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Stargate Atlantis #3
The Chosen
A forgotten people may have the secret of defeating the Wraith.
325 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 13, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 17, 2017
It was a good novel overall but there were issues and flaws. I didn't find Teyla's characterisation quite believable, especially concerning the hypocrite argument with Rodney early on in the novel. Rodney was characterised well, very much Season 1 Rodney, the same with Sheppard, Ford, Beckett and Weir.
I also found this book very strangely paced - nothing much happened for a few chapters, beyond taking Lisera back to Atlantis for treament of a broken leg, and then as soon as they return to Dalera, everything happens almost continuously. While this is alright in a TV show episodic format, it makes the book somewhat difficult to follow. Which in turn makes it difficult to accept the plot of the novel and simultaneously understand the social structure on Dalera which was ever-changing during the second half of the novel.
Overall, it was a good book, but possibly it was overcomplicated.
I also found this book very strangely paced - nothing much happened for a few chapters, beyond taking Lisera back to Atlantis for treament of a broken leg, and then as soon as they return to Dalera, everything happens almost continuously. While this is alright in a TV show episodic format, it makes the book somewhat difficult to follow. Which in turn makes it difficult to accept the plot of the novel and simultaneously understand the social structure on Dalera which was ever-changing during the second half of the novel.
Overall, it was a good book, but possibly it was overcomplicated.
April 30, 2021
3/5
I feel like this was kind of a mess. Everything you could ever imagine happening in an action movie happened in this book, and not in the good way. Every chapter ended on a cliffhanger which got tedious REAL QUICK! The amount of tension was actually boring because it became almost a gimmick and lost all the intensity.
The characterizations were pretty good, Rodney especially was great in this. It's super cool how some of the actors actually contributed to the novel in terms of their characterization. I just really did love the characters in this, it was only the plot that let it down.
Still excited to read the rest of the series.
I feel like this was kind of a mess. Everything you could ever imagine happening in an action movie happened in this book, and not in the good way. Every chapter ended on a cliffhanger which got tedious REAL QUICK! The amount of tension was actually boring because it became almost a gimmick and lost all the intensity.
The characterizations were pretty good, Rodney especially was great in this. It's super cool how some of the actors actually contributed to the novel in terms of their characterization. I just really did love the characters in this, it was only the plot that let it down.
Still excited to read the rest of the series.
March 1, 2014
** WARNING FOR SPOILERS!! **
It was an intriguing book overall and definitely worth the read. I'm on the fence as far as Teyla characterisation in this book. The argument between her and Rodney just didn't sit well with me. I felt like Rodney was being attacked, and while I could understand Teyla's argument and why she was so upset with him, her responses and especially her and Sheppard and Ford's assumptions regarding McKay's motives really bothered me.
When the team returned back to Atlantis, Weir's attitude set me a bit more at ease. She recognised that she doesn't totally understand McKay's motives and that he has hidden qualities, such as when he stepped in front of a gun for her. While she seemed to ultimately conclude that McKay's upset centred around having to leave the shields on Dalera, at least she considered his altruistic side. Granted, McKay isn't the most selfless individual, but everything he does certainly isn't all about him. Repeatedly, he is accused of not being able to handle shades of gray, and it's baffling how the rest of the team views him in such black-and-white terms here.
Certainly, McKay's struggle with cultural differences and playing PC is fairly typical behaviour for him, but here, he was genuinely concerned about the disenfranchised class on Dalera. He could relate. They were being discriminated against for not having the ancient gene, and on some level, not being born with that gene really bothers McKay. He has said that having the gene doesn't make a person more evolved... but the gentleman dost protest too much. That underlying sense of shame becomes rage when he sees people being treated like second class citizens, because they weren't born with the gene - and now they CAN get the gene, as he did, and the Chosen are against it. He can feel for them, but Teyla takes his concern as his believing this his culture is better and seeking to impose it upon others.
I can certainly see Teyla's perspective here. He looks down on the scientific prowess of those on Dalera and doesn't respect their religion or culture (due to the Chosen's treatment of others), but she can easily see him having the same attitude toward the Athosians, as they have a different world view too. Still, she just got too mean here. Her calling him a hypocrite and accusing him of just wanting to impose his mindset on others is just a little over the top, and she just hold far too much anger toward him.
What really set me at ease was Shep taking up for McKay in a discussion with Teyla. I appreciated his analogy between her people and the ancients, and the philosophical discussion he spurred as to what is help and what is imposition. The way she got on McKay for his behaviour and then turned around and turned her nose up at how people on earth fight with one another, and pondered aloud what the ancients would think of their earth descendents... that whole deal just didn't sit well with me.
I'm not sure if I like how Teyla is written in this book, but then again, you have to wonder about these culture clashes. They took place between those from Earth and from Athosia, and clearly, that had to have taken place within Atlantis' flagship team. This argument is realistic.
It was an intriguing book overall and definitely worth the read. I'm on the fence as far as Teyla characterisation in this book. The argument between her and Rodney just didn't sit well with me. I felt like Rodney was being attacked, and while I could understand Teyla's argument and why she was so upset with him, her responses and especially her and Sheppard and Ford's assumptions regarding McKay's motives really bothered me.
When the team returned back to Atlantis, Weir's attitude set me a bit more at ease. She recognised that she doesn't totally understand McKay's motives and that he has hidden qualities, such as when he stepped in front of a gun for her. While she seemed to ultimately conclude that McKay's upset centred around having to leave the shields on Dalera, at least she considered his altruistic side. Granted, McKay isn't the most selfless individual, but everything he does certainly isn't all about him. Repeatedly, he is accused of not being able to handle shades of gray, and it's baffling how the rest of the team views him in such black-and-white terms here.
Certainly, McKay's struggle with cultural differences and playing PC is fairly typical behaviour for him, but here, he was genuinely concerned about the disenfranchised class on Dalera. He could relate. They were being discriminated against for not having the ancient gene, and on some level, not being born with that gene really bothers McKay. He has said that having the gene doesn't make a person more evolved... but the gentleman dost protest too much. That underlying sense of shame becomes rage when he sees people being treated like second class citizens, because they weren't born with the gene - and now they CAN get the gene, as he did, and the Chosen are against it. He can feel for them, but Teyla takes his concern as his believing this his culture is better and seeking to impose it upon others.
I can certainly see Teyla's perspective here. He looks down on the scientific prowess of those on Dalera and doesn't respect their religion or culture (due to the Chosen's treatment of others), but she can easily see him having the same attitude toward the Athosians, as they have a different world view too. Still, she just got too mean here. Her calling him a hypocrite and accusing him of just wanting to impose his mindset on others is just a little over the top, and she just hold far too much anger toward him.
What really set me at ease was Shep taking up for McKay in a discussion with Teyla. I appreciated his analogy between her people and the ancients, and the philosophical discussion he spurred as to what is help and what is imposition. The way she got on McKay for his behaviour and then turned around and turned her nose up at how people on earth fight with one another, and pondered aloud what the ancients would think of their earth descendents... that whole deal just didn't sit well with me.
I'm not sure if I like how Teyla is written in this book, but then again, you have to wonder about these culture clashes. They took place between those from Earth and from Athosia, and clearly, that had to have taken place within Atlantis' flagship team. This argument is realistic.
May 31, 2009
This SGA tie-in novel is set after The Storm and leads nicely into The Defiant One. It reminded me a lot of Trinity - Rodney's arrogance reared its ugly head once more but this time, it didn't lead "just" to the destruction of an uninhabited solar system, it caused the downfall of a whole civilization. The thing is, I could see both sides of the argument, Rodney and Teyla's - they were both right and wrong, both operating on limited information. Rodney's behavior fit well his season 1 self when all his concerns were more about him than about others, when he was still learning how to care. And a healthy dose of hurt Sheppard didn't hurt either, of course.
June 1, 2011
Stargate Atlantis is one of my all-time favorite shows. That being said, there were still episodes of the show that I thought were boring and didn't care for. This novel is like one of those episodes. Except that it was lasting a lot longer than the 40 or so minutes than an episode would last, so I gave up on it.
