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Chosen
Chosen is a coming of age tale and fantasy story in one (note: that’s fantasy with a small f). Imagine Nick Hornby’s lovechild with C S Lewis.
Magic books, undead vicars, God and fondue forks are brought together in the story of Alex Preston: a grumpy, daydreaming office worker who finds a tunnel in the basement at work. It leads to a land full of magic and fantasy. Armed with a sleeping bag and a small torch, Alex leaves his family behind and sets off to explore.
It’s not long before his adventure begins to unravel rather alarmingly and the story builds to an explosive climax. Alex finally discovers the meaning of real magic and learns that when love is stronger than fear, marvellous things can happen.
Magic books, undead vicars, God and fondue forks are brought together in the story of Alex Preston: a grumpy, daydreaming office worker who finds a tunnel in the basement at work. It leads to a land full of magic and fantasy. Armed with a sleeping bag and a small torch, Alex leaves his family behind and sets off to explore.
It’s not long before his adventure begins to unravel rather alarmingly and the story builds to an explosive climax. Alex finally discovers the meaning of real magic and learns that when love is stronger than fear, marvellous things can happen.
- GenresFantasy
307 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2008
5 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Ibbotson
4 books3 followersJerry was born in London in 1969. He's had various jobs, including being a BBC radio reporter where he had the pleasure of reading the news for the legendary John Peel. He's also worked in the video games industry, making noises for a living.
His first novel, Chosen, was self-published in paperback in 2008 - an urban fantasy with themes of faith, love and sacrifice.
His second book The Veil, a dark tale of hidden fears and regrets taking on a life of their own, was published on Kindle in November 2012.
He is now working on his third book, Featherfall.
Jerry lives in the city of York in northern England.
www.jerryibbotson.co.uk
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December 19, 2016Reinventing the wheel is a danger for every author, but especially for ones approaching a genre of which they are aware, but not necessarily devotees. Every author runs the risk of unknowingly repeating a storyline already used. Where the new author can sometimes run aground is by limiting their novel too narrowly to what they believe to be the confines of the genre. Of course, there are some fantasy readers who want the same things again and again, but i think most of us like to be surprised.
I’ve no idea how widely read this author is in fantasy, but from its beginning, from its very title even, Chosen made me wonder. It’s easy to imagine someone writing this novel after reading a Narnia book, but much harder to imagine them writing it after having read Lord Foul’s Bane. It has a very similar premise – a guy from our world finds himself in their world – but none of the risk-taking.
In Chosen, the train ride from Unbreakable is followed by the journey to Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. And then it seems like the rest of the novel will play out like an extended stay in a rural village on a planet in Stargate SG-1… (But it does take a surprising and exciting turn towards the end.) It feels at times like a box-ticking exercise: protagonist from our world (check), rural fantasy world (check), rather dull grown man with kids and a wife waiting at home (um...?).
Perhaps the wish to meet expectations, rather than subverting, confounding or exceeding them, explains the dull title. Chosen joins The Hole (by John Davey) and Demon (by Peter Mark May) in being small press or self-published books recently released with appallingly bland names. It’s as if they don’t want to stand out, they want to look like all the other books; almost so that nobody makes fun of them. Well, they don’t stand out – none of those books comes within the first fifty results on Amazon from searching for their titles. Job well done!
I have to admit that after the first fifty pages or so I began to skim-read, so obviously you should take this review with a pinch of salt. I probably missed a lot. But to be honest if I hadn't been reviewing it I would have stopped altogether after those fifty pages. Not because the book was bad, but because I felt as if I’d read it before and it wasn't exciting me. Though it was also a little bit humourless, which made the going hard for such a frivolous person as me! For example, imagine the scenario: two guys at an office party discover there’s a door in their office that leads to Narnia. And they find themselves in a field of bluebells. And neither of them think it’s at all funny.
Someone who really loves this kind of stuff might go for this book in a big way. It’s competently written, with only a smattering of the usual oddities to be found in self-published books. There’s nothing wrong with it in particular, but not a lot to get excited about, either. And I’ve got over a thousand unread books on the shelf: books need to really excite me to push ahead of all the books vying for my attention.
