series. I downloaded the ebook from the library, so it didn't cost me anything to get a glimpse into what life was like at the palace before Maxon was in the picture.