This one was co-written by two authors, and you could really tell. The style seemed to change back and forth, and that bothered me a bit. So all in all, this one just didn't have a lot going for it. Hopefully the next SGA novel will be better.
This one was co-written by two authors, and you could really tell. The style seemed to change back and forth, and that bothered me a bit. So all in all, this one just didn't have a lot going for it. Hopefully the next SGA novel will be better.
January 3, 2020
The POV switching was a bit confusing but that could be an artifact of Kindle formatting. Rodney was very season 1 Rodney so a bit much at times. I prefer the Rodney of later seasons. Good read though.
June 29, 2022
I need to start by saying that SGA was my all-time favorite tv show. So anything to do with SGA starts off with 5 stars for me.
This book was only so-so for me, though. Probably a 3.5, but because it's SGA and adds to the SGA universe, it gets the extra half star.
The characters were mostly consistent with those we know and care about. The story picks up in mid season 1 of the show or thereabouts. I could see this being an episode, but I don't think it was one. The premise is somewhat intriguing. The team gates off to a world where SOME of the inhabitants appear to have a defense against the Wraith. They not only possess the Ancient's gene, but it allows them to power a shield/weapon that the Wraith cannot get past.
Unfortunately, due to time, infighting, etc., the number of "Chosen" have been declining to the point where the defense is less and less viable. Enter our heroes, who continue their search for a zed-pm. They initially believe there must be one, here, given the evident defense against the Wraith. But they get caught up in the politics (and religion?) of the population and lo and behold, the Wraith choose this exact moment to strike.
The rest is a scramble to survive and protect the remaining inhabitants of the Chosen and the rest of the population.
While the book's portrayal of the population and its political strife is pretty realistic in many ways, (and somewhat mirrors the dysfunction in our own time), it was not a whole lot of fun to read. If this HAD been one of the episodes shown on tv, it would not have been one I enjoyed very much. There are also a LOT of things that are introduced in this story that are never explained. How and why certain things happened is never addressed. (Where did the two Wraith queens come from, for example?)
So I am glad this book is here and gave me the chance to get back into the SGA universe for a while. But it was not my favorite trip there.
This book was only so-so for me, though. Probably a 3.5, but because it's SGA and adds to the SGA universe, it gets the extra half star.
The characters were mostly consistent with those we know and care about. The story picks up in mid season 1 of the show or thereabouts. I could see this being an episode, but I don't think it was one. The premise is somewhat intriguing. The team gates off to a world where SOME of the inhabitants appear to have a defense against the Wraith. They not only possess the Ancient's gene, but it allows them to power a shield/weapon that the Wraith cannot get past.
Unfortunately, due to time, infighting, etc., the number of "Chosen" have been declining to the point where the defense is less and less viable. Enter our heroes, who continue their search for a zed-pm. They initially believe there must be one, here, given the evident defense against the Wraith. But they get caught up in the politics (and religion?) of the population and lo and behold, the Wraith choose this exact moment to strike.
The rest is a scramble to survive and protect the remaining inhabitants of the Chosen and the rest of the population.
While the book's portrayal of the population and its political strife is pretty realistic in many ways, (and somewhat mirrors the dysfunction in our own time), it was not a whole lot of fun to read. If this HAD been one of the episodes shown on tv, it would not have been one I enjoyed very much. There are also a LOT of things that are introduced in this story that are never explained. How and why certain things happened is never addressed. (Where did the two Wraith queens come from, for example?)
So I am glad this book is here and gave me the chance to get back into the SGA universe for a while. But it was not my favorite trip there.
January 15, 2020
So good!! At first I thought this was going to be similar to the episode with the young girl who has the gene and must go on a quest. Boy was I wrong!
I am LOVING the little insights into my favorite characters brains and psyche!
Rodney’s character development is still one of the best I have ever seen and these books are doing such a good job keeping him multidimensional.
I was always able to see Sheppard’s mindset if only because if O’Neill’s in SG1, but it’s really great that different authors aren’t skimping on the internal struggles he faces in his leadership role.
Ford is a cutie still. Optimistic and young but still mature in the way his experiences would make him. I like how uncomfortable he was with Lisera’s attention.
Teyla in this book was quite unlikable and I actually enjoyed that. The series always portrayed her as being blind to how her universe really worked and I like that it’s not glossed over here but expounded on. Her attitude toward and concerning Rodney was really what made me mad because despite giving everyone else a chance and looking deeper she obviously wasn’t with him. I enjoyed how the author made her doubt herself and question her beliefs because she definitely should have.
I am LOVING the little insights into my favorite characters brains and psyche!
Rodney’s character development is still one of the best I have ever seen and these books are doing such a good job keeping him multidimensional.
I was always able to see Sheppard’s mindset if only because if O’Neill’s in SG1, but it’s really great that different authors aren’t skimping on the internal struggles he faces in his leadership role.
Ford is a cutie still. Optimistic and young but still mature in the way his experiences would make him. I like how uncomfortable he was with Lisera’s attention.
Teyla in this book was quite unlikable and I actually enjoyed that. The series always portrayed her as being blind to how her universe really worked and I like that it’s not glossed over here but expounded on. Her attitude toward and concerning Rodney was really what made me mad because despite giving everyone else a chance and looking deeper she obviously wasn’t with him. I enjoyed how the author made her doubt herself and question her beliefs because she definitely should have.
March 26, 2022
Finally!!
Truth be told, I've been a little busy and that's why it took me so long to finish this damn book. Still, it was a pain in the ass to get through. Things were often unclear and sometimes I had a lot of trouble understanding the characters' explanations.
Considering I'm currently rewatching through show (currently @ S4E2) at least I didn't have any problems getting their voices in my head.
Reading these books only made me more convinced Sheppard will always be my favorite SGA character 🥰
Truth be told, I've been a little busy and that's why it took me so long to finish this damn book. Still, it was a pain in the ass to get through. Things were often unclear and sometimes I had a lot of trouble understanding the characters' explanations.
Considering I'm currently rewatching through show (currently @ S4E2) at least I didn't have any problems getting their voices in my head.
Reading these books only made me more convinced Sheppard will always be my favorite SGA character 🥰
August 20, 2018
Too long. I was on board for about a third of it, then the plot gotten way too convoluted. They should have left it as a social commentary, but dealing with a full blown wraith invasion that was as convoluted as a season finale 3 parter just made it too drawn out.
August 8, 2018
Another great addition to the series! Loving them all. (Please see extended review of this series under my "read" book, Stargate Atlantis #2, Reliquary.)
February 11, 2019
A solid addition to the Gateverse
A well told story, with a more intricate plot than it seems at first blush. Action-packed and entertaining to read.
A well told story, with a more intricate plot than it seems at first blush. Action-packed and entertaining to read.
July 9, 2021
This one was good, though not great. A little boring. But still Stargate
July 13, 2022
Ein bisschen verworren und die Charaktere etwas OOC(insb. McKay). Ansonsten ist ständig Action
October 1, 2023
Vast improvement on the second book ,but still not good enough to be described as a page turner
April 29, 2024
I don't often read media tie-ins but this one was surprisingly good, tackling themes that weren't always addressed in the TV series.
February 19, 2023
*posts 15-year-old review*
August 9, 2011
I actually fairly enjoyed this one. Quite a bit of action and while I didn't care for so much tension between the team members. . .it was sort of inevitable. Also, while things were tense, it never felt like they were going to 'split up'. More like they were just annoyed at each other, and stressed by the situation.
The plot is not a 'funny' or 'feel good' plot. Its a bit heavy-handed on the political/religious theme, and yet I could see it. Its surprising they don't hit more situations like this.
The big thing I did not care for, is the whole 'its our fault' theme that ran so long with the team. THey kept blaming themselves, despite evidence they just had bad timing, right through the end. Yet, as the reader, I did not see any way that it was 'their fault'. They might have made it a little worse than it might have been just by bringing something new into the mix. . .but they did not know, and couldn't know when people were not being straight with them. And in the end they did a LOT to help the people of Dalera. For all they were thanked.
I did find Rodney excessively arrogant in this one. . .but at the same time he's shown flare ups of it in the shows too, and he did eat a bit of humble pie through the whole thing so he wasn't terrible about it either.
So, yeah, a bit heavy handed, but all in all an interesting story and a good addition to the SGA pile.
The plot is not a 'funny' or 'feel good' plot. Its a bit heavy-handed on the political/religious theme, and yet I could see it. Its surprising they don't hit more situations like this.
The big thing I did not care for, is the whole 'its our fault' theme that ran so long with the team. THey kept blaming themselves, despite evidence they just had bad timing, right through the end. Yet, as the reader, I did not see any way that it was 'their fault'. They might have made it a little worse than it might have been just by bringing something new into the mix. . .but they did not know, and couldn't know when people were not being straight with them. And in the end they did a LOT to help the people of Dalera. For all they were thanked.
I did find Rodney excessively arrogant in this one. . .but at the same time he's shown flare ups of it in the shows too, and he did eat a bit of humble pie through the whole thing so he wasn't terrible about it either.
So, yeah, a bit heavy handed, but all in all an interesting story and a good addition to the SGA pile.
January 5, 2009
Summary: Major Sheppard and Dr McKay were born to rule. Or maybe it was it serve ... ? Anyway, they turn out to be members of the Chosen and they throw Daleran society into crisis somewhat earlier than it would otherwise have been thrown into crisis (much angsting is enjoyed by all), causing many frustrations to boil over because like many menfolk they have trouble locating, understanding and properly stimulating the clitoris. I'm actually half-serious ...//
This tie-in novel, which was quite ploty* and which I did quite enjoy, is prefaced with a little map that looks rather like a diagram of a vagina. In fact, I'm pretty sure it was actually a diagram of a vagina cleverly veiled in euphemism. They might have labelled the all important spot the Enclave, but only blind virgin would be fooled into thinking it anything other than a clitoris located above the vaginal opening (Citadel), beneath the mons veneris (Black Hill) and between the protective fold of the vulva (the four parts of the city walls).
This is probably only to be expected when Ancient women found their own eponymous cities and societies. And yes, in case you are wondering, by the end of the tale Dalera is well and truly breached.
This tie-in novel, which was quite ploty* and which I did quite enjoy, is prefaced with a little map that looks rather like a diagram of a vagina. In fact, I'm pretty sure it was actually a diagram of a vagina cleverly veiled in euphemism. They might have labelled the all important spot the Enclave, but only blind virgin would be fooled into thinking it anything other than a clitoris located above the vaginal opening (Citadel), beneath the mons veneris (Black Hill) and between the protective fold of the vulva (the four parts of the city walls).
This is probably only to be expected when Ancient women found their own eponymous cities and societies. And yes, in case you are wondering, by the end of the tale Dalera is well and truly breached.
December 4, 2019
This is the first Stargate Atlantis tie-in I’ve read. I really enjoyed this book, and I’ll continue reading more of this series.
Dalera is a world protected by an Ancient of the same name, who was banished for falling in love with a human. Before she departed, Dalera left behind technology that could defend the planet from the Wraith. As the centuries passed, however, some of the people of Dalera ceased believing in her plan and ventured out on their own path. Others clung to their way of life and were led by The Chosen. When Sheppard’s team arrives on Dalera, he and McKay are revealed to be Chosen. Through Atlantis’ intervention (and lack of genuine understanding), the political and religious system of Dalera is plunged into chaotic anarchy.
There was a lot more action than I thought there would be. The plot required the characters to act, and yet, they did talk about their actions quite a lot. I was impressed that these authors were able to do both without sacrificing either. Unfortunately, the team was at loggerheads most of the time, which is something I don’t like. There was quite a bit of character and team building here. I only wish it could have been accomplished with less fighting among the team.
Dalera is a world protected by an Ancient of the same name, who was banished for falling in love with a human. Before she departed, Dalera left behind technology that could defend the planet from the Wraith. As the centuries passed, however, some of the people of Dalera ceased believing in her plan and ventured out on their own path. Others clung to their way of life and were led by The Chosen. When Sheppard’s team arrives on Dalera, he and McKay are revealed to be Chosen. Through Atlantis’ intervention (and lack of genuine understanding), the political and religious system of Dalera is plunged into chaotic anarchy.
There was a lot more action than I thought there would be. The plot required the characters to act, and yet, they did talk about their actions quite a lot. I was impressed that these authors were able to do both without sacrificing either. Unfortunately, the team was at loggerheads most of the time, which is something I don’t like. There was quite a bit of character and team building here. I only wish it could have been accomplished with less fighting among the team.
March 5, 2012
WOW so if I were to suggest a book out of this series so far it would be this one. Yes I know I told you that book 2 was done by an author I adore and it was okay I promise. But, this book, this book KICKED BUTT on action, inner dialogue, getting to know the characters better, and OMG I got so much Sheppard and McKay I'm a happy girl. LOVED THIS ONE. Now keep in mind this author had about half of season 1 to learn all the different thought and actions of the team but, wow. Good job Sonny Whitelaw you have restored my faith in this series and I am for sure buying any and all of them. Plus I am going to have to check out other books you have written because you blew it out of the water for me and this series. New fangirl has been found. Man I wish they would make this book into a show that would've TOTALLY rocked!!!!
July 12, 2021
Maybe if I hadn't taken so long to read this book I might have given it five stars. Or maybe it was the fact that it was a first season book, so the presence of Ford bumped it from five to four. Who knows? Either way it was a great book, with the authors obviously having a fantastic grasp on the characters' motivations, personalities, and voices alike. I could really hear the voices, especially Rodney, and everything felt delightfully in-character. I also enjoyed the fact that, though fun and interesting enough to keep me interested, the story was simple enough that I didn't lose track of where I was (or what had happened) when I did put it down for a while. It had absolutely nothing to do with the book, the fact that it took me so long to read it, and I would definitely recommend it to any fans of the show.
August 20, 2024
As usual, I started the book quickly, then slowed down/paused as life took a turn...but once I picked it back up, I was amazed at how quickly things began to move! An interesting premise, which quickly becomes at once the center of controversy and the spark that makes the plot explode :-) Perhaps not the best Atlantis book ever, but not for lack of trying. One of the best points is that it gives us some interesting insights as to how most of the team is still trying to figure out how to work together while stranded on a strange world amid multiple conflicts (similar to the SG-1 novel "Sacrifice Moon"). I would definitely recommend it for longtime fans of the series or those who are watching Season 1 for the first time.
June 29, 2013
I read this book immediately after "Reliquary" and so I was a bit wary as it also began with déjà vu: a medieval society where the ATA gene carriers are ruling over the enslaved population (season 2, The Tower) but I was pleasantly surprised after a few chapter when action and suspense took off. It was quite intense, the secondary characters were endearing and the team was quite well depicted. I finally found the sarcasm and banter I enjoyed so much in the TV show.
June 16, 2013
The team go to a planet where the civilisation honour the chosen (Ancient gene carriers) because they save them from the wraith. Something goes wrong and the team have to save the civilisation from the wraith.
A good character piece with an awful lot of action set pieces. I think it would have been a 2 parter in the tv show. A good read.
A good character piece with an awful lot of action set pieces. I think it would have been a 2 parter in the tv show. A good read.
October 14, 2013
Bola by z toho skvelá epizóda seriálu, ale v knižnej podobe sa mi príbeh zdal príliš rozťahaný, asi od polovice sa všetko točí len okolo boja s Wraithmi a pokiaľ vás nezaujíma vojenská stratégia, môže to byť trochu nuda. Veľkým pozitívom je však skvelá dynamika medzi postavami, všetci sú verní svojmu seriálovému ja.
July 3, 2014
Lots of politics, religion and action going on in this one while the team members, especially Teyla and McKay, find themselves on strongly opposing sides of an argument that has the entire team at odds with each other.
October 23, 2020
I nearly DNFed early on, because Rodney seemed to have been replaced with Raging McDouche. Not sure how that was supposed to be our Rodney tbh. The logistics of the Big Damn Fight were interesting. But the fighting dragged on and on and on and so my attention waned.
November 25, 2008
Horrid. Really and truely.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews