Amazing

This was hands down one of the best book I’ve read this year. I loved the contemporary fantasy world she created, loved the magic system, loved the way the past and the present slowly revealed themselves. This was a great read!

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couldn't get into it.

i loved the divergent series. but with this I got an hour in and it just didn't get my attention. the story is very slow. nothing interesting happens for the longest time. I did not finish it.

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A Great Audiobook and Captivating Story

Chosen Ones was a engaging listen (I listened to it on long car rides and never once got bored) and the characters are wonderful. Though prickly and hard to figure out at first, the lead character, Sloane, quickly worms her way into you heart, which is largely helped by Dakota Fanning’s brilliant narration, which is nuanced but not over the top. I was initially drawn to this book by the idea of chosen ones past their adventure, which seemed filled with opportunities for great character studies and emotional stories. The first third of the book was exactly this. You slowly get to know the characters and unravel who they are. Roth doesn’t make anything easy and it allows you to explore the story. But then there is a big shift in the narrative, swaying much more towards dramatic plot and away from the characters and their relationships and a lot of the important questions offered up in the first third (who are we after we’ve filled our purpose? What do we owe to ourselves and what do we owe to others?) aren’t really answered. I did enjoy the rest of the story a lot, though it wasn’t what I had thought I’d signed up for. It’s a bit more rushed, and definitely feels more young adult. The story is still captivating, Roth’s plot twists never fail to disappoint, and I couldn’t stop listening. Just know it is a lot more of a plot centred story than it may seem at first. Also, there’s a sequel planned, so the ending does feel pretty abrupt and there isn’t a lot of closure, but more is on the way and I can’t wait to listen!

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Interesting premise

I found the premise for this story to be really interesting, but I didn’t love the execution of it. The characters aren’t really likeable, so there isn’t really anyone to cheer for. I know that authors do this so that their characters can change and grow into decent people, but it would have helped if Sloane had started a little closer to a noble character.

Parts of the plot are confusing. I had to back up the story a few times because I thought I had missed a key portion due to the fact that I was also working — that was not the case though.

I don’t know if I’ll pick up the next in the series. It might depend on how desperate I am for material at the time.

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1 person found this helpful

Meh

Character development lacking; no real description of most of the characters; convoluted storyline. Hard to get invested in. Won’t listen to again; lacking compared to the authors I usually listen to.

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a must read

Absolutely loved this book. Roth did an excellent job bringing this world to life and the performance was perfectly done by Dakota Fanning and the others. Hard to press pause its so intriguing. A world of magic, parallel universes and a thirst for revenge with a little lust. Only wish there was more.

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Character spoiler: Good Book, Only a one Timer though

I picked up because of the narrator having Never previously listened to the author. I enjoyed the book, although some parts took additional effort to follow. I spent the entire time waiting for epic battles that didn’t come. Wa Was disappointed in that regard. I’m not a huge fan of stories that include the main character constantly being rendered useless either through being unconscious or other. Probably won’t listen to again but may listen to a sequel.

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Will not be adding to my collection

While I enjoyed the ending and enjoy Veronica very much as an author.This style of writing, made it hard for me to get into.

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Dakota Fanning makes the Character!

Dakota Fanning makes the Character! I hope to hear more of her on Audible. She captures Sloan's inner voice: her combination of apathy and self loathing. The rest 0f the production is well done, too. The story itself is as expected from Veronica Roth.

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woah

a unique, nuanced take on the "chosen one" trope that is refreshing. Roth takes all my favorite YA and scifi tropes and turns them on their head - which I loved.

the characters are funny and distinct, loveable but real. plus, its Dakota Fanning which was dope.

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1 person found this helpful