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The Planner #2
The Chosen
In this heart pounding sequel to The Planner, Homeland Security is using the National Defense Authorization Act to incarcerate tens of thousands of Americans in secret government prisons where they are never heard from again.
When Father Nathan O’Brien is arrested for refusing to preach the messages mandated by the Religious Unity Agency, Michael Linton and Jeff Conners call attention to abuses of government power by setting up “The Wall”, a website which publishes the names of all those who have vanished. Soon, the entire country is talking about the problems of indefinite detention, but before long, the Electronic Communications’ Agency dubs “The Wall” the greatest act of terrorism in U.S. history and arrests Michael and Jeff as domestic terrorists.
With Michael and Jeff gone, Michael’s wife Kris and her brother Keith know that the time has come for them to stand up for the Constitution and fight for the laws of our country.
When Father Nathan O’Brien is arrested for refusing to preach the messages mandated by the Religious Unity Agency, Michael Linton and Jeff Conners call attention to abuses of government power by setting up “The Wall”, a website which publishes the names of all those who have vanished. Soon, the entire country is talking about the problems of indefinite detention, but before long, the Electronic Communications’ Agency dubs “The Wall” the greatest act of terrorism in U.S. history and arrests Michael and Jeff as domestic terrorists.
With Michael and Jeff gone, Michael’s wife Kris and her brother Keith know that the time has come for them to stand up for the Constitution and fight for the laws of our country.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2012
23 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Swann
22 books85 followersIn 1986, Alexandra Swann graduated at fifteen years of age with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Brigham Young University and a GPA of 3.85. The following year, when she was sixteen, she received a Master’s Degree in History from California State University. After graduation, she taught history and English as a second language for four years at El Paso Community College. In 1989, her book, "No Regrets: How Homeschooling Earned me a Master’s Degree at Age Sixteen", was published, in which she details her experiences with homeschooling.
For fifteen years, from 1998-2013, Alexandra was self-employed in the financial services industry in El Paso, Texas. As a small business owner who was active in the community and on various civic boards, she learned first-hand the challenges that excessive regulations create for small businesses. In 2012 she received the SBA’s Regional Minority Small Business Champion of the Year award. In 2014 she moved to Dallas where she works in financial services and is active in the community through various industry organizations and committees.
In 2010, Alexandra and her mother incorporated Frontier 2000 Media Group to produce clean, wholesome, inspirational entertainment for families. She re-released "No Regrets" with a new foreword to the twentieth anniversary edition of the book updating readers on what her family is doing today. She is also co-author of five Christian fiction novels including "The Fourth Kingdom" which was selected as one of four finalists in the Christianity Today 2011 Christian Fiction Book Awards. Her newest book, "The Invitation", [co-authored with Joyce}, is book one of their series Kinsman. "The Invitation" was published on Christmas Eve of 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 13, 2013
A few years in the future we're all up a creek without a paddle...or a boat.
This is a sequel to The Planner and even though I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 I give it my highest recommendation. This book is slightly slower than the first. The first book is one of the most genuinely frightening books I've ever read. Here we continue the story and telling it requires a little more detail and explanatory conversation. This means the book's flow isn't quite as fast paced or smooth as the first but it's still excellent.
I'm in a bit of a spot as I don't want to use spoilers, the story really should be read from first to last to get the fullest out of it. But I will say that the story follows logical lines and holds the interest.
I was less interested in the interpersonal relationships in the book but I suspect that part of the book will be the favorite of some readers...something for everybody then.
I'm not going to go into the ideas behind this book except to say that they are not far fetched. The plot uses existing legislation to build it's story and it's horror. I hope readers take this seriously, I really do.
Martin Niemöller a pastor in Hitler's Germany said:
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me."
This is a sequel to The Planner and even though I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 I give it my highest recommendation. This book is slightly slower than the first. The first book is one of the most genuinely frightening books I've ever read. Here we continue the story and telling it requires a little more detail and explanatory conversation. This means the book's flow isn't quite as fast paced or smooth as the first but it's still excellent.
