| Chosen Ones |  | Author: Alister E. McGrath
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Category: eBooks
This item is no longer available
Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 9,036
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 208
Number Of Items: 1
ASIN: B003GEKL3S
Publication Date: April 9, 2010
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Product Description
The land of Aedyn is a paradise beyond all imagining. But when this paradise falls, strangers from another world must be called to fight for the truth.Peter and Julia never suspected that a trip to their grandparents' home in Oxford would contain anything out of the ordinary. But that was before Julia stumbled upon a mysterious garden that shone on moonless nights. It was no accident that she fell into the pool, pulling her brother along with her, but now they're lost in a strange new world and they don't know whom they can trust. Should they believe the mysterious, hooded lords? The ancient monk who appears only when least expected? Or the silent slaves who have a dark secret of their own? In a world inhabited by strange beasts and magical whisperings, two children called from another world will have to discover who they truly are, fighting desperate battles within themselves before they can lead the great revolution.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
 McGrath does fantasy May 22, 2010
Clarice Bean
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
Alister has made the move into the influential fantasy fiction market after concentrating on his main gifts in theology and apologetics. The result is a well crafted, enjoyable story that is fun and positive. We really need more books like this and I hope it does well. It does have a Narnia-esque feel to it as others have pointed out but that in no way takes away from it's own charm.
Other christian fantasy books I really like are:
Godstone - The Kairos Boxes
100 Cupboards (100 Cupboards, Bk 1)
A Modern Day Narnia July 30, 2010
S. Brooks
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
While investigating a mysterious silver glow in an ancient garden, Peter and Julia are magically transported from their grandparent's Oxford home to a strange new world. Aedyn is a beautiful and mysterious paradise ruled by three tyrannical Lords. Believing they have come to fulfill and ancient prophesy, Julia and Peter are heralded as the "chosen ones." Faced with a mission to rescue those enslaved by the evil kings, Peter and Julia must discover if they have what it takes to restore the land of Aedyn to its rightful ruler.
I read a few of Alister McGrath's academic theological works when I was doing my undergraduate studies. I wasn't sure if he would be able to communicate on a young adult level (primarily because this guy is brilliant), but he exceeded my expectations. I really appreciate that he didn't dumb down these books. They are very well written and use excellent vocabulary words. The story is age appropriate for the younger tween/teen crowd, but engaging enough to keep my attention as well.
The books is beautifully illustrated - every so often there is a black and white sketched illustration to accompany the story.
Chosen Ones certainly has a Narnia-esque quality to it. If you are a fan of C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia series, I'm sure you will also enjoy the Aedyn Chronicles by Alister McGrath.
Absolutely Lovely June 20, 2010
City Of Rocks
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Absolutely lovely. I wish I could just leave it there, because really, you just need to read it and treasure this work along with the children God has brought in your life that you may guard their souls.
The lessons so valuable: The importance of selflessness, the problem with wise-seeming mistakes, the traps of pride and the treasures of grace, victory, and devotion ring so clearly in this work, with warmth, sweetness, and grace, and ending with a lesson all children should have the advantage of learning before thy reach their adult years: utter and complete disaster came because people loved power more than people. It's how sin entered the once-lucifer who through his lust for power became satan (which means adversary or slanderer) and who then led our race into sin and destruction.
While the character Julia serves as a type of Christ, it was refreshing to discover the distinction made in the end of the book, for even in fiction, the accomplishments of Christ belong to Him alone.
I absolutely loved this book and am looking forward to more. This book was a divine gift to my family-I know the perfect child with whom to share this lovely treasure for the soul.
 If you like Narnia (who doesn't?), you'll like this April 17, 2010
Cson
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Peter and Julia's grandparents' garden was built by a monk five hundred years ago in preparation of the Chosen Ones. He was murdered shortly after. Now, even on moonless nights, the garden emits an eerie silver glow. Enchanted, the children are drawn into the garden's pool, waking to wind themselves in the land of Aedyn.
If this book was any more of a Narnia copycat, McGrath would probably be sued for copyright infringement. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing; almost everybody copies somebody else to a certian extent, so why not copy one of the masters?
Chosen Ones get no points for originality, but you still won't be able to keep from liking it. It feels like reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe again, just with half the kids and an alternate ending.
Sweet Children's story May 8, 2010
Melissa (Texas)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
500 years ago there had been a terrible rebellion in Aedyn. The traitors had won and given those who resisted the option of death or unquestionable obedience. Those who choose obedience had since been subjected to harsh slavery. Many had forgotten their roots--that once they had been a peaceful people ruled by a noble man who was guided by the Lord of Hosts. The years of oppression had led the people to despair and their only hope lay in the hands of two strangers whose arrival had been prophesied for centuries.
When Peter and Julia (ages 14 and 13) were called to Aedyn, they were simply two young children, staying for a few days with their grandparents waiting for their father to arrive and tell them exciting news. Never did they dream that one night they would find themselves transported to another world to act as deliverers for an oppressed people. They were not heroes when they left Oxford, but by the end of their journey, these two children would learn how to overcome some of life's toughest struggles--ambition, deceit, and selfish desire. In a story which reflects several Biblical events The Chosen Ones is a delightful start to what looks to be an entertaining children's series.
The Chosen Ones is very much a children's story. It has some similarities to the Chronicles of Narnia, but these seem to be intentional and not at all an attempt to mimic the series. The reader is given some creative, fantastical, images along with nice action sequences that should allow this book to appeal to a broad range of children. Though most kids should easily be able to read this book on their own, like the Narnia series younger readers will enjoy reading it with a parent. There are some nice analogies as well as Biblical references which make for good conversations. Unlike the Narnia books, though, this one is not as ageless. The recommended age is 9-12, which I think is about right (younger if the parent is reading). Whereas I still love reading the Narnia books for my personal enjoyment, this one is more to read with my kids.
Since this is a children's story, not a lot of time is wasted on descriptions or flowery settings. For the most part we get a general idea of the surroundings and move on. The same is true for the characters. Not as much background as I would like, but quite appropriate for the intended audience. My main problem was a difficulty in determining the timeframe for the Oxford portion of the story. The book starts out `Once upon a time', but several references were made to Boy's Scout, which was founded in 1907. Kids probably aren't going to care, but there wasn't enough information given to pin point the time frame and that bothered me. It made it hard for my imagination to grasp the environment. I was uncertain of the kid's background and any shared common ground with today's children. Nit-picky maybe, but it prevented my imagination from filling in the blanks.
Overall, this is a sweet story with some good lessons for kids. The black and white drawings are a nice touch and something kids will enjoy. There is no objectionable content and is a nice choice for kids who loved the Narnia series and would like another clean, safe, fantasy series.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
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