I was so excited to have my wish granted and received a copy of this book. I loved Divergent, and I think I went into this thinking it was going to be Divergent for adults.
It wasn't.
I have to be honest, I read the book twice and I enjoyed it much better the 2nd time around. I think because I went in the second time knowing it wasn't going to be divergent that I was really able to enjoy the story that much more!

All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.

TL;DR REVIEW:

Chosen Ones was an exciting, fun, genre-bending read with a great premise. Not perfect but worth reading for sure!

For you if: You like stories about heroes who save the world.

FULL REVIEW:

Chosen Ones was released several months ago. I heard a little bit of buzz about it, but not as much as I’d expected given that Veronica Roth wrote Divergent. Still, I had a copy (thank you HMH via Netgalley) and I was in the mood for an adventure — and I was curious! — so I picked it up. It’s not perfect, but I definitely enjoyed it and I’m really glad I read it!

This book is an adult fantasy/sci-fi genre-masher about a group of young adults who previously saved the world from a force of evil known as the Dark One. The story starts ten years later, when the rest of the world has moved on but our fivesome is still grappling with the effects of being “chosen ones” — including, for our protagonist, severe PTSD. I don’t want to spoil the story’s inciting incident or exactly how fantasy meets sci-fi, because I thought it was quite well done, but suffice to say that their work is far from over.

I thought the magic system in this book was really interesting, if perhaps a bit complex. I also thought it started a little slowly, but it definitely picked up as it went along. It was one of those stories where it gives you just enough to piece together a fair amount of the mystery as you read while still leaving room for twists and surprises, especially at the end. And I was totally rooting for the main character, even though she’s a total grump.

Also, I think this is supposed to be slated as a duology, but I did think this book felt nicely self-contained and could have been a standalone too.

This is a good, solid read if you’re looking for something fun!



TRIGGER WARNINGS
Suicide; Kidnapping; PTSD (severe); Racist microaggressions

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

After having somehow enjoyed the "Divergent" trilogy back in the days, I thought maybe I would have a good time with "Chosen Ones." I was wrong. I did not connect with any of the characters from here, plus the book drags. I was bored most of the time and honestly skimmed many chapters because I would've ended up in a reading slump if I hadn't done so. The premise was good but I don't think it was done in the best way. Anyway, I don't think I'll check out the next book.

I really enjoyed the premise of this novel, but the pacing made it hard to read at times. The first half of the book did not have a lot of action because it starts out 10 years after the defeat of the Dark One. I was hoping for more flashbacks of the battle to learn more about the enemy and the Chosen 5. The ones we did get I think could have explained things even more and because of that I felt like I was missing information, like reading a sequel before the first in a series. I liked that there was only one POV and not one for each of the Chosen Ones. It was interesting that the POV we did get was the Chosen One who didn’t feel worthy of the role. It led to a lot of character development for her but not for the others.

I enjoyed the case files and articles throughout the book but some I didn’t think added anymore information, so they weren’t need. Once the action started picking up, I was more invested in the story. I’m interested to see where the sequel goes because of how it ended, and I need more explanation on a couple things. It was just an okay read for me, but I will pick up the next book.

I really loved the Divergent series, and was so excited to read another book by the author! I enjoyed it; first books of series are always tricky, because so much set up and worldbuilding has to happen. I'm looking forward to seeing where the next books go now that the foundation is set.

The book was an okay read but it wasn’t what I expected. The slow pacing and not much happening through most of it didn’t really keep me engaged.

If you've ever wondered what happens after the heroes win the final battle and the villain is defeated and wished that this part of this story were given more than a few pages worth of epilogue, this book will deliver that and more. It's been ten years since said defeat, and, as you would expect, the 'chosen ones' have had trouble adjusting to their fame and the aftermath of their heroic deeds. Exploring the struggles of the five former teenage heroes, as well as the complicated relationships between them, was the most interesting aspect of the book in my opinion. Aside from that, I also overall enjoyed, if not loved, the plot, pacing, and some of the twists in the story, especially as it got a bit unexpectedly sci-fi. I'm definitely interested in continuing the series!

