Review: The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

Title: The Chosen One
Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Published: Simon & Schuster (5th April 2010)
No. of Pages: 214
Grade Rating: A-

Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated polygamous community without questioning her father’s three wives and her twenty brothers and sisters. Or at least without questioning them much—if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her 60-year-old uncle—who already has six wives—Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family.

The Chosen One was a heart wrenching novel about the dangers of the cult that Kyra belongs to. This book was vivid and overall extremely powerful and emotive.

The Chosen One was such an interesting book. It gives such a clear insight into life in a cult with all details preserved for effect. The writing was in the perspective of Kyra, a girl about to be forced to marry her evil, brutal uncle as forseen by The Prophet. This worked very well as you were really able to connect with her on many different levels. She didn't want to be a part of this cult anymore. She wanted a future with another boy, she wanted a normal life outside the walls of the community. She wanted and did things that were forbidden as they were influenced by the Devil. She was a very strong, determined protagonist and I really enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes.

The author really pushes the boundaries with this novel. To devout Christians or people of religion this book may seem controversial but I praise Williams for writing such a unique book. I have never read anything like this before. It raises awareness for people who are unaware of this kind of harsh lifestyle and what girls like Kyra have to go through everyday. The writing was captivating. Simple yet very engaging.

The Chosen One definitely brought a tear to my eye. I don't reccomend this for readers who enjoy light reads. It may be a short book but it explores all different kinds of emotions like grief, loss and hope. I felt immensely for Kyra as she was constantly imprisoned by the guards of the community and all of the friends that she lost. My only complaint is the relationship between Kyra and Joshua. At times it felt a little bit forced and I truthfully think that the plot didn't need the romance aspect. Nevertheless, I really liked this book and the addition of the book-mobile!