Thank you Hachette for this book in exchange for an honest review
Synopsis:
A decade ago near Chicago, five teenagers defeated the otherworldly enemy known as the Dark One, whose reign of terror brought widespread destruction and death. The seemingly un-extraordinary teens—Sloane, Matt, Ines, Albie, and Esther—had been brought together by a clandestine government agency because one of them was fated to be the “Chosen One,” prophesized to save the world. With the goal achieved, humankind celebrated the victors and began to mourn their lost loved ones.
Ten years later, though the champions remain celebrities, the world has moved forward and a whole, younger generation doesn’t seem to recall the days of endless fear. But Sloane remembers. It’s impossible for her to forget when the paparazzi haunt her every step just as the Dark One still haunts her dreams. Unlike everyone else, she hasn’t moved on; she’s adrift—no direction, no goals, no purpose. On the eve of the Ten Year Celebration of Peace, a new trauma hits the Chosen: the death of one of their own. And when they gather for the funeral at the enshrined site of their triumph, they discover to their horror that the Dark One’s reign never really ended.
Review:
I have really mixed feelings about this book.
The first being that this didn’t feel much different to Roth’s YA books, so couldn’t this just have been a YA book? *shrugs* I’m not too sure if I am alone with this one but I honestly couldn’t figure out why this was classified as an adult book? The characters didn’t appear to be older, they were kidless, had basic dialogue, nothing really screamed ADULT about them? Maybe isolation has caused my brain to go to mush because I have been reading wayyyyy to many books. Who knows?!
The pace was really drawn out. Really drawn out. There were some parts that hit you in the face and you loved them but other parts were taking their sweet ass time! Maybe I am inpatient?
The superhero vibe? Hellll yeaahhhhh I loved this. Their skills and powers were incredible and I fricken loved it! You can see how their powers have made an inpact on the earth, fashion and well everything. Pretty much this is based 10 years after they saved the world from the Dark One and they are trying to have normal lives but it’s hard due to lingering memories, PTSD and their overall mental health. I really loved this aspect of the book because mental health needs to be talked about more and openly!
I also wasn’t a big fan of Sloane… It was kinda like she was a toddler handing off my leg trying to take my candy the whole book. I just couldn’t relate her or find her interesting at all. But I realllly like the Dark One. I mean can we get more info on them?? Like a whole spin off series. Dark One is now one of my favourite baddies!
Wrapping this up, beside the really slow pacing and this book not really being sure of where it fits in the world, the rest of the book was pretty okay. I have a feeling that this is just a book that will lead into something bigger and better with the next book!
Rating: 4/5
Publisher: Hachette
ISBN: 9780358164081