I'm in a bit of a spot as I don't want to use spoilers, the story really should be read from first to last to get the fullest out of it. But I will say that the story follows logical lines and holds the interest.
I was less interested in the interpersonal relationships in the book but I suspect that part of the book will be the favorite of some readers...something for everybody then.
I'm not going to go into the ideas behind this book except to say that they are not far fetched. The plot uses existing legislation to build it's story and it's horror. I hope readers take this seriously, I really do.
Martin Niemöller a pastor in Hitler's Germany said:
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me."
October 12, 2013
First, you should know that I was sent The Planner for review. Secondly, you should know that I was so riveted by the story that I purchased the sequel, The Chosen, for my Kindle immediately upon finishing it.
In the first book, The Planner, we find a progressive U. S. government running completely out of control. Or maybe that should be running completely in control. In control of it's citizens. Senior citizens living out their retirement years on Social Security and Medicare find themselves faced with a tough decision -- give up all of their assets to the government and a sign a life lease to be taken care of in government housing, where all of their food and medical needs will be "met," or face the discontinuance of their benefits. The main character of the book, Kris -- out of work and homeless -- is in need of a job and soon becomes the planner for the government agency running this program. It's her job to convince the senior community that this is the best choice, and the first people she needs to convince are her own parents. When her parents make the difficult and desperate choice to live in Section W, and then disappear a few months later, Kris realizes what's really going on -- the extermination of American citizens.
In the second book, The Chosen, Kris becomes the desperate one. She is desperate to fight the U. S. Government after her husband and brother-in-law have been detained for "terrorism." In this not so futuristic look at America, thousands of citizens are being detained and put to death without trial when the government, with which they disagree, label them as terrorists, based on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
I was glued to these books for an entire weekend. I literally could not put them down, reading them both in a span of about 3 days. They are at once suspenseful and frightening. I felt every emotion you could imagine -- fear, anger, relief, sadness, and joy. I was reminded of the importance of standing up for what is right, both for the benefit of my own family, and for the country at large.
The NDAA is not a fictional piece of legislation. It was signed into law by President Obama on December 31, 2011. While these books are works of fiction, they are also a cautionary look at what could very well happen to America, in the very near future, if things do not change quickly-- as in tomorrow.
In the first book, The Planner, we find a progressive U. S. government running completely out of control. Or maybe that should be running completely in control. In control of it's citizens. Senior citizens living out their retirement years on Social Security and Medicare find themselves faced with a tough decision -- give up all of their assets to the government and a sign a life lease to be taken care of in government housing, where all of their food and medical needs will be "met," or face the discontinuance of their benefits. The main character of the book, Kris -- out of work and homeless -- is in need of a job and soon becomes the planner for the government agency running this program. It's her job to convince the senior community that this is the best choice, and the first people she needs to convince are her own parents. When her parents make the difficult and desperate choice to live in Section W, and then disappear a few months later, Kris realizes what's really going on -- the extermination of American citizens.
In the second book, The Chosen, Kris becomes the desperate one. She is desperate to fight the U. S. Government after her husband and brother-in-law have been detained for "terrorism." In this not so futuristic look at America, thousands of citizens are being detained and put to death without trial when the government, with which they disagree, label them as terrorists, based on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
I was glued to these books for an entire weekend. I literally could not put them down, reading them both in a span of about 3 days. They are at once suspenseful and frightening. I felt every emotion you could imagine -- fear, anger, relief, sadness, and joy. I was reminded of the importance of standing up for what is right, both for the benefit of my own family, and for the country at large.
The NDAA is not a fictional piece of legislation. It was signed into law by President Obama on December 31, 2011. While these books are works of fiction, they are also a cautionary look at what could very well happen to America, in the very near future, if things do not change quickly-- as in tomorrow.
October 9, 2014
The message in this book needs to be heard, and understood, by the American people because we are headed down this road. However, the character development was lacking and it was not as well written as the first in this series.
September 10, 2020
Fighting for our freedom
Wow! This book is fictional, but it is an amazing demonstration of what happens when we as American citizens stand up for the freedoms that our founding fathers died for. Let’s ask God what we can do to stand up for Him and for our country. Very well done!
Wow! This book is fictional, but it is an amazing demonstration of what happens when we as American citizens stand up for the freedoms that our founding fathers died for. Let’s ask God what we can do to stand up for Him and for our country. Very well done!
December 20, 2013
The second book is extremely religious with Bible (mostly Jewish) story as the foundation, beginning & ending. As in The Chosen of Israel, these characters are also the modern version of the same Bible story.
For those with a serious religious bent, especially Christian, the extreme religious beliefs may not be a problem, but for those of differing views, it's a bit like having bad medicine forced down the throat when one is not ill. The other reviews did not mention this aspect so I'm starting my review with these details for those who won't enjoy such a story.
The 1st book was a 5-star, horrifyingly real & fact based novel I raced through, despite the occasional religious developments but this sequel was a different read completely & in fact I almost returned it to Amazon.
The characters & story are more difficult to get lost in or enjoy. The two sides (gov't vs extreme religious freedom fighters) are equally crazy in thoughts, words & actions in this novel & so are less relatable or sympathetic. They are God's Chosen to save us from ourselves. Arrogance about being The One & the only answers being God saving us, disconcerts me greatly.
The politics I mostly agree with, what is happening in gov't worldwide & the learned helplessness (my term for our societies hopeless inaction) of our people who think giving up freedom to be taken care of by the uncaring, corrupt & greedy gov't, who then takes control & forces people to give up every liberty, every personal belief & individual choice, is a bargain that leads to death & obliteration.
Soon The Chosen expose these truths, at risk of torture & execution by unaccountable, unconstitutional gov't in NDAA authorized US citizen concentration camps complete with extermination & mass graves, the people no longer believe the truth until a hacker forces it in their face infiltrating personal computers. Suddenly the people start recognizing neighbors, friends & family who had disappeared (into these camps or worse, labeled as terrorists simply because they refused to conform or give up their rights), beginning to wake up to what is going on, feeling hopeful but frightened to speak out or be labeled a terrorist themselves.
The Chosen characters, so few in number that the reader wonders how they seem to avoid the same consequences as people doing much less to attract arrest & seizure, pray for God to intervene, & struggle with their faith in same, but the ending is so ridiculously unreal (too easy in a world where disappearing & executing citizens is business as usual for the Admin) & involves miracles from God to save our country.
I'm conflicted about this 2 book set, if I could do it over knowing how the story develops into fanatical fundamentalist extremes, at the expense of credibility, sympathy & relating to characters, or continued interest in the story, would I buy & read these 2 novels? I would not buy them again given that choice, but I'm still undecided as to whether I'd read them. Leaning towards no, mainly because this 2nd novel went too far over the line for me personally.
I still give this 2nd novel 3 stars for its ambitious attempt to solve one of the scariest issues going on not just nationally but globally. If the religious elements hadn't interfered (impossible considering the entire book is built upon same), I'd have enjoyed it considerably more. I truly wanted to like this second novel, especially after the incredible 1st novel, but could not go higher than a three.
For those with a serious religious bent, especially Christian, the extreme religious beliefs may not be a problem, but for those of differing views, it's a bit like having bad medicine forced down the throat when one is not ill. The other reviews did not mention this aspect so I'm starting my review with these details for those who won't enjoy such a story.
The 1st book was a 5-star, horrifyingly real & fact based novel I raced through, despite the occasional religious developments but this sequel was a different read completely & in fact I almost returned it to Amazon.
The characters & story are more difficult to get lost in or enjoy. The two sides (gov't vs extreme religious freedom fighters) are equally crazy in thoughts, words & actions in this novel & so are less relatable or sympathetic. They are God's Chosen to save us from ourselves. Arrogance about being The One & the only answers being God saving us, disconcerts me greatly.
The politics I mostly agree with, what is happening in gov't worldwide & the learned helplessness (my term for our societies hopeless inaction) of our people who think giving up freedom to be taken care of by the uncaring, corrupt & greedy gov't, who then takes control & forces people to give up every liberty, every personal belief & individual choice, is a bargain that leads to death & obliteration.
Soon The Chosen expose these truths, at risk of torture & execution by unaccountable, unconstitutional gov't in NDAA authorized US citizen concentration camps complete with extermination & mass graves, the people no longer believe the truth until a hacker forces it in their face infiltrating personal computers. Suddenly the people start recognizing neighbors, friends & family who had disappeared (into these camps or worse, labeled as terrorists simply because they refused to conform or give up their rights), beginning to wake up to what is going on, feeling hopeful but frightened to speak out or be labeled a terrorist themselves.
The Chosen characters, so few in number that the reader wonders how they seem to avoid the same consequences as people doing much less to attract arrest & seizure, pray for God to intervene, & struggle with their faith in same, but the ending is so ridiculously unreal (too easy in a world where disappearing & executing citizens is business as usual for the Admin) & involves miracles from God to save our country.
I'm conflicted about this 2 book set, if I could do it over knowing how the story develops into fanatical fundamentalist extremes, at the expense of credibility, sympathy & relating to characters, or continued interest in the story, would I buy & read these 2 novels? I would not buy them again given that choice, but I'm still undecided as to whether I'd read them. Leaning towards no, mainly because this 2nd novel went too far over the line for me personally.
I still give this 2nd novel 3 stars for its ambitious attempt to solve one of the scariest issues going on not just nationally but globally. If the religious elements hadn't interfered (impossible considering the entire book is built upon same), I'd have enjoyed it considerably more. I truly wanted to like this second novel, especially after the incredible 1st novel, but could not go higher than a three.
September 2, 2013
"The Chosen" by Alexandra and Joyce Swann is a fascinating glimpse at what happens when autocratic leadership violates human rights and freedoms. As the story opens Kris Mitchell Linton's husband Michael and his friend Jeff Connors have been arrested by Federal Agents for assisting in the creation of a website called "The Wall" which lists hundreds of Americans who have been detained without any evidence or a trial. With the help of a smart, God-fearing Constitutional lawyer Kris files a suit against the government for violation of articles in the Constitution dealing with unlawful arrest and imprisonment without the right to a trial. Like the Maccabees revolt in 168BC against the cruel and dictatorial leadership of Antiochus Epiphanies who forbade the worship of the God of Israel and desecrated the Temple, Kris, her brother Keith and their friends Jessie and Kyle stand up against the tyrannical policy of an arrogant despot, President Tom Quincy.
This is a riveting story about a nation on the brink of disaster not only because of a government's abuse of power and injustice, but also because of peoples' complacency when they drift away from the principles and faith their county was founded on. Yet within the darkness of corruption and turmoil there shines a light engendered by the faith, courage and the self-sacrifice of a few willing to stand against an evil that would destroy their rights and freedoms.
This is a well-written and spellbinding story that flows naturally as the abuse of the government grows and tension mounts in a legal battle that will make history and determine the fate of thousands. The personalities of the characters are multi-faceted and draw the reader deeper into their emotional turmoil. Kris Mitchell Linton fears for the life of her child and husband, but looks to her faith for strength and courage. She's determined and resilient, willing to sacrifice her life if it means helping thousands incarcerated unjustly. Keith Mitchell, crippled spiritually by the loss of his wife and child struggles with his doubts and fears, but is determined to protect his family and friends. Julian Cicchetti is the brilliant Constitutional lawyer whose faith is tested, and whose career and life are jeopardized when he tackles a case that seems unwinnable.
Even the secondary characters are as important and unforgettable to the story as those in the forefront of the fight against the government. Among them are Father Nathan O'Brien, a man of strong faith willing to pay the price for not conforming to the government's liturgical standards; Michael Linton and Jeff Connors determined and brave in their stand against oppression. Even the antagonists heighten this emotionally-charged story with their arrogance, pride and hunger for power; Vice President Peters, a woman whose moral compass has been undermined by a philandering husband and President Tom Quincy, a type of anti-Christ with his lust for power and authority.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and intend on reading "The Planner", the first in the series.
This is a riveting story about a nation on the brink of disaster not only because of a government's abuse of power and injustice, but also because of peoples' complacency when they drift away from the principles and faith their county was founded on. Yet within the darkness of corruption and turmoil there shines a light engendered by the faith, courage and the self-sacrifice of a few willing to stand against an evil that would destroy their rights and freedoms.
This is a well-written and spellbinding story that flows naturally as the abuse of the government grows and tension mounts in a legal battle that will make history and determine the fate of thousands. The personalities of the characters are multi-faceted and draw the reader deeper into their emotional turmoil. Kris Mitchell Linton fears for the life of her child and husband, but looks to her faith for strength and courage. She's determined and resilient, willing to sacrifice her life if it means helping thousands incarcerated unjustly. Keith Mitchell, crippled spiritually by the loss of his wife and child struggles with his doubts and fears, but is determined to protect his family and friends. Julian Cicchetti is the brilliant Constitutional lawyer whose faith is tested, and whose career and life are jeopardized when he tackles a case that seems unwinnable.
Even the secondary characters are as important and unforgettable to the story as those in the forefront of the fight against the government. Among them are Father Nathan O'Brien, a man of strong faith willing to pay the price for not conforming to the government's liturgical standards; Michael Linton and Jeff Connors determined and brave in their stand against oppression. Even the antagonists heighten this emotionally-charged story with their arrogance, pride and hunger for power; Vice President Peters, a woman whose moral compass has been undermined by a philandering husband and President Tom Quincy, a type of anti-Christ with his lust for power and authority.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and intend on reading "The Planner", the first in the series.
October 28, 2013
Fact: In 1927, a group of university professors and union leaders took a trip to Europe to study European economies. They were dubbed the “travelers.” Their most anticipated stop was Moscow. After visiting some phony models of farms and factories, they spent about 6-hours listening to Stalin teach them how to implement Russian central planning. When FDR ran for President of the U.S. he called many of the travelers to be his “brain trust.” When he took office, he and Congress began implementing the “brain trust” version of Stalin’s plan. FDR called it the New Deal. One of the first programs was the Nation Recovery Act, (NRA) which fixed prices and wages. Martin Schechter, a butcher in Brooklyn, was found guilty and imprisoned for violation the NRA. He appealed, and his appeal got to the Supreme Court. SCOTUS stood up against the Executive and Legislative Branches and declared that NRA was unconstitutional.
In 2012, SCOTUS was again called to stand between the Fed government and the freedom of the people in the Obamacare case. This time the court ruled against freedom.
Fiction: In “The Chosen,” Swann takes the story that began in “The Planner” to SCOTUS. The Executive and Legislative branches of the government have instigated NDAA which allows the President to arrest and execute anyone in the U.S. without formal charges or a trial, (a step up from the Patriot Act). Kris, the protagonist of “The Planner” finds herself in a battle against the powerful Federal Government that has arrested her husband and brother-in-law. The government will not tell her where they are or what their fate will be. She starts as one woman against the feds by bringing a case against a government that can arrest and execute her at any time for any reason. The question of the novel is; will SCOTUS stand for the Constitution as it did for Schechter or cave in to pressures as the Justice Roberts court did? Justice Dillon seems like he wants to support Kris, but he has a history of being soft with his principles.
We live in a time when the Legislative Branch is ineffective and the Judicial Branch has made itself irrelevant. The Executive Branch is filling the gap. We are lucky we have an inexperienced President with little executive ability who can’t get past his personal hubris. He already seems to think of himself as a pseudo dictator. Imagine if he were more adept.
“The Chosen” is an exciting and pertinent story; a piece of fiction on the verge of becoming something far more in the real world.
In 2012, SCOTUS was again called to stand between the Fed government and the freedom of the people in the Obamacare case. This time the court ruled against freedom.
Fiction: In “The Chosen,” Swann takes the story that began in “The Planner” to SCOTUS. The Executive and Legislative branches of the government have instigated NDAA which allows the President to arrest and execute anyone in the U.S. without formal charges or a trial, (a step up from the Patriot Act). Kris, the protagonist of “The Planner” finds herself in a battle against the powerful Federal Government that has arrested her husband and brother-in-law. The government will not tell her where they are or what their fate will be. She starts as one woman against the feds by bringing a case against a government that can arrest and execute her at any time for any reason. The question of the novel is; will SCOTUS stand for the Constitution as it did for Schechter or cave in to pressures as the Justice Roberts court did? Justice Dillon seems like he wants to support Kris, but he has a history of being soft with his principles.
We live in a time when the Legislative Branch is ineffective and the Judicial Branch has made itself irrelevant. The Executive Branch is filling the gap. We are lucky we have an inexperienced President with little executive ability who can’t get past his personal hubris. He already seems to think of himself as a pseudo dictator. Imagine if he were more adept.
“The Chosen” is an exciting and pertinent story; a piece of fiction on the verge of becoming something far more in the real world.
March 7, 2013
The Chosen
By: Alexandra and Joyce Swann
The Chosen, by Alexandra and Joyce Swann, is the sequel to The Planner. This is an eerie conclusion to what can happen when the government has complete control. The Electronic Communications Agency, ECA, is formed by the government and it redefines anti-American speech to be anything the administration deems it to be. What happens when a handful has complete control over everyone’s thoughts and actions? People are kidnapped and imprisoned as terrorists without trial and without proof. They can be held indefinitely or killed. Don’t agree with what the government is doing? You can be arrested.
Kris and Kyle Mitchell must fight against this government that has taken complete control. They must fight for the God-given rights that were bestowed on this nation by our Creator. Fight for Freedom. Fight for the Constitution. Fight for the laws of our country. Many people are disappearing and being held or killed. Kris’ husband and brother in law are arrested and she has no idea where they are being held or what has happened to them. In order to fight back, Kris hires Julian Cicchetti to defend her case that this action by the government is unconstitutional. Will he be willing to go on record as being against the government and the Supreme Court who has upheld the government’s stance? Will the Supreme Court be willing to hear this case? They had previously sided with the government and closed down. Once the Supreme Court is out of the way, the Senate and the House of Representatives will be targeted next. Then the only branch of government will be the President and he will have ultimate control. Will anyone be willing to stand up for their rights and put a stop to this out of control government?
If you won’t stand up for your rights, who will? Be ready to hold onto your seat as you read this suspenseful tale of a controlling government and the few who dare to stand up for what they believe in. The eerie part is what happens in this book could realistically happen. Will there be anyone strong enough who will stand up for their rights?
The conclusion to this story is the best I’ve seen. Now that’s a great book! I can’t wait to read more books by Alexandra and Joyce Swann. If you like suspenseful tales that won’t turn you loose from page one, you will love this book!
By: Alexandra and Joyce Swann
The Chosen, by Alexandra and Joyce Swann, is the sequel to The Planner. This is an eerie conclusion to what can happen when the government has complete control. The Electronic Communications Agency, ECA, is formed by the government and it redefines anti-American speech to be anything the administration deems it to be. What happens when a handful has complete control over everyone’s thoughts and actions? People are kidnapped and imprisoned as terrorists without trial and without proof. They can be held indefinitely or killed. Don’t agree with what the government is doing? You can be arrested.
Kris and Kyle Mitchell must fight against this government that has taken complete control. They must fight for the God-given rights that were bestowed on this nation by our Creator. Fight for Freedom. Fight for the Constitution. Fight for the laws of our country. Many people are disappearing and being held or killed. Kris’ husband and brother in law are arrested and she has no idea where they are being held or what has happened to them. In order to fight back, Kris hires Julian Cicchetti to defend her case that this action by the government is unconstitutional. Will he be willing to go on record as being against the government and the Supreme Court who has upheld the government’s stance? Will the Supreme Court be willing to hear this case? They had previously sided with the government and closed down. Once the Supreme Court is out of the way, the Senate and the House of Representatives will be targeted next. Then the only branch of government will be the President and he will have ultimate control. Will anyone be willing to stand up for their rights and put a stop to this out of control government?
If you won’t stand up for your rights, who will? Be ready to hold onto your seat as you read this suspenseful tale of a controlling government and the few who dare to stand up for what they believe in. The eerie part is what happens in this book could realistically happen. Will there be anyone strong enough who will stand up for their rights?
The conclusion to this story is the best I’ve seen. Now that’s a great book! I can’t wait to read more books by Alexandra and Joyce Swann. If you like suspenseful tales that won’t turn you loose from page one, you will love this book!
September 4, 2014
After reading the prequel to this book, "The Planner," I looked forward to "The Chosen." I was disappointed. The book opened over a year after the ending of the first book, but didn't explain what had happened. It was as if I'd missed a book in between somehow. Over time, you finally fill in part of the gap, but the story remained choppy and the characters seemed more superficial than they did in the first book. While I fully appreciate the author's desire to warn us of the dangers of an ever increasingly powerful government and its intrusion into our lives, along with the dangers of U.N. Agenda 21, the story got somewhat preachy about it, even for me. Overall, the story line was good and had great potential as a thriller or suspense. The execution of that story, however, was only fair.
December 31, 2013
The sequel to "The Planner" this book delves more deeply into what can and will happen if we do not wake up and keep the progressives in our government from continuing with their programs. A look into Nazi Germany in the 30's and 40's is a grim reminder as to what has already happened when a country and a ideology take over and decide who should live and who is unworthy or a burden to society and should be eliminated. This book and book one are perfect examples of the old adage of"those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Highly recommended.
March 3, 2014
After reading The Force, I knew I needed to continue reading more from this author. I didn't realize that this was the second in a series but I was immediately hooked on this book as well. I did finish this book before going back to the first and the books are written so that this can be done. It starts in the not too far future and is based on what the government is currently doing today- trying to socialize the world and take away our freedoms. I was very happy with the ending, and then had to read the first book. I look forward to reading more by this author.
March 29, 2015
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin
So true, and also, as it says in the Declaration of Independence, our rights are endowed by our Creator, not the government, and Swann's novels, The Planner and The Chosen play that out perfectly.
So true, and also, as it says in the Declaration of Independence, our rights are endowed by our Creator, not the government, and Swann's novels, The Planner and The Chosen play that out perfectly.
December 19, 2013
This is a sequel to The Planner. It is a fictional account of events that could possibly be real in big government vs individual liberties. It is the portrayal of voices of power against voices of truth. A quick read that is thought provoking.
September 18, 2015
A competently written novel, but a bit too heavy on right wing politics for my taste. If the politics had been toned down a notch, this could very well be best seller material. Lots of action and suspense. Characters well described. Dialogue not bad, except for the occasional political screed.
August 7, 2015
Not really the best fiction book... Fell a bit out of the story halfway trough.
August 15, 2015
I liked the story but the religious parts were a bit much for me. It was easy enough to just skim past them though.
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