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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Did I Think Of Chosen People & Do I Recommend It?

by Chautona Havig · 3 Comments

I’ve read a lot of his work in the past, so signing up for a review copy of Robert Whitlow’s Chosen People was kind of a no-brainer.

A story about a law firm going after terrorists in the wake of an American woman losing her life while saving her daughter’s?  What’s not to love?  So, once the book arrived, I set it on the shelf and didn’t think much more about it.

I mean, the day would come, I’d sit down and read, and life would be grand.

And it did.  I just didn’t realize the day would come in the middle of a conference where I was supposed to be learning stuff, not reading, during NaNoWriMo (where I’m now 3 days behind thanks to said conference), and where I also have another deadline right on the heels of the last one.

OOPS.

Still, while I grumbled a bit about it today (all in good fun), I settled in tonight to read.  Several hours later, I’m sitting here, head spinning, trying to figure out what to say about this book.

What Did I Think of Chosen People & Do I Recommend It?

Note: Links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Furthermore, I requested an advance reader copy of this book and chose to review it upon completion.

What Did I Think of Chosen People & Do I Recommend It?

The short and sweet of it is that Chosen People is exactly like and nothing like I expected—at the same time.  I called every major plot point and also got twisted on a twist of a twisted twist, so I was wrong, too. How’s that for fun?

The characters?  In classic Whitlow style, you really care about them. You believe them.  Hana exhibits a beautiful blend of strength and femininity.  Jakob?  I loved every bit of him.  Sadie?

Oh, dear. Sadie… That girl can move into my house today. Such a sweetie.

As anyone who has ever read one of my reviews knows, I love it when description is both kept to a minimum AND manages to make me feel as if I’m there.  Whitlow nailed that.  Absolutely and without question.  It set a tone for the book, too. That’s what made it such great writing.

And the writing is my one problem.  Perhaps it is because I requested a review copy and received an ARC (advance reader copy), but the book has some issues in writing that I don’t recall in previous books.

My problems?

First, there are the info dumps.  Many of them—and not just in the beginning.  I found myself wanting to skim so many times.

Then there’s the kind of “telling” he does.  You’ll be reading along, seeing something play out, and then bam!  He explains what you just read for you.  I’ll give him credit. Many times it is subtle, but still.

I so wanted to love Chosen People.  I don’t love it but I do like the plot well enough that I can recommend it to people who don’t find info dumps a problem and who aren’t bothered by a lot of technical stuff explained over and over.

In the end, my favorite part, aside from characters and the basic premise, is that I both called and got wrong one of the plot points.  I love that.

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Comments

  1. realworldbiblestudy says

    November 8, 2018 at 6:47 am

    I forgot how much “context explanation” there was in this book – and maybe for good reason. I happen to know the context, but many readers wouldn’t. But could that have been delivered to us in a less obvious way? Probably.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      November 8, 2018 at 9:58 am

      I don’t mind some… but when it feels tedious, it either needs to be reconsidered or rewritten. I kept huffing. I think I kept Alana awake all night with my huffing.

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
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