What do you think?
Rate this book
The Chosen #1
Watcher: Book I of The Chosen
Predator. Killer. Monster.
The words echo in Sunny Martin’s head each time she looks in the mirror. Since the night she was torn from her car and drained of her blood, Sunny’s fear of the hungry beast within her is rivaled only by the fear of exposure.
Her lonely struggle to survive on the edge of the human world leads Sunny to the mountain peaks of Colorado where she meets Nicolas, the enigmatic leader of a hidden society.
Their passion, tainted by betrayal, violence, and murder, reveals a shocking truth behind Sunny's savage nature and drives her toward an agonizing Choice between her heart and the last remnant of her human soul.
The words echo in Sunny Martin’s head each time she looks in the mirror. Since the night she was torn from her car and drained of her blood, Sunny’s fear of the hungry beast within her is rivaled only by the fear of exposure.
Her lonely struggle to survive on the edge of the human world leads Sunny to the mountain peaks of Colorado where she meets Nicolas, the enigmatic leader of a hidden society.
Their passion, tainted by betrayal, violence, and murder, reveals a shocking truth behind Sunny's savage nature and drives her toward an agonizing Choice between her heart and the last remnant of her human soul.
470 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2011
101 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Roh Morgon
14 books635 followersRoh Morgon discovered the magic in stories at an early age, both in books and the ones she made up in her head. As a child growing up in a remote Southern California canyon, she explored the wild hills barefoot with her brothers and rode her horse bareback at top speed. A wicked youth spent hitchhiking across the West and perched on the backs of Harleys eventually gave way to soccer mom duties and full-time college studies—at the same time. In her spare moments, she learned how to herd cattle, swordfight, and plant an arrow or a knife in a target—not necessarily at the same time.
Her years spent in the lofty mountains of Colorado and the stark plains of Wyoming, the red canyons of central Arizona and the rolling hills of California, provide some of the diverse stages upon which her characters re-enact their lives.
She’s best known for her vampire series which includes Watcher: Book I of The Chosen, the 1840s historical horror novella, The Last Trace, and The Games Monsters Play. Her next novel, Runner: Book II of The Chosen, will be released in late 2017.
Roh currently shares her home in the Sierra Nevada foothills with three mustang horses, two crazy herding dogs, and a very patient husband who reminds her of the need to eat and sleep. She writes fantasy and urban fantasy for middle grade, young adult, and adult readers.
Roh can be found online at http://www.rohmorgon.com and http://www.facebook.com/rohmorgon.
Her years spent in the lofty mountains of Colorado and the stark plains of Wyoming, the red canyons of central Arizona and the rolling hills of California, provide some of the diverse stages upon which her characters re-enact their lives.
She’s best known for her vampire series which includes Watcher: Book I of The Chosen, the 1840s historical horror novella, The Last Trace, and The Games Monsters Play. Her next novel, Runner: Book II of The Chosen, will be released in late 2017.
Roh currently shares her home in the Sierra Nevada foothills with three mustang horses, two crazy herding dogs, and a very patient husband who reminds her of the need to eat and sleep. She writes fantasy and urban fantasy for middle grade, young adult, and adult readers.
Roh can be found online at http://www.rohmorgon.com and http://www.facebook.com/rohmorgon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 18, 2018
Hands-down the best vampire book I’ve read to date. I thoroughly enjoyed how the Chosen (vampires) are woven in the society and how they interact with humans. Roh Morgan wrote a beautiful novel about a young woman trying to find her way in the world and the hard choices that will need to be made. I am excited to start Book 2 and I can’t wait for more!!
September 9, 2018
This was an interesting book I enjoyed a lot. It's not a genre I read: paranormal. To be more specific, vampires. The writing is wonderful, the world building interesting and thorough, and the characters unique. I'd probably be rhapsodizing over this book if I were a fan of vampire fiction. Instead, it made an intriguing venture into, for me, an unusual genre.
October 20, 2018
Such a well written book and fantastic story. Ms. Morgon has created a unique world and twist on the paranormal. I found myself enthralled not knowing what to expect next. A truly refreshing new take. I cannot wait to continue this journey.
May 8, 2017
This book has a little of everything, so I’m not real sure how to classify it. There’s mystery, suspense, action, fantasy, romance and love of family, which creates a dilemma for the main character, Sunny.
Sunny is dead. The undead to be precise. Even though the word is never used in the novel, Sunny is a vampire. Not your everyday vampire, because she doesn’t prey on humans. She hunts for deer and other animals. She works a normal job and she tries to keep tabs on her daughter and granddaughter, without being seen. This soon becomes too much of a personal challenge for her and her desire to leave her family alone, causes her to leave her California roots and head off for Colorado where she meets another of her kind.
Nicolas is a man that she finds very attractive and this causes Sunny to fight an internal war with herself. Does she stick to her integrity and never harm a human, or does she join with him and become a “Chosen”?
The twists and turns in this book are unending and the final pages surprised me. Great novel.
Sunny is dead. The undead to be precise. Even though the word is never used in the novel, Sunny is a vampire. Not your everyday vampire, because she doesn’t prey on humans. She hunts for deer and other animals. She works a normal job and she tries to keep tabs on her daughter and granddaughter, without being seen. This soon becomes too much of a personal challenge for her and her desire to leave her family alone, causes her to leave her California roots and head off for Colorado where she meets another of her kind.
Nicolas is a man that she finds very attractive and this causes Sunny to fight an internal war with herself. Does she stick to her integrity and never harm a human, or does she join with him and become a “Chosen”?
The twists and turns in this book are unending and the final pages surprised me. Great novel.
March 2, 2012
Reviewed by Jenny:
Sunny hates the monster she has become. She wishes she could go back to her old life, and still watches her daughter from a distance. She is sad to see her daughter mature without her and also to see that she now has a grandchild that she will never know. After yet another incident where the beast escapes her Sunny finds herself on the move again. She is determined this time to keep as far away from people as possible, and be close to the forest to let her inner beast get its fill. Sunny is not prepared to meet Nicolas, to whom she feels an immediate pull toward. Nicolas is a very old vampire who is interested to learn about this new Chosen one, who is different than any Chosen he has met before. But as Nicolas tries to draw Sunny into the Game that the Chosen ones play, she is resistant and doesn’t understand what is happening. When she feels the stress of all the new rules and the over controlling from Nicolas she tries to run back, to be more like herself, and is attacked. When she comes to, she realizes that she is no longer in control, and finds herself being taken further away from who she was and wants to be. Can she fight to stay with Nicolas and love him like he loves her, or will the fact that he is trying to change her prove to much for her and push her away?
This was an interesting book. It was full of confusion for the main character who is lost in this new world of the Chosen’s hierarchy and way of life. It shows that even when you stray very far from yourself, it is hard to make changes and the moral compass that you find yourself battling with will never go away fully. Told from the main character, Sunny's, point of view you really get to know her as a character and feel the pain she is undertaking with her struggle to find peace with what she is becoming. But I felt that the character of Nicolas was just strange, and the book never lets on to anything with him, except for little inserts here and there about what he is thinking. It is obvious that he is trying to control and change her, and I think that I was frustrated by this. All in all, it was a good read and the writing style was easy to read and drew me in.
Sunny hates the monster she has become. She wishes she could go back to her old life, and still watches her daughter from a distance. She is sad to see her daughter mature without her and also to see that she now has a grandchild that she will never know. After yet another incident where the beast escapes her Sunny finds herself on the move again. She is determined this time to keep as far away from people as possible, and be close to the forest to let her inner beast get its fill. Sunny is not prepared to meet Nicolas, to whom she feels an immediate pull toward. Nicolas is a very old vampire who is interested to learn about this new Chosen one, who is different than any Chosen he has met before. But as Nicolas tries to draw Sunny into the Game that the Chosen ones play, she is resistant and doesn’t understand what is happening. When she feels the stress of all the new rules and the over controlling from Nicolas she tries to run back, to be more like herself, and is attacked. When she comes to, she realizes that she is no longer in control, and finds herself being taken further away from who she was and wants to be. Can she fight to stay with Nicolas and love him like he loves her, or will the fact that he is trying to change her prove to much for her and push her away?
This was an interesting book. It was full of confusion for the main character who is lost in this new world of the Chosen’s hierarchy and way of life. It shows that even when you stray very far from yourself, it is hard to make changes and the moral compass that you find yourself battling with will never go away fully. Told from the main character, Sunny's, point of view you really get to know her as a character and feel the pain she is undertaking with her struggle to find peace with what she is becoming. But I felt that the character of Nicolas was just strange, and the book never lets on to anything with him, except for little inserts here and there about what he is thinking. It is obvious that he is trying to control and change her, and I think that I was frustrated by this. All in all, it was a good read and the writing style was easy to read and drew me in.
January 25, 2012
Watcher is a typical vampire paranormal romance book. As I have said on several occasions, paranormal romance is not a genre that I am fond of, so please keep that in mind when reading this review. Watcher is the first person account of Sunny Martin, and unfortunately the voice that this novel is written in makes it difficult to enjoy for the first few hundred pages. The novel itself feels tedious, even as we learn that Sunny became one of the Chosen against her will, and still watches over her human daughter and granddaughter. Nicholas, her lover, expounds upon his feelings about her metamorphosis by writing in his journal:
Her story of her Change, of her rape into our way of life, enraged me to the point that I cold scarcely maintain my composure. I did not want to frighten her with the monster that I can become, and that fear helped me stay in control. (pg89)
I completely understand why Morgon made this analogy, but that does not make it anymore acceptable. Nothing is like rape but rape, and using this term to describe supernatural events that would never be possible in the real world, diminishes the harm done to rape victims.
The story shifts back and forth between Sunny -- who desperately wants to maintain her human side and independence, and Nicholas, a Chosen (read: vampire) of over 500 years -- who wants nothing more than to bond with her and make her his mate. Sunny is originally drawn in because Nicholas is the very first of her kind that she has met, since being abandoned by her maker. Over the course of two months, they meet and fall in love. I have a problem with the time length. At best, two months equals a pretty heavy infatuation and even lust, but it most certainly does not equal love. We are never even really given a reason for the basis of their enthrallment, which while irritating -- is extremely typical for paranormal romance.
Read More
Her story of her Change, of her rape into our way of life, enraged me to the point that I cold scarcely maintain my composure. I did not want to frighten her with the monster that I can become, and that fear helped me stay in control. (pg89)
I completely understand why Morgon made this analogy, but that does not make it anymore acceptable. Nothing is like rape but rape, and using this term to describe supernatural events that would never be possible in the real world, diminishes the harm done to rape victims.
The story shifts back and forth between Sunny -- who desperately wants to maintain her human side and independence, and Nicholas, a Chosen (read: vampire) of over 500 years -- who wants nothing more than to bond with her and make her his mate. Sunny is originally drawn in because Nicholas is the very first of her kind that she has met, since being abandoned by her maker. Over the course of two months, they meet and fall in love. I have a problem with the time length. At best, two months equals a pretty heavy infatuation and even lust, but it most certainly does not equal love. We are never even really given a reason for the basis of their enthrallment, which while irritating -- is extremely typical for paranormal romance.
Read More
July 26, 2016
My first Vampire read was Christoper Pike's "Last Vampire" series and since then I have read the good, the bad and first chapter snoozers. When I picked up "Watcher" I anticipated having something traditionally romantic that I could read over my Winter Break.
Within five minutes I realized that "Watcher" was not a traditional vampire story, nor was I going to sleep that night. As the sun rose the next morning, I had cried, laughed, loved, hunted and almost lost my innocence/humanity through the seduction of love...following the ever powerful female lead-Sunny through three short months of her life. The story turned and twisted, bringing a new world, developing an old history and introducing characters to love, hate and crave more of....
Since reading "Watcher", I have read two other "newer" and Critically Acclaimed vampire stories. I have found them tedious, boring, and a chore to read...and all I can think about is, Where and What is Sunny doing now?
Thank you Roh Morgon for creating such a rich world and true escape from our daily grind!
Waiting for more of the Sunny Saga...
L.F.
Humboldt State University-International Studies
Within five minutes I realized that "Watcher" was not a traditional vampire story, nor was I going to sleep that night. As the sun rose the next morning, I had cried, laughed, loved, hunted and almost lost my innocence/humanity through the seduction of love...following the ever powerful female lead-Sunny through three short months of her life. The story turned and twisted, bringing a new world, developing an old history and introducing characters to love, hate and crave more of....
Since reading "Watcher", I have read two other "newer" and Critically Acclaimed vampire stories. I have found them tedious, boring, and a chore to read...and all I can think about is, Where and What is Sunny doing now?
Thank you Roh Morgon for creating such a rich world and true escape from our daily grind!
Waiting for more of the Sunny Saga...
L.F.
Humboldt State University-International Studies
March 19, 2012
3 1/2 Stars
On the whole, I really enjoyed this novel. The main character is well-developed. I liked her and felt empathy toward her very early on. She is bad-ass and hangs on to a strong sense of integrity and humanity, despite what she refers to as the monsters within that have taken her over since her attack and abandonment by a vampire.
The middle of the book is where I had an issue. The beginning of the book was exciting/interesting. The middle of the book lost some of that excitement as we become lost in Sunny's (the main character) wishy-washy confusion regarding Nicolas and her place in the society of the Chosen (vampires). The MC lost some of her edge, which was one of the big draws for the story. Luckily, the author brings back the excitement and edginess, and the story ends on an intriguing note.
I liked the twist on the standard vampire tale. I've read lots and lots of vampire tales and this one was unique and interesting enough without being absurd.
On the whole, I really enjoyed this novel. The main character is well-developed. I liked her and felt empathy toward her very early on. She is bad-ass and hangs on to a strong sense of integrity and humanity, despite what she refers to as the monsters within that have taken her over since her attack and abandonment by a vampire.
The middle of the book is where I had an issue. The beginning of the book was exciting/interesting. The middle of the book lost some of that excitement as we become lost in Sunny's (the main character) wishy-washy confusion regarding Nicolas and her place in the society of the Chosen (vampires). The MC lost some of her edge, which was one of the big draws for the story. Luckily, the author brings back the excitement and edginess, and the story ends on an intriguing note.
I liked the twist on the standard vampire tale. I've read lots and lots of vampire tales and this one was unique and interesting enough without being absurd.
April 2, 2012
I won this book in the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. I was pretty excited about reading this book.
Although there were several parts of the book that were a bit slow, I really really enjoyed this book. Once I got into it, I could not put the book down. And it definitely left me wanting more!!
This book was not like most other books that I've read. It was refreshing to read a couple that had issues and problems in attaining their happily ever after.
I really liked Sunny and I felt for her. I also appreciated the internal struggles she faced with the new lifestyle that was forced upon her.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book of the series and I'm headed to the website right now to find out more about it.
Although there were several parts of the book that were a bit slow, I really really enjoyed this book. Once I got into it, I could not put the book down. And it definitely left me wanting more!!
This book was not like most other books that I've read. It was refreshing to read a couple that had issues and problems in attaining their happily ever after.
I really liked Sunny and I felt for her. I also appreciated the internal struggles she faced with the new lifestyle that was forced upon her.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book of the series and I'm headed to the website right now to find out more about it.
