Cade was convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. He has been spending the last six months of his life at a boarding school for troubled boys, but he doesn’t fit in there. He never committed a crime, he actually enjoys learning and History class, and he isn’t “troubled.” As he counts down the days until he will be able to get out of the school, he sees his dreams slipping away. He will no longer be able to go back to the advanced school he was in, he will probably be unable to go to a good college, and his parents’ lives have been ruined as they have to pay for this school and for his court case. Just when Cade thinks things couldn’t get worse, he wakes up on some foreign planet. Something called a Codex follows him around and tells him that they have some sort of battle coming up. Cade doesn’t want to play these games, but the more he explores the planet, the more deadly things become. Cade has an important choice to make, one that could lead to either life or death.

I love Taran Matharu’s books! I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the Summoner series, and I have the last two sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. When I found out that he had a new book coming out, I knew that I wanted to be one of the first to read and enjoy it. Matharu definitely didn’t disappoint!

I truly sympathized with Cade from beginning to end. He never wanted to be a hero, and he never was a criminal. All he was a kid that happened to be in the wrong room at the wrong time, and who was racially profiled on top of that. This one case had ruined his and his parents’ lives all at once, and it wasn’t his fault in any way. It was sad because it seemed so realistic, like some boy in a rich boarding school could actually have this happen to him. I completely forgot about the “traveling to another world” storyline as I read this part of the book. I honestly could have read an entire book about Cade in his boarding school, and even though it wouldn’t have been happy, it would have been interesting.

Once Cade was in the new world, things really got exciting. I won’t spoil anything as this is the majority of the book. All I will say is that I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book once he landed on the foreign planet.

The only thing that I disliked about this story was the middle. The transition from the real world to the new planet was not as smooth as I thought it could have been, and I felt like I was confused as it kept dragging on. After I got over this part of the novel, everything else went smoothly and I enjoyed myself.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new YA fantasy/dystopian novel!

I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.

The Chosen is a pretty wild ride that takes the reader on a journey through a unique world that is filled with Ancient Romans, dinosaurs, alien-like creatures, and much much more. That incredible worldbuilding was the biggest draw for me while I was reading,. It was mindblowing for me (and for the characters in the book obviously) to encounter so many elements from different eras throughout history all in the same place at the same time..

In many ways, The Chosen reminded me of a combination of Jurassic Park and an episode of the popular TV show, Lost, where the main characters are stranded and where they find themselves forced to perform random tasks with no rhyme or reason as to why or as to who is making them do these things. Lost is one of my favorite TV shows so this storyline worked well for me. In the case of The Chosen, students from a boarding school are dropped into this alternate world and told by a mysterious robot that follows them around that they must play a game in order to save their world. If they lose, the planet will be destroyed. Talk about a high stakes game!

I really enjoyed the book overall but did have some issues with it. My main issues are that the pace dragged a little in the middle and I got frustrated with having to wait so long to get any inkling as to how this world came into existence and who or what is behind everything that is going on.. Most of the book is spent watching the characters wander around, working together to survive and to prepare for the game. I would have liked to get to the game itself sooner so that the ending didn't feel rushed.

Still a really interesting read overall, especially if you're into action/adventure/survival stories.

Twisted adventure!
Thanks to NetGalley, Feiwel and Friends and Goodreads (giveaway winner) for the opportunity to read and review The Chosen by Taran Matharu!
Cade has ended up in a reform center for juvenile delinquents because of his roommate’s theft. Cade attends the center trying to figure out how to stay under the radar. Six months into his yearlong stay, he finds himself on a cliff ledge facing a creature that wants him for a snack. The chapters alternate between Cade in the center and then somewhere else fighting for his life for a few chapters. Then the story continues with Cade trying to survive and understand his new surroundings full of creatures, people from the past and other creatures and technology that have no explanations. The codex is a tech device that Cade has never seen before and it answers several questions and explains that Cade is a contender in the qualifying round which is being counted down on the Codex’s display. The ending lays out the truth of Cade’s circumstances and all its complications. An unusual tale of a twisted adventure, 4 stars!

I was so excited to see that Netgalley approved my request. I really loved The Summoner series and this cover 100% made me want to read The Chosen.

It was very action packed and I did really like Cade the main character.

My only drawback was that there were no girls until about mid book. Seeing as the books target audience is young boys that makes sense but I did not feel like it was completely necessary.

The ending kind of threw me off. I did not see that coming at all! It was an interesting twist I did not expect and kept me interested enough that I’ll probably pick up the next book.

The Chosen was an action-packed fantasy filled with suspense! I loved the world building! I thought this was a very unique read! Did I mention dinosaurs? I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it! I can't wait to read book 2!

Our world has seen the rise and fall of many an empire.



The Aztecs.



The Incans.



The Romans.



Now, our human civilization has reached a technological age where we behold the wonders of ancient ages and cultures through shattered relics and bones. We like to believe that the past is one directional. That what once was could never be again. Yet, we fail to realize that there are pockets in the universe which lead to infinite possibilities.



Cade’s love of history was ignited by his father, a college history professor, and his brightly planned future began with Cade’s attendance at an elite private school. However, when he is accused of stealing after his roommate hides stolen laptops under his bed, Cade is forced to plead guilty. Despite his innocence, Cade knows that his status as a scholarship student makes him an easy scapegoat. Now at his new school for troubled teens, Cade bides his time by keeping his head down and pursuing his own independent studies.



By maintaining his distance, Cade’s attitude does little to attract the attention of bullies who seek bloodlust. Yet his indifference and passivity also causes him to repel any possibility of comradeship among his peers. After Cade’s days fall into a series of patterns, life takes an unexpected turn.



One moment he's falling asleep on his bed, and in the next, Cade finds himself transported to a prehistoric environment with ancient ruins, Roman cities, dinosaurs, and an endless sea of questions.



Why was Cade transported to this timeless place?



Who or what else exists on this planet?



For what purpose is Cade a contestant in an upcoming, sinister game?



Prepare yourself dear reader for you are among:



The Chosen.



Author Taran Matharu holds a singular imagination which created a gloriously chaotic world through masterful imagery that turns the improbable into a tangible reality. I was absolutely captivated by Cade’s battles, sense of wonder, and dread for his future while he voyages across a seemingly uninhabitable land.



The Chosen has a constant element of anticipation through vivid descriptions that create an almost cinematic experience. If you we're a fan of Michael Crichton’s works, like Jurassic Park, or Under the Dome by Stephen King you’ll definitely find yourself pulling an all-nighter to finish Taran Matharu’s The Chosen.

Disclaimer: This review MAY contain spoilers. I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions expressed in my review are my own.

This book takes the reader on such an explosive journey! It is one of those stories that will intrigue you from the get-go with the synopsis and doesn't let up for an instant once you are immersed in the story. And you will be-- you won't be able to put this book down!

I love the way that the books starts out with alternating chapters in the past and present. There is a massive amount of action and mystery in the chapters set in the present. Those chapters really hook the reader and make them want to keep turning the pages. The chapters set in the past were extremely helpful in getting to know the characters. Getting that little bit of background information really helped set the stage for when the characters find themselves instantly in an impossible situation in the present. Their dynamics were easy to follow with the chapters set in the past. I liked getting pieces of the past a little bit at a time.

The world-building in this book is really fantastic! Completely atmospheric in its telling. The descriptions are vivid and powerful. I could absolutely feel myself in the story as I read. I loved the historical pieces worked into the story. I felt their portrayal to be accurate (or believable at least, I am no history major) and they really added to the mystery and ambiance of this world. I also love that when I was reading I couldn't tell if I was reading a fantasy or a science fiction book. It was exhilarating to see elements of both.

I found myself liking the main character, Cade, straight away. He is intelligent and resourceful. I loved that we see totally normal sides of him as well. He gets bullied and is faced with racism at school and we see him dealing with his emotions over it. We also get to see him do things that make him feel guilty. I felt that his personality and his character as a whole were balanced out very well. His character was realistic. This book has a relatively large cast of side characters but I enjoyed the dynamics between the characters.

I felt that I really enjoyed the author's writing voice. I have not read Taran Matharu previously, but this book was so easy to latch onto. The words flow fluidly and the author introduces concepts gradually as not to overwhelm the reader with the complexity of the world. I am definitely going to read his previous series.

Overall, this book is full of adventure and intrigue and it keeps you wanting more! If you love fast-paced stories that are full of action and shocking revelations then you need to pick this one up. This book will thrill you and enchant you. I enjoyed this so much and I am excited for book two!

I was already really excited for The Chosen based on my enjoyment of Taran Matharu’s previous writing. But then I saw the cover and there are actual dinosaurs on it? Like, how many YA novels have dinosaurs? I can’t think of any. So I was doubly excited to dive into reading it, which I did in two sittings that would have been one if not for my own monsters.

The diverse cast characters are all fairly well developed. I especially loved getting to see an ownvoices Indian/mixed race rep that’s a bit different than what I’ve seen in other novels. It focuses less on the culture Cade’s family came from and more on his experience of the culture surrounding him outside of his parents’ influence. I really liked that, regardless of all of the things that happen to him, Cade still believes that people are innately good. We also get Yoshi, a Japanese American boy who does not appreciate your Mario Kart references, and Spex, a Brazilian American who could probably win Jeopardy. Sadly, there is also Finch. I have never so strongly wanted to slap someone in my entire life. To all the Finches out there: stop talking and keep your hands to yourself.

The world building is so incredibly lush and immersive. The story starts off at a “therapeutic” school (AKA military school), where Cade and the others have been sent for various reasons right up to and including murder. I could easily drop myself into the unknown location and walk around there. Though, honestly, I’d have to run because the world is hazardous to say the least. The rules of the world were intentionally held back through the story, little bits being shared as Cade stumbled upon them. I do love that mysteriously missing bits of history from Earth cropped up all over the world of the story, giving us fun little tidbits of information about them as Cade learned about them.

The Chosen is probably a good example of a plot-driven novel, I think. The story moves so fluidly that it’s hard to put down. As I said earlier, I would have finished it in a single sitting if left to my own devices. There’s so much action and that builds up to the epic action scene near the end… and, unfortunately, the huge cliffhanger. The story moves so well that I have to consider the novel unputdownable.

I enjoyed The Chosen so very much from beginning to (cliffhanger) end. The best way I can think of to describe it to those considering reading it is to say The Chosen is Jurassic Park meets The Hunger Games. I’m already hyped up for the next book of the Contender series, but I’ll have to read more of Taran Matharu’s other writing to tide me over for it.

Overall, I rate The Chosen 3.5 out of 5 bookworms.

This is my first book by this author, and I was not disappointed at all. I can totally see what all the fuss about the other series has been about. This book was definitely a page turner. I loved all the history in the book, and the whole vibe of the historical people and animals and places reminded me of the tv show Land of the Lost. A favorite show of mine. And then there was the whole competition thing. From the beginning it was in my head that maybe it was aliens. Then maybe it was futuristic humans. The book really keeps you pretty much guessing till close to the end when the qualifying competition is about to begin. There's a lot of great action in this, characters that you really are interested in and want to either see succeed, or get what they deserve. I will definitely be ready to read book two whenever it is ready, as I need to know what else these characters will need to fight and do to save themselves, and possibly Earth itself.

"The Chosen" is such a fun, action-packed and cool book. I mean, common, teenagers being magically transported to a strange land and forced to fight Dinosaurs, what can be more cooler than that? right?

The story follows Cade, who at beginning of the book is admitted into a school for troubled youth because he was accused of or rather wrongly accused of theft. Life at this new school is worse than a nightmare for Cade as he is regularly bullied and subjected to harsh punishments. And then one day, Cade, find himself uprooted from his nightmarish school and thrown into a world which is filled with monsters and humans, who have been lost throughout the history. Also, to his surprise, he isn't alone because in this place he finds several of his other classmates including the class bully, Flinch. The strangest part of everything is that these boys are being followed by a high-tech machine called the codex, which is being rather unhelpful and performing a strange count down for a qualifying round. And that's the biggest question, what are they all qualifying for afterall? and who is making them play this dangerous game? The story moves from there on and Cade must figure out a way to survive in this bizzare land and try his best to find his way back home.

This is the first book that I have read by Taran Matharu and I really liked the overall concept of the story. It's a survival story first and foremost and we get plenty of those maneuverings, which made this book quite engaging and compelling even though, the plot progresses very little for the major part of the book, only picking up at some 70% point, when things finally starts falling into perspective . However, I think, Taran, did a fantastic job in blending the adventurous nature of the story along with the underlying mystery of what's actually going on, keeping me on my toes throughout the book.

I also, really liked Cade's character. He is biracial, same as the Author and therefore, this book is kind of an #ownvoices novel as well. In the beginning of the book he is scared, depressed and even angry for everything that went wrong with his life but we really get to see him grow into this guy, who is so brave, resourceful and willing to do whatever it takes to make sure he and his friends survive this absurb game of which, they are an unwilling part. I also, liked the friendship between Cade and Quintus and thought that the deaf representation in this book is really good. Plus, Cade's one on one with the Raptors was very interesting to read.

However, I must add here, that even though I enjoyed this book for the major part, I still feel it could have been a better read, if a little more time was spent in the development of other characters as well as in the development of the relationship between characters. Cade is obviously the hero of the story but we didn't really get to know much about the other characters and therefore their fate towards the end of the book, failed to leave a strong impact on me.

That said, The Chosen still makes for a good set up for the rest of the series and that cliffhanger at the end totally raised the stakes so much higher. I will definitely read the next book to find out the fate of these contenders, I am sure it will be a hell lot of more fun and filled with danger.

DNF 38% - I think this was more a problem with me than with the book. The writing was actually quite good, if a little meandering--the main character had many an inner monologue. I was almost halfway through and I just didn't care what happened. There are times when a book is too mysterious for too long and that just makes me lose interest unfortunately. That was the case with this book.

Cade is a great protagonist, he is a history 'nerd' and someone who has kinda tried to stay out of the limelight but this doesn't seem to particularly work for him as he ends up thrust into focus constantly.  The boarding school scenes are short and quickly disappear as the current situation of being in a new place that is possibly not even Earth just grows more and more 'real' to the students who have been placed in this predicament. Cade isn't the only one, but, that may not necessarily be a good thing as at least one boy seems to have decided Cade is his target for bullying and now in a high stress situation, Cade is having to watch some of his fellow students and the other threats in this new place. [Did I mention dinosaurs?]

I loved the other cast of characters as well, in fact I would say that Quints and Spex were my favorites along with Grace, purely because she seems like she could kick so much butt and that is so cool, so I hope we learn more about her in book 2.

As noted this is the first book in a new series and the ending will certainly leave you wanting to read book two to find out what happens.

Besides the obvious parts I favored, I also enjoyed the history tidbits and the mystery of it all, it had some elements that slightly reminded me of Maze Runner but to Matharu's credit, this is unlike any other plot I've encountered before. And this book was so quick to read as I just kept pressing for one more chapter to find out what on earth was going on/going to happen next.

I will say that I wish some other things had happened sooner than later in the novel as a lot is crammed in a little time and with how the ending is, I really wish that all of the teenagers would have known the purpose of it all as I feel like they deserved that much, I'd like to say more, but, spoilers! I also felt like though everything felt so quick there was a little too much build up for the end and as I said I thought those events should have shifted sooner, but, this is a perfect ending to leave us on edge to find out what happens in book 2. Well played Matharu, well played.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of the novel. This book would fall in the fantasy genre. I have not read this author before and decided to give this book a try. There is A Lot going on in this book and the beginning was a bit difficult to get into. Case is a likeable and realistic character. I did not realize this was a trilogy and am interested to see where the author takes this.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm sorry to say that I really didn't care for this book. I didn't feel that the characters were well thought out. The ending was quite predictable. The entire book felt like it was the prologue for and upcoming book.

Let’s start by talking about that cover. I love it, but it sort of gives the wrong impression of what this story is all about. It makes you think Ninja’s and warriors and even though there is a lot of action and battles, and Cabe does get a Ninja sword, which has little to do with the main story. But still that cover will catch a lot of eyes and will make people pick the book up.

The premise of the story is pretty good. Cabe wakes up and finds himself in an unknown world fighting for his life. What the truth is about what is going on is never fully revealed and that adds to the story’s tension. The reader is left just as clueless as poor Cade and his friends. Bits and pieces do slowly come out and there is a big reveal at the end, but otherwise you find yourself wondering along with Cabe. That structure does make it hard to put the book down, because you keep thinking all will be revealed.

The plot starts a little slow, due mostly to the first few chapters flipping back and forth from the present to the past. It is all told from Cabe’s point of view. I really liked Cabe. He is smart and logical and has good leadership potential. He finds himself in an impossible situation, but he uses his brain to get himself and others through some pretty tough situations.

There is a very large cast of secondary characters, and at times it was hard to keep them straight. I liked the girls though. They were pretty tough and I liked that they often showed the boys up in their strength and abilities. I also liked Quintus, a young boy from Ancient Roman, that Cade meets. Quintus has been living in this world for awhile and is also deaf. He becomes very important to Cade and to the other teens survival. You don’t get to know many of the other characters well and there isn’t a lot to their character development, but that is ok.

The world building was fascinating. The fact that there were dinosaurs from all different time periods mixed up with cities and other things from history was an interesting twist to this type of story. There are some nice interesting historical tidbits thrown in through out as Cade encounters all of these different things. There is also some pretty advanced technology in this world. There are force fields and a high tech computer that follows Cade around called Codex. Codex can be helpful at times when asked the right questions, but it does not ever give away what is really going on. Mostly Codex is a source of tension because of the countdown timer that it continuously flashes.

I really enjoyed this book. The fast pace, action and an interesting world will attract a lot of fans. I am looking forward to the next installment, and hopefully more information about what is really going on.

[Excerpt}:

Rating: 2.5 stars

“The Chosen” caught my attention like so many novels on NetGalley (and in libraries and in bookstores, and just in general) do: by cover design. The dark, mysterious colors combined with the solitary figure all in black who looked, at least to me, tough and assassin-like. The synopsis of the book told me a lot, and I’ll get more into that later, but I was definitely interested in exploring more of this “fight-to-the-death” type of novel. Besides, I’ve heard of Taran Matharu’s other series, the Summoners, and have seen them around for years, so I thought I’d give him a try.

First, the good things / stuff I liked:

It’s impossible to read this story without thinking of “The Hunger Games.” And then, of course comparing the two. Cade is placed onto another planet [an “arena”] to fight for the entertainment of mysterious entities [“Gamemakers”]. Unlike Katniss, Cade and the others have no idea how they wound up in the desert with dinosaurs and other creepy creatures. No one else fights to the death either, so there’s not much antagonism between characters, save for the rivalries brought over from school. “The Hunger Games” is one of my all-time favorite series, not just because of Katniss Everdeen herself or the events that unfold in the book, but because of the phenomenal social commentary that’s both subtly inferred and blatantly obvious. So any novel that has similarities to “The Hunger Games” automatically is a good one. Well, at least at first glance.

Let me get this out of the way because it’s apparently weird to lots of people: I’m terrified of dinosaurs. I hate them. I think I was scarred by the Jurassic Park movies that my dad watched and sort of had me watch too when I was young. Even though, yes, they’re extinct and therefore have no possible way of ever harming me, I still detest the giant, man-eating reptiles. They’re fucking scary, okay?! [And no, I’ve never seen the new Jurassic World movies and don’t plan to.] This aspect of the story caught my attention because I do love horror novels, and to me, the dinosaur storyline screams horrifiying. So although the idea of dinosaurs in real life is terrifying to me, I liked the idea in fiction. Sure enough, certain parts of the story had me groaning with disgust. Raptors and T-rexes? No, thanks, compadre.

[Full review on my blog!]

The Chosen, the first book in a new action-packed YA trilogy, follows Cade, a student in a reform school who suddenly find himself teleported to a strange new world. Cade quickly learns that he has been brought to this lost world, alongside some of histories most famous mysteries, to compete in a mysterious game ... one only he may be able to win. Despite being super fast-paced, The Chosen is really just a set up for the rest of the trilogy, but thankfully ends on one explosive, exciting cliffhanger. Also, there are dinosaurs. Did I mention the dinosaurs?

The Chosen is the first novel in a new trilogy by Taran Mathara. This novel is full of action, intrigue, human nature, and science fiction elements. It makes for a great and fast-paced novel, to say the least.
Cade is just a kid who has had a serious case of 'wrong time, wrong place'. First, he took the blame for a crime he didn't commit. Then he got sent to reform school. And now he's on an alien planet full of monsters that want to kill him? When will it all end?
If you're looking for a novel that blends science fiction with young adult, and of course some action and adventure – then this is the novel for you.

The Chosen has to be one of the most fast-paced and chaotic novels I've read in quite some time. It seems like every chapter brought about a new adventure (or threat) for Cade and his classmates. There was hardly a moments rest, but I certainly appreciated all of the action and adventure that occurred within these pages.
I'm not entirely sure what I expected when I picked up The Chosen – but I know that I got something much bigger than I would have guessed. The situation that Cade and crew were thrown into...it was insane, intense, and highly entertaining.
The pacing, as I mentioned above, was very speedy. There was never a dull moment, with something always happening, or something mystery to solve. It sort of reminded me of a serial story, where every segment something had to be happening. But I'm saying that in a good way.
The characters in this novel were all very different, and I enjoyed taking the time to get to know them. We got to know Cade best of course, but there were a dozen other people to learn about as well. I think they all balanced each other out quite nicely. I wouldn't have minded learning a bit more about them all actually. And I'd love to know who didn't make it past the first test (I'm trying to be a bit vague here, but it's hard, sorry).
There was a stronger science fiction grounding than I expected. What with them all being transported to an alien planet (what else could it possibly be?). And let's not forget about the implication of Romans and dinosaurs being around at the same time.
The ending was...intense. To be honest, I'm still processing it. I don't know how I feel about it. On the one hand, I want to see what happens next. On the other, I'm a bit happy about the break between novels so I can think more about what happened and what was revealed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
***
The Chosen by Taran Matharu is the first novel of the series that promises a lot of action, dinosaurs, violence, and death.

Our MC is Cade who was sent to a reform school for a year after being caught with stolen laptops under his bed (they weren’t his). Six months into his time there he wakes up and finds himself... elsewhere and having to fight to survive immediately.

The first part of the story moves quite slowly, it starts out going back and forth from him waking up someplace bizarre and dangerous and flashing back to the last six months he’s spent at the reform school already and forward until we’re all caught up and focuses specifically on where he’s at now. He joins up with other boys from the school that he finds as he wanders around trying to learn what he can.

It’s a bit confusing but it works, you get to be as confused and lost as Cade as he tries to discover why he’s here and why everything from dinosaurs to the missing ninth legion to girls from the 1980s are all here and how, and work towards the answer with him. It’s a bit of mystery, is this real? Are they still on earth? Who is controlling all this and why? You really don’t get any of that answered until the very, very end to be honest but the journey is still fairly enjoyable.

Cons to the book, there isn’t a lot of character development. You have a fair amount of side characters in the book but they are mostly forgettable. Most of the book is focused on Cade and what he decides to do and how it affects those with him.

I love the writing style, world building, characters i was hooked from the beginning. Another awesome book from Taran.