Chosen: The Warrior Chronicles, Book 1

I didn't want to stop reading this book! It had everything that I look for in a great story; intelligent writing style that's easy to read, main characters with depth of personality that I can connect to and believe in, depth of character in the supporting cast, believable background story and setting and a balanced mix of relationship, tension, action and mystery.Due to the graphic nature of some of the more violent scenes, I would recommend this book to adults who are not offended by this sort of content. So if you enjoy independent, capable heroines and strong alpha heroes, tense often traumatic and brutal confrontations within epic fantasy adventures, then this book may be your next favourite read. It's certainly left me wanting to read more of The Warrior Chronicles series.You can read my full review on my WordPress blog, Flora's Musings...

A friend recommended this to me as a book she thought I would enjoy as I'd expressed how I love a female lead who is more than kick ass and doesn't need a man to help her, but how I then also love there to be an Alpha male on the side lines who fights right alongside her and supports her. Well I've found all of that in Chosen, and its only the first book in the series so I really can't wait to see what the rest of the books will bring!This book made me laugh in places, and not those quiet little laughs in your head you get when reading but a full blown, out loud belly laugh kinda funny. It's also a very sad book in many places and this book is definitely one that makes you feel all the emotions. So warn anyone who's sitting near you whilst reading that you've not gone crazy but are enjoying an awesome book.Another big like for me in this book are all the characters. The author, K. F. Breene has built all the characters full of colour, none of them are the dull boring grey type which fade into the background and from your memory after their brief appearance, no they make an impression and have a reason for being there. The world building is also spot on, and I feel there are still many areas of this world for us to discover do I can't wait to explore them in the rest of the series.In case you haven't realised from all that I've written above, this book gets the full five stars from me. I really enjoyed it and am now going to dive right into the next book now, so no one disturb me until I've finished it!

What a brilliant start to a new series by K.F.Breene! If you've read her Darkness series you will love this one. It has all the best ingredients...badass female; strong, dominant males; unlikely friendships; just enough violence; just enough humour; that little sizzle of romance; plenty of swearing (I like a swear word!!) a personal history to make you cry and of course, the almost obligatory cliff hanger!! I like all the characters, they've been introduced enough to be personable while still leaving room for growth. I like the relationships they all have, particularly the boys and Shanti! I've found I have a particular soft spot for Marc! It moved along at a good enough pace; just the right amount of action, personal time, flashbacks etc. The combination worked well and I didn't feel as though too much time was spent lingering on any one particular part of the story. I really liked how we saw different charcters' points of view...I've seen another review that says they'd like to get to know The Captain's POV in the next installment...I slightly disagree...I like the air of mystery, the not knowing how and why he's feeling. Kind of coincides with that mental block he's got going on with Shanti! If she can't read him, then maybe we shouldn't either?!I liked the story as a whole and the idea of it is intriguing. It's left me interested to see where the next book will go, what other bonds are formed and what battles will be fought.

Shanti has been given a mission by her people and it’s one she’s willing to fulfil even if it kills her. Landing herself in the Captain’s city wasn’t what she planned but it might just be what she needs. The only problem now, is whether she’ll be able to escape before the Captain and his men figure out who she is.I’ve read the darkness series, so I wasn’t overly surprised to find that I enjoyed Chosen too. It’s a unique story and Breene creates a rich and detailed world that I quickly lost myself in. The book alternates between the perspectives of several of the characters over the course of the novel, so don’t be surprised when you’re suddenly in the mind of Sanders or Marc. I actually enjoyed some of the shorter scenes from the viewpoint of the secondary characters, as they provide a different perspective of events. You will definitely feel sorry for Sanders with what he goes through. Shanti is a wonderfully complex character, even if she does seem to be focused on the destiny and title her people paced upon her. I absolutely adore the little observations she makes about the society she finds herself in. Being an outsider she has a unique perspective. I probably shouldn’t have been as amused as I was by her observations about the wealth and art, but there’s a social commentary there for those that want to see it. The scene with her being dressed up like a lady is particularly funny. Shanti is also unique in the way in which she trains and punishes her boys. She’s able to inspire them through the rather odd blend of patience and violence. Cayan, much like the rest of the men in his city, isn’t used to such a strong willed woman and certainly not one that is able to fight and evade them. Shanti is a challenge for which none of them are prepared. At this stage in the story both Cayan and Sanders are a little annoying, at least they are to me, as their treatment of Shanti comes across as more than a little sexist. I’m hopeful that as the novels continue, Shanti can change the way they view women. I highly doubt the change will happen overnight though. While they can respect the power Shanti has, when she eventually shows them, they still don’t take her as seriously as they should do (in my opinion). I’m hoping book two will show a marked improvement in the way in which the men treat Shanti.Cautionary element(s): While not explicit, the threat/topic of rape is a recurring element within this book/series.