Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was unsure about this book off and on. It was a unique concept that I expected to feel very different from most superhero stories, but it fell into a lot of the familiar genre expectations.
In the end, this book bears a marked difference from the typical superhero story in that it is not, at heart, a superhero story.
This is a story about desire, not destiny. It’s about realizing that what you thought you wanted isn’t what you wanted at all - and the consequences of desires ignored, misplaced, and even those fully realized.
This was not an action or adventure story. No, it was much slower than that. But it brimmed with mystery and intrigue - enough to keep the fires of fascination alight as I read.
I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the unique world. The unique time placement - that it would take place years after the supposed defeat of the Dark One archetype.
My only qualm is that - for a story centered around the supposed Chosen Ones - Ines, one of the original five, was left behind while the rest carried on. It seemed a careless decision to omit her from he story’s central plot.
Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed Chosen Ones, and feel that, perhaps, Roth has found her calling in the world of fiction with expectation-breaking stories like this.
In the end, this book bears a marked difference from the typical superhero story in that it is not, at heart, a superhero story.
This is a story about desire, not destiny. It’s about realizing that what you thought you wanted isn’t what you wanted at all - and the consequences of desires ignored, misplaced, and even those fully realized.
This was not an action or adventure story. No, it was much slower than that. But it brimmed with mystery and intrigue - enough to keep the fires of fascination alight as I read.
I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the unique world. The unique time placement - that it would take place years after the supposed defeat of the Dark One archetype.
My only qualm is that - for a story centered around the supposed Chosen Ones - Ines, one of the original five, was left behind while the rest carried on. It seemed a careless decision to omit her from he story’s central plot.
Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed Chosen Ones, and feel that, perhaps, Roth has found her calling in the world of fiction with expectation-breaking stories like this.
Chosen Ones follows five people who were chosen to kill the Dark One. The book starts ten years later.
There is so much to say about this book. I've read every book that Veronica Roth has published and I found this one to be the weakest out of them all. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that this was her first book, not her most recent.
The characters seemed to not be consistent. Their desires didn't really seem to be their own and after 400 pages, I still only have a shallow understanding of them as people. There were major plot points at the end where it didn't make sense that these were their desires.
The plot was nonexistent. The structuring of going back in forth to different times and places made the book drag. This felt like a massive prologue. It would have been better if this got edited down to 100 pages and added to the next book. It took so long to build up to something that the major surprising points weren't that exciting and I honestly didn't care anymore. The way this book ended didn't leave much open for another book when it comes to a plot.
The worldbuilding stayed strictly to what was relevant to the what was going on in that moment. It was tough to see where pieces of information connected off screen for me. I couldn't see this world outside of what was happening. What was Thailand like on Genetrex? I have no clue.
Overall, this book wasn't bad but it wasn't one of Roth's best works.
3/5
There is so much to say about this book. I've read every book that Veronica Roth has published and I found this one to be the weakest out of them all. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that this was her first book, not her most recent.
The characters seemed to not be consistent. Their desires didn't really seem to be their own and after 400 pages, I still only have a shallow understanding of them as people. There were major plot points at the end where it didn't make sense that these were their desires.
The plot was nonexistent. The structuring of going back in forth to different times and places made the book drag. This felt like a massive prologue. It would have been better if this got edited down to 100 pages and added to the next book. It took so long to build up to something that the major surprising points weren't that exciting and I honestly didn't care anymore. The way this book ended didn't leave much open for another book when it comes to a plot.
The worldbuilding stayed strictly to what was relevant to the what was going on in that moment. It was tough to see where pieces of information connected off screen for me. I couldn't see this world outside of what was happening. What was Thailand like on Genetrex? I have no clue.
Overall, this book wasn't bad but it wasn't one of Roth's best works.
3/5
i wanna give this 2.5 stars but that's not an option so half a star for sloane who was a pretty fun character concept that just suffered from poor execution
then again that's pretty much how i feel about this book in its entirety. veronica roth writes plot, not character, and its lack of character affects the strength of the plot. but we knew that already, so i guess i shouldn't be surprised.
chosen ones was a decently enjoyable read that i don't mind having poured some time into
then again that's pretty much how i feel about this book in its entirety. veronica roth writes plot, not character, and its lack of character affects the strength of the plot. but we knew that already, so i guess i shouldn't be surprised.
chosen ones was a decently enjoyable read that i don't mind having poured some time into
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly I am unsure how i feel about this book. The premise was very interesting and I picked up the audiobook because I heard that it is very good, and it is that. There's a full cast including Dakota Fanning, but the thing is with the current wolrd situation I don't use public transport which was where I did most of my audiobook listening. So despite me finding the book interesting I couldn't give it the time it deserved so it took me so long to finish. I find the idea of exporing the child chosen one after the battle is done intriduining and i found it quite interesting. In the second half it went a bit off in another direction but I was still entertained. I definitely recommend the audiobook as a format for this one.
The Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth is the latest book from the acclaimed writer of the Divergent Series. However, this book is not meant for the young adult reading audience. In fact, this book is the author's first foray into writing urban fantasy for adult readers. I had the opportunity to read this book for free thanks to the generosity of the publisher. However, the thoughts in this review are completely my own.
I really liked this book. I'm a huge fan of urban fantasy and this book has a lot of what you want to see in this genre: magic, parallel worlds, good and even, etc... The story takes place in and around Chicago (hence why it's urban). The story centers on five "chosen ones" who saved the world from The Dark One prior to the beginning of the book. Of course, the ending of that story is just the beginning of the adventures in this book. The book is told from the perspective of Sloane, who is definitely an anti-hero.
At the beginning of the book, Sloane is officially over being one of the chosen ones. She feels that her world has been dictated by being one of the chosen ones, and that there is no life that she can call her own. She's over it. Sloane has all the earmarks of an angsty teen even though she's in her late 20s now 10 years after she helped defeat The Dark One.
The first part of the book is really getting to know Sloane and the other chosen ones and their current states of life ten years after the defeating of the chosen one. The rest of the book is really a completely new adventure, which I won't go into here to avoid any spoilers.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you are a fan of either Veronica Roth or just urban fantasy as a genre. If you're looking for a fun summer book, I would highly recommend this one.
I really liked this book. I'm a huge fan of urban fantasy and this book has a lot of what you want to see in this genre: magic, parallel worlds, good and even, etc... The story takes place in and around Chicago (hence why it's urban). The story centers on five "chosen ones" who saved the world from The Dark One prior to the beginning of the book. Of course, the ending of that story is just the beginning of the adventures in this book. The book is told from the perspective of Sloane, who is definitely an anti-hero.
At the beginning of the book, Sloane is officially over being one of the chosen ones. She feels that her world has been dictated by being one of the chosen ones, and that there is no life that she can call her own. She's over it. Sloane has all the earmarks of an angsty teen even though she's in her late 20s now 10 years after she helped defeat The Dark One.
The first part of the book is really getting to know Sloane and the other chosen ones and their current states of life ten years after the defeating of the chosen one. The rest of the book is really a completely new adventure, which I won't go into here to avoid any spoilers.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you are a fan of either Veronica Roth or just urban fantasy as a genre. If you're looking for a fun summer book, I would highly recommend this one.
I liked the initial premise, not a big fan of the multiverse place it went. I would have loved it 2 years ago but it's too action-y and Wattpad-y for me right now.
If you are looking for something fast-paced, this maybe isn't the right pick for your. However, if you are looking for something slow building with and interesting concept that breaks the traditional tropes, this might be a good choice for you.
It took me a bit of time to get into the story. About a third of the way in I really started to become interested in the story. I found the concepts interesting, but it took me some time to care about the characters. I felt like there was quite a bit of extraneous information that was helpful to world-build and to help develop these characters, probably could have been simplified a bit. I still plan to give the next one a read though. I'm interested to see where Veronica Roth takes this story.
It took me a bit of time to get into the story. About a third of the way in I really started to become interested in the story. I found the concepts interesting, but it took me some time to care about the characters. I felt like there was quite a bit of extraneous information that was helpful to world-build and to help develop these characters, probably could have been simplified a bit. I still plan to give the next one a read though. I'm interested to see where Veronica Roth takes this story.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Roth does something so interesting in this book that it’s hard to explain. You really do find yourself relating to, getting annoyed with and feeling sympathy for these characters, which sets them apart in my mind.
I also enjoyed the structure of the book, with its interspersed government papers and news/book excerpts.
My only issue is sometimes the writing felt a little odd - “Creepmaster 2000” doesn’t quite feel like something your average late 20-something would say.
Overall, this read genuinely gripped me. I struggled to put it down and finished it in 2.5 days (which is very unusual for me).
I also enjoyed the structure of the book, with its interspersed government papers and news/book excerpts.
My only issue is sometimes the writing felt a little odd - “Creepmaster 2000” doesn’t quite feel like something your average late 20-something would say.
Overall, this read genuinely gripped me. I struggled to put it down and finished it in 2.5 days (which is very unusual for me).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Racism
This book was incredible! Veronica Roth just nailed it the way she describes Sloane's PTSD. And now I love her writing all over again after loving Divergent so much.
This story begins as a tale of what happens to the heroes after they win the battle. They are celebrating (some are not so celebratory) the 10 year mark of the defeat of the Dark One. I loved this so much because, especially coming from Sloane's perspective, I feel like this is a very truthful look at this situation. Some moving forward and a few, like Sloane and Albie, are still having a very hard time. This book gives such an honest look at PTSD, it's just, WOW! Spot on.
However, this 10 year anniversary turns into a whole new shade of drama and Sloane (with a few other Chosen Ones) is right back in the middle of a fight... this time, it's against the Resurrectionist. Nothing is really as it seems, even Sloane. Layers keep peeling back getting closer and closer to seeing what is really inside these characters, including the enemy.
This book was gripping, emotional, and eye opening.. and I loved it! And I want more! Can't wait for book two!
This story begins as a tale of what happens to the heroes after they win the battle. They are celebrating (some are not so celebratory) the 10 year mark of the defeat of the Dark One. I loved this so much because, especially coming from Sloane's perspective, I feel like this is a very truthful look at this situation. Some moving forward and a few, like Sloane and Albie, are still having a very hard time. This book gives such an honest look at PTSD, it's just, WOW! Spot on.
However, this 10 year anniversary turns into a whole new shade of drama and Sloane (with a few other Chosen Ones) is right back in the middle of a fight... this time, it's against the Resurrectionist. Nothing is really as it seems, even Sloane. Layers keep peeling back getting closer and closer to seeing what is really inside these characters, including the enemy.
This book was gripping, emotional, and eye opening.. and I loved it! And I want more! Can't wait for book two!