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The Choice
Fifteen-year-old Jared must kill an innocent old man to complete his gang initiation, but instead of shooting, he drops the gun. He may have saved the old man's life only to lose his own.
When Jared refuses to kill for his gang, they beat him nearly to death. Comatose, his world splits in two. In one, Jared battles to wake from unconsciousness. In the other, he becomes a ruthless gang member known as J-Rock. After three years in darkness, Jared finally opens his eyes, and is bombarded by visions of the horrible crimes J-Rock is committing in a parallel world.
As Jared struggles to wake, he realizes his soul has been switching places with his criminal counterpart. With help from his rehab nurse, Kate, he discovers J-Rock is set on wreaking havoc in his world. Jared must find a way to eliminate J-Rock before the next switch, before J-Rock murders Kate and their expected child.
When Jared refuses to kill for his gang, they beat him nearly to death. Comatose, his world splits in two. In one, Jared battles to wake from unconsciousness. In the other, he becomes a ruthless gang member known as J-Rock. After three years in darkness, Jared finally opens his eyes, and is bombarded by visions of the horrible crimes J-Rock is committing in a parallel world.
As Jared struggles to wake, he realizes his soul has been switching places with his criminal counterpart. With help from his rehab nurse, Kate, he discovers J-Rock is set on wreaking havoc in his world. Jared must find a way to eliminate J-Rock before the next switch, before J-Rock murders Kate and their expected child.
246 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2020
3 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
James Alexander
9 books7 followersJames Alexander is the author of two Amazon best selling stories – both being his first works. James brings a new perspective to writing and is always bringing forth new ideas and ways to enhance his work and connection with his readers. His primary work is in IT and he often incorporates his knowledge of technology into his writing.
Follow James with these links:
Website: http://www.writerjamesalexander.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/James-...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JAlexander_2012
Follow James with these links:
Website: http://www.writerjamesalexander.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/James-...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JAlexander_2012
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 3, 2020
Interesting Premise
I am always drawn to alternate world stories. This one is an interesting take on the concept. Very creative. The author’s characters are well-developed and defined, which saved this tale from being confusing. And I loved Mama Shayga!
If you like fantasies about parallel worlds, you will enjoy this book.
I am always drawn to alternate world stories. This one is an interesting take on the concept. Very creative. The author’s characters are well-developed and defined, which saved this tale from being confusing. And I loved Mama Shayga!
If you like fantasies about parallel worlds, you will enjoy this book.
October 16, 2020
Enjoyable, engaging dark urban fantasy
This was an interesting and imaginative take on the dual-time-line fantasy. A single choice creates a a rift in which parallel versions of the main character lead very different lives. Dark, violent and gritty, the story has me fearful for the fates of multiple characters. There are a few places in which the “reality” level of the world felt off-particularly in relation to the believability of the law-enforcement details. That and some instances of clumsy syntax made me debate giving this only four stars but I ultimately went with five because the author did an effective job of building jeopardy for the characters that kept me guessing how things would turn out.
This was an interesting and imaginative take on the dual-time-line fantasy. A single choice creates a a rift in which parallel versions of the main character lead very different lives. Dark, violent and gritty, the story has me fearful for the fates of multiple characters. There are a few places in which the “reality” level of the world felt off-particularly in relation to the believability of the law-enforcement details. That and some instances of clumsy syntax made me debate giving this only four stars but I ultimately went with five because the author did an effective job of building jeopardy for the characters that kept me guessing how things would turn out.
June 11, 2022
A very interesting and thought provoking read with a well thought out plot and strong and likeable characters. This story gives you pause, like a 2-way mirror that shows you the "what would happen if" I chose X as opposed to Y.
Well done, kept me interested and not wanting to put it down until I was done.
Well done and thank you for taking the time to do a fine job of editing or proof reading. ( A secret bone of contention). Kudos.
Well done, kept me interested and not wanting to put it down until I was done.
Well done and thank you for taking the time to do a fine job of editing or proof reading. ( A secret bone of contention). Kudos.
May 8, 2018
James Alexander has successfully brought a classic tale into a modern setting. The Choice is a story of doppelgangers and magic, but above many other stories with such things this book is not distracted by the fantasy and so it is not hollow. Alexander has come to tell us a human story, uplifting and tragic and eerie.
The obvious comparison is to the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The notion of consciousness moving between parallel universes is used in place of a magic potion. Unlike Stevenson, Alexander can get very specific and horrific in his character’s repressed vices, starting with mundane thuggery that escalates in sadism and creativity. This proceeds to a point where this brutal alter ego is well beyond a bit of juvenile escapism, far more than a weak kid daydreaming about being strong – Alexander is willing to go properly monstrous, which is increasingly rare and commendable.
If there’s any criticism to be delivered, the composition is so focused on the main character in any particular scene that everyone else seems to be faintly sketched. Alexander has been certain not to waste the reader’s time by his focus on the central story, but maybe to a point where it interferes with visualizing the scene. At times it’s like a compelling actor forced to act in an empty room. My time is not wasted by details or even rich details applied to the right things - and there’s a nice vague and subjective demand that’s hard to satisfy!
In a world so full of bad writers confidently talking for pages about minutia, I encourage the good writers to not hold back. Alexander’s cast and storytelling are tight, and appreciating this sort of minimalism might to a degree be a matter of taste. There is just a little too much skimming to ignore in an otherwise excellent work. The jumps in time in a story that already jumps between universes demand above-average attention, and though I like my fiction complicated I want the author’s jumps to be their own choice, not brought by paranoia of readers with limited attention spans.
The obvious comparison is to the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The notion of consciousness moving between parallel universes is used in place of a magic potion. Unlike Stevenson, Alexander can get very specific and horrific in his character’s repressed vices, starting with mundane thuggery that escalates in sadism and creativity. This proceeds to a point where this brutal alter ego is well beyond a bit of juvenile escapism, far more than a weak kid daydreaming about being strong – Alexander is willing to go properly monstrous, which is increasingly rare and commendable.
If there’s any criticism to be delivered, the composition is so focused on the main character in any particular scene that everyone else seems to be faintly sketched. Alexander has been certain not to waste the reader’s time by his focus on the central story, but maybe to a point where it interferes with visualizing the scene. At times it’s like a compelling actor forced to act in an empty room. My time is not wasted by details or even rich details applied to the right things - and there’s a nice vague and subjective demand that’s hard to satisfy!
In a world so full of bad writers confidently talking for pages about minutia, I encourage the good writers to not hold back. Alexander’s cast and storytelling are tight, and appreciating this sort of minimalism might to a degree be a matter of taste. There is just a little too much skimming to ignore in an otherwise excellent work. The jumps in time in a story that already jumps between universes demand above-average attention, and though I like my fiction complicated I want the author’s jumps to be their own choice, not brought by paranoia of readers with limited attention spans.
May 8, 2018
Disclosure: I got an advance reading copy of this book and I know the author personally.
I really enjoyed the story this book tells. I've had debates with James over whether the story itself or the style of how you tell the story is really what makes for a good book and he definitely made a potent point with this book. The story is original and highly entertaining. The way he handles the complex story line is remarkable and the characters of both Jared and J-Rock are believable which is a tricky sell.
That being said, I'm a stickler for writing STYLE and when things are off it usually stands out to me. There are a handful of themes that are overplayed. Seemingly every character with more than one scene questions their sanity at some point, often several times. This works well for the two main characters but all the others seem forced. There's also something seriously off with the police detective. It almost feels like he's four different characters that were crammed into one to save time. He's equal parts comic relief, sympathetic broken man, shining knight, and narrative device. Lastly, there's a writing guideline that says "show your reader, don't tell them." It's something I've heard a lot but never really had a solid example of, but it's heavily ignored here and becomes super obvious. A character can't so much as kick a rock without you as a reader having to read exactly where it went and how far it rolled, often to no purpose.
I say all this not to be negative but to point out that I CARE about this book. It's the kind of story that is so solid, with a plot that hooks you so well that you can get past the bumpy writing style for the sake of hearing the complete story!
This is James's first non-self-published book and he's only going to improve his writing style. This is your chance to read an up and coming author before your friends start talking about him. The Choice is well worth your time!
I really enjoyed the story this book tells. I've had debates with James over whether the story itself or the style of how you tell the story is really what makes for a good book and he definitely made a potent point with this book. The story is original and highly entertaining. The way he handles the complex story line is remarkable and the characters of both Jared and J-Rock are believable which is a tricky sell.
That being said, I'm a stickler for writing STYLE and when things are off it usually stands out to me. There are a handful of themes that are overplayed. Seemingly every character with more than one scene questions their sanity at some point, often several times. This works well for the two main characters but all the others seem forced. There's also something seriously off with the police detective. It almost feels like he's four different characters that were crammed into one to save time. He's equal parts comic relief, sympathetic broken man, shining knight, and narrative device. Lastly, there's a writing guideline that says "show your reader, don't tell them." It's something I've heard a lot but never really had a solid example of, but it's heavily ignored here and becomes super obvious. A character can't so much as kick a rock without you as a reader having to read exactly where it went and how far it rolled, often to no purpose.
I say all this not to be negative but to point out that I CARE about this book. It's the kind of story that is so solid, with a plot that hooks you so well that you can get past the bumpy writing style for the sake of hearing the complete story!
This is James's first non-self-published book and he's only going to improve his writing style. This is your chance to read an up and coming author before your friends start talking about him. The Choice is well worth your time!
May 22, 2018
A 15 year old boy is required to murder a harmless old man, as a way of qualifying for membership of a gang. Sadly, this is a common enough story in urban slums. In the first chapter, he refuses to kill, and suffers the consequences: a beating that puts him into a coma.
The second chapter starts an alternative reality, in which he chooses evil.
The rest of the book alternates between these two storylines, in an intriguing way. We follow good guy Jared and vicious thug J-Rock as they go through episodes that are distorted mirror images of each other, interacting with characters who have the same roles in the two stories, and yet their experiences are utterly different.
This is the concept of James Alexander’s The Choice. The two interleaved stories are both full of tension, and gradually approach each other. You’ll feel a compulsion to read on to the end.
The second chapter starts an alternative reality, in which he chooses evil.
The rest of the book alternates between these two storylines, in an intriguing way. We follow good guy Jared and vicious thug J-Rock as they go through episodes that are distorted mirror images of each other, interacting with characters who have the same roles in the two stories, and yet their experiences are utterly different.
This is the concept of James Alexander’s The Choice. The two interleaved stories are both full of tension, and gradually approach each other. You’ll feel a compulsion to read on to the end.
May 25, 2018
In principle, the story outline appeals to me, in that one single choice a person makes can change the characters’ whole direction. However, the premise in The Choice incorporated gang dynamics, drugs and violence, which is not my normal selection of reading material, although it appeals to others.
Despite the disappointing writing style, the author has manged to capture a difficult subject, where worlds merge, and characters slip in and out of ‘themselves’ in the other scenario. The story covers several characters, the main young man Jared, along with a nurse and a detective, whose lives are influenced in an alternate viewpoint by the shift in fate he inadvertently causes. The plot moves on, violence getting worse and worse. Episodes in the time lines merge as Jared tries to correct his other self’s actions, leading to a dramatic conclusion.
Despite the disappointing writing style, the author has manged to capture a difficult subject, where worlds merge, and characters slip in and out of ‘themselves’ in the other scenario. The story covers several characters, the main young man Jared, along with a nurse and a detective, whose lives are influenced in an alternate viewpoint by the shift in fate he inadvertently causes. The plot moves on, violence getting worse and worse. Episodes in the time lines merge as Jared tries to correct his other self’s actions, leading to a dramatic conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews