The Chosen One

A Novel

By: Carol Lynch Williams

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated polygamous community without questioning her father's three wives and her twenty brothers and sisters. Or at least without questioning them much—if you don't count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her 60-year-old uncle—who already has six wives—Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family.

©2009 Carol Lynch Williams (P)2009 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Narrator Jenna Lamia brings passion and dignity to Kyra, her sisters, and even the strict elders who want all the girls for themselves...Lamia's voices sounds believably young and brings surprising gravity to this ripped-from-the-headlines story.” —AudioFile

“Narrator Jenna Lamia's searing, poignant performance will stay with listeners long after the book ends as she draws listeners in and never lets go, making them feel as if Kyra is living with them as they hear her story...Outstanding.” —Sound Commentary

“Jenna Lamia strikes just the right note between innocence and a growing sense of rebellion in her characterization of Kyra...” —Kirkus Reviews

Want More!!!

I love this book and they way it was written. I love the characters... and I love Jenna who read it. However I did not like the way it was ended... clever yes... I just needed MORE!!! That is the only reason for not giving it five stars.

Great

I couldn't stop listening to this book. It's well written, well read and surprisingly quite tense. I highly recommend it!

Good Short Read

I liked this book. It was short and the ending i didn't quite understand but overall it kept me entertained

Hmm

Ok I’m rating it this way because the story got me so heated that I had to stop listening for a while. It was all in all a great story but I feel like they ended it so bad. What happened was illegal, they murdered someone and they basically got away with it. Her family’s lack of support pissed me off to no end. I just can’t stand child abusers.

I don't give many 5 stars!

I sought out a book with this narrator because I love her voice and how she tells a story, and this was on point! The story kept me in the car sitting in the gym parking lot just listening! The story is gripping, the narration is perfect.

Can't Turn it Off

The Chosen one is a well written story of life in a palygamist colony. You are in first person with the main character. It is very well written, the events keep you tuned in needing to know what is next. I don't think they could have picked a better reader for the audiobook, you feel like your listening to an accounting of a real event, not someone reading a book. Her voice and acting is spot on. I highly recommend it!

Not a dull moment.

If you're looking for a fast-paced and exciting story, this is it. Though The Chosen One was a work of fiction, it was inspired by a true story. The narrator did a fantastic job on making the characters come alive. There are times when I felt Kyra's pain and guilt so strongly, I forgot I was merely a listener. It dosen't matter whether you're a teen or not, you'll love it.

Thought provoking story

I enjoyed the story and am so thankful not to be in the main characters position. What a horrible life to lead, being a young girl growing up in family that would be willing to marry you off to your own 60 year old uncle.

Favorite Narrator!

Would you listen to The Chosen One again? Why?

I probably wouldn't listen again because I don't like to listen to books more than once, but that does not mean I don't think it was GREAT! I loved the story - so sad because it is based on true facts, but very well written. Jenna Lamia is my favorite narrator and she, once again, did an awesome job reading this one!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Chosen One?

This is difficult to answer without giving something away!

What does Jenna Lamia bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Jenna really makes you feel what the character is feeling. I think you get into her heart more hearing it read by Jenna than you would just by reading it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes - I wanted to. I never have that much time all at once, but if I could have listened to it all in one sitting, I probably would have!

Any additional comments?

This is a great YA book for girls over 13 years old. There are a few things in it that are a little rough, so I would say any younger than that might be too young.

Pretty good

The narrator was fantastic. She really sounded like a 13 year old. The story was ok. I mean it was good, and it held my attention for the most part, but it could have been longer. It just felt like the story could have had more " meat" to it. That's why I can't give it 5 stars.