Welcome to my stop for Chosen Soldiers by R.H. Scott, a debut author! This is the first book I've read from this line of books, but I really like YA SciFi. Check out what I thought below...
Chosen Soldiers
by R.H. Scott
YA SciFi, Dystopian
Paperback & ebook, 352 Pages
February 9th 2016 by Harper Voyager Impulse
Summary
After the missiles tore up the Earth, societies crumbled, leaving scattered patches of humanity struggling to survive. Slowly, a group came together, helping each other regrow a world worth living in.
And then the Others attacked.
Realizing the need to truly protect themselves, they formed the Academy: a place where young people could be built into an elite military force. The training is intense…and so are the consequences for failure. Sloan Radcliffe is not a failure.
In fact, she’s the best of the best—the girls’ Senior Champion—and the only one who can match her is matched to her: her betrothed, Jared Dawson. They are the perfect couple: exemplary fighters, pure leaders, and exceptional role models. But as their time at the Academy draws to a close, Sloan is starting to see signs that maybe their life is built upon secrets…and that secrets are never a strong foundation.
With the battlefront looming and whispers growing louder, Sloan is caught up not only between her loyalties to her people, but also to the man she loves.
A combination of military sci-fi and dystopian thriller, R. H. Scott’s Chosen Soldiers is an intense look at a young woman’s world shattering under the weight of its own illusions.
And then the Others attacked.
Realizing the need to truly protect themselves, they formed the Academy: a place where young people could be built into an elite military force. The training is intense…and so are the consequences for failure. Sloan Radcliffe is not a failure.
In fact, she’s the best of the best—the girls’ Senior Champion—and the only one who can match her is matched to her: her betrothed, Jared Dawson. They are the perfect couple: exemplary fighters, pure leaders, and exceptional role models. But as their time at the Academy draws to a close, Sloan is starting to see signs that maybe their life is built upon secrets…and that secrets are never a strong foundation.
With the battlefront looming and whispers growing louder, Sloan is caught up not only between her loyalties to her people, but also to the man she loves.
A combination of military sci-fi and dystopian thriller, R. H. Scott’s Chosen Soldiers is an intense look at a young woman’s world shattering under the weight of its own illusions.
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My Review
CHOSEN SOLDIERS started off great as the reader is introduced to specific characters who have been training since childhood on an exclusive island to prepare to join the war. Sloan had a great voice and dynamic with her betrothed, Jared, and the other trainees. There was a very strong romantic element to the story, but I really liked the scifi aspects and the training and seeing how these characters dealt with their situation. Overall, an intriguing read and a good start to a new series.
Sloan and Jared are both so wrapped up in and dependent on each other. At times the blind love was a little too much for me, especially after some secrets are revealed and when some of their actions got out of control. I wanted these guys in Sloan's life to really see her and not as a prize or possession. That seemed to taint my view of them and of their supposed love. The romance was definitely a major focus of the story and I would have liked a little more plotting, action, and for the scifi aspects and this dystopian world to have had a little bit more of the focus. I also felt some things needed to be delved into more or be given more time or proof before so easily accepted. Having said that, it was an interesting situation all around. To give so much power to an entity who controls who lives, fights, dies, and loves always astounds me. It was intriguing to see what happened and how the characters responded.
I love reading these types of stories, to delve into different actions and outcomes in a futuristic world and find characters to feel and fight for. The author did a great job of immersing the reader in the setting and world as the characters live it. There wasn't an overabundance of info-dumping, which I appreciated. The reader also finds out a lot of things as the characters do and that's how I prefer it. The ending ends in a little bit of a cliff-hanger and the next book will have a whole new situation and reality to explore, which I'm curious about. I'd like to know more, to find out what really is going on, and to see what Sloan will do with her predicament.
Content: Lots of mild swearing, innuendo, closed-door scenes, as well as some violence.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through the tour host for the purposes of the book's tour, which did not affect my review in any way.
Sloan and Jared are both so wrapped up in and dependent on each other. At times the blind love was a little too much for me, especially after some secrets are revealed and when some of their actions got out of control. I wanted these guys in Sloan's life to really see her and not as a prize or possession. That seemed to taint my view of them and of their supposed love. The romance was definitely a major focus of the story and I would have liked a little more plotting, action, and for the scifi aspects and this dystopian world to have had a little bit more of the focus. I also felt some things needed to be delved into more or be given more time or proof before so easily accepted. Having said that, it was an interesting situation all around. To give so much power to an entity who controls who lives, fights, dies, and loves always astounds me. It was intriguing to see what happened and how the characters responded.
I love reading these types of stories, to delve into different actions and outcomes in a futuristic world and find characters to feel and fight for. The author did a great job of immersing the reader in the setting and world as the characters live it. There wasn't an overabundance of info-dumping, which I appreciated. The reader also finds out a lot of things as the characters do and that's how I prefer it. The ending ends in a little bit of a cliff-hanger and the next book will have a whole new situation and reality to explore, which I'm curious about. I'd like to know more, to find out what really is going on, and to see what Sloan will do with her predicament.
Content: Lots of mild swearing, innuendo, closed-door scenes, as well as some violence.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through the tour host for the purposes of the book's tour, which did not affect my review in any way.
About the Author
R.H. Scott, born 1991, has spent the better part of her life travelling with her mother and sisters. Having lived on three continents by the age of 21, she developed a unique interest in differing societies and psychology. Scott completed a Bachelor of Arts Sociology & Socio-Legal Studies and is currently working on her MSc Experimental Psychology. The granddaughter of two published authors, writing has been a lifelong passion, and outside of her academic endeavors, Miss Scott writes full time, enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, and reading.
Tour Schedule
Monday, February 8 - Book featured at Reader Girls
Thursday, February 11 - Book featured at Born to Read Books
Friday, February 12 - Book featured at Hot Off the Shelves
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Monday, February 15 - Interviewed at The Review From Here
Tuesday, February 16 - Guest blogging at Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile
Wednesday, February 17 - Interviewed at Literal Exposure
Thursday, February 18 - Book featured at Bound 2 Escape
Friday, February 19 - Book featured at CBY Book Club
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Monday, February 22 - Book featured at Rambling Reviews
February 23 - Interviewed at I'm Shelf-ish
February 24 - Book reviewed at Wishful Endings
February 25 - Interviewed at PUYB Virtual Book Club
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Monday, February 29 - Book featured at A Title Wave
Wednesday, March 2 - Book featured at Ali the Dragonslayer
Thursday, March 3 - Book featured at Around the World in Books
Friday, March 4 - Interviewed at Voodoo Princess
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