MY REVIEW:
“Not to be chosen would yield a cruel fate of my own making”
Little girls spent years preparing for their Choosing ceremony as well as preparing for the devastating possibility that they might not be chosen by enforcing the idea that not to be chosen was their own fault. In a world of authoritarian religious control, Carrington Hale is still unprepared for rejection yet accepts it as most do. Yet once she has been initiated into life as a Lint, it does not take her very long to begin to question the Authority that rules. Offered an unusual second chance, her longtime dream of a superior marriage quickly deteriorates into a nightmare.
“The Choosing” is the debut novel by Rachelle Dekker, daughter of best-selling author Ted Dekker. His influence is obvious but Rachelle’s novel is anything but a copycat of her father’s work. The plot is well paced with a good balance between action and contemplation. Dekker’s characters are strong and it was very easy to identify with some and abhor others. The cover is gorgeous with its subtle metallic sheen.
Although a dystopian novel, “The Choosing” is not as dark and depressing as some of that genre can be but offers genuine hope for Carrington by its end. There are a few somewhat violent scenes that serve to illustrate the evil madness behind one particular character but none are overly graphic in nature. Actual Christian faith is not portrayed but is insinuated through the character of Aaron who teaches Carrington what it really means to be chosen.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel with its theme of self-worth and how we are all chosen by the Lord. I look forward to the next novel of The Seer series so I can continue the adventure with Carrington and Remko.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Like all citizens since the Ruining, Carrington Hale knows the importance of this day. But she never expected the moment she’d spent a lifetime preparing for—her Choosing ceremony—to end in disaster. Ripped from her family, she’ll spend her days serving as a Lint, the lowest level of society. She knows it’s her duty to follow the true way of the Authority.
But as Carrington begins this nightmare, rumors of rebellion rattle her beliefs. Though the whispers contradict everything she’s been told, they resonate deep within.
Then Carrington is offered an unprecedented chance at the life she’s always dreamed of, yet she can’t shake the feeling that it may be an illusion. With a killer targeting Lints and corruption threatening the highest levels of the Authority, Carrington must uncover the truth before it destroys her.
Read an excerpt from “The Choosing” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat Blair. Visit her online at www.rachelledekker.com.
