Review: Chosen Ones

Veronica Roth lands on her feet with a spectacular finish, going for the gold, as her debut adult fantasy novel ‘chosen ones’ hits the shelves. Edgy, mysterious and hilariously relatable, the ‘chosen ones’ is a exhilarating courageous joyride through a doubles sided mirror. On one side, the chosen ones have became famously rich saviours, saving the world from annihilation; but the other side sees some of these heroes struggling with the emotional and mental scars and consequences of their heroic acts, when they were just kids.

It all began fifteen years ago, magic was introduced into the world, and with it, a powerful prophecy. A prophecy that singled out five teenagers, or rather five ‘chosen ones’ to defeat the ‘dark one’, a cosmic magic wielder who left buildings smoking and fleshless bodies in his wake. Fifteen years ago, those chosen ones have attempted to gain a normal adult life, or as normal as a former magic wielding chosen one can get; but it hasn’t been easy. Most of all for Sloane, who despite her too perky, too kind and too distant boyfriend (and fellow chosen one) Matt, has continued to suffer from PTSD, anxiety and a loss of direction as she tris to figure out what she wants to do.

What sort of job could she get, most importantly what does she want to do with the rest of her life. After all, the other chosen ones seem to have found their paths, Matt wrote his memoir and became a local politician, Esther became a instagrammer and lifestyle guru, Ires found comfort and peace in her leisurely lifestyle, except for the only person who seems to understand Sloane, Albie. Someone who struggled with drug use in the past, as well as struggling to forget the horror and sacrifices from defeating the dark one, like Sloane.

All this is pushed to the side for Sloane, when the ten year anniversary of the chosen ones’ defeat of the dark one is coming up, and she must attend the celebrations held in their honour. Sloane is reminded of why she loathes the aftermath of what comes next after your purpose of being a chosen one has been fulfilled, when her worst nightmare returns. A few days later, the government informs the chosen ones that events leading up to the dark ones reign have started up again; which leads Sloane and the chosen ones on a doomed path of broken hearts, magical horrors and choices that could either save or doom them all; in a fantasy novel, which is part nightmare and part dream (least for the characters) at all times.

This magically fantasy from Roth, has all the elements of a dramatic, emotional and tension filled journey into the future of a world, where magic has started to become more than myths and legends; with a incredibly well-pieced weaved plot and realistic characters (just entering adulthood. Roth explores the life struggles and mental health issues that young adults may have, in a understanding and genuine way. A few of the issues she chooses to focus on include Sloane’s PTSD and perhaps Anxiety, (due to the mysterious connection she has with the dark one) along with Albie’s previous drug use. It is suggested that Albie struggled with depression as well, (as he tells Sloane) which stems from he was horrifically tortured by the dark one, leaving both physical and emotional scars for Albie (along with his fellow captive chosen one, Sloane. Roth creates awareness of mental health issues and how it can impact the lives of young adults, in a age social media can still rule their lives; as instagrammer and former chosen one Esther knows all too well.

In addition, Roth has gifted readers with perhaps one of the most realistic and relatable protagonist, who readers can’t help admiring and caring for: Sloane. Sloane is very much the definition of a flawed heroine, which makes you like her all the more for it. She doesn’t pretend to be someone she’s not, even though others have implied that she should be ok and ‘over’ her previous traumas already and that she should give out more autographs to get people to like her. While Sloane has a caring, intelligent and brave heart, which shows readers exactly why Sloane is one of the prophesy’ chosen ones, and why Sloane is a character whom readers could see in themselves, and a character who who they see themselves being friends with.

Chosen Ones initially begins with a engrossing slow paced series of events that lead up to the inciting incident; as Sloane gradually reveals to the readers what happened all those years ago with the dark one, as she attempts to deal with the issues that are brought back by the ten year anniversary (which include a impending proposal by Matt and the pressure to find a career path, to find something to do in the world). This allows us to slowly immerse ourselves in Sloane’s world (without being overloaded with information and storylines) and familiarise ourselves with her life, her fellow chosen ones, and begin to decipher why Sloane is who she is.

The silent tension of these events continues to build up, to the inciting incident; where Sloane, Matt and Esther are transported to an alternative world, where magic and technology have merged. However, the trio is not allowed to leave until they defeat that worlds dark one, who bares an eerily familiar resemblance to their dark one; while it seems the case has not yet shut on the alternative world’s chosen one. It is at this point, where the unpredictability and emotional upheaval of the story, really kicks in. The shocking relegations and reveals keep on coming as Sloane, must confront her fears and the darkness once again, whilst coming to turns with her inner demons, and finally feel free to go out and get what she wants. After all, magic is based on intent and desire; meaning readers will be taken for the a unique magical ride into the trials of Sloane’s world, as she (and the other chosen ones) must decide what is their intent and what is their desire.