Chosen Ones

"Just passed the first five books of 2023 with this one, god I can't believe I waited this long to read it. This was excellent, and the way it dove into the discussion of mental health. There was so much in this book that I would have wanted in, for example, Harry Potter. Like sorry, but there's no way Hermione having been flat out tortured and Harry having like the whole world depending on him would not result in PTSD. <br/><br/>So this was excellent and just what I was in the mood for. I also enjoyed the idea of having solved the problem, then ten years later finding out via an alternate dimension that they actually hadn't. I've said to a couple people to think of this book as after Harry Potter and the golden trio dealing with the mental health of the aftermath, living super close to one another and still in one another's lives and then being pulled into an alternate dimension where Voldemort was still alive but had disguised himself, and had to defeat him in an even more brutal way than the last time they thought they had and then going back to a mash up of the two worlds and finally splitting up after. <br/><br/>I know most of this review has been comparing it to a better written aftermath for Harry Potter but truly, that's the first thing that came to mind. Otherwise, this is so unique, the idea of starting off <i> after </i> the big final battle - much less the unveiling of a monument ten years later, was so captivating and I want more of this so much. I know there was originally going to be a second book but I believe this is now just a standalone, but I could be wrong. Very bittersweet, very well executed discussions of having to make hard decisions, how guilt and suffering physical pain aren't necessarily all that different - and I super connected with Sloane. <br/><br/>I'm always super impressed with Veronica Roth's inclusion of pretty witty humor, and I found myself doing more than just "heh"-ing, but fully laughing out loud or giggling. I can't wait to see this on the big screen if/when that ever does actually happen - as the only information I can see is about the audiobook and the news from way back in April of 2020. Either way, excellent book, and I'm so glad I'm revisiting this author, she definitely is still one of my favorites, and has been since the first Divergent book when I was about eleven years old."

"A good book! Couple plot holes that drive you a little crazy, but otherwise good! I'll read more of her work!"

"I think it is a interesting start to a new universe. The concept of following what happens to the heroes after they defeat the villains they were promised to defeat. How they deal with depression, PTSD, and the fallout of what you are supposed to do next. <br/><br/>Those concepts are in Roth’s latest but eventually does transition to a more normal science/magic style story with worlds colliding. <br/><br/>The ending definitely is left as a cliff hanger for a setup to more books. I kinda wish this was a one and done but the story is left in a interesting spot that if done right could be pretty great to explore in the next book. <br/><br/>As her first foray into adult fiction after penning the Divergent YA novels, Roth has done a good job of creating sure footed platform that could get better."

"Loved this book! It had a ton of #plottwist that I didn't expect. If love to see it made into a movie or mini series. The details from the author made it extra enjoyable as well."

"Good book but easy to put down. A but slower paced than I thought it would be. "

"The twists and turns throughout this entire book are exhilarating. I could not put it down!"

"I sort on wondered where this was going for a while....not that it was slow, but I couldn't figure out why it was doing what it was doing. But wow did it end up twisting in ways I didn't see coming! Great turns and unexpected happenings! "

"Darker than the divergent series - an adult version of her fantasy style, but I enjoyed it!"