2 out of 4 stars
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The Journey of the Chosen by Richard Nance is a sci-fi/fantasy book, first in “The Hidden World Chronicles” series. It follows the story of Dr. Charles Jennings, a history professor at the University of Ohio. A young man named Gavin Graham miraculously recovers from his terminal condition after running into him. Several years later, he receives a diary from Charles that recounts the events that led to his unexplainable miracle.
His story begins in the sixties. A woman named Sarah Parker, an anthropologist with whom Charles studied in his youth, performs an investigation on a series of ancient drawings of UFOs. While Charles dismisses her findings at first, a strange visit from a government man and a letter he receives from her leads him to reunite once again with his former colleague. Together, they discover a secret hidden in the depths of the Shambala Temple that connects ancient religions, the US government, and their own past in an unexpected way. For there is a whole world hidden beneath the surface of our planet.
The prose of the book is descriptive and focuses on the actions rather than the thoughts and feelings of the characters, their relationships and their way of bonding flimsy. While the connection between Charles and Sarah finds justification within the background of the plot, some of the friendships they build along their journey fail to convince.
In contrast, the plot manages to capture the reader from the very start. Conspiracies, secret tombs, and strange connections with both persons and historical moments of our existence unravel throughout the book to keep it immersed in the story. The conception of the Inner World is fascinating and sufficiently explored, the author exposing his knowledge of several branches of mythology from different parts of the world.
Mr. Nance, a student of electronics and engineering, employs a substantial load of technical language. He delves into the ways of speculative science and discarded theories to try to explain several of the extraordinary phenomena that occur throughout the book. Some appear possible enough, while others seem too improbable. As the plot of the book unfolds in its pages, the predominant thematic begins to mutate from science fiction to fantasy, a change that may prove uncomfortable for certain readers.
The editing work is second-rate. Out of a couple of typos, there is a vast amount of missing commas and extensive sentences that could use some pauses from the writing work itself. Some paragraphs and dialogues filled with exposure are overwhelming, their format inconsistent and a reason for the reader to move its attention away from the story.
Although it starts with a punch and appears to be on the right track for most of its length, the book loses itself halfway, its closing act flat and predictable. The epilogue leaves a door open for a sequel, but I'm afraid it will not count on my interest. Despite the underwhelming editing work and the weak characterization, the book finds some redemption in its first half’s plot, which is why I give it 2 out of 4 stars. I recommend it for those who enjoy stories that blend certain scientific bases with fantasy. It may also be of interest to those seeking a book within the genre with elements of adventure and with a few over-the-top action moments.
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The Journey of the Chosen
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