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2.9 AVERAGE
2.9 AVERAGE
Original review
Dutch review
First of all I want to thank Van Goor for giving me a physical copy to read and review Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton!
When I started reading Seeker I had pretty high expectations. Especially since someone in my promo team said that she liked the book and that she could not put it down. For me it wasn’t like that. I couldn’t read much because of my exams, but after my exams, when I had plenty of time, I just had to push myself to read further. Not necessarily because of the story, ‘cause it was interesting, but I had so many questions and the characters were sometimes annoying.
The story goes about Quin, Shinobu and John. They want to become Seekers so they have to finish their training and, if they're good enough, have to take an oath. But becoming a Seeker wasn't what they expected...
Then you also have Maud, the Young Dread. She lives together with the Old and Middle Dread, but living together with the Middle has never been easy ...
When I was reading Seeker, I noticed that I never really knew in which era the story took place and they never really explained what a Seeker is. The story is about Seekers, so I don’t really understand why they don’t explain what a Seeker is. It was frustrating.
There is a multiple perspective, and the author writes in the third person. I had difficulty with empathizing with the characters and there was, like in every other book, a love triangle. Often it's exciting and fun to read, but in Seeker it was just annoying. And then you also have the behaviour of John ... Can’t he understand that he doesn’t get that stupid athame? I became mad because of his behaviour…
Even though the characters and the questions irritated me, I'm looking forward to the sequel.
Dutch review
First of all I want to thank Van Goor for giving me a physical copy to read and review Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton!
When I started reading Seeker I had pretty high expectations. Especially since someone in my promo team said that she liked the book and that she could not put it down. For me it wasn’t like that. I couldn’t read much because of my exams, but after my exams, when I had plenty of time, I just had to push myself to read further. Not necessarily because of the story, ‘cause it was interesting, but I had so many questions and the characters were sometimes annoying.
The story goes about Quin, Shinobu and John. They want to become Seekers so they have to finish their training and, if they're good enough, have to take an oath. But becoming a Seeker wasn't what they expected...
Then you also have Maud, the Young Dread. She lives together with the Old and Middle Dread, but living together with the Middle has never been easy ...
When I was reading Seeker, I noticed that I never really knew in which era the story took place and they never really explained what a Seeker is. The story is about Seekers, so I don’t really understand why they don’t explain what a Seeker is. It was frustrating.
There is a multiple perspective, and the author writes in the third person. I had difficulty with empathizing with the characters and there was, like in every other book, a love triangle. Often it's exciting and fun to read, but in Seeker it was just annoying. And then you also have the behaviour of John ... Can’t he understand that he doesn’t get that stupid athame? I became mad because of his behaviour…
Even though the characters and the questions irritated me, I'm looking forward to the sequel.
Cross-posted on Knizhnitsa
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a hard journey for me. When I requested it on NG, it sounded like an incredibly intriguing read. Then I started it and for a solid 40% of it, it was dull and cliché and slow. Once I got hooked, though, I found out it wasn’t half as bad as I thought. Pity that the most interesting parts consisted a relatively small part of the book, which spoiled my overall enjoyment of it.
Quin Kincaid has spent most of her life in training to become a Seeker - a line of noble warriors. But on the night she takes her oath, she finds out that nothing that she has been taught is real and that the Seekers’ mission is far from righteous or honourable. Her father has brought her and her cousin, Shinobu, to be assassins - nothing less and nothing more.
After a ferocious attack by her ex-lover, John, who seeks revenge for all the wrongs the Seekers have done to his family, Quin and Shinobu barely escape from their family estate in Scotland to Hong Kong. 18 months later, Quin is a new person who does not remember anything from those events. But her past catches up to her and she is thrown into a battle for justice and for her own survival.
The Plot
The book is broken down to several parts. The first part, which is set in Scotland, feels slow and boring, especially given that it is summarised in the synopsis of the novel. Even more so, with the unmarked time skips, it feel confusing which makes it feel even duller. It takes up about one third of the novel, so it is understandable why many people struggled to finish the novel at all. Interestingly enough, it reads like a complete short story, which means it probably should have been released as a side-nouvella.
After a few brief chapters, showing us the childhood of each of the POV characters, the action jumps 18 months ahead in Hong Kong. For me, those are the most interesting parts. Both Quin and Shinobu have taken their own, separate paths, and have their own plotlines. As I previously mentioned, Quin does not remember her past life and only the one she’s led in Hong Kong. Even though “Protagonist does not remember their past and has no idea how special they are until a stranger walks into their life” is a pretty common structure for a (urban) fantasy novel, I feel that starting with the chapters set in Hong Kong would have worked out better for “Seeker”. I liked reading about Quin’s life there - she has her own, independant calling, she feels like her own person (only here, in the entirety of the novel). Had this part been set at the beginning, the author could have elaborated more on it and made the story more enjoyable.
The last part of the novel is just hectic. Too much is going on, Quin seems to have lost her independence again while both John and Shinobu keep being terribly rude to her. It is definitely better than the first part but it still feels very confusing and unstructured.
On a side note, initially I wasn’t even going to mention the love triangle because I am tired of complaining about it in every single review of every single YA book I read. However, I just want to mention that both love interests treat Quin terribly - they are jealous, aggressive, manipulative, delusional. Is this really how you want to portray your romantic leads?
The Setting
The setting is quite confusing. At first, we are introduced to what feels a lot like Medieval Scotland. Then suddenly there are flying cars and guns and television and business corporations fighting each other. This could be a charming steampunk-esque setting but it ends up being confusing and disorientating instead.
We are never really introduced to what a Seeker is supposed to be until we learn what it actually is. The main characters think it is supposed to be something noble (but why the name Seeker then? Where does that come from?) but it turns out they are some sort of mercenaries. The notion becomes a bit clearer towards the end of story but for a novel, called “Seeker” it sure never dwells on what a Seeker is or how the athames came to be or what the hell is in John’s book.
While I understand that the overall theme is Quin’s path to become a true Seeker and redefine the word from its current meaning, I still feel that there are certain things that need to be cleared up for the benefit of the reader.
The Characters
Quin has the potential to be a very badass lady. Like, Celaena Sardothien and Katsa levels of awesome. She has the skills, she has the backstory. Yet somehow she ends up feeling flat and underdeveloped. She misses the spark that makes the aforementioned ladies badass. I understand that she is only a 15yo girl, but she has gone through brutal training and education to become a Seeker. I also understand that she was raised to obey Briac’s every word, yet I don’t understand how she came to be so spineless. She seems to be always pushed around either by her father or by one of the male leads or the events. As I said, the only time she feels truly independent and capable, is during her days in Hong Kong where she doesn’t remember who she is (even though, where did her healing powers come from?)
Shinobu is… Well, just like Quin, it feels like he has something missing. He is trapped in the Second Male Lead That Completes The Love Triangle trope, he is super attractive and all the girls have the hots for him (all except one. I know. Tragic.) and that’s it. I don’t like how jealous and aggressive he acts towards Quin, I don’t like how we are supposed to see him as noble and worthy romantic interest.
John… I don’t like him. He’s sort of the Finn (The 100. The TV show, not the book) of the story. He believes he is doing something noble (and in a way, I guess, he is trying to) but his means are not justified; his actions come from a place of malicious intent. He is trying to manipulate and use Quin and he doesn’t even realise it because he excuses it all with what he thinks is loving her. Now, I wouldn’t have a problem with that because this would make an interesting character. However, those traits of his personality seem romanticised and often overlooked; even when Quin is acting - is - scared of him, it doesn’t take her much time to swoon over him or think about how she loves him or fall into his arms.
Maud, I swear to God, reminded me of Elva from “Eragon”. I just wanted to point that out. Also, I don’t understand why all of her chapters are titled “Maud” when everyone refers to her as the Young Dread. She herself refers to herself as the Young Dread, even after she is separated from the Middle Dread. [SPOILER]I think it would have been much more appropriate if all her chapters were entitled “Young Dread” up until the chapter when she starts to identify as Maud and present herself as Maud (which actually happens in one of Quin’s chapters).[/SPOILER]
The Verdict
“Seeker” is not the worst book I’ve ever read but it isn’t the best either. The only parts of it that are truly worth saving are the chapters set in Hong Kong. However, I give it 2.5/5 stars for them and for what seems to be the potential of the main character Quin. Only if she finally takes her fate in her hands. Hopefully.
Rating: 2.5/5
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a hard journey for me. When I requested it on NG, it sounded like an incredibly intriguing read. Then I started it and for a solid 40% of it, it was dull and cliché and slow. Once I got hooked, though, I found out it wasn’t half as bad as I thought. Pity that the most interesting parts consisted a relatively small part of the book, which spoiled my overall enjoyment of it.
Quin Kincaid has spent most of her life in training to become a Seeker - a line of noble warriors. But on the night she takes her oath, she finds out that nothing that she has been taught is real and that the Seekers’ mission is far from righteous or honourable. Her father has brought her and her cousin, Shinobu, to be assassins - nothing less and nothing more.
After a ferocious attack by her ex-lover, John, who seeks revenge for all the wrongs the Seekers have done to his family, Quin and Shinobu barely escape from their family estate in Scotland to Hong Kong. 18 months later, Quin is a new person who does not remember anything from those events. But her past catches up to her and she is thrown into a battle for justice and for her own survival.
The Plot
The book is broken down to several parts. The first part, which is set in Scotland, feels slow and boring, especially given that it is summarised in the synopsis of the novel. Even more so, with the unmarked time skips, it feel confusing which makes it feel even duller. It takes up about one third of the novel, so it is understandable why many people struggled to finish the novel at all. Interestingly enough, it reads like a complete short story, which means it probably should have been released as a side-nouvella.
After a few brief chapters, showing us the childhood of each of the POV characters, the action jumps 18 months ahead in Hong Kong. For me, those are the most interesting parts. Both Quin and Shinobu have taken their own, separate paths, and have their own plotlines. As I previously mentioned, Quin does not remember her past life and only the one she’s led in Hong Kong. Even though “Protagonist does not remember their past and has no idea how special they are until a stranger walks into their life” is a pretty common structure for a (urban) fantasy novel, I feel that starting with the chapters set in Hong Kong would have worked out better for “Seeker”. I liked reading about Quin’s life there - she has her own, independant calling, she feels like her own person (only here, in the entirety of the novel). Had this part been set at the beginning, the author could have elaborated more on it and made the story more enjoyable.
The last part of the novel is just hectic. Too much is going on, Quin seems to have lost her independence again while both John and Shinobu keep being terribly rude to her. It is definitely better than the first part but it still feels very confusing and unstructured.
On a side note, initially I wasn’t even going to mention the love triangle because I am tired of complaining about it in every single review of every single YA book I read. However, I just want to mention that both love interests treat Quin terribly - they are jealous, aggressive, manipulative, delusional. Is this really how you want to portray your romantic leads?
The Setting
The setting is quite confusing. At first, we are introduced to what feels a lot like Medieval Scotland. Then suddenly there are flying cars and guns and television and business corporations fighting each other. This could be a charming steampunk-esque setting but it ends up being confusing and disorientating instead.
We are never really introduced to what a Seeker is supposed to be until we learn what it actually is. The main characters think it is supposed to be something noble (but why the name Seeker then? Where does that come from?) but it turns out they are some sort of mercenaries. The notion becomes a bit clearer towards the end of story but for a novel, called “Seeker” it sure never dwells on what a Seeker is or how the athames came to be or what the hell is in John’s book.
While I understand that the overall theme is Quin’s path to become a true Seeker and redefine the word from its current meaning, I still feel that there are certain things that need to be cleared up for the benefit of the reader.
The Characters
Quin has the potential to be a very badass lady. Like, Celaena Sardothien and Katsa levels of awesome. She has the skills, she has the backstory. Yet somehow she ends up feeling flat and underdeveloped. She misses the spark that makes the aforementioned ladies badass. I understand that she is only a 15yo girl, but she has gone through brutal training and education to become a Seeker. I also understand that she was raised to obey Briac’s every word, yet I don’t understand how she came to be so spineless. She seems to be always pushed around either by her father or by one of the male leads or the events. As I said, the only time she feels truly independent and capable, is during her days in Hong Kong where she doesn’t remember who she is (even though, where did her healing powers come from?)
Shinobu is… Well, just like Quin, it feels like he has something missing. He is trapped in the Second Male Lead That Completes The Love Triangle trope, he is super attractive and all the girls have the hots for him (all except one. I know. Tragic.) and that’s it. I don’t like how jealous and aggressive he acts towards Quin, I don’t like how we are supposed to see him as noble and worthy romantic interest.
John… I don’t like him. He’s sort of the Finn (The 100. The TV show, not the book) of the story. He believes he is doing something noble (and in a way, I guess, he is trying to) but his means are not justified; his actions come from a place of malicious intent. He is trying to manipulate and use Quin and he doesn’t even realise it because he excuses it all with what he thinks is loving her. Now, I wouldn’t have a problem with that because this would make an interesting character. However, those traits of his personality seem romanticised and often overlooked; even when Quin is acting - is - scared of him, it doesn’t take her much time to swoon over him or think about how she loves him or fall into his arms.
Maud, I swear to God, reminded me of Elva from “Eragon”. I just wanted to point that out. Also, I don’t understand why all of her chapters are titled “Maud” when everyone refers to her as the Young Dread. She herself refers to herself as the Young Dread, even after she is separated from the Middle Dread. [SPOILER]I think it would have been much more appropriate if all her chapters were entitled “Young Dread” up until the chapter when she starts to identify as Maud and present herself as Maud (which actually happens in one of Quin’s chapters).[/SPOILER]
The Verdict
“Seeker” is not the worst book I’ve ever read but it isn’t the best either. The only parts of it that are truly worth saving are the chapters set in Hong Kong. However, I give it 2.5/5 stars for them and for what seems to be the potential of the main character Quin. Only if she finally takes her fate in her hands. Hopefully.
Rating: 2.5/5
I met the author a few years ago at a signing event and bought the book. It's been sitting on my shelf since then, so I figured I should actually give it a go. It had its moments when it reeled me in, but overall it was a bit of a struggle for me to finish.
I think the story has a lot of potential, and I'll bet that the following two books run with it really well, but I didn't love this one enough to keep going. I think the biggest pitfall in this book is the world building. Seekers and their weapons and their jobs are an intriguing concept, and the main characters' ambitions and wants revolve around it, but by the end of the book I still wasn't sure what a Seeker was. I am also not at all sure when this book takes place, if it's in the future, or if it's an alternate world, or what. I don't want to be spoon-fed all the world building, but I needed more in this book.
Anyway, not a favorite, I wouldn't read it again, and I won't finish the series, but I may try the author again in the future.
I think the story has a lot of potential, and I'll bet that the following two books run with it really well, but I didn't love this one enough to keep going. I think the biggest pitfall in this book is the world building. Seekers and their weapons and their jobs are an intriguing concept, and the main characters' ambitions and wants revolve around it, but by the end of the book I still wasn't sure what a Seeker was. I am also not at all sure when this book takes place, if it's in the future, or if it's an alternate world, or what. I don't want to be spoon-fed all the world building, but I needed more in this book.
Anyway, not a favorite, I wouldn't read it again, and I won't finish the series, but I may try the author again in the future.
This book had the unfortunate problem of being compared to series like The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones. When you are up against that much hype, I feel people will be disappointed. I read some reviews that described this book as unreadable and a lot of readers DNF (Did not finish). That being said, I enjoyed this book. It kept me interested and had a pretty good layer of lore surrounding it. To be clear, this book is NOT like either of the two books mentioned. It has a fantasy feel, but it's more like starter fantasy. Fantasy lite if you will. The sequel has the potential to be pretty epic and I hope the author does it justice. The characters if I am being honest are not the most likeable. The people I was most interested in were Middle Dread and Young Dread (Maud). Who are these people? They have an interesting storyline of their own and deserve their own book series. Another thing I didn't like was the timeline. It took place over like a 2 year period. That was clear to me, and when there was backstory, that was also clear to me. But the present time had this weird feeling of being in the past with modern technology. They lived in what seemed like 1800's Scotland, but they had a TV. I don't know, it bothered me throughout the series. Did I love this book? No. Did I like it? Yes.
There are some vague(?) plot spoilers in this review but I don’t think they’re very significant, so I’m not gonna edit it.
Essentially, the first few chapters keep building up to the same thing. The idea that “Seekers” aren’t what they seem.
The start of the book was rather dull. Love triangle, weirdly medieval system if cars do really appear later on in the book, and pretty generic characters as a whole.
But the mystery still showed promise. And so I stayed.
I saw the scene I’d been waiting for approach, slowly but steadily, the promise of a revelation, of finally knowing what the hell was happening, what the hell Seekers truly were. And so I waited and waited, rapping my fingers impatiently against the side of the book, holding out until the initiation scene.
“Finally,” I said to myself as I turned the page.
But there was nothing.
God, there was nothing.
I literally flipped back and forth multiple times, to make sure I wasn’t just imagining it, to make sure that there was true justification for my feelings of dissatisfaction.
I understand withholding information from your reader. But you can’t withhold emotion. Show me how Quin feels. Show me how the events of that day keep flashing through her mind, again and again. Her world has just fallen to pieces. Every single freaking thing she’s believed in has just been questioned. Show me how she feels! Don’t just tell me she’s been damned or whatever. Let her be in shock. Let her laugh hysterically and then collapse to the ground in grief. Let her do something.
I’m gonna assume based on context that they mind controlled her. In that case, what does it feel like to have your mind violated? What does it feel like to have those you’ve always trusted suddenly turn on you? You need to tell this to us, or we simply can’t sympathise with Quin. In fact, the lack of information whatsoever just makes us feel cheated.
Again, Quin’s vision of her own life has just shattered. This might be the most emotional she’s ever been. It might be the most emotional she’ll ever be.
Let us be there. Let us be there to see her at her lowest. If we aren’t allowed to empathise with her at her greatest moment of need, how can we hope to empathise or grow to like her at all?
I wasn’t able to continue reading after this.
Essentially, the first few chapters keep building up to the same thing. The idea that “Seekers” aren’t what they seem.
The start of the book was rather dull. Love triangle, weirdly medieval system if cars do really appear later on in the book, and pretty generic characters as a whole.
But the mystery still showed promise. And so I stayed.
I saw the scene I’d been waiting for approach, slowly but steadily, the promise of a revelation, of finally knowing what the hell was happening, what the hell Seekers truly were. And so I waited and waited, rapping my fingers impatiently against the side of the book, holding out until the initiation scene.
“Finally,” I said to myself as I turned the page.
But there was nothing.
God, there was nothing.
I literally flipped back and forth multiple times, to make sure I wasn’t just imagining it, to make sure that there was true justification for my feelings of dissatisfaction.
I understand withholding information from your reader. But you can’t withhold emotion. Show me how Quin feels. Show me how the events of that day keep flashing through her mind, again and again. Her world has just fallen to pieces. Every single freaking thing she’s believed in has just been questioned. Show me how she feels! Don’t just tell me she’s been damned or whatever. Let her be in shock. Let her laugh hysterically and then collapse to the ground in grief. Let her do something.
I’m gonna assume based on context that they mind controlled her. In that case, what does it feel like to have your mind violated? What does it feel like to have those you’ve always trusted suddenly turn on you? You need to tell this to us, or we simply can’t sympathise with Quin. In fact, the lack of information whatsoever just makes us feel cheated.
Again, Quin’s vision of her own life has just shattered. This might be the most emotional she’s ever been. It might be the most emotional she’ll ever be.
Let us be there. Let us be there to see her at her lowest. If we aren’t allowed to empathise with her at her greatest moment of need, how can we hope to empathise or grow to like her at all?
I wasn’t able to continue reading after this.
Stopped listening when I went to have the baby
3 and a half stars-good first book, although it was a slower read than I expected. The book defies category - Steampunk, fantasy, warrior epic... Which is actually a good thing.