This was one that started off intriguing, and then ramped up to a fever pitch in the second half. This is actually the first Roth book that I’ve read (though I’ve seen the Divergent films), and I found her writing style to be enjoyable and smart.

Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
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We all know the story: chosen one defeats the dark one and saves the day. And they all live happily ever after!
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Lol, this is not that story! 😂 This story takes place ten years after the dark one has been defeated. Oh, and there wasn’t one chosen one, there were 5.
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Ok, so honest take: I was not feeling the first half of this book. I loved the premise, I loved the idea of “what happens after the last battle” and how it affects the chosen ones long term. But I wasn’t excited about the characters, or the world and I really thought Sloane was a jerk.
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Then things got crazy and I was more interested. And then about 75% of the way through, a major plot twist blew my little mind. 🤯 Which was incredible. I loved it.
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I really enjoyed coming up with theories in my head throughout this book. And despite all of my theories beating entirely around the bush, I still didn’t see the plot twist coming.
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If I was rating just the last 25% of this book it would be 4.5 stars, but I can’t just ignore the fact that I was not really into the first half of the book so that drops it to 3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 I truly think the last part of the book justifies recommending it though! Well done, and I’m looking forward to more crazyness in the next book!

2/5 stars

DNF 25%.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get into this adult sci-fi which had a very interesting and action packed sounding premise. The story centers on five teens that defeated a magical dark entity and are dealing with the aftermath years later. I'm loving those bits of sci-fi and paranormal happenings/flashbacks, but they are sadly almost non-existent. The story starts off very slow and mostly about PTSD, anxiety and a few other mental health issues and dark themes. I was hoping for more of a sci-fi story than a sad drama and character study. It's just not working out for me during this time. Also, I truly don't have feelings for any of the characters one way or another, so unfortunately this book will probably never be picked up again.

*Thank you so much to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publishing and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the premise of this novel. I think "what happens after the chosen one saves the world" is something readers have often speculated about, argued over, and been generally super intrigued by, so I appreciate Roth tackling the subject. This one moved a lot slower than I would have liked, and the characters felt a bit underdeveloped, but there are tons of readers who will enjoy this.

this concept is so on point for today's superhero obsession. There are so many stories out there it is hard to stand out, but Chosen Ones does. This will keep you on your toes.

I received this ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. Thank you!

Chosen Ones is the first book in the series The Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth. I loved the Divergent series and I was so happy that I have received this ARC. I really liked Chosen Ones and I loved the world-building by Veronica Roth.

“Just because something is difficult doesn’t mean it’s worth doing.”

Chosen Ones is about five teenagers Sloane, Mall, Esther, Inez, and Albie who were chosen ones to save the world and for it, they had to kill the Dark One. The Dark One caused destruction and death with the help of magic.

I’m tired of being celebrated for the worst thing that ever happened to me.

Now after ten years, they were famous and they were everywhere recognized and everyone wants a photo with them but they want a normal life without the reminder of what they did. After ten years they are together again to celebrate their victory.

But, after their celebration three of them, Sloane, Matt, and Esther are transported into a parallel universe, and in this universe, they are still Chosen Ones and they again had to save the universe and to fight again for their lives. They found out that in this world still exists the Dark One and they had to kill him again for good if they want to go back to their home.

You and me and Esther and Ines … we’re bound for life.

I really liked the characters Sloane, Mox, Matt, Esther, Ines, and Albie. I liked how the past is explained through classified documentation and how the teenagers are the chosen ones. I love the bond between the five teenagers and how they worked together in the past to kill the Dark One and how they are friends after ten years. Chosen One is the perfect combination of thriller, magic, and sci-fi. I really liked the Chosen Ones and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I always find it fascinating when stories pick up after the action is over. That’s what first drew me to the idea of Chosen Ones. It’s as if the action that happened before the book starts was the YA series and now we get to read about them as adults. Unfortunately, that premise soon fizzled out as the story continued into the second act. It’s not the books fault that I was expecting it to go in a different direction, and even though some of the elements were really interesting and cool, I still didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. And the ending is just bonkers.

