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softrosemint 's review for:
Seeker
by Arwen Elys Dayton
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