Summary of The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard by Kiera Cass

Dive into the romantic turmoil of 'The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard' and explore love, rivalry, and royal secrets in this enchanting novella!

Ah, "The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard", where fairytale dreams meet dystopian drama, and romantic tension hangs heavier than your average teen heartthrob's mixtape. If you think you're diving into mere fluff, brace yourself-Kiera Cass will spin you into a labyrinth of love, rivalry, and, yes, princely hairdos.

Now, let's break it down. The Selection Stories is a two-for-one special, like a romantic combo meal at your favorite fast-food joint, serving up the entries The Prince and The Guard. This collection offers a peek behind the curtain (or should we say tiara) of the main "Selection" series, which is like The Bachelor meets royal makeover. First up, we meet Maxon Schreave, the dreamy prince who comes with a side of privilege and an impressive royal wardrobe. He's on the hunt for his future bride among a sea of hopefuls vying for his attention (and his crown). Think of him as a guy who swipes right on his entire kingdom. Classic.

The Prince part gives us Maxon's perspective, because who wouldn't want to know what goes on in the mind of a slightly neurotic royal? Maxon navigates the pressures of being a prince while trying to figure out which of the competing girls is just for him. Spoiler alert: it's basically all about America Singer, the girl with the fiery hair and even fierier opinions. Cue the nonexistent competition as Maxon juggles his royal duties and his burgeoning feelings like a court jester missing the mark.

On the other hand, we have The Guard, told through the eyes of Aspen Leger, America's first love (yes, it's one of those love triangles, ugh). Aspen is a guard-like, the guard who has to keep an eye on the royal fam while harboring his own secret feelings for America. The Guard gives us all the juicy behind-the-scenes drama-think peeks into royal kitchen mishaps, awkward dinner parties, and secret longing in a palace filled with tension. Aspen's life is basically full of "what ifs" and "why nots" as he grapples with class issues and his not-so-royal feelings for America. Sure, it's classic YA angst, but who can resist a brooding love interest?

Now let's talk themes: love, sacrifice, and all the classic "I should have grabbed her hand" moments flood the pages. You'll be treated to a rollercoaster of "Will they, won't they?" as Maxon and Aspen spiral into their respective emotions like they're auditioning for a reality show. There's also a dash of political intrigue and societal pressure-because what's a royal romance without a little drama? Just remember, everyone's fighting for a crown, but as the saying goes, "If you can't handle the tiara, get out of the palace!"

And because I can't resist, here's the spoiler you've been waiting for: neither Prince Maxon nor Aspen make it easy for America. That delightful mess of relationships steers readers through a whirlwind of preferences and impossible choices, making you root for escapism from your mundane life.

So, if you were wondering whether to pick this book up or let it pile up in your reading list like the laundry you keep ignoring, think again. This novella is a light bite that bridges the pages of your awkward teen experience with royal fantasies. Grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare for a delightful ride through the realms of love, jealousy, and crowns. Just remember: in the end, when picking a prince or guard, always choose the one who can also make a mean cup of tea. Cheers!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.