Dayton, Arwen Elys
Seeker, 435 pgs. Delacorte Press, 2015. $18.99. Language: PG (0 swears);
Mature Content: R (drug use, prostitution); Violence: PG-13 (battles, graphic
deaths).
Tonight is the night. Quin, Shibonu and John have been training for
years with Chin’s father, Briac, and Shibonu’s father, Alistair, to become
Seekers, protectors of good people from harm. Generations of their families had
taken the Seeker oath and now is their time. Once sworn, Quin and Shibonu
realize that Briac has evilly twisted the purpose of Seekers. The keys to the
Seekers’ power to travel through time and space are two tools: an athame and a
lightning rod. John demands it to restore his family’s power, Briac will kill
for it to use for evil and Quin has it. Can Quin and Shibonu restore the
Seeker’s noble purpose and not be killed?
Gripping writing opens this book and the pace does not slow
down. The book’s three main settings evokes three different sub-genres of
fantasy: the training in Scotland – medieval/historical; Singapore – gritty
realism; and London – Steam Punk with blimps. The weapons are futuristic and
the fighting is graphic. A well done fantasy with a sequel, Traveler, due in
spring of 2016.
HS – ADVISABLE. SGH – Librarian