Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Unfortunately I received this after it was already published and I bought a hard copy. Thank you.

I really enjoyed this book. I was a huge divergent fan, my cat's name is Tris if that gives you an idea of how much of a fan I am. So I was pretty excited to hear that she was writing a book for adults and that it would start to talk through what happens after a teenager saves the world. The first part of this book really focused in on what are some of the lasting effects of having experienced trauma and fame at the same time at a young age, which I found fascinating. Each of the five 'Chosen Ones' dealt with it differently, from becoming a media darling to struggling with addiction.

Then seemingly out of nowhere the book does a total one 180, and three of the Chosen Ones are now placed in a new situation in which they once again have to save the world. But the world they are being forced to save is not the one that they are used to. It was a really drastic and difficult shift in the narrative at first but once you are able to move through it I found the book to be really interesting. I can't see what Roth comes up with next!

I was over the moon to be gifted a copy of this book. The Divergent series is one of my all time favorites and I was beyond excited to check out this new "adult" offering.

It started out so strong. I'd read some unfavorable reviews and so I went in a little wary, but I was so pleasantly surprised by how easily I fell into the story and how interesting I found everything. I was hooked by all the events that had happened and the sort of eerie premonition that there was more coming. I loved the Marvel-like vibe.

Then, I felt a little like the rug was pulled out from under me. Part II literally pulled me completely out of the story and had me very confused and disoriented. I felt like I was starting from the beginning of a story, learning new characters and new scenes. And it could have been exciting - but the pacing slowed way way down and the reading began to feel like a chore. In fact, by 55% it occurred to me that I didn't really care how things played out. I didn't even know who any of these new characters were and I didn't really care about them. Furthermore, the characters I'd started to attach to in the beginning became unlikable and completely unrelatable. It wasn't interesting anymore.

It sounds like things pick back up in part III, but unfortunately I'm not a patient enough reader to stick around for that. This one just didn't work for me and I'm a little gutted by that fact.

That said, the writing is as compelling as ever (or at least it was, at first) and I definitely want to try more by this author in the future. It just won't be this series. This was a swing and a miss for me.

Sloane is going through the motions of a life she isn't comfortable in. Superstar hero boyfriend, a history that everyone knows and doesn't at the same time, violence that she can't escape. When a series of events topples Sloane's normal, she'll have to find her way in a new world and try not to tear it all down.

This book was a bit of a slow burn but, with the interesting structure and some unique characters, it was definitely Roth back on story-telling form. The ending felt rushed and sloppy but I will definitely be picking up the next in the series.

Veronica Roth does it again. An action-packed book that kept me on my toes and invested all the way through. I loved the exploration of identity of after one saves the world. It was a new take on classic events and I loved this updated perspective.

I haven't picked up a dystopian-like novel in a long time, I've outgrown the draw of teen heroes, but when I heard that Veronica Roth had something for adult readers I knew I had to have it. Chosen Ones doesn't start like you'd think though, we're thrust right into an Earth post-war, the four Chosen Ones have won, it's ten years later and they are facing a different kind of battle. From the perspective of Sloane we follow the four friends as they figure out what's next, struggle with PTSD, and live in a world that views them as heroes. Sloane is unsettled though and with the ten year anniversary comes a new threat. Kidnapped into an alternate universe, the parallels to Earth are uncanny and they too have a Dark One to defeat.

I liked Sloane a ton, so even in the slow start of Part One I was sucked into Chosen Ones right away. I loved that Veronica Roth was making readers think about what it really means to have been chosen, what that life looks like for a hero. The five characters, Sloane, Matt, Esther, Ines, and Albie, all have different post-Dark One experiences and I thought we'd be getting a story about what it means to look up to those expectations, especially in a world that is still very similar to our current one. Roth initially mentions the racism Matt experiences while being considered the true Chosen One, Esther has turned this into a money making opportunity, we see snippets of drug abuse in Albie, we know Ines and Sloane have severe PTSD, but then all of that is tossed to the side as we fall into Part Two. Did I love Part Two and Three? Yes. I loved Sloane's story and her battle in Genetrix, but I feel like a great relevant story was just there waiting to be written and Roth dropped it in favor of the more captivating, fun plot. I really enjoyed the book, but I also think I would have loved the book we didn't get to read.

Part Two and Three are like entirely separate novels from Part One, suddenly we are thrust into Genetrix and Sloane is not the young hero she once was. She is hardened, she does not have patience, and she doesn't put up with false niceties. While there are other characters along for the ride, not only does Sloane's perspective give us a great sci-fi fantasy story, Sloane herself is easily the most interesting character. Her role as a Chosen One is so massively interesting in this new world, especially as truths are revealed and magic begins playing a huge part. Yes, that's right, magic. You get it all in Chosen Ones; heroes, antiheroes, villains, magic, action, and some highly necessary detailed descriptions of a world much like Earth, but also so very Steampunk.

Chosen Ones is a highly entertaining new release from Veronica Roth that introduces readers to a new adult-aged dystopian world. While I have my concerns, I really hate books written by authros that try to be relevant without doing the work, I'm a fan of Sloane and I really want to see where this series goes. This is not the usual heroes trope you're used to and I am here for it.

Good, solid book. I am growing a little weary of "white female saves the world" plots but I did like the diversity in characters. Plot moved a little slow for me and I hate having to read more than 1/3 of the book in order to connect to a story. However, it was a well written story.

I absolutely loved this book! I really liked Sloane's complexity and her relationships with the other chosen ones. The detailed and vivid descriptions included throughout the story were a treat to read. I really like how Roth included articles, interview transcripts and other materials because it enriched the story. There were twists that I would never have guessed and the action in the last half of the book was exciting. I can't wait to read book 2!

The Chosen One, (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) is Veronica Roth's first novel written specifically for adults. I requested to review on Netgalley, with little hope, because these big authors usually have hard requirements to meet on Netgalley to review...but to my amazement I was accepted! I couldn't wait to dive in.

Five teenagers have been prophesied to defeat an enemy that is ravaging the world. Years later our main character Sloane cannot seem to find her place in the world. She doesn't mold well with the new celebrity lifestyle that has been thrust upon her and is now without a purpose. Parallel worlds, zombies, an impending apocalypse...this book has everything. The plot takes several twists and turns and keeps you from closing the book and getting some sleep! I know this is not supposed to be a YA book, but honestly it kind of felt like one to me (not a bad thing). The relationship backstories and developments are solid. I did figure out some of the twists, but not others so it was suspenseful enough. Overall I really liked this read and would recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian. The next book in the series cannot come out soon enough!



A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

QUICK TAKE: love the premise (what happens AFTER you kill "he who must not be named") but the execution was lacking. Would have enjoyed more flashbacks to the heroes being recruited and learning skills and building relationships, but instead you're quickly introduced to everyone (worth noting they're all boring and dour) before they're launched into a new mystery and battle between good and evil. Made it really difficult to root for anyone and ultimately I couldn't connect to the story. Bummer.

Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth is an adventurous read I would highly recommend it to young adult and fantasy readers and fans of Roth. I was hesitant to read anything of hers, after Allegiant, but I'm glad I did.

**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

This book suffers from the what happens after you save the world lack of plot that many books hit when they start with most of the important gelling is done off the page. There was a huge event. Some chosen ones saved the day and now one is dead and they are all together again. For me, the characters were interesting but there is no real plot. I kept waiting and thinking that surely something is going to shift and the story will really begin but it never did.

Veronica Roth does it again!!

Ok first thing’s first: I LOVED THIS BOOK
Thank you NetGalley for giving me this ARC to thoroughly enjoy!

This is Roth’s self-proclaimed first foray into adult-aimed books. I will, however, say this: most of your kids have heard the F word enough to not mind it in this book. I also think the one sex scene in there is broad strokes enough to fit older teens and is definitely less steamy than what comes out of Sarah J. Mass’s pen!

This book deals with PTSD and the aftermath of big, heroic events after evil has been vanquished. It’s an interesting question, what happens to a hero when the lights go off and everyone is supposedly back to normal. Roth isn’t afraid to take on all kinds of tough topics and although I don’t suffer from PTSD and can’t tell you if she does the condition justice, I can tell you I think she got the point across (but I mean, I was always in her corner when she took flack for Carve The Mark as well).

Ok let’s get into it! Possible minimal spoilers ahead (I try not to let story out but some of the premise is necessary and may spoil the sense of discovery for you.

PLOT

Earth suffered at the hands of an evil magic wielding being called The Dark One who killed tons of people over about 5 years or so. There is a prophecy about who will defeat him (The Chosen One) and as a result, 5 kids are chosen to combat him. We learn all of this after it has already happened, through bits and pieces of our characters’ plot line, and through internal government memos and old newspaper articles (pretty cool way to handle information from before your story starts, and giving it in tidbits throughout really makes for unraveling a mystery).
However, one can’t write a book solely looking back at what already was, and our heroes are faced with a resurgence of magic on Earth that... well I don’t want to spoil so let’s just say it doesn’t come from our world. They now have to decide if they’re vanquishing evil again, and this time at a place completely foreign to them, with different rules (and with lots of magic).
Is the Dark One still alive? Our heroes will have to chase that lead and here the plot starts present-tense.

THE CHARACTERS

Sloane: She’s our heroine, the book is about her and her PTSD after being taken by, and eventually vanquishing, the Dark One. I like her. She is angry, and suffering, and abrasive, and she is gutsy which I appreciate. She has an internal compass that ultimately tells her to trust her gut and not give a F. She’s stuck in a replationship with a great guy who isn’t great for her, and through her arc she will come out of a depressed state of inertia into taking control over her life. She also doesn’t feel like a victim of her condition (again, I like this in the writing). She just lives with it, for better or worse. She’s dealing, like all of us.

Matt, Esther, Ines, Albee: The other 4 Chosen Ones. Their characters don’t really evolve, and this time I don’t mind it much: it’s all about our wonder girl Sloane in this one.

Mox: you can’t talk about him without spoilers so skip ahead if you don’t want to know.


Mox is probably the most powerful magic wielder on Genetrix, our parallel, twin universe, where everyone knows magic and there is no World Wide Web (or iPhones, or any tech for that matter).
His description makes me think of Adam Driver but my imagination prefers to see him as much hotter. Is he Generrix’s Dark One (known there as The Ressurectionsit) or is there more to him? I think here I may have a tiny bit of disappointment: he doesn’t feel evil enough to make me scared of him as much as Sloane (and everyone else) is at the beginning.


YOU CAN COME BACK NOW IF YOU’VE SKIPPED :)

World Building:
There’s just enough to make you feel you’re not in Kansas anymore, but it’s definitely more dystopia than phantasy world building. Lots of emphasis on architecture and fashion which really gives a clear idea of the place. I would have loved some “bonus content” with the stories of the magical instruments from Earth.

Bottom Line:

I am torn between thinking that this book was just enough and wishing it would have been a duology or even a trilogy. The end feels a bit mashed together (ha ha it’s an inside joke. Read it) and I do think I could have enjoyed extra fleshing out of relationships and minor characters. On the other hand, it was just enough, it gave me enough, and I am satisfied. I totally recommend it, and secretly hope Roth liked writing it enough to want to delve in that universe again and maybe expand some more for us.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-ARC!

Veronica Roth does it again! This book was fantastic! I had read mixed reviews going into this but ultimately found this to be an engaging read! It follows a group of loveable characters and the aftermath of their heroic actions. The writing was the best feature of this book, along with the lush setting I found myself immersed in this world! I highly recommend this to fans of DC comics and Marvel! The plot kept me on my toes the entire time and although it took me a long time to read it, I savoured every moment!

I received a free copy from NetGalley for an honest review, which was a good thing since my signed hardcover was taking its sweet time making its way to me in this COVID world. Veronica Roth’s first foray into adult fiction was an interesting new take on the “chosen one” trope. It was also intriguing because it wasn’t so much about the One but a small group, and not about how they saved the world, but more about what happens after you do. That and what would happen if they expected you to do it again. I liked the way the information about the past was interspersed with the present, in the form of Government document and newspaper articles. This kind of reminded me of the way the Illuminae files are written and I think that this is a clever way to avoid large info dumps whilst still keeping the reader informed. I lied the complex relationships in this book and there were definitely a few surprises and curveballs. I also loved the setting of Chicago and the architecture is perfectly suited to the story. The story also ended in a way that have you enough of a satisfying conclusion but left you wondering what next? I can’t wait for the second book in the duology.

This book was NOT what I expected. It worked it’s way around to sort of matching the synopsis, but with a lot of very strange twists thrown in. That being said, it was still an enjoyable read, and because of all the curveballs will require a reread or two just to double check any little breadcrumbs left by the author that I didn’t fully pickup on. If you want a bizarre sci-fi, end of the world type book- this is for you!

The sheer imagination it took to create this story is amazing. While I was never a huge fan of Roth’s Divergent series, this title stands out as a wonderful addition to the science-fiction genre. Chosen Ones stands alone, both as one of her only adult novels and within its own world setting. I rather enjoyed learning about how the multiple Chosen Ones were interconnected and the team dynamic changing from the beginning to end. This is definitely one I would recommend to those who read books with destinies and want to know how events pass after the prophecy has already come true.

I wished for this book to be good and...
I'm disappointed, to be honest. I thought Roth's writing would be good, but it's not.

Hey book lovers! I'm here to talk about Chosen Ones, a new adult dystopian sci-fi urban fantasy novel by Veronica Roth. This is her first book written for an adult audience. I received a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a fun read that helped me escape the real world for small chunks of time.


About The Book 📚
Publication Date: April 2020

Publisher: John Joseph Adams/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Suggested Reader Age: 14+ (there is a sex scene, gore, violence, death, addiction, swearing and description of torture)


My Review
› Like Roth's bestselling Divergent series, Chosen Ones takes place in Chicago, however, it's not the Chicago that we know. In this Chicago, there are people who have magic. Sloane Andrews is a brave, outspoken young woman in a long-term relationship with fellow "chosen one", Matthew Weekes.


"At thirteen, she was named by prophecy, along with four others, as someone who would defeat an all-powerful being of pure malice."


The other "chosen ones" are Esther Park, Albert Summers and Ines Mejia. While at a memorial for the lives lost battling the Dark One and the ten year anniversary of defeating the Dark One three of them are kidnapped to another dimension, forced to help a different Chicago defeat their Dark One.


"It will be the end of Genetrix, the unmaking of worlds. Something stands between Genetrix and its twin. The Dark One will excise it, and the worlds will be crushed together, and that will be the end of all."


› I like how the story is told through the traditional narrative with mixed media like memorandums and letters. There are moments in the writing that were impactful and memorable.


"I saw the way that cruel parents shaped my peers and, therefore, their desires. And it came in all forms too. Sometimes a strict religious upbringing turned an open mind into a closed one that could perform only basic, practical workings. Sometimes utter neglect created a complete disregard for boundaries, pushing someone to involve other people in unethical workings. Pressure to succeed at the highest level turned friends away from creativity and imagination in their magic. Emotional abuse twisted a person's work to become more brutal, less finessed."


› There's something about this quote that struck me in my heart. It's raw, emotional, authentic. The main characters and side characters are all well-developed and filled with personality. Roth has an incredible ability to create complex worlds and a complicated magic system. I felt every emotion while reading Chosen Ones. The dialogue, plot, ending...it was all a fantastic start to a new series. I can't WAIT to check out the next book which is untitled on Goodreads without a publication date.

› I do have a few complaints...I noticed how women were objectified and there are unnecessary comments about women's bodies. Also, Chosen Ones is a slow-burn with strange pacing. Ines identifies as lesbian, however, we don't really get to see that...the attempt at diversity felt contrived.

› My Goodreads Rating - a solid ★★★

› Final Thoughts
• I realize a group of teenagers with superpowers fighting a Dark One sounds like it's already been done, but Chosen Ones felt fresh and exciting. This was a solid start to a series and I highly recommend to adult readers who like science fiction and fantasy.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.


*Quotes taken from an ARC copy and subject to change*

As a fan of the Divergent series, I was very excited when I heard that Veronica Roth was coming out with a new series. And the best thing was it was about superheroes AFTER they had defeated the villain. The premise was so unique. I was gifted this by Netgalley even after I had purchased my own copy. I knew I was going to read it either way.

I was not disappointed, and even more so, I was so excited that it was going to be a series! These are flawed characters, adored by many and as such they make decisions that are inherently human. I predict this series will be a staple on people’s shelves!


You can see my video review here:
https://youtu.be/eRQI264mBn4