The Chosen One: A Novel

I can't find anything to criticize about this audio book and believe me - that is no small feat. The writing is superb and the story pulled me in right away - I could not stop myself from listening to the whole thing right away even though I wanted to savor it for a few days once I'd gotten a taste. The match of the narrator to the character is nothing short of perfection - she is truly one of the most talented narrators I have ever heard. I wholeheartedly recommend this for anyone looking for a reason to love audio books again after wasting credits on a few clunkers - it makes my membership and the search for more gems worthwhile.

I completely enjoyed this selection. I felt empathetic towards the character and it even felt like a 13 year old was telling the story.

Very well written. Very enjoyable. Hopefully unrealistic.

I definitely recommend and hopefully I'll find another one as good soon.

I really enjoyed this book - it moves very quickly and I found myself looking for opportunities to keep putting my headphones back in to listen to more. The narrator is fantastic.

Some of the content in the book was rather disturbing, perhaps more so for a parent than for a teenager reading the book.

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!

I loved this book about a polygamist sect in a desert US state. The author did a great job of getting into the characters and show a strong sense of love of family, teen anxt and righteous indignation. It is one of the most disturbing YA books I have read recently. The reader was perfect--strong emotion in all the right places. At the end of the last disk, the author gives a great interview. Highly recommended.

This book was amazing! Williams took on (and conquered) the daunting task of putting a sympathetic face on the sometimes reprehensible (certainly in this book) practice of polygamy. And she does this in a YA novel, to boot. So, Kyra is born within a polygamous sect, but has dreams of the outside world thanks to the Mobile Library on Wheels that gives her a tenuous connection to another lifestyle.

When her dirty-old-man-uncle comes a-calling for her thirteen-year-old hand, she knows she needs to find a way out. This isn't Big Love we're talking about here people, or Sister Wives. This tale is more like a storyline you would see with the were-panthers of True Blood.

The Prophet (the group's leader) has slowly eroded away the colony's freedoms (like reading any book but the Bible) and has a standing, armed God Squad to keep people in line. Murder happens just often enough to keep everyone towing the line for God.

What I found immensely compelling about The Chosen One wasn't the big developments, but the small moments. I wanted Kyra to hightail it out of there ASAP, but I slowly understood why she kept choosing to stay despite everything. Her family (all three Mothers, multiple siblings and Dad) are there. They are a different family, but they are hers and they love each other deeply. Yes, her parents made horrible choices that subsequently led to her present circumstances, but they adore her, their family and their community.

Williams has created a beautiful tale that sheds light on the underground world of polygamous sects. Kyra is a strong, young heroine you want to hug, take in, root for and protect. She is simply amazing.

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.

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.

I recommend this book 100 times over, kept me interested the whole time - was definately a book where I waited in my car to end a chapter before I could stop listening!

This is book less about life in a polygamous community than it is about people imposing their wills on others. It is not about sex, it is about power. It is not about religion, but about the cloak of religion. It uses themes of polygamy, sex and religion through the eyes of a thirteen year old girl. It is beautifully told, well-narrated, poignant. I don't like to plow through a credit in a five hour listen, but this was worth it.