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Unchosen: A YA Fantasy Standalone Where One Girl's Lie About the Chosen One Is All That Stops a Deadly Curse
Katharyn Blair crafts a fiercely feminist fantasy with a horrifying curse, swoon-worthy sea captains, and the power of one girl to choose her own fate in this contemporary standalone adventure that's perfect for fans of The Fifth Wave and Seafire, and for anyone who has ever felt unchosen.
For Charlotte Holloway, the world ended twice.
The first was when her childhood crush, Dean, fell in love—with her older sister.
The second was when the Crimson, a curse spread through eye contact, turned the majority of humanity into flesh-eating monsters.
Neither end of the world changed Charlotte. She’s still in the shadows of her siblings. Her popular older sister, Harlow, now commands forces of survivors. And her talented younger sister, Vanessa, is the Chosen One—who, legend has it, can end the curse.
When their settlement is raided by those seeking the Chosen One, Charlotte makes a reckless decision to save Vanessa: she takes her place as prisoner.
The word spreads across the seven seas—the Chosen One has been found.
But when Dean’s life is threatened and a resistance looms on the horizon, the lie keeping Charlotte alive begins to unravel. She’ll have to break free, forge new bonds, and choose her own destiny if she has any hope of saving her sisters, her love, and maybe even the world.
Because sometimes the end is just a new beginning.
For Charlotte Holloway, the world ended twice.
The first was when her childhood crush, Dean, fell in love—with her older sister.
The second was when the Crimson, a curse spread through eye contact, turned the majority of humanity into flesh-eating monsters.
Neither end of the world changed Charlotte. She’s still in the shadows of her siblings. Her popular older sister, Harlow, now commands forces of survivors. And her talented younger sister, Vanessa, is the Chosen One—who, legend has it, can end the curse.
When their settlement is raided by those seeking the Chosen One, Charlotte makes a reckless decision to save Vanessa: she takes her place as prisoner.
The word spreads across the seven seas—the Chosen One has been found.
But when Dean’s life is threatened and a resistance looms on the horizon, the lie keeping Charlotte alive begins to unravel. She’ll have to break free, forge new bonds, and choose her own destiny if she has any hope of saving her sisters, her love, and maybe even the world.
Because sometimes the end is just a new beginning.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2021
60 people are currently reading
8973 people want to read
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November 17, 2025
Three siblings - Harlow the eldest (amazing guitarist), Vanessa the youngest (Olympic-bound gymnast) and….Charlotte the middle sibling (who is…average).
(okay, technically she's been crushing on Dean for ages but he's recently started going out with Harlow so there goes that hobby for Charlotte).
During Vanessa's latest gym meet, a strange person interrupts it. They seem erratic, wild and there's something about their eyes.
It's only when the girls lose their parents that they fully realize what has happened. The Crimson.
The Crimson is a slow-acting zombie-ish disease spread by eye-contact.
The three sisters have lost nearly everyone they've ever known but they still have each other.
Harlow is now a great military leader, Vanessa is now the Chosen One and Charlotte is still Charlotte. It sucks but Charlotte gets it.
But then one day, their "safe" settlement is raided by some smarter-than-average zombies who are seeking the Chosen One.
When Dean's life is threatened, Charlotte knows she couldn't just stand by.
So she volunteers herself as "the Chosen One" to buy her younger sister time and save her friends and family. Kidnapped and alone, Charlotte must rely on herself - for the first time in her life - and continue this act for as long as possible.
I thought this one worked rather well.
I did notice that folks are saying that this book tries to do too much (zombies, seafaring adventures, plague, varying degrees of infection, and "chosen one") but I thought it was a unique take on the old tropes.
I did enjoy the character Charlotte and how struggle for her identity amongst her perfect siblings.
I also loved the concept of the "un-chosen" - someone who very clearly isn't MEANT to save the world but pulls herself up from her bootstraps and does it anyway (can we please have more books like that??)
I do think the ending felt a bit too quick and the logic was a smidge eye-rollingly-convenient for me.
Overall, this one worked pretty dang well!
With thanks to Netgalley, the author and Katherine Tegen Books for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review
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December 29, 2020
This is very much the type of book you devour in one sitting. I couldn't put it down, and I found the usage of "zombies" unlike anything I have ever read previously. The ending confused me a bit regarding the dropping of certain plot points, but perhaps this will be turned into a series, and more answers will be given then? Either way, this book is gorgeous, inside and out, and has a wonderfully cinematic feel to it. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one turned into a Netflix show!
*Many thanks to the publisher and MBC books for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher and MBC books for providing my review copy.
Want to read
August 5, 2020i'm only the teeniest bit ashamed to say that it wasn't "feminist" or "sea captain" that first caught my eye (though both are VERY good things)—
it was "childhood crush fell in love with older sister"
this is the sort of angst i LIVE & DIE FOR
it was "childhood crush fell in love with older sister"
this is the sort of angst i LIVE & DIE FOR
February 22, 2021
Unchosen is an action packed post-apocalyptic novel with zombies. Charlotte grew up in her sisters’ shadows. Her little sister is The Chosen One. Her older sister is dating her best friend that she has feelings for. Charlotte decides to claim she is the Chosen One to protect her sister. Charlotte is taken in hopes of saving everyone. Soon her lies start to unravel and she has to figure out how to save her loved ones.
Unchosen is full of action. The heroine is a young woman like in all of my favorite post-apocalyptic novels. The curse and flesh eating humans was an interesting addition. I loved the characters in the novel. Charlotte is determined and strong. She doesn’t give up and will do anything to protect her family. There is an unexpected love interest that adds to the story. He is a great match for Charlotte and their interactions are great. There are many twists and action throughout the Unchosen. It was interesting to read Unchosen during a pandemic especially during the winter storm. I recommend Unchosen for fans of post-apocalyptic novels with strong female leads especially those that like zombies.
Thank you Megan Beatie Communications, Katherine Tegen Books, and Epic Reads for Unchosen.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
Unchosen is full of action. The heroine is a young woman like in all of my favorite post-apocalyptic novels. The curse and flesh eating humans was an interesting addition. I loved the characters in the novel. Charlotte is determined and strong. She doesn’t give up and will do anything to protect her family. There is an unexpected love interest that adds to the story. He is a great match for Charlotte and their interactions are great. There are many twists and action throughout the Unchosen. It was interesting to read Unchosen during a pandemic especially during the winter storm. I recommend Unchosen for fans of post-apocalyptic novels with strong female leads especially those that like zombies.
Thank you Megan Beatie Communications, Katherine Tegen Books, and Epic Reads for Unchosen.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
January 31, 2021
I FINISHED THE REAL ONE, Y’ALL. AND I AM MORE SO OF A MESS THAN USUAL.
RTC
——- previous review
*clears throat* Not me SUDDENLY REALIZING THAT AFTER PAGE 45 IN MY VERSION OF THE EBOOK THE WHOLE BOOK COMPLETELY CHANGED AND I WAS CONFUSED BUT STILL HAD HOPEwas idiotically stupid, SO WHAT DID I DO?? I FINISHED THE BOOK.
IT WAS THE WRONG BOOK
I FINISHED THE WRONG BOOK.
SAME COVER, SAME AUTHOR.
WRONG FORMAT.
AND I ASKED MYSELF THROUGHOUT IT, "WHO IS THIS GUY?" "WHERE ARE THE PIRATES", "WHY ARE THERE GLADIATORS"
BUT I STILL FINISHED IT.
AND THEN SEARCHED SOME REVIEWS UP.
THEN PROCEED TO COMMIT CEREBRAL COMBUSTION.
NOW I'M DEAD.
please bury me next to the countless pages I have torn because of my inability to maintain a book story for more than five paragraphs
P.S: Also, I really would love to read the book I was reading the whole time because gladiators sound mighty interesting when you're not fighting through the ~confuzzlement~ for FOUR HUNDRED PAGES.
P.S.S: I just found the actual version of this book.
The book I wanted to read.
Just now.
RTC
——- previous review
*clears throat* Not me SUDDENLY REALIZING THAT AFTER PAGE 45 IN MY VERSION OF THE EBOOK THE WHOLE BOOK COMPLETELY CHANGED AND I WAS CONFUSED BUT STILL HAD HOPE
IT WAS THE WRONG BOOK
I FINISHED THE WRONG BOOK.
SAME COVER, SAME AUTHOR.
WRONG FORMAT.
AND I ASKED MYSELF THROUGHOUT IT, "WHO IS THIS GUY?" "WHERE ARE THE PIRATES", "WHY ARE THERE GLADIATORS"
BUT I STILL FINISHED IT.
AND THEN SEARCHED SOME REVIEWS UP.
THEN PROCEED TO COMMIT CEREBRAL COMBUSTION.
NOW I'M DEAD.
P.S: Also, I really would love to read the book I was reading the whole time because gladiators sound mighty interesting when you're not fighting through the ~confuzzlement~ for FOUR HUNDRED PAGES.
P.S.S: I just found the actual version of this book.
The book I wanted to read.
Just now.
February 17, 2021
4.5 Stars
CW:
Well that was my first piratical zombie fantasy, and it was a real treat!
In a world where a virus/magical curse has the potential to turn people into flesh eating monsters, Charlotte lurks in the shadows of her two incredible sisters. Harlow is a commander, Vanessa is the 'Chosen One', and Charlotte is the middle sister. I loved the concept of the how virus is transmitted because it brings with it mistrust and a 'kill or be killed' mind set, which leads to the break down society. You catch the virus through eye contact, however, passing it on to others will cure you and give you immunity! This opens up a slave trading market where people are trafficked and used to pass the virus onto by those who can afford to purchase them. The newly cursed people are then disposed of. There is action aplenty, and a growing level of intelligence and coordination among the cursed (Vessels). I really enjoyed the experience of being in a well developed world with characters that I could relate to and was completely invested in. I thoroughly recommend this original YA novel.
CW:
Well that was my first piratical zombie fantasy, and it was a real treat!
