The Chosen Ones by Scarlett Thomas

The Chosen Ones (Worldquake #2) by Scarlett Thomas, 374 pages.  Simon & Shuster, 2018.  $18.

Content: G (2 swears, 0 ‘f’).

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Effie and her friends managed to avert danger and each of them has at least one magical boon and a special power.   As they learn more about magic big threat is looming on the horizon.  They are distracted by troubles at home and school, though, and it may almost be too late when they realize who their enemy is and what they are trying to do.  If they can’t rally themselves and prevail, it is the worlds on both sides of the divide that will be in danger.

While Effie’s story and the enemy are a heroic tale, but the first half of the book seems to be scattered and confusing and Thomas takes the time to give each of the group a storyline of their own.  The rival school team is a weird bit of inclusion – same with the guest author at school who then stalks Effie.  Tighter editing would have done wonders for this. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian