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The Chosen: And The Price of Defiance
The Chosen: And the Price of Defiance
A gripping dark fantasy debut perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and Margaret Rogerson.
They told her she was sacred.
They trained her to be obedient.
They never expected her to fight back.
Eighteen-year-old Neoma has always known her a Chosen girl, groomed for purity, power, and perfection within the sky city of Cielo. But when her carefully controlled life fractures under the weight of secrets, temptation, and betrayal, she begins to unravel the truth beneath the glamour.
The Chosen aren't powerful.
The magic they flaunt? A lie.
And Neoma—freshly impure, not truly belonging, and fiercely defiant—may be the key to exposing it all.
Torn between two Quotidian best friends—Andreas, the golden-hearted boy who sees her, and Caius, the dangerous one who tempts her—Neoma finds herself caught in a web of political manipulation, forbidden magic, and a rising rebellion she never asked to lead.
When the Elders threaten to turn her into a symbol of control, Neoma must obey, and survive…
Or defy them all—and burn the system down.
✨ What to Expect:Found family & fractured friendships
Frowned upon romance with high emotional stakes
A caste-divided magical society built on lies
Themes of religious deconstruction, identity, and bodily autonomy
Cliffhangers, betrayal, and one hell of a twist
🌶️ Spice 3/5 — open-door scenes, emotional heat, and slow-burn tension
(Think yearning, stolen touches, and steamy encounters with consequences.)
Perfect for readers who love dark magic, strong female leads, secret bloodlines, and slow-burn rebellion.
A gripping dark fantasy debut perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and Margaret Rogerson.
They told her she was sacred.
They trained her to be obedient.
They never expected her to fight back.
Eighteen-year-old Neoma has always known her a Chosen girl, groomed for purity, power, and perfection within the sky city of Cielo. But when her carefully controlled life fractures under the weight of secrets, temptation, and betrayal, she begins to unravel the truth beneath the glamour.
The Chosen aren't powerful.
The magic they flaunt? A lie.
And Neoma—freshly impure, not truly belonging, and fiercely defiant—may be the key to exposing it all.
Torn between two Quotidian best friends—Andreas, the golden-hearted boy who sees her, and Caius, the dangerous one who tempts her—Neoma finds herself caught in a web of political manipulation, forbidden magic, and a rising rebellion she never asked to lead.
When the Elders threaten to turn her into a symbol of control, Neoma must obey, and survive…
Or defy them all—and burn the system down.
✨ What to Expect:Found family & fractured friendships
Frowned upon romance with high emotional stakes
A caste-divided magical society built on lies
Themes of religious deconstruction, identity, and bodily autonomy
Cliffhangers, betrayal, and one hell of a twist
🌶️ Spice 3/5 — open-door scenes, emotional heat, and slow-burn tension
(Think yearning, stolen touches, and steamy encounters with consequences.)
Perfect for readers who love dark magic, strong female leads, secret bloodlines, and slow-burn rebellion.
462 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
5 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Elise McCormack
4 books2 followersElise McCormack writes emotionally charged fantasy with rebellious heroines, morally complicated love interests, and big themes like faith, identity, and defiance. When she’s not writing about magical caste systems and forbidden crushes, she’s probably overanalyzing her dreams, drinking too much tea, or chasing her kids. Her debut novel, The Chosen: And The Price of Defiance, is for anyone who’s ever questioned the rules they were raised to follow. #exmo #darkacademia
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 25, 2025
I've never been a fan of heights and the edges of mountains always seemed so daunting. With that in mind, one would and should ask me why... why did I go full steam ahead toward this cliffhanger with little care for my own self? What was the ultimate motivator for approaching my own mental and emotional demise with such fervor, you ask? This book. And I would happily tell you I'd do it again and again.
Elise crafted a story so gripping, so emotionally reckless (in the best way), that I found myself willingly clinging to every word, even as it dragged me through twists I didn’t see coming. The pacing was sharp, the characters heartbreakingly real, and the emotional payoff? Let’s just say I’m still recovering.
Set in a world designed to keep people quiet, small, and compliant, this story unspools like a whispered rebellion that grows louder with every page. It's about surviving in a place that was never meant for your survival—where finding your voice is an act of defiance, and claiming your power is nothing short of war.
At the center of it all is Neoma, a young woman from Cielo who refuses to play the fool, to wear the mask of perfection, or to stay silent. She unearths the cracks in her world and walks boldly through them—not because she has no fear, but because she finally realizes she deserves more. And once you’ve seen the truth, how can you ever go back?
But what truly made me so moved by admiration wasn’t just her courage. It was the way she drew strength and power from those who stood beside her. The bond she shares with her good friends, and the way the men in her life uplift her in moments of doubt and quiet despair, is something I hope others yearn for. Neoma is who she is not only because of her grit—but because she found a support system and wielded it like armor when she didn’t feel strong enough alone.
If you’re looking for a cozy, predictable read—keep walking. But if you want to be thrown headfirst into a literary storm that will wreck you in the most satisfying way, then this is it. Read it. Suffer. Thank the author later.
Elise crafted a story so gripping, so emotionally reckless (in the best way), that I found myself willingly clinging to every word, even as it dragged me through twists I didn’t see coming. The pacing was sharp, the characters heartbreakingly real, and the emotional payoff? Let’s just say I’m still recovering.
Set in a world designed to keep people quiet, small, and compliant, this story unspools like a whispered rebellion that grows louder with every page. It's about surviving in a place that was never meant for your survival—where finding your voice is an act of defiance, and claiming your power is nothing short of war.
At the center of it all is Neoma, a young woman from Cielo who refuses to play the fool, to wear the mask of perfection, or to stay silent. She unearths the cracks in her world and walks boldly through them—not because she has no fear, but because she finally realizes she deserves more. And once you’ve seen the truth, how can you ever go back?
But what truly made me so moved by admiration wasn’t just her courage. It was the way she drew strength and power from those who stood beside her. The bond she shares with her good friends, and the way the men in her life uplift her in moments of doubt and quiet despair, is something I hope others yearn for. Neoma is who she is not only because of her grit—but because she found a support system and wielded it like armor when she didn’t feel strong enough alone.
If you’re looking for a cozy, predictable read—keep walking. But if you want to be thrown headfirst into a literary storm that will wreck you in the most satisfying way, then this is it. Read it. Suffer. Thank the author later.
April 24, 2025
“Just embrace your inner heathen…”
ARC read! Thank you so much Elise for the advanced copy!
This was a steamy good time. A solid four star read. I had so much fun with this book. I enjoyed the banter between characters….the girl talk….the friendships…. the romantic tension… I COULD NOT put it down. The story pulled me in and I was immediately invested. The two portions of the society reminded me of Abnegation & Dauntless. The magic is fun but the focus is more on the characters and the romance (initially). The societal tension & political machinations brewing in the background were sublime with a shocking cliffhanger that had my nerves on edge for book two.
Synopsis: A forbidden romance blossoms at a fantasy academy ruled by a puritanical society. A young woman goes to the society’s higher learning institution where they’ve recently admitted a marginalized portion of their society and a romance is born. The FMC Neoma experiences her physical awakening while discovering dark secrets about her elite society. We follow her experiences in friendship, love, & betrayal.
If you love a school setting, stories about first love, and a forbidden romance, this is the one for you!
ARC read! Thank you so much Elise for the advanced copy!
This was a steamy good time. A solid four star read. I had so much fun with this book. I enjoyed the banter between characters….the girl talk….the friendships…. the romantic tension… I COULD NOT put it down. The story pulled me in and I was immediately invested. The two portions of the society reminded me of Abnegation & Dauntless. The magic is fun but the focus is more on the characters and the romance (initially). The societal tension & political machinations brewing in the background were sublime with a shocking cliffhanger that had my nerves on edge for book two.
Synopsis: A forbidden romance blossoms at a fantasy academy ruled by a puritanical society. A young woman goes to the society’s higher learning institution where they’ve recently admitted a marginalized portion of their society and a romance is born. The FMC Neoma experiences her physical awakening while discovering dark secrets about her elite society. We follow her experiences in friendship, love, & betrayal.
If you love a school setting, stories about first love, and a forbidden romance, this is the one for you!
June 22, 2025
Absolutely loved this book! The characters were relatable and loveable and the themes were so intriguing. The plot had me on the edge of my seat and the twist at the end had me panicking and ready to read more! You won't regret reading!!!
July 19, 2025
Ouch
The twist at the end was painful. My heart is broken. I also need the next book. Immediately. This story is a beautiful allegory for classism and possibly race.
The twist at the end was painful. My heart is broken. I also need the next book. Immediately. This story is a beautiful allegory for classism and possibly race.
January 16, 2026
Omg omg omg Go Read THIS BOOK NOW!!
I’m dipping my toes more into sci-fi romance type books and this one had me ready for the next one about half way! I knew it ends in a cliffhanger, but i’m eagerly ready for the next installment. 🥵
I’m dipping my toes more into sci-fi romance type books and this one had me ready for the next one about half way! I knew it ends in a cliffhanger, but i’m eagerly ready for the next installment. 🥵
April 30, 2025
Wow, McCormack totally knocks it out of the park as a first-time author! Her writing is straight-up beautiful, painting such vivid pictures and hitting you right in the feels. It's super brave to come out swinging with a book this bold, diving deep into religious trauma with no holds barred. If you've been through that kind of pain, this story's gonna hit home hard and mean a lot.
There are a lot of characters, which can get a bit tricky to keep straight, and I wished we got to know some of them beyond just the basics. The plot really kicks into gear toward the latter third, with the first two-thirds really focused on the main characters' instant spark and steamy vibes. McCormack's got serious writing chops, and this book proves she's one to look out for.
If you love raw, emotional reads, you'll eat this up and be cheering for the sequel!
There are a lot of characters, which can get a bit tricky to keep straight, and I wished we got to know some of them beyond just the basics. The plot really kicks into gear toward the latter third, with the first two-thirds really focused on the main characters' instant spark and steamy vibes. McCormack's got serious writing chops, and this book proves she's one to look out for.
If you love raw, emotional reads, you'll eat this up and be cheering for the sequel!
December 12, 2025
The Chosen: And the Price of Defiance hooked me from the first chapter and never let go. What begins as the story of an obedient, sheltered “Chosen girl” quickly spirals into a tense, emotional journey of truth, rebellion, and identity. Neoma is one of the most compelling fantasy protagonists I’ve read in a while—strong, flawed, brave, and constantly forced to question the world that raised her.
The worldbuilding is incredible. Cielo feels ethereal on the surface, but the author slowly peels back the layers to reveal a caste system built on manipulation, performance, and carefully crafted lies. Watching Neoma discover just how much of her life has been controlled is both heartbreaking and empowering.
The worldbuilding is incredible. Cielo feels ethereal on the surface, but the author slowly peels back the layers to reveal a caste system built on manipulation, performance, and carefully crafted lies. Watching Neoma discover just how much of her life has been controlled is both heartbreaking and empowering.
May 8, 2025
This book has everything I love: brains, bite, and banter. I’ve read Fourth Wing. I’ve read ACOTAR. And while I’ll always have a soft spot for bat boys and dragons, The Chosen stands right there beside them, smirking with sharp prose and a profound message.
What really sets it apart for me is the characters. Especially Neoma. She's fully formed, emotionally complex, and so well-developed I half expected her to text me after I finished the book.
The author is ridiculously talented. I enjoyed living in the world she created, and I’m already emotionally preparing myself for the sequel. If this book isn't already in your TBR, fix that immediately.
What really sets it apart for me is the characters. Especially Neoma. She's fully formed, emotionally complex, and so well-developed I half expected her to text me after I finished the book.
The author is ridiculously talented. I enjoyed living in the world she created, and I’m already emotionally preparing myself for the sequel. If this book isn't already in your TBR, fix that immediately.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews