Take a photo of a barcode or cover
popthebutterfly 's review for:
The Chosen
by Taran Matharu
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors!
Book: The Chosen
Author: Taran Matharu
Book Series: Contender series
Diversity: Middle Eastern MC, hard of hearing side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Male MC, diverse reads, sci-fi
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 357
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, language, death)
Synopsis: 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.
Review: For the most part this was an amazing book! I felt the character development was great, the world building was well done, and the pacing was fast, but it fit well with the book. I liked how the author included the historical mysteries and this history buff learned a thing or two! I also read this in one go in just under 2 hours.
I had some little dislikes about the book though. I wish that the book did a little better with the grand reveal. It felt a bit blah and I guessed what happened back in chapter 2, but that's just me more than likely. I also wish that the book was a bit more realistic in some terms. The description of what happened in juvenile court is not realistic from what I've been exposed to as someone who worked in a juvenile court. For the first thing, a court can't send you to an alternative school. That's on the school to punish you in that manner. School punishments and court punishments do not overlap like that. Also, having a juvenile record does not mean your life is over. I hate it when books display that information because it's entirely inaccurate. Most juvenile records are sealed and even if it wasn't, you can always get with an attorney to get it expunged or get it sealed. Most states also give you a first offender conviction, where, if you use it, the record will be sealed. There are many ways for your record to not be seen by colleges and this narrative of "my life is over because I made one mistake" is entirely inaccurate. Even if you have a bad public defender, you can ask for a new one or, if needed, you can appeal and retain a new attorney as well. Do not ever take the advice of an attorney if it doesn't sit right with you. If you have questions, get a second opinion. If an attorney says "it's either this or that", get a second opinion. Sometimes attorneys are work or are not the greatest.
Verdict: It was a great book.
Book: The Chosen
Author: Taran Matharu
Book Series: Contender series
Diversity: Middle Eastern MC, hard of hearing side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Male MC, diverse reads, sci-fi
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 357
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, language, death)
Synopsis: 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.
Review: For the most part this was an amazing book! I felt the character development was great, the world building was well done, and the pacing was fast, but it fit well with the book. I liked how the author included the historical mysteries and this history buff learned a thing or two! I also read this in one go in just under 2 hours.
I had some little dislikes about the book though. I wish that the book did a little better with the grand reveal. It felt a bit blah and I guessed what happened back in chapter 2, but that's just me more than likely. I also wish that the book was a bit more realistic in some terms. The description of what happened in juvenile court is not realistic from what I've been exposed to as someone who worked in a juvenile court. For the first thing, a court can't send you to an alternative school. That's on the school to punish you in that manner. School punishments and court punishments do not overlap like that. Also, having a juvenile record does not mean your life is over. I hate it when books display that information because it's entirely inaccurate. Most juvenile records are sealed and even if it wasn't, you can always get with an attorney to get it expunged or get it sealed. Most states also give you a first offender conviction, where, if you use it, the record will be sealed. There are many ways for your record to not be seen by colleges and this narrative of "my life is over because I made one mistake" is entirely inaccurate. Even if you have a bad public defender, you can ask for a new one or, if needed, you can appeal and retain a new attorney as well. Do not ever take the advice of an attorney if it doesn't sit right with you. If you have questions, get a second opinion. If an attorney says "it's either this or that", get a second opinion. Sometimes attorneys are work or are not the greatest.
Verdict: It was a great book.