“MOON CHOSEN: TALES OF A NEW WORLD,” by P. C. Cast, St. Martin’s Griffin, Oct. 18, 2016, Hardcover, $18.99 (young adult)
When I agreed to take part in the “Moon Chosen” blog tour, I did so with some trepidation. The reason — “Moon Chosen” is a different style of book than I normally read. It turns out I was right. “Moon Chosen” was not for me, but it might be for you.
“Moon Chosen” is a fantasy set in a world where humans, their animal allies and the earth itself has been drastically changed.
Mari is an Earth Walker, heir to the unique healing powers of her Clan; but she has cast her duties aside, until she is chosen by a special animal ally, altering her destiny forever. When a deadly attack tears her world apart, Mari reveals the strength of her powers and the forbidden secret of her dual nature as she embarks on a mission to save her people. It is not until Nik, the son of the leader from a rival, dominating clan strays across her path, that Mari experiences something she has never felt before…
Now, darkness is coming, and with it, a force, more terrible and destructive than the world has ever seen, leaving Mari to cast the shadows from the earth. By forming a tumultuous alliance with Nik, she must make herself ready. Ready to save her people. Ready to save herself and Nik. Ready to embrace her true destiny…and obliterate the forces that threaten to destroy them all.
—synopsis provided by St. Martin’s Griffin
I began “Moon Chosen” with a lot of hope. P.C. Cast is a New York Times Best-Selling author known for sweeping series.
Unfortunately, “Moon Cast” begins a bit abruptly for me. Everything in it is foreign and there’s nothing that serves as a frame of reference. I knew Mari was facing some kind of challenge, but with no context, I was 50 pages in before sort of understanding what was going on in her world.
And there’s more than Mari’s world to get acquainted with. There are three different clans represented by three points of view, and one of them is so dark I couldn’t move past it. Let’s just say it something to do with wearing other people/creatures skin. There’s a definite ick factor there. I think this add to the maturity level. “Moon Chosen” is definitely for older teens/new adults.
While “Moon Chosen” didn’t work for me, I can’t deny Cast’s writing ability. Her prose is tailored perfectly to different characters and settings. I particularly enjoyed some tied to Mari: “Warm air swirled from the opening, caressing Mari’s cheek like a second mother. Mari stared into the hole to the upper world and the eastern sky, which was already reflecting the pale, washed-out colors that night painted over brilliant day.”
While I can’t recommend “Moon Chosen” — in part because I didn’t finish it. Here are some reviewers that can:
“I am seriously impressed. Just when you think authors cant possibly come up with any more new ideas someone like Cast comes along and blows your mind. Honestly the world building is unbelievable. I think that is why I love Cast, every book is completely different and surprising.” — Aggie at Aggie’s Books
“If you like dystopian novels that have multiple view points then you’ll really enjoy this novel. It has elements of magic, animals, and creepy bad guys to help you through the lengthy novel.” — Sam at Sam’s Little Corner
“Moon chosen gripped me right away. I would say that the book was a little long but that I really did love the 3 POV’s which helped it move along and the incredible world building. I loved all the feels that this book gave me and I can’t wait for the next book.” —Take Me Away to a Great Read
