Contender – The Chosen Written by Taran Matharu. Reviewed by Arthur, Age 11

Contender: The Chosen is a fabulous book that I was unable to put down. When I looked at the title, I had no idea what it would be about, and did not know whether I would like it much. But by the time I reached the back cover, it had become a favourite! This is in a large part because the characters are so relatable. Although this is a fantasy story, the main characters are from the present day. The reader is rooting for Cade and his friends from the start, for even though some of them may have committed crimes, they are actually kind and courageous on the inside, with personalities and situations one can recognize.

Reading it transported me to a different world, with vivid descriptions. The author creates a good effect in the first chapters by changing from the present to a few months before, to show Cade’s backstory and what has happened to him. The plot, based around challenges of different levels and with leader boards, is like a video game, so many people can relate to it. While it could easily be described as a fantasy book, it is also set in different historical periods (dinosaurs, Romans, the Marie Celeste) and describes these with lots of detail.

I really enjoyed it because it is full of detail, gripping and relatable, but there is some violence and occasional swear words, so I think that it is suitable for people over 11 years. I would suggest that you read it whether you like fantasy, science fiction, history or video games. I can’t wait to read the sequel!