The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard

By: Kiera Cass

Narrated by: Nick Podehl, Tristan Morris, Amy Rubinate

Discover the untold stories of two fan favorite characters in these novellas set in the world of Kiera Cass’s #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series

The Prince and The Guard offer captivating views into the hearts and minds of the two men fighting to win America Singer’s love. The Selection Stories also features bonus content, including an extended ending to The Prince, a Q&A with Kiera Cass, family trees, playlists, and more!

Before America arrived at the palace to compete in the Selection, there was another girl in Prince Maxon’s life. In The Prince, follow Maxon from the week before the Selection begins through the first day of the competition.

Raised as a Six, Aspen Leger never dreamed that he would find himself living in the palace. In The Guard, get an inside look at Aspen’s life as a palace guard—and the truth about his world that America will never know.

Don’t miss The Betrothed, a glittering royal romance sure to captivate Kiera Cass’s legion of loyal readers and lovers of courtly intrigue alike!

Through the eyes of the guys

STORY (YA romance) - I have been anxiously awaiting the release of The One and was pleased to find that Kiera Cass decided to give us something to placate us in the meantime. This book is two separate novellas that give the viewpoints of Maxon and Aspen. If you've been following The Selection series, you will know it's about a competition between 35 young girls wishing to become the wife of Prince Maxon. The main character, America, is in the competition but still has feelings for her old BF Aspen, who is a guard at the palace and watching the competition unfold. It's the ultimate love triangle, not to mention all the tension between the competitors. (Do you watch The Bachelor on TV?)

This book is enjoyable, but there's really nothing new that happens. It's basically the same story as The Selection and The Elite, but it tells where the guys were and what they were doing/thinking when events occurred. You will hear how nervous Maxon was about the competition and how he accidentally met America before it started and liked her immediately. Aspen's perspective is basically about his devotion to "Mare" (nickname for America) and his dislike for Prince Maxon.

If you love this series as I do, you might want to hear these short novellas but, as I said, the story doesn't really progress from the ending of the last book. There's a preview of The One at the end but, again, nothing really new happens.

PERFORMANCE - The stories of Maxon and Aspen each have a different narrator. They both do good jobs, though I think they pronounce the name of the country differently than Amy Rubinate. Amy is back to narrate the preview at the end.

OVERALL - If you are thinking about listening to this series, don't start here. Start with The Selection and then hear The Elite. The series is easy listening, romantic and thoroughly enjoyable. There is no sex and only a little mild violence, so it's recommended for all ages. Not a book for guys.

and then?????

only told half the story, then stopped. left the reader hanging. im a fan of the series, but very disappointed in this book.

Too short!

This had interesting viewpoints from the male characters' perspectives but I'm sorry I wasted a credit on this. It was way too short and should have been woven into the main book as separate chapters giving both views of the interactions.

Too Short!

Disappointed it was not a full story. Not long enough - hope the rest of the series is like the first few.

This is a FILLER book...

Any additional comments?

This book was very short and also very good. It was the MALES point of view for books 1 and 2 in the series.

The main thing that annoyed me was that even as a filler book, it was very short and left a lot of potential out. This book felt like it started strong and ended FAST.

I'm not sure if it was worth buying. I suppose it was since I liked the series so far.

If your on the fence about the first 2 books, I would wait for the next book seeing as how this one is just a EXTRA FILLER.

Loved the male perspective

I enjoyed the between the stories information. I've really enjoyed the selection series and loved learning more about the characters, especially the male perspectives. It really rounded out things nicely. Great addition in my opinion. I read this one before going on to the Heir.

Too Short

I loved hearing the story from the guys perspective however the stories are unfinished. Maxon's and Aspen's stories could easily be made into full length books but that's not what you get. Though the writing is up to par with The Selection (and still worthy to read) you only get a glimpse from their perspective. Maxon's story starts before The Selection begins and ends shortly after being kneed by America (if i remember correctly). Aspen's story starts after the Halloween party and ends after he finds America in the woods.

kind of gives away the other books

This is interesting in that it gives the other side of the story in the bookd

expected more

Its a tease, three different ways, to the same story. Wanted more, but not willing to purchase the next in the series only to be left hanging.
Its not enough cannon to be considered a good cliff hanger...at all.

Unlikely

I know this is supposed to be romance and like fairy tale. But I wish it was more realistic. Both men have numerous women flirting and basically being available, yet both men are undeniably in love with this girl. Aspen I can kind of understand because they have history, but the author literally makes it almost unbearable how desperate he is for her. And Maxim has all these woman at his beck and call but only has eyes for her? It makes it seem far fetched. Especially since the orginal version it was clear that maxim was developing feelings for a few girls. This seems like a book written by a women, hoping that is how men feel and not actually getting a man's perspective.