In a world where a virus/magical curse has the potential to turn people into flesh eating monsters, Charlotte lurks in the shadows of her two incredible sisters. Harlow is a commander, Vanessa is the 'Chosen One', and Charlotte is the middle sister. I loved the concept of the how virus is transmitted because it brings with it mistrust and a 'kill or be killed' mind set, which leads to the break down society. You catch the virus through eye contact, however, passing it on to others will cure you and give you immunity! This opens up a slave trading market where people are trafficked and used to pass the virus onto by those who can afford to purchase them. The newly cursed people are then disposed of. There is action aplenty, and a growing level of intelligence and coordination among the cursed (Vessels). I really enjoyed the experience of being in a well developed world with characters that I could relate to and was completely invested in. I thoroughly recommend this original YA novel.
September 17, 2022
This book was everything! It had wonderful fantasy aspects that blended beautifully with the post-apocalyptic bits, swoony romance (with handsome sea captains), and just enough violence to give me a good scare at times.
UNCHOSEN had a strong start! It began with an exciting and nerve-wracking scene and then introduced the characters at a good pace. Things seemed to move at a good speed throughout the whole book really.
The plot was so intriguing! I never felt like things were dragging or dull. I was also very happy with how well things were balanced. Things were swoony and romantic when needed and then action-y and violent. I loved it!
Also, I felt the need to point out that I might have squealed when things started to move to the water. There were so many battles taking place on ships and on the water and I was getting pirate vibes and I was so here for it! If you've ever wondered how a book can combine zombie-like people with pirates, check this book out because it does so flawlessly.
Moving on to my favorite topic...the romance!! Let me just talk a second about our resident sea captain. Seth was everything this book needed. He added heart, some angst, and the ever needed shirtless scenes. But apart from his physical features (which were gorgeous), he was a great character and counterpart to our main character, Charlotte. I loved their verbal spares and the moments when they could just be themselves, even amidst a fallen world. Their relationship was so well-balanced and had just enough angst to make it perfect.
Speaking of this book being perfect, it had plot twist after plot twist. I love a good plot twist, something to make me gasp, and this book had a few. Just as I would think I could relax a twist would get thrown at me and I would be sucked back into the heart-pounding action. They were thrilling and infuriatingly wonderful.
Lastly, the feminist aspect of this book was spot-on. Like the rest of the book, the topic/theme was well balanced. I felt the strong females in the book and I heard the message it was conveying and loved it. These things all stood out without being shoved my face or being overbearing in any way.
Overall, this book was perfect. It combined so many different elements and genres beautifully and did so in one book. I'm so glad this was a standalone. I wish there were more fantasy/sci-fi standalones like this. No matter what genre you most enjoy, you have to check this book out!!!
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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UNCHOSEN had a strong start! It began with an exciting and nerve-wracking scene and then introduced the characters at a good pace. Things seemed to move at a good speed throughout the whole book really.
The plot was so intriguing! I never felt like things were dragging or dull. I was also very happy with how well things were balanced. Things were swoony and romantic when needed and then action-y and violent. I loved it!
Also, I felt the need to point out that I might have squealed when things started to move to the water. There were so many battles taking place on ships and on the water and I was getting pirate vibes and I was so here for it! If you've ever wondered how a book can combine zombie-like people with pirates, check this book out because it does so flawlessly.
Moving on to my favorite topic...the romance!! Let me just talk a second about our resident sea captain. Seth was everything this book needed. He added heart, some angst, and the ever needed shirtless scenes. But apart from his physical features (which were gorgeous), he was a great character and counterpart to our main character, Charlotte. I loved their verbal spares and the moments when they could just be themselves, even amidst a fallen world. Their relationship was so well-balanced and had just enough angst to make it perfect.
Speaking of this book being perfect, it had plot twist after plot twist. I love a good plot twist, something to make me gasp, and this book had a few. Just as I would think I could relax a twist would get thrown at me and I would be sucked back into the heart-pounding action. They were thrilling and infuriatingly wonderful.
Lastly, the feminist aspect of this book was spot-on. Like the rest of the book, the topic/theme was well balanced. I felt the strong females in the book and I heard the message it was conveying and loved it. These things all stood out without being shoved my face or being overbearing in any way.
Overall, this book was perfect. It combined so many different elements and genres beautifully and did so in one book. I'm so glad this was a standalone. I wish there were more fantasy/sci-fi standalones like this. No matter what genre you most enjoy, you have to check this book out!!!
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Want to read
April 18, 2021
June 1, 2021
Did this meet my high expectations? No. But was it a quick and relatively entertaining read? Yes.
"When that ending--the Real Ending--reached my shore, it smelled like chalk and tasted like blood."
Charlotte Holloway has always been confined to the shadows--the shadows of both her older and younger sisters. She feels jealous and neglected, even in the apocalyptic state of a world overrun with the vicious and zombie-like Crimson. When her childhood love, Dean, is captured, Charlotte embarks on a journey across land and water to save him--and maybe even the entire world.
See, when I saw the words “Chosen One”, “curse”, “zombies”, and “pirates”, I went ‘oh yeah, a unique post-apocalyptic story! Is this the sci-fi/fantasy mashup I’ve been waiting for?
The short answer: no, not really.
While Unchosen delivers on all of those fronts (though I’m still quietly bummed that the ‘pirates’ weren’t the argh me hearties! type), by involving so many different elements, those said elements get diluted by everything else happening. The lore is dumped into a chapter in the beginning, and the zombies don’t feel like a constant threat like is so often the case in other survival novels. The "vibes" are uncertain.
Other than that, Unchosen simply felt like “one of those other YA dystopias” albeit significantly less derivative. It lacked the intensity of the high-octane dystopias The Fifth Wave and The Hunger Games, but felt similar to stories in terms of romance and angst. And while I (mostly) tolerated the romance and angst in the two novels above due to their inclusion of deeper/philosophical themes, I could not in Unchosen because there was a lack of such...not to mention I couldn't care less about the romance itself.
The romance centers around the MC and two paper-bland guys. We have Dean, Charlotte’s childhood crush—make that crush your dreams when he dates your older sister (does this sort of thing happen in real life?). He’s caring. And strong. And hot. And...that's about it.
Actually, all the guys are hot.a reason to survive the apocalypse ig Seth, the other dude, is a little harder to get to know, but turns out he is caring. And strong. And hot. His and Charlotte's relationship is weird because I pictured Charlotte as a teenager but it is implied Seth has attended college/was old enough to be on the military, like how old are the characters??
There is not a whole ton of information about what is going on in the world. I'm not even sure where the book takes place--I'm pretty sure it's the West Coast, but the whole thing is vague. Is the rest of the world in the same exact situation, or are some places more affected than others? Are there other Torches? What are the Crimson doing, just killing people? What is the Queen, and why is the Queen? Are blind people automatically immune because the virus is spread through eye contact? Who knows.
Clearly, the author favors character relationships and driving motivations over atmosphere-building. It was nice to see realistic sibling relationships…
The writing was also...weird in places. There occured a constant misuse of the word “incredulous”:
“‘We’re not friends,’ I cry incredulously.”
“‘Seth?’ he asks, an incredulous laugh riding his voice…”
“‘She’s good,’ I whisper incredulously…’”
Feelings were consistently described as being felt “in my bones” or “in my veins”:
“The urge to run is thick in my veins...”
“...the scratching noise grates on my bones.”
“...Fear slides through my veins”
“...with a self-hatred so deep I swore I could feel it rattling my bones.”
“...exhaustion weighing heavy on my bones…”
“There is defiance there, and I feel its twin spinning in my bones.” (What does this even mean)
“...the panic that leeches deeper into my veins…”
“...like someone is wringing terror from my bones…”
“I let rage gather in my bones…”
“...the complete and utter terror unfurling in my bones…”
“...I feel the anger blooming through my bones.”
“...it’s a sound that’s been imprinted on my bones.” (Was it...barking, perhaps?)
“...the terror it conjures in my bones…”
“The way my veins vibrate to the sound of his voice.” (what in the world...)
Whatever this line says:
“I say this is a redo of the 2020 Olympics—it’s the Olympics.”
I'm ambivalent on the whole “chosen one” aspect. Vanessa was technically the “Chosen One” who was marked and had the dreams, and I thought it was clever how Charlotte followed the signs herself in order to pose as her sister. But apparently
You could tell this was written during the pandemic--with its worldwide plague theme, undertones, and 2020 references I'm sure won't age well. At least Kathryn Blair is more accomplished than me, actually writing a book during lockdown.
Content/Triggers Violence including some gore, frequent strong language, discussed trauma.
................................
So this is what a book written during lockdown looks like.
RTC
……………………………
Not sure how this book is going to combine zombies, a Chosen One narrative, feminism, a pandemic, pirates, and the apocalypse into a single story, but I am super excited to see how it goes!
"When that ending--the Real Ending--reached my shore, it smelled like chalk and tasted like blood."
Charlotte Holloway has always been confined to the shadows--the shadows of both her older and younger sisters. She feels jealous and neglected, even in the apocalyptic state of a world overrun with the vicious and zombie-like Crimson. When her childhood love, Dean, is captured, Charlotte embarks on a journey across land and water to save him--and maybe even the entire world.
See, when I saw the words “Chosen One”, “curse”, “zombies”, and “pirates”, I went ‘oh yeah, a unique post-apocalyptic story! Is this the sci-fi/fantasy mashup I’ve been waiting for?
The short answer: no, not really.
While Unchosen delivers on all of those fronts (though I’m still quietly bummed that the ‘pirates’ weren’t the argh me hearties! type), by involving so many different elements, those said elements get diluted by everything else happening. The lore is dumped into a chapter in the beginning, and the zombies don’t feel like a constant threat like is so often the case in other survival novels. The "vibes" are uncertain.
Other than that, Unchosen simply felt like “one of those other YA dystopias” albeit significantly less derivative. It lacked the intensity of the high-octane dystopias The Fifth Wave and The Hunger Games, but felt similar to stories in terms of romance and angst. And while I (mostly) tolerated the romance and angst in the two novels above due to their inclusion of deeper/philosophical themes, I could not in Unchosen because there was a lack of such...not to mention I couldn't care less about the romance itself.
The romance centers around the MC and two paper-bland guys. We have Dean, Charlotte’s childhood crush—make that crush your dreams when he dates your older sister (does this sort of thing happen in real life?). He’s caring. And strong. And hot. And...that's about it.
Actually, all the guys are hot.
There is not a whole ton of information about what is going on in the world. I'm not even sure where the book takes place--I'm pretty sure it's the West Coast, but the whole thing is vague. Is the rest of the world in the same exact situation, or are some places more affected than others? Are there other Torches? What are the Crimson doing, just killing people? What is the Queen, and why is the Queen? Are blind people automatically immune because the virus is spread through eye contact? Who knows.
Clearly, the author favors character relationships and driving motivations over atmosphere-building. It was nice to see realistic sibling relationships…
The writing was also...weird in places. There occured a constant misuse of the word “incredulous”:
“‘We’re not friends,’ I cry incredulously.”
“‘Seth?’ he asks, an incredulous laugh riding his voice…”
“‘She’s good,’ I whisper incredulously…’”
Feelings were consistently described as being felt “in my bones” or “in my veins”:
“The urge to run is thick in my veins...”
“...the scratching noise grates on my bones.”
“...Fear slides through my veins”
“...with a self-hatred so deep I swore I could feel it rattling my bones.”
“...exhaustion weighing heavy on my bones…”
“There is defiance there, and I feel its twin spinning in my bones.” (What does this even mean)
“...the panic that leeches deeper into my veins…”
“...like someone is wringing terror from my bones…”
“I let rage gather in my bones…”
“...the complete and utter terror unfurling in my bones…”
“...I feel the anger blooming through my bones.”
“...it’s a sound that’s been imprinted on my bones.” (Was it...barking, perhaps?)
“...the terror it conjures in my bones…”
“The way my veins vibrate to the sound of his voice.” (what in the world...)
Whatever this line says:
“I say this is a redo of the 2020 Olympics—it’s the Olympics.”
I'm ambivalent on the whole “chosen one” aspect. Vanessa was technically the “Chosen One” who was marked and had the dreams, and I thought it was clever how Charlotte followed the signs herself in order to pose as her sister. But apparently
You could tell this was written during the pandemic--with its worldwide plague theme, undertones, and 2020 references I'm sure won't age well. At least Kathryn Blair is more accomplished than me, actually writing a book during lockdown.
Content/Triggers Violence including some gore, frequent strong language, discussed trauma.
................................
So this is what a book written during lockdown looks like.
RTC
……………………………
Not sure how this book is going to combine zombies, a Chosen One narrative, feminism, a pandemic, pirates, and the apocalypse into a single story, but I am super excited to see how it goes!
December 29, 2021
100th book of the year 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
I was not expecting to read this book right now… but I’m glad I did because it helped me reach my goal 🤪
But for real, I did enjoy reading this book very much as it was a fun read, not too heavy or boring, just right (ok i see you Goldilocks).
Unchosen (tell me why I thought the title was actually Unbroken up until I had to search it up here and nothing was coming up until i searched by author’s name) follows Charlotte, who suffers from serious middle child syndrome.
Her older sister is the confident commander of their sector, while her younger sister is the chosen one, spewing prophesies left and right. What for, you ask? Well, it’s hard to explain, but they’re suffering from the apocalypse, basically, with evil flesh-eating monsters creating more monsters by spreading the Crimson.
So everyone ignores Charlotte. It sucks, but Charlotte has to just deal with it, until some very bad pirates (yar har har)/murderers try to take her younger sister to kill her so that the Crimson could take over the world.
Charlotte volunteers for her sister, making everyone who finds out about Charlotte being the chosen one actually believe her. Boom, Charlotte in danger of getting killed by literally everyone, and Vanessa (little sister) and Harlow (big sister) and Dean (😬 unattainable to date best friend who is also dating big sister) safe.
Charlotte has to a) not get murdered b) save the world from the evil pirates (yar har har) and her family c) keep the truth from the world. Sounds easy, right? No 🥲.
characters -
Charlotte- I like her. She’s nice. I can’t say much more, other than I enjoyed her character arc. She’s a basic YA protagonist, all in all 🤷♀️
Harlow- Let it be known I am anti Harlow. I get where’s she’s coming from but she is actually the worst 😠
Vanessa- Shes nice too but Vanessa is actually just a very useless character. She doesn’t do anything, and her character is really just there to further the plot, not really have her own personality and character.
Seth- It’s so funny how I find mediocre white men irl so disgusting but in books? I fall in love. Seth quite literally has no special qualities whatsoever but living through Charlotte’s character is very fun because i get to experience his love 😌 anyways i love Seth unashamedly
Dean- This man is so. boring. We may never know what Charlotte saw in him but I am so glad we didn’t have to spend more than 100 pages with him present. Like Vanessa,
really only there to further the plot, and just as useless.
The only other thing I have to say is that Maddox and Rielle 1000% deserved the world. Biggest tragedy.
(SPOILER: i just find it so funny/depression-inducing how the author only killed off the only lesbian couple? no one had to really die off and the author could have chosen anyone else? i understand why she did it, but it hurt and could have been done in a better way me thinks 😭)
plot -
The plot for the first 100 pages was so SLOW. I was waiting and waiting for something to happen. The first events of the book? Very unnecessary. So much of this part could have been cut down, I think, and if the ending was stretched out more instead of giving me whiplash, it would have been better.
But the plot really did pick up once Maddox and Seth and his crew came in, once Harlow and Vanessa and Dean left, at the 50% mark. The second half really is what made this book really good.
I do think the plot could have been better in its pacing, such as with bringing in Abel and Evelyn. The ending felt so short in comparison to the pages and pages of introducing the world and characters in the beginning.
world-building -
The world is also the part where I had a tiny bone to pick. I found it difficult to understand. Maybe it’s just because I’m dumb, but none of it actually made sense to me until the ending.
The Anne-pirate thing was nice. i remember saving a Pinterest pin about that lady once, I think? It was smart to bring in that historical figure, but it was messy.
The world building overall is messy. We have a lot of modern day things working, but we also have a lot of modern day things that don’t work? I found the zombies dubious, too.
They were giving heavy Medusa, which i love, of course, but why didn’t people just think of wearing sunglasses or something semi-see through-able (wow i am amazing at describing things) that will provide a barrier from the eye sight of the zombies?
A sea-pirate and zombie type crossover thing was interesting, though, and I think the world building is unique to read about. Despite some flaws, it was still well thought out, with just some errors in execution, in my opinion.
writing -
I don’t know if this book is the author’s first book or not, but it was pleasantly written. The first part was hard to get through, but once the plot actually picked up, i found the writing to get better, too. maybe i just don’t know how to differentiate between the two, but I didn’t have any real problems with the writing.
It was nice for a dystopian type beat, my favorite quote probably being Se Ratcheter (however you spell it- i do not speak latin 😍 the only thing i know is Ad Aspera Per Aspera- i don’t even know if that’s correct, too). It was giving off contemporary vibes (idk how else to describe it, tbh)
overall -
This may just be my late night musings, but i think this book would make for a good movie. I would definitely watch it. The romance is cute, if a little abrupt, but i very much ship the main couple <3 (the epilogue is everything)
Not the best, but again, a good read that isn’t too dark or twisty- you don’t have to worry about being permanently scarred for life here, folks (though do check tws, as always).
I think this book has potential to have sequels, but i’m glad it’s staying a standalone. it’s a nice tale, with a complete story.
4 stars :)
I was not expecting to read this book right now… but I’m glad I did because it helped me reach my goal 🤪
But for real, I did enjoy reading this book very much as it was a fun read, not too heavy or boring, just right (ok i see you Goldilocks).
Unchosen (tell me why I thought the title was actually Unbroken up until I had to search it up here and nothing was coming up until i searched by author’s name) follows Charlotte, who suffers from serious middle child syndrome.
Her older sister is the confident commander of their sector, while her younger sister is the chosen one, spewing prophesies left and right. What for, you ask? Well, it’s hard to explain, but they’re suffering from the apocalypse, basically, with evil flesh-eating monsters creating more monsters by spreading the Crimson.
So everyone ignores Charlotte. It sucks, but Charlotte has to just deal with it, until some very bad pirates (yar har har)/murderers try to take her younger sister to kill her so that the Crimson could take over the world.
Charlotte volunteers for her sister, making everyone who finds out about Charlotte being the chosen one actually believe her. Boom, Charlotte in danger of getting killed by literally everyone, and Vanessa (little sister) and Harlow (big sister) and Dean (😬 unattainable to date best friend who is also dating big sister) safe.
Charlotte has to a) not get murdered b) save the world from the evil pirates (yar har har) and her family c) keep the truth from the world. Sounds easy, right? No 🥲.
characters -
Charlotte- I like her. She’s nice. I can’t say much more, other than I enjoyed her character arc. She’s a basic YA protagonist, all in all 🤷♀️
Harlow- Let it be known I am anti Harlow. I get where’s she’s coming from but she is actually the worst 😠
Vanessa- Shes nice too but Vanessa is actually just a very useless character. She doesn’t do anything, and her character is really just there to further the plot, not really have her own personality and character.
Seth- It’s so funny how I find mediocre white men irl so disgusting but in books? I fall in love. Seth quite literally has no special qualities whatsoever but living through Charlotte’s character is very fun because i get to experience his love 😌 anyways i love Seth unashamedly
Dean- This man is so. boring. We may never know what Charlotte saw in him but I am so glad we didn’t have to spend more than 100 pages with him present. Like Vanessa,
really only there to further the plot, and just as useless.
The only other thing I have to say is that Maddox and Rielle 1000% deserved the world. Biggest tragedy.
(SPOILER: i just find it so funny/depression-inducing how the author only killed off the only lesbian couple? no one had to really die off and the author could have chosen anyone else? i understand why she did it, but it hurt and could have been done in a better way me thinks 😭)
plot -
The plot for the first 100 pages was so SLOW. I was waiting and waiting for something to happen. The first events of the book? Very unnecessary. So much of this part could have been cut down, I think, and if the ending was stretched out more instead of giving me whiplash, it would have been better.
But the plot really did pick up once Maddox and Seth and his crew came in, once Harlow and Vanessa and Dean left, at the 50% mark. The second half really is what made this book really good.
I do think the plot could have been better in its pacing, such as with bringing in Abel and Evelyn. The ending felt so short in comparison to the pages and pages of introducing the world and characters in the beginning.
world-building -
The world is also the part where I had a tiny bone to pick. I found it difficult to understand. Maybe it’s just because I’m dumb, but none of it actually made sense to me until the ending.
The Anne-pirate thing was nice. i remember saving a Pinterest pin about that lady once, I think? It was smart to bring in that historical figure, but it was messy.
The world building overall is messy. We have a lot of modern day things working, but we also have a lot of modern day things that don’t work? I found the zombies dubious, too.
They were giving heavy Medusa, which i love, of course, but why didn’t people just think of wearing sunglasses or something semi-see through-able (wow i am amazing at describing things) that will provide a barrier from the eye sight of the zombies?
A sea-pirate and zombie type crossover thing was interesting, though, and I think the world building is unique to read about. Despite some flaws, it was still well thought out, with just some errors in execution, in my opinion.
writing -
I don’t know if this book is the author’s first book or not, but it was pleasantly written. The first part was hard to get through, but once the plot actually picked up, i found the writing to get better, too. maybe i just don’t know how to differentiate between the two, but I didn’t have any real problems with the writing.
It was nice for a dystopian type beat, my favorite quote probably being Se Ratcheter (however you spell it- i do not speak latin 😍 the only thing i know is Ad Aspera Per Aspera- i don’t even know if that’s correct, too). It was giving off contemporary vibes (idk how else to describe it, tbh)
overall -
This may just be my late night musings, but i think this book would make for a good movie. I would definitely watch it. The romance is cute, if a little abrupt, but i very much ship the main couple <3 (the epilogue is everything)
Not the best, but again, a good read that isn’t too dark or twisty- you don’t have to worry about being permanently scarred for life here, folks (though do check tws, as always).
I think this book has potential to have sequels, but i’m glad it’s staying a standalone. it’s a nice tale, with a complete story.
4 stars :)
dnf
February 7, 2022DNF AT 40% CH 14
I was so excited for this but I'm suffering so I quit :)
I was so excited for this but I'm suffering so I quit :)
April 29, 2022
Actual rating: 2.5🌟
I don't know what I was expecting, but honestly, the main character ruined it for me.
She annoyed me so much ... I couldn't enjoy the story.
I'll admit the plot was interesting, but that was the only thing I liked about this book.
Pretty dissapointed.
I don't know what I was expecting, but honestly, the main character ruined it for me.
She annoyed me so much ... I couldn't enjoy the story.
I'll admit the plot was interesting, but that was the only thing I liked about this book.
Pretty dissapointed.
February 4, 2021
Great stand-alone!!! Prefect for fans of dystopian and fantasy novels!!! Bookish box did this for their January and the theme was love triangles. I definitely didn’t get the love triangle vibes.
December 24, 2021
Thank you Megan Beatie Communications and Katherine Tegen Books for an advance copy and a finished copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
UNCHOSEN
By: Katharyn Blair
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆☆
Always, I have loved dystopian stories, and I like pirates most of the time. On the flip side, I'm not a fan of zombie apocalypse stories at all because they have been done to death. UNCHOSEN is a combination featuring all of these things, and I had reservations initially. Fortunately, my doubts were unfounded.
First, though, let's not overlook the amazing cover art because it's awesome. To read this story a suspension of disbelief is required, so just go with it. Imagine this premise in reality. A curse virus type of thing (called The Crimson), spread through eye contact, turns people into flesh eating monsters. But, these are not your garden variety zombies. If they were, I wouldn't have read this book because I hate those. No, this is different.
Three sisters are involved. Harlow, the oldest, most beautiful and a leader of survivors. Vanessa, the youngest, has been deemed the chosen one who will save humanity. And, Charlotte, the lackluster middle child and heroine of our story, who feels completely bland and unworthy of anything. But, seriously, who can live up to having a sister as the chosen one? Not me! (I have no sisters). One day, raiders come for Vanessa, but Charlotte convinces them that she is the chosen one so they will take her instead. And they do. Cue villians to absolutely despise, one hot pirate captain, unknown motives, fear, serious tension and swashbuckling action. But, no spoilers here!
I like the universal appeal of this story. Charlotte feels kind of invisible, useless and devoid of any purpose in life-other than messing up things. Haven't a lot of us felt like this at some point? I certainly have! In saving Vanessa, Charlotte also begins to save herself, although she doesn't realize this at the time. She goes on a journey, both physically and emotionally and literally and metaphorically, that is life altering and affirming. A discovery of self, family and humanity that cements Charlotte as the person she was always meant to be. Additionally, the story is big on female bonds, and I think we need more of this in books today-female empowerment and place in the world-because it matters.
Finally, I was completely taken with UNCHOSEN and impressed with Katharyn Blair's ability to take seemingly odd pairings and bizarre sounding elements and weave them into a beautiful tapestry. I was delightfully surprised by the whole thing! Although I am very happy to have read an excellent standalone story (I am not a fan of series), I actually wish this book would continue. Talk about irony! Anyway, just read it!
UNCHOSEN
By: Katharyn Blair
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆☆
Always, I have loved dystopian stories, and I like pirates most of the time. On the flip side, I'm not a fan of zombie apocalypse stories at all because they have been done to death. UNCHOSEN is a combination featuring all of these things, and I had reservations initially. Fortunately, my doubts were unfounded.
First, though, let's not overlook the amazing cover art because it's awesome. To read this story a suspension of disbelief is required, so just go with it. Imagine this premise in reality. A curse virus type of thing (called The Crimson), spread through eye contact, turns people into flesh eating monsters. But, these are not your garden variety zombies. If they were, I wouldn't have read this book because I hate those. No, this is different.
Three sisters are involved. Harlow, the oldest, most beautiful and a leader of survivors. Vanessa, the youngest, has been deemed the chosen one who will save humanity. And, Charlotte, the lackluster middle child and heroine of our story, who feels completely bland and unworthy of anything. But, seriously, who can live up to having a sister as the chosen one? Not me! (I have no sisters). One day, raiders come for Vanessa, but Charlotte convinces them that she is the chosen one so they will take her instead. And they do. Cue villians to absolutely despise, one hot pirate captain, unknown motives, fear, serious tension and swashbuckling action. But, no spoilers here!
I like the universal appeal of this story. Charlotte feels kind of invisible, useless and devoid of any purpose in life-other than messing up things. Haven't a lot of us felt like this at some point? I certainly have! In saving Vanessa, Charlotte also begins to save herself, although she doesn't realize this at the time. She goes on a journey, both physically and emotionally and literally and metaphorically, that is life altering and affirming. A discovery of self, family and humanity that cements Charlotte as the person she was always meant to be. Additionally, the story is big on female bonds, and I think we need more of this in books today-female empowerment and place in the world-because it matters.
Finally, I was completely taken with UNCHOSEN and impressed with Katharyn Blair's ability to take seemingly odd pairings and bizarre sounding elements and weave them into a beautiful tapestry. I was delightfully surprised by the whole thing! Although I am very happy to have read an excellent standalone story (I am not a fan of series), I actually wish this book would continue. Talk about irony! Anyway, just read it!
December 2, 2021
”You will be the muse that launches ships, she’d said to Vanessa. You will lead armies, and men will fall at you feet, she’d said to Harlow, who’d rolled her eyes but loved the sound of that. And you, your faith will save the world.”
Wow! I truly don’t know if I can do justice to show you all how much I love this book! I read the synopsis and was thinking “Great another lame Zombie book.” But OMG, how wrong was I? I was truly hooked from page one, my interest never waining to the very end. I spent several sleepless nights putting it down just to pick it right back up because I just could not NOT read this.
Everyones life changed the day the Crimson started, brought on by a hundreds year old legend that Anne de Graaf had cursed the world on her way to her watery grave. Her cursed ruby had been found and broken. Charlotte is trying to survive this new world. The one where the flesh eating maniacs with the red eyes can either kill you or turn you into one of them just by looking into their red diseased eyes.
Now she is trying to fit in between her kick ass Commander sister Harlow and her sister Vanessa who is The Chosen One that’s been prophesied to save the world and end The Crimson. If that wasn’t bad enough Charlotte also has to deal with seeing Harlow snuggled up to the unrequited love of her life, Dean. Dean whom she has loved as long as she can remember.
After their compound the Palisade is infiltrated looking for The Chosen One, Charlotte takes her sisters place claiming she is the one they want. But after seeing Dean get captured she breaks free, forges new bonds to save him and has to choose her own destiny to survive.
This book was totally amazing! The world building, the premise, the characters! I even loved the villains (aka the not so lame zombies 😁) . They were all so well written. I loved it all!
I especially enjoyed it when Charlotte met up with Seth, Rielle, Lucia and Thomas. That’s when the adventure was at its best and Charlotte really started to evolve.
But the whole book was just beautifully written.
If you love YA Fantasy this is the book for you! Even if you don’t love Fantasy there is enough angst for romance lovers as well. Let’s just say I suggest this to anyone and everyone!
Katharyn Blair has a new fan and I will be stalking her Goodreads page for all her past and future books from here on out! 😂
Thank You Harper Kids for putting this incredible book in my life.
Wow! I truly don’t know if I can do justice to show you all how much I love this book! I read the synopsis and was thinking “Great another lame Zombie book.” But OMG, how wrong was I? I was truly hooked from page one, my interest never waining to the very end. I spent several sleepless nights putting it down just to pick it right back up because I just could not NOT read this.
Everyones life changed the day the Crimson started, brought on by a hundreds year old legend that Anne de Graaf had cursed the world on her way to her watery grave. Her cursed ruby had been found and broken. Charlotte is trying to survive this new world. The one where the flesh eating maniacs with the red eyes can either kill you or turn you into one of them just by looking into their red diseased eyes.
Now she is trying to fit in between her kick ass Commander sister Harlow and her sister Vanessa who is The Chosen One that’s been prophesied to save the world and end The Crimson. If that wasn’t bad enough Charlotte also has to deal with seeing Harlow snuggled up to the unrequited love of her life, Dean. Dean whom she has loved as long as she can remember.
After their compound the Palisade is infiltrated looking for The Chosen One, Charlotte takes her sisters place claiming she is the one they want. But after seeing Dean get captured she breaks free, forges new bonds to save him and has to choose her own destiny to survive.
This book was totally amazing! The world building, the premise, the characters! I even loved the villains (aka the not so lame zombies 😁) . They were all so well written. I loved it all!
I especially enjoyed it when Charlotte met up with Seth, Rielle, Lucia and Thomas. That’s when the adventure was at its best and Charlotte really started to evolve.
But the whole book was just beautifully written.
If you love YA Fantasy this is the book for you! Even if you don’t love Fantasy there is enough angst for romance lovers as well. Let’s just say I suggest this to anyone and everyone!
Katharyn Blair has a new fan and I will be stalking her Goodreads page for all her past and future books from here on out! 😂
Thank You Harper Kids for putting this incredible book in my life.
January 19, 2021
“Kindness, in this world, is the only thing that shows that we’re worth the survival we’re fighting for. You should accept it as the precious and rare thing that it is. We can’t save humanity if we lose ours.”
One of my favorite subgenres in the YA category is dystopia; add in badass female characters, found family and a curse? Safe to say, I’m sold. When I saw the premise of Unchosen by Katharyn Blair it literally sang out to my soul and this didn’t change once I finished it. I read this in one day.
One. Day.
And here’s why:
First, the worldbuilding is phenomenal! It’s extraordinary and in depth; quite unlike anything I’ve read before. The main premise centers around a curse in the form of a viral infection called the Crimson. The Crimson is spread through eye contact and turns its victims into flesh eating creatures but most are highly functioning; they are thinking, they are smart and now they’re getting organized.
Then there’s the characters; so well-developed that it was easy to become emotionally invested in them. The main character and narrator, Charlotte, doesn’t think she’s anything special and tends to fade in the shadow of her sisters. Older sister Harlow is gorgeous and confident, a singer before the world went to shit and is now the tough commander of their settlement and her younger sister Vanessa, once a top-ranking gymnast, is now the Chosen One according to legend and will be the one to end the curse. Then there’s Dean, the boy that Charlotte loves but the one that Harlow is dating.
And then there's the plot! So well-plotted and again, such a unique take on the dystopian theme. The sisters are caught in a dystopian society where the world as they knew it no longer exists, they’ve lost loved ones and every day is a struggle to survive. There are worse dangers out there than those with red eyes, the uninfected have become just as dangerous. This is just a small part of this compelling story.
There’s no lack of jaw-clenching action, adventure on the high seas, political intrigue, curses and legends. There’s a revolution taking place that has roots in a legend that Charlotte and her sisters are right in the middle of, bringing drama and tension to the story. There are morally grey characters that I loved to hate and those I hated to love! There’s the addition of another favorite trope: found family with the addition of new characters later in the book and they became just as endeared to me as the rest.
Unchosen has every element I look for not only in a YA dystopian but in any book that I’d recommend to my friends. This is a solid 5 star read for me and although it seems as if it’s a standalone, a girl can’t help but hope ….
My thanks to Megan Beatie Communications, Katherine Tegen Books and the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for my review.
One of my favorite subgenres in the YA category is dystopia; add in badass female characters, found family and a curse? Safe to say, I’m sold. When I saw the premise of Unchosen by Katharyn Blair it literally sang out to my soul and this didn’t change once I finished it. I read this in one day.
One. Day.
And here’s why:
First, the worldbuilding is phenomenal! It’s extraordinary and in depth; quite unlike anything I’ve read before. The main premise centers around a curse in the form of a viral infection called the Crimson. The Crimson is spread through eye contact and turns its victims into flesh eating creatures but most are highly functioning; they are thinking, they are smart and now they’re getting organized.
Then there’s the characters; so well-developed that it was easy to become emotionally invested in them. The main character and narrator, Charlotte, doesn’t think she’s anything special and tends to fade in the shadow of her sisters. Older sister Harlow is gorgeous and confident, a singer before the world went to shit and is now the tough commander of their settlement and her younger sister Vanessa, once a top-ranking gymnast, is now the Chosen One according to legend and will be the one to end the curse. Then there’s Dean, the boy that Charlotte loves but the one that Harlow is dating.
And then there's the plot! So well-plotted and again, such a unique take on the dystopian theme. The sisters are caught in a dystopian society where the world as they knew it no longer exists, they’ve lost loved ones and every day is a struggle to survive. There are worse dangers out there than those with red eyes, the uninfected have become just as dangerous. This is just a small part of this compelling story.
There’s no lack of jaw-clenching action, adventure on the high seas, political intrigue, curses and legends. There’s a revolution taking place that has roots in a legend that Charlotte and her sisters are right in the middle of, bringing drama and tension to the story. There are morally grey characters that I loved to hate and those I hated to love! There’s the addition of another favorite trope: found family with the addition of new characters later in the book and they became just as endeared to me as the rest.
Unchosen has every element I look for not only in a YA dystopian but in any book that I’d recommend to my friends. This is a solid 5 star read for me and although it seems as if it’s a standalone, a girl can’t help but hope ….
My thanks to Megan Beatie Communications, Katherine Tegen Books and the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for my review.
February 5, 2021
3.5 stars
It was refreshing to read for once a standalone book.
This is that type of story you can’t stop seeing in a Netflix/Hbo show, and that type of book that makes you read nonstop, even if it’s not as good as you expected. It has that addictive factor with a crazy rhythm and the “I want to know what happens next”. From the beginning we are thrown in a turmoil of action with only small breaths of air.
Our heroine has a different spark than your usual one. She is far from perfect, specially manipulative, and I loved a lot this selfish facet of her. Sometimes I wanted to shout at her, but I also admired her. In an apocalyptic world filled with pseudo-zombies with glowing eyes, I would be selfish too. And Seth was *deep breath*.
I must say, I loved the first half of the book. It was exhilarating, and fun. The second part, I liked it a little less for totally personal reasons, but overall it’s a very solid book to read in one sitting.
Totally recommend.
It was refreshing to read for once a standalone book.
This is that type of story you can’t stop seeing in a Netflix/Hbo show, and that type of book that makes you read nonstop, even if it’s not as good as you expected. It has that addictive factor with a crazy rhythm and the “I want to know what happens next”. From the beginning we are thrown in a turmoil of action with only small breaths of air.
Our heroine has a different spark than your usual one. She is far from perfect, specially manipulative, and I loved a lot this selfish facet of her. Sometimes I wanted to shout at her, but I also admired her. In an apocalyptic world filled with pseudo-zombies with glowing eyes, I would be selfish too. And Seth was *deep breath*.
I must say, I loved the first half of the book. It was exhilarating, and fun. The second part, I liked it a little less for totally personal reasons, but overall it’s a very solid book to read in one sitting.
Totally recommend.
May 12, 2022
I was looking through my book blog and realized I hadn't listened to an audiobook in over a decade. What?! Yeah, I know. But, to be fair, audiobooks and I don't always get along. Without visual input of some sort, my mind tends to wander. (Either that, or I fall asleep.) But I've been having trouble lately with starting books and then not finishing them, so I wondered if "reading" an audiobook might work better for me right now.
I haven't tried an audiobook in ages, and I also haven't read a young adult novel in a while. I think I might be getting too old for them. Or maybe I was just too old for this one. When the world has gone to hell and zombies are nipping at your heels, it seems a little ridiculous to start waxing poetic about some guy's shoulders. But... here we are.
I did really like the premise of this one, though. It's basically a post-apocalyptic zombie book, but the zombie thing is really unique. It's based on a curse rather than the usual virus, and it's spread through eye contact. This leads to some interesting work-arounds like the characters having to use mirrors to look at things, lest they get zombified.
Our main character is Charlotte, who's the inconsequential middle sister of three. Her older sister is some badass warrior, and her younger sister is literally the Chosen One who's supposed to save them all. On top of that, Charlotte is in love with her older sister's boyfriend, so things aren't running too smoothly in the family unit.
Once the story started to pick up a bit, and some villains were thrown into the mix, I found myself getting a little lost. Maybe it was because of the audio format, or maybe the book was actually just confusing. The pacing seemed uneven in spots, especially toward the end (which was a little lacklustre after all that buildup). I wasn't that impressed with the villains, either; they were your standard moustache-twirlers who enjoyed being evil just for the sake of it.
This probably wasn't the best book to ease me back into the world of audio. There was an awful lot of repetition, which was painfully obvious in audio format. (What I mean is that certain words and phrases were repeated way too close together, and characters' names were used too often when "he" or "she" would've sufficed.) I also wasn't a fan of this particular narrator, who would lower her voice for the male characters (which sounded silly) and harshen her voice for some of the female characters (making the villains, especially, sound more vapid than menacing). I do realize there's not much a single narrator can do with a book to differentiate the characters other than try to put on different voices. Still, I felt like the somewhat weird character voices were distracting and drew me out of the story at times.
Overall, I give the premise top marks for originality. The execution is a little lacking, though. Still, it will probably appeal to young adult readers who are looking for an interesting post-apocalyptic romp with a touch of romance.
I haven't tried an audiobook in ages, and I also haven't read a young adult novel in a while. I think I might be getting too old for them. Or maybe I was just too old for this one. When the world has gone to hell and zombies are nipping at your heels, it seems a little ridiculous to start waxing poetic about some guy's shoulders. But... here we are.
I did really like the premise of this one, though. It's basically a post-apocalyptic zombie book, but the zombie thing is really unique. It's based on a curse rather than the usual virus, and it's spread through eye contact. This leads to some interesting work-arounds like the characters having to use mirrors to look at things, lest they get zombified.
Our main character is Charlotte, who's the inconsequential middle sister of three. Her older sister is some badass warrior, and her younger sister is literally the Chosen One who's supposed to save them all. On top of that, Charlotte is in love with her older sister's boyfriend, so things aren't running too smoothly in the family unit.
Once the story started to pick up a bit, and some villains were thrown into the mix, I found myself getting a little lost. Maybe it was because of the audio format, or maybe the book was actually just confusing. The pacing seemed uneven in spots, especially toward the end (which was a little lacklustre after all that buildup). I wasn't that impressed with the villains, either; they were your standard moustache-twirlers who enjoyed being evil just for the sake of it.
This probably wasn't the best book to ease me back into the world of audio. There was an awful lot of repetition, which was painfully obvious in audio format. (What I mean is that certain words and phrases were repeated way too close together, and characters' names were used too often when "he" or "she" would've sufficed.) I also wasn't a fan of this particular narrator, who would lower her voice for the male characters (which sounded silly) and harshen her voice for some of the female characters (making the villains, especially, sound more vapid than menacing). I do realize there's not much a single narrator can do with a book to differentiate the characters other than try to put on different voices. Still, I felt like the somewhat weird character voices were distracting and drew me out of the story at times.
Overall, I give the premise top marks for originality. The execution is a little lacking, though. Still, it will probably appeal to young adult readers who are looking for an interesting post-apocalyptic romp with a touch of romance.
January 17, 2021
This book was out of this world, when I found out that this was classed as a sci-fi fantasy book I thought I would not like it but I gave it a chance anyway. I AM SO GLAD THAT I DID.
The story follows Charlotte who for all of her life has been known as the average sister. During a virus that spreads over the world and is transmitted through eye contact, Charlotte takes her sister's place as the chosen one.
For starters I must say that this book has some of the best characters. I loved each character even the ones I hated I had to love.
Furthermore, I loved how the story used the 'Chosen One' trope as it completely flips it on its head and basically rendered the agreed-upon chosen one is useless and someone who is "unchosen" decided their own destiny to become the chosen one.
I've always been a fan of a dystopian and that is what I would personally class this book as, it added a new twist to the 'zombie' archetype too.
Overall, I know that this book was not perfect, I think it really would have benefited from being an adult as opposed to young adult as it really could have gotten dark in a way that the ya novel did not allow it. I also felt that I would have liked more of an Ending as the story wrapped up fairly quickly.
However despite what I would call the story's "imperfections" I did not care, because I loved every second of my journey in this book and I am so grateful to this author and to harpercollins for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for this honest review
The story follows Charlotte who for all of her life has been known as the average sister. During a virus that spreads over the world and is transmitted through eye contact, Charlotte takes her sister's place as the chosen one.
For starters I must say that this book has some of the best characters. I loved each character even the ones I hated I had to love.
Furthermore, I loved how the story used the 'Chosen One' trope as it completely flips it on its head and basically rendered the agreed-upon chosen one is useless and someone who is "unchosen" decided their own destiny to become the chosen one.
I've always been a fan of a dystopian and that is what I would personally class this book as, it added a new twist to the 'zombie' archetype too.
Overall, I know that this book was not perfect, I think it really would have benefited from being an adult as opposed to young adult as it really could have gotten dark in a way that the ya novel did not allow it. I also felt that I would have liked more of an Ending as the story wrapped up fairly quickly.
However despite what I would call the story's "imperfections" I did not care, because I loved every second of my journey in this book and I am so grateful to this author and to harpercollins for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for this honest review
May 28, 2021
❐ Overall Rating 3¾⭐ | Narration 😀 = Good
❐ Narrated by Hayden Bishop
❐ Listening Length: 10H 3M
❐ Part Dystopian/Apocolypse
❐ Part Fantasy/Pirate Adventure
❐ With Zombie-ish Creatures
❐ Splashes of Romance
The idea behind this is fantastic. Unfortunately, the execution was lacking at times. Zombie-like transformations that only occur when you look into the eyes of one of them...interesting. Although, I’m not sure I caught how the first one came about or how in the beginning they seem to know right off that they shouldn’t look at them. It felt like they picked up on that automatically. But I did love the ingenuity of being able to look at them through a mirror.
You are dropped right into the action right from the start, and it barely lets up. So if you prefer something with more action and somewhat fewer explanations/lack of world-building, this may be perfect for you. It has some pirate-esque adventures, a little romance, and a girl who isn’t the chosen one...but who just might surprise everyone and herself with her tenacity to find another new beginning...also it’s a stand-alone.
🅒🅐🅦🅟🅘🅛🅔 7.16/❿
🅒haracters ￫ 8
🅐tmosphere ￫ 7.3
🅦riting ￫ 7
🅟lot ￫ 7
🅘ntrigue ￫ 7.5
🅛ogic ￫ 6.3
🅔njoyment ￫7
❐ Narrated by Hayden Bishop
❐ Listening Length: 10H 3M
❐ Part Dystopian/Apocolypse
❐ Part Fantasy/Pirate Adventure
❐ With Zombie-ish Creatures
❐ Splashes of Romance
The idea behind this is fantastic. Unfortunately, the execution was lacking at times. Zombie-like transformations that only occur when you look into the eyes of one of them...interesting. Although, I’m not sure I caught how the first one came about or how in the beginning they seem to know right off that they shouldn’t look at them. It felt like they picked up on that automatically. But I did love the ingenuity of being able to look at them through a mirror.
You are dropped right into the action right from the start, and it barely lets up. So if you prefer something with more action and somewhat fewer explanations/lack of world-building, this may be perfect for you. It has some pirate-esque adventures, a little romance, and a girl who isn’t the chosen one...but who just might surprise everyone and herself with her tenacity to find another new beginning...also it’s a stand-alone.
🅒🅐🅦🅟🅘🅛🅔 7.16/❿
🅒haracters ￫ 8
🅐tmosphere ￫ 7.3
🅦riting ￫ 7
🅟lot ￫ 7
🅘ntrigue ￫ 7.5
🅛ogic ￫ 6.3
🅔njoyment ￫7
April 22, 2021
More accurately 3.5 stars. Not bad, not the best.
I will give it this; the worldbuilding and the curse/virus was really interesting and I thought it was super cool. However, that's about all it had going for it.
I hated our main character for about 95% of the book. She just moans and complains about being the 'unspecial' sister. Yes, her older sister is a perfect Mary Sue- I mean, a kickass warrior and singer, and her younger sister is pretty much an Olympic gymnast, so Charlotte kinda gets lost in the mix... and yet!
She is so obviously the real Chosen One, it's not even a surprise.
The pacing is super weird. It took forever to get going and then it went by on super speed. Then slowed and lagged then the ending was super rushed.
It also does almost too much. There's pirates, sisters, love, curses, viruses, betrayal, ghosts, just A LOT is happening. And it isn't all super well explained.
All in all, it was kinda run of the mill with an interesting take on zombies/viruses. The weakest part is the characters, and unfortunately this is a character driven book.
I will give it this; the worldbuilding and the curse/virus was really interesting and I thought it was super cool. However, that's about all it had going for it.
I hated our main character for about 95% of the book. She just moans and complains about being the 'unspecial' sister. Yes, her older sister is a perfect Mary Sue- I mean, a kickass warrior and singer, and her younger sister is pretty much an Olympic gymnast, so Charlotte kinda gets lost in the mix... and yet!
She is so obviously the real Chosen One, it's not even a surprise.
The pacing is super weird. It took forever to get going and then it went by on super speed. Then slowed and lagged then the ending was super rushed.
It also does almost too much. There's pirates, sisters, love, curses, viruses, betrayal, ghosts, just A LOT is happening. And it isn't all super well explained.
All in all, it was kinda run of the mill with an interesting take on zombies/viruses. The weakest part is the characters, and unfortunately this is a character driven book.
October 14, 2020
"Write redemption on my bones..."
WOW! Where do I begin?! This book had me baffled from the very beginning. At first, I was really confused by a zombie virus that was spread by eye contact, but once it explained how, I was 100% on board with the idea. Not many people can blend science in fantasy stories--generally, the two are like oil and water--but somehow that's exactly what Blair did! She blurs the lines between fact and fiction by completely rewriting our idea of the zombie apocalypse.
The characters were dynamic and realistic; the quotes were memorable and the imagery was breathtaking. This book had me pulled in so deep that I was terrified to stay but never wanted to leave.
WOW! Where do I begin?! This book had me baffled from the very beginning. At first, I was really confused by a zombie virus that was spread by eye contact, but once it explained how, I was 100% on board with the idea. Not many people can blend science in fantasy stories--generally, the two are like oil and water--but somehow that's exactly what Blair did! She blurs the lines between fact and fiction by completely rewriting our idea of the zombie apocalypse.
The characters were dynamic and realistic; the quotes were memorable and the imagery was breathtaking. This book had me pulled in so deep that I was terrified to stay but never wanted to leave.
May 2, 2021
“You will not choose my end, for this heart is mine” 🥰
Okay so I put off reading this because I hate zombies. I never have watched a movie / series with zombies because well let’s just say I can’t stomach it.
This story was different, completely not what I expected.
I enjoyed it and it was a quick read.
The love story was what I loved most and to be honest it reminds me a bit of how I met my boyfriend, without the post apocalyptic world of course 😂
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okay so I put off reading this because I hate zombies. I never have watched a movie / series with zombies because well let’s just say I can’t stomach it.
This story was different, completely not what I expected.
I enjoyed it and it was a quick read.
The love story was what I loved most and to be honest it reminds me a bit of how I met my boyfriend, without the post apocalyptic world of course 😂
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 16, 2021
"Come find me in the depths
Write redemption on my bones"
I am legit stumped on how to rate this book--let's settle with 3 1/2 stars and round up cause Goodreads still doesn't do half stars in the year of 2020.
Like, it has its faults not gonna lie, but at the same time I devoured it? I don't know if it was the author's writing of the inner monologue of the MC, the romantic tension, or the colorful set of characters (found family is my kryptonite)... but it just worked for me. The only thing that didn't "click" perfectly was the blending of dystopia/pirates/curses because to me it seemed like we were reaching for a little too much. Think on the lines of The Walking Dead set at sea, and instead of a virus think of it as a "curse"-- it felt like trying to fit a wrong puzzle piece that really looks like it should work but it is not quite the right fit.
"We lived in a world that predicted our doom at least twice a week. We had shows about it; people stood on street corners, screeching about the end. We were so ready for the fall of mankind. But, when it actually came—we didn't see it coming."
However, the rest of the novel really worked for me! I loved getting the POV from the "middle" child who feels like she isn't good enough because her older sister is a rock star, and her younger sister is a pro gymnast. She is the average one of the bunch. And even after the "curse" hits the world she is still the average one--her older sister ends up being an integral part of their new community, and her younger sister is the chosen one.
On top of dealing with that, Charlotte also has to deal with falling in love with her sister's boyfriend (who is Charlotte's best friend). I liked the change of pace. While Charlotte might not be the chosen one she is the only one paying close attention to her sister Vanessa and jotting down all the things she says when Vanessa has night terrors. Which is how Charlotte is able to fool those around her into thinking she is in fact the chosen one, and get them to do what she wants in the name of saving the world.
Is Charlotte manipulative? A little yes, though for the most part she has her reasons. And frankly, I like reading from the POV of a less than perfect MC.
I think in order to fully enjoy Unchosen you have to suspend your disbelief. Whenever something else got added to the pile of the curse, or how the world is working now, I just nodded my head and said "okay sure". For example, there is a way to become immune to the "curse" but you can only achieve that by giving the curse to three other people (like, tag you are it but in multiples), and only if you do it within 24 hours. That seems... oddly specific. Okay fine whatever, if you say so. The cursed ones (which are referred to as "Vessels"--did not like the word choice) are actually sentient (well, some of them, and nobody knows why *coughs*plot*coughs*) and they pass on the curse by just looking at someone (kind of like Bird Box w/ Sandra Bullock). They are also super strong, have a great sense of smell, are fast... exactly how can any human survive under these circumstances?
It seems rather impossible.
But I digress, let's buy that the humans SOMEHOW are still alive (did I mention the only way to kill them is by decapitating them? SH-YEAH, they are a tiny bit OP). If I was in the middle of an OP curse like this I would also run to the sea. It makes sense as you can more easily control your environment and only stop at land when you need supplies. The idea has legs. Other aspects of the novel were predictable (who the bad guys were for example) but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the novel.
BUT anyways, what I really liked about Unchosen was the characters really. I loved seeing the sisterly bond between Charlotte, Harlow, and Vanessa. The romantic tension and friendship developed with another character (yes, there are two hotties, but I would not consider this a love triangle). The found family theme with Rielle, Lucia, and Thomas. The convoluted plot is something I can forgive in liu of the rest.
I think I am looking forward to Katharyn Blair's next book.
PS; I was provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks go to the publisher!
Write redemption on my bones"
I am legit stumped on how to rate this book--let's settle with 3 1/2 stars and round up cause Goodreads still doesn't do half stars in the year of 2020.
Like, it has its faults not gonna lie, but at the same time I devoured it? I don't know if it was the author's writing of the inner monologue of the MC, the romantic tension, or the colorful set of characters (found family is my kryptonite)... but it just worked for me. The only thing that didn't "click" perfectly was the blending of dystopia/pirates/curses because to me it seemed like we were reaching for a little too much. Think on the lines of The Walking Dead set at sea, and instead of a virus think of it as a "curse"-- it felt like trying to fit a wrong puzzle piece that really looks like it should work but it is not quite the right fit.
"We lived in a world that predicted our doom at least twice a week. We had shows about it; people stood on street corners, screeching about the end. We were so ready for the fall of mankind. But, when it actually came—we didn't see it coming."
However, the rest of the novel really worked for me! I loved getting the POV from the "middle" child who feels like she isn't good enough because her older sister is a rock star, and her younger sister is a pro gymnast. She is the average one of the bunch. And even after the "curse" hits the world she is still the average one--her older sister ends up being an integral part of their new community, and her younger sister is the chosen one.
On top of dealing with that, Charlotte also has to deal with falling in love with her sister's boyfriend (who is Charlotte's best friend). I liked the change of pace. While Charlotte might not be the chosen one she is the only one paying close attention to her sister Vanessa and jotting down all the things she says when Vanessa has night terrors. Which is how Charlotte is able to fool those around her into thinking she is in fact the chosen one, and get them to do what she wants in the name of saving the world.
Is Charlotte manipulative? A little yes, though for the most part she has her reasons. And frankly, I like reading from the POV of a less than perfect MC.
I think in order to fully enjoy Unchosen you have to suspend your disbelief. Whenever something else got added to the pile of the curse, or how the world is working now, I just nodded my head and said "okay sure". For example, there is a way to become immune to the "curse" but you can only achieve that by giving the curse to three other people (like, tag you are it but in multiples), and only if you do it within 24 hours. That seems... oddly specific. Okay fine whatever, if you say so. The cursed ones (which are referred to as "Vessels"--did not like the word choice) are actually sentient (well, some of them, and nobody knows why *coughs*plot*coughs*) and they pass on the curse by just looking at someone (kind of like Bird Box w/ Sandra Bullock). They are also super strong, have a great sense of smell, are fast... exactly how can any human survive under these circumstances?
It seems rather impossible.
But I digress, let's buy that the humans SOMEHOW are still alive (did I mention the only way to kill them is by decapitating them? SH-YEAH, they are a tiny bit OP). If I was in the middle of an OP curse like this I would also run to the sea. It makes sense as you can more easily control your environment and only stop at land when you need supplies. The idea has legs. Other aspects of the novel were predictable (who the bad guys were for example) but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the novel.
BUT anyways, what I really liked about Unchosen was the characters really. I loved seeing the sisterly bond between Charlotte, Harlow, and Vanessa. The romantic tension and friendship developed with another character (yes, there are two hotties, but I would not consider this a love triangle). The found family theme with Rielle, Lucia, and Thomas. The convoluted plot is something I can forgive in liu of the rest.
I think I am looking forward to Katharyn Blair's next book.
PS; I was provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks go to the publisher!
December 12, 2020
With a cover like this one how can you not want to read this book, and thanks to the amazing people at HarperCollins I was gifted with an arc to discover what is beneath this beautiful cover for myself.
Straight from the first sentence the flow of the book is just there. Making it easy to read page after page after page; allowing you to start to connect and bond with the characters and fully immerse yourself into the story. A post-apocalyptic world where vampire/zombie like monsters are made real through a virus realised by a curse. What other book can you seriously say has a plotline like this which combined the fantasy of magic with a post-apocalyptic world in this way! It is a uniquely original take on something that you would think had been overdone; yet this book proves that completely wrong. Mix this with the slow moving yet highly entrancing writing style of Katharyn Blair....and you honestly cannot ask for a better book.
The story itself is not highly fast pace or fully action packed like most books with this theme, but instead lets you get to know the characters in depth, edging the story on bit by bit in a way that makes it seem like 50 pages feels like 10.
Before you know it, you have spent until 1am in this book and had to stop yourself reading further even though you wish you could, as you unfortunately have work in the morning. Needless to say, I picked up the book as soon as my shift ended the next day.
As a debut novel it only leaves me to say.... Katharyn whatever you write next, I need to read!
For fans of: The Hunger Games, Legendborn, The Fifth Wave and Red Hood.
Thank you to amazing people at HarperCollins and Katherine Tegen Books for gifting me this amazing book. I truly believe it will be one of the most anticipated books of 2021, and will recommending it as so. (4.5/5 stars)
Straight from the first sentence the flow of the book is just there. Making it easy to read page after page after page; allowing you to start to connect and bond with the characters and fully immerse yourself into the story. A post-apocalyptic world where vampire/zombie like monsters are made real through a virus realised by a curse. What other book can you seriously say has a plotline like this which combined the fantasy of magic with a post-apocalyptic world in this way! It is a uniquely original take on something that you would think had been overdone; yet this book proves that completely wrong. Mix this with the slow moving yet highly entrancing writing style of Katharyn Blair....and you honestly cannot ask for a better book.
The story itself is not highly fast pace or fully action packed like most books with this theme, but instead lets you get to know the characters in depth, edging the story on bit by bit in a way that makes it seem like 50 pages feels like 10.
Before you know it, you have spent until 1am in this book and had to stop yourself reading further even though you wish you could, as you unfortunately have work in the morning. Needless to say, I picked up the book as soon as my shift ended the next day.
As a debut novel it only leaves me to say.... Katharyn whatever you write next, I need to read!
For fans of: The Hunger Games, Legendborn, The Fifth Wave and Red Hood.
Thank you to amazing people at HarperCollins and Katherine Tegen Books for gifting me this amazing book. I truly believe it will be one of the most anticipated books of 2021, and will recommending it as so. (4.5/5 stars)
January 31, 2021
Wow! This book is fantastic. I am absolutely positive that this book will be a movie or a Netflix series. I’d put money on it right now.
There’s such a wonderful powerful female vibe throughout this book. Women are badass, they are smart, they are leaders both good and evil they are making decisions about life and death and love. The character development of the main character, Charlotte, was really enjoyable. I liked the sisterhood aspect and that family would sacrifice anything to save one another.
This is a very fast moving book. There’s action on land, there’s action on the high seas, there’s intrigue and betrayals. There’s knives and swords. There’s also some slow burn romance.
I liked the science fiction part of this story as well. Maybe it’s a little bit “Bird Box” in that the plague passes through the eyes, but that’s more or less where the comparison ends because this sickness basically turns you into a superhuman, rage machine cannibal. The origin is very mysterious but that didn’t bother me so much. There were some plot holes there, but I still liked the story.
If I had any quibbles it would be why isn’t the tent scene longer? You can keep it PG but don’t sweep it under the tent...so to speak. Also, not trying to be spoilery, but why put everything on the line to find/steal something that ends up in a duffle bag and forgotten? Maybe at some point we’ll get a series and this gets a better explanation.
Overall, I thought this book was amazing, highly recommend!
There’s such a wonderful powerful female vibe throughout this book. Women are badass, they are smart, they are leaders both good and evil they are making decisions about life and death and love. The character development of the main character, Charlotte, was really enjoyable. I liked the sisterhood aspect and that family would sacrifice anything to save one another.
This is a very fast moving book. There’s action on land, there’s action on the high seas, there’s intrigue and betrayals. There’s knives and swords. There’s also some slow burn romance.
I liked the science fiction part of this story as well. Maybe it’s a little bit “Bird Box” in that the plague passes through the eyes, but that’s more or less where the comparison ends because this sickness basically turns you into a superhuman, rage machine cannibal. The origin is very mysterious but that didn’t bother me so much. There were some plot holes there, but I still liked the story.
If I had any quibbles it would be why isn’t the tent scene longer? You can keep it PG but don’t sweep it under the tent...so to speak. Also, not trying to be spoilery, but why put everything on the line to find/steal something that ends up in a duffle bag and forgotten? Maybe at some point we’ll get a series and this gets a better explanation.
Overall, I thought this book was amazing, highly recommend!
February 1, 2021
I received a copy of Unchosen in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Katharyn Blair's latest novel, Unchosen, is one for all of those out there that grew up knowing they weren't the chosen ones.
Charlotte Holloway is almost getting used to the world ending. Both figuratively, and literally, as the case may be. In short order, she had her heartbroken, and then she watched the world burn. A curse known as the Crimson rose up, tearing away her parents and nearly killing her and her sisters.
That is the day when the world really did end. For most, at least. Now she is one of the few survivors out there, and she's fighting to protect the Chosen One. Perhaps it's that desire to protect that causes her to take such risks. Or perhaps it's her desire to stand out and be loved.
“I wonder if it will hurt, and I wonder if wondering that, in the scheme of things, makes me a coward.”
I'm sitting here honestly surprised that more people aren't talking about Unchosen. It is such an intense and amazing read, and absolutely one of my favorites in recent times. It's one of those books that devours yours while you're reading, sucking you into the story.
Needless to say, I read Unchosen in one sitting. I'd say I don't regret that, but part of me does kind of wish that I had cherished it just a little bit more. I know rereading is always an option, but it's never quite the same as that magical first read-through.
I loved reading about Charlotte's struggles, and watching her grow exponentially over the course of this single novel. It actually makes me wish that this was the first in a series, as I really do feel like Katharyn Blair could push the plot and characters even further, should she so desire.
One of the best parts about Unchosen is how it all comes down to choice. Not destiny. It's about right and wrong, and has a very strong feminist core. That alone added so much weight to what could have otherwise been a solid, but shallow, read. It blew me away, and kept me wishing for me.
The romantic subplot didn't hurt things either, especially as it spurred Charlotte's character onward, forcing her to learn about what was worth fighting for, and how to respect herself first. It was beautiful, and an important message we all need to learn at some point in our lives.
If the goal for Unchosen was to write a thrilling novel for all of the people out there who aren't the 'Chosen Ones', then it succeeded. It absolutely succeeded in that goal, and I wish more novels were like this.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Katharyn Blair's latest novel, Unchosen, is one for all of those out there that grew up knowing they weren't the chosen ones.
Charlotte Holloway is almost getting used to the world ending. Both figuratively, and literally, as the case may be. In short order, she had her heartbroken, and then she watched the world burn. A curse known as the Crimson rose up, tearing away her parents and nearly killing her and her sisters.
That is the day when the world really did end. For most, at least. Now she is one of the few survivors out there, and she's fighting to protect the Chosen One. Perhaps it's that desire to protect that causes her to take such risks. Or perhaps it's her desire to stand out and be loved.
“I wonder if it will hurt, and I wonder if wondering that, in the scheme of things, makes me a coward.”
I'm sitting here honestly surprised that more people aren't talking about Unchosen. It is such an intense and amazing read, and absolutely one of my favorites in recent times. It's one of those books that devours yours while you're reading, sucking you into the story.
Needless to say, I read Unchosen in one sitting. I'd say I don't regret that, but part of me does kind of wish that I had cherished it just a little bit more. I know rereading is always an option, but it's never quite the same as that magical first read-through.
I loved reading about Charlotte's struggles, and watching her grow exponentially over the course of this single novel. It actually makes me wish that this was the first in a series, as I really do feel like Katharyn Blair could push the plot and characters even further, should she so desire.
One of the best parts about Unchosen is how it all comes down to choice. Not destiny. It's about right and wrong, and has a very strong feminist core. That alone added so much weight to what could have otherwise been a solid, but shallow, read. It blew me away, and kept me wishing for me.
The romantic subplot didn't hurt things either, especially as it spurred Charlotte's character onward, forcing her to learn about what was worth fighting for, and how to respect herself first. It was beautiful, and an important message we all need to learn at some point in our lives.
If the goal for Unchosen was to write a thrilling novel for all of the people out there who aren't the 'Chosen Ones', then it succeeded. It absolutely succeeded in that goal, and I wish more novels were like this.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
January 31, 2021
Unchosen by Katharyn Blair is a story that takes place in a post-apocalyptic era whereby humanity is threatened by the vast spread of infection that can turn them into flesh-eating monsters via eye contact. The infection is called Crimson. Ones who have seen the eyes of the infected one shall turn into zombies that tear limbs to limbs.
The story navigates three sisters who are trying to survive against those monsters and on a quest to end the curse that leads to the said infection. Their life after the catastrophe has undergone through a huge turning point ever. Harlow the eldest sister (once guitarist but now a commander), Vanessa (a gymnast but now she's deemed as the Chosen One) and lastly, Charlotte, nothing is special about her, the same old thing. She always feels that her presence is overshadowed and underwhelmed by the grandeur attributes her sisters have exuded. Worse thing ever, she's still in love with her childhood friend Dean, Harlow's boyfriend.
Charlotte's resilience in forgetting her one-sided love is quite palpable throughout the story. I could feel how she yearns for him so much that she could literally risk her life for this man. For me, it's a turn-off because almost every occasion that has put her life on the line is because of that guy. However, I think, her action contributes a lot to the plot even though its storyline is not to my liking. I didn't feel the apocalyptic atmosphere enough, just some mere mentions of people being eaten and that's it. I was actually looking forward to seeing some gruesome graphic descriptions but to no avail, this book is more invested in romance tropes.
However, don't be discouraged by my review, this book might sound right up your alley. The fascinating takeaways for me about this book are the idea of the unchosen one who'll be going to save the world and a new wave of infection that can turn a flesh-eating monster into an extremely strong and freakishly agile being. It's a book that's worth your time to delve into your own escapism. A fast-paced read it is!
"You will not choose my end, for this heart is mine," - Charlotte, Unchosen.
The story navigates three sisters who are trying to survive against those monsters and on a quest to end the curse that leads to the said infection. Their life after the catastrophe has undergone through a huge turning point ever. Harlow the eldest sister (once guitarist but now a commander), Vanessa (a gymnast but now she's deemed as the Chosen One) and lastly, Charlotte, nothing is special about her, the same old thing. She always feels that her presence is overshadowed and underwhelmed by the grandeur attributes her sisters have exuded. Worse thing ever, she's still in love with her childhood friend Dean, Harlow's boyfriend.
Charlotte's resilience in forgetting her one-sided love is quite palpable throughout the story. I could feel how she yearns for him so much that she could literally risk her life for this man. For me, it's a turn-off because almost every occasion that has put her life on the line is because of that guy. However, I think, her action contributes a lot to the plot even though its storyline is not to my liking. I didn't feel the apocalyptic atmosphere enough, just some mere mentions of people being eaten and that's it. I was actually looking forward to seeing some gruesome graphic descriptions but to no avail, this book is more invested in romance tropes.
However, don't be discouraged by my review, this book might sound right up your alley. The fascinating takeaways for me about this book are the idea of the unchosen one who'll be going to save the world and a new wave of infection that can turn a flesh-eating monster into an extremely strong and freakishly agile being. It's a book that's worth your time to delve into your own escapism. A fast-paced read it is!
"You will not choose my end, for this heart is mine," - Charlotte, Unchosen.
October 17, 2021
This is Young Adult/Sci-fi/Dystopia. I loved the cover. Gorgeous. I liked this book. The story drew me in. It was intriguing, adventurous and kinda fun. However, even with that said, there were also things I didn't like.
What I liked: I liked the MC, Charlotte. She was portrayed as a normal kid without any particular talents to brag about, unlike her sisters. She accepted her lot in life, even when the boy she has always pined over is her sister's boyfriend. I also thought this new dystopian world was creative. Also in the plus column was the great pace that always amped up when the action scenes rolled around.
What I didn't like: this new world could have used some more paint. It felt more like a puzzle that didn't have all the pieces. The characters were more colorful than their new dystopian world.
Clearly I had more likes than dislikes, but the dislike was a big deal. This was probably 3.5 stars but I rounded up anyways. So 4 stars.
What I liked: I liked the MC, Charlotte. She was portrayed as a normal kid without any particular talents to brag about, unlike her sisters. She accepted her lot in life, even when the boy she has always pined over is her sister's boyfriend. I also thought this new dystopian world was creative. Also in the plus column was the great pace that always amped up when the action scenes rolled around.
What I didn't like: this new world could have used some more paint. It felt more like a puzzle that didn't have all the pieces. The characters were more colorful than their new dystopian world.
Clearly I had more likes than dislikes, but the dislike was a big deal. This was probably 3.5 stars but I rounded up anyways. So 4 stars.
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