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2.9 AVERAGE
2.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Strong premise, great legacy backstory. However, the world and time jumping got very confusing as the book went on. I hope volume two clarifies things!
I got 100 pages in and I just wasn't interested...maybe some other time I'll try reading it
On one hand, it's great to see a neat modern sci-fi/fantasy hybrid for the YA set. On the other, with a handful of unnecessarily weird sexually-charged scenes that don't match up with the book and an ending that more peters toward a sequel than moves full-blast into the next book, this ends up being just a good, interesting read as opposed to the great one with excellent promise I thought it was about a fifth of the way in.
The book basically follows three teens training to be "Seekers," some of the last in their lines. There's history behind the Seekers, a lot of mystery, and daggers seemingly infused with magical energy of some sort that are of great power and value. This, of course, tears families apart, and while the first bit of the book is largely about this fallout, the second part (which is a more modern Hong Kong tale) strives to try and put the story back together. Oftentimes strange (in a good way) and epic feeling, the story keeps running along these lines through the end.
I do wish the climax was more climactic. The book is violent, but not exploitatively so. The couple of questionable scenes don't even seem to fit in with the writing style of the book, so I don't know why it's there, especially given how basically chaste the book is in comparison. There's a lot of early reviews saying this is like The Hunger Games or Game of Thrones, but it's really more like The Testing with familial intrigue mixed in.
Again, very good, could be great if it were fixed up in a few places. I'll look out for the sequel, but this is probably closer to a 3.5 for me.
The book basically follows three teens training to be "Seekers," some of the last in their lines. There's history behind the Seekers, a lot of mystery, and daggers seemingly infused with magical energy of some sort that are of great power and value. This, of course, tears families apart, and while the first bit of the book is largely about this fallout, the second part (which is a more modern Hong Kong tale) strives to try and put the story back together. Oftentimes strange (in a good way) and epic feeling, the story keeps running along these lines through the end.
I do wish the climax was more climactic. The book is violent, but not exploitatively so. The couple of questionable scenes don't even seem to fit in with the writing style of the book, so I don't know why it's there, especially given how basically chaste the book is in comparison. There's a lot of early reviews saying this is like The Hunger Games or Game of Thrones, but it's really more like The Testing with familial intrigue mixed in.
Again, very good, could be great if it were fixed up in a few places. I'll look out for the sequel, but this is probably closer to a 3.5 for me.
This review and others can be found on Cozy Up With A Good Read
Wow, this book was truly one of a kind for me, there is so much that happens that it is hard to describe the story, though I will do my best. This was such an action packed book with a lot of world building to really bring readers into everything that is happening.
Quin is taught to believe one thing about her destiny to be a "Seeker", it is a noble position that she works hard to get to, but when she finally passes her tests and becomes one, she learns that not everything is what it may seem to be. I loved following the character of Quin, she has a way about herself that draws the readers into her story, she is someone with a lot of morals and thinks that she has taken on a great job to find out that her whole life has been a lie.
I will say that normally I do not like a book that has so many perspectives, but the way that Arwen Elys Dayton had these different voices coming through really worked for this story. Quin was raised with two other boys, John and Shinobu, both who are very close with her but John is sent back, and slowly we learn more about his past and why he is so intent on becoming a "Seeker". Dayton keeps a lot of things from readers and slowly reveals everything as the story continues, and I believe that the second book Traveler will reveal a lot more of the story.
Though one of the characters is the "evil" one, at the same time I was kind of rooting for him to get what he wanted, especially when I understood his story a little more. Readers find out a lot of the story along with Quin after she has lost her memory and as it slowly comes back that is when the story becomes very interesting. I can truly say that though the beginning of this story may be slow going, you will find yourself immersed and rooting for some unlikely characters.
I want to see how Dayton will continue the story after everything ended, a great book for fans of science fiction/fantasy novels. Dayton knows how to slowly bring readers into the story and then just turn everything around and have the story go in a direction that will surprise you and keep you wanting more.
Wow, this book was truly one of a kind for me, there is so much that happens that it is hard to describe the story, though I will do my best. This was such an action packed book with a lot of world building to really bring readers into everything that is happening.
Quin is taught to believe one thing about her destiny to be a "Seeker", it is a noble position that she works hard to get to, but when she finally passes her tests and becomes one, she learns that not everything is what it may seem to be. I loved following the character of Quin, she has a way about herself that draws the readers into her story, she is someone with a lot of morals and thinks that she has taken on a great job to find out that her whole life has been a lie.
I will say that normally I do not like a book that has so many perspectives, but the way that Arwen Elys Dayton had these different voices coming through really worked for this story. Quin was raised with two other boys, John and Shinobu, both who are very close with her but John is sent back, and slowly we learn more about his past and why he is so intent on becoming a "Seeker". Dayton keeps a lot of things from readers and slowly reveals everything as the story continues, and I believe that the second book Traveler will reveal a lot more of the story.
Though one of the characters is the "evil" one, at the same time I was kind of rooting for him to get what he wanted, especially when I understood his story a little more. Readers find out a lot of the story along with Quin after she has lost her memory and as it slowly comes back that is when the story becomes very interesting. I can truly say that though the beginning of this story may be slow going, you will find yourself immersed and rooting for some unlikely characters.
I want to see how Dayton will continue the story after everything ended, a great book for fans of science fiction/fantasy novels. Dayton knows how to slowly bring readers into the story and then just turn everything around and have the story go in a direction that will surprise you and keep you wanting more.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
See here for entire review.
Quin Kincaid – along with her cousin, Shinobu, and sorta-boyfriend, John – has been training the majority of her life to become a Seeker, just like the majority of her family members before her. She wants to do good and bring justice to those who cannot help themselves. But once she takes her oath, she realizes that being a Seeker isn’t what she expected.
With a premise like that, one would assume that you’re about to embark on an epic journey of action, adventure, and self-discovery. Yeah…not so much. After Quin takes her oath it’s pretty much all downhill from there.
While this book does have some interesting characters and a fascinatingly-twisted backstory, the good qualities are vastly overshadowed by the poor ones. There isn’t any kind of overarching plot and the book moves so slowly. A little action happens in the first 40%, then we’re given some backstory, and then because of an amnesia plot point, the next 30% is just relearning what happened in the first 40%. This book could use some more editing.
See here for entire review.
Quin Kincaid – along with her cousin, Shinobu, and sorta-boyfriend, John – has been training the majority of her life to become a Seeker, just like the majority of her family members before her. She wants to do good and bring justice to those who cannot help themselves. But once she takes her oath, she realizes that being a Seeker isn’t what she expected.
With a premise like that, one would assume that you’re about to embark on an epic journey of action, adventure, and self-discovery. Yeah…not so much. After Quin takes her oath it’s pretty much all downhill from there.
While this book does have some interesting characters and a fascinatingly-twisted backstory, the good qualities are vastly overshadowed by the poor ones. There isn’t any kind of overarching plot and the book moves so slowly. A little action happens in the first 40%, then we’re given some backstory, and then because of an amnesia plot point, the next 30% is just relearning what happened in the first 40%. This book could use some more editing.
Il y a tellement de choses dans ce livre qui vont pas que j'arrête les frais à la moitié a peu près.
Déjà les triangles amoureux qui impliquent des cousins même au troisième degré c'est un grand NON.
Ensuite le résumé n'a rien mais absolument rien à voir avec ce qu'il se passe dans le résumé (ou a la limite les premières 50 pages)
L'autrice nous envoie dans des directions qui n'ont aucun sens, on a 0 idées de ce qu'il se passe et j'ai pas envie de lire encore 250 pages de flou complet.
Passez votre chemin
Déjà les triangles amoureux qui impliquent des cousins même au troisième degré c'est un grand NON.
Ensuite le résumé n'a rien mais absolument rien à voir avec ce qu'il se passe dans le résumé (ou a la limite les premières 50 pages)
L'autrice nous envoie dans des directions qui n'ont aucun sens, on a 0 idées de ce qu'il se passe et j'ai pas envie de lire encore 250 pages de flou complet.
Passez votre chemin
This book, due in Feb. 2015, has already been optioned for a movie, and more than anything else, it feels cinematic: striking settings, lots of action sequences, flimsy character development and "plot-driven" but with a slightly incomprehensible plot. Unfortunately, as a book, it doesn't quite work. The best part is the world building, especially the settings - a Scottish estate, futuristic Hong Kong, an airship that circles over London. The logic of the science/magic and the history are intriguing but not well-fleshed out. The characterization is based on what the author tells you about the characters, rather than anything they say or do. It's also the first in a series, and it basically reads like 400 pages of build-up for the next book.
An additional purchase if you have kids who are hungry for sci-fi/fantasy series (this has sort of a futuristic magic feel). Otherwise, wait to see if the movie gets made and buy it then.
An additional purchase if you have kids who are hungry for sci-fi/fantasy series (this has sort of a futuristic magic feel). Otherwise, wait to see if the movie gets made and buy it then.
While I enjoyed the book and characters, the world building took way too much time and the chapters changing perspective was choppy and inconsistent.
Personally, I am hooked now and will read the next one. I hesitate to recommend it to anyone until the series is complete due to the slow start, however.
Personally, I am hooked now and will read the next one. I hesitate to recommend it to anyone until the series is complete due to the slow start, however.
I received an ARC of this story from a Sneak Peak TeenReads contest in an exchange for honest answers to a short list of questions.
I was really looking forward to reading a book described as a cross between The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones, but when I started reading, I saw very little resemblance to either of these franchises within the first third of the book. Honestly, I couldn't finish the book by the deadline, and I'm not sure that I want to finish it at all. More likely, I will try to find the ARC a new home with someone who will better appreciate it.
Here are the reasons I wasn't falling in love with this book:
Worldbuilding: When I first started this tale, I thought it was a medieval fantasy similar to Tamora Piere's Tortall. However, when the characters mentioned a television and radio, London and Japan, I was mightily confused as to when this story was taking place.
Title: The main characters, Quin and John, talk a lot about their training to become Seekers, but no one actually explains what a Seeker is or their history. Just that there is a long history, most of which has been lost over the generations, and that it is a big honor full of secrets. Maybe this is explained later in the book, but not in the first third that I read.
Very Important Missing Scene(s): There was plenty of build-up to the moment that Quin and her friend Shinobu take their Oath to become Seekers. John didn't pass his test so doesn't join them, but after the group of Quin, Shinobu, his father, her father, and the other two people pass through the portal, the chapter ends. The next one picks up after they spill back out of the portal. Quin looks at the blood on her hand and thinks that her father betrayed her and lied about Seekers, but there is no recap on what took place. Again, maybe this finally happens later, but when I needed it, it was missing.
There were some things that I did like about this book, which is why I made it through as much as I did. The author's writing style flowed easily, and I was able to read a large section without knowing how much time had passed. The magical weapons that are described as whip-swords were fascinating, especially as they changed form with only a thought from their wielder. I hope this author tries her hand at writing again soon, but I think I'll wait for a different series.
I was really looking forward to reading a book described as a cross between The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones, but when I started reading, I saw very little resemblance to either of these franchises within the first third of the book. Honestly, I couldn't finish the book by the deadline, and I'm not sure that I want to finish it at all. More likely, I will try to find the ARC a new home with someone who will better appreciate it.
Here are the reasons I wasn't falling in love with this book:
Worldbuilding: When I first started this tale, I thought it was a medieval fantasy similar to Tamora Piere's Tortall. However, when the characters mentioned a television and radio, London and Japan, I was mightily confused as to when this story was taking place.
Title: The main characters, Quin and John, talk a lot about their training to become Seekers, but no one actually explains what a Seeker is or their history. Just that there is a long history, most of which has been lost over the generations, and that it is a big honor full of secrets. Maybe this is explained later in the book, but not in the first third that I read.
Very Important Missing Scene(s): There was plenty of build-up to the moment that Quin and her friend Shinobu take their Oath to become Seekers. John didn't pass his test so doesn't join them, but after the group of Quin, Shinobu, his father, her father, and the other two people pass through the portal, the chapter ends. The next one picks up after they spill back out of the portal. Quin looks at the blood on her hand and thinks that her father betrayed her and lied about Seekers, but there is no recap on what took place. Again, maybe this finally happens later, but when I needed it, it was missing.
There were some things that I did like about this book, which is why I made it through as much as I did. The author's writing style flowed easily, and I was able to read a large section without knowing how much time had passed. The magical weapons that are described as whip-swords were fascinating, especially as they changed form with only a thought from their wielder. I hope this author tries her hand at writing again soon, but I think I'll wait for a different series.