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2.9 AVERAGE
2.9 AVERAGE
First I need to say that I DNF'd (did not finish) this book. I read till page 125 and had to put it down!
Synopsis: Quin Kincaid has been put through years of brutal training for what she thinks is the noble purpose of becoming a revered ‘Seeker’.
Only when it’s too late does she discover she will be using her new-found knowledge and training to become an assassin. Quin's new role will take her around the globe, from a remote estate in Scotland to a bustling, futuristic Hong Kong where the past she thought she had escaped will finally catch up with her.
What I did like: Te plot sounded intriguing and the fact that on the back of my ARC copy it said that it was going to be made in to movie soon! Here are the latest detail on that!
What I didn't like:
The writing style was just plain off especially in the first couple of chapters. Speaking of chapters they are written in third person omniscient but the focus is on a specific character, which you would think would make it easier to stay on track with what was going on but it didn't. The dialogue between characters and inner dialogue just didn't flow and did not seem natural at all. Most of the characters in the book are close family members but they speak to each other like strangers. All of these negative things about the writing style and dialogue is very apparent in the first 5-10 chapters of the book and just made it to where I could not get into the storyline or attached to the characters. I wanted to like this book really bad, but I just couldn't. I think the movie is going to be much much better!! I gave it that 1.5 star only because I think the plot was intriguing jut not intriguing enough for me to keep reading.
Would I recommend it?
Sure, to people who can get past the writing style and anyone who likes a book with science fiction and fantasy mixed together! I think this is one of those books that people are either going to hate or they are going to absolutely love it!
Synopsis: Quin Kincaid has been put through years of brutal training for what she thinks is the noble purpose of becoming a revered ‘Seeker’.
Only when it’s too late does she discover she will be using her new-found knowledge and training to become an assassin. Quin's new role will take her around the globe, from a remote estate in Scotland to a bustling, futuristic Hong Kong where the past she thought she had escaped will finally catch up with her.
What I did like: Te plot sounded intriguing and the fact that on the back of my ARC copy it said that it was going to be made in to movie soon! Here are the latest detail on that!
What I didn't like:
The writing style was just plain off especially in the first couple of chapters. Speaking of chapters they are written in third person omniscient but the focus is on a specific character, which you would think would make it easier to stay on track with what was going on but it didn't. The dialogue between characters and inner dialogue just didn't flow and did not seem natural at all. Most of the characters in the book are close family members but they speak to each other like strangers. All of these negative things about the writing style and dialogue is very apparent in the first 5-10 chapters of the book and just made it to where I could not get into the storyline or attached to the characters. I wanted to like this book really bad, but I just couldn't. I think the movie is going to be much much better!! I gave it that 1.5 star only because I think the plot was intriguing jut not intriguing enough for me to keep reading.
Would I recommend it?
Sure, to people who can get past the writing style and anyone who likes a book with science fiction and fantasy mixed together! I think this is one of those books that people are either going to hate or they are going to absolutely love it!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.
It is a rare and exceptional [-ly bad] book that receives such a negative response from me. But this book was just ... a mess.
What pulled me in what the synopsis and the cover. The cover looks epic and gorgeous, the synopsis sounds amazing and promising. But the story falls flat almost right away.
For a synopsis that promises me adventures of epic proportions, the beginning of this book focuses too heavily on the romance. It starts off well enough, but almost right away gets mired in the drama of the two main protagonists being in puppy love-- but of course, her evil father hates him and so they can't really be together.
Then suddenly betrayal, the secret society falls apart, and even though I'm about halfway through the story I realize I don't care. I do not care about the characters, the plot, or the story. I think this is mostly because the story starts off in the wrong place. We do not get to know the characters or the world before a pretty large conflict happens, so the emotional impact misses the reader by about a mile. Since the author never really explains what the Seeker society does aside from "they did heroic stuff for a long time" nor explains the world aside from these kids are training in some castle in Scotland... I had no idea what was going on. I had no idea what this betrayal meant to these kids. I knew it was supposed to mean a lot because they spend their lives training to be heroes, but as a reader I didn't feel it.
Unlike most other reviewers, I did not find the world or the POVs confusing. What was irritating was the lack of divulged information. The author was clearly trying to reveal as little as possible, but in the end it ended up being more confusing than mysterious. Sometimes we were in the past, sometimes in the future... some of the characters have super powers, others appear immortal? Or did they travel in time? And is it time travel or parallel universes. I have no idea, because at 50% I have no desire to go on further.
It is a rare and exceptional [-ly bad] book that receives such a negative response from me. But this book was just ... a mess.
What pulled me in what the synopsis and the cover. The cover looks epic and gorgeous, the synopsis sounds amazing and promising. But the story falls flat almost right away.
For a synopsis that promises me adventures of epic proportions, the beginning of this book focuses too heavily on the romance. It starts off well enough, but almost right away gets mired in the drama of the two main protagonists being in puppy love-- but of course, her evil father hates him and so they can't really be together.
Then suddenly betrayal, the secret society falls apart, and even though I'm about halfway through the story I realize I don't care. I do not care about the characters, the plot, or the story. I think this is mostly because the story starts off in the wrong place. We do not get to know the characters or the world before a pretty large conflict happens, so the emotional impact misses the reader by about a mile. Since the author never really explains what the Seeker society does aside from "they did heroic stuff for a long time" nor explains the world aside from these kids are training in some castle in Scotland... I had no idea what was going on. I had no idea what this betrayal meant to these kids. I knew it was supposed to mean a lot because they spend their lives training to be heroes, but as a reader I didn't feel it.
Unlike most other reviewers, I did not find the world or the POVs confusing. What was irritating was the lack of divulged information. The author was clearly trying to reveal as little as possible, but in the end it ended up being more confusing than mysterious. Sometimes we were in the past, sometimes in the future... some of the characters have super powers, others appear immortal? Or did they travel in time? And is it time travel or parallel universes. I have no idea, because at 50% I have no desire to go on further.
Quin Kincaid has been training since she was eight years old. She is now in her fifteenth year and is about to take her Oath. She will become a Seeker, fight alongside her two best friends and help protect the weak in the world. This group of young people can’t wait to join their family in this legacy. That is until the night she takes her Oath and is given her first assignment, her world is turned upside down and she must face some hard truths and question everything she has ever been told.
Seeker is the first book in a new fantasy series. Although it is being promoted for readers who enjoyed A Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games, this book is like neither of them. Readers should be warned that the perspective of the story is constantly shifting and at many times this technique distracts from the story itself. The book is an OK read, but should not be moved to the top of a reader’s TBR pile. Add it to your reading list for later … hopefully the second book shows growth for this relatively unknown author.
Seeker is the first book in a new fantasy series. Although it is being promoted for readers who enjoyed A Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games, this book is like neither of them. Readers should be warned that the perspective of the story is constantly shifting and at many times this technique distracts from the story itself. The book is an OK read, but should not be moved to the top of a reader’s TBR pile. Add it to your reading list for later … hopefully the second book shows growth for this relatively unknown author.
I won't be finishing this book. Huge disappointment.
Received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
SEEKER is EPIC--a truly imaginative and entertaining YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi novel. Talk about some serious world building and a fascinating mix of genres. There was a little bit of everything going on here: high fantasy, science fiction, maybe even steampunk...? I'm in awe. Arwen Elys Dayton, you made it work girl!
I normally don't care for novels with more than one or two narrators, but it was fun to see 4 very different and surprisingly empathetic voices to move the story along. The lines between good and evil were blurred--I felt myself rooting for Quin, John, Shinobu, Maud... everyone except Briac (obvi). Although, having gotten to know the author's voice... maybe there's something more interesting lurking in his backstory for future reads? I sort of hope not because I feel like there always has to be a big bad... I'm a fan of one truly evil villain. Briac is a total evil dick. Not a spoiler... Anyway...
Arwen Elys Dayton is one to watch. Perfect for fans of Graceling. Not so sure I'd go so far as to compare it to Hunger Games or Game of Thrones... come on marketing people. Those are two very different books and audiences. But yes, there were elements in this story that would appeal to a wide variety of audiences. Also not sure what's up with the mixed reviews--but at least it's starting conversations. Highly recommend giving this one a shot!
SEEKER is EPIC--a truly imaginative and entertaining YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi novel. Talk about some serious world building and a fascinating mix of genres. There was a little bit of everything going on here: high fantasy, science fiction, maybe even steampunk...? I'm in awe. Arwen Elys Dayton, you made it work girl!
I normally don't care for novels with more than one or two narrators, but it was fun to see 4 very different and surprisingly empathetic voices to move the story along. The lines between good and evil were blurred--I felt myself rooting for Quin, John, Shinobu, Maud... everyone except Briac (obvi). Although, having gotten to know the author's voice... maybe there's something more interesting lurking in his backstory for future reads? I sort of hope not because I feel like there always has to be a big bad... I'm a fan of one truly evil villain. Briac is a total evil dick. Not a spoiler... Anyway...
Arwen Elys Dayton is one to watch. Perfect for fans of Graceling. Not so sure I'd go so far as to compare it to Hunger Games or Game of Thrones... come on marketing people. Those are two very different books and audiences. But yes, there were elements in this story that would appeal to a wide variety of audiences. Also not sure what's up with the mixed reviews--but at least it's starting conversations. Highly recommend giving this one a shot!
DNF rant!
This book... it makes me frustrated to the point of rage because it keeps dancing on the edge of something I could enjoy. Then it snaps back to a land of confusion, poorly done characters, and some of the shoddiest world building I have ever read.
I made it probably a little under half way through this mess. If it starts making sense, if someone explains the world later on, I'm never going to see it because I simply cannot with this book any more.
The biggest annoyance for me is that we're swimming in characters and POVs. If you like books with frequent, whiplash educing, POV switches (every chapter, and the chapters aren't very long) then this monstrosity is for you. Personally I would have eliminated at least two POVs. This book felt crowded and unfocused, especially as the characters were bland and lacked depth. And not only do we constantly switch between characters, but also timelines. Sometimes we have chapters that are flashbacks and it can be very disorienting.
I think I get what this book is trying to do. It's low-key about time travel and dimensions and what not, so the flow of the narrative is supposed to skip around and feel a little disorienting. Maybe someone else could have pulled it off. Reading this felt like a little kid stumbling through a story who keeps going back to pick up details he forgot earlier.
And the world building. Oh gods the world building. Are we in modern day? The future? A dystopian future? Who the fuck knows?! Some people have magic powers, and that's.... normal? Do only these characters have powers? Does everyone have some kind of power? Does it have to do with family lines? WTF is going on here?!?
The only character I liked was Maud. I'd read her book and maybe it could explain her culture a little better. Otherwise I hate everyone and I'm going to stop following them now!
This book... it makes me frustrated to the point of rage because it keeps dancing on the edge of something I could enjoy. Then it snaps back to a land of confusion, poorly done characters, and some of the shoddiest world building I have ever read.
I made it probably a little under half way through this mess. If it starts making sense, if someone explains the world later on, I'm never going to see it because I simply cannot with this book any more.
The biggest annoyance for me is that we're swimming in characters and POVs. If you like books with frequent, whiplash educing, POV switches (every chapter, and the chapters aren't very long) then this monstrosity is for you. Personally I would have eliminated at least two POVs. This book felt crowded and unfocused, especially as the characters were bland and lacked depth.
Spoiler
one of them loses her memory for reasons that are narratively unclear to me. (I would have just changed the structure of the story and skipped the memory loss all together).I think I get what this book is trying to do. It's low-key about time travel and dimensions and what not, so the flow of the narrative is supposed to skip around and feel a little disorienting. Maybe someone else could have pulled it off. Reading this felt like a little kid stumbling through a story who keeps going back to pick up details he forgot earlier.
And the world building. Oh gods the world building. Are we in modern day? The future? A dystopian future? Who the fuck knows?! Some people have magic powers, and that's.... normal? Do only these characters have powers? Does everyone have some kind of power? Does it have to do with family lines? WTF is going on here?!?
The only character I liked was Maud. I'd read her book and maybe it could explain her culture a little better. Otherwise I hate everyone and I'm going to stop following them now!
Seeker's blurb was really intriguing and it sold me at Hong Kong! I was really excited to read my first ARC since I started blogging again. I went in with high hopes and I tried not to let all the negative reviews get to me. For the first 15%, I thought I was going to be one of the rare few who will enjoy the novel, it was mysterious, intriguing and exciting!
But it soon got pretty apparent that are no plans to explain the basics of the story any time soon and I got really frustrated. It just felt like a poor way to keep a reader's interest. We are forced to continue reading just to know what this book is about (think: an extremely extended book intro), instead of reading to see how the story unfolds.
I DNFed Seeker at 30%.
MAIN ISSUES:
In which time period is this set in?
What is a seeker?
Why doesn't John warn his friends about what's to come?
What were the great things that the seekers used to do?
What happened to all the other seekers?
There was a serious lack of world building and introduction to conflict.
Super boring, confusing and frustrating.
Seeker is written from a third POV, similar to Throne of Glass, but its execution was poor. Each chapter follows one of the four main characters but we don't get a lot of information but rather more confusion. Some chapters were too short and the transitions between characters were very strange. Just when questions were going to be answered, the chapter ends. (imagine a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter) The issues were never addressed again even when it rotates back to that character.
Case Study #1: Right after Quin goes through the portal to take the test for the oath, (??? TBH I don't really know what's happening) the chapter ends and the next immediate chapter shows the aftermath of the test, entirely skipping the actual test. (I thought I accidentally skipped a chapter) And apparently this test is life-changing because they realise being a Seeker is a bad thing.
A. I still don't know what a seeker does.
B. We didn't get to witness the life-changing event but rather just 'time travelled' through it. This is a very strange way to tell a story that hinges on what a seeker does.
C. Even in the aftermath and over the next couple of chapters, she refuses to talk about what happened. So yes we continue to be left in the dark. I get that Dayton probably wanted to retain some mystery so that you'll be intrigued and continue reading, but its already 22% into the book, throw us a bone!
Case Study #2: We 'time travel' AGAIN and we are thrown one month into the future at 23%. Of course during that one month we missed, Quin learns a lot about her family. "She understood it all now: the wealth behind the estate, how her family survived. And there was nothing virtuous about it." She then goes on to talk about her horse. That is all we get, the carrot dangling continues.
Character wise, there wasn't much development/backstory. We get to know a little about Shinobu and John. Ironically, we seem to know the least about Quin, the main character. TBH, I was too frustrated with the storyline and didn't give much thought to the characters. They did not stand out for me. (These probably came after the 30% mark)
VERDICT:
I can see how some extremely patient people might enjoy this (apparently it gets better once you hit 70% of the book) but I am not going to spend 2-3 frustrating hours just to get to the good parts. It feels like this book was originally written in a relatively linear fashion but was later chopped up randomly so that random chunks of the story was removed to create 'suspense'.
We could have been told straight up what a seeker was with some backstory, and then go on to John/Shinobu/Quin's struggles between good and evil. The mystery element was dragged out far too long and I lost patience/interest. (fyi: I am not a fan of mystery novels)
I have to admit though, the storytelling style is unique and could've been interesting but the execution was poor and I did not enjoy it.
I received an e-ARC of this from NetGalley.
Quin, John, and Shinobu are training to be Seekers, which they thought meant using their power for a greater good. When John isn't allowed to take his oath and Quin and Shinobu learn the truth about what it means to be a Seeker, all their worlds fall apart. Now they are in a power struggle in which they are pitted against those who taught them and each other.
I so rarely rate a book with two stars, in part because I normally wouldn't even finish a book I would end up rating so low. But I liked the premise of SEEKER by Arwen Elys Dayton and the world had an interesting mix of a medieval setting you often find in epic fantasy and new technology you'd more likely find in a sci-fi book. So I kept giving the book a chance, hoping by the end it would address an aspect of the book that made my blood boil, namely the way the men treated the women in the book.
Except for one weak exception in Shinobu, the men in this book all treat the women as a means to an end. Even when the women are seemingly given a choice, if it isn't the "right" one, meaning the one the man has chosen, they are considered expendable. John was the worst of all because as a point of view character we, the reader, could see his intentions. He claimed to love Quin, but whenever she didn't do what he wanted her to do, he was angry about it to the point where he would hurt just about anything to get what he wanted. His sense of entitlement was unbearable.
I kept thinking the author must be making a point about this. She really can't be writing a world that is so full of male entitlement, something I'm so tired of in fantasy novels. So I kept reading, giving the book a chance to make a bolder statement about it, a statement that never came. Perhaps this issue will be addressed in future books in the series, but I will not be finding out because I will not be reading any further titles.
Quin, John, and Shinobu are training to be Seekers, which they thought meant using their power for a greater good. When John isn't allowed to take his oath and Quin and Shinobu learn the truth about what it means to be a Seeker, all their worlds fall apart. Now they are in a power struggle in which they are pitted against those who taught them and each other.
I so rarely rate a book with two stars, in part because I normally wouldn't even finish a book I would end up rating so low. But I liked the premise of SEEKER by Arwen Elys Dayton and the world had an interesting mix of a medieval setting you often find in epic fantasy and new technology you'd more likely find in a sci-fi book. So I kept giving the book a chance, hoping by the end it would address an aspect of the book that made my blood boil, namely the way the men treated the women in the book.
Except for one weak exception in Shinobu, the men in this book all treat the women as a means to an end. Even when the women are seemingly given a choice, if it isn't the "right" one, meaning the one the man has chosen, they are considered expendable. John was the worst of all because as a point of view character we, the reader, could see his intentions. He claimed to love Quin, but whenever she didn't do what he wanted her to do, he was angry about it to the point where he would hurt just about anything to get what he wanted. His sense of entitlement was unbearable.
I kept thinking the author must be making a point about this. She really can't be writing a world that is so full of male entitlement, something I'm so tired of in fantasy novels. So I kept reading, giving the book a chance to make a bolder statement about it, a statement that never came. Perhaps this issue will be addressed in future books in the series, but I will not be finding out because I will not be reading any further titles.