Customer Reviews

To Be Chosen

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

How to begin? This is a book I picked up after an author e-mail/press release in January '08. The tagline "Ask yourself what you would do if you were chosen to better humanity...because you were," sets the expectation that this book is going to go somewhere. I plodded through the child-like text and choose-your-own-adventure plot and closed this book gladly. Despite glimmers of deeper thought that step out of text sporadically - the appearance of the green man, phrases like "a living statue of gold and volcanic glass", the inference of Nietzsche (the abyss gazes into you), right up to one of the closing concepts of an Earth on which "the freed slaves from a hundred worlds were equal in number to the surviving humans" - are few and far between. Despite the books promise, "profound thoughts are provoked," by and large the story is a mish-mash of Wikipedia-like entries and badly chosen grammar, fragmented sentences and in many cases the repeated use of the incorrect word (wonder vs. wander, passed vs. past in particular). Child-like telling is consistent throughout: a constant switching between highbrow concept straight to gutter talk and unending references to any one of the character's butts, packages, pecs, biceps, etc. become an uninteresting dull roar. The diary of a peeping Tom. Unthinkingness - to quote Samuel Delany. The entire book should be culled to the choicest of its concepts and then smartly edited and re-issued.

Great concept, not so great book

I when I pick up this book I had high hopes. I read all the reviews, paid my $20 something dollars for a paperback and couldn't wait for it to come in the mail. the day I received it and dove right in. after the first few page fascinated by the story and the creation of the characters but the deeper I got into the book the more disappointed I got. Characters started to know things that they were not present for in the story (Darby's friends getting out of jail and talking about the hide out the "chosen" flee to when running from the cops), the witch's incantations, and the fact that every page of the book is like telling a Horney teenager to write a book full of untactful descriptions of sex appeal and body parts in the most awkward parts of the story. No I'm not talking about the rape and torture that helps sell the idea of hell, I'm talking about running for our lives and checking out the naked man in front of us lusting for him while we are still being pursued even after a friend just died... I didn't feel for any of the characters they all seem emotionless. Overall the only thing I liked about this book is the concept that hell is not beneath our feet but another planet ruled by the fallen angel's.

This book is a great read which captures you attention immediately and holds on for the whole read. It's a fascinating co-mingling of many religious traditions and the result is a message that rings across all that love is what it's all about, regardless of who you are or where you came from. Makes you really ponder the question personally 'Am I chosen and for what?' Each charater is introduced effectively with a background that brings them alive and you can relate to personally. The theme is the classic save the world theme, but with lots of unique twists and turns and even humor along the way. Some great out of the box thinking, and challenges the reader to look at their own experience from a new perspective. And you have fun along the way too!

When I read on the jacket "a grieving father, a witch, and a gay college boy' it sounded a little like the start of a joke, but as I read further I discovered a wonderful and touching story of love, brotherhood, and family. It is a difficult book to describe to others. The story takes place on Earth as well as a planet across the universe and one character is a child on page 10 and an old woman on page 50, but it all fits together, is understandable and a wonderful journey the author takes the reader. The mountain of research on a multitude of religions, cultures, and ceremonies, all wove its way through the pages in a delightful way. I enjoyed the book thoroughly and going recommend it to my friends. I read exclusively gay fiction and this is the first book in years that held my interest where the majority of the characters were heterosexual. I loved your all your characters, especially Honey who made me laugh out loud and reminded me of friends no longer in my life. I want to thank the author for such an incredible story, will keep an eye peeled for the next one. There will be a next one?

I would like to say that i had the best experience reading this novel. I suggest this book to anyone who would like to take a jorney they will never forget.. The first book i have cared to read more than once in a...well a very long time.. Shows the undying love of God that knows no bounds for anyone no matter who you are.. So i would suggest that this book be a top priority read. Will definately keep you coming back to pick it up for more.. Thanks for your time in reading my review.

This book was different than I expected. With the subject matter dealing at least in part with religion, I was thinking it would be slow-paced; more reflective and cerebral. I was expecting an emotional story based more upon character motivation rather than being plot driven.

Quite the contrary; though it had it's emotional moments, it was definitely an adventure. It was a roller coaster ride, in fact. The story line definitely had lots of action, with many plot twists, turns and surprises. It dealt with an almost epic character base and it had definitely "edge of your seat" action, almost the whole time. But though more plot-driven, it nevertheless made me re-think some traditional religious concepts.

The book was very visual, in that it vividly painted fantastic other-worldly scenarios that could easily be seen in the mind's eye. It had very unique slants and interpretations of both traditional and non-traditional religious concepts and beliefs, often joining elements of different faiths. At times the story blended them into an almost Forest Gump-ish bittersweet amalgam.

It definitely kept me entralled. I don't think I've ever read a book that had both non-traditional religious and sexuality elements so openly present and intertwined with the plot. This book isn't for everyone because of those unique elements; it is for the open-minded only. But I really liked this book because it had a way of making me think outside the box and ponder ideas that I hadn't thought about in ages, or had never crossed my mind.

This first novel by a very gifted author is amazing. His ability to surpass social mores and develop unique characters that give every reader something to indentify with makes this book such an uplifting pleasure to read. From the moment you meet each character individually, you are drawn into their world. You feel the passion and personal struggles each one faces. When the characters meet and take the story to a more spiritual level, Michael brings in more of a fantasy genre that keeps you anticipating the next page. The book leaves you with such an overall positive feeling of love for others and love for God; for aren't we all chosen to lead with love?

I would rank this book along with Buffy the Vampire Slayer as being excellent examples of pop culture's fascination with the battle between good and evil. Michael's book is a fantasy, in that it presents to us a picture of an inclusive and tolerant world. I happen to share his hope; but, if you do not come at the book with the same view, I don't think you'll be won over by it, unfortunately. As with every good book I've read, I've found a piece of myself in every character, so much so that I was sad to come to its conclusion and take leave of them. The cover art is in itself worth the price of the book; I just wish a hardbound copy of it would have been available. We can expect more good things from this author.

I am well read, and this book is my new favorite. It has everything I like, but rarely find combined in one novel, so even 420-something pages weren't enough. At the beginning, the stories of the three main characters are being told separately. Each one is interesting, and things really take off when they meet. I didn't know how I would feel about the mix of themes--Christian/pagan, gay/straight, action/romance/fantasy--but it works. Some people will have a hard time seeing past the controversial aspects, but I found myself liking the characters too much to be distracted by that stuff. It's thought-provoking and by the end, I loved these people and felt like part of their crazy family. Despite all of the shockers, the moral came shining through--God loves everybody. This was the first time I ever reread a book because of the way it made me feel about myself.

I loved this book! Michael writes with such vivid details that you feel as though you are part of the story. Roman, Blair and Darby are chosen to be God's warriors to help fight a battle for Earth's survival. If you enjoy suspense, love, sex, mystery, humor, have an open mind and can think outside the box, this book is for you! The family bond that is formed from such three uniquely different people, with such diverse backgrounds makes you realize that anything in this world is possible!