January 3, 2012
Fabulous read! I really enjoyed the new twists to a genre that I believed couldn't be improved. Well done, am really looking forward to reading the next installment.
October 7, 2017
This is one of those stories that makes me instantly know that I now want to read everything the Author writes. The perfect amount of detail is put into everything that is described in this book and makes for a vivid visualization as you read along. There is a sensual style of romance laced throughout and I really enjoyed the main character’s inner struggle with decisions made and her conflicting emotions as she discovers herself adds a raw and relatable aspect that you generally don’t experience in this type of story. I also quite enjoy the diary entries placed throughout the book because it gives you a unique insight into how the other half is feeling so that you’re not just experiencing things through one person’s perspective. There were parts of the storyline here and there which were predictable but that suits this story perfectly fine, although there is plenty of action and intrigue, it is not meant to be a suspense thriller surprising you at every turn so just read along and enjoy because this is simply beautiful writing!
October 6, 2017
voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book.
I thought it was well written, original, captivating and just enjoyable. Sunny struggles with how she was once human.
Her experiences and thoughts truly convey her struggles, her regrets and how she adapts to her current state of life.
When she finds out that there is more to her new life origin, she has new realities to face and choices to make.
She still has some human tendencies but will this help her or hurt her in the long run?
It wasn't the typical vampire story and getting an intimate look into how the Chosen exist and their customs is fascinating.
There are times where I like Nicholas and then there are other moments where I question his motives and whether I like him as a character or not.
Needless to say, the way things were left, I can't wait to read the next book.
I thought it was well written, original, captivating and just enjoyable. Sunny struggles with how she was once human.
Her experiences and thoughts truly convey her struggles, her regrets and how she adapts to her current state of life.
When she finds out that there is more to her new life origin, she has new realities to face and choices to make.
She still has some human tendencies but will this help her or hurt her in the long run?
It wasn't the typical vampire story and getting an intimate look into how the Chosen exist and their customs is fascinating.
There are times where I like Nicholas and then there are other moments where I question his motives and whether I like him as a character or not.
Needless to say, the way things were left, I can't wait to read the next book.
January 4, 2019
I received an ARC of this story through Hidden Gems and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I've read a lot of books that at least feature vampires as either the main characters or some species in the story... this story was a breath of fresh air in a very stale vampire story world! I love the small humor in the main character being named Sunshine for starters and I love how the author details her struggle with what she's become. Once Sunny moves to Colorado, on the run from possible discovery and trying to leave her past life behind her, she meets Nicholas who sweeps her off her feet and causes her to continue to question who/what she has become. I cannot wait for the next entry in this series!
I've read a lot of books that at least feature vampires as either the main characters or some species in the story... this story was a breath of fresh air in a very stale vampire story world! I love the small humor in the main character being named Sunshine for starters and I love how the author details her struggle with what she's become. Once Sunny moves to Colorado, on the run from possible discovery and trying to leave her past life behind her, she meets Nicholas who sweeps her off her feet and causes her to continue to question who/what she has become. I cannot wait for the next entry in this series!
October 3, 2017
Wow, this is a fantastic vampire read. It's well written and the story line is so intricate. The details of the Chosen selection, making, bonding, hierarchy, etc. is well thought out. The author covered every bit of information you'd want to know and did a wonderful job writing about Sunny's emotions and thought process. The plot is a bit slow moving and there is a slow build between Sunny and Nicholas. There are still a few questions unanswered and the ending does have a cliffhanger. I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd book.
December 5, 2020
An interesting take on the vampire story. A woman is changed against her will and struggles to adapt to her new way of life. She is clinging onto the last shreds of humanity until the choice is taken out of her hands. This is a well written book and an enjoyable read. I did get bogged down in the middle where we spend too much time on how she hunts and resists adapting-I found it slow and struggled to continue but the story line itself and the characters are well worth perservering to the end. Book 2 Runner, is even better!
March 30, 2022
The story starts off interesting enough. A woman turned vampire against her will is left to fend for herself and is working bartender jobs to make live and eventually stumbles upon another vampire. The story then turns to an insipid trope-filled romance plot that is long on words and short on story progression. Both characters lack consistency as their personality flip suddenly. For example, the main characters goes from loving to loathing to loving the love interest several times. She's like a teenager that doesn't know herself or what she wants which is very odd considering she's a grown woman with a grandchild. The love interest has several blurbs of him writing in a journal on how he acknowledges and laments his failings and endeavors to do better only to do what he swore to himself, and to her, what he wouldn't do.
August 27, 2024
I loved the first book in the series monster and I’ve been trying all morning to get Kendall to allow me to read it but for some reason it keeps telling me that it doesn’t except the format so I can’t read the book from kindle, but Amazon tells me I can’t read it from them because it’s a Kindle product. I’m so confused I can’t get any help. Nobody knows what’s going on and I’m frustrated this point I read the sample to watchers and absolutely loved it and want to read the rest.
October 6, 2017
I received this book as an ARC copy.
I loved this book. It was right up my ally of book I enjoy ready. I could not put it down. Everything in this book is very thought out and will keep you interested until the very last page. This is a must read for any Vampire fan, and if you are not one maybe this would get you into it.
I loved this book. It was right up my ally of book I enjoy ready. I could not put it down. Everything in this book is very thought out and will keep you interested until the very last page. This is a must read for any Vampire fan, and if you are not one maybe this would get you into it.
August 27, 2022
DNF at 17%. I really tried to enjoy this book but found it impossible. I kept waiting for the plot to really take off but was too bored to keep reading in case it ever did. I felt zero emotion reading this book, zero connection to the characters, and overall decided to quit making myself continue reading.
July 3, 2023
I love this continuation of Sunny’s story! She is a great character, with angst, hopes, dreams, and regrets. Very well rounded, and the secondary characters are also interesting and well developed. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Sunny and Nicolas develop.
Sunny deals with her new lifestyle in a very real and realistic way, and it is so relatable. After all of her changes and hardships, it’s good to see her finally getting more of a handle on what this new life might look like and try to fit in and have more companionship.
I am so looking forward to seeing the rest of the story unfold!
Sunny deals with her new lifestyle in a very real and realistic way, and it is so relatable. After all of her changes and hardships, it’s good to see her finally getting more of a handle on what this new life might look like and try to fit in and have more companionship.
I am so looking forward to seeing the rest of the story unfold!
December 9, 2024
Love it
I absolutely love this book and look forward to the journey of the series. I love the relationship between the main characters, the push and pull, although I do get a little irritated with Sunny with all her irrational thinking. And what a cliffhanger the first book left us in, right? Can't wait to find out what happens next
I absolutely love this book and look forward to the journey of the series. I love the relationship between the main characters, the push and pull, although I do get a little irritated with Sunny with all her irrational thinking. And what a cliffhanger the first book left us in, right? Can't wait to find out what happens next
January 21, 2022
For love of blood
Love a vampire, love this book. This is a different look into the dark workings of a blood life. Everything is done with passion. Instead of the focus being humanly sexual, this story lets the reader feel sexual blood. I look forward to future books.
Love a vampire, love this book. This is a different look into the dark workings of a blood life. Everything is done with passion. Instead of the focus being humanly sexual, this story lets the reader feel sexual blood. I look forward to future books.
November 7, 2023
An intriguing, unique take on vampires in the modern world. It did get a little repetitive at the end, but sets up the next book in the series nicely. Highly recommend if you're ready to commit to a series.
August 29, 2024
DNF. I hate writing negative reviews because someone has put their time and love into their creation, but I only made it 20% into this book because it was just bland. I don't know how it got the rating it did on Goodreads.
January 23, 2022
Wow, what ride. Great read. I already have book 2, but I think I'll need to sit on it for a bit. Not sure I what to deal with all this heavy emotion back to back.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews