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2.9 AVERAGE
2.9 AVERAGE
Quin Kincaid has been put through years of brutal training for what she thinks is the noble purpose of becoming a revered ‘Seeker’.
Only when it’s too late does she discover she will be using her new-found knowledge and training to become an assassin. Quin's new role will take her around the globe, from a remote estate in Scotland to a bustling, futuristic Hong Kong where the past she thought she had escaped will finally catch up with her.
Rating: 2/5 Stars
Quick Reasons: intriguing and unique ideas/world; very small amount of world-building; lots of unanswered questions/missed opportunities; cop-outs; nice cast of characters
I was so, SO excited about this book. I started hearing about it on tumblr, and I thought--I REALLY need to read that! I need to read that right now!
And then I started reading. I think it's safe to say this book fell a bit flat for me in the most important ways.
First off: I noticed, about the halfway point, that there were a LOT more questions about this world/its magic than answers for it. In my mind, at halfway through the book, we ought to know AT LEAST these things: 1. Who the characters are; 2. What their goals/dreams/destinies are; 3. What the world is like/how the magic of said world works/EVERYTHING TO DO with world-building.
The world-building of this book? Pretty much nonexistant. I made the following comment on a buddy read thread here about the halfway mark:
I feel as if...Arwen Elys Dayton has a lot of great ideas going on in this book...but they might be one too many to handle. Shes' trying to get a LOT done in just over 400 pages, and I don't think she quite hits the mark.
The prose is beautiful, the details we're given--particularly about the surroundings--do well to ALMOST bring this story to life. But. BUT. I didn't form a connection with the characters--not really--until about 100 pages from the end. Which is bad. I didn't SEE the characters really, either; I feel like she was striving so hard to make this story come to life for her readers, to make all the little details fit together just so, that she missed out on some of the finer points of writing. I don't know what the Dreads are, or where they come from, or why they exist, or how they do what they do, or...pretty much anything about them. I didn't really get a sense of "knowing" any of the other characters, either--save John, our antagonist.
The writing is so, so pretty, though, and while it took probably a smidge too long, I DID find myself rooting for the characters--particularly Quin and Shinobu, though seeing as they're related, this feels wrong to me on some level or other. I enjoyed the read...but it's not one of my favorites. Hopefully the second book will answer some of my questions...and perhaps be better at building this world for me to fall into.
Overall, I'm disappointed. On to other things.
Only when it’s too late does she discover she will be using her new-found knowledge and training to become an assassin. Quin's new role will take her around the globe, from a remote estate in Scotland to a bustling, futuristic Hong Kong where the past she thought she had escaped will finally catch up with her.
Rating: 2/5 Stars
Quick Reasons: intriguing and unique ideas/world; very small amount of world-building; lots of unanswered questions/missed opportunities; cop-outs; nice cast of characters
I was so, SO excited about this book. I started hearing about it on tumblr, and I thought--I REALLY need to read that! I need to read that right now!
And then I started reading. I think it's safe to say this book fell a bit flat for me in the most important ways.
First off: I noticed, about the halfway point, that there were a LOT more questions about this world/its magic than answers for it. In my mind, at halfway through the book, we ought to know AT LEAST these things: 1. Who the characters are; 2. What their goals/dreams/destinies are; 3. What the world is like/how the magic of said world works/EVERYTHING TO DO with world-building.
The world-building of this book? Pretty much nonexistant. I made the following comment on a buddy read thread here about the halfway mark:
Spoiler
"I feel like there's a lot of world-building NOT going on in this book. We have the general gist...but what ARE Seekers? We still don't know. What do they DO (aside from...murdering people? What did they START with, when they first started out? What was their original design and how did it stray so far off that mark in the years?) What/who are the Dreads? What do THEY do (aside from oversee and decide justice?) How are they "stretched" through time? WHY are they stretched through time? They are meant to stand apart, but it seems they're doing a lot more in the way of helping Briac than of being distanced. There's a sense of magic to this world, but where does it come from? How is it used? I am just...really confused, and feel like we're missing large chunks of back story that we need to understand what's going on. I'm still not sure, also, what exactly athames and lightning rods do or how they work. Also, defusers or whatever that weapon is called--it shoots out sparks and "messes up" a person if they're hit with it, but...why? how? what IS it?!"I feel as if...Arwen Elys Dayton has a lot of great ideas going on in this book...but they might be one too many to handle. Shes' trying to get a LOT done in just over 400 pages, and I don't think she quite hits the mark.
The prose is beautiful, the details we're given--particularly about the surroundings--do well to ALMOST bring this story to life. But. BUT. I didn't form a connection with the characters--not really--until about 100 pages from the end. Which is bad. I didn't SEE the characters really, either; I feel like she was striving so hard to make this story come to life for her readers, to make all the little details fit together just so, that she missed out on some of the finer points of writing. I don't know what the Dreads are, or where they come from, or why they exist, or how they do what they do, or...pretty much anything about them. I didn't really get a sense of "knowing" any of the other characters, either--save John, our antagonist.
The writing is so, so pretty, though, and while it took probably a smidge too long, I DID find myself rooting for the characters--particularly Quin and Shinobu, though seeing as they're related, this feels wrong to me on some level or other. I enjoyed the read...but it's not one of my favorites. Hopefully the second book will answer some of my questions...and perhaps be better at building this world for me to fall into.
Overall, I'm disappointed. On to other things.
While the start of the book was sometimes gripping and sometimes boring, once I really was in Maud's and Quin's heads, I enjoyed this fast-paced story. The fantasy and international setting enhanced the story.
Read my full thoughts over at Read.Write.Repeat.
Trying to be the latest, greatest YA dystopian-type novel is not that easy. Case in point.
Trying to be the latest, greatest YA dystopian-type novel is not that easy. Case in point.
I went into this hopeful. It's a great concept, and despite the "Game of Thrones meets Hunger Games" advertising promise, I didn't set my expectations too high.
The prose is serviceable, aside from the abundance of telling rather than showing. And this reader didn’t actually mind the alternating 4 POV, third-person limited (told from the perspectives of 15-16 year old Quin and her distant cousin Shinobu, 16 year old John, and the “Young Dread” of indeterminate age called Maud.) Unfortunately, the characterization is a bit thin, and the genre is… unclear. I’m going to go with Urban Fantasy until otherwise corrected. While it is claimed that this book “defies classification,” I’m more inclined to say it befuddles classification.
Me, trying to discern the genre: "Okay, so we're in rural medieval Scottland... wait, no, there's a sword that turns into a whip--possible alien tech? And...now there are flying cars and inter-dimensional portals. Is this sci-fi? I guess it could still be urban fantasy. What year is it?! Wait...nope...there's an airship mansion in the middle of London visible to all. Alternate reality? And now we’re in Hong Kong. WHAT IS GOING ON???
We are introduced to the three young Seekers-in-training, just before their initiation into what they’ve always been told is a good and honorable collective—complete with catchy motto: “Tyrants and evildoers beware!” Only two of them make it to their oath-taking night, which is preceded by their first mission. It’s on this mission they apparently realize that being a Seeker isn’t at all what they’ve been told (despite weak hints from John, Quin’s mother, and Shinobu’s father in attempt to warn them—though it’s never explained why they didn’t just tell them outright.) It’s from John’s slightly better informed perspective we glean the impression that the status of “Seeker” has degenerated over time to nothing more than a power-hungry, magical(?)dimension-splitting dagger carrying, assassins-for-hire.
Readers are never let in on exactly what happened the night of their initiation…only that it involved the murder of an entire family. Yet, despite their apparent horror and disillusionment, neither Quin nor Shinobu have the gumption to leave. That is, not until John comes calling with a posse of thugs-for-hire in an effort to take back the birthright he believes is the only way to salvage the power and wealth his family once held.
Other things readers aren’t let in on: Any definitive Seeker lore, or theories as to their origins; An explanation as to how their magical(?) dagger, the Athame, is able to slice through the fabric of time and space; Some idea of why Briac (Quin’s one-dimensionally evil father) thought he could maintain any control on trainee Seekers once they figured out what was really going on; Why Shinobu’s good-natured father wouldn’t tell his son exactly what he was about to jump ignorantly into; How the heck a “Disruptor” works, and why its effects are apparently incurable; Why everyone seems to consider a Seeker’s oath binding, when the consequences to breaking their word is never mentioned…
Unfortunately, this sums up my feelings for most of the book:
The biggest downfall, in this reader’s mind, is the frustrating lack of worldbuilding. While some of it does finally start to unfold toward the end, by that point I suspect many readers will have either quit or withdrawn emotional investment. The book gives the impression of needlessly withholding information from readers in the hopes that it will equate to suspense. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. And in the end, readers are left with more questions than answers.
The love triangle came across as unnecessarily awkward (or perhaps an attempt to capitalize on the emerging trend of toeing the taboo line?) We’re at first introduced to Shinobu as Quin’s “beautiful cousin”—although not a close relative, indisputably related on some biologic level. When we get his perspective, we quickly find that he’s got a clear and unrequited infatuation with his distant cousin. It’s an understandable but uncomfortable predicament, yet easily brushed aside, as Quin is evidently in love with John. But as the second half of the book comes together 18 months after the inciting incidents (and John’s banishment/betrayal), the whole kissing-cousins things comes back around—with an added layer of downplaying their actual degree of blood-relation.
Which begs the question… why leave so much open confusion? Couldn’t Shinobu have been an adopted cousin or step-cousin, without the added discomfiture that makes it hard to get on board with the two of them as romantic prospects?
John was also exceedingly off-putting from almost the very beginning. His motives were nebulous for far too long, and unconvincing even when finally somewhat elaborated on. Despite allegedly loving Quin, his methodology in persuading her to help him (using his largely incompetent thugs to abuse her) was ridiculous at best. Why he never bothers sitting her down and explaining what happened to his mother or what he’s got at stake is beyond perplexing.
Again, it was a good premise and the writing had a lot of potential. I suspect it would have benefited greatly from a few more content editing sweeps.
The prose is serviceable, aside from the abundance of telling rather than showing. And this reader didn’t actually mind the alternating 4 POV, third-person limited (told from the perspectives of 15-16 year old Quin and her distant cousin Shinobu, 16 year old John, and the “Young Dread” of indeterminate age called Maud.) Unfortunately, the characterization is a bit thin, and the genre is… unclear. I’m going to go with Urban Fantasy until otherwise corrected. While it is claimed that this book “defies classification,” I’m more inclined to say it befuddles classification.
Me, trying to discern the genre: "Okay, so we're in rural medieval Scottland... wait, no, there's a sword that turns into a whip--possible alien tech? And...now there are flying cars and inter-dimensional portals. Is this sci-fi? I guess it could still be urban fantasy. What year is it?! Wait...nope...there's an airship mansion in the middle of London visible to all. Alternate reality? And now we’re in Hong Kong. WHAT IS GOING ON???
We are introduced to the three young Seekers-in-training, just before their initiation into what they’ve always been told is a good and honorable collective—complete with catchy motto: “Tyrants and evildoers beware!” Only two of them make it to their oath-taking night, which is preceded by their first mission. It’s on this mission they apparently realize that being a Seeker isn’t at all what they’ve been told (despite weak hints from John, Quin’s mother, and Shinobu’s father in attempt to warn them—though it’s never explained why they didn’t just tell them outright.) It’s from John’s slightly better informed perspective we glean the impression that the status of “Seeker” has degenerated over time to nothing more than a power-hungry, magical(?)dimension-splitting dagger carrying, assassins-for-hire.
Readers are never let in on exactly what happened the night of their initiation…only that it involved the murder of an entire family. Yet, despite their apparent horror and disillusionment, neither Quin nor Shinobu have the gumption to leave. That is, not until John comes calling with a posse of thugs-for-hire in an effort to take back the birthright he believes is the only way to salvage the power and wealth his family once held.
Other things readers aren’t let in on: Any definitive Seeker lore, or theories as to their origins; An explanation as to how their magical(?) dagger, the Athame, is able to slice through the fabric of time and space; Some idea of why Briac (Quin’s one-dimensionally evil father) thought he could maintain any control on trainee Seekers once they figured out what was really going on; Why Shinobu’s good-natured father wouldn’t tell his son exactly what he was about to jump ignorantly into; How the heck a “Disruptor” works, and why its effects are apparently incurable; Why everyone seems to consider a Seeker’s oath binding, when the consequences to breaking their word is never mentioned…
Unfortunately, this sums up my feelings for most of the book:
The biggest downfall, in this reader’s mind, is the frustrating lack of worldbuilding. While some of it does finally start to unfold toward the end, by that point I suspect many readers will have either quit or withdrawn emotional investment. The book gives the impression of needlessly withholding information from readers in the hopes that it will equate to suspense. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. And in the end, readers are left with more questions than answers.
The love triangle came across as unnecessarily awkward (or perhaps an attempt to capitalize on the emerging trend of toeing the taboo line?) We’re at first introduced to Shinobu as Quin’s “beautiful cousin”—although not a close relative, indisputably related on some biologic level. When we get his perspective, we quickly find that he’s got a clear and unrequited infatuation with his distant cousin. It’s an understandable but uncomfortable predicament, yet easily brushed aside, as Quin is evidently in love with John. But as the second half of the book comes together 18 months after the inciting incidents (and John’s banishment/betrayal), the whole kissing-cousins things comes back around—with an added layer of downplaying their actual degree of blood-relation.
Which begs the question… why leave so much open confusion? Couldn’t Shinobu have been an adopted cousin or step-cousin, without the added discomfiture that makes it hard to get on board with the two of them as romantic prospects?
John was also exceedingly off-putting from almost the very beginning. His motives were nebulous for far too long, and unconvincing even when finally somewhat elaborated on. Despite allegedly loving Quin, his methodology in persuading her to help him (using his largely incompetent thugs to abuse her) was ridiculous at best. Why he never bothers sitting her down and explaining what happened to his mother or what he’s got at stake is beyond perplexing.
Again, it was a good premise and the writing had a lot of potential. I suspect it would have benefited greatly from a few more content editing sweeps.
I would really give this one 3.5 stars. The characters were well-developed and the plot well-paced, but I never truly had a grasp on Quin's world until 1/2-3/4 of the way through the book. My favorite part about fantasy is being able to immerse yourself in a new world, but I had a hard time with that till the end--actually, there was more than one time that I wondered if I'd somehow missed the true first book. I'm hoping the sequel will be better, since I now understand what's going on.
This book's great in the beginning! But as I read it more, I didn't make it half way.... the storytelling's really boring.
Quin, John, and Shinobu come from long lines of Seekers, warriors who exact justice by killing people who seem to deserve it-at least that is what Quin's father Briac, a Seeker trainer, tells her and her third cousin Shinobu. John knows better. His mother was a Seeker whose final words committed him to becoming a Seeker and exacting revenge for his family's grievances. When John doesn't past the final test to become a Seeker, Briac decides to end his training. Quin and Shinobu proceed to take the Seeker oath and perform their first true Seeker mission, which is a gross violation of everything they have learned. A great premise, slow moving story, and a lot of annoyance at revenge-driven John, obstinate Quin, and druggy Shinobu. Still may read the sequel, though.
HS
HS
I had a really hard time getting into this book and found it a little confusing.
A young adult fantasy featuring ancient orders, family secrets, complicated love interests, and more. It's sometimes difficult to watch as certain characters succumb to desperation and obsession, but I guess that's kids these days. The pace is good and quickens toward the end.
FINALLY A JAPANESE MALE LOVE INTEREST! I've waited SO LONG for this! No longer is the heroine's lover a white male, but multiracial!!!
YES~!
IT'S PERFECT!
The beginning was pretty good and the action very nice, but I felt that the events in Hong Kong could have been better executed. The romance where Shinobu and Quin finally hook up (I ship) is a little more natural but a little too fast paced.
Contradicting?
I dunno.
Good book though, hate that the sequel comes out next year. ;~;
YES~!
IT'S PERFECT!
The beginning was pretty good and the action very nice, but I felt that the events in Hong Kong could have been better executed. The romance where Shinobu and Quin finally hook up (I ship) is a little more natural but a little too fast paced.
Contradicting?
I dunno.
Good book though, hate that the sequel comes out next year. ;~;