Fallen Princeborn: Chosen

by Jean Lee

CHARLOTTE’S FAMILY MAY NO LONGER REMEMBER HER NAME,
BUT HER ENEMIES WILL NEVER FORGET.

Charlotte just wanted to start a new life with her sister Anna out of the reaches of their abusive uncle. When their journey led to Anna’s disappearance from human memory, Charlotte hunted for her sister and the mysterious creatures that took her behind an ancient Wall that hid a land of magic the world had long forgotten. Charlotte woke the Princeborn Liam Artair, and with his return the conflict between factions of the magical Velidevour turned cursed and deadly.

Now Charlotte must end this conflict before the land of River Vine and the inhabitants she’s befriended are consumed by Orna, Lady of the Pits, who is still very, very eager to see her beloved return. And Orna is not the only one who wants hold of the Princeborn Liam’s heart. These Velidevour come armed with firey wings, crimson claws, and pale fire, and like dead magic, they know no kindness.

The Bloody Days are soon returning, and they will not end until a choice is made, a choice that could tear the heart of River Vine apart.

Fallen Princeborn: Chosen is a direct continuation of Fallen Princeborn: Stolen. Recommended for fans of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust, Brigid Kemmerer’s A Curse So Dark and Lonely, and Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Mist and Fury.

Genres: Fantasy

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2020

About the author

Jean Lee is a Wisconsin born and bred writer excited to share her young adult fantasy fiction with those who love to find other worlds hidden in the humdrum of everyday life. Her first novel, Fallen Princeborn: Stolen, debuts in the fall of 2018 from Aionios Books. She also blogs regularly about the fiction, music, and landscapes that inspire her as a writer (https://jeanleesworld.com/). You can find Jean on her site, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under the handle @jeanleesworld.

Reviews

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fallen Princeborn: Chosen by Jean Lee is a fantastical book that will transport you into a world of magic, fantasy, and wonder.

This twisted fantasy continues the story from the first novel, Fallen Princeborn: Stolen (which I highly recommend you read before you grab this book, by the way). Charlotte and Liam's relationship is growing and changing, but of course their strife with Lady Orna hasn't ended. This wicked world tries to take all that it can from our leads, but they fight minions, make new friends, and work to make all things right away. We also meet Liam's family members, many new (and slightly terrifying) creatures, and find out more about the powerful beings in this world.

If you love in-depth fantasy, this series is right up your alleyway. There's lots of terminology and lore deep within these books, and Jean Lee makes it so inviting and intriguing. The descriptions are marvellous and it feels like these books are a work of art. There's also a lot of snarky, sassy, and goofy comedy sprinkled throughout, so you'll be able to grin as you're reading through these pages too.

I don't recommend picking this book up as a standalone. I hadn't read the first book in a while so I had to go back to my prior notes to catch up and remember where we were at. If you don't read the first book, I think you'll be super lost and not understand the world at all. Just a heads up for readers wanting to take a nose dive into this book. Grab the first book and then enjoy the ride this sequel brings. It's such an immersive world with so much to read about, you'll feel like you're in Games of Thrones or Lord of the Rings - but way more fantasy and fun.

This is a must read book for those who love epic fantasies. There's so much to unpack in this book and it will keep you reading, desperate for more. Go Jean Lee for making such an incredibly delightful book.

Five out of five stars.

I received this book for free from Jean Lee, the author, in exchange for an honest review.

[Yesha- Books Teacup and Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Note : I received e-copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to author. ***

Fallen Princeborn: Chosen was fantastic dark fantasy that revolved around Charlotte and Liam’s growing relationship and trust in each other, their battle with Lady Orna and her minions who somehow has returned with vengeance and blood lust, and Liam’s family who are bigger trouble than Lady Orna. It was about good vs evil, dysfunctional family, betrayal, trust, love, letting go of past, and finding strength in love.

Villians were interesting, not just Lady Orna but Liam’s family as well. I was still puzzled how Lady Orna came back so fast from pit and acquired new kind of power that was deadly. Her incompletes were creepy but even creepier was Liam’s family. This family was full of crazies.

World was well written. It was interesting to read more history of land and water, its people and their powers. Aether created all the magical beings in this world but worst were princeborns and we know more of their crimes in this book. Stellaqui were interesting creatures. I enjoyed reading about them and their old high sage. Celenstines were most powerful of all. By meeting them readers could see what was those magical rings that Lady Orna wore and now other princeborns were wearing.

Overall, Fallen Princeborn: Chosen was intriguing, fast paced and well written adult fantasy with punchy prose, rich world and non-stop action.


Read full review on my book blog by following the link- https://booksteacupreviews.com/2021/0...

[Chris Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already captivated by Jean Lee’s first book in the Fallen Princeborn series, I was excited to get my hands on the ARC of Fallen Princeborn: Chosen. And I was not disappointed at all; what a richly told tale this continues to be.

The reader is launched straight back to where we left Charlotte and Liam at the close of Fallen Princeborn: Stolen. The action is intense and the wonderful world-building welcomes the reader back to this highly original, magical fantasy world.

The story continues and the action ramps up another notch. We are in familiar, yet unfamiliar territory of shape-shifting creatures, dark magic, old friends and even older and more frightening foes. Real page-turning excitement (and dread). How will Charlotte, and the magical folk, who are now her surrogate family, survive?

Not only is the story immersive, the principle characters are complex and the author’s depth of description provide a camera-roll of powerful images for the reader. From the Stellaqui sea creatures to the celestial Celestine and the House, we have a spellbinding array of classy cast members. Battles are fought and guts are ripped out; dark and dreadful scenes of sexual abuse and violence are played out too. These scenes are not for the faint-hearted, but not one is gratuitous.
Some ‘middle’ novels don’t quite cut it, but this one certainly does. This is no place-holder. So much more of this rich series plays out and the reader is left breathless for more.

“Nothing smells as amazing as hope,” says one of the characters. It’s my hope that book three will not be too long in coming.

Fallen Princeborn: Chosen

I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Wesley Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jean Lee has created, in her Fallen Princeborn series, a fantastic world which exists in parallel with our own. Her characters have unique voices, and she does an excellent job presenting many of their histories without overwhelming the plot. She shows an incredible sensitivity, in particular, for dealing with the issues of trauma and abuse with which a number of her characters wrestle. Her world has depth. Charlotte, in particular, is a compelling protagonist—and the relationships she develops over the course of the story revolve around the way she works out her own inner turmoil. She's someone you want to root for.

Fallen Princeborn: Chosen, the second volume in the series, does suffer a bit from early pacing issues. The novel takes place almost immediately after the conclusion of the first story and the tension doesn't let up for a moment. As a result, characters and concepts aren't able to be re-introduced in ways which may spark a reader's memory. To really enjoy this second volume, then, it's best to re-read the previous book, Fallen Princeborn: Stolen, before continuing on. I was able to reorient myself to the world after a while, but because events were happening so fast I found it difficult.

If you enjoy young adult fantasy which deals with some very real issues and invents an entire new mythology the Fallen Princeborn series is for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Colin Garrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing her quest, Charlotte strives to end the conflict between opposing sides of the magical Velidevour, before the land of River Vine and its inhabitants are consumed by Orna, Lady of the Pits. Unfortunately, Orna is not the only one who wants hold of the Princeborn Liam’s heart. Can Charlotte keep Liam safe while battling the evil forces that threaten him?

‘Fallen Princeborn: Chosen’ continues on from the first book, ‘Fallen Princeborn: Stolen’, being a series of YA dark-fantasy novels. Though I’m not keen on long retellings of what happened in previous books, I did find it a little confusing trying to recall who everyone was, so a little bit of back story here and there would’ve helped enormously. As I’ve said before, I’m not a big fan of the genre, but Ms Lee has a particular way with language that makes it a delight to read. Her prose is rich and colourful, and her world-building skills are never perfunctory or half-baked (as with some fantasy authors). The characters are thoughtful and fully formed, with their own individual traits and quirks. Though I did get a little confused (again) with the variety of personalities, the story starts with a bang and rattles along nonstop thereafter. With plenty of action, weird monsters and shapeshifters, there’s lots here to keep fantasy fans happy for hours.

It’s worth noting that while this can be read as a standalone, I’d recommend reading the previous book first to avoid confusion.

[K.M. Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Jean Lee book I've read and it won't be the last. Beautifully written, I was drawn into the Princeborn world via the imaginative worldbuilding and the unique cast of characters. There is something for everyone in this fantasy series with creatures, magic, and houses that move the highlights. The relationship between Charlotte and Liam will also keep readers turning pages. There's plenty of action in this story, with many battles taking place, and it kept me on the edge of my seat, right up until the cliffhanger ending. I can't wait for book 3!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ronel Janse van Vuuren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picks up where the last one left off – with loads of action and magic. (Make sure you’ve read book one recently or you’ll be lost for a while.)

The foreshadowing of Charlotte’s abuse in book one is vividly described here, leaving me (and Liam) sick to the stomach and angry.

The merpeople are awesome. Cruel and creepy, but awesome. And the fight scenes are terrific throughout.

The book does switch rapidly between Charlotte’s POV and Liam’s, but it works (once you’re used to it).

The Incomplete will give me nightmares for a while (more so than the merpeople’s library)… but not as many as Liam’s family.

I still wonder about Charlotte’s unique brand of magic – she intrigues all of the magical races. She’s a warrior queen, just as Liam says, and an awesome person to hang out with.

I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the next one!

Trigger warnings: cursing, abuse, rape, violence

*I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion.

[S.J. Higbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, if you have stumbled across a copy of this one without first reading Fallen Princeborn: Stolen, I strongly advise you to put it down and get hold of the first book. This book is essentially a continuation of the story and you will spend far too much time floundering, rather than simply enjoying the story.

I fell in love with Lee’s immersive, richly sensuous style from the first time I read her work. So we have a strong sense of the tastes, smells, and the feel of her world, as well as richly vivid images for the world beneath the lake and the amazing Rose House. But though I admire accomplished writing, I wouldn’t have gone on turning the pages if there isn’t also a great story and strong, nuanced characters. Charlotte’s traumatic past has informed her penchant for violence, and she is regularly spiky, rude and provocative. That could become annoying really quickly, if she isn’t also fiercely loyal to those who she has come to admire and love within this alternate magical world. Her cussed refusal to yield or negotiate with those she regards as evil and her dogged determination to protect the shattered heir, Liam, runs through her core. I love Charlie!

Liam, the fallen princeborn of the title, was raised to be a monster by a monstrous family. And this book really leaps to life once we get to see his vile relations and just how sick they are. There isn’t anything gratuitous or unduly gory – but the vividness of Lee’s prose seeped into my inscape, such that Rose House and Liam’s truly terrifying mother had me holding my breath. The action scenes are well written and there is plenty of them, as the Lady of the Pits wants Liam back and Charlie dead, so a variety of monsters come after them. I also love shapeshifting Dorjan of the odd eyes and Arlen, Liam’s tutor who managed to teach him slivers of kindness and humanity, amongst the vile lessons his truly awful parents demanded that he learn.

In short, this second book took the story forward with all the richness and depth I’ve come to expect from Lee’s punchy, readable prose. This book finishes on a major cliffhanger, and I’m now impatiently waiting to discover how two of my favourite mismatched couples prevail against terrible odds. Highly recommended for fantasy readers who enjoy something genuinely different. The author provided me with an arc of Fallen Princeborn: Chosen in return for an honest, unbiased review.
9/10

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fallen Princeborn: Chosen,” a YA fantasy, is the second book in the series. Charlotte, the human, and the Princeborn, Liam, a magical being, were wonderfully flawed and interesting characters. The story began with Charlotte helping to get an injured Liam to safety. This led to an underwater world. There were many characters to get acquainted with, including magical bears and wolves, which became some of my favorites; however, the underwater ones were also intriguing, especially Captain. Fast-paced from the first page, it never let up. They were escaping and battling Orna, who appears to be impossible to kill. Plus, some humor balanced the painful depth and family history that Charlotte and Liam had. Even though I wished I had read book one and could have stopped reading to do so, the story had already hooked me. I will go back now and read the first book, and I am also hoping there is more to come. I can easily recommend this, but suggest you begin with “Fallen Princeborn: Stolen.”

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shapeshifters, magical weapons, talking animals. Charlotte has rescued Liam but so many are after them. But Rose House answers her prayers and gets them to safety, but only until Liam’s parents grab them. Now Liam is being forced to wed, and he is under some kind of enchantment where he is agreeable and acting like a zombie. Charlotte needs to rescue him again. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review on my blog!