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A review by the_wendybirb
Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
What I liked- The premise of "What does a Chosen One do after saving the world?", the magic system, Alternate Universe Chicago/Earth, short chapters, imperfect hero, processing trauma, articles and excerpts between chapters to flesh out the world, the details from 10 years ago that we get glimpses of (but fill in the gaps ourselves)
What I didn't like- The Twist (and how easily the hero accepts it.), The Prophecy and how muddled it got, The Motel Scene (unnecessary mention of sexy times at a dumb point in the plot), the Big Bad's memory reveal that doesn't mesh with what we know of the universe (I really hope we get more explanation in future books), supporting characters that are more props than people, a white/cis/(assumed) straight hero whose diverse friend group doesn't get a chance to shine (I'd like someone non-white/straight to be a kick-ass hero. [Also for the gay character to casually give someone a smooch.])
I'll seek out future books in the series, but I'm not expecting them to knock my socks off. I hope I'm proven wrong, because I love the worlds I've been introduced to.
What I didn't like- The Twist (and how easily the hero accepts it.), The Prophecy and how muddled it got, The Motel Scene (unnecessary mention of sexy times at a dumb point in the plot), the Big Bad's memory reveal that doesn't mesh with what we know of the universe (I really hope we get more explanation in future books), supporting characters that are more props than people, a white/cis/(assumed) straight hero whose diverse friend group doesn't get a chance to shine (I'd like someone non-white/straight to be a kick-ass hero. [Also for the gay character to casually give someone a smooch.])
I'll seek out future books in the series, but I'm not expecting them to knock my socks off. I hope I'm proven wrong, because I love the worlds I've been introduced to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Kidnapping and Suicide
Minor: Drug use and Body horror
Rants I just need to get out:Why was the gay lady left behind?! Why was the Big Bad suddenly reveled as practically immortal in the final pages?! Can we get more info on why he needed to manipulate so many folks into hating him? Cause he sucked from the beginning. And how are our heroes going to reunite in another country in a month? The world is in chaos. I expect either dangerous apocalyptic gangs or increased border security to quell the chaos.