The Chosen by Michael Mood

The Chosen is the first book in The Compendium of Raath Series created by Michael Mood.

Young and abused farm girl, Wren Hartfield, runs away from home. Helping a caged ape earns her a burning symbol on her forearm and most unlikely friends. Otom Aldenburg is a self-exiled Monk haunted by his past. He survives an attack on the Kilgane Monastery by monstrous creatures. Krothair Mallurin is an orphan who dreams to be a Kingsguardian. He is sent to apprentice under the legendary sword master. Halimaldie D’Arvenant is a successful businessman who is about to discover something he was never willing to believe before. Then, there is Cleric Domma of the Sunburst Temple whose power allows her to discover who attacks a patient under her care.

They are the Five Mages of Raath, a place where magical powers are earned for doing good deeds. Each of them travels to the Temple of Sin’ra for instructions from God.

This is an exciting and suspenseful book of magic and adventure. It has a consistently steady pacing and an unpredictable plot. Scenes are described in vivid detail and the suspense is maintained until the last pages of the book. Though the ending is, understandably, cliffhanger, common to books in series, it gives a certain feeling of closure to the readers. Most of the characters are endearing and all of them are intriguing making the readers want to read more.

Congratulations to Michael Mood (@michaeldmood) on such a great and enjoyable book! For more books by the author, click HERE.

Life First by RJ Crayton

Life First is Book 1 of the Dystopian Series created by RJ Crayton.

Kelsey Reed just gets marked. She is found to be the best match for a man in Virginia with failing kidneys. According to the law of Federation of Surviving States (FoSS), what was left of the former United States after a pandemic that wiped out 80 percent of the population, the government is to take one of Kelsey’s kidneys and give it to the ailing man.

Kelsey has no problem sacrificing a part of her body, but, if she does, it must be on her own free will and not because it is mandated by law. So, she decides to escape. In order to do that, however, she needs to take out her life monitoring system.

Kelsey knows she cannot do it alone. She needs the help of her boyfriend, her best friend, a shady doctor, and other individuals who, unexpectedly, turn out to be on her side.

Told in the first-person perspective of Kelsey Reed, this is a fast-paced, exciting, and suspenseful dystopian thriller that will keep the readers on the edge of their seats. The plot is very unpredictable with plenty of surprising twists and unexpected turns of events. It is made more exciting and interesting by a combination of medical and court drama. Scenes are described in vivid detail and dialogues are fitting. In addition to the exciting plot, the author creates a set of interesting characters, some of them quite endearing. Though the obvious favorite is Kelsey, I find Luke Geary the ultimate hero while Susan Harper is the brave and devoted best friend.

Needless to say, I enjoyed the book immensely. I find it thought-provoking. It questions how much the readers value their freedom to decide over their own body. It is interesting, exciting, and suspenseful. It is a great first installment for a book series.  

Congratulations to RJ Crayton (@RJCrayton) on such an enjoyable book. For more books about the author, click HERE.