The Chosen One

Reader reviewed by Beth Revis

THE CHOSEN ONE is a gripping account of a young girl whose life in a cult-like religion takes a sour turn when she's chosen to be the husband of a man she doesn't love. The best part of the book is the insight it provides into the cult-like religion and society. Although no specific cult is referenced, you can fill in any of the recent cults in the news for comparison. Instead of seeing it through the eyes of newscasters, though, you're giving a dynamic view from a member of the cult who both loves it for the sense of family and security and hates it for the sense of forced obedience and lack of freedom.

The main character is well drawn throughout the novel, with key insights to her character revealed through the books she illegally (according to her society) takes from the book mobile. Overall a quick read, THE CHOSEN ONE is gripping, and I couldn't put it down.

My only quibbles with the book come at the end. Elements of the end seemed a bit random to me--there was no foreshadow for the role of one character at the end, and while I enjoyed that not everything was neatly tied with a bow at the conclusion, I would have been happier with a more realistic and gritty outcome.

Reader reviewed by Yan

The Chosen One was outstanding. One of greatest of its kind, this book is powerful, vivid, absolutely astonishing.

What I love most about this book was the sheer desperation you get from Kyra but also the understanding of why she does not want to leave. You would assume that she wants to leave automatically from the way that she is treated. But she does not. You get the internal conflict in Kyra between staying with your familywhom you love tremendouslyor escaping this captive lifestyle she will soon face.

The author does a wonderful job of creating a scenario where you capture of essence of containment. Surrounded by fences, monitored and watched, ordered around. And the 60 year old uncle!? I think my heart broke a little for her too. But what I found most impressive was the whole ruling by dictatorship. The single minded thought of to follow and nothing else and the author takes it a step further. She explains what happens to those who do not followthe consequences, the step by step process, and the aftermath. We see this through Kyra and Joshuaa person she falls in love with and wishes to marry.

The relationship between Kyra and Joshua seems platonic in the beginning but develops as the story progresses. Its the sudden shift after Kyra is Chosen that Joshua shows more feeling. Desperate times call for desperate measures in this case. We did not see much of them together but when we did, it was sweet.

The family aspect is odd but still comforting. Kyras family is extensive but we only really focus on some on them. So within these people the bonds are strongwhich is why I understand why Kyra has trouble leaving behind her family. Her father is the sturdy wall that holds her down; her Mother Sarah is the warm fuzzy blanket, Mother Claire is the supportive one in her silent demeanor. Her sisters were everything. Kyras friends, ones that hold her sister, ones that she can cry to or talk to, and ones that holds her hands as she goes through this passage.

I loved the book mobile! It was a nice touch that kind of got some brownie points from me.

The ending was superb. It was a clean and crisp ending. Based off the knowledge that this book is first person I really have no qualms about the smaller details of what happens to the community. It just might seem excessive and perfect if we do end up finding outfrom what I feel.

Overall: Wonderful. Amazing.

Reader reviewed by mearley

Polygamy seems to be a hot topic lately, and this is the first YA book I've seen that deals with the subject.  Kyra is a typical teenager in some aspects; she takes piano lessons, watches her brothers and sisters, and is experiencing her first crush.  On the other hand, she lives with her father and his three wives and his 21 kids, and she has rarely, if ever, left the jurisdiction of the Prophet.  While walking one day, Kyra notices a Bookmobile.  The Prophet has banned all books except the Bible, but something makes Kyra stop.  She discovers the joys of reading Dr. Seuss, Katherine Patterson, and J. K. Rowling.  Kyra is consumed with guilt over reading this forbidden material as well as her secret trysts with Joshua, a boy from her community.  When The Prophet announces he has had a vision that Kyra is to marry Hyrum, her 60-year-old uncle, Kyra takes her rebellion even further.

Although what Kyra needs to do may seem obvious to many readers, Williams manages to make us agonize over the decision with her.  Kyra's family, unnatural as it may seem, is truly loving.  Kyra adores her father who proves he will even try to stand up to the Prophet on her behalf (until the rest of his family is threatened).  She loves her siblings even though she is annoyed by the lack of privacy in such a large family, and she even gets along with all of her father's wives.  Although marriage to Hyrum is inconceivable to Kyra, she also cannot fathom leaving her family behind, never to see them again.

There are some parts to this book that are difficult to read.  Kyra's punishment for her rebellion is brutal.  Even more disturbing is the way Kyra's baby sister, Mariah, is punished for crying when the Prophet came to visit.  Because of these scenes, I would only recommend this for high school students and adults.