The first novel written for an adult audience by the mega-selling author of the Divergent franchise: five twenty-something heroes famous for saving the world when they were teenagers must face even greater demons—and reconsider what it means to be a hero . . . by destiny or by choice.
A decade ago near Chicago, five teenagers defeated the otherworldly enemy known as the Dark One, whose reign of terror brought widespread destruction and death. The seemingly un-extraordinary teens—Sloane, Matt, Ines, Albie, and Esther—had been brought together by a clandestine government agency because one of them was fated to be the “Chosen One,” prophesized to save the world. With the goal achieved, humankind celebrated the victors and began to mourn their lost loved ones.
Ten years later, though the champions remain celebrities, the world has moved forward and a whole, younger generation doesn’t seem to recall the days of endless fear. But Sloane remembers. It’s impossible for her to forget when the paparazzi haunt her every step just as the Dark One still haunts her dreams. Unlike everyone else, she hasn’t moved on; she’s adrift—no direction, no goals, no purpose. On the eve of the Ten Year Celebration of Peace, a new trauma hits the Chosen: the death of one of their own. And when they gather for the funeral at the enshrined site of their triumph, they discover to their horror that the Dark One’s reign never really ended.
REVIEW: This was our April 2021, Inked Pages Book Club fantasy pick! First off I loved the way this book was written. There were excerpts from news articles, government reports, school books, and interviews. The premise of what happens after the "Chosen Ones" have won the battle was really intriguing. You never think about how much trauma that may cause for the heroes, or what type of outlook on life they may have after. The magic system was something new in this book too. It was more of a scientific magic then a fantastical magic, so it's like you almost feel like it's just something our present day scientists just haven't discovered yet and could really happen. There are a lot of great characters, ones you really want to like and just can't, and then those you just really hate even though you are supposed to like them. I also listened to this on audio, which I highly recommend. It is performed by a full cast that made it something I didn't want to stop listening to.
Publication Date: April 7, 2020
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