Picked up by a military convoy Devin and Karissa leave all they know behind without knowing why they’ve been selected. They soon realise all the “Chosen” are scientists, many interconnected, but nobody will tell them where they are going or why. When the convoy is attacked by rebels looking for food supplies the scientists learn the truth, that they have been selected to leave the dying planet and start a new colony to save a tiny portion of humanity. The scientists must choose; where to go, who to be, and what their growing attraction is worth.

This is an absolutely excellent example of speculative dystopian fiction which is, unfortunately, all too obviously possible given the current climate change, pollution and declining effectiveness of penicillin. The fact that it is routed in a future we can easily imagine makes it frighteningly real both in terms of the effects of our current lifestyles and the political machinations of self-interested government.

The main characters are both excellent; sympathetic, interesting, intelligent, well rounded within the context of their situation. Both must deal with hard issues and make hard decisions about their future, their colleagues and each other. Their physical chemistry is great, the slow burn romance which follows behind is a wonderful read, and a great cliff-hanger to match the will they – won’t they of the Chosen. The wider cast is well drawn, with depth and variety from the mad scientist to the humanist rebels, they add emotional complexity to the tale.

Earth itself plays a huge role in the story with imaginative descriptive scenes; from the beauty of nature to the tension of the life-threatening weather and the way humanity has found to survive – so far. The settings feel authentic, the details are credible and pull you into the reality these people inhabit, adding hugely to the veracity of the world building. Willows’ writing will simply transport you into this future version of our world.

I loved the plot, complex and layered yet clearly and straightforwardly laid out, if that isn’t an oxymoron. It, like the characters and the setting, is full of small subplots and mysteries which add to the whole rather than distract from the core. And all this is enhanced by the science; it felt real, the processes and interpretation of evidence, the ethics and soul-searching.

Whether you like fantasy or not you should give this book a go. The romance is spot on, the world building excellent and the whole is just speculative fiction at its best. I loved Brey Willows’ “Afterlife Inc” trilogy but this is on a whole new level and I sincerely hope there might be a sequel. I’m giving it a very rare 5 stars from me and can’t recommend it highly enough.

This was my first time reading something from this author, and as luck would have it, it is a not a book in the middle of a series. I hate picking up a book, getting into it, and then learning that it is book three in a series. Then you feel compelled to go back and read the other ones before going forward so you aren’t missing any back story. No issue with that here.

I got caught up in the post-apocalyptic, dystopian future rather quickly. Why were these people being rounded up and driven who knows where? Lots to keep you interested. The romance/relationship is secondary to the story and yet extremely pivotal (if that makes any sense – see the book description for more on that one). I recommend this to anyone that likes to take a look into the possible future of this planet and its inhabitants.

Book Description from Bold Stroke Books

Climate change moved faster than anyone anticipated, and the Earth, along with many of its inhabitants, is dying. When a military convoy arrives to pick up Devin Rossi and Karissa Decker, along with dozens of other bewildered people, the two have no idea they are part of a group selected by the government to be transported to a space station preparing for the colonization of another planet. They are members of the Chosen.

On their way to the military base, their convoy is attacked and Devin and Karissa learn the real reason behind their selection. Their attraction grows as they struggle to survive and wrestle with the decision to continue on to the base as part of the Chosen, which means leaving millions of others behind to die.

Will they face an uncertain future together, or will the cost be too high?

Cover Artist: Tammy Sedick [I have to say that I really appreciate that they acknowledge the cover artists.]

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

There is an interesting challenge while engaging with this read. You must image the 'what if' in regard to life after global warming. You must imagine climate change. This read provides a glimpse of the earth with hurricanes, earthquakes, thunderstorms, and the impact on the human race as individuals try and survive to live another day. This read begs the question, can and how do we go on as a human race. Well, not on this planet. the government identifies the brightest to colonize another planet. Devin Rossi is sure she wants to be a part of this exciting new adventure. Karissa Decker on the other hand wants to stay behind and not only help her parents but use her talents to help others live another day. I enjoyed that differences in their personalities. Devin more extroverted and Karissa more introverted. This read has you thinking what would you do? Would you stay or would you go? I like a read that makes me think.

WOW!!
Now this is my kind of book. I absolutely loved it from word one and was actually disappointed when I finished it.

I'm kinda hoping there's going to be a sequel. It's just one of those stories you never want to end. Hey? maybe the author is accepting requests? I would personally love to know what happens next on both worlds.

All I can say that in my opinion it is really worth reading. It's one of those books that you would be willing to read more than once.

*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2586991570

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R136MZA301HL5S/ref=pe_1572281_66412651_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*

I am a huge fan of post apocalyptic books because I love to explore new surrounding and environments. This world, created by Brey Willows, is really well build and I just could not stop reading until the book was over. So great.

Devin and Karissa, the maincharacters, are chosen to accompany a group which is preparing to colonize another planet, because the world is becoming inhabitable with all the climate change going on. Before they could make it to the military camp they*re attacked and so their life of survival begins which was so captivating.

I really like both characters and their relationship was awesome even though this is not a romance. It's an amazing book and an amazing way to forget your everyday-trouble - something that books are really good for - and to get to think about our world. Climate change and its consequences are important these days.

I'm usually into post-apocalyptic stories, but for some reason, reading this at the same time I'm watching AHS Apocalypse made it a bit boring. The characters were just averagely developed with an average plot and average writing. Nothing was wrong with it, but there was, unfortunately, nothing remarkable about it as well.

I enjoyed this book's premise a great deal. Many of the characters were well fleshed out, and I connected with the main characters and a couple of the secondaries fairly quickly. It was very easy to imagine the landscape this book was set in, and it really was as vivid and challenging as any character. Maybe even more than the bad guy. This is not just a man vs nature story, but also a man vs man, or in this case a woman vs man story. It was a timely tale, considering the way our global climate is going, and I could very easily see a pompous and controlling government pulling something off like the big mystery this story is built around. Exciting yes, but what about those not chosen?

I finished the book wanting to know more about those left at Mesa and the Gateway Cities. I want to know more about Van and Susan, Walker, Karissa and Devin. I want to know how they survive. Man, I hope there's a sequel!

Chosen is a speculative and dystopian story set in Earth's medium-term future, as civilization succumbs to the ravages of climate change. The foundation underpinning the story is topical and particularly relevant considering the wilful lack of concern regarding climate change shown by many politicians and leaders today.
Building on this background, Brey Willows has built an excellent story that is part thriller, part action and part romance. While speculative, this story nevertheless really works and is mostly very feasible. As expected, the writing is very good, and the book is easy to read and get caught up in.
My only other comment is that I feel sorry for straight people in this world; in a turnaround of the common trope the straight characters introduced are mostly villains, doomed to be single, or fated to die horribly before the end of the book!
Overall, highly recommended.

It is just under a hundred years in the future, and the absolute worst scenario has happened to the earth and humanity. Climate change has occurred faster than anyone thought it could and worse than most imagined. Humanity didn't help any with World War III. Now the earth is dying, many parts either underwater or uninhabitable because of tremendous storms, drought, heat, or floods. Formerly unknown diseases have been released with the melting poles, and humanity is in extreme danger. It is in this setting that we meet our main characters, Devin Rossi and Karissa Decker. They are being mysteriously picked up without their consent by a military convoy and transported with others to an unknown place. They are the chosen, but for what and will they have a choice in the end? Thus begins an adventure for these two and others you will meet on the journey that will include drama, action, and romance in a hostile world.

I like reading dystopian stories, though I often have trouble finding good ones to enjoy. With 'Chosen' I not only found a good one, I've found an excellent narrative for what could be our future if we are not careful. The writing is superb, the setting is frighteningly realistic, and the characters are well defined. The romance is sweet and a slow burn throughout the story. The story itself will keep you reading until the very end.

This book is written as a stand alone book with a definite closure at the end, but there are enough loose ends to make me wonder if there may be a series planned with these characters and story. I really hope there is. I would love to read more of this world and these people.

I was honored to receive an ARC of this book for an unbiased review.

I was eager to read the latest Brey Willows. I really liked Fury’s Bridge (from her Afterlife series), so I was curious to see what she could do with a post-apocalyptic scenario.

Chosen is set in the year 2100 and it does not look well for humanity. Our planet, ravaged by climate change, has become a nearly uninhabitable place. People are trying to find shelter inside one of the safe Gateway Cities if they can, but a lot of them are stranded outside and have to face the hostile elements unprotected.

The army is gathering the brightest minds of the land to bring them to a facility in the Northern Territories. The reason why they are taken there is classified but we will find out during the story. We meet two of our main characters as a military convoy is picking them up to travel north. Devin Rossi is a chemical geologist with a military background and Karissa Decker is an epidemiologist. Devin sees this whole trip as a new adventure whereas Karissa is extremely reluctant to leave her ailing parents behind. Both women get to know each other and bond during their hazardous trek to the facility.

Van Stein is the other main character who will cross paths with Devin and Karissa. Van raids military convoys and redistributes the supplies to the needy. She and her team do what they can to survive and find ways to thrive again.

Susan Sandish, a pharmacologist, escaped the convoy and is wandering the countryside in a pretty rough state when Van and her team rescue her. She is happy to join them and share her knowledge.

The story was super engaging with a nice pace, a realistic dystopian scenario, loveable characters, moral dilemmas and of course some sweet romance. I think this must be the first in a new series because it’s much too open-ended for it to be a stand-alone. So I’m invested to read more!

f/f

Themes: climate change, should we stay or should we go, eggheads, love changes everything.

4 stars

* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for an honest review.

Devin Rossi and Karissa Decker are chosen by the government to be part of a group that is preparing to colonize another planet. Why? Because of climate change, the earth is becoming inhabitable. However, before they can make it to the military base, their convoy is attacked and after learning the truth about why they were chosen, their love and their journey to survive begins.

The chemistry between the main characters is instantaneous and flowed naturally. Their relationship was very believable - the author handled their attractions and actions perfectly, given the circumstances the characters were in.

The writing was flawless and inviting, which didn't come as a surprise having read previous books from this author. The descriptions were well developed and you could definitely picture every step of their journey. I always love how Brey Willows book's make you think and ponder the world we live in.

Not only do you see the POV of the main characters, but surprisingly, you also get to experience the POVs of other characters, which gives you a different perspective on the story and the different situations going on around them.

This is not just a romance story but also a very interesting and engaging adventure that has you racing to the next page.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Exciting read. Brey Willows will have you captivated from page one. I enjoyed this book because of the riveting storyline. I loved the characters and the chemistry between them. I couldn't put the book down. I read it in one setting which is not normal for me. I was almost disappointed when it ended. I highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy sci-fi with lesbians. Well done. I can't wait for her next book.

Oh my gosh... this book was fantastic! While reading it sometimes it felt like a thriller, a prophecy and a "how to" guide. I am a prepper, much like the survivalists mentioned on the story, so this storyline really fed into my own reality. There is so much to love about this book, but I don't want to give spoilers or rewrite the blurb like so many do to fill their review. The content is exactly as described. There are mysteries within the story arch that add enrichment. The main characters are sympathetic and realistic considering their backgrounds. The descriptions of the environmental and terrain condition changes are amazingly detailed, rendering a realistic vision of a future with catastrophic climate changes. I wish this book was twice as long. I could imagine several more books continuing this storyline. Please...

I greatly enjoyed reading Brey Willows’ Afterlife series and was excited I didn’t have to wait too long for her new book, Chosen, to be published. I absolutely loved this story! As somewhat of an ‘egghead’ myself, and someone who is married to a CDC scientist, I definitely related to the theme of this book and thinking about what could happen in the future. I read a lot and I don’t find many books that engage my attention like this one did. It captured my attention from the first chapter & didn’t let it go once. In fact, I was sad when I got to the last page because I didn’t want the story to end. I would love it if this becomes a series because the characters are so interesting and I want to know more about them. Brey Willows is one of my favorite authors. She knocked it out of the park with Chosen.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. It has everything I enjoy in a book - apocalyptic elements, lesbians and sci-fi. What could be better? Not much in my opinion! The main characters, Devin and Karissa are the chosen ones that will be sent to a new planet because Earth is dying. They are solid characters and there is an immediate connection between the two women. There are many twists and turns in this book. I won't give a lot of it away, but if you enjoy what I mentioned above, you will not be disappointed.
Highly recommended!

Brey Willows makes me feel, really feel – and that’s a rare skill in a writer. It’s her attention to the small intimate moments as well as the overall arc that stands out for me in ‘Chosen’. A group of scientists from all over the world have been chosen to escape the predicted extinction of the human race as the planet slowly dies. Devin Rossi and Karissa Decker meet on a compulsory convoy to the base where the planned move to another world will start. But will they want to go – and will they get any say in the matter anyway? A raider group trying to help those destined to live out their lives on Earth may change everything.

The journey the scientists take is fraught with danger. The descriptions are so brilliantly drawn, I could feel the rain and was in the storms, experiencing it all with them. Climate change is in full force and so much worse than anyone thought. Following those dealing with the results was engrossing and immersive. The writing was faultless and took me to the places the author imagined. I was gripped and didn’t want to let go. I needed to know what happened next.

The love story through it all took place amidst chaos and difficult life-changing decisions. I ached for the women as they dealt with their growing feelings and passion, never knowing how it would all end. Finding someone to love and being faced with such huge dilemmas was truly emotional. ‘Chosen’ is an excellent novel and makes me realise that Brey Willows can write in any genre she wants -I’ll be first in line to read it.

I was given this ARC by Netgalley and Bold Strokes for review.

It is the year 2100. Global warming and accelerated climate change have made much of the earth uninhabitable and unsustainable. Devin and Karissa, both renowned scientists, have been collected by a military convoy along with a number of other scientists to be taken to an undisclosed destination. They don’t know why either, in fact, the only thing they do know is that their invitation wasn’t a request at all. They’re no closer to answers when their convoy is attacked by raiders.

I love it when a novel set in the near future in a post-apocalyptic type environment has a plausible extrapolation from our reality to the devastation described in the future reality. And I love it even more when, if there are small inconsistencies, the story and action is so riveting that they are not noticed and my reading isn’t disrupted by involuntary sighing, eye-rolling and having to page back to see if I really read what I just read. ‘Chosen’ has a great pace and gripping story line.

This is the first novel I’ve read by Willows and I didn’t really know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised and I know it won’t be my last. Devin and Karissa are both interesting characters and their chemistry and banter was very entertaining. While it is a complete story, there is enough of an opening that this could be a series and if it does become one, I’ll read it.

I also got an education. I didn’t know if Cliff Palace was real or fiction but the description made it sound real so I looked it up. I had no idea that ancient architecture like this existed in the US. I’m sure it’s taught in US schools (our education is limited to Aztec and Mayan civilizations) but it was a wonderful discovery for me which sent me down an internet rabbit hole. This is a great read for fans of speculative fiction.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

Wow… now that’s how you write a book.

The preludes starts with the news that earth has been ravaged by global warming and humans are likely to become extinct.

Jump on a few years and the the book starts with Devin, an ex-military and geologist being picked up a year after being told she’s part of the ‘Chosen’ ones. At the time she doesn’t know where she’s going, only that it’s to a government facility. She’s excited for the adventure, with no real friends or family she wants to be part of something bigger.

When the convoy arrived to pick up Karissa, she’s not as excited about leaving her ailing mother and father. She wants to stay and help but agrees to go after her parents all but beg her to go. Devin and Karissa have a connection from the first moment they lay eyes on each other. Their attraction is clear but more than that, they lean on each other during the tumultuous journey to the facility. When their convoy is raided by an Ecological team of activists wanting to save the planet, they are told what the facility they are going to has in store for them. When it sinks in that they have been chosen to colonise a new planet, they don’t know if they should be excited or scared.
But what if when finding your soul mate, you want different things? Or different planets?

What a phenomenal book. I can’t believe it’s over. Not only did I love this book but it made me stop and really think about global warming and how scary it actually is.

For moi, Devin is the perfect character. She’s tough, knows what she wants and is an incredible leader. But with Karissa she is flirtatious, tender and unbelievably loving. I felt like if there was ever a character in a book to protect and love you this is who I’d want by my side. As the relationship progressed between Karissa and Devin I couldn’t see them not making it work together, they need each other in love but also in a whole other survival need also. Like how could either survive with out the other. It heightened their chemistry threefold.

I really enjoy how Brey Willows portrayed the world in the book and time it was written. The beauty was still vibrant in the world but with a undercurrent of waiting for the next big disaster to strike.

This book is written with some significant secondary characters. In fact if this book isn’t planned out as a series it’s a damn shame. I became extremely invested in another possible couple in the book and really hope Brey Willows runs with the momentum she’s built and writes Van and Dr Sandish a book of their own.

I’m all together devastated this book is over and extremely happy with the overall awesomeness of this book.

Unequivocally 5 Stars… wish I could give it 10!

I really had no idea what to expect from this specific book here. I mean, I read and enjoyed the author’s Afterlife trilogy, but that was fantasy. This is science fiction. Post-Apocalyptic science fiction. What I found? Well, there is a rough-ish start, I need to mention that, but after that rough start? I found the book very hard to put down. I inhaled the book – quite enjoyed it.

There were moments in the book that reminded me of other post-apocalyptic lesbian fiction stories I’d read, though very briefly. Like there were times when the women (well two women and one man) were bravely pushing through the wilderness that reminded me of both May Dawney’s Survival Instincts (at least, again like in Vaun’s book, the wandering around outside part – though Dawney’s series is very much a darker future for mankind book), and Missouri Vaun’s Return to Earth post-apocalyptic series (mostly the part in the prequel book when one of the main characters is wandering the post-apocalyptic USA landscape, like in this book here). I stop to mention that Vaun’s ‘Proxima Five’ is the third ARC I requested this month – and there’s this weird thing that developed from reading this book here, then immediately turning to Proxima Five . . . I kind of felt like Proxima Five could very easily have been a sequel of sorts to this book here . . . at least that was the vague vibe I had in the beginning while reading Proxima Five.

But let’s talk about this book here, Chosen.

Chosen is set in the relatively near-future (not that close in time, maybe a hundred years in the future? I think a date was given at some point, but I missed it *opens book for different reason, see that this book is set in 2100) in a world wherein the Earth has succumbed to the ravages of man-kinds impact on it and society has to live with diseases that can’t be treated by anti-biotics; with every rising sea-levels; with constant outbreaks of wildfires; with massive constant hurricanes, typhoons, tsunami’s, earthquakes, etc. etc. – basically earth is trying to shake mankind off the planet.

The book opens with two main characters - Devin Rossi and Karissa Decker. Unseen in the story, but mentioned – both women received a ‘disc’ about a year ago that indicated that the government would be collecting them . . . eventually. Well eventually is now. And both women react quite differently with the pick-up. First we see Devin Rossi calmly being picked up – even being saluted and stuff (Devin, along with being a top geologist, was also a Lieutenant in the Air Force). Then we see Karissa being picked up – Devin was picked up from a falling apart (from ‘conditions) home, by herself, Karissa has her two parents there – mother dying from ‘the fever’, and father. Karissa puts up a fight – though, since Devin was picked up first, she was able to bring the tension levels down (by reminding/stating/asking if Karissa wanted her parents last memories of her being tasered until unconsciousness and dragged away, or . . .something calmer?).

Devin and Karissa, you see, have been picked up by a government convoy – that’s been going around picking up top tier scientists (stop for a moment to inject: it’s not the only convoy for this project). They are told nothing – even though Devin is respected and stuff, they are told nothing much. Just get into the truck and sit there while the truck wanders the countryside.

Eventually a new point of view suddenly appears. Unexpectedly. *glances at book description again* Yep, unexpectedly. We move, the reader does, to the point of view of ‘Van’ – one of the leaders of a survival groups (I can be more exact, but I’ll let things unfold for the reader like they did for me). The book alternates between two plot-lines (except for moments when it splits into three – when the two lead women from the beginning, Devin and Karissa, are too far apart to keep in same line), one following the ‘top-tier scientists’ and one following ‘Van and the raiders’.

And that’s how the three women meet – while stuffed in one of the trucks, Devin and Karissa hear gunfire suddenly break out. Then a voice, and tapping. Raiders force the scientists out of the truck, then start raiding the supplies.

The two-plot lines show the diverging paths of humanity in this era (well, there are more than two paths, but these are two of them) – the attempt to ‘restart’ humanity ‘elsewhere’ (and this is why Proxima Five feels like a sequel – because that’s how the book opened, earth is ravaged, people get onto ships to try to ‘make a restarted humanity better through the experience and knowledge and mistakes from ruining Earth’ – and the book opens with one of the ships on a ‘new earth’). Distracted myself. Ah. And the other path (or another path) – those who stay behind to try to ‘save humanity’ here and not there.

I loved watching the story unfold, the tension, the action, the moments of insanity, and the moments of sanity. Quite enjoyable book.

Of the now four books I’ve read by Brey Willows, I’d put this one at the top of the list of favorite Willows books. This one gets a full five stars. The first book in the Afterlife trilogy received 4.75 stars.

Rating: 5 stars

October 2 2018

Speculative fiction just doesn’t get much better than Chosen. Devin and Karissa are chosen by the government for a very special top secret mission to carry on humanity. They are both exceptional scientists at the top of their fields and as more exceptional scientists are gathered along with them, the government’s clandestine purpose is revealed that shakes them to their very foundation as human beings. It was impossible to avoid being ensnared by the cleverly written plot of a dying planet. As a scientist myself, I am impressed how well the author was able to capture a scientist’s interpretation of the facts and evidence, including ethics, and expertly translate them to the characters involved with survival. This has the beginnings of a broader series if that’s the direction the author wants to take and I do hope so. The possibilities of building on this marvelous foundation are enticing indeed.