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Chosen

(The Elm Stone Saga #1)

Shayla Morgansen (Goodreads Author)

4.32 · Rating details · 72 ratings · 20 reviews

Chosen is an urban fantasy novel and is book one in The Elm Stone Saga. The White Elm council has governed the magical societies of the world for centuries, keeping the peace, leading the way of the light, but when popular and powerful Lisandro announces his intention to leave the council, a line is drawn in the sand.

Young Irish sorceress Aristea Byrne jumps at the opport ...more

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Paperback, 482 pages

Published May 29th 2016 by Ouroborus Book Services (first published January 1st 2014)

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Dec 29, 2014 Jaroslav Košut rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time, there was a young man. Like many people his age, he enjoyed movies, video games, parties... stuff like that. He didn't read much. Actually, he didn't read at all. The last time he read a book was a decade ago. Little did he know that was about to change...

One day he ordered a book – more to show support to his friend than to satisfy his desire to read. You could say it was a regular book, since it looked like any other book, but you would be wrong. It wa Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time, there was a young man. Like many people his age, he enjoyed movies, video games, parties... stuff like that. He didn't read much. Actually, he didn't read at all. The last time he read a book was a decade ago. Little did he know that was about to change...

One day he ordered a book – more to show support to his friend than to satisfy his desire to read. You could say it was a regular book, since it looked like any other book, but you would be wrong. It wasn't. Not to him. To him, it was a sign of an upcoming change. The change he was afraid of, but the change he so desperately needed.

The package arrived about a week after that. Curious, he went inside, lay down in his bed and quickly opened it. And there it was. Simple and beautiful cover, nothing overly extravagant. Just the way it should be.

He was hesitant at first. Wondering. Would he like it? When dozens of books before failed to keep him hooked for more than a couple pages? It wouldn't hurt to try anyway. So he started reading.

And there she was. Aristea. A girl worthy of keeping his attention. Strong. Powerful. Filled with self-doubt. Empathetic. Haunted by tragedy. Anything but perfect. But she tries. He wasn't exactly the same, but he easily related to her and quickly started to like her. And not just her alone. He was pleased to see that even the other characters were properly thought-through and had a lot of depth, which made them quite likeable.

Northern Ireland suburbs. Old mansion. An orchard. Wherever she went, he followed her, starting to lose the track of time and finding himself being unable to stop. Why would he stop reading and go get something to eat when there was still a story, waiting to be read? He particularly loved the descriptions. He just felt like he was really there. He even felt the weather, the cold wind – good thing he could snuggle under the blanket to keep himself warm.

But since he was a bit more of a scientific type of person, he soon started to wonder how the magic works. It has to have some logical explanation, right? It does. And he was surprised that it made more sense than all the other fantasy books. He absolutely loved it.

When he finished the book after a weekend of reading (and postponing all the important work due on Monday), he felt... grateful. Grateful that he was allowed to partake in this thrilling and intense adventure. And satisfied. And even, how could he put it... changed? What happened to the man that never cared much about reading?

Chosen. A book that changed me. ...more

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Aug 28, 2014 Rebecca Foster rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Morgansen does a spectacular job of making magic itself appear real. It seems quite clear that she has a tremendous amount of scientific knowledge that she draws from to make this happen. Whether she has a background in science, or not, that I don't know.

But she clearly understands scientific processes and theories.

We see this in the instructors of the White Elm Academy. The reader is privy to bits and pieces of lecture that feel very much like real classroom lectures... though more interesting ...more

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May 07, 2020 JE Miller rated it it was amazing

I love this book so much. After Harry Potter ended, I thought I’d never be happy again. But then I found Chosen, shining like a bright light!
Incredibly hard to put down, it’s a wonderfully captivating and magical story full of beautifully developed characters.
I can’t wait to get the rest of the series!

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Oct 30, 2016 Erin rated it it was amazing

For more of my reviews, and to read a guest post from the author of Chosen, check out my blog!

My Rating: 4.75 Stars

Alright y’all, I will admit, when I first started this book, it was a little reminiscent of Harry Potter – I was immediately concerned. Teenager gets contacted by magical school that wants to train her to be a sorcerer…with a wand. However, as the book progressed, it became immediately apparent to me that while the author of this book may have been a Harry Potter fan (Shayla actuall For more of my reviews, and to read a guest post from the author of Chosen, check out my blog!

My Rating: 4.75 Stars

Alright y’all, I will admit, when I first started this book, it was a little reminiscent of Harry Potter – I was immediately concerned. Teenager gets contacted by magical school that wants to train her to be a sorcerer…with a wand. However, as the book progressed, it became immediately apparent to me that while the author of this book may have been a Harry Potter fan (Shayla actually confirms this in the guest post she wrote), and this may have influenced some of her creative choices, the main plot of the book is nothing like the popular JK Rowling series we all know and love. As you can tell by my rating, I really enjoyed this book. Let me tell you why.

The main character of this series is Aristea, a spunky 17 year old with self-esteem issues. I actually liked and felt connected to her almost immediately – a rarity for me while reading a book. Her parents and older brother died in a tragic accident during a storm, and Aristea has been raised by her older sister for the majority of her teenage years. While the author doesn’t focus too much on the relationship between Aristea and her older sister, the glimpses we did get throughout the book were really endearing.

Upon Aristea’s arrival at the Academy, we are introduced to whole new host of characters – most notably, the dark and mysterious Renatus. Now, for my fellow romance lovers, Renatus is definitely swoon worthy, however, he is NOT a romantic interest for Aristea – I honestly don’t think she will have one in the series. While the hopeless romantic in me kind of wants for something to happen between the two of them, the sensible part of me appreciates their relationship the way it is. Renatus and Aristea have a really great dynamic, he seems to be a great mentor for her, and because of their shared history, there is a unique level of trust between them.

I think what I enjoyed the most about the book was that while Aristea’s experiences at the Academy are interesting, they aren’t the only thing happening in the book. Three of the members of the White Elm Council have deserted and formed their own group, hell bent on destroying the White Elm Council for reasons unknown thus far. I loved the chapters written from the perspective of members of the council – they were full of action and offered insight on council members that I may not have known much about otherwise.

The only thing that stopped me from rating this book a full five stars, was that I found it to be a little slow in places. The chapters during which Aristea was in class dragged a bit for me – the slow points in the book were few and far between, but there nonetheless. I only took off a quarter of a star for this because for the most part, the slower parts of the book were necessary for world building.

My Takeaway: A fast paced and interesting book with a unique premise and a set of characters that are easy to relate to. I am already halfway through the second book in the series and can’t wait to read the third!

**CHECK OUT MY INTERVIEWS AND EXTRAS PAGE FOR MY VERY FIRST GUEST POST – SHAYLA MORGANSEN HERSELF! I WILL ALSO BE POSTING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR SOMETIME NEXT WEEK.** ...more

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Jun 11, 2014 Phoenix J Guidosteen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Birth of a New Classic

Earlier this year, I was delighted to have received an invitation from Ouroborus Books,to attend the world launch of what I was promised to be the beginning of a fantastic magical new series and I have to be honest in declaring that it was actually the novel's title that first captured my attention; ‘The Elmstone Saga: CHOSEN’.

I am pleased to report, that every word that followed in this novel (from first time author Shayla Morgansen), did not fail to disappoint.
From it ...more

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Jan 14, 2015 Hal Emmerich rated it really liked it · review of another edition

My first thoughts are that I can't wait to read the next in the series. The tight, direct, impactful prose makes for an easy-to-follow flow in the action and makes the story a real page-turner. Prose is important, I think, and is the basis of style for an author, and hers, though somewhat topical, effectively comes off as unpretentious, which I prefer to flowery fluff without meaning. Her writing has the sort of bite to make the story entertaining and hard to put down. There is suspense in ever My first thoughts are that I can't wait to read the next in the series. The tight, direct, impactful prose makes for an easy-to-follow flow in the action and makes the story a real page-turner. Prose is important, I think, and is the basis of style for an author, and hers, though somewhat topical, effectively comes off as unpretentious, which I prefer to flowery fluff without meaning. Her writing has the sort of bite to make the story entertaining and hard to put down. There is suspense in every paragraph. When self-doubt is implemented within a story's narrating, especially in the narrating of a character through a first-person perspective, it produces inherent intensity that keeps the reader craving for what happens next; how things will turn out, because the narrative voice isn't absolute and the characters certainly aren't either.
Not only the style of writing, but the characters keep you wanting more. As always, her characters come off the page with a truly lifelike tangibility. You really want to know these characters, and the tragedy that follows some of them makes you wish you could be there to help and not simply be an onlooker. And the world she created--a version of our own world, being a dimension that exists within it, embellished with fantastical elements--comes off as palpable and has depth. Her descriptions of nature show her appreciation for the outdoors and it paints an authentic image accordingly. Her magic system, I thought, was impressively defined and thought-out and was presented in an explicit way, making it possibly easier to grasp for those who falter in imagination and need something outright and concrete.
The little mementos that come up in the story always trigger an emotional response for me, as does all of this author's writing. I emphasize 'little' because putting significance in something that may appear otherwise insignificant or menial within a setting that delivers on such a grand scale derives a special appreciation out of the reader who will recognize it. This makes for almost automatic emotional impact. It tugs at the heart strings, so to speak.
Truly a well-defined, well-polished, and gripping piece. I can't wait to read the next one!
...more

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Aug 31, 2018 Ibanez Mick rated it really liked it

Well Shayla I met you last year at the Fraser Pop and bought all your published novels though unfortunately I hadn't got around to reading any of them and when I said hi to you at Fraser Pop this year I went home thinking as soon as I finish Wolves of the calla I should start reading this series and I'm glad I did, it's taken a little while because I've been drawing heaps of late so reading has been secondary. Having said that I really enjoyed this book, it was very well written and structured, ...more

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Apr 25, 2019 April rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019

Recently, when I go to the library to pick up the most recent batch of books I’ve requested, I’ve been also been picking a random book that catches my eye. I’ve found a bunch of mediocre reads, several genuinely awful books, and a few gems.

This is a gem.

I wasn’t sold at first. The prologue felt... kinda clunky and a bit awkward. But the more I read, the more it sucked me in. I didn’t want to stop reading and when I had to stop, I found myself thinking about it. It’s not a super slick, highly pol ...more

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Jul 14, 2015 Marjorie Dawson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Superb young fantasy that grown in depth as it unfolds. Like all good fantasy a believable world develops and grows, switching between Aristea and her thoughts as a determined, intelligent young woman her friends, and enemies, and the grown up sorcerers of the magical world around her who are trying to cope with a desperate betrayal.

The story skillfully avoids any soppy psuedo-romantic pitfalls, using the student interaction to develop characters, move the story along, and add a touch of humour ...more

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May 15, 2018 Morgan Tonkin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult

When I found this book at supanova, it was only by chance that I chose it. The blurb lacked punch. However, I'm glad I chose it. Very well written, great characters, well-paced and it kept me hooked.

It takes a lot for me these days to continue with a series, particularly when it comes to YA, and I've read some quite famous ones, only to put them down. This is the only series I've managed to continue with since adulthood. The writing doesn't read YA, nor do the characters. A rare thing. ...more

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Oct 07, 2014 Katharine (Ventureadlaxre) added it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2014, aurealis-awards-2014

Katharine is a judge for the Aurealis Awards. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.

To be safe, I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over. ...more

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Apr 16, 2019 Helena Rawlins rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

A refreshing story with a refreshing heroine. A teenage girl who is NOT addicted to boys, and has a brain in her head that she uses. In other words, a real person and not a teenage stereotype.

Following Aristea's story as she delves into a new world, as an emerging adult and an emerging witch, is a joy of discovery for the reader and the main character alike. ...more

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Jan 24, 2019 J.J. Fryer rated it really liked it

Such a well described magic system with questions and betrayal at every corner. I have to get book 2. Well done Shayla!!!

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Jun 24, 2015 David Seymour rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is the best goddamn book that I have read in a very VERY long time. I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone. Do yourself a favour and read it now!!

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Mar 19, 2021 Rylee Smalley rated it it was amazing

I have read this book 4 times in the last 2 years. I think it's safe to say that I love this book with all my heart. It had me on edge with every turn of the page.

Shayla has always been an inspirational person for me, since 2nd grade to be precise. Two years ago when I saw her seated at a small stall with a stack of 4 books I just knew, in that moment, that I had to get them. At this time I wasn't a big reader, but this book got me out of that major reading stump. So much so that it only took m ...more

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May 07, 2019 ALEXA rated it liked it · review of another edition

Cliffhanger ending! No fair!

I don't appreciate when an author tries to force you to read their next book by NOT ending the previous book. Well, it's not going to work. I'm too ticked off by that trick to read the next one. ...more

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Oct 27, 2016 Joeldipops rated it it was ok

This is a self-published YA book, and it shows all the hallmarks of one. Bland but oh-so-special teenage protagonist, some very awkward prose that probably would have been picked up by a professional editing process, and way too much "telling" as opposed to "showing" coming from the point-of-view character's monologue. There's also an important subplot that gets pretty close to "Creepy Paranormal Romance" except for the protagonist telling us they're totally just mates every now and then. I don' This is a self-published YA book, and it shows all the hallmarks of one. Bland but oh-so-special teenage protagonist, some very awkward prose that probably would have been picked up by a professional editing process, and way too much "telling" as opposed to "showing" coming from the point-of-view character's monologue. There's also an important subplot that gets pretty close to "Creepy Paranormal Romance" except for the protagonist telling us they're totally just mates every now and then. I don't accuse the author of intending to write a romance here, it's just another thing that stuck out to me as very self published YA-ish.

It's also very much "inspired" by Harry Potter, what with the whole magical school vs. dark wizards thing.

HOWEVER, there is some passable writing, interesting characters and OK world building here. Every few chapters, we get a view-point change and follow one of the adult characters for a while in third person. Relieved of the burden of Blandy McBland's internal monologue, the characters get more interesting and the writing becomes more engaging.

Overall, Chosen doesn't have much of a plot. It's almost all set-up. What plot there is occurs mostly in those third-person chapters. Morgansen made the good decision to end the book (vague spoiler) (view spoiler) just had me shaking my head.

If future books in this series
* Change Aristea's PoV to third person
* Explain why the hell Aristea wanted so much to Scry, over all the other cool stuff Sorcerers can do, instead of just telling us that's the way it is.
* Shift the view point to other characters for a greater proportion of chapters.
and
* Give us more information up-front, rather than just mentioning something on the fly moments before it's important.
Then they might be worth reading. ...more

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Jul 17, 2014 Sue Holmes rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: dnf, arc

DNF

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Feb 04, 2016 Theresa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Enjoyable read - interesting storyline and engaging characters. Looking forward to Book 2.

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Aug 21, 2016 Danielle Alice rated it really liked it

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It's engaging and well written and I couldn't put it down! Looking forward to reading the next. ...more

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Adam Thomson rated it it was amazing
Oct 16, 2015

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Oct 18, 2016

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Apr 20, 2021

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About Shayla Morgansen

Shayla Morgansen

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Hi! I'm Shayla, and making stories is the basis of everything I love and do. I write lengthy books about magical happenings in ordinary places, and the supernatural crossing paths with the everyday. My favourite themes to explore in these fantasy story worlds are interdependency, found families, us-against-the-world, and a good helping of angst.

At home in Brisbane where I'm a happy little hermit, ...more