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The Time Guardian #1
Chosen
To have faith is to believe not when everything is certain, but when nothing is.
Living in a world with no sun, murderous bastards for leaders, and fighting being the highest form of entertainment, Raven has no faith left. Not in the people, not in the universe, and definitely not in herself.
But when the deadliest chase of her life plunges her into a world ruled by sunlight, peace, and cities full of abundance, her lack of faith is challenged. Her arrival triggers a thousand-year-old prophecy that sets her on a path far more dangerous than anything she has ever faced before. To survive and find a way back, Raven must learn to play by the rules of this deadly place.
The assassination attempts aren't a problem. The court intrigues aren't a problem. Even the dangerous king who seems obsessed with her isn’t a problem. It is the thing that wakes beneath her skin that might prove to be her biggest challenge yet.
To survive, she must make a choice.
Answer the call she has been ignoring or return to the darkness that now whispers her name.
Perfect for those who love epic adventures, high stakes, badass heroines, and swoon-worthy romance.
Living in a world with no sun, murderous bastards for leaders, and fighting being the highest form of entertainment, Raven has no faith left. Not in the people, not in the universe, and definitely not in herself.
But when the deadliest chase of her life plunges her into a world ruled by sunlight, peace, and cities full of abundance, her lack of faith is challenged. Her arrival triggers a thousand-year-old prophecy that sets her on a path far more dangerous than anything she has ever faced before. To survive and find a way back, Raven must learn to play by the rules of this deadly place.
The assassination attempts aren't a problem. The court intrigues aren't a problem. Even the dangerous king who seems obsessed with her isn’t a problem. It is the thing that wakes beneath her skin that might prove to be her biggest challenge yet.
To survive, she must make a choice.
Answer the call she has been ignoring or return to the darkness that now whispers her name.
Perfect for those who love epic adventures, high stakes, badass heroines, and swoon-worthy romance.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2023
120 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
July 13, 2024
Read for Team Queen's Book Asylum for SPFBOX. All views are my own and do not reflect the team. I read this entry to 100%.
Another book featuring a chosen one across two very different worlds, though this one is more adult. The story begins with Raven, a tough woman forced to grow up in what appears to be a future dystopian Boston. Raven’s life is all about survival as resources are scarce and various gangs and factions make every day a struggle against violence. On a mission to earn some extra food, Raven explores a government facility and accidentally falls into another world—a medieval world completely different from her harsh Boston. It quickly becomes apparent that we’re not in Kansas anymore, and what’s more mysterious, is that Raven is the very depiction of this world’s fabled chosen one. While Raven is eager to return home, she’s dragged into a world she certainly wasn’t prepared for—courtly politics, and all the dangers and betrayals that come with it. But Raven isn’t alone, as she has allies and a growing friendship with the handsome king Arden. Her choice then becomes whether she’ll stay in this new world full of abundance to help protect it as their chosen one, or return to the friends left behind that are suffering without her.
It was fun watching Raven slowly adjust from the dystopian world of Boston to a fantasy world lacking in technology but full of everything she ever dreamed of. I liked Raven as she struggled to trust the allies around her, though I would have liked to see more character vulnerabilities and flaws coming from her. There is a strong cast of side characters, and I especially appreciated Erin, the young teenage sidekick who naively believes in the best of Raven, but is also aware of her kingdom’s problems. I’m always a sucker for women that refuse to play patriarchal games. Arden, the love interest, was a fun character also, though the romance didn’t quite work for me as his interest seemed to be in Raven’s status. While I did enjoy this story, I felt that the pace was off throughout. I think it can be hard to balance the before world with the new world, and the abrupt change into the fantasy world felt a bit jarring as so much was built of the before world that was then left deliberately dangling. The middle of the book with the courtly politics was a bit slow paced as Raven seemed to lose some of her character agency there. Then, what I thought was the ending seemed to wrap up quickly before the story continued to the real ending, which also felt a bit jarring.
That said, there was a lot I enjoyed of this story and world, and the ending seems to be setting up for a sequel that promises to be more dangerous and exciting.
Another book featuring a chosen one across two very different worlds, though this one is more adult. The story begins with Raven, a tough woman forced to grow up in what appears to be a future dystopian Boston. Raven’s life is all about survival as resources are scarce and various gangs and factions make every day a struggle against violence. On a mission to earn some extra food, Raven explores a government facility and accidentally falls into another world—a medieval world completely different from her harsh Boston. It quickly becomes apparent that we’re not in Kansas anymore, and what’s more mysterious, is that Raven is the very depiction of this world’s fabled chosen one. While Raven is eager to return home, she’s dragged into a world she certainly wasn’t prepared for—courtly politics, and all the dangers and betrayals that come with it. But Raven isn’t alone, as she has allies and a growing friendship with the handsome king Arden. Her choice then becomes whether she’ll stay in this new world full of abundance to help protect it as their chosen one, or return to the friends left behind that are suffering without her.
It was fun watching Raven slowly adjust from the dystopian world of Boston to a fantasy world lacking in technology but full of everything she ever dreamed of. I liked Raven as she struggled to trust the allies around her, though I would have liked to see more character vulnerabilities and flaws coming from her. There is a strong cast of side characters, and I especially appreciated Erin, the young teenage sidekick who naively believes in the best of Raven, but is also aware of her kingdom’s problems. I’m always a sucker for women that refuse to play patriarchal games. Arden, the love interest, was a fun character also, though the romance didn’t quite work for me as his interest seemed to be in Raven’s status. While I did enjoy this story, I felt that the pace was off throughout. I think it can be hard to balance the before world with the new world, and the abrupt change into the fantasy world felt a bit jarring as so much was built of the before world that was then left deliberately dangling. The middle of the book with the courtly politics was a bit slow paced as Raven seemed to lose some of her character agency there. Then, what I thought was the ending seemed to wrap up quickly before the story continued to the real ending, which also felt a bit jarring.
That said, there was a lot I enjoyed of this story and world, and the ending seems to be setting up for a sequel that promises to be more dangerous and exciting.
November 1, 2024
I LOVED this book!
There were so many different parts to this book that I really enjoyed, and I am not sure where to begin!
I love Raven's character so much. She has a very strong personality that doesn't waver throughout the entire story.
Ravens story really takes you through it all. Through the current hardships she is facing and then to a different world of challenges she will face in the future. I love all the characters we meet along the journey of the story.
Found family and friends.
Betrayal and disappointment.
Slow burn love.
Witty and fierce FMC.
I cannot wait to see what is next for Raven as the Chosen, and I hope to learn more about her past as the story continues.
(I received this as an ARC for review and I really didn't expect much. I was all in right from the beginning and devoured this book.)
There were so many different parts to this book that I really enjoyed, and I am not sure where to begin!
I love Raven's character so much. She has a very strong personality that doesn't waver throughout the entire story.
Ravens story really takes you through it all. Through the current hardships she is facing and then to a different world of challenges she will face in the future. I love all the characters we meet along the journey of the story.
Found family and friends.
Betrayal and disappointment.
Slow burn love.
Witty and fierce FMC.
I cannot wait to see what is next for Raven as the Chosen, and I hope to learn more about her past as the story continues.
(I received this as an ARC for review and I really didn't expect much. I was all in right from the beginning and devoured this book.)
Want to read
October 1, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBOX contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
A woman has made herself the enemy of the city's most violent gang and gotten herself stabbed in the process in this gritty dystopia where the sun never shines. (Urban/Fantasy Romance!)
Brilliantly consistent tone in this opening. It has a hard edge to it, but just enough sarcasm not to be morose. Our MC is in a bad way when we meet her, but everything seems bad in this world. It’s all so wonderfully dirty and dilapidated and dark.
This is an urban fantasy that isn’t pulling any punches from word one. It is leaning into all its ideas. Our MC tries to do the right thing, fails, and gets knifed foe her trouble. But that all already happened. We meet her as she’s just moving around again.
This story sensibility of starting late in the action gives this opening an exciting sense of energy. As our MC gets back on her feet, the wonderfully measured 1st person narration introduces us to our MC and her world with an engaging consistency of detail.
We are told and shown where we are and what life is like here. There’s a palpable sense of dreariness to this alternate Boston that is shrouded in darkness. Our MC thinks she remembers the sun. At least she has dreams of it, strange as that is.
I’m hooked on the voice. Sometimes urban fantasies can overdo their sarcastic-noir voice and really yuck things up, but not here. This is just exactly right. And the sense of voice carries into the dialogue beautifully. That this will veer into romance has me even more intrigued!
The world is expertly rendered. I already have a vivid sense of our MC. She’s not doing well, & her future looks darker than the shrouded sky of this place. She’s got a belt full of knives, but I don’t think it’ll be enough. Let’s find out! I’m in!
A woman has made herself the enemy of the city's most violent gang and gotten herself stabbed in the process in this gritty dystopia where the sun never shines. (Urban/Fantasy Romance!)
Brilliantly consistent tone in this opening. It has a hard edge to it, but just enough sarcasm not to be morose. Our MC is in a bad way when we meet her, but everything seems bad in this world. It’s all so wonderfully dirty and dilapidated and dark.
This is an urban fantasy that isn’t pulling any punches from word one. It is leaning into all its ideas. Our MC tries to do the right thing, fails, and gets knifed foe her trouble. But that all already happened. We meet her as she’s just moving around again.
This story sensibility of starting late in the action gives this opening an exciting sense of energy. As our MC gets back on her feet, the wonderfully measured 1st person narration introduces us to our MC and her world with an engaging consistency of detail.
We are told and shown where we are and what life is like here. There’s a palpable sense of dreariness to this alternate Boston that is shrouded in darkness. Our MC thinks she remembers the sun. At least she has dreams of it, strange as that is.
I’m hooked on the voice. Sometimes urban fantasies can overdo their sarcastic-noir voice and really yuck things up, but not here. This is just exactly right. And the sense of voice carries into the dialogue beautifully. That this will veer into romance has me even more intrigued!
The world is expertly rendered. I already have a vivid sense of our MC. She’s not doing well, & her future looks darker than the shrouded sky of this place. She’s got a belt full of knives, but I don’t think it’ll be enough. Let’s find out! I’m in!
December 1, 2023
An absolutely amazing start to the series that left me wanting more. Raven is a strong, but stubborn, female character. Coming from a tough life in Boston prepared her for a new life in a new world. Though she’s a reluctant hero she always comes through. The relationship between her and Arden had me begging for more. A slow burn that leaves you aching for more.
The world building throughout the book was easy to follow and not forced or overly detailed, it actually helps moved the story along nicely. The twists and thrills really kick up a notch in the last third of the book and had me ripping through each page. A heart pounding cliff hanger had me begging for more. A great set up to what I hope is a fantastic rest of the series.
The world building throughout the book was easy to follow and not forced or overly detailed, it actually helps moved the story along nicely. The twists and thrills really kick up a notch in the last third of the book and had me ripping through each page. A heart pounding cliff hanger had me begging for more. A great set up to what I hope is a fantastic rest of the series.
May 4, 2024
This is an intricate story that gives more questions as some are answered.
Loved the story, Raven is a fighter for sure, and she's met her match in Arden. Their dynamics is off the chart hot, I like how in tune to each other both are.
Can they save the people and their world? You'll have to read it and see.
Loved the story, Raven is a fighter for sure, and she's met her match in Arden. Their dynamics is off the chart hot, I like how in tune to each other both are.
Can they save the people and their world? You'll have to read it and see.
could-not-finish
May 20, 2024The fact that I lost interest at about 80% is confounding to me.
The first half of the book is very interesting and fascinating, but after she gets to the palace the pace slows down and it lost me. I kept finding myself distracted while trying to finish it.
So I'll put it aside for now and maybe try again later.
The first half of the book is very interesting and fascinating, but after she gets to the palace the pace slows down and it lost me. I kept finding myself distracted while trying to finish it.
So I'll put it aside for now and maybe try again later.
December 4, 2023
ARC review: this is definitely a slow burn story. The first half is a lot of information you need but isn’t juicy. The second half, I kept looking at how much I completed thinking no no no, I’m too close to the end and there’s so much I NEED to know. It definitely has a cliff hanger, but I’m excited to see where the story goes. Raven is what all of us little girls, who have experienced anything traumatic, needed because she overcame so much just in this book. She is tough but relatable, and I can’t wait to see how her character develops. I’m also READYYYY for her and Arden’s love story. I’m slightly angry I don’t get to see what happens yet with them. He is what women dream about. 🔥🔥🔥
April 29, 2024
The first book of the romance fantasy series gives the reader a good amount of world building, Character development throughout the story is great. There are plenty of characters to despise. I was absolutely captivated into a new world and time anxiously awaiting the newest event with each turn of the page. Action-packed fantasy romance with a slow burn. I definitely recommend it!
January 7, 2024
I would say this book is a 3.5-3.8, so I rounded it to a 4. It would have been a solid 4 for me if not a little more, but I had to get used to some ideas that....didn't seem to mash up well but I have accepted as part of the story by the end.
Tropes:
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ Found Family
✅ Travel Road
✅ One Bed
✅ Traveling
✅ Close Proximity
Spice: 🌶/5, no sex (interrupted), but open door otherwise
The book starts off as a dystopian society in Boston, where Raven is a scrappy character who takes odd (risky) jobs to try to survive. She ends up thrust into a world much different than her own, and tries to navigate a prophecy, in which she is considered the Chosen, to fight an incoming darkness.
I think the author did a good job with Raven's character development, for someone who went from a dystopian society (filled with modern tech), to a place where none of that existed and trying to navigate the new environment. She was never used to having any trust in people, so her having to learn how to trust other humans, leads to a strong found family.
I think this is a good book, and I plan to read the next one, but I hope the world building becomes more fluid in the following book. Also mind the cliff. It is not the worst, but definitely sets the stage for the next book.
Summary for myself so I do not need to read the next book.
Tropes:
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ Found Family
✅ Travel Road
✅ One Bed
✅ Traveling
✅ Close Proximity
Spice: 🌶/5, no sex (interrupted), but open door otherwise
The book starts off as a dystopian society in Boston, where Raven is a scrappy character who takes odd (risky) jobs to try to survive. She ends up thrust into a world much different than her own, and tries to navigate a prophecy, in which she is considered the Chosen, to fight an incoming darkness.
I think the author did a good job with Raven's character development, for someone who went from a dystopian society (filled with modern tech), to a place where none of that existed and trying to navigate the new environment. She was never used to having any trust in people, so her having to learn how to trust other humans, leads to a strong found family.
I think this is a good book, and I plan to read the next one, but I hope the world building becomes more fluid in the following book. Also mind the cliff. It is not the worst, but definitely sets the stage for the next book.
Summary for myself so I do not need to read the next book.
February 17, 2024
This book starts in a crazy world and lands in an even crazier world. I loved it. This book was easy to follow. Some time jumping books are hard to follow. Raven is in a dystopian world where everyone is basically fighting to survive. Raven is one of the best at it and strives to keep herself out of trouble. Unfortunately, sometimes getting in trouble is the only way to survive. While on a mission that will grant her a week’s worth of rations, she comes across a portal. This portal drops her into water. Above her, a blue sky. Raven knows instantly she is not where she used to be. She finally gets out and finds trees. All of the things that her current residence no longer possessed. She needs to get back home to finish her mission. She has people counting on her.
Raven is thrusted into a world of no blonde-haired people. Because she is the only one, she has been designated as the Chosen. In this world they live by Gia's teachings which state that a savior would come with light hair. Raven fit the bill. She had light hair and could fight. Erin and her family quickly took her in. Raven also found some unhealthy rules regarding woman being forced to marry. The family's daughter, Erin, was past marrying age and they could not afford to pay for her to continue not being forced to marry. The family begged Raven to take Erin with her on her journey to the Temple. The Chosen had to go to the Temple to prove themselves.
The journey is not easy. There is a group of usurpers, Riagrim, who do not believe in Gia's teachings and do not want the Chosen. Once it is found that Raven is the Chosen, she is forced to run for her life. With the help of unlikely source, she and Erin make it to Tahakar and King Sadon. Not only is Raven trying to become the Chosen, she needs to fend off advances from King Sadon and King Arden Holmond, the king of Jernen. What was a girl to do? Will Raven's powers come? This book will take readers on a journey and keep them guessing. The side plots and things that come to light are more than readers will expect.
Raven is thrusted into a world of no blonde-haired people. Because she is the only one, she has been designated as the Chosen. In this world they live by Gia's teachings which state that a savior would come with light hair. Raven fit the bill. She had light hair and could fight. Erin and her family quickly took her in. Raven also found some unhealthy rules regarding woman being forced to marry. The family's daughter, Erin, was past marrying age and they could not afford to pay for her to continue not being forced to marry. The family begged Raven to take Erin with her on her journey to the Temple. The Chosen had to go to the Temple to prove themselves.
The journey is not easy. There is a group of usurpers, Riagrim, who do not believe in Gia's teachings and do not want the Chosen. Once it is found that Raven is the Chosen, she is forced to run for her life. With the help of unlikely source, she and Erin make it to Tahakar and King Sadon. Not only is Raven trying to become the Chosen, she needs to fend off advances from King Sadon and King Arden Holmond, the king of Jernen. What was a girl to do? Will Raven's powers come? This book will take readers on a journey and keep them guessing. The side plots and things that come to light are more than readers will expect.
December 10, 2023
Chosen Review
Scarlett Strange
Rating 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 2🌶🌶️
An absolutely amazing start to the series that left me wanting more. A world full of adventure and magic, takes us to a post-apocalyptic world of Boston where food is scarce, our protagonist Raven struggles to survive in Boston in one of her jobs and falls into another dimension in a completely unknown world. In which a light-haired person will be the one who will be her saviour and the chosen. Two completely different worlds, one full of light and one in complete darkness.
Raven is a strong, but stubborn, female character. Coming from a tough life in Boston prepared her for a new life in a new world. Though she’s a reluctant hero she always comes through. The Slow-Burn in this book left me wanting even more of Arden, the perfect King we all desire, wanting even more about the history of both of them in this adventure. The ending left me on an unexpected cliffhanger, I can't wait for book two. Two completely different worlds, one full of light and one in complete darkness.
The world building throughout the book was easy to follow and not forced or overly detailed, it actually helps move the story along nicely. The twists and thrills really kicked it up a notch in the last third of the book and had me ripping through each page. A heart pounding cliff hanger had me begging for more. A great set up to what I hope is a fantastic rest of the series.
I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. It was so easy to read this story and it didn't leave me confused. It is different to have two worlds colliding, but I think this was done beautifully.
I can't wait to learn more as this series continues and grows.
Scarlett Strange
Rating 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 2🌶🌶️
An absolutely amazing start to the series that left me wanting more. A world full of adventure and magic, takes us to a post-apocalyptic world of Boston where food is scarce, our protagonist Raven struggles to survive in Boston in one of her jobs and falls into another dimension in a completely unknown world. In which a light-haired person will be the one who will be her saviour and the chosen. Two completely different worlds, one full of light and one in complete darkness.
Raven is a strong, but stubborn, female character. Coming from a tough life in Boston prepared her for a new life in a new world. Though she’s a reluctant hero she always comes through. The Slow-Burn in this book left me wanting even more of Arden, the perfect King we all desire, wanting even more about the history of both of them in this adventure. The ending left me on an unexpected cliffhanger, I can't wait for book two. Two completely different worlds, one full of light and one in complete darkness.
The world building throughout the book was easy to follow and not forced or overly detailed, it actually helps move the story along nicely. The twists and thrills really kicked it up a notch in the last third of the book and had me ripping through each page. A heart pounding cliff hanger had me begging for more. A great set up to what I hope is a fantastic rest of the series.
I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. It was so easy to read this story and it didn't leave me confused. It is different to have two worlds colliding, but I think this was done beautifully.
I can't wait to learn more as this series continues and grows.
December 3, 2023
🗡️Chosen 🗡️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
In a world full of adventure and magic, the chosen one is a classic trope Strange manages to execute in an interesting and well-implemented way. It takes us to a post-apocalyptic world of Boston where food is scarce, our protagonist Raven struggles to survive in Boston in one of her jobs and falls into another dimension in a completely unknown world. In which a light-haired person will be the one who will be her savior and the chosen one. Two completely different worlds one full of light and one in complete darkness, symbolizing that we should not let the darkness take over completely for us and let it consume us completely.
I loved Raven's growth, and how as the story progresses she too believes in herself being the chosen one. The way she in one way or another saves the strangers, ending the threats of the perfect female badass protagonist. Strange creates an easy-to-follow world with just what we need to know about the story, taking us by the hand through this new world. The Slow-Burn in this book left me wanting even more of Arden the perfect King we all desire, wanting even more about the history of both of them in this adventure. The ending left me on an unexpected cliffhanger, I can't wait for book two. Two completely different worlds one full of light and one in complete darkness, symbolizing that we should not let the darkness take over completely for us and let it consume us completely.
Thanks to Strange for the opportunity for this ARC, I am voluntarily and honestly leaving my review. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
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.
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April 11, 2024
The story starts out strong where we are thrown right into the action and introduced to a couple of characters. Some people pointed out that the first part of the book is a little slow. I personally didn’t mind it – world building takes time and I prefer to be eased into the new world rather than getting a giant info dump and I think the author does a good job here.
The main character, Raven is no damsel but she is in a foreign world out of her element and fortunately she is clever enough to realise that she needs help. Here comes in our male lead, Arden. This is a slow-burn romance to the degree that our two main leads don’t really meet until halfway through the book. However, the reader is introduced to Arden earlier in the book and we get a couple of chapters from his point of view. I am a slow-burn kinda girl so I liked this choice. The romance develops relatively quickly in the second half, where the only thing that prevents them to finally getting it on is the line of assassins and other misfortunes thrown at them at the worst possible moments. The chemistry between them is good.
I liked the secondary characters or more like the potential of them. We don’t really get to know too much about any of them yet (maybe except for Erin) so I hope we will get more in the next books.
The reason I'm giving the book 4 stars instead of 5 is because I think the bad guys were quite on the nose. It was rather obvious on multiple occasions who was going to betray them.
All in all it was a pleasant read with a good premise and some funny moments and I am looking forward to the second part.
The main character, Raven is no damsel but she is in a foreign world out of her element and fortunately she is clever enough to realise that she needs help. Here comes in our male lead, Arden. This is a slow-burn romance to the degree that our two main leads don’t really meet until halfway through the book. However, the reader is introduced to Arden earlier in the book and we get a couple of chapters from his point of view. I am a slow-burn kinda girl so I liked this choice. The romance develops relatively quickly in the second half, where the only thing that prevents them to finally getting it on is the line of assassins and other misfortunes thrown at them at the worst possible moments. The chemistry between them is good.
I liked the secondary characters or more like the potential of them. We don’t really get to know too much about any of them yet (maybe except for Erin) so I hope we will get more in the next books.
The reason I'm giving the book 4 stars instead of 5 is because I think the bad guys were quite on the nose. It was rather obvious on multiple occasions who was going to betray them.
All in all it was a pleasant read with a good premise and some funny moments and I am looking forward to the second part.
April 6, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
I received an arc of Betrayer (book 2) so of course I had to read Chosen which did not disappoint! It is a great start to The Time Guardian series.
Chosen revolves around a strong, badass fmc, Raven, who is 25 years old (same age as me!!!). She is a survivor first and foremost, growing up in a dangerous, foul-smelling world (Boston lol), taking on risky jobs just to feed herself. Raven just can't catch a break as she is suddenly thrust into a strange world equally as dangerous with power hungry nobles and assassination attempts left and right.
This was such an easy read. While this story is set in a completely new world, it was easy to follow. The plot flowed nicely and the characters are lovable. While I see the physical connection and tension between the two main characters, I felt the emotional connection could've been flushed out more. Seemed too insta-love for me in terms of the kings feelings for Raven. Romance definitely felt more like a sub-plot but I'm hopeful that the relationship between the two mc's will continue to grow in Betrayer!
This book is a first-person dual POV fantasy with court intrigue, found family, a reluctant heroine, and touch her and die tropes. Highly recommend reading Chosen! About to dive in to Betrayer next!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
I received an arc of Betrayer (book 2) so of course I had to read Chosen which did not disappoint! It is a great start to The Time Guardian series.
Chosen revolves around a strong, badass fmc, Raven, who is 25 years old (same age as me!!!). She is a survivor first and foremost, growing up in a dangerous, foul-smelling world (Boston lol), taking on risky jobs just to feed herself. Raven just can't catch a break as she is suddenly thrust into a strange world equally as dangerous with power hungry nobles and assassination attempts left and right.
This was such an easy read. While this story is set in a completely new world, it was easy to follow. The plot flowed nicely and the characters are lovable. While I see the physical connection and tension between the two main characters, I felt the emotional connection could've been flushed out more. Seemed too insta-love for me in terms of the kings feelings for Raven. Romance definitely felt more like a sub-plot but I'm hopeful that the relationship between the two mc's will continue to grow in Betrayer!
This book is a first-person dual POV fantasy with court intrigue, found family, a reluctant heroine, and touch her and die tropes. Highly recommend reading Chosen! About to dive in to Betrayer next!
April 15, 2024
Chosen was an incredible journey, and I honestly cannot wait to read the next book. I haven't read this unique of a thrilling story with a little bit of spice in quite a while (this book did not need the spice for me to feel the tension between the king and our chosen, and that makes it that much better).
I love how Raven is written as a character and her background; I love how intimidating and independent she is, and her distrust in people draws me closer to her (its oddly charming). It also makes me have faith in her and the battles that her new world will bring her to, and learning of her power is going to be really interesting in later books. I also wonder why she never had these issues when she was back in her own world, but now she seems to be able to move between them? It's extremely interesting and I'm drawn in to see how it'll develop.
This line absolutely STOLE my soul (to the author, how could you do this to us? This is such a tease but I LOVED it):
"It has been a while since I have gotten on my knees to pray, but tonight I plan to worship the Chosen until you beg me to stop."
I am an arc reader for this and your next book but I hope to be part of your entire series because this book was absolute fire!
I love how Raven is written as a character and her background; I love how intimidating and independent she is, and her distrust in people draws me closer to her (its oddly charming). It also makes me have faith in her and the battles that her new world will bring her to, and learning of her power is going to be really interesting in later books. I also wonder why she never had these issues when she was back in her own world, but now she seems to be able to move between them? It's extremely interesting and I'm drawn in to see how it'll develop.
This line absolutely STOLE my soul (to the author, how could you do this to us? This is such a tease but I LOVED it):
"It has been a while since I have gotten on my knees to pray, but tonight I plan to worship the Chosen until you beg me to stop."
I am an arc reader for this and your next book but I hope to be part of your entire series because this book was absolute fire!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2025
Good book plot. overarching series plot looks interesting too.
The series name is a bit of a misnomer at this point; Raven knows she’s “chosen” in this world, but doesn’t know what she - in this world or the other ones she’s seen during traumatic times.
What she can recall … being hungry, growing up in a version of Boston where skies are never seen, day or night, where living out of garbage cans is run-of-the-mill, and jobs that pay are for those brave enough to kill or steal from whoever the boss points you at.
Raven is scrappy as they come; heals quickly, so dares more than the average thief. Still, she’s caught by Orion enforcers and pushed down a tube she knows will be her death, only to wake up in a place where the skies have day (and night!) and food is plentiful. Sad part, there are zealots who want to kill her for an unknown reason.
We spend most of the book with her there, as she learns new ways and tries to decipher what’s really going on.
Loved the world and the characters. There’s a slow burn romance with a bit of spice that keeps being interrupted. The overarching plot is elusive, never quite revealing itself, while the book plot leads to interesting places and people.
Totally enjoying it.
The series name is a bit of a misnomer at this point; Raven knows she’s “chosen” in this world, but doesn’t know what she - in this world or the other ones she’s seen during traumatic times.
What she can recall … being hungry, growing up in a version of Boston where skies are never seen, day or night, where living out of garbage cans is run-of-the-mill, and jobs that pay are for those brave enough to kill or steal from whoever the boss points you at.
Raven is scrappy as they come; heals quickly, so dares more than the average thief. Still, she’s caught by Orion enforcers and pushed down a tube she knows will be her death, only to wake up in a place where the skies have day (and night!) and food is plentiful. Sad part, there are zealots who want to kill her for an unknown reason.
We spend most of the book with her there, as she learns new ways and tries to decipher what’s really going on.
Loved the world and the characters. There’s a slow burn romance with a bit of spice that keeps being interrupted. The overarching plot is elusive, never quite revealing itself, while the book plot leads to interesting places and people.
Totally enjoying it.
August 24, 2024
3 stars
I liked the story. I thought it was interesting and unique with interesting characters but the romance was lackluster and the fight scenes repetitive. The multi world thing wasn't utilized well, Hathan reminded me of the smoke guy from Twitches (so not that intimidating) and Raven soon proved to me a one trick pony with the emotional maturity of a knat. I really feel like she had good bones but wasn't fleshed out very well.
What bothers me the most was that she grew up in this wasteland with no trust for anything other than the weapons you carry and then she's transported to Narnia and manages to forget all of her life lessons and is constantly forgetting her weapons everywhere. It's obnoxious and happens constantly. Habits like that are hard to break and don't happen after only a few weeks/ months in a strange land you don't understand. I honestly thought Erin was one of the few well written characters that had some sort of character development.
At the moment I'm not sure if I'll read the next book on the series. If it's free I probably will just to see where this goes. I'd like to see how lover boy does in her world.
I liked the story. I thought it was interesting and unique with interesting characters but the romance was lackluster and the fight scenes repetitive. The multi world thing wasn't utilized well, Hathan reminded me of the smoke guy from Twitches (so not that intimidating) and Raven soon proved to me a one trick pony with the emotional maturity of a knat. I really feel like she had good bones but wasn't fleshed out very well.
What bothers me the most was that she grew up in this wasteland with no trust for anything other than the weapons you carry and then she's transported to Narnia and manages to forget all of her life lessons and is constantly forgetting her weapons everywhere. It's obnoxious and happens constantly. Habits like that are hard to break and don't happen after only a few weeks/ months in a strange land you don't understand. I honestly thought Erin was one of the few well written characters that had some sort of character development.
At the moment I'm not sure if I'll read the next book on the series. If it's free I probably will just to see where this goes. I'd like to see how lover boy does in her world.
November 29, 2023
I adore this book and its main character Raven.<3
I love the idea of multiple worlds, timelines, possibilities to travel between them, and this book delivered it in a captivating way, full of action, satisfying smart thinking and solving of difficult situations… It stays engraved in my mind like a great movie.
I don't really know how someone can describe properly one of their favourite book characters ever, but I'll certainly try. 😊
Raven is rough (a little), probably from a hard life on the streets and constant fights for survival (and real fights), but her heart is still kind and makes her do the right things even if it's not in her best interest. Her tongue is faster than her mind and she's not a polite little lady, but she's amazing just the way she is.
When Arden appears, it makes you want to push her right into his arms, but you find their sweet slow tempo enjoyable too and start falling in love with Arden.
There is a lot of mystery around Raven, her origin, her developing powers, the prophecy, a dark force that fights and communicates with her equally, and it tickles your curiosity, making you want to know everything. Now!
I hope I’ll find answers in the next books and that those books will come out soon.🙂
I love the idea of multiple worlds, timelines, possibilities to travel between them, and this book delivered it in a captivating way, full of action, satisfying smart thinking and solving of difficult situations… It stays engraved in my mind like a great movie.
I don't really know how someone can describe properly one of their favourite book characters ever, but I'll certainly try. 😊
Raven is rough (a little), probably from a hard life on the streets and constant fights for survival (and real fights), but her heart is still kind and makes her do the right things even if it's not in her best interest. Her tongue is faster than her mind and she's not a polite little lady, but she's amazing just the way she is.
When Arden appears, it makes you want to push her right into his arms, but you find their sweet slow tempo enjoyable too and start falling in love with Arden.
There is a lot of mystery around Raven, her origin, her developing powers, the prophecy, a dark force that fights and communicates with her equally, and it tickles your curiosity, making you want to know everything. Now!
I hope I’ll find answers in the next books and that those books will come out soon.🙂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2024
ARC Read:
It’s a slow burn book. The first half starts by giving you all of the information you need to know as the story progresses and is so worth knowing. In the beginning we meet Raven, a strong willed, badass FMC, who is struggling in her life in Boston but she has no idea that it’s preparing her for life in a whole new world that she has to learn to navigate as she goes.
The world building is so smooth that as the story goes it just keeps you wanting more, more more. As it progresses I kept checking how far along I was in the book and kept telling myself no please no. Raven & Arden have a rocky start to their relationship but watching it slowly build over time. Yes please 😍
It does end on a cliffhanger but it just leaves you wanting to start book two immediately. I can’t wait to see where the next adventure takes me!
*Thank you so much for letting me do an ARC read of this book!*
It’s a slow burn book. The first half starts by giving you all of the information you need to know as the story progresses and is so worth knowing. In the beginning we meet Raven, a strong willed, badass FMC, who is struggling in her life in Boston but she has no idea that it’s preparing her for life in a whole new world that she has to learn to navigate as she goes.
The world building is so smooth that as the story goes it just keeps you wanting more, more more. As it progresses I kept checking how far along I was in the book and kept telling myself no please no. Raven & Arden have a rocky start to their relationship but watching it slowly build over time. Yes please 😍
It does end on a cliffhanger but it just leaves you wanting to start book two immediately. I can’t wait to see where the next adventure takes me!
*Thank you so much for letting me do an ARC read of this book!*
November 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. It was so easy to read this story and it didn't leave me confused. It is different to have two worlds colliding, but I think this was done beautifully. I enjoyed going from one world to the other. I was wondering what had happened for a minute, but it transitioned well. Everything that Raven had gone through in Boston definitely helped prepare her for the other world. She is strong, sassy, and very Intune with others.
The end had me in it's clutches as it explained more about her powers, and her getting caught between both worlds.... or three time periods? Past, Present, and Future? I can't wait to learn more as this series continues and grows.
This story has the major potential to become one of the top series!
The end had me in it's clutches as it explained more about her powers, and her getting caught between both worlds.... or three time periods? Past, Present, and Future? I can't wait to learn more as this series continues and grows.
This story has the major potential to become one of the top series!
December 2, 2023
Okay Scarlett… did you just make one freaking interesting book or what?
The plot: good and still unsure who the villain is and what is the point of what she is experiencing( in a good way).
The characters: the FMC is still developing and growing and I love it. The side characters are becoming more important as the story goes which I like and look forward to knowing more as the books progress.
The writing: isn’t addictive but it still makes you wonder and want to know what they heck is going on (in a good way).
The conflict: oh boy does this book make you wonder what she is going to face and why her abilities are what they are. And what is that darkness???
🌶: There is a sprinkle of spice but not really much.
Suggest to others: yes. I expect to be even more will come with book two and I can’t wait to read it.
The plot: good and still unsure who the villain is and what is the point of what she is experiencing( in a good way).
The characters: the FMC is still developing and growing and I love it. The side characters are becoming more important as the story goes which I like and look forward to knowing more as the books progress.
The writing: isn’t addictive but it still makes you wonder and want to know what they heck is going on (in a good way).
The conflict: oh boy does this book make you wonder what she is going to face and why her abilities are what they are. And what is that darkness???
🌶: There is a sprinkle of spice but not really much.
Suggest to others: yes. I expect to be even more will come with book two and I can’t wait to read it.
March 29, 2024
The writing could use a lot of work. Author tells and not shows. The story line is pretty interesting, but when she died and came back to life it was really hard for me to get back into it. Lots of potential for this storyline. Maybe I missed what year this is supposed to be happening in, but I don’t feel like swords and the word “boner” belong in the same timeframe. Raven is described by her love interest as “not the most beautiful nor the smartest” which makes it even harder to get into the “romance”. I was hoping since this was written by a woman it’d feel better, but Raven feels like she was written to be approved of by men. She can fight, but she’s not very in tune with her emotions. She operates primarily on guilt and other people’s decisions. I just don’t believe she is capable of doing what is expected of her. And neither does she
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2024
“To have faith is to believe not when everything is certain, but when nothing is.”
Chosen by Scarlett Strange is a great start of an epic fantasy series. The FMC character Raven is fierce and somehow finds herself in a strange world, where a prophecy is triggered.
From the first there is a lot of action and also a lot of information. This may be a bit much, but I loved the details of the worldbuilding. The writing style is flowing. It is an easy read and I loved the two main characters. They have a slow burn chemistry and I loved the touch her and die trope. The book also has a dual POV.
If you want to read a fantasy story with a great story-line, great worldbuilding, a nice flowing writing style, with a reluctant heroine who can hold her own but is not afraid to ask for help, with action, intrigue, a slow burn romance story, some funny moments, go read this book.
Chosen by Scarlett Strange is a great start of an epic fantasy series. The FMC character Raven is fierce and somehow finds herself in a strange world, where a prophecy is triggered.
From the first there is a lot of action and also a lot of information. This may be a bit much, but I loved the details of the worldbuilding. The writing style is flowing. It is an easy read and I loved the two main characters. They have a slow burn chemistry and I loved the touch her and die trope. The book also has a dual POV.
If you want to read a fantasy story with a great story-line, great worldbuilding, a nice flowing writing style, with a reluctant heroine who can hold her own but is not afraid to ask for help, with action, intrigue, a slow burn romance story, some funny moments, go read this book.
May 30, 2024
I definitely got sucked into this one! I have immediately downloaded Betrayer and will be jumping into it asap! There is great world-building, character development, some spice, and ugh I love Arden. I'm hoping I continue to love him in the next book and not end up with another Tamlin situation haha but their chemistry is amazing, and I can't wait to see how things play out. I normally don't love it when books end on cliffhangers, but this one was pretty epic. I like how strong of a FMC Raven is and I look forward to seeing what happens next. The world-building was easy to follow and thankfully, not overly complicated as that can be a tad overwhelming but this was perfect. I found it interesting to not only was a whole fantasy world built out, but also a dystopian modern world as well. So 2 worlds built out in the same story to clash together, it was super interesting. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys the fantasy genre with a bit of romance, it was a good balance between the two :)
December 2, 2023
Kick ass Female. Humor. Slow-burn romance. Action packed W/ Twists.
Ohh wow! Perfect way to have finish this book…for now. Definitely want to continue to read more. But man was this portal power at bad timing. Couldn’t we just get to the spice part 😩. Spice 🌶/5 on this book. We didn’t get there ladies and gent. This power is definitely a CXxBxx. Lol This book took a hold of me since the start. I loved all the action. Kick ass FMC with a bratty mouth and the MMC loving all it. There was emotional moments as well. I even loved the bestie and mini bestie. This book is definitely recommend if you don’t mind action and slow- burn romance. Not a dark romance book. So its definitely something different for me that I enjoyed.
Ohh wow! Perfect way to have finish this book…for now. Definitely want to continue to read more. But man was this portal power at bad timing. Couldn’t we just get to the spice part 😩. Spice 🌶/5 on this book. We didn’t get there ladies and gent. This power is definitely a CXxBxx. Lol This book took a hold of me since the start. I loved all the action. Kick ass FMC with a bratty mouth and the MMC loving all it. There was emotional moments as well. I even loved the bestie and mini bestie. This book is definitely recommend if you don’t mind action and slow- burn romance. Not a dark romance book. So its definitely something different for me that I enjoyed.
December 10, 2023
This was my second ARC for this author and again, this book did not disappoint! The MFC is a bit morally grey, which this is my first book with a female assuming that role, loved it! The world building was wonderful, character development slow but in a good way. There are so many things that I'm sitting and trying to make sense of: who the villain truly is, what the evil will become, the MMC's secrets (please let this be answered in book 2)! This was a really well written book with great characters, both main and side. Anytime I had to step away to attend to life, I was just itching to sit back down and continue. For me, the book grabbed me from the beginning and held on the whole ride. I cannot wait for book 2, please don't keep us waiting long!
Read
March 24, 2024Ugh. I really wanted to like this book but I got about 60% in and couldn’t take it anymore. Sooooo soo so so many dumb politics. I honestly couldn’t keep up with all the different names of all the different places. It was exhausting. Just way too many places. I thought I could just gloss over all of the places and the names of royals in the beginning like maybe the author will tell readers later when the information is needed. Nope. Apparently ALL the information you’re given is need to know from the beginning.
Honestly it’s just too much.
If somebody is in to world building and they can retain information better than me…. This book is def for those people. I personally just couldn’t take it any longer.
Honestly it’s just too much.
If somebody is in to world building and they can retain information better than me…. This book is def for those people. I personally just couldn’t take it any longer.
April 8, 2024
I've been on a badass FMC kick and Scarlett delivers. Let me tell you how much I love Raven.
This book is a slow burn and has a slow world build. I admit I struggled with the first half because there is so much info that is needed upfront. Push past it because the second half will have you craving more.
It's starts in a dystopian Boston and follows Raven through the trials of surviving life in that setting only to have her teleport into another world she could only dream of in Boston. In this world they live by faith and the sword. She discovers a purpose and must learn to navigate politics and embrace her destiny.
There are so many twists, turns, and interrupted spicy moments. I was on the edge of my seat just to reach the perfect setup for book 2, that cliffhanger
This book is a slow burn and has a slow world build. I admit I struggled with the first half because there is so much info that is needed upfront. Push past it because the second half will have you craving more.
It's starts in a dystopian Boston and follows Raven through the trials of surviving life in that setting only to have her teleport into another world she could only dream of in Boston. In this world they live by faith and the sword. She discovers a purpose and must learn to navigate politics and embrace her destiny.
There are so many twists, turns, and interrupted spicy moments. I was on the edge of my seat just to reach the perfect setup for book 2, that cliffhanger
May 13, 2024
The beginning of the book moves slowly, it’s a lot of information to keep up with but makes more sense in the second half. I personally have a hard time with a lot of “real life” swearing in books because it feels inauthentic to the fantasy world experience, but given the “multi world” system in this story it didn’t bother me quite as much.
I love the concept of this story and the combination of two worlds different than the one we live in is interesting and different than what I usually read. There’s still some aspects of Raven’s experience I’m confused by but that is to be expected after a first book.
Excited to read the next book, thanks to the author for providing an ARC!
I love the concept of this story and the combination of two worlds different than the one we live in is interesting and different than what I usually read. There’s still some aspects of Raven’s experience I’m confused by but that is to be expected after a first book.
Excited to read the next book, thanks to the author for providing an ARC!
May 13, 2024
I loved this. You have to read it. Raven is our reluctant hero, from a place where she’s struggling and fighting to survive every single step of the way until she finds herself in a new world where they’ve been waiting for someone to be their chosen. I adore Arden and I love that while Raven has grit, she also has the kindness to protect those who need her along the way, like taking Erin with her just to stop her from having to marry somebody to save her family from a fine. I loved trying to figure out what was going on with the portal traveling, if it’s time travel or portals, or if Raven was some sort of experiment. I can’t wait to start the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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