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.

This book deals with the consequences of climate change on our planet, located in the year 2100 CE, showing the practical impossibility of human life to adapt to changes that have occurred. It is therefore a book of dystropic subject. Having reached the end of the book, if it is not the beginning of a series, it does not have a full meaning, because there are many things that are outlined but not developed, such as the relationship between Van and Dr. Sandish. The relationship between the main characters of this book, Devin and Karissa, is well described but it leaves you wanting much more.

Although the political forces and leaders who devised the plan to maintain a future of humanity against the apocalyptic circumstances that come closer does not form part of history, the whirlwind of totalitarianism and militarism governing the planet is very clear in all the story.

And history gives us the hope that people may be above any attempt at manipulation and forcing, if convictions and altruism are the main guides of our actions.

The two main protagonists, Devin and Karissa, are two women with a scientific side, a geologist and the other clinical investigator. But Devin also has a military past and with a lot of recognition in the army, which makes her a kind of hero and she is happy with that. Karissa is more introspective and analytical, strong in character and very faithful to her convictions, and apparently with more ethical and moral sense than Devin.

As I said before, the book must be a first chapter, so it only exposes the beginning of the relationship of these two women, but leaves us with the doubts as to whether the decisions they have made will have consequences in their incipient relationship

A book that promises adventures to come, a very good start to the series, much more than just an apocalyptic future, moral and ethical dilemmas, fun and wanting more. This is what I found in this book after reading it. Highly recommended.

This was a good book that I enjoyed reading. This is the first book that Willows has released that is not part of her Afterlife Inc. series. While I really liked that series, I was excited to see what new direction Willows would go in. While Afterlife was urban fantasy, I would put this book in the post-apocalyptic category. Willows writes books in categories I love to read so it makes me a happy camper.

In a little over 80 years, the world has been ravage by another world war and the climate is heating up faster than anyone could predict. While some cities are under water, others have turned into deserts. The population has been decimated by natural disasters and disease. There are fewer and fewer good places left to live. Devin, a geologist and Karissa, a scientist, find themselves being picked up by a military convoy at their homes. They are forced into the truck with other scientists not knowing where they are being taken. All they know is they are chosen by the government for something. Before they can even get answers, their convoy is attacked by raiders. As Devin and Karissa try to survive, they can’t help but grow closer. And when they find out why they are called the “Chosen”, they realize their lives will never be the same.

I have always been a post-apocalyptic fan. While I really enjoy these kinds of books, I must admit I like that this book was a little different. While there is some bad people and people you would put in the grey, the book was about more than that. Instead of constantly worrying if the main characters would be shot, raped, or hit with a bat, I liked that the main theme really was about survival. This book still had some excitement, don’t get me wrong, but I liked that the focus was different.

Besides liking the overall feel of the book, I loved the characters. While Devin and Karissa are the main characters, there is another likeable character that you spend some lead time with. The cast of secondary characters were all good too.

Considering this is a “world is ending” book, Willows was able to spend a nice amount of time on the romance. I really liked the two mains as a couple. I thought the fit together perfectly. There was some chemistry there and I liked that while one character was more of a badass, both characters took care of each other. There are some explicit sex scenes, though they are not overly long, if that makes sense.

I don’t necessarily think this book was quite as exciting as some other post-apocalyptic books. However, it gives you the reader, more time to connect to the characters this way. There was also a little more time for the mains to get closer to where it was a believable romantic connection. Plus, I just thought the story was interesting even in the parts that weren’t as exciting. It was a good mix for me. I would recommend the book to post-apocalyptic romance fans. I think this is going to be a standalone book, but if it is turned into a series, I would absolutely read the next.