If I seem frustrated by this novel, and maybe even a little bitter, it’s not Ibbotson’s fault. He’ll write other, better books, of that I have no doubt. This is certainly better than anything I’ve written.
It’s more that it shares its faults with a very similar book I published a few years ago by one of my best friends, Elsewhere. (What was I saying about bland titles?) Like this book, Elsewhere stuck too closely to the perceived rules, at least up until an exciting conclusion, and lacked humour. Now that my pal’s no longer alive it’s terribly frustrating that the only book he wrote is so unrepresentative of his personality and his potential as a writer. He tried to write the book he thought he should write, rather than one that stemmed from his own personality. If I took against Chosen too quickly, it’s possibly because it set me to thinking of lost opportunities and all the books I’ll never read that my friend could have written.
Chosen is a very handsome book; don't be put off by my lack of enthusiasm for it, which has much more to do with me than the book itself!
I’ve no idea how widely read this author is in fantasy, but from its beginning, from its very title even, Chosen made me wonder. It’s easy to imagine someone writing this novel after reading a Narnia book, but much harder to imagine them writing it after having read Lord Foul’s Bane. It has a very similar premise – a guy from our world finds himself in their world – but none of the risk-taking.
In Chosen, the train ride from Unbreakable is followed by the journey to Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. And then it seems like the rest of the novel will play out like an extended stay in a rural village on a planet in Stargate SG-1… (But it does take a surprising and exciting turn towards the end.) It feels at times like a box-ticking exercise: protagonist from our world (check), rural fantasy world (check), rather dull grown man with kids and a wife waiting at home (um...?).
Perhaps the wish to meet expectations, rather than subverting, confounding or exceeding them, explains the dull title. Chosen joins The Hole (by John Davey) and Demon (by Peter Mark May) in being small press or self-published books recently released with appallingly bland names. It’s as if they don’t want to stand out, they want to look like all the other books; almost so that nobody makes fun of them. Well, they don’t stand out – none of those books comes within the first fifty results on Amazon from searching for their titles. Job well done!
I have to admit that after the first fifty pages or so I began to skim-read, so obviously you should take this review with a pinch of salt. I probably missed a lot. But to be honest if I hadn't been reviewing it I would have stopped altogether after those fifty pages. Not because the book was bad, but because I felt as if I’d read it before and it wasn't exciting me. Though it was also a little bit humourless, which made the going hard for such a frivolous person as me! For example, imagine the scenario: two guys at an office party discover there’s a door in their office that leads to Narnia. And they find themselves in a field of bluebells. And neither of them think it’s at all funny.
Someone who really loves this kind of stuff might go for this book in a big way. It’s competently written, with only a smattering of the usual oddities to be found in self-published books. There’s nothing wrong with it in particular, but not a lot to get excited about, either. And I’ve got over a thousand unread books on the shelf: books need to really excite me to push ahead of all the books vying for my attention.
If I seem frustrated by this novel, and maybe even a little bitter, it’s not Ibbotson’s fault. He’ll write other, better books, of that I have no doubt. This is certainly better than anything I’ve written.
It’s more that it shares its faults with a very similar book I published a few years ago by one of my best friends, Elsewhere. (What was I saying about bland titles?) Like this book, Elsewhere stuck too closely to the perceived rules, at least up until an exciting conclusion, and lacked humour. Now that my pal’s no longer alive it’s terribly frustrating that the only book he wrote is so unrepresentative of his personality and his potential as a writer. He tried to write the book he thought he should write, rather than one that stemmed from his own personality. If I took against Chosen too quickly, it’s possibly because it set me to thinking of lost opportunities and all the books I’ll never read that my friend could have written.
Chosen is a very handsome book; don't be put off by my lack of enthusiasm for it, which has much more to do with me than the book itself!
December 11, 2015
Not a bad story, but I can't help but feel that I'd already read the first half of this book - very The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. However, there was a bit of a twist that I didn't expect about 2/3 through the book that was rather unexpected. I did enjoy this turn of events, but it made the rest of the book feel rather disjointed from the familiar earlier chapters - more like two stories hastily sewn together.
That's not to say it wasn't enjoyable. Mr. Ibbotson has told his story well and I enjoyed the multiple viewpoints. Much like my own writing, the complex story depends on the fluidity between these different perspectives and the interwoven histories of the viewpoint characters, and Jerry has done this well.
I would recommend this book as a light read for someone in the mood for a bit of light fantasy.
That's not to say it wasn't enjoyable. Mr. Ibbotson has told his story well and I enjoyed the multiple viewpoints. Much like my own writing, the complex story depends on the fluidity between these different perspectives and the interwoven histories of the viewpoint characters, and Jerry has done this well.
I would recommend this book as a light read for someone in the mood for a bit of light fantasy.
February 14, 2010
This is a fantastic book, and one that I had to force myself to put down, if it hadn't been for a hectic work schedule this is definitely a book I would have stayed up all night to read.
I wanted to keep turning the page to find out what happened next, and from start to finish was hooked.
It's a fantasy novel, but I can't really think of anything that it compares to. I wanted the main character to succeed and overcome, but there were so many obstacles for him to overcome, and some definite shocking turns to the tale.
I won't spoil it for anyone, but if you love a good fantasy novel this is one book you just have to read. It's definitely my best read of 2009 and I cannot wait for this author's next offering.
I wanted to keep turning the page to find out what happened next, and from start to finish was hooked.
It's a fantasy novel, but I can't really think of anything that it compares to. I wanted the main character to succeed and overcome, but there were so many obstacles for him to overcome, and some definite shocking turns to the tale.
I won't spoil it for anyone, but if you love a good fantasy novel this is one book you just have to read. It's definitely my best read of 2009 and I cannot wait for this author's next offering.
September 13, 2018
Not very far into this book I found myself mentally composing a scathing review on both the topic of editing and the regurgitating of over-used plot motifs. On the topic of editing I have not changed my mind. Far too many unnecessary words smack of 'I must write 'x' many words a day regardless of whether they are needed or not' as a method of writing. The book would be immeasurably improved by even something as simple as the removal of 90% of the unnecessary thats, and thens etc along with their unrequired companions.
However, on the topic of the story I did change my mind somewhat, there were too many previously enjoyed plot lines in the early part of the book but as it went on some new and entertaining twists came into the story which were only spoiled by the slightly rushed ending. I suspect the author may have reached the recommended word count and thus drew things to a swift conclusion. That was a shame as there were characters worthy of further exploration. It would have been better to dump some of the earlier overused ideas and concentrate on developing the later and better ideas, no doubt something a good editor might have pointed out.
However, on the topic of the story I did change my mind somewhat, there were too many previously enjoyed plot lines in the early part of the book but as it went on some new and entertaining twists came into the story which were only spoiled by the slightly rushed ending. I suspect the author may have reached the recommended word count and thus drew things to a swift conclusion. That was a shame as there were characters worthy of further exploration. It would have been better to dump some of the earlier overused ideas and concentrate on developing the later and better ideas, no doubt something a good editor might have pointed out.
October 30, 2018
I'm not really sure what to make of this book. There's plenty of good ideas, some which developed better...& more clearly...than others but it just fell short of hitting the spot for me, though to be fair, this genre isn't one I'm fond of. I know for sure I've never read this before, it seemed so very familiar in many ways....methinks it had a touch of "The Narnia Chronicles" about it.
In short it's the old, old, story of Good vs Evil & while it certainly kept me entertained to see it through to the end, I can't say it particularly gripped me . At times I found the writing style simplified, as if aimed at younger children but at others, a little disjointed which I found made things a little confusing, especially with some events towards the latter end of the book.
Not a bad read but I can't help feel that some vital allegory has completely eluded me.
In short it's the old, old, story of Good vs Evil & while it certainly kept me entertained to see it through to the end, I can't say it particularly gripped me . At times I found the writing style simplified, as if aimed at younger children but at others, a little disjointed which I found made things a little confusing, especially with some events towards the latter end of the book.
Not a bad read but I can't help feel that some vital allegory has completely eluded me.
January 5, 2019
Weirdly fascinating and it made me cry.
There's not really much I can say without spoiling things.
Great story, very weird at times and spreads several genres.
There's not really much I can say without spoiling things.
Great story, very weird at times and spreads several genres.
February 28, 2017
It's a hell of a ride!
Chosen has an ambitious plot that moves along at a pace and reaches a satisfying conclusion. There's an impressive number of plot turns and changes in scenery. This book did something that no other book has managed for me in some time - it surprised me... in a good way - in a didn't-see-that-coming kind of way. I was particularly impressed with how Ibbotson moves around from scene to scene with different characters and locations with such ease and without giving the reader whiplash. There's also some very loveable characters. I especially have a soft spot for the Guardian. The variety of viewpoints explored adds an additional level to the story. I really like how the two different worlds are both kept in the mix simultaneously. The world-building is very accomplished, all places come across vividly both in appearance and in atmosphere. The writing is refreshingly simple, from the pen of someone who effortlessly transfers imagination to the page without being heavy-handed. This results in a sophisticated novel coming across as relaxing reading. Great stuff.
Chosen has an ambitious plot that moves along at a pace and reaches a satisfying conclusion. There's an impressive number of plot turns and changes in scenery. This book did something that no other book has managed for me in some time - it surprised me... in a good way - in a didn't-see-that-coming kind of way. I was particularly impressed with how Ibbotson moves around from scene to scene with different characters and locations with such ease and without giving the reader whiplash. There's also some very loveable characters. I especially have a soft spot for the Guardian. The variety of viewpoints explored adds an additional level to the story. I really like how the two different worlds are both kept in the mix simultaneously. The world-building is very accomplished, all places come across vividly both in appearance and in atmosphere. The writing is refreshingly simple, from the pen of someone who effortlessly transfers imagination to the page without being heavy-handed. This results in a sophisticated novel coming across as relaxing reading. Great stuff.
May 21, 2011
When love is stronger than fear, marvellous things can happen…
Magic books, undead vicars, God and fondue forks are brought together in the story of Alex Preston: a grumpy, daydreaming office worker who finds a tunnel in the basement at work.
It leads to a land full of magic and fantasy. Armed with a sleeping bag and a small torch, Alex leaves his family behind and sets off to explore.
It’s not long before his adventure begins to unravel rather alarmingly and the story builds to an explosive climax.
Alex finally discovers the meaning of real magic and learns that when love is stronger than fear, marvellous things can happen.
Chosen was first published in the UK in October 2008. (http://www.jerryibbotson.co.uk/chosen/)
My Thoughts: I haven't read much in the way of British fantasy but I was intrigued by "Chosen". This is a modern day twist on faith, love, and fantasy. It is written based on different scenes, so to speak; therefore, some readers may find it challenging, although that's what kept me interested! There are many characters in the book but the main character, Alex, is bored with his everyday life. He finds it hard to keep his life together so, when he stumbles across a magic door, he can't resist seeing where this will lead him. What he discovers is a world full of new adventures! Just as I would get drawn in to Alex's adventures, I would be taken back to the "other world" and get wrapped up in what was going on with Sarah and the children. It was refreshing to see the role that Sarah played Alex's outcome, especially after the characters Alex meets on his adventures. I was also surprised to find the basic concept of good and evil (God vs Satan) play out in a fantasy novel. I really didn't know, until the end, exactly how the story was going to play out! This was refreshing as many of the books out there now are very predictable. As a reader who is not used to British writing, I found "Chosen" very easy to follow and understand. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy novel!
About the Author:
In Jerry Ibbotson's own words...."Writing has always been my passion, even if I’ve never done much to satisfy it. Finally, in 2005, my wife goaded me into starting my first novel – Chosen. I finished the first draft in October 2006 and began the slow, painful process of submitting it to literary agents. It didn’t go well. Finally, in October 2008, I did what I swore I never would. I self published.Then something funny happened. People starting buying my book. Actual, real people parted with hard earned money to read my words. And they even seemed to like it.So here I am. Out in paperback and in ebook. Still not a millionaire author (it wouldn’t suit me anyway) but still being read and enjoyed. Now to do the same with the book two – The Veil." (taken from http://www.jerryibbotson.co.uk/biog/)
Magic books, undead vicars, God and fondue forks are brought together in the story of Alex Preston: a grumpy, daydreaming office worker who finds a tunnel in the basement at work.
It leads to a land full of magic and fantasy. Armed with a sleeping bag and a small torch, Alex leaves his family behind and sets off to explore.
It’s not long before his adventure begins to unravel rather alarmingly and the story builds to an explosive climax.
Alex finally discovers the meaning of real magic and learns that when love is stronger than fear, marvellous things can happen.
Chosen was first published in the UK in October 2008. (http://www.jerryibbotson.co.uk/chosen/)
My Thoughts: I haven't read much in the way of British fantasy but I was intrigued by "Chosen". This is a modern day twist on faith, love, and fantasy. It is written based on different scenes, so to speak; therefore, some readers may find it challenging, although that's what kept me interested! There are many characters in the book but the main character, Alex, is bored with his everyday life. He finds it hard to keep his life together so, when he stumbles across a magic door, he can't resist seeing where this will lead him. What he discovers is a world full of new adventures! Just as I would get drawn in to Alex's adventures, I would be taken back to the "other world" and get wrapped up in what was going on with Sarah and the children. It was refreshing to see the role that Sarah played Alex's outcome, especially after the characters Alex meets on his adventures. I was also surprised to find the basic concept of good and evil (God vs Satan) play out in a fantasy novel. I really didn't know, until the end, exactly how the story was going to play out! This was refreshing as many of the books out there now are very predictable. As a reader who is not used to British writing, I found "Chosen" very easy to follow and understand. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy novel!
About the Author:
In Jerry Ibbotson's own words...."Writing has always been my passion, even if I’ve never done much to satisfy it. Finally, in 2005, my wife goaded me into starting my first novel – Chosen. I finished the first draft in October 2006 and began the slow, painful process of submitting it to literary agents. It didn’t go well. Finally, in October 2008, I did what I swore I never would. I self published.Then something funny happened. People starting buying my book. Actual, real people parted with hard earned money to read my words. And they even seemed to like it.So here I am. Out in paperback and in ebook. Still not a millionaire author (it wouldn’t suit me anyway) but still being read and enjoyed. Now to do the same with the book two – The Veil." (taken from http://www.jerryibbotson.co.uk/biog/)
June 18, 2016
Follow our intrepid nobody, Alex Preston, and his annoying cubicle mate, Andrew Marshall, on a mind-blowing visit to a storage room in the basement.
Alex, who is losing touch with his wife and family, and despises the drudgery at work, whiles away his hours daydreaming. And it's getting worse. So he must be imagining the tunnel to another world where the air is fresh and the trees sway in a gentle breeze. Yet when he meets the last villagers of Hambledon, he believes. And so it begins.
"Believe in the magic of love and the darkness will slip from the Earth." It's a beautiful thought, and not corny at all. Open your heart to "Chosen" and you will repaid twice-fold.
Alex, who is losing touch with his wife and family, and despises the drudgery at work, whiles away his hours daydreaming. And it's getting worse. So he must be imagining the tunnel to another world where the air is fresh and the trees sway in a gentle breeze. Yet when he meets the last villagers of Hambledon, he believes. And so it begins.
"Believe in the magic of love and the darkness will slip from the Earth." It's a beautiful thought, and not corny at all. Open your heart to "Chosen" and you will repaid twice-fold.
May 11, 2013
I can't really give it any more than an ok, the ideas were good, and each little section tied in quite nicely, but it never really gripped me, even when it really got going. But there were no loose ends after it finished, even though it seemed quite a simple ending, without that much of a struggle. Perhaps it just wasn't for me.
September 1, 2015
It started out well. Ordinary chap gets tied up in extraordinary events but as the contents became more overtly magical and religious the book became a series of 'I've read that somewhere already' clichés. At about 75% of the way through I couldn't bare it any longer - gave up. It is rare hat I don't finish a book but this became too tedious.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews