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2.9 AVERAGE
2.9 AVERAGE
I'm sure it was a great book, but it was just to slow for me to get involved. I am sorry I was unable to finish it :/ It was wonderfully written!
Fantasy, sci-fi, adventure, and a strong female protagonist is the basis of this book. Jr. High kids will like it if they enjoy these genres.
Seeker is a very good YA thriller. It has many of the same elements as Graceling and the feel of Highlander. I think that this could be the next big YA book, so get in and read it before the rush. Be cool before it becomes cool.
I'd give it a 1.5 star rating, but when you're down to the last 1-2 stars, what's the point?
This book...I really hope is a joke. Because that's the only way I can accept it being published. Was there an editor involved? Did they skim through the book too? Or maybe sleep through it?
My main issue with this book-if I can settle on just one-is the scenes that are and aren't in the book. I've never had this problem before, and it's a serious issue. I never thought I'd have it either.
For example, the first one that came up...John (Who is John? A whiny, shallow, and surprisingly slow main character, who I like to believe plays the role of the jealous girlfriend...SERIOUSLY) believes that there is something bad going on with the Seekers, (What's a Seeker, you may ask, well good luck getting that answer, I don't know either) but refuses to tell Quin (Quin, is the main character who goes through a serious...like SERIOUS personality change halfway through the book and then changes back within two chapters. She's also shallow and personally, kind of whiney) what it is (Why? I think it's because he secretly hates her and wanted to say, "I told you so," except, he never actually did).
We're in the scene where Quin and Shinobu (I might refer to him as Shinobubu. Why? Because he's as forgettable as everyone else. He's the useless cousin-but-not-cousin) are getting ready to take their oaths as Seekers. But first, they must pass a test.
What's the test, you say?
I
Don't
Freaking
Know.
See, our author (and editor, and agent, and everyone else who had hands on this book) decided that that scene was not necessary for the story. GOD FORBID THE READER ACTUALLY KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON! So instead of that scene, we get the next chapter, in which whatever horrible deed is done, and Quin and Shinobubu are disgusted with themselves but become Seekers and keep doing all these gross things that we never really find out what they are (except in broken sentences of, "I....hurt them..." and "I've done things."
This is just ONE scene, and there were several. This is just the most notable, because HELLO I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
The way the characters talked, it's like it was everyone's business and everyone knew and you, the reader, are an idiot for not knowing. Thanks a lot, characters, I can't read between the lines like you guys all can apparently. This is why I hope the book is a joke.
The rest of the story does not get any better, John is a whiney self-absorbed a-hole who wants what he wants and if you dare stop him, HOW COULD YOU? I'm not entirely sure if he was supposed to be a dislikable MC or a likable villain. He was just unlikeable to me.
Nothing else made much sense, everyone had personality issues, constantly forgetting what they were like in exchange for equally vague characters. Don't get me started on the Dreads-I don't even know. Like, I seriously have no clue.
This book...if it had undergone through serious edits, and maybe a whole different plot, would have been good. Maybe. I'm still pissed off at the 400+ I spent reading this story in which everyone has time to reason with one another, and even listen, yet no one could take five minutes to explain what a Seeker was OR WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED DURING THAT TEST.
I guess I'll never know.
I hope book 2 does not get published.
-
NetGalley and Random House Children's gave me an egalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. I don't want to thank them, because I'm honestly very disappointed that Random House is publishing this and even promoting it like heck on instagram. Badly done, RH, badly done.
This book...I really hope is a joke. Because that's the only way I can accept it being published. Was there an editor involved? Did they skim through the book too? Or maybe sleep through it?
My main issue with this book-if I can settle on just one-is the scenes that are and aren't in the book. I've never had this problem before, and it's a serious issue. I never thought I'd have it either.
For example, the first one that came up...John (Who is John? A whiny, shallow, and surprisingly slow main character, who I like to believe plays the role of the jealous girlfriend...SERIOUSLY) believes that there is something bad going on with the Seekers, (What's a Seeker, you may ask, well good luck getting that answer, I don't know either) but refuses to tell Quin (Quin, is the main character who goes through a serious...like SERIOUS personality change halfway through the book and then changes back within two chapters. She's also shallow and personally, kind of whiney) what it is (Why? I think it's because he secretly hates her and wanted to say, "I told you so," except, he never actually did).
We're in the scene where Quin and Shinobu (I might refer to him as Shinobubu. Why? Because he's as forgettable as everyone else. He's the useless cousin-but-not-cousin) are getting ready to take their oaths as Seekers. But first, they must pass a test.
What's the test, you say?
I
Don't
Freaking
Know.
See, our author (and editor, and agent, and everyone else who had hands on this book) decided that that scene was not necessary for the story. GOD FORBID THE READER ACTUALLY KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON! So instead of that scene, we get the next chapter, in which whatever horrible deed is done, and Quin and Shinobubu are disgusted with themselves but become Seekers and keep doing all these gross things that we never really find out what they are (except in broken sentences of, "I....hurt them..." and "I've done things."
This is just ONE scene, and there were several. This is just the most notable, because HELLO I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
The way the characters talked, it's like it was everyone's business and everyone knew and you, the reader, are an idiot for not knowing. Thanks a lot, characters, I can't read between the lines like you guys all can apparently. This is why I hope the book is a joke.
The rest of the story does not get any better, John is a whiney self-absorbed a-hole who wants what he wants and if you dare stop him, HOW COULD YOU? I'm not entirely sure if he was supposed to be a dislikable MC or a likable villain. He was just unlikeable to me.
Nothing else made much sense, everyone had personality issues, constantly forgetting what they were like in exchange for equally vague characters. Don't get me started on the Dreads-I don't even know. Like, I seriously have no clue.
This book...if it had undergone through serious edits, and maybe a whole different plot, would have been good. Maybe. I'm still pissed off at the 400+ I spent reading this story in which everyone has time to reason with one another, and even listen, yet no one could take five minutes to explain what a Seeker was OR WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED DURING THAT TEST.
I guess I'll never know.
I hope book 2 does not get published.
-
NetGalley and Random House Children's gave me an egalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. I don't want to thank them, because I'm honestly very disappointed that Random House is publishing this and even promoting it like heck on instagram. Badly done, RH, badly done.
I liked this one. The tropes didn't feel overdone. I didn't find the story overly predictable, and I was even surprised and intrigued at several points. The high suspense lagged a bit toward the middle, and the end is setting up for a sequel, but I still give this one 5 stars. It was a good story that didn't feel like a copy of another, it wasn't cheesy, and the human moments weren't overdone. Very enjoyable read.
The synopsis sounds so cool — people wielding weapons and family drama spanning generations? Yes please! Unfortunately, I was ultimately disappointed.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I was honestly excited to read Arwen Elys Dayton's Seeker, as the idea seemed very promising and the book is set in Scotland and Hong Kong – a rarity in books. Simply put, I thought this would actually go quite well.
Let's face it: Dayton does have talent. The setting of Scotland is richly detailed to the point where it's as though you're there; the book is action-packed, page-turning (in the first part), and intriguing; and the characters seem to be extremely well-developed.
But here's the conclusion: Seeker had a lot of potential to be an amazing book, but somehow, in the execution of the book, something must have exploded and went horribly wrong (because I wouldn't have DNF it if it were THAT good).
The first chapter went pretty well, aside from the hefty load of information about the characters, the setting, and whatnot. Personally I don't mind it that much as long as I don't feel like I'm reading a textbook and reading unnecessary information like a character's weight (unless it pertains to the story).
The second chapter though... I had thoughts of DNFing because throughout the most of the chapter (if not the entire chapter), John wouldn't stop yapping about how he's had a crush on Quin since he first arrived on the Kincaid estate in Scotland, and his desire for her, blah blah blah – all in all, John is quite cringe-cheesy in the romance department. I could have sworn at one point there was going to be a scene that I would feel very awkward reading about and would absolutely hightail out of the book with my tail between my legs as soon it happened.
And here's the nutshell version of what happens later: John fails, he gets kicked out of training by Briac Kincaid, there's a centuries old power struggle between "houses." As a result, John decides to attack the Kincaid estate just to get an athame and he and Quin aren't even allies when that happens. All of the characters go on their separate ways or died in the process of the attack and we don't hear any of them make a peep aside from the love triangle (Quin, John, and Shinobu) since forever. Then, when Quin gets to Hong Kong, she chooses to lose all of her memories and doesn't remember anything from the last fifteen to sixteen years, Shinobu makes a living by searching for artifacts in Victoria Harbor with a dude named Brian and they spend their money from that on "drug bars" and looking like gangsters. Then John makes an appearance in Hong Kong and makes an attempt to win Quin's heart back after shooting her in the chest and nearly killing her during the attack in Scotland.
Tell me that isn't a bit questionable, because between the end of Part 1, the Interlude and Part 2, my brain got horribly scrambled and I became overly puzzled.
Simply put, Seeker didn't turn out well – it crashed and burned.
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts
I was honestly excited to read Arwen Elys Dayton's Seeker, as the idea seemed very promising and the book is set in Scotland and Hong Kong – a rarity in books. Simply put, I thought this would actually go quite well.
Let's face it: Dayton does have talent. The setting of Scotland is richly detailed to the point where it's as though you're there; the book is action-packed, page-turning (in the first part), and intriguing; and the characters seem to be extremely well-developed.
But here's the conclusion: Seeker had a lot of potential to be an amazing book, but somehow, in the execution of the book, something must have exploded and went horribly wrong (because I wouldn't have DNF it if it were THAT good).
The first chapter went pretty well, aside from the hefty load of information about the characters, the setting, and whatnot. Personally I don't mind it that much as long as I don't feel like I'm reading a textbook and reading unnecessary information like a character's weight (unless it pertains to the story).
The second chapter though... I had thoughts of DNFing because throughout the most of the chapter (if not the entire chapter), John wouldn't stop yapping about how he's had a crush on Quin since he first arrived on the Kincaid estate in Scotland, and his desire for her, blah blah blah – all in all, John is quite cringe-cheesy in the romance department. I could have sworn at one point there was going to be a scene that I would feel very awkward reading about and would absolutely hightail out of the book with my tail between my legs as soon it happened.
But she and John had daydreamed about camping trips across the river, or rooms in an inn somewhere, someday, when they would finally be able to give themselves to each other.
And here's the nutshell version of what happens later: John fails, he gets kicked out of training by Briac Kincaid, there's a centuries old power struggle between "houses." As a result, John decides to attack the Kincaid estate just to get an athame and he and Quin aren't even allies when that happens. All of the characters go on their separate ways or died in the process of the attack and we don't hear any of them make a peep aside from the love triangle (Quin, John, and Shinobu) since forever. Then, when Quin gets to Hong Kong, she chooses to lose all of her memories and doesn't remember anything from the last fifteen to sixteen years, Shinobu makes a living by searching for artifacts in Victoria Harbor with a dude named Brian and they spend their money from that on "drug bars" and looking like gangsters. Then John makes an appearance in Hong Kong and makes an attempt to win Quin's heart back after shooting her in the chest and nearly killing her during the attack in Scotland.
Tell me that isn't a bit questionable, because between the end of Part 1, the Interlude and Part 2, my brain got horribly scrambled and I became overly puzzled.
Simply put, Seeker didn't turn out well – it crashed and burned.
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts
Final Verdict: An intriguing fantasy book that can be confusing at time. However, stick with it and I think you’ll be rewarded in the end.
See full review at Book Blather
See full review at Book Blather
Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Shine Bright
BFF Charm: Eventually
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Past Meets Future
Bonus Factor: Mysteries to Unravel
Bonus/Anti-Bonus Factor: Series Starter
Relationship Status: Holding Back
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Shine Bright
BFF Charm: Eventually
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Past Meets Future
Bonus Factor: Mysteries to Unravel
Bonus/Anti-Bonus Factor: Series Starter
Relationship Status: Holding Back
Read the full book report here.
bored. confused. dnf.
*edited*
Seeker seemed like a promising read, and it started off well with action. But then things started to get boring, unexplained, and just downright confusing. And I am not one to enjoy a book that doesn't explain things about the world or confuses me to the point of no return. I felt like I was reading the bare minimum, and given vague explanation in order to draw suspense, but really just left me confused on what in the world happened to these kids before taking their oaths. I felt left in the dark and no one was throwing me a damn match.
Another thing, Seeker just doesn't know what it wants to be--high fantasy, science fiction, futuristic--and it confused the hell out of me. One moment there would be castles and estates and the next everyone is fighting with weapons that can change at the turn of a dial, or there would be weapons that can render a person brain dead, and life support machines to keep them alive, and then anomalies that transport people like portals? and hover cars. My head was spinning for 60 or so pages.
I didn't feel very welcomed in the world of Seeker and I don't see myself giving this novel a second chance.
*edited*
Seeker seemed like a promising read, and it started off well with action. But then things started to get boring, unexplained, and just downright confusing. And I am not one to enjoy a book that doesn't explain things about the world or confuses me to the point of no return. I felt like I was reading the bare minimum, and given vague explanation in order to draw suspense, but really just left me confused on what in the world happened to these kids before taking their oaths. I felt left in the dark and no one was throwing me a damn match.
Another thing, Seeker just doesn't know what it wants to be--high fantasy, science fiction, futuristic--and it confused the hell out of me. One moment there would be castles and estates and the next everyone is fighting with weapons that can change at the turn of a dial, or there would be weapons that can render a person brain dead, and life support machines to keep them alive, and then anomalies that transport people like portals? and hover cars. My head was spinning for 60 or so pages.
I didn't feel very welcomed in the world of Seeker and I don't see myself giving this novel a second chance.