Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Seeker by Samuel Griffin Series: The Sentinel Archives #1
on May 14, 2024
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 348
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon
Ancient leviathans have stirred from their long slumber. Their scent song marks where they might be found, but only to those with the means to somewhat hear Sentinel Archivists.
Shay Bluefaltlow finds herself training to become such a specialist when she is forced into indentured servitude. Her new home, the city of Fivedock, is strange and bewildering, as are her new companions, a belligerent surgeon, a remarkable little boy, and a formidable Sentinel Archivist tasked with teaching Shay the terrifying ways of the trade.
Her unanticipated position requires forbidden knowledge, a sickening transformation and the strongest constitution. Shay is certain she is unequal to the prodigious task, but desperate to impress her superiors.
When war subsumes the Concord, the office of the Sