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DNF at about 75%.
I found little to like in this book and simply could not make myself finish it. The adults in it were either evil or weak. The kids blindly followed orders (and did bad things), rationalized doing bad things on their own, or did the "tortured soul" thing because of the bad things they'd done. I just couldn't take the whining anymore from these passive, stupid characters.
The plot, or rather the incoherency of the plot, didn't help matters. The story meandered all over the place, switching each chapter between different character points of view, jumping between present and past, and generally going nowhere. There was no sense of place and time, with it being very difficult to pin down when the story supposedly was taking place. We're told it was in Scotland and Hong Kong, but there was little to show us that other than section headings.
At three-quarters of the way through the book I still have no real notion of what a Seeker is. The sad thing is, though, that I don't even care.
I found little to like in this book and simply could not make myself finish it. The adults in it were either evil or weak. The kids blindly followed orders (and did bad things), rationalized doing bad things on their own, or did the "tortured soul" thing because of the bad things they'd done. I just couldn't take the whining anymore from these passive, stupid characters.
The plot, or rather the incoherency of the plot, didn't help matters. The story meandered all over the place, switching each chapter between different character points of view, jumping between present and past, and generally going nowhere. There was no sense of place and time, with it being very difficult to pin down when the story supposedly was taking place. We're told it was in Scotland and Hong Kong, but there was little to show us that other than section headings.
At three-quarters of the way through the book I still have no real notion of what a Seeker is. The sad thing is, though, that I don't even care.
Okay..I need to fangirl but if I do I will misspell a whole bunch of words.
The beginning was okay, it was great but I wasn't intrigued.
Then the middle came along and I was "eh"
THEN THE SECOND HALF OF THE BOOK CAME!
AMAZING!
My rating when really high because of this second half.
And AGAIN I am the Queen of Ships ;)
The beginning was okay, it was great but I wasn't intrigued.
Then the middle came along and I was "eh"
THEN THE SECOND HALF OF THE BOOK CAME!
AMAZING!
My rating when really high because of this second half.
And AGAIN I am the Queen of Ships ;)
While the premise could be intriguing, the execution was not. The characters were hard to connect with and understand, let alone sympathize with. The love triangle was terribly wooden and forced.
Note: I received a free copy of Seeker through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Seekers travel through time and space, fighting to save humanity and make things right. At least that's what Quin, Shinobu, and John, three Seekers in training, have been made to believe. But then Quin and Shinobu take their oaths and discover they've spent their lives training to be assassins.
John on the other hand knows what a Seeker does but he's there for family revenge. Things have gotten complicated for him though because, ever since he joined the training, he's had a relationship with Quin.
There's fighting, fantasy, tons of character development, and plenty of mysteries that need to be solved. The story line covers the past and present with the added confusion of self induced amnesia of one of the characters but it's good. There's a history to the book and I loved it.
What with all the background information and shifting points of view and timelines this is not the easiest read though I found it enjoyable. Just don't choose this book if you're looking for a quick easy read. And be warned that this is the first book in a new series.
But if you like stories that are both fantastical but real at the same time (because yes, each character is realistic and flawed and nobody/nothing is perfect) then give Seeker a try.
Seekers travel through time and space, fighting to save humanity and make things right. At least that's what Quin, Shinobu, and John, three Seekers in training, have been made to believe. But then Quin and Shinobu take their oaths and discover they've spent their lives training to be assassins.
John on the other hand knows what a Seeker does but he's there for family revenge. Things have gotten complicated for him though because, ever since he joined the training, he's had a relationship with Quin.
There's fighting, fantasy, tons of character development, and plenty of mysteries that need to be solved. The story line covers the past and present with the added confusion of self induced amnesia of one of the characters but it's good. There's a history to the book and I loved it.
What with all the background information and shifting points of view and timelines this is not the easiest read though I found it enjoyable. Just don't choose this book if you're looking for a quick easy read. And be warned that this is the first book in a new series.
But if you like stories that are both fantastical but real at the same time (because yes, each character is realistic and flawed and nobody/nothing is perfect) then give Seeker a try.
Not bad, but not very good either. The first half of the book was slow and boring, but I guess it is building up what will happen in the second half. The second half of the book starts to get interesting. Especially when Quinn and Shinobu finally meets up again. Really enjoy reading Shinobu's chapters, he is my favorite character in this book.
I liked this book. I thought the story was well written and exciting and original. And yet ... it just didn't quite do something for me... I struggled to finish it, and I found myself unable to read it for long stretches of time. Maybe I just didn't connect with the characters? I don't know...I wouldn't NOT recommend it, and I think it could be very popular among teens, especially those looking for a Hunger Games/Divergent vibe.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
-Contains Spoilers-
Normally I try to stay away from spoilers in my reviews but I can't possibly talk about how terrible this book was without them.
Where to start..? How about the fact that this book claims it's about assassins when really its about revenge and the scaring of Seeker children by the truth about Seekers. Seriously. It doesn't get good until Part 3. Technically part 4.
John is a manipulative jerk with a very VERY narrowed focus on one thing. A time traveling dagger. Oh and technically revenge but that's pretty much what he wants the dagger for. He knew the truth all along and didn't bother to try to tell Quin not even a little bit which I think is really weird because he didn't want that life for her. He kept talking through out the whole book how he didn't want to hurt Quin or her mother, Fiona, or anyone and yet, Fiona has a scar on her throat where she was cut and Quin has a scar by her shoulder where she was shot BY JOHN.
Quin has moments of being an awesome strong lead female who looses her marbles completely (and I mean that in the fact that she looses her memory not that she goes senile) after arriving in Hong Kong and is pretty much afraid of her own shadow. Which isn't that big of a deal, to be honest it's just the way that it's portrayed. Strong female characters don't always have to be strong. She just goes from being a fighter to being a germaphobe afraid of sharp things.
Shinobu seriously needs more screen time because he's a great character and I would genuinely like to see more of him. He becomes a drug addict when they get to Honk Kong which is a little disappointing but I guess it's for the same reason as when Haymitch and Katniss turn to alcohol. He keeps his memories and doesn't want them. Here and there he has a Scottish accent which is awesome. At least someone does for living in Scottland all their life for heavens sake.
Fiona has potential to be a great female character except all we know is that she taught them seeker stuff, tries to talk Quin out of becoming a seeker but cannot tell her why (because of laws), is basically a victim of Briac (whom I will get to in a second) and turns into an escort once they reach Hong Kong. Oh and she's an alcoholic.
Briac Kinkaid is a terrible heartless person and there is literally NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. No hints, no backstory, and he barely talks and when he does it's just terrible stuff.
Maud and the Dreads are hardly explained and I think Maud deserved some more screen time as well because she's an awesome character. I like that we got a bit of her back story even if it was in some awkward interlude between parts one and two.
The romances are too easy, there are a few things left answered, and the world feels incredibly underdeveloped. I managed to push myself through even though it took me weeks so with all this its gets a solid 2 stars.
My favorite things were: Traveler (the airship built for John), Shinobu, and Maud. That's it.
[[side note: I always feel bad when I give bad reviews on work that people spent a lot of time on, but the truth is the truth and one needs to face it to improve.]]
Normally I try to stay away from spoilers in my reviews but I can't possibly talk about how terrible this book was without them.
Where to start..? How about the fact that this book claims it's about assassins when really its about revenge and the scaring of Seeker children by the truth about Seekers. Seriously. It doesn't get good until Part 3. Technically part 4.
John is a manipulative jerk with a very VERY narrowed focus on one thing. A time traveling dagger. Oh and technically revenge but that's pretty much what he wants the dagger for. He knew the truth all along and didn't bother to try to tell Quin not even a little bit which I think is really weird because he didn't want that life for her. He kept talking through out the whole book how he didn't want to hurt Quin or her mother, Fiona, or anyone and yet, Fiona has a scar on her throat where she was cut and Quin has a scar by her shoulder where she was shot BY JOHN.
Quin has moments of being an awesome strong lead female who looses her marbles completely (and I mean that in the fact that she looses her memory not that she goes senile) after arriving in Hong Kong and is pretty much afraid of her own shadow. Which isn't that big of a deal, to be honest it's just the way that it's portrayed. Strong female characters don't always have to be strong. She just goes from being a fighter to being a germaphobe afraid of sharp things.
Shinobu seriously needs more screen time because he's a great character and I would genuinely like to see more of him. He becomes a drug addict when they get to Honk Kong which is a little disappointing but I guess it's for the same reason as when Haymitch and Katniss turn to alcohol. He keeps his memories and doesn't want them. Here and there he has a Scottish accent which is awesome. At least someone does for living in Scottland all their life for heavens sake.
Fiona has potential to be a great female character except all we know is that she taught them seeker stuff, tries to talk Quin out of becoming a seeker but cannot tell her why (because of laws), is basically a victim of Briac (whom I will get to in a second) and turns into an escort once they reach Hong Kong. Oh and she's an alcoholic.
Briac Kinkaid is a terrible heartless person and there is literally NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. No hints, no backstory, and he barely talks and when he does it's just terrible stuff.
Maud and the Dreads are hardly explained and I think Maud deserved some more screen time as well because she's an awesome character. I like that we got a bit of her back story even if it was in some awkward interlude between parts one and two.
The romances are too easy, there are a few things left answered, and the world feels incredibly underdeveloped. I managed to push myself through even though it took me weeks so with all this its gets a solid 2 stars.
My favorite things were: Traveler (the airship built for John), Shinobu, and Maud. That's it.
[[side note: I always feel bad when I give bad reviews on work that people spent a lot of time on, but the truth is the truth and one needs to face it to improve.]]