Book Review: The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

This lovely little book was our book club selection from last month.
I love book club. It has brought so many new books to me that I might have looked over or never heard of. Plus, my book club is not one of those Nazi book clubs. If I run out of time, or don't finish the book (I have literally had my book at a stop light and read until it turned green trying to finish. Does that fall under the no driving and texting law? I have not been caught yet!! Rebel. That's me.) I am still welcomed with open arms.

The Chosen One is a heartbreaking and disturbing account of a 13 year-old-girl named Kyra who grows up in an isolated polygamous community. Kyra loves her family deeply and never questions why her father has 3 wives and why she has 20 brothers and sisters. But Kyra has witnessed terrible acts of violence: deformed babies being cast out because they are deemed unfit for the community, small children being tortured, gunshots in the middle of the night, "disobedient" boys being dropped in the desert at night and women being beaten for no comprehensible reason. Kyra is starting to understand that no one is safe and what little faith and safety she felt from the leader of the community (the Prophet) is gone when he orders her to marry her 60 year-old uncle who has 6 wives already. Kyra decides she must do whatever it takes to escape and survive. Even if it means putting her and her family in great danger.

The Chosen One is a quick and easy read, only 224 pages and the font is rather big so I knocked this bad boy out in about 2 and a half hours. Not my best time, but pretty darn close. Character development is a little lite and (for me) the ending leaves you hanging.

I hate that.

My mind is already busy trying to figure out if  that was a bird that just hit my window, or are there 12 ninjas outside trying to kick in my door (rebel and a wimp). JUST TELL ME HOW IT ENDS!!!! AND it better be the right ending!! Nicholas Sparks you know I am talking to you!!

Anyway.....
 If you are looking for an easy story that holds your interest from beginning to end this is the book for you!!
Hope you enjoy!!

Meg