BLOG TOUR – Unchosen – Baltimore Bibliophile

Title: Unchosen

Author: Katharyn Blair

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication date: January 26th, 2021

416 pages

5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Katharyn Blair crafts a fiercely feminist fantasy with a horrifying curse, swoon-worthy sea captains, and the power of one girl to choose her own fate in this contemporary standalone adventure that’s perfect for fans of The Fifth Wave and Seafire, and for anyone who has ever felt unchosen.

For Charlotte Holloway, the world ended twice.

The first was when her childhood crush, Dean, fell in love—with her older sister.

The second was when the Crimson, a curse spread through eye contact, turned the majority of humanity into flesh-eating monsters.

Neither end of the world changed Charlotte. She’s still in the shadows of her siblings. Her popular older sister, Harlow, now commands forces of survivors. And her talented younger sister, Vanessa, is the Chosen One—who, legend has it, can end the curse.

When their settlement is raided by those seeking the Chosen One, Charlotte makes a reckless decision to save Vanessa: she takes her place as prisoner.

The word spreads across the seven seas—the Chosen One has been found.

But when Dean’s life is threatened and a resistance looms on the horizon, the lie keeping Charlotte alive begins to unravel. She’ll have to break free, forge new bonds, and choose her own destiny if she has any hope of saving her sisters, her love, and maybe even the world.

Because sometimes the end is just a new beginning.

Review

Unchosen is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a virus has swept the world, called the Crimson, which turns people into zombies – basically. Three sisters; Harlow, Charlotte, and Vanessa are caught in this world and each will have an important role to fill. Vanessa is the Chosen One, the one who can save all of humanity if she can just figure out where the cure to the virus is. But when enemies comes knocking, Charlotte pretends to be the Chosen One to save Vanessa. In a whirlwind adventure, Charlotte fights Vessels, escapes Runners, and ride the high seas in this zombie pirate fantasy.

I can barely begin to explain how much I loved this book. I was automatically sucked into the world Blair has created (I admit, I have a thing for zombie books) and before I knew it I had devoured a hundred pages. I was so drawn to the MC not being the Chosen One in a story, but being a normal, looked down upon girl. It reminded me a lot of Veronica Roth’s newest, Chosen Ones. The plot comes quickly, the action starts almost immediately and doesn’t stop, and there are so many twists and turns.

One of the best parts of this book is the romance. Charlotte is initially head over heels in love with her best friend, and her sister’s boyfriend, Dean. But… she might find herself torn between Dean and another while on her adventure to save the world. And it is amazing. It reminded me so much of Adrienne Young’s newest, Fable – both in the ocean setting and the subtle romance. But I felt all. the. feelings.

The only thing I wanted was more. Which, if you’ve been with me for awhile, is a normal feeling I have when books, especially standalones, end. I would have loved more of an epilogue, but I respect that there were some questions left open ended to allow for a return to the story in the future.

In summary, I loved this book and I think you will too if you love zombie books, Veronica Roth, and Adrienne Young.

**Thank you to Turn the Page Tours and Katherine Tegen Books for an early copy in exchange for an honest review**

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I live in LA, drink way too much coffee, and write all day long — because I’m crazy blessed to do what I’ve been doing for fun since I was a kid hiding in my garage loft writing terrible, terrible vampire stories. Glitter enthusiast. Bethyl shipper. Pluviophile. Ask me about my Dean Winchester obsession. John 1:5.

I’m wife to Ross and mom to Aryn, Liam, and River Grace. Also, mom to Cricket (a dog, not an insect), Maximus Dogimus Meridius (a ferocious cuddlebug) Maggie Rhee (cat, not the bad ass from The Walking Dead), and Kovacs (no parenthetical needed for him).

LINKS

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Enter to win one of two (2) signed finished copies of Unchosen by Katharyn Blair! Open USA only. There will be 2 winners.

Giveaway starts: Monday, January 25, 2021 Giveaway ends: Monday, February 1, 2021 at 12:00 a.m. CST

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE