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2.9 AVERAGE
2.9 AVERAGE
I always worry when new books are compared to bestsellers with a cult-like following. After all, shouldn't writers strive to find their own voices and be proud of them? So when I saw a blurb comparing Arwen Elys Dayton's newest book Seeker to Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games, and Divergent, I had the sinking sensation that a lot of readers would be disappointed by the literary world's version of false advertisement. Comparisons like these tend to make readers form preconceived notions about what they're about to read.
I start reading each and every book with an open mind and try to review accordingly. Unfortunately, there were too many flaws for me to overlook, and as a result I've stopped reading Seeker midway.
The story started out strong and captivating. I wanted to know more about the three young warriors and their quest to become seekers. The problem is, I was halfway through the book and still didn't know what a seeker was. Or what time period the story was set in. And while the characters started off strong, they became more shallow and unbelievable with every new page. Their relationships to one another felt forced. As I read farther, things just stopped fitting together. There were too many unanswered questions, and while I'd like to believe that the ending ties up some loose ends, I was too frustrated to try and get there.
I loved the concept of Seeker, but this just didn't work for me.
I start reading each and every book with an open mind and try to review accordingly. Unfortunately, there were too many flaws for me to overlook, and as a result I've stopped reading Seeker midway.
The story started out strong and captivating. I wanted to know more about the three young warriors and their quest to become seekers. The problem is, I was halfway through the book and still didn't know what a seeker was. Or what time period the story was set in. And while the characters started off strong, they became more shallow and unbelievable with every new page. Their relationships to one another felt forced. As I read farther, things just stopped fitting together. There were too many unanswered questions, and while I'd like to believe that the ending ties up some loose ends, I was too frustrated to try and get there.
I loved the concept of Seeker, but this just didn't work for me.
Quin, Shinobu, and John have trained for a very long time to become Seekers. It should be an honor. It should be about protecting the weak. However, it turns out to be something very different and Quin needs to come to terms with this - as well as her love triangle, her family, and other issues. Meh.
I didn't like the characters or plot enough to pick up the next book in the series.
I didn't like the characters or plot enough to pick up the next book in the series.
Could it be true? Have i finally finished this book?! It only took three months...
Honestly I was really disappointed with the first half of this book. It was slow to me, it lacked development in some of the characters and honestly it was mildly confusing. I spent half my time reading trying to decide what time period this was in, what world it was in, etc. Obviously it said it was set in Scotland, Hong Kong and London but I couldn't decide if it was modern day or dystopian versions or super far in the future. I would say probably halfway through part two I started to enjoy it and I kind of let go of the things that confused me and that made the reading go quicker. Part three was really great in my opinion and I'm glad I at least enjoyed that because it gives me hope that maybe book two will be a better read. However, I'm not eagerly awaiting the day I get my hands on the sequel like I normally am with series.
ALSO can I just say that the newly formed relationship at the end feels so wrong and yet there's something so incredibly right about it. I kind of called it at the beginning but I was like there's no way that's going to happen that would just be wrong but then here it is and now I'm actually living for it so.
Honestly I was really disappointed with the first half of this book. It was slow to me, it lacked development in some of the characters and honestly it was mildly confusing. I spent half my time reading trying to decide what time period this was in, what world it was in, etc. Obviously it said it was set in Scotland, Hong Kong and London but I couldn't decide if it was modern day or dystopian versions or super far in the future. I would say probably halfway through part two I started to enjoy it and I kind of let go of the things that confused me and that made the reading go quicker. Part three was really great in my opinion and I'm glad I at least enjoyed that because it gives me hope that maybe book two will be a better read. However, I'm not eagerly awaiting the day I get my hands on the sequel like I normally am with series.
ALSO can I just say that the newly formed relationship at the end feels so wrong and yet there's something so incredibly right about it. I kind of called it at the beginning but I was like there's no way that's going to happen that would just be wrong but then here it is and now I'm actually living for it so.
You can read my review and other reviews on my blog!
My Life as a Bookworm
I had mixed feelings about this book. First off, don't market this book as in line with A Game of Thrones or Hunger Games. It comes nothing near to those two. People will expect an epic fantasy or dystopian world and you get neither. I have actually no idea what this books genre is. I understand fantasy but is it historical or modern or what? I'll get into that later. I received a copy of this from Netgalley for an honest review.
The book is split into 4 POVs, Quin, Shinobu, John, and Maud and into 4 Parts, Scotland, Other Times and Places, Hong Kong and Where All Roads Lead. Basically it follows 3 teenagers, Quin, Shinobu and John training to become Seekers. Seekers are people who fight the bad guys and save the good ones or so Quin and Shinobu thought. John on the other hand knows the true story-they are people who do evil things for wealth and greed and he has his own agenda for becoming a Seeker (revenge). Quin and Shinobu learn the secrets and become Seekers while John is rejected. That rejection turns him hard and his hatred for Quin's father, who taught them all makes him betray everyone. Quin and Shinobu escape to Hong Kong to find new lives. Quin forgets her past and becomes a healer while Shinobu turns to drugs. Eventually John finds them and catches up with them. He loves Quin so much that it has become an obsession for him to possess her and to have her help him learn the secrets. Quin escapes and her memories come back to her. She realizes what she has to do and Shinobu finally comes out of his drug induced haze to help. Now Maud is known as the Young Dread, a person who Quin, Shinobu and John know little of besides her being creepy and silent. After the first part you start to know her history and into her mind. I like her a lot. I thought she was a much stronger character and I connected with her more than the others. She has her own plot which can make it seem confusing but with the different POVs it sorta works.
So this book was little confusing. The world itself I had no idea what it was all about. It seemed medieval but then it seemed modern. There were castles, opium dens, TVs, phones, horses, flying ships. It felt like the author was melding a whole bunch of different eras into one and it just didn't quite work out. It just made for a confusing world where I could not picture what it was. I am a visual person and while I read I picture what the characters look like and where they are place and I just couldn't do it for this book. It took away from the story. I also wish we had more of a backstory on the Seekers though you do get that as the book goes along it just takes a while. I also think the 4 POVs is a LOT! This book reminds me of another book I reviewed called Court by Cat Patrick. That also had a lot of POVs and got confusing and too much at once. So it was an ok book not the best. It probably could use some more editing.
My Life as a Bookworm
I had mixed feelings about this book. First off, don't market this book as in line with A Game of Thrones or Hunger Games. It comes nothing near to those two. People will expect an epic fantasy or dystopian world and you get neither. I have actually no idea what this books genre is. I understand fantasy but is it historical or modern or what? I'll get into that later. I received a copy of this from Netgalley for an honest review.
The book is split into 4 POVs, Quin, Shinobu, John, and Maud and into 4 Parts, Scotland, Other Times and Places, Hong Kong and Where All Roads Lead. Basically it follows 3 teenagers, Quin, Shinobu and John training to become Seekers. Seekers are people who fight the bad guys and save the good ones or so Quin and Shinobu thought. John on the other hand knows the true story-they are people who do evil things for wealth and greed and he has his own agenda for becoming a Seeker (revenge). Quin and Shinobu learn the secrets and become Seekers while John is rejected. That rejection turns him hard and his hatred for Quin's father, who taught them all makes him betray everyone. Quin and Shinobu escape to Hong Kong to find new lives. Quin forgets her past and becomes a healer while Shinobu turns to drugs. Eventually John finds them and catches up with them. He loves Quin so much that it has become an obsession for him to possess her and to have her help him learn the secrets. Quin escapes and her memories come back to her. She realizes what she has to do and Shinobu finally comes out of his drug induced haze to help. Now Maud is known as the Young Dread, a person who Quin, Shinobu and John know little of besides her being creepy and silent. After the first part you start to know her history and into her mind. I like her a lot. I thought she was a much stronger character and I connected with her more than the others. She has her own plot which can make it seem confusing but with the different POVs it sorta works.
So this book was little confusing. The world itself I had no idea what it was all about. It seemed medieval but then it seemed modern. There were castles, opium dens, TVs, phones, horses, flying ships. It felt like the author was melding a whole bunch of different eras into one and it just didn't quite work out. It just made for a confusing world where I could not picture what it was. I am a visual person and while I read I picture what the characters look like and where they are place and I just couldn't do it for this book. It took away from the story. I also wish we had more of a backstory on the Seekers though you do get that as the book goes along it just takes a while. I also think the 4 POVs is a LOT! This book reminds me of another book I reviewed called Court by Cat Patrick. That also had a lot of POVs and got confusing and too much at once. So it was an ok book not the best. It probably could use some more editing.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2015/02/review-seeker.html
DNF. I made it halfway through. The setting was beyond confusing and hectic, and yet not a single character in the book produced the interest necessary to unwind this poorly thought out plot. Man, as a writer I hate leaving 1 star reviews...but there was just nothing here. The description was a bit misleading too... I thought I was picking up a fantasy novel, not some weird pseudo dystopian bs that never made it into the realm of coolness.
I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for my thoughts.
Reader, I did not like it.
There's weak and inconsistent world-building. Are we in a medieval setting with magic, or a futuristic society? It took me way too many chapters to figure it out.
And there's the same old love triangle. Need I say more? Besides that, I don't think there's a single fully-drawn character. I didn't connect with any of them.
Most egregiously, very little is ever explained about the seekers, and what is explained comes way too late. There's a time to keep the reader in suspense about basic elements of your book - this was not it.
Reader, I did not like it.
There's weak and inconsistent world-building. Are we in a medieval setting with magic, or a futuristic society? It took me way too many chapters to figure it out.
And there's the same old love triangle. Need I say more? Besides that, I don't think there's a single fully-drawn character. I didn't connect with any of them.
Most egregiously, very little is ever explained about the seekers, and what is explained comes way too late. There's a time to keep the reader in suspense about basic elements of your book - this was not it.
1.5 maybe if I'm being nice. I pushed through this book like struggled just because I wanted to see if I would like it and I'm sure there are those that have and will like it. But the story felt so clunky and the multiple narratives just bored me. I did like Shinobu and Maud and I feel like they got the least focus. The "love story" if it could even be referred to as that was so boring and predictable. Quin just felt weak and like she was complaining about everything. There is a point at the end where she kind of redeems herself but it does not make me want to pick up the next book. John's mission to get the freakin athame felt like it took forever and I was over it before it began. The book is split up into parts and to me it wasn't clear that there was a time jump or change or whatever in one part so I was just lost. I think that setting up the world for the next books just took too long. I would only consider reading what's next because I liked Maud a whole lot but she was more of a secondary character. She did get some growth by the end but it does not feel worth it to invest more time than I have already.