Title: The Chosen
Series: Contender #1
Author: Taran Matharu
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Published: June 4, 2019
Pages: 368
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Source: ARC
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Introducing an epic new trilogy from Taran Matharu, author of the New York Times–bestselling Summoner series.
Throughout history, people have vanished with no explanation. A group of teenagers are about to discover why.
Cade is settling into a new boarding school, contemplating his future, when he finds himself transported to another realm. He soon discovers their new world is populated with lost remnants from the past: prehistoric creatures, ancient relics, and stranger still — people. Overwhelmed by his new surroundings, Cade has little time to adjust, for soon he and his fellow classmates are forced to become contenders in a brutal game, controlled by mysterious overlords.
But who are these beings and why did they choose these teens? Cade must prepare for battle . . . because hiding is not an option.
Throughout history, people have vanished with no explanation. A group of teenagers are about to discover why.
Cade is settling into a new boarding school, contemplating his future, when he finds himself transported to another realm. He soon discovers their new world is populated with lost remnants from the past: prehistoric creatures, ancient relics, and stranger still — people. Overwhelmed by his new surroundings, Cade has little time to adjust, for soon he and his fellow classmates are forced to become contenders in a brutal game, controlled by mysterious overlords.
But who are these beings and why did they choose these teens? Cade must prepare for battle . . . because hiding is not an option.
MY REVIEW
DISCLAIMER: I received an ARC of this book at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions expressed in my review are my own. This book takes the reader on such an explosive journey! It is one of those stories that will intrigue you from the get-go with the synopsis and doesn't let up for an instant once you are immersed in the story. And you will be-- you won't be able to put this book down!
I love the way that the books starts out with alternating chapters in the past and present. There is a massive amount of action and mystery in the chapters set in the present. Those chapters really hook the reader and make them want to keep turning the pages. The chapters set in the past were extremely helpful in getting to know the characters. Getting that little bit of background information really helped set the stage for when the characters find themselves instantly in an impossible situation in the present. Their dynamics were easy to follow with the chapters set in the past. I liked getting pieces of the past a little bit at a time.
The world-building in this book is really fantastic! Completely atmospheric in its telling. The descriptions are vivid and powerful. I could absolutely feel myself in the story as I read. I loved the historical pieces worked into the story. I felt their portrayal to be accurate (or believable at least, I am no history major) and they really added to the mystery and ambiance of this world. I also love that when I was reading I couldn't tell if I was reading a fantasy or a science fiction book. It was exhilarating to see elements of both.
I found myself liking the main character, Cade, straight away. He is intelligent and resourceful. I loved that we see totally normal sides of him as well. He gets bullied and is faced with racism at school and we see him dealing with his emotions over it. We also get to see him do things that make him feel guilty. I felt that his personality and his character as a whole were balanced out very well. His character was realistic. This book has a relatively large cast of side characters but I enjoyed the dynamics between the characters.
I felt that I really enjoyed the author's writing voice. I have not read Taran Matharu previously, but this book was so easy to latch onto. The words flow fluidly and the author introduces concepts gradually as not to overwhelm the reader with the complexity of the world. I am definitely going to read his previous series.
Overall, this book is full of adventure and intrigue and it keeps you wanting more! If you love fast-paced stories that are full of action and shocking revelations then you need to pick this one up. This book will thrill you and enchant you. I enjoyed this so much and I am excited for book two!
Check out the author's mood board!
MY PLAYLIST
Taran Matharu is the New York Times bestselling author of the Summoner series, which has been translated into 15 languages and has sold over a million copies. He was born in London in 1990 and found a passion for writing during early adolescence, beginning his first book at 9 years old.
Straight after graduating with a First Class degree in Business Administration, Taran was keen to explore a new avenue and get inside the publishing world, landing an internship in Digital Sales at Penguin Random House, from June to September 2013.
Thereafter, while taking time off to travel, Taran began to write ‘Summoner’ in November 2013 at the age of 22, taking part in ‘Nanowrimo 2013’ and sharing his work on Wattpad.com. The shared sample of the story went viral, reaching over 3 million reads in less than six months. Taran went on to launch his professional writing career, and has never looked back.
His SUMMONER series is published by Hodder Children’s (Hachette) in the UK, Australia and Commonwealth, Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) in the US and Canada, Hachette Jeunesse in France, Heyne in Germany, Planeta in Spain, Crown in Taiwan, Record in Brazil, EKSMO in Russia, Jaguar in Poland, Ecliptic in Bulgaria, Alpress in the Czech Republic, Ithaki in Turkey, Forlaget Forar in Denmark and Unieboek in the Netherlands.
My name is Vanessa a.k.a. Queen Alchemy. I am a 30-something-year-old mother of four nerdy, fantastic children. We live in the Midwest. I have a reading addiction, and I hope that I never recover! I'm the hugest nerd you can find with interests not limited to the following: comics (Batman and Captain America for the win!), science, computers, zombies, unicorns, Harry Potter, cartoons from the 80's & 90's, Frankenstein, history, crafting, cooking & baking, Star Wars, digital scrapbooking, D&D, Minecraft, Hello Kitty, horror, metalcore, royalty, tattoos & piercings, bright colors, and so much more!
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