Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Demon-slaying sequel has more wit and angst.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In CHOSEN: SLAYER, BOOK 2, Nina, chosen slayer of demons, is setting up a sanctuary for them. She's determined to only slay the bad ones from now on. But lines get blurred when she finds out her twin sister, Artemis, is in cahoots with a drug dealer who preys on the very demons she's trying to protect. And when she discovers that a major funder of their operations, someone her own mother tells her not to mess with, is preying upon innocents as well. They all have ties to someone called the Sleeper, whose rabid followers will do anything to help him regain his power, even if it means the end of the world as we know it.
Is It Any Good?
The mysteries are too easy for readers to solve, but Buffy fans will still enjoy this witty, angsty sequel as wooden stakes fly and the other kind of stakes get even higher. Chosen follows the same pattern as the first book, Slayer, so you'll know who the secret bad guys are and you'll know what they're after. You may be miffed that the characters are so blind to it.
That aside, Chosen works well when it combines action with wit. There are plenty of moments where ultra-strong Nina takes out a bunch of villains while delivering the perfect one-liners. They remind readers what a strange job she has in this world of demons that can siphon off your feelings or skip through dimensions or hold conferences at the Marriott. Though, sometimes the wit turns to cynicism, which leads to some serious angst. While these passages of intense reflection could have been edited down, Nina's doubts and indecision are relatable, even if her butt-kicking job isn't, and Chosen soon gets back to the butt-kicking action.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Nina's dreams in Chosen. What do they mean? What does it show that she fears? How does she use them to focus on what's important?
What does Artemis want in the story? Why? Does she get it?
Would you read more stories in this series? Is there another character you'd like it to focus on? Who?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Superheroes , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon Pulse
- Publication date : January 7, 2020
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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