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The Choosing
(Seer #1)
by
“Not to be Chosen would yield a cruel fate of my own making.”
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—would 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 he ...more
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—would 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 he ...more
Paperback, 464 pages
Published
May 19th 2015
by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc
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Dean Renninger
This is the first of three books.
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Start your review of The Choosing (Seer, #1)
If Francine Rivers wrote a novel set in a dystopian time, it might look like The Choosing. Yes, dystopian is all the rage, but I happen to enjoy it so it wasn't really a problem for me to read another novel set in a dismal future. Dekker does a great job drawing readers in from Chapter 1. I immediately wanted to know what happened to Carrington (and the vibrant cover helped too.)
At times it did feel like not very much was happening and Carrington's struggle to believe in her worth took up quite ...more
At times it did feel like not very much was happening and Carrington's struggle to believe in her worth took up quite ...more
**NEW UPDATE**
It seems like everyone likes making comparisons, so I'll do one too:
Rachelle Dekker is like another author I've just know... I think her name was Rachelle and her last name Dekker.
I was hanging out on Tyndale's website when I saw this book, and I couldn't help going crazy because I love dystopian.
And then it happened: I saw the Dekker name.
But honestly, I like Rachelle's book because of her and not for her father. They both are great writers but I think Rachelle has a uniqu ...more
She's Ted Dekker's daughter, so I expected to enjoy Rachelle Dekker's The Choosing. What I did NOT expect was that this book would be one of my favorites of 2015. Oh my word, this gal can write. While I definitely recognized some similarities in Rachelle's and her father's writing styles and story themes, I have to admit her author voice is something all its own. Let's face it, the dystopian genre has been overdone in recent years, so much so that I've avoided the genre all together for months.
...more
Um...WOW. I've got to admit, I actually did not expect to like this book. (Hey, don't look at me that way--everyone has books they think "won't be their thing.") The cover is amazing, the plot intriguing, but...it's dystopian. And I know from experience that I typically don't jive well with that genre.
Welllllll...MAYBE THAT'S NOT TRUE.
Because oh my word, this book blew. me. away.
Lovely Things:
- The characters. OOOOH YES. I've heard some reviewers say that the themes overshadowed the charac ...more
Welllllll...MAYBE THAT'S NOT TRUE.
Because oh my word, this book blew. me. away.
Lovely Things:
- The characters. OOOOH YES. I've heard some reviewers say that the themes overshadowed the charac ...more
I received a free copy via Edelweiss for review purposes
The Choosing ceremony is the most important day in Carrington's life. It's something she has been preparing for her entire life. But she isn't chosen and is instead forced to serve out the rest of her life as a Lint - the lowest level in society, and she has to live with her mothers disapproval. As Carrington endures her first few months as a Lint, rumours of rebellion make her question her beliefs. Yet not all hope is lost as Carrington i ...more
The Choosing ceremony is the most important day in Carrington's life. It's something she has been preparing for her entire life. But she isn't chosen and is instead forced to serve out the rest of her life as a Lint - the lowest level in society, and she has to live with her mothers disapproval. As Carrington endures her first few months as a Lint, rumours of rebellion make her question her beliefs. Yet not all hope is lost as Carrington i ...more
April 4, 2019
That was..
Wow.
Just, wow.
I had hoped the book would be decent, but I did not expect that level of greatness from a book I got for like, $4-$5 at the Dollar Store last summer on a whim😱
I need to somehow find book 2 and 3 because I need more Remko and Carrington adorableness💞
That was..
Wow.
Just, wow.
I had hoped the book would be decent, but I did not expect that level of greatness from a book I got for like, $4-$5 at the Dollar Store last summer on a whim😱
I need to somehow find book 2 and 3 because I need more Remko and Carrington adorableness💞
Carrington Hale has spent her entire life preparing for her Choosing ceremony – the day that she is to be chosen to become a wife. After years of careful preparation, she is not prepared for this moment to end in disaster. Instead of being chosen, she must spend the rest of her days serving in the lowest level of society as a Lint. Knowing the Authority cannot be questioned, Carrington prepares herself for a life of toil and drudgery, completely shut off from her family. She soon establishes a c
...more
Jan 26, 2017
Melanie Kilsby
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
dystopian-or-apocolyptic,
ya-dystopian
Excellent pacing and defined writing catches hints of a psychological thriller (like her father's books) and the world building of an incredible dystopian (such as Divergent).
The character of Remko was brilliantly written. Carrington was done well. Larkin and Healms were strong side characters. Overall, the theme of finding your worth was prevalent and beautifully portrayed in the end.
I loved how Rachelle brought up another very relevant issue or theme of a false religion. With the agenda to ul ...more
The character of Remko was brilliantly written. Carrington was done well. Larkin and Healms were strong side characters. Overall, the theme of finding your worth was prevalent and beautifully portrayed in the end.
I loved how Rachelle brought up another very relevant issue or theme of a false religion. With the agenda to ul ...more
Rachelle Dekker writes with confidence and authority in her debut novel. THE CHOOSING was a smooth, easy read that at times felt like a Cassandra Clare novel but at other times, felt like Dekker's father's influence drenched the pages (NOT a bad thing!). Sometimes, the prose felt overwrought and distracted me from the story, but the story itself also exerted its strength and power to ensnare my interest from start to finish. Definitely looking forward to the next novel by Rachelle Dekker.
...more
Dec 30, 2014
Zac
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
ya,
sci-fi,
dystopian,
romance,
read-in-2015,
new-author-2015-cfd-challenge,
adult,
christian
Synopsis:
“Not to be Chosen would yield a cruel fate of my own making.”
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—would 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 rat ...more
“Not to be Chosen would yield a cruel fate of my own making.”
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—would 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 rat ...more
Well...
I really don't know what to say about this book. It was good, and I enjoyed it to some extent, but it just didn't wow me. I wasn't a big fan of the romance - it was kind of an insta-love cliché and it moved too fast, I think. My favoritest character, Larkin, hardly appeared at all in the last 30-ish percent of the book... The plot was interesting, which is why I finished it, and I'll probably check out the next book. If it goes on sale really cheap for Kindle. :P
TBH, though, I think my b ...more
I really don't know what to say about this book. It was good, and I enjoyed it to some extent, but it just didn't wow me. I wasn't a big fan of the romance - it was kind of an insta-love cliché and it moved too fast, I think. My favoritest character, Larkin, hardly appeared at all in the last 30-ish percent of the book... The plot was interesting, which is why I finished it, and I'll probably check out the next book. If it goes on sale really cheap for Kindle. :P
TBH, though, I think my b ...more
Apr 24, 2017
Tito
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
romance,
series,
ya,
amazing-side-characters,
good-plot,
different,
lots-of-hype,
too-much-hype,
3-4-stars,
dystopian
I'm not really into Christian dystopia since all the one's I've read haven't really impressed me. This book however is one of the better ones, and it's interesting enough that I might go on to read the second book. The good is the fact that there was a great message, and the plot flowed along nicely. The only problem I had was the fact that it got a little preachy at times, and it was sometimes hard to connect with the characters and so it was difficult to really care about what happened to them
...more
I have grown to love Christian dystopian books ever since I read A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes. They always have such high stakes and messages of hope through utter darkness. This book has a strong message of hope, worth, and beauty for girls. In the futuristic society the main character, Carrington, lives in, they measure a woman's worth and beauty. The women in the book judge themselves by their flaws and believes what society tells them about themselves.
Fear not, readers, for there is hope! ...more
Fear not, readers, for there is hope! ...more
This was a good story, and I liked the characters. I wasn't thrilled with the dark side of the plot...but over all, it was a unique read and I would love to see if the other books in the series are better. :)
...more
An incredible, thought-provoking read.
THINGS I LIKED:
~The characters had my heart. Carrington wasn't my absolute favorite (as is common with main characters for me) but she was a good heroine and my heart ached for her. For so many of the characters, really. Remko and Helms were super sweet (I teared up more than a little over a certain thing that happened to Helms). However, I think my favorite character was Dodson - the Authority in charge of CityWatch. Because he was downright awesome.
~The wr ...more
THINGS I LIKED:
~The characters had my heart. Carrington wasn't my absolute favorite (as is common with main characters for me) but she was a good heroine and my heart ached for her. For so many of the characters, really. Remko and Helms were super sweet (I teared up more than a little over a certain thing that happened to Helms). However, I think my favorite character was Dodson - the Authority in charge of CityWatch. Because he was downright awesome.
~The wr ...more
I had heard mixed things about this and I actually really liked it. It reminded me of Matched + Ted Dekker plot. I really love Ted Dekker's books so the similarity with the dark characters didn't bother me as much. There was redemption and hope for those who deserved it and consequences for the evil ones.
...more
I have to say that The Choosing was such an original idea for a story. The creativity to the setting and the creation of this new futuristic America was so detailed, it caught me up from the first page.
Rachelle has a talent for writing just like her dad. Her world building and the flow of the story is just fantastic. There was a richness and depth to the characters and Rachelle made sure in her writing that you weren't standing on the sidelines watching, but you were apart of the story. There we ...more
Rachelle has a talent for writing just like her dad. Her world building and the flow of the story is just fantastic. There was a richness and depth to the characters and Rachelle made sure in her writing that you weren't standing on the sidelines watching, but you were apart of the story. There we ...more
The Choosing is a well written debut novel. It's futuristic with a focus on a young lady named Carrington and the challenges she faces after not being chosen for marriage.
The cast of characters are part of what had me engaged in the novel. There were villains, cold hearts, innocents, friends and more. As a result of the characters, Carrington goes through both character and spiritual development.
The novel includes a mystery, however, that is more of a minor focus much of the time.
The future pa ...more
The cast of characters are part of what had me engaged in the novel. There were villains, cold hearts, innocents, friends and more. As a result of the characters, Carrington goes through both character and spiritual development.
The novel includes a mystery, however, that is more of a minor focus much of the time.
The future pa ...more
WOW. Well, I finished it. I'm not sure what to rate it...so I'll have to think. XD It was pretty good... And Remko? GOSH HE IS SUCH A SWEETHEART. And the truth in this?! Life IS most definitely a journey of remembering and forgetting... Lord, help us remember!
BUT, SERIOUSLY. HAND OVER BOOK TWO PLEASE. (Tomorrow. *nods*) ...more
BUT, SERIOUSLY. HAND OVER BOOK TWO PLEASE. (Tomorrow. *nods*) ...more
Feb 19, 2015
Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls)
rated it
did not like it
Shelves:
read-reviewed,
banned
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
another good read of 2018!
to be completely honest, i'm not sure if i would have continued reading it, unless it had been so highly recommended of a friend, because of the twisted Scriptures. I would've thought that I was reading something someone wrote to mock and falsely represent the gospel.
but still i read on!...
and was i glad i did! the story of a confused girl in a confused world, only knowing that she was created to be chosen by a man because it was commanded by God and the Authority, wh ...more
to be completely honest, i'm not sure if i would have continued reading it, unless it had been so highly recommended of a friend, because of the twisted Scriptures. I would've thought that I was reading something someone wrote to mock and falsely represent the gospel.
but still i read on!...
and was i glad i did! the story of a confused girl in a confused world, only knowing that she was created to be chosen by a man because it was commanded by God and the Authority, wh ...more
In my mind The Choosing is one part Matched meets one part Ted Dekker, meets one part crime drama, meets one part YA Dystopia. I know, that's a lot of parts but I feel like that was the different waves of thought I had for this book.
I'll start off by saying I wasn't sure what to expect. Per usual, I didn't read the back cover or blurbs about the book. I knew it was dystopian and I knew it dealt with identity, but that was about it. I dove in with anticipation and a little bit of wariness, unsur ...more
I'll start off by saying I wasn't sure what to expect. Per usual, I didn't read the back cover or blurbs about the book. I knew it was dystopian and I knew it dealt with identity, but that was about it. I dove in with anticipation and a little bit of wariness, unsur ...more
From The Book
“Not to be Chosen would yield a cruel fate of my own making.”
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—would 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 ra ...more
Whoa!!! Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Speechless….hows that for a review?!?
Doesnt work too well I suppose.
I have been waiting and anticipating Rachelle Dekker’s debut novel and …..whoa!
You see, I’ve been a fan of her dad for a while now, but we aren’t here to talk about Ted.
We’re here to talk about The Choosing.
In a word….spectacular!
Rachelle really sucked me in- big time.
I couldn’t put this book down and it had me reading late into the night…way, way past my bedtime.
The sign of a great book…”I’ll read just ...more
Speechless….hows that for a review?!?
Doesnt work too well I suppose.
I have been waiting and anticipating Rachelle Dekker’s debut novel and …..whoa!
You see, I’ve been a fan of her dad for a while now, but we aren’t here to talk about Ted.
We’re here to talk about The Choosing.
In a word….spectacular!
Rachelle really sucked me in- big time.
I couldn’t put this book down and it had me reading late into the night…way, way past my bedtime.
The sign of a great book…”I’ll read just ...more
First, thanks to Edelweiss and Tyndale House Publishers for allowing me to read an egalley of this title. I've always wanted to read a book by her father, Ted Dekker, but just have never gotten around to it. So when I saw this title, I went ahead and requested it because it did sound like a good one. It's a dystopian story, with a bit of a religious slant, but not in a way that you would think it is a Christian fiction book. I did really enjoy it, and at the beginning, well let's say it hit me a
...more
I really, really wanted to like this book.
And it was ok, I suppose. But it just didn't work for me for a few reasons.
1. The Christian message seemed.... off. Sure, it was a good message, about finding your worth in who God, our Father, is instead of in what society says about us. That's awesome to know who you are in Christ. Really. BUT. Jesus was never mentioned. Not once do I remember Christ mentioned. It's explained that we're children of God, because of Him. But it's not told WHY. It's not ...more
And it was ok, I suppose. But it just didn't work for me for a few reasons.
1. The Christian message seemed.... off. Sure, it was a good message, about finding your worth in who God, our Father, is instead of in what society says about us. That's awesome to know who you are in Christ. Really. BUT. Jesus was never mentioned. Not once do I remember Christ mentioned. It's explained that we're children of God, because of Him. But it's not told WHY. It's not ...more
Am I allowed to scream with joy that a Christian author has finally written teen dystopian fiction? Well, too bad, because I'm screaming anyway! I'm a dystopian lover by nature. When I took my creative writing courses, one of the stories I wrote was dystopian. One of my favorite book is Fahrenheit 451 and I am a HUGE Hunger Games fan . . . like, before the books were being made into movies, I loved them. So I always felt the void, the lack if you will, of dystopian fiction for Christian teens. B
...more
Jan 23, 2018
Danette
rated it
really liked it
Recommended to Danette by:
Ashley Boyne
Shelves:
2018-reading-challenge
I don't usually read dystopian novels and wasn't sure what to expect but this one sucked me right in and I just had to find out what happened. Lots to think about: twisting the Scriptures, what a society will do to be "safe", and the dangers of blind submission.
I might just have to pick up the sequel.
2018 - A book recommended by a friend ...more
I might just have to pick up the sequel.
2018 - A book recommended by a friend ...more
I’m thankful for the review copy of this book and surprised at how this story affected me. I was caught off guard as the Lord used the power of storytelling to gently tug at my heartstrings and allowed me to hear this message that touched my soul. This book had me up until 3 a.m. reading through tears, throat tight and shoulders shaking. It was a riveting read.
I don’t normally read dystopia type stories but this one caught my eye; first by the intriguing cover and then by the authors name. Rach ...more
I don’t normally read dystopia type stories but this one caught my eye; first by the intriguing cover and then by the authors name. Rach ...more
Not to be chosen would be a cruel fate of my own making.
According to the Authority, the worth of someone is determined whether or not she is chosen by a man to be his bride. When Carrington Hale is not chosen, she must live the rest of her life as a Lint– unchosen and unloved, destined to be forever alone. But nothing is as it seems, Lint girls are being found murdered, and a man marked as a traitor says things that could bring the very structure of society crashing down.
Stories set in a dystopi ...more
According to the Authority, the worth of someone is determined whether or not she is chosen by a man to be his bride. When Carrington Hale is not chosen, she must live the rest of her life as a Lint– unchosen and unloved, destined to be forever alone. But nothing is as it seems, Lint girls are being found murdered, and a man marked as a traitor says things that could bring the very structure of society crashing down.
Stories set in a dystopi ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YA Buddy Readers'...: The Choosing (Seer #1) by Rachelle Dekker - MMC GBR - Starting August 23rd 2015 | 28 | 96 | Aug 31, 2015 03:46PM | |
| Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish | 1 | 6 | Jan 04, 2015 09:13AM |
Readers also enjoyed
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
...more
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“The truth is beautiful, like you. The truth is you have been made perfect and are wholly loved. Chosen simply because you breathe, because you exist, because of who created you.”
—
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“I believe the flower’s purpose is not to be beautiful; it is to grow. Many seeds shrivel in the ground, but this one grew, and therefore it has been picked already, it is chosen already, it is beautiful already.”
—
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