Format: Hardcover, 448 pages
Release Date: January 12, 2016
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Quin
Kincaid is a Seeker. Her legacy is an honor, an ancient role passed down for
generations. But what she learned on her oath night changed her world forever.
Quin pledged her life to deception. Her legacy as a Seeker is not noble but savage. She was trained to be an assassin. And the boy she once loved is out for vengeance, with her family in his sights.
Yet Quin is not alone. Shinobu, her oldest companion, might now be the only person she can trust. The only one who wants answers as desperately as she does.
But the deeper they dig into the past, the darker things become. There are long-vanished Seeker families, shadowy alliances, and something else: a sinister plan begun generations ago with the power to end the legacy forever.
And it might destroy them all.
Quin pledged her life to deception. Her legacy as a Seeker is not noble but savage. She was trained to be an assassin. And the boy she once loved is out for vengeance, with her family in his sights.
Yet Quin is not alone. Shinobu, her oldest companion, might now be the only person she can trust. The only one who wants answers as desperately as she does.
But the deeper they dig into the past, the darker things become. There are long-vanished Seeker families, shadowy alliances, and something else: a sinister plan begun generations ago with the power to end the legacy forever.
And it might destroy them all.
Traveler is
the second installment in Arwen Elys Dayton's Seeker series. It has been
several weeks since Quin Kincaid, Shinobu MacBain, and John Hart survived the
crash of the air ship Traveler in London. For Quin, her entire outlook of what being a Seeker is,
has been fundamentally changed since she took the oath and became what was once a proud tradition. No longer does she feel that a Seekers job is
honorable. In fact, it is anything but that thanks to her own father Briac
Kincaid, and the Middle Dread's actions in pitting Seeker against Seeker, and
strange boys who move like Seekers, but really aren't, against Seeker in a battle of wits, strategy and deceit.
Traveler is actually told in numerous third person narratives. From Quin, Shinobu, John, Catherine Hart (her past exploits), Maud, the Youngest Dread, to a boy named Nott, who is one of the Middle Dreads pet projects. I have to say that my favorite chapters were from Catherine's perspective. This is a woman who was a Seeker, married due to family obligations, all while digging deep into the misguided and wrongful actions of the Middle Dread which caused her life to be shortened. Her exploits include being with Shinobu's mother Mariko, who also was once a Seeker. Catherine was a brave lady in everything she did. She tried to bring honesty and integrity back to the Seekers, and now, her own son John, and Quin Kincaid, are following in her footsteps.
Traveler picks up its pace after Quin and Shinobu, who is slowly healing from his injuries, are attacked by two mysterious boys demanding that they give back the Athame that Maud, the Young Dread gave to Quin aboard the Traveler. The Athame is an ancient implement that has dials that can transport a Seeker to specific places in time. Each of the 10 original families had one, but they have slowly and mysteriously disappeared like the families themselves. This is what Catherine was searching for. This is what Quin and John are now searching for.
I have to rip the bandage off quickly before I go any further. I am pretty sure I spoke about my hatred for Shinobu due to his incessant need to lose himself in a variety of drugs. Even his own mother has washed her hands clean of his actions knowing that eventually, it will lead to his demise. So, what does Dayton do? Gives him yet another addiction to fall prey to. This time a focal which is supposed to calm the person wearing it, and give them clarity. Yeah, good luck with that! I don't mind the romance between Shinobu and Quin. After all, he never tried to kill her like John. But, I do hope that Dayton can make up for his actions in the final chapters.
Speaking of John, he has turned into a rather decent character after his actions in Seeker. Yes, he has plenty of regrets when it comes to his actions towards Quin, who he once loved. Now, he's found a purpose and a trainer so that he can finally walk in the same footsteps as his mother. I liked these scenes the next best because there is something between John and Maud whether we get to that point or not. Maud and John are each searching for answers. Maud has become fully aware of the Middle's deceit, while teaching John the fundamentals of being a good Seeker like the one's who once stood for the weak and wronged and stood up to the shadow world.
Quin and Shinobu once again have the most action packed scenes. From Hong Kong to Scotland, to THERE, they continually face off against the Watchers who demand that Quin return the Middle's athame to them. They, like John, are also searching for answers and a path to correct her father's misguided path. But, they also have the dastardly job of being the ones with the cliffhanger ending, and a heart breaking one thanks to Shinobu. Not going to sugar coat it.
The final installment in the trilogy, Disruptor, will release in the Spring of 2017.
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