The Chosen

Book 1

By: J. M. Gokey

Narrated by: Ali Townsend

A missing king, a missing princess, and a missing dragon

The world of Umbra Mundus is in shambles. Magick is quickly fading and the clock is ticking. A battle between dark and light is quickly approaching, and the lost princess is their only hope.

When eighteen-year-old Alys begins to suffer a string of unfortunate events after her birthday, she soon discovers the mysterious man watching her from afar is responsible for it all. Her seemingly normal life soon makes a dramatic change, suddenly finding herself in a terrifying yet fantastical world. Lovers turn to enemies, foes disguised as friends, and hidden secrets lurk behind every corner. After discovering her true identity, she is forced into a position never asked for, the fate of the entire realm now in her hands.

The Chosen is a darker fantasy with a contemp twist, full of mythical creatures, magick, romance, and heartbreak.

©2024, 2025 J. M. Gokey (P)2025 J. M. Gokey

A Fast-Paced Fantasy with Heart

The Chosen by J.M. Gokey took me pleasantly by surprise. While fantasy isn’t usually my go-to genre, I found myself pulled in quickly by Alys’s journey—from her mysterious watcher to being thrust into a magical realm filled with danger, destiny, and yes… dragons. The pacing was spot-on, keeping the momentum high while still giving enough character development to make me care about the people (and creatures) I met along the way.

The highlight for me was Alys’s bond with her dragon. My one wish? That the battle scene surrounding this moment had been drawn out more. It’s such a pivotal point in her story that I would have loved to linger in that tension and excitement a bit longer.

I experienced the audiobook version, and the narrator deserves special mention. Her voice and pacing were excellent, perfectly matching the tone of the story. My only critique on the audio side was that the leveling could have been a bit more consistent, but it was a minor distraction in an otherwise immersive listen.

Overall, this is a fun, heartfelt fantasy adventure with hints of romance, well-placed twists, and a world that feels like it’s only just begun to reveal its depth. Fans of dragons, magic, and fast-moving plots will find a lot to love here, and I’m already looking forward to seeing where Book 2 takes Alys’s story. I will also say, go follow her on Tiktok. She gives updates to upcoming books and is very down-to-earth.

Immersive audiobook

Amazing dark fantasy with a coming of age element. The narrator is extremely talented, and the use of sound effects adds a fun experience that pulls you into the story. Can’t wait to see what the narrator does with book 2, The Wicked.