Title: The Chosen One
Author: Carol Lynch Williams
First published May 8, 2009
213 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780312555115 (ISBN10: 0312555113)
Rating: 3.85
Overview
Kyra has always lived in a community where everything is predetermined. She never questioned why her father had three wives and why she had to choose a husband from a pool of men chosen for her.
However, as Kyra grew older, she found solace in forbidden books and secret meetings with a boy named Joshua. Her world turned upside down when the Prophet announced that Kyra must marry her sixty-year-old uncle, who already had six wives.
Fearful of losing her family forever, Kyra must choose between her own desires and the violent consequences that come with breaking the rules. The Chosen One is a heart-wrenching tale of a young girl’s fight for her freedom and the courage it takes to stand up against tradition.
About the Author
With over 30 books written for middle grade and young adult readers, Carol Lynch Williams is a highly accomplished author. Among her notable works are The Chosen One, Never that Far, Messenger, and Never Said.
Recently, she added to her impressive portfolio by writing a novelization of the movie Once I Was a Beehive. Carol holds an MFA from Vermont College in Writing for Children and Young Adults and is also a creative writing teacher at BYU.
She organizes Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers, a week-long writing conference for writers who are not afraid of a challenge. Moreover, she is a mentor for aspiring writers who want to write for kids and teens.
Outside of her career, Carol considers her five daughters to be her most significant creative achievement.
Editoral Review
The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams is a captivating and heartwrenching young adult novel that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of the human spirit. First published on May 8, 2009, Williams is an accomplished author with several publications under her belt.
The novel is set in a polygamous cult where an adolescent girl named Kyra is faced with a life-altering decision to either run away and risk being hunted down or become the seventh wife of her 60-year-old uncle. The story is narrated from Kyra’s perspective as she grapples with the impossible decision while navigating the eyes of her suspicious community and the secrets that lie within it.
The historical and cultural significance of the novel is rooted in exposing the harrowing realities of extreme religious practices and the disregard they have for an individual’s autonomy and choice. Williams’ writing is masterful and emotive, with vivid descriptions of the setting and characters.
The novel’s pacing is tight, with each chapter unraveling the story at just the right speed to keep the reader engaged. The characters are expertly crafted, with Kyra’s internal turmoil being palpable and heart-wrenching, while the other members of the cult are just as nuanced and complex.
The Chosen One also manages to address important feminist issues, highlighting the intersection of power, control, and religion, and how these issues can impact young men and women. The novel is an incredible coming-of-age story that will resonate with young adults and adults alike.
Despite its strengths, the novel can feel slightly repetitive at times, with Kyra’s internal monologue becoming almost too familiar to the reader. Additionally, some of the plot twists can feel predictable.
However, these criticisms are minor when compared to the novel’s larger accomplishments. Overall, The Chosen One is a harrowing and empathetic exploration of a young girl’s journey towards self-determination.
It’s a captivating and heart-wrenching novel that deserves to be read and discussed for its meaningful exploration of important contemporary issues. Therefore, we highly recommend The Chosen One to anyone who appreciates powerful writing and thought-provoking themes.
Rating: 8.5/10.
