The Heir by Kiera Cass is the fourth book in The Selection series. Now that Prince Maxon is married and king of Illea there is a new heir to the throne. Princess Eadlyn, the first female heir, is in training for the day she will reign. There’s no questioning her strong independence right from the first chapter. “You are the next person in line to run this country, and you will be the first girl to do it on your own. No one,....is as powerful as you.” She says to her reflection in the mirror. Now this stubborn, independent girl is going to have to face one of her biggest fears...MEN! These men aren’t just your everyday strangers, they will be fighting for Eadlyn’s hand in another selection. Having a selection was in no way her idea. With the people of Illea facing a huge change in their society, Eadlyn’s parents pushed her into doing it to entertain the public until the flame dies down. Eadlyn’s plan for the selection was to simply buy time for the kingdom while making these men miserable. She starts with her pushing everyone of those boys away, but she finds something in herself she didn’t know was there.

Eadlyn is the oldest by a small seven minutes. Her twin brother Ahren was so close to being in her position. She now has to prepare for the weight of her country to be resting on her shoulders. She has been told that her whole life and over the years has become very determined to be as strong and powerful as she could. If it were up to her she’d put off marriage for as long as possible, but her parents have other plans. Since her Dad’s reign, huge changes have been made to Illea. He managed to eliminate the old caste system in no time, but the public is still struggling to adjust. The restlessness needs a distraction and her parents have the perfect idea: a selection. The life of a princess is to her country first, therefore Eadlyn has no choice. No matter how hard she protests, Princess Eadlyn must now have a selection of her own.

Before the selection even begins she’s made a plan of escape. Buy her parents and the country some time, three months to be exact, while she drives these men away. It starts with her doing everything in her power to keep the candidates of the selection at bay. She builds a fence to her heart and a promise to herself to never let anyone cross it. Not all of the selected could handle the attitude and pride of the Princess. “You’re pushy! You’re selfish! What was I thinking?” Baden, one of the selected, yelled to Princess Eadlyn. The selection is an emotional roller coaster all around.

The main theme of The Heir is to recognize your faults and not let your own pride get in the way of your relationships. Eadlyn seems to find something deep within herself she had no idea about. Over time the selection opens her eyes to her bad attitude and closed doors. She hates to admit it but she develops feelings for each of the selected, something completely unplanned. Who would have thought getting to know others would help her discover herself?

Kiera Cass is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Selection series. I think she did an amazing job throughout the whole series. Though The Heir wasn’t my favorite of the series, it was definitely worth reading. Cass explores such deep feelings in her writing that really make you feel like you’re Princess Eadlyn yourself. Kiera Cass’s talent amazes me with each book. The Heir is an upbeat, romantic book worth reading.