The Improbable Choice

by E.M. Randolph

Like all nearly 12 year-olds on Eganatia Jatob faces going to the Graining; a six-week time of experiencing each of the five genders on Eganatia to prepare it to make its choice of what gender it wants to be on its 12th birthday. But Jatob fears it will be unable to make a gender choice when the time comes to make one, and worries about what will happen if it changes its mind later in life and wants a different gender. Will it be sent away from the Natia to live with the outcasts of Eganatia; those lost souls who never fit in? And what will its parents say about Jatob’s choice, or lack of choice? Will they cast it from their family forever? At the Graining Jatob discovers special abilities to play in and learn from “the lights”, which help to make its gender choice more clear, but also teaches it about its role in re-uniting the people of Eganatia.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2018

Reviews

[Craig Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Improbable Choice. A world was created which I felt immersed in. I was interested in all the characters, I felt they were all rounded out and even minor characters came across well. I wanted to know them all

After a couple of pages I had no problem with the language. I just felt right for that world, for those people. Very imaginative and good use of language I thought.

In some ways it felt as if it was about teenage angst. After all in this modern world we expect so much of younger and younger people. We don't equip them for life at such a young age but we expect them to make bit decisions about their lives for the future. Intended or not that came across very well.

I would be delighted if there were more books about this world, about these people.

[Rose Randolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and surprising gift of a book; a very easy read. I didn't find it at all difficult to pick up the language for the planet and found it particularly appealing and apropos. As the story line develops and you journey through the life and stages of this young person, there are many brilliant, entertaining and interesting surprises that keep your interest and are quite captivating.

It was definitely a page turner for me and there were many times I didn't want to put the book down. I sincerely hope the author wishes to continue this story.