The Chosen (Contender #1)Author: Taran MatharuGenre: YA Fantasy/Science Fiction
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Synopsis:
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.
Characters: Cade was an interesting main character and I liked getting to know him throughout the story. He was realistic and complex, had both flaws and strengths, and his evolution is evident by the end of the book. The secondary characters were also well rounded and I enjoyed getting to know each of them and watch how their relationships with Cade change during the story.
Plot: For me, this wasn't a new story line and it felt almost predictable in a way. When I started reading and realized what was going on, I got a very distinct vibe about another very popular series. (I'm sure you know which one I'm talking about.) It felt like it had been done before but the author tweaked a few things to make it their own and to help it stand out from others like it. I did enjoy reading the story and overall thought it was a good book, so I'll be watching for the next one to release.
Writing Style: A big component for me is always the author's writing style. It can literally make or break a book for me. The author chose to use the third person point of view from Cade's perspective. I personally love the first person POV because it allows the reader a deeper connection with the narrator. I have a feeling that my opinion of the book would've been a bit higher if the first person POV was used. Also, the alternating timelines between the present and the "unknown" was a bit confusing at first and kept the story from having a good flow. Once I got used to it though, it didn't bother me as much.
Overall, this is a well written book that fans of YA science fiction and fantasy will enjoy and I do recommend it. I know others readers are going to love this novel and not have the same issues as I did. These were my own personal opinions and thoughts and they obviously won't be exactly like anyone else's.
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.
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.
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.
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