Customer Reviews

Chosen Ones (Aedyn Chronicles, The)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Chosen Ones" is a Middle Grade fantasy novel, but I think kids ages 5-9 would actually enjoy the story (being read to them) the most. There were some black and white drawings of the events in the story, but unfortunately they weren't that accurate to the details in the text.

The first half of the story was full of detail--most of it unnecessary to the story--which slowed the action. Very little happened. Many of the details were also very obviously based off of various "Chronicles of Narnia" books, but the details the author chose to mimic were not the sense-of-wonder inspiring ones. The kids (one named Peter) jump into a glowing pool at a Professor's house in England and end up on an island that has smart (though not talking) animals and people and they're expected to fulfill a prophecy. In the second half of the novel, the action picked up and the story became original.

The characters tended to be one-dimensional; they were defined by one trait and didn't act beyond it. Also, most of the potential crisis points where solved very easily and quickly, so the suspense was lacking in my opinion--though young children might find it exciting.

I sometimes didn't understand why the children or villains acted the way they did. For example, no explanation was given for why our hero children (aged 13 and 14) still went to the castle after they ran into evil warriors that were clearly from the castle. Also, there were a number of unrealistic non-fantasy elements. Most were minor things that weren't critical to the story, but others were critical--like a slave being able to create a complex technology that's new to him from a sketch in one day.

There were some quotes from the Bible, though anyone not familiar with the Bible probably wouldn't recognize that's what they were, and some Bible-like parallels (like a Passover-like meal of remembrance). The slaves worshiped a Lord of Hosts, their name for their Creator god. The two hero children had one magical power, and another, good character could do magic. There was no bad language or sex.

I read this story out loud to a 12-year-old girl. She fidgeted during the first half but became more interested during the second half. Throughout the story, she said things like, "Why did they do that? That doesn't make sense" or "Yeah, right, no one's that dumb" or "No kid would know how to build that!" At the end, she said, "I still don't get such-and-such." However, she said she did enjoy the story (though she's not interested in reading it again--usually she re-reads books that she loves), and she'd be interested in reading the second book in the series.

Alister has made the move into the influential fantasy fiction market after concentrating on his main gifts in theology and apologetics. The result is a well crafted, enjoyable story that is fun and positive. We really need more books like this and I hope it does well. It does have a Narnia-esque feel to it as others have pointed out but that in no way takes away from it's own charm.

Other christian fantasy books I really like are:

Godstone - The Kairos Boxes

100 Cupboards (100 Cupboards, Bk 1)

Peter and Julia's grandparents' garden was built by a monk five hundred years ago in preparation of the Chosen Ones. He was murdered shortly after. Now, even on moonless nights, the garden emits an eerie silver glow. Enchanted, the children are drawn into the garden's pool, waking to wind themselves in the land of Aedyn.

If this book was any more of a Narnia copycat, McGrath would probably be sued for copyright infringement. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing; almost everybody copies somebody else to a certian extent, so why not copy one of the masters?

Chosen Ones get no points for originality, but you still won't be able to keep from liking it. It feels like reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe again, just with half the kids and an alternate ending.

Yes, it is reminiscent of Chronicles of Narnia. So what? In these days when Hollywood is remaking all of the movies, cartoons and stories of our youth without adding anything, it's nice to encounter an author who can twist an idea in a new direction.

I enjoyed this book. It's sweet. It's simple. It was a pleasure to read, and whilst doing so it was easy to imagine having it read to me by a shawl-clad grandparent. It also conveys the same important message that C.S. Lewis did, but in a faster-paced fashion more suitable for our ADD/ADHD generation. I passed it on to my 19 y/o daughter who also enjoyed it, though she said she hopes the next book in the series has more "meat" to it. My 10 y/o son thought it was wonderful, and considering how difficult it usually is to interest him in a book, that was quite an accomplishment!

McGrath will become this generation's C.S. Lewis, I have no doubt about that. We're all looking forward to the next book in the series.

This book is ok. I just can't bring myself to get all excited about it because I found myself thinking things like (nobody says things like that). The illustrations were kinda cool but I agree with whoever was talking about the pictures not being very accurate to what the story described.

The characters, Peter and Julia, were completely 100% forgettable. I finished the book yesterday and had to look up their names today, which I think is kinda sad. There is not a lot of character development. There is a few points of conflict, but the resolutions come about so quickly. It's not quite as dry as I make it out to be but similar to "I'm mad at you, you traitor."... here's what really happened... "oh, okay. I'm not mad at you any more." (part where I hang head an shake it) The dialogue is ok, nothing too terrible, yet nothing memorable. About the only part I really enjoyed was Julia punching her brother because it showed some emotion and fire and life from an otherwise very boring character.

The story itself does have some Narnia-like aspects to it, but it's just plainly not done as well. To some extent I believe it unfair to be continually comparing this story to something well received like Narnia, but even when I measure the story on its own, it just doesn't impress me. I think the basic gist of the story is good, but it sometimes sounds like a theology textbook and not a fantasy story. There are a few nice descriptions but they're not enough to salvage a tale with thin plotlines. (You are the Chosen Ones, you have special gifts, you're meant to save us... ok, so what do we do? You will know when the time comes... bad guys show up, eek... scream... run away... oops they caught you., etc.)

In all fairness, there are things to like about the story, but in my opinion, there's much more that simply bores.

Another reviewer stated that this book copies heavily from the Chronicles of Narnia & they're correct. From the very second the two children appear in Aedyn, I began to see the multiple similarities between the two. Just like in `The Lion, The Witch, & the Wardrobe", you have children who must save the land from an evil ruler (in this case rulers) & you have a mysteriously powerful figure who helps lead the children (although the person in this isn't a God stand-in). If this book wasn't well enough written, it could have turned out badly. Thank goodness that it didn't. I only hope that in future books, he goes off on more of his own thing.

Peter & Julia are two siblings vacationing at their grandparents' house. They're waiting for their father to come on shore leave & visit them. However, before he can even arrive, Julia begins to see the strangest thing in the little garden next to the house- everything in it glows silver at night. As she & her brother investigate, they get sucked into another world where they discover that they must rescue it from the cruel leadership of the people who currently run it.

This book really did have a nice bit of charm to it. I will admit that I found both of the children a little selfish at first, but it was intentionally done for story purposes later in the book. The book is well written for kids & while it has some violence in it, it isn't listed in detail. (So parents shouldn't have any problem with their kids reading it, but as always- to know for certain, you should read the book along with your kids.) As said in the title, this book is less subtle than the Narnia books when it comes to the religious content, but it doesn't beat you over the head with it.

My only gripe is that the story seemed to go by a little too quickly & I really wanted to get a little more detail about the strange world as well as a bit more detail about how everything got wrapped up in the end. This is the first in a series, so I imagine that there will be more detail as the series unfolds.

Not all adults will enjoy this series, but kids are sure to love this book- plus it should appeal to even those who aren't fans of religious reads. It'll make for a nice read to buy for those summer trips that are sure to be coming up soon!

Yes, it reminds me of Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe.. many newer fantasies do. It was also very apparently written to a Biblical theme. I am a Christian, but do not choose to read over powering books. This I thought was quite good, for it being what it was. The writing.. eh, could use some more imagination, but overall I give it a 6.5 out of 10. I think anyone who prefers Christian set books would find this very favorable for adults and children 10 alike. I will read the other books in the series, that is for sure. I say do it, especially since its free.

As I read this story, I could see the parallels to the Exodus story, right down to the meal of remembrance (Passover). There were many similarities. I enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more books in this series.

I started reading this and very quickly realized this was heavily, heavily influenced by CS Lewis, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Ironic that the author is also a respected theologian. While the storyline is familiar, the writing doesn't hold a candle to CS Lewis's work. I found myself annoyed by the lack of vocabulary and plain descriptions. This could be much better.

Peter and Julia are resigned to enduring a visit to their grandparents in Oxford. "Chosen Ones" is book one in their Aedyn Chronicles. Julia discovered a mysterious garden that glowed with silver light on moonless nights.

Dull stories took on a new light when Grandfather told the old tale of a monk being murdered in the enchanted garden. Later, Julia and Peter went visited the garden. Julia felt drawn to the pool in the garden. Suddenly a force pulled them toward the water and a doorway.

Their adventures began as they stepped into the dark waters. Almost immediately they found themselves on a deserted white beach with balmy winds. Like paradise.

Alister McGrath's captures the imagination of the young reader, drawing them into the thrill and wonder of an exciting quest for answers.

A Man name Gaius, his face etched with deep lines, his eyes piercing, dressed in a hooded robe, the discovery of a castle, hooded men clad in black, cobbled streets, and an immense stairway all add to the sense of the haunting mystery confronting Julia and Peter. They discover that they are the key link to saving Aedyn from destruction. Stories of shipwreck, a speaking wolf, explosive gun powder, kept me turning pages as I read of the mounting suspense and fast moving action of each fascinating escapade.

Young readers will enjoy the Alister McGrath's creative imagination, the fantasy, of the story as well as the element of self discovery as they identify with Peter and Julia's character and core values.

Highly imaginative, quality writing, with a message for today's youth.