Blog Tour: The Naturals (The Lost Souls #2) by Tiffany Truitt- Review of The Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt

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Title:  The Chosen Ones

Author: Tiffany Truitt
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Publishing Date: June 12th 2012

Pages: 298
Genre:  YA Dystopian 

Series:  The Lost Souls #1
Source: Kindle version provided by Rockstar Book Tours

  

Barnes and Noble/The Book Depository

Life is bleak but uncomplicated for sixteen-year-old Tess, living in a not-too-distant future where the government, faced with humanity's extinction, created the Chosen Ones, artificial beings who are extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.

When Tess begins work at Templeton, a Chosen Ones training facility, she meets James, and the attraction is immediate in its intensity, overwhelming in its danger. But there is more to Templeton than Tess ever knew. Can she stand against her oppressors, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?

This book has been on my TBR for a very long time. I have seen mixed reviews and so I kept pushing it back. When I noticed the second book coming out and a tour being offered, I figured now is as good as time as ever. I started the book, I read the book, I was fascinated by the book. The story was dark, through provoking, disturbing; filled with secrets and romance, I was enthralled in this story.

Tess is a natural, born and living with everything natural. James is a Chosen One, created at birth to lack emotions and enhanced in his abilities. At the begging Tess's sister dies and Tess takes her place in Templeton, a type of boarding house for the Chosen Ones. Natural women work there serving the Chosen Ones, either as punishment or because they are the eldest girl in the family. In Templeton Tess meets James and discoverers nasty secrets, cruelty, and love. Naturals are not allowed relationships, love, or intimacy... childbirth kills them. She is pulled to James, feels for James, and is intensely attracted to James and she must make the decision if it is worth the pain to experience the joy now. This isn't the only decision that Tess must make. She learns so many secrets and she doesn't know what to do with the knowledge of the secrets.Tess learns to live in a dark place, in love, and with too many secrets. 

I absolutely loved this story. I have read many dystopians and after a while there are just so many that are so similar. This one is by far unique and I was so fascinated with the story. The tone and the setting were very dark and gloomy and at times was a bit to get through. I was completely into the story and felt so affected at times, but I didn't put the book down.  

The writing was well done. I was confused a bit at first, but that was because the full story of the past was not revealed all at once. It was long before I was completely caught up and going through all the emotions as Tess did. I felt the worthlessness, the desperation, and the confusion of everything happening in this future place. It was very sad to see the worth of women fall so far when they could no longer bear children, and to see the human race dwindling as they create something they feel are superior to replace us. 

The only character I really felt connected to was Tess. I wouldn't say I absolutely loved her or disliked her. She was there and I felt through her, saw through her, lived through her and and as I understood the world she lived in, it was hard to get a handle on Tess. Tess was confused, brainwashed, and hardened from the very beginning, so in my mind, she wasn't there to love or to hate, she was there for me to understand and see things as they really are. That I did. 

James was a bit hard to connected to, the story was told from Tess's point of view, so I was unable to get in the head of James. I think I would have liked dual point of view in this book. What I did know about James, he was different than other chosen ones. It was because of James and a few others that brought to light the nurture vs nature. I did like James, he brought so much to the story, but because of who he is, it was hard to get into his head. I hope to see so much more of him in future reads. 

This was a wonderful dystopian read and for sure one of a kind. I can't wait to read the next installment

If you like dystopians, pick this book up. I don't think you will be disappointed. 

Naturals (The Lost Souls #2) by Tiffany Truitt

  

Barnes and Noble/The Book Depository

  

        
Ripped away from those she loves most, Tess is heartbroken as her small band of travelers reaches the Isolationist camp in the mysterious and barren Middlelands. Desperate to be reunited with James, the forbidden chosen one who stole her heart, she wants nothing to do with the rough Isolationists, who are without allegiance in the war between the Westerners and Easterners. But having their protection, especially for someone as powerful as Tess, may come at a cost. 

About Tiffany:

Tiffany Truitt was born in Peoria, Illinois. A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Tiffany spent most of her childhood living in Virginia, but don’t call her a Southerner. She also spent a few years living in Cuba. Since her time on the island of one McDonalds and Banana Rats (don’t ask), she has been obsessed with traveling. Tiffany recently added China to her list of travels (hello inspiration for a new book).

Besides traveling, Tiffany has always been an avid reader. The earliest books she remembers reading belong to The Little House on the Prairie Series. First book she read in one day? Little Woman (5th grade). First author she fell in love with? Jane Austen in middle school. Tiffany spent most of her high school and college career as a literary snob. She refused to read anything considered “low brow” or outside the “classics.”

Tiffany began teaching middle school in 2006. Her students introduced her to the wide, wonderful world of Young Adult literature. Today, Tiffany embraces popular Young Adult literature and uses it in her classroom. She currently teaches the following novels: The Outsiders, Speak, Night, Dystopian Literature Circles: The Hunger Games, The Giver, The Uglies, and Matched.

Tiffany is proud to call herself an educator and Young Adult author. Her first book will be published by Entangled Publishing.

Where you can find her: Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads: 






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