The Chains of Destiny: An Epic Fantasy Series

The Chosen #5

by Marcus Lee

The Chains of DestinyOver the centuries, Malina has been many orphan, Chosen, saviour, and queen.
But has she ever walked her own path, or merely one laid for her long before she was born?

As war between fey and humankind threatens to devour both worlds, she will stop at nothing to sabotage the All Father’s dream of conquest. Yet with every move, every sacrifice, Malina forges another link in the chains of destiny that bind her course.

Unable to break free, she must decide whether vengeance or sacrifice will define her legacy ...and either choice will destroy her.

Dark, brutal, and tragic, The Chains of Destiny delivers the haunting conclusion to Marcus Lee’s The Chosen … where not even the strong will survive.

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2025

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
For other authors of this name, see:

Marcus Lee - Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Reviews

[Darren Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been fantastic, and I loved this book so much, incredibly hard to make myself go to bed I just wanted to keep reading. Malina is one of my favourite book characters and I became so invested in her path from the very first line of The Chosen Series.

I did get a bit frustrated near the end of the book with a bit too much descriptive writing but that was really me being completely impatient and wanting to know how it ended. Thanks to Marcus Lee, I have loved both this series and The Gifted and The Cursed.

[Julie Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed The Chosen series of books, I was gripped by Malina’s story from the first paragraph. A heroine that you shouldn’t like but can’t help doing so as you are drawn into her worlds and many guises. I agree with some reviews that the last book didn’t quite have the same edge but enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally finished

Absolutely loved this series. Moments of uncertainty and twists that weren't always expected. This series had me hooked from the start

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading all 5 books, I will start with saying the first 3 are phenomenal books and very well written. I have even talked to the author and the books are kind of meant as a two part saga as he never intended to write a 4th or 5th book, hence the way the 3rd book ended. Now, I will also say i kind of wished i stopped reading after the 3rd book. It was a beautiful ending and I was kind of disappointed with the way these two book went. There is a significant time jump between the 3rd and 4th and changes I don't really like for Malina but is necessary for the book's plot to make any sense. I was more so disappointed with the 5th than any other, I just did not like the way it went and there was just too much description about how the world has gone to hell and is bleak and horrendous, at some point you just kind of say "ok, lets move on to the actual plot". There's alot of repeat description over and over and over. Also, i feel like the 5th book was a little rushed and both author and editor missed alot of typos and pronoun changes for a main character and added/extra words that the other books just didn't have.
All together the universe is amazing and i wish it didn't have to end; with the first three books being phenomenal and the last 2 dipping some in quality with plot and writing style but still glad i read the whole series. Definitely recommend to read and can't wait to read Marcus Lee's other series.

[Ness VDH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy moly — this book starts with a bang and genuinely does not let up. It’s high-stakes, relentless action from start to finish, with constant danger and a real sense that no one is safe. The pacing is pedal-to-the-floor and somehow still manages to escalate without collapsing under its own chaos.

Also… whoever decided to add in a few timelines? Thank you. I feel personally listened to — excellent choice, no notes, gold star ⭐️

One thing I would have loved more of is clarity around Malina — what she actually is, how her abilities work, and how she becomes so advanced.

Overall, I genuinely think this book is a step up from the previous four — sharper, bigger, and more confident. 👏🏼👏🏼

[Angelina Dimitrova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Amazing ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book keeps you on your toes throughout it. The story is had so many possibilities but I loved the ending…although I would have loved the story to continue. The writing and descriptions are so real that for a second I imagined it was real. Masterpiece!!

[Daniel McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end of an amazing series that was only ever meant to be a trilogy. It's been years since a series of books grabbed my attention like this and it's sad it's come to an end. This book itself isn't the strongest in the series, you can tell that it wasn't originally planned and there is a bit too much description rather than plot at times but I still enjoyed the story and finding out the ending.

[Shirley Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

I am so disappointed in this last
book of the Chosen series. It was long drawn out and had no real story. The heroine and story became boring and I found myself scanning parts hoping to come to the predictable end.

[Gloria Sanders-Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Finish - Epic Tale

What a thrill to read a story immersive All I could do was “Hold on tight and didn’t let go’. Marcus great job loved Malina’s journey. Can’t wait to read your other books. Well done. Gloria. Sanders-Williams - Author

[Samantha Wambolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome !!!!

Well I have loved following The chosen Malina and Lotane. I’m sorry to see it end. Thank you Marcus Lee for your amazing imagination. Thank you for not stopping after the first 3 books.

[Mrs S Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing fantasy!

Have loved everything about this series! From the start its gripping and has some great twists and turns!

Marcus is a great author and this is such an easy and exciting read!

Thoroughly recommended!!

Paul Gibson! (Wife's account)

[Denise burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chosen

I have thouly enjoyed these books could not put them down very well written l felt like I was running on the roofs and could see the infection coming for mankind looking forward to any new books coming out way

[Nicola Beeton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable romantic fantasy series

I really enjoyed this series.Loved the characters and the twists/turns in the story.Would recommend to anybody who enjoys reading fantasy with a good splash of romance.

[Marianne Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent fantasy 5 book series

Alwatpys surprising. A tale full of twists and turns, good and evil. One of the best fantasy stories I've ever read. Good and evil are cleverly nuanced. A magical read.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

I devoured this book. It was so good, with so many unexpected twists. It was absolutely worth the wait and definitely one of my favorite series now.

[Natalie Baziotis · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

I can’t describe how much I loved this series and this final book did not disappoint! What a way to end an epic saga.

[Pamela Duko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 did not disappoint. I loved the entire series !

[Daniel Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing end.

This is a great ending to a long journey. A end that begins anew. As Marcus said, A full circle.

[Shelley Biehn-Recker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series

I read the first 4 and. Then had to painfully wait for the 5th and final. It was well worth the wait. Excellently writen Marcus Lee!! I highly recommend!!!

[Alisha M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best series i have ever read

I couldnt put the book down once i started the first chapter. I read all 5 books within a month and loved every single one of them.

[Hazel Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

I really enjoyed this series. It most certainly kept you gripped.
Thank you for making it available on unlimiyed kindle.

[Anne Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Epic Fantasy Series

Really hard to put down. So many twists and turns. Absolutely brilliant. Looking forward to reading more of his books

[Candace Croft · Rating 2 out of 5]

dark and depressing

This was a dark series, but his last book took it to a whole new level. I essentially skimmed it just to see how it ended.