The Chosen by Annette Gisby

By: Unknown on Thursday, October 24, 2013

Title:  The Chosen

Author:  Annette Gisby

Published:  June 16th 2013 (first published March 20th 2010)

Page Count:  200

Genre:  M/M Fantasy Romance

Shelf:  Review Copy

Rating:  ★★★★

Blurb:

The neighbouring kingdoms of Oscia and Arcathia have been at a tentative peace for three years after centuries of warfare. Prince Severin of Arcathia has been brought up to put duty before all else and as the only son of the King and Queen, it is his duty to marry and produce an heir. His parents want him to marry an Oscian princess to cement that tentative peace. Unfortunately Severin isn't interested in princesses. Now, if he had his pick of princes that would be another matter.

Havyn has been a slave all his life. When his aptitude for wizardry is discovered, he finds himself purchased and freed by Prince Severin and apprenticed to the royal wizard, Ildar. His duty is to stay chaste to keep his powers strong, but his feelings for Severin sorely test his resolve.

With kingdoms at war, the throne hanging in the balance, magic in the air, and outside forces trying to keep them apart, can the two men find happiness together, or is duty more important than love?

My Review:

Gisby’s unique combination of fantasy and reality creates a story that everyone can identify with in some way or another. She works a social commentary in behind this very imaginative tale that gives the reader something to think about, even if they don’t necessarily realise it’s there. She brilliantly captures your imagination through vividly clear descriptions that allow your imagination to soar. Gisby has also developed a very solid storyline that pulls her reader forward throughout.

The contrast of characters in this novel was quite unique. I enjoyed the fact that neither of the main characters were perfect. Both were fighting who they were and trying to become more than what they thought they should be. They were quite well developed as individuals trying to find their place within a world that society has dictated for them. The supporting cast was also quite unique. Although not an overly large cast, they definitely filled the bill perfectly. A couple of them could have used a bit more development so that we could get to know them as people, but as a whole they fulfilled their roles within the story quite well. The complete about-face in the viewpoints of a couple of the characters right at the end of the novel was a bit odd, but yet fit perfectly with the storyline as a whole. It suited who they were and showed much growth on their part.

Overall, this was a novel that kept me completely captivated throughout. Gisby’s combination of fantasy and real world prejudices created a platform for her gripping tale of love’s triumph.

Add to your Goodreads shelves.

Buy online via Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords.

About the Author:

Annette Gisby grew up in a small town in Northern Ireland, moving to London when she was seventeen. Being a very small town there were no bookshops and a small library. When she'd devoured every book she could get her hands on in the library, she started writing her own stories so she would always have something to read later.

When not writing she enjoys reading, cinema, theatre, walks along deserted beaches or wandering around ruined castles (great places for inspiration!) New Zealand is her favourite place and she hopes to travel back there one day. She's a fan of Japanese Manga and Anime and one day hopes to learn Japanese.

She currently lives in Hampshire with her husband, a collection of porcelain dolls and stuffed penguins and enough books to fill a small library. It's diminishing gradually since the discovery of ebooks but still has a long way to go.

Website: http://www.annettegisby.n3.net
Twitter: https://twitter.com/havyn
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/252221.Annette_Gisby