Chosen Ones
The Lost Souls Series, #1
by Tiffany Truitt
Publisher: Entangled Publishing (June 2012)
Genre: YA, Dystopia
Format: eBook (400 pages)
Source: From Author for Blog Tour
Purchase: Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
Life is bleak but uncomplicated for sixteen-year-old Tess, living in a not-too-distant future where the government, faced with humanity’s extinction, created the Chosen Ones, artificial beings who are extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.
When Tess begins work at Templeton, a Chosen Ones training facility, she meets James, and the attraction is immediate in its intensity, overwhelming in its danger. But there is more to Templeton than Tess ever knew. Can she stand against her oppressors, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?
At A Glance
I was surprised by how much I liked Chosen Ones. The concept is original and hauntingly feasible. I am dying to read book two, like right now!
The Good
This book kept surprising me over and over again. It started out with a bang, then drifted a bit, then the second half was like a whole bunch of punches in the face. And the world Tiffany created was horrifying and chilling. I could easily see this as our future with the right tragedies and events taking place.
What this book is about: Humanity is tired of fighting, so the government has created Chosen Ones, artificial beings who are trained to fight our wars. But without citizens questioning this easy way out, the government has taken control. The remaining “Naturals” are now the Chosen Ones servants with very little say about their lives. Chosen Ones can do whatever they want, and what they want can be scary. Tess is being forced to serve the Chosen Ones in her town, and it’s becoming a terrifying ordeal. But when Tess meets James, a Chosen One with more compassion and emotions than he should have, things get better and worse as their relationship grows.
I loved Tess from the get-go. She plays her part perfectly. She knows showing emotions in her world means bad, bad things. So she has cut off her love, compassion, and overall feelings. Tess is so strong it’s crazy. But her lack of emotions leads her to make some cold decisions that made me even cringe. Tess has so many admirable qualities as well as major flaws. She is a survivor through and through. But she learns that survival is not the only thing to strive for. When she meets James, everything changes. She opens her eyes to what is really going on around her, not just what the government wants her to see. I don’t know how many times I feared for her safety as her obvious naivety put her in some precarious situations. But near the end, she leads the charge. She isn’t going to take anyone’s crap anymore. Her road to self-discovery and courage was a hard one, but she got there. I can’t wait to she what she is going to do next.
James wasn’t so easy to like or admire. He started out scary as hell, then he became chivalrous, then he was a coward, then cold, then finally be became what we all hoped for: A hero, a knight and shining armor. James puts the aw is flaw. He’s so cute and caring sometimes I can’t help but love him. Then he does all these things that make me think less of him. But I find that this up and down with him was refreshing. It was nice to have a love/hate relationship with James because it made sense for his characters and position. I really hope to see more of the good side of him in the next book though. It’s about time for him to step up and take control right along with Tess.
Tiffany’s writing style had a great flow to it. I was easily caught up in the story. After about the halfway point, this book became exhilarating. The twists and turns kept me on my feet. I often caught myself biting my nails, anxiously waiting to see what was going to happen next. Tiffany also did a great job with adding Tess’s father’s letters. Those really opened my eyes to the world Tess lives in as well as what Tess has been through. I feel like I understand Tess so much more after learning about her father.
Like I said before, I am dying to read book two, Naturals. The way Chosen Ones ended left me with so many questions. There is much more to this story and Chosen Ones only skimmed the surface.
The Bad
The world-building wasn’t great. I was confused most of the time and had to figure out a lot of stuff by myself. There was also more telling than showing. And I hated the large clumps of info, it stopped the flow of the book. We were often told about this dystopian and post-apocalyptic world but we didn’t often get to experience it through the characters.
The Snuggly
Unfortunately, there is insta-love in this one. But, luckily, it’s not too annoying. I liked James and Tess’s awkward friendship. It was definitely a roller coaster romance, but I kept rooting for James and Tess to beat the odds and get together. Sex wise, the book is very YA. Some kissing and touching.
Final Thoughts
Chosen Ones is one of those dystopians that will leave you breathless. I have a feeling this series will only get better with each book. I am still surprised I never heard of this series until this blog tour. I am so happy I found a new, entertaining read. Very recommended.