The Chosen Ones had quite a mixed bag of reviews on the run up to its release; so much so that it sat unread on my shelf for quite some time, despite being a beautiful advanced review copy, because of the reluctance I had to pick a side. Unfortunately, this book was so incredibly boring - to the point that absolutely nothing at all happens until approximately 38% of the way through the book - that I am forced to pick the side of those that dislike it.

Veronica Roth's "Divergent" series was compelling and addictive, despite spinning quite a simple concept out for much longer than was really necessary (and having an atrocious ending, but that's another review entirely!). This was entirely owing to the sheer amount of heart that the characters injected into that series and the easy, captivating approach to writing that Roth so expertly weaves. But The Chosen Ones has none of that. Underneath the boring plot it is still possible to see shards of the compelling narrative, but there's no good having pretty writing when the story is repeatedly feeling like a lot of dead ends and none-starters. Top that off with unlikeable characters (because they have zero personality to speak of) and all hope is well and truly lost.

I want to tell you that this story turns superheroes on its head; that Veronica Roth wowed me with her ability to make kids saving the world a unique and fun idea again. But it just wasn't - even the sniff of alternate dimensions did nothing for me.

I feel as though this book had a very slow start to it and it was hard for me to get into. I think this is because the book felt more like a contemporary and less like a fantasy which is what I was hoping for. Partway through there was a shift and the plot went into a completely different direction than I was expecting. This is where I felt the plot picked up and I started to enjoy it a bit more. It introduced new characters and we got to see more of the magic.


I’m not sure if this was intentional but I felt like most of the characters were unlikeable. Due to this, I really struggled to connect with them. This may have partially been because of the narrative choice. Most of the story is told in the present time but a lot of the important scenes happened in flashbacks, while they were still fighting the Dark One. It’s in these scenes that you slowly see why the characters act a certain way. I did find it was interesting seeing how the Chosen Ones dealt differently with their lives/emotions after surviving such a unique/traumatizing childhood experience.



The part I enjoyed the most was probably the ending. Everything came together and I thought it was wrapped up nicely. I’m interested in seeing how the author is going to continue on with the series. With the elements added in this novel, we could be following anybody in any place in any time.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4/5

I received this advance reading copy from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for an exchange of an honest review.

"Knowing magic was about knowing yourself, she thought. If you could be honest with yourself, you could better predict what your magic could do. Only how was anyone supposed to know themselves that way?"

Heroes and Villains are a concept as old as time itself. It's pretty easy to categorized who is the good guy and the baddie of the story thanks for the actions of the characters. Rare occasions we get a story that explore the gray morality of both sides, the complexity that lies in both the protagonist and the antagonist. But what about what comes after the chosen one finalized its journey? How do they fare from what they experience, the battles, the losses, the pain? What about the public image that comes with their victory or shall we say defeat? Veronica Roth decided to explore such interesting themes with her first adult novel, departing from the Young Adult genre for the first time.

“I’m tired of being special,” Albie said with a shaky laugh. “I’m tired of being celebrated for the worst thing that ever happened to me.”

I won't lie and say that I've grown up with Veronica since she was the one who introduced me to the Young Adult genre thanks for her debut with Divergent. I remember receiving the book from my sister when she came back from a trip to the USA with her future husband in law. I was so eager to tackle this beast and immediately became a fan of her. When I learned that my new author is releasing a new novel in 2020 I knew I can't miss it. I've to get a copy no matter what. Thankfully I was fortunate to received this ARC, hehe. Veronica uncovers to us in this book the implications that surrounds the role of the chosen one. We all think heroes are untouchable, that are pedestals to be worship that they can mended but they are not. Some suffer from reoccurring nightmares, never lasting flashbacks, depression, no hero is immune to it just as no person, even one who is methodical to a fault can't hide from such issues. I love how she presented to us that the chosen ones after defeating the dark one either accepted their infamy, cloistered back to their old life or are bothered by this persona the public fabricated for them.

Sloane, one of our heroes, is suffering from prolonged PTSD to what happened when the DARK ONE torture her and her friend. The aspect of that really grown on me since Veronica didn't shy to show us the vulnerability of Sloane and why her life was slowly falling apart. Her relationship with Matt, her friendship with Esther and Albie, not to mention her struggle with the magic that's burning inside her and on top of it all the public viewing her as champion or a nuisance in comparison to the others. Sloane to me was what lead me through the story, and it's also one of the many flaws of it. The pacing is not bad essentially but its too brisk, moving from a consistent point and suddenly everything shatters. Not to mention what I think majorly making people avoid the book is the fact that you can't talk freely about what happens due to spoilers since very early on we move to a different whole territory that either enriches the world setting or downright shots it in the leg.

Speaking of world building, the aspect of magic is a bit... odd. We don't completely get explanation as to how it works but we do get clarification that certain items can invoke magical powers, and each individual who shows symptoms of possessing magic can develop different blends of manipulation with it. Like for example, the ability to heal fast, your agility growing faster, producing fire from your finger tips. Fundamentally it works in context but also leaves you lost thanks to characters explaining and the numerous documentations and interviews that were added for the benefit of the world lore will render everything useful or downright waste of time. I do hope the sequel will fix that.

Then If I love this book why do I complain so much about it? Well, I can't talk about it but if you happened to read this book I would love to hear what are your thoughts about Chosen Ones in the comments below :)

Is it Diverse? One Black Character, One Lesbian character, One Muslim character

In the past, I liked Veronica Roth, but her works have always been hit or miss with me. However with CHOSEN ONES, she definitely showed off her writing chomps. I like the trend of traditionally YA authors diving into the Adult fiction scene. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the subverted tropes of "the chosen ones." Her worldbuilding was fantastic. I hope she gives us more books from this age category.

This story took me on a wild ride. The beginning was kind of slow for me, and I was a little confused at first, but once I got into Sloane’s story, I was hooked.

While Sloane is one of the Chosen Ones, she is incredibly flawed. She isn’t comfortable with either her power or life after the defeat of the Dark One. She tries to do what she is supposed to do, but really just wants to be left alone.

We briefly meet all of the remaining Chosen Ones, though only get a deeper look at Matt and Esther, and even that is through Sloane’s eyes. And while Sloane would rather avoid magic and work through things on her own, both Matt and Esther embrace magic, embrace the life of being Chosen, and don’t understand Sloane’s trauma.

When the three face a new battle, their difference of opinion divides them, allying Matt and Esther with people in power, while Sloane finally finds someone who understands and accepts her in Mox, a questionable outsider. Sloane has to rethink all of her preconceived notions about her past and her own power and she tries to save the world.

I loved Sloane, flawed though she is, and really enjoyed the way her character developed throughout the story. I thought the ending was perfect and am interested in seeing where things go in the next book of the series.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through Net Galley and the publisher {Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, John Joseph Adams/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt} in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I requested this from Netgalley because I recognized the author’s name but could not think of what she wrote. (It was the Divergent series!) This is her first novel “for adults” , but it still reads very much like a YA novel with slightly older characters. I almost quit reading multiple times during the first 20%, but kept going in hopes it would get better. Every time I was about to put it down something just interesting enough would happen that I kept going in optimism. It felt like the author had created these interesting characters and then did nothing with them. The book takes place 10 years after the main group of characters saves the world, but of the allusions to things that had happened a decade before didn’t feel like slowly revealing backstory, but like I’d missed the first book in a trilogy and was trying to start with the second. And then… around 30% in something totally absurd happens. I read one more chapter before I realized I was just hate reading at that point and finally gave up. I very rarely do not finish a book, but this is going to remain forever at 35% unless I get very, very bored and decide to try again.