"Season"-ed Snack Size Review
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Rating: Fall
Gorgeous cover, inviting setting, somewhat painful plot. I found the descriptions, America's maids, and Prince Maxon's demeanor to be, overall, sweet. Aspen's behavior and the general self-centeredness of many of the characters were a little too sour for me. I'm intrigued by the series but not overly invested in it, especially because the whole scenario is rather frustrating.
Un-"season"-ed Snack Size Review
Old Time Noise by The Vogts Sisters
Creative album cover, great "old-timey" song selections, and lovely voices. Maggie and Abbey are both very talented - certainly musical artists to watch if you're a bluegrass fan! I love the sweetness and heart of the whole album. Current song favorites: "One More Dollar," "Lila Jean," "Acony Bell," and "Tear My Stillhouse Down."
Note: "Seasoned" or "unseasoned" is in reference to my book rating system. Thanks to Juju of Tales of Whimsy for the inspiration regarding mini reviews!
Uh oh, did my last comment post? If there are two delete one :) LOL! I pretty much said that I used the same words as you on The Selected except that I am invested in the story and must find out how it all ends since I have read two of the books already. Something I didn't say was that I am going to have to get the Vogt sisters cd for my husband! I think he would like their voices.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE The Vogts Sisters!!!
ReplyDeleteAmber, thank you so much for spotlighting them on your blog a couple weeks back! You gave me a sample of their music and I was hooked! Got their cd for Christmas and have been listening to it ever since :-)
I liked your un-"season"-ed snack size review! :-) Those are all my favorites, too! But I'd like to add to that list "Rainy Days" and "Cotton Waltz" (these are probably my top 2 followed by the others). And I think I read that Maggie wrote those? These sisters are so talented. My cousin was over the other night and was listening to them with me. We just love their voices! Wish I could sing...
Thanks again for introducing me to bluegrass music, my friend :-)
Praying you have a beautiful and blessed first weekend of this new year!
Blessings,
Amanda
ooooo a musical review! Nice. I like bluegrass.
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your first comment didn't make it! :( But I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts!
My thoughts are pretty mixed on The Selection. There were some really sweet things about it, but the overall self-centeredness kind of turned me off from it. And this is sad to confess, but I loved The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson - a contemporary romance where the heroine finds herself on this local show and has to choose between all the men vying for her affections - while I didn't care for this one as much. (Yes, it's sad that I can handle a girl picking from a ton of guys, but I have a harder time handling a guy picking from a ton of girls, LOL!) But one major difference is Aspen thrown into the whole mix. I just have a hard time sympathizing with America on that situation; Aspen frustrates me!
I appreciated your review of The Elite, by the way! It helped me know a little more about where the series was going, and I liked reading your opinion. :) I'm just not sure if I want to keep going with this series or not...
Anyhow, I'm really enjoying listening to The Vogts' Sisters CD - their voices really are so sweet and pretty! :) I hope your husband enjoys the CD, too, if you do get it for him!
~Amber
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so happy to hear that! As you know, I also asked for their CD for Christmas, and I've been loving it, too! It's the type of music I really enjoy. :)
"Rainy Days" and "Cotton Waltz" are great songs! I think Maggie also wrote "Lila Jean." :) Definitely a very talented duo!
I'm thrilled that you've come to love bluegrass music, too - how awesome is that?? It truly is one of my favorite genres of music. Love it!!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, as well, and thank you for stopping by!
~Amber
Juju,
ReplyDeleteThank you! Isn't bluegrass music great? :)
~Amber
Sorry you didn't much care for 'Selection.' I thought it was far (far!) better than 'Hunger Games.' :)
ReplyDeleteRissi,
ReplyDeleteAw, I still found it entertaining and interesting - I just don't think I was challenged as much by it or got as much out of it as I did The Hunger Games. I think I was frustrated by the mostly selfish attitudes regarding love... Although Maxon came close to winning me over. ;) But the whole set-up is just so aggravating!!
As far as being dystopian, perhaps as the series goes on with the rebel attacks (etc.), it will make more of a statement or something. Right now, it just feels like the "dystopian"-type setting is more of a background to the love triangle than a compelling thing in and of itself, if that makes any sense!
~Amber
Thanks for the review on the girls' cd, Amber. So glad you enjoyed their music. Many blessings to you and your readers.
ReplyDeleteDeborah,
ReplyDeleteNo problem! I really am enjoying the CD - it was a great Christmas present. :) Wishing the best for all of their future endeavors (and yours, as well)!
Thank you for stopping by!
~Amber