In 2003 Ted DeKker introduced the world of fiction to a man named Thomas Hunter and the alternate world called the colored forest. The three book series entitled The Circle Trilogy captivated readers across the globe and watched the events of the forest unfold. DeKker continues to loosely intertwine the series in with many of his latter works namely, Showdown, Saint and Skin. Recently he released a new four part series as a part of the Circle Trilogy entitled The Lost Books which is intended but not exclusively for young adult readers.
The first book in the series entitled Chosen picks up thirteen years after the Colored Forest has become a desolate wasteland. However the battle between the Forest Guard and the Horde continues to rage on. Due to the increase in the size of the Horde army Thomas Hunter, supreme commander of the Forest Guard, is forced to lower the age limit for those who can serve in the Guard from 18 to 16. With the lowered age limit four teenagers Johnnis, Silva, Billos and Darsal are chosen among thousands to lead in the army and are sent on a quest to prove their leadership skills. During their journey Johnnis encounters a Roush who informs him that the four have been chosen to be the ones to find the seven lost Books of History. This is a huge task placed before these young leaders and it will not be an easy task for them to accomplish.
This series is intended for young adult readers but I find this to be suitable for adults as well. Being a fan of the Circle Trilogy this book was a lot of fun to read and I thoroughly enjoy how DeKker is using characters and events from his previous novels to kind of tie up some loose ends. Overall, this is a great read and I am looking forward to continuing this four book series. With the conclusion of Chosen DeKker sets the stage for the next book in the series entitled Infidel and if it’s as good as Chosen then fans will surely be pleased with what’s yet to come.
Reviewed by Jeff Holton