“Stories enabled you to forget your life and your limits. They urged you to reach for a world that was never meant to be yours. There was nothing more dangerous than an imagination.”
“Maybe it’s better to live in a world you don’t understand, because if you understand it, it becomes unbearable.”
Summary
Book #2
Ripped away from those she loves most, Tess is heartbroken as her small band of travelers reaches the Isolationist camp in the mysterious and barren Middlelands. Desperate to be reunited with James, the forbidden chosen one who stole her heart, she wants nothing to do with the rough Isolationists, who are without allegiance in the war between the Westerners and Easterners. But having their protection, especially for someone as powerful as Tess, may come at a cost.
This second book in Tiffany Truitt’s dystopian series is a thought-provoking, thrilling story that asks who the true enemy really is—the chosen ones who are different, or the naturals…who are just like us.
Goodreads | Amazon Print | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Author BioTiffany Truitt was born in Peoria, Illinois. A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Tiffany spent most of her childhood living in Virginia, but don’t call her a Southerner. She also spent a few years living in Cuba. Since her time on the island of one McDonalds and Banana Rats (don’t ask), she has been obsessed with traveling. Tiffany recently added China to her list of travels (hello inspiration for a new book).
Tiffany began teaching middle school in 2006. Her students introduced her to the wide, wonderful world of Young Adult literature. Today, Tiffany embraces popular Young Adult literature and uses it in her classroom. She currently teaches the following novels: The Outsiders, Speak, Night, Dystopian Literature Circles: The Hunger Games, The Giver, The Uglies, and Matched.
Where you can find her: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
David
Sounds like a great book! Nice review!
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks. 🙂
laurie
Sounds like a great book! Nice review!
Elisa
Dang, this sounds awesome. I love dystopians for the reasons you listed and it sounds like this one keeps you on your toes. I don’t know about the insta-love thing, but sometimes it makes sense or I don’t notice it so much.
Great review.
Jennifer Bielman
I didn’t notice too much in this book at first. So the insta-love isn’t too bad.
Alicia Batista
Oh, it sounds do good! I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
🙂 good luck
emaginette
The series sounds great. 🙂
drkngl
Yes! Such an exciting premise!
Ashley
Ohh I’m so psyched that you reviewed this. I actually read a bit of Chosen Ones a few months ago but it kind of lost my interest after a while and I never finished it. I didn’t hate it or anything but I wasn’t really pulled in so I moved onto other things. But I feel like now maybe I should give it another try! It sounds like it’s pretty good. 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I think you should try to finish it. It really does get better. I really can’t wait to read book two.
Cassandra Loskot
Cool another new author to add to my TBR list and can’t wait to read both books 🙂 Thank you for sharing and the giveaway 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Happy to help.
Giselle
I read Chosen Ones a while ago and I don’t really remember much about it it kind of blends in with all the other dystopians I’ve read. I remember wanting to read book 2 though but I’m thinking a re-read is needed first!
Jennifer Bielman
Hmmm, I wonder if that will happen to me. I did feel like it was different from most dystopians. Hopefully book two is more memorable for you.
Jaclyn Canada
I haven’t heard of this one before. I really like it when you read a book that’s not like life at all, but could be with a few realistic twists or advances in science. While I’m not a fan of insta-love either, I do get that sometimes it can be done to where it doesn’t really matter. Also, your description of James was very interesting – love that you said, “put the aw in flaw”. This one sounds very exciting! Great review 😀 Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
LOL, I was so proud of myself with the “aw in flaw” thing. It totally describes him.
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Sounds like an interesting take with dystopia. Cool thanks.
Midu Hadi
Yes, I am! Thanks for the giveaway!
Mary Preston
This is actually the first time I have heard of NATURALS. I am curious.
Jennifer Bielman
That’s how I felt. 🙂
Sarah Elizabeth
It looks good!
ViviMachine (Shi'Asia)
I love a chance to read it, and since it’s the sequel I have to go and get the first 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I really think you will like this series.
RaindropSoup
Nice review! I haven’t read the series yet, but it sounds promising. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity to win a copy of Naturals.
Jennifer Bielman
Happy you liked my review. I hope to get my hands on the second book as well.