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The Forest People #2
Chameleon: The Choosing
Having survived the Kintala and liberated her father, Camryn knows two things: 1) her feelings about Ohar or Dagger can't be trusted; and 2) her newly found magical powers are darn scary and out of control. Though she has learned how to manage when she changes into other people, now she has the added burden of controlling her magic before she kills someone by accident.
The first step is to bond with the most powerful creature in the universe, a thunder dragon. They are the only ones who can take her to the void. They are the only ones who can answer her questions about her gifts. They are the only ones who understand the burdens of life and death--of balance and control. The choosing is never easy, and only the worthy are chosen.
Camryn is committed to stopping the lichen mutations that are killing the Forest People. She knows that her gift as a Chameleon will allow her to discover why the Agnoses experiments are being escalated and how they use the lichen to enhance powers of both Forest People and Agnoses.
In her first battle of control, Camryn comes face-to-face with her own inner demons. What price is she willing to pay in order to save the Forest People? Camryn can see the war coming. Her gifts have the power to save both worlds, but in the process she may end up destroying everyone and everything she loves.
The first step is to bond with the most powerful creature in the universe, a thunder dragon. They are the only ones who can take her to the void. They are the only ones who can answer her questions about her gifts. They are the only ones who understand the burdens of life and death--of balance and control. The choosing is never easy, and only the worthy are chosen.
Camryn is committed to stopping the lichen mutations that are killing the Forest People. She knows that her gift as a Chameleon will allow her to discover why the Agnoses experiments are being escalated and how they use the lichen to enhance powers of both Forest People and Agnoses.
In her first battle of control, Camryn comes face-to-face with her own inner demons. What price is she willing to pay in order to save the Forest People? Camryn can see the war coming. Her gifts have the power to save both worlds, but in the process she may end up destroying everyone and everything she loves.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Faire
5 books13 followersAlso known as Maggie Lynch and Maggie Jaimeson.
I am the oldest of nine children. This means I can always raise an army to fight off evil doers whenever they appear. It also means I'm a control freak and like to be the boss.
My childhood was spent writing stories, making up plays and musicals, and hamming it up whenever anyone would pay attention. From about the age of 9 or 10, I would gather the entire neighborhood and force them into servitude to produce and act in these entertainments, all the while charging their poor families to watch the shows. Did I tell you I'm kind of bossy?
In High School, I continued to write stories, poetry, and plays. I was in the Drama Club all through school and had dreams of being the next Julie Andrews. Fortunately, my parents convinced me to go to college and choose a "sane" profession that would put food on the table until I became a star.
College lead me to degrees in psychology, counseling, and education.
Firmly believing that fantasy and reality are not in opposition, I found that psychology was indeed a great foundation for everything: secretary, bottle labeler, business assistant, sales of both things and people skills, actor, computer programmer, teacher, wife, mother, friend, and of course for being a boss. (It all comes full circle doesn't it?)
I've finally found the perfect profession. One where I have complete control of entire worlds and the people in them. One where fantasy and reality do more than coexist, they embrace each other. One where I can still force induce people to listen to me, to pay attention, and to give me money. Really, what's more fun than that?
I am the oldest of nine children. This means I can always raise an army to fight off evil doers whenever they appear. It also means I'm a control freak and like to be the boss.
My childhood was spent writing stories, making up plays and musicals, and hamming it up whenever anyone would pay attention. From about the age of 9 or 10, I would gather the entire neighborhood and force them into servitude to produce and act in these entertainments, all the while charging their poor families to watch the shows. Did I tell you I'm kind of bossy?
In High School, I continued to write stories, poetry, and plays. I was in the Drama Club all through school and had dreams of being the next Julie Andrews. Fortunately, my parents convinced me to go to college and choose a "sane" profession that would put food on the table until I became a star.
College lead me to degrees in psychology, counseling, and education.
Firmly believing that fantasy and reality are not in opposition, I found that psychology was indeed a great foundation for everything: secretary, bottle labeler, business assistant, sales of both things and people skills, actor, computer programmer, teacher, wife, mother, friend, and of course for being a boss. (It all comes full circle doesn't it?)
I've finally found the perfect profession. One where I have complete control of entire worlds and the people in them. One where fantasy and reality do more than coexist, they embrace each other. One where I can still force induce people to listen to me, to pay attention, and to give me money. Really, what's more fun than that?
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 23, 2019
New book. New journey for Camryn. She's grown, changing, becoming more. Is she dangerous to those around her, the forest, herself. I fell right in to this one. I was wrapped up and enjoying what was offered. Rachel Jacobs' did the narration and it was good. I felt familiar with her voice. It was like a known companion. Through it all the new powers, concerns, challenges, I felt a little tickle in my mind that there was something more to come. Adding the power of Camryn, and the strength and qualities of a dragon, but not any dragon, a thunder dragon had me on the edge to soak up as much as I could with this one. I found me a wonderful adventure that had a deep connection to finding that family bond and wanting to do all you can to protect it. Then taking on more to make sure nothing comes between it all. Camryn rocks.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Maggie Lynch. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Maggie Lynch. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
April 22, 2019
AUDIO BOOK REVIEW. CHAMELEON: THE CHOOSING is the second book in the Forest People series and is a good follow-up to book one, Chameleon: The Awakening, which I advise reading first. Author Maggie Faire again grabs readers’ attention from page one with immediate drama and tension, but in THE CHOOSING, there are two early and unexpected twists that I find make this book unique in the typical teen love triangle sub-plots. Kudos to Faire!
In CHAMELEON: THE CHOOSING, main character Camryn is discovering more of herself and her magical gifts, and readers are being further immersed into the world of the forest people. Part of the story takes us back into the world of the Agnoses, and more information is uncovered about the lichen mutations and experiments. As a side note, I find it interesting that Camryn doesn’t think about her Agnoses life or miss anything there (Soft toilet paper? A cheeseburger?) After all, the Agnoses world is the contemporary, non-magical, parallel world where Camryn was raised through the age of fifteen. Granted, it was a hard life for her, but she’s 100% moved on. On the other hand, who would dwell on the lack of Taco Bell when there is magic and dragons afoot?
Faire really ramps-up the descriptions in this book and leans very heavily on figurative language, especially similes and metaphors, to get her points and imagery across to the readers. The world building within the forest is well-done, and many of the characters are well-drawn so that they are easily imagined. The writing makes readers feel very fly-on-the-wall, observing things as they unfold.
I like that so many of the power players in the book are female and in leadership and highly respected roles within their tribes or communities. Camryn is still struggling with where she fits and is inconsistent with her emotions about it. At times, she’s whiny, weak, and helpless, but other times she’s practically roaring, “I AM the Chameleon,” and she’s confident and powerful. Her inconsistency reminds readers that Camryn is still a teenager and lacks full control of anything. While she’s moving towards some independence by the end of the book, I rolled my eyes some that she continued to be rescued, by males, at the beginning. I am ready for Camryn to start figuring things out on her own and rescuing herself. The ending of THE CHOOSING is perfect with a change in point-of-view that leaves readers hopeful and curious about what’s coming next. I am counting on book three, CHAMELEON: THE SUMMONING, to deliver answers and another satisfying, highly imaginative story.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: Listening to the audio book continues to be a bit challenging because of the numerous and complex tribe names and new characters being introduced. Narrator Rachel Jacobs again delivers an excellent listening experience with well-voiced characters and good pacing. (I listened at 1.3x on the Authors Direct platform.) There are still some scattered mispronunciations of basic words that may catch the listener’s ear, but her performance evokes the right emotions and responses readers should have to the action and the drama unfolding in the story.
Thank you to the author and to Audiobookworm Productions for providing me an audio download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give.
This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
In CHAMELEON: THE CHOOSING, main character Camryn is discovering more of herself and her magical gifts, and readers are being further immersed into the world of the forest people. Part of the story takes us back into the world of the Agnoses, and more information is uncovered about the lichen mutations and experiments. As a side note, I find it interesting that Camryn doesn’t think about her Agnoses life or miss anything there (Soft toilet paper? A cheeseburger?) After all, the Agnoses world is the contemporary, non-magical, parallel world where Camryn was raised through the age of fifteen. Granted, it was a hard life for her, but she’s 100% moved on. On the other hand, who would dwell on the lack of Taco Bell when there is magic and dragons afoot?
Faire really ramps-up the descriptions in this book and leans very heavily on figurative language, especially similes and metaphors, to get her points and imagery across to the readers. The world building within the forest is well-done, and many of the characters are well-drawn so that they are easily imagined. The writing makes readers feel very fly-on-the-wall, observing things as they unfold.
I like that so many of the power players in the book are female and in leadership and highly respected roles within their tribes or communities. Camryn is still struggling with where she fits and is inconsistent with her emotions about it. At times, she’s whiny, weak, and helpless, but other times she’s practically roaring, “I AM the Chameleon,” and she’s confident and powerful. Her inconsistency reminds readers that Camryn is still a teenager and lacks full control of anything. While she’s moving towards some independence by the end of the book, I rolled my eyes some that she continued to be rescued, by males, at the beginning. I am ready for Camryn to start figuring things out on her own and rescuing herself. The ending of THE CHOOSING is perfect with a change in point-of-view that leaves readers hopeful and curious about what’s coming next. I am counting on book three, CHAMELEON: THE SUMMONING, to deliver answers and another satisfying, highly imaginative story.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: Listening to the audio book continues to be a bit challenging because of the numerous and complex tribe names and new characters being introduced. Narrator Rachel Jacobs again delivers an excellent listening experience with well-voiced characters and good pacing. (I listened at 1.3x on the Authors Direct platform.) There are still some scattered mispronunciations of basic words that may catch the listener’s ear, but her performance evokes the right emotions and responses readers should have to the action and the drama unfolding in the story.
Thank you to the author and to Audiobookworm Productions for providing me an audio download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give.
This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
November 19, 2018
audio version. It strikes me that there doesn't seem to be a explanation for the stars that are given. So I thought I'd start giving my take on it.
1 horrible no redeeming qualities. So far I've never given a 1.
2 blah but there are redeeming qualities.
3 ok worth reading.
4 great but there's something off.
5 loved it.
So now about this story. A great continuation for a series.
I can't wait for more of this series, I want to say more about this story but I absolutely hate spoilers, so I won't do it to you by going into details. I wish we could give half stars I'd have given this a 1/2 stars.
The narrator brings the story to life.
Reasons I enjoyed this audio book:
Wonderful characters, Page-turner, Great world building, Unpredictable, Original, Easy-to-read/listen, Entertaining, Action-packed, Twisted, Haunting, Tragic, Whimsical.
Bookshelves/tags:
adventure, angst, cliffhanger, dark, dragon, fantasy, magic, medical, romance, series, suspense, teens.
This Audio book was given to me at my request from the publisher, author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.
1 horrible no redeeming qualities. So far I've never given a 1.
2 blah but there are redeeming qualities.
3 ok worth reading.
4 great but there's something off.
5 loved it.
So now about this story. A great continuation for a series.
I can't wait for more of this series, I want to say more about this story but I absolutely hate spoilers, so I won't do it to you by going into details. I wish we could give half stars I'd have given this a 1/2 stars.
The narrator brings the story to life.
Reasons I enjoyed this audio book:
Wonderful characters, Page-turner, Great world building, Unpredictable, Original, Easy-to-read/listen, Entertaining, Action-packed, Twisted, Haunting, Tragic, Whimsical.
Bookshelves/tags:
adventure, angst, cliffhanger, dark, dragon, fantasy, magic, medical, romance, series, suspense, teens.
This Audio book was given to me at my request from the publisher, author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.
January 30, 2019
Maggie Lynch’s The Forest People is a wonderfully imaginative series, and Chameleon: The Choosing (Book 2) is the perfect addition to it. I totally adore the lead here, Camryn Painter. The things she had gone through, just beginning to master her chameleon abilities, are incredible enough bit now having to bond with the most powerful creature in the universe, a thunder dragon? That would be a price too steep for most, but she’ll do anything to protect the Forest People. Thank goodness for that as it’s the makings for a fantastic series when in the hands of an author as talented as this one. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
May 12, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, so I was excited to listen to the second one. My only complaint is that I started this one in the evening and was so riveted by the story that I was up until I finished it around 3am. Then I couldn't sleep because it left off on a cliffhanger, and now I have to wait for the third book to come out on audio. I don't want to give anything away, so I will just say it picks up where it left off and the action just keeps going. I can't wait to read more in this series.
The narrator does a wonderful job with the acting, voices, inflection and pacing while she reads and it all really helps bring it to life.
There's no explicit sex scenes, language or graphic violence. This is a great book for Middle School to young adult ages, really anyone who loves a good fantasy.
The narrator does a wonderful job with the acting, voices, inflection and pacing while she reads and it all really helps bring it to life.
There's no explicit sex scenes, language or graphic violence. This is a great book for Middle School to young adult ages, really anyone who loves a good fantasy.
June 3, 2019
Loved it! This second in series fantasy carries the tension forward perfectly from the first book, where Camryn is now coming to terms with her new life in the forest, figuring out her magical gifts and who it is she truly loves, all while learning to control her unusual power in order to stop a maniacal doctor from using her abilities for his own greed. I found the author’s note at the end of the audiobook provided an even more lovely sense of warmth and closure, for this volume of the series. Can’t wait for the next!
May 27, 2017
Good sequel to "Chameleon: The Awakening". I could not put it down, as the protagonist learns to use powers and starts to unravel what's happened to the environment of the people she now realizes she's part of. Suspenseful, with an element of good-and-evil. There's tragedy in her life as well as heroism. Really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book.
June 24, 2018
This book picks up where the first book leaves off. I have really enjoyed getting to know the main character Camryn better . I liked this book a little bit more than I did the first book. Both books are well written, and I feel that the author Maggie Faire’s storylines are getting stronger with each book. This is a book of learning to accept yourself, change, loss of someone close to you, and responsibility. The book does have some heavier topics such as the death of a loved one but the story is well developed and written in a way that you can enjoy even the darker topics. Camryn is starting to accept her new life but she needs to become more confident in herself. I look forward to seeing how her character develops in future books.
I listened to the audio version of this book. Narrator Rachel Jacobs does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. She uses great accents, timing, pace, and diction giving the listener a great experience with the book.
I was given a copy of this book in hopes I would provide an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own and in no way have been influenced. I recommend this book to Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Young Adults Genre fans.
I listened to the audio version of this book. Narrator Rachel Jacobs does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. She uses great accents, timing, pace, and diction giving the listener a great experience with the book.
I was given a copy of this book in hopes I would provide an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own and in no way have been influenced. I recommend this book to Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Young Adults Genre fans.
September 3, 2018
Camryn is learning to trust a few people she was weary of- she needs to if she’s to learn to control her powers.
There are things she still needs to find the answers to, and going back to the human world seems inevitable. Will she be able to control her change? Not all her friends will come out of the conflict unscathed. As the Chameleon, can she walk the middle ground between the magic peoples?
This is the second book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would definitely listen to another. I am loving this series. It is original and enticing. I love the world that has been created.
This is the second book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Rachel Jacobs) and I would listen to another. She does really well expressing the emotion of the characters. Each has a distinct voice and is enjoyable to listen to.
There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
There are things she still needs to find the answers to, and going back to the human world seems inevitable. Will she be able to control her change? Not all her friends will come out of the conflict unscathed. As the Chameleon, can she walk the middle ground between the magic peoples?
This is the second book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would definitely listen to another. I am loving this series. It is original and enticing. I love the world that has been created.
This is the second book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Rachel Jacobs) and I would listen to another. She does really well expressing the emotion of the characters. Each has a distinct voice and is enjoyable to listen to.
There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
September 4, 2013
Chameleon: The Choosing is the second in The Forest People series by Maggie Faire. I thought this second book was stronger than The Awakening and Ms. Faire’s world building was finding its groove.
Ms. Faire has created a world unlike any other I have read, carefully blending the nuances of our real world (called the Agnoses) with a world living just the other side of the Forest, in the lichen and trees, water and air.
This book is particularly poignant with the loss of two men she cares about and the gaining of her own Thunder dragon. A couple of scenes still resonate in my mind despite having finished the book over a month ago.
Camryn, the Chameleon or Wynbune, is caught between the two worlds. Her destiny, along with those of her people and all the others, depends on her making the ‘change’ successfully. This responsibility terrifies and confuses her.
This coming of age story is a delight to read, full of romance and beauty but balanced with real fear and bravery.
Ms. Faire has created a world unlike any other I have read, carefully blending the nuances of our real world (called the Agnoses) with a world living just the other side of the Forest, in the lichen and trees, water and air.
This book is particularly poignant with the loss of two men she cares about and the gaining of her own Thunder dragon. A couple of scenes still resonate in my mind despite having finished the book over a month ago.
Camryn, the Chameleon or Wynbune, is caught between the two worlds. Her destiny, along with those of her people and all the others, depends on her making the ‘change’ successfully. This responsibility terrifies and confuses her.
This coming of age story is a delight to read, full of romance and beauty but balanced with real fear and bravery.
August 6, 2013
Not quite enough
This is the second installment in the Forest People saga. In the first book our heroine went through the Kintala and rescued her father now Camryn’s journey takes her down some dark and painful roads as she prepares herself for the upcoming war.
The story is well paced, the characters interesting so I give this book a 4, but I have to admit I felt the book was short, shorter than the first book – only 244 pages and there were many things that the author could have dived deeper into such as Camryn’s relationship with her father. Perhaps this is coming in book 3.
This is the second installment in the Forest People saga. In the first book our heroine went through the Kintala and rescued her father now Camryn’s journey takes her down some dark and painful roads as she prepares herself for the upcoming war.
The story is well paced, the characters interesting so I give this book a 4, but I have to admit I felt the book was short, shorter than the first book – only 244 pages and there were many things that the author could have dived deeper into such as Camryn’s relationship with her father. Perhaps this is coming in book 3.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews