I picked Chosen up at the library because the cover art looked good. I've been reading a lot of young adult/older child fiction recently because the books read fast and I feel like they are about all my overwhelmed mama brain can handle. The story started out great and I really thought it was going to be a winner. Then Dekker brought in some humor in the form of bats. It got a little cheezy. I still think the book was worth reading. Yes the romance is underdevloped and the story is a little simplistic but the main charter was definitely likeable and the basic story line was intriguing. I like the idea of the Forest Guard, fighting off the disease that causes them to become part of the hoard with magical waters and bathing :) Maybe I should read it to my kids to encourage more showers. Chosen is part of a huge series of books that starts with three graphic novels and ends with a whole slew of books following this one. I will not be reading the graphic novels. My mind just doesn't work that way. I can't stand them. I will be checking out the following books though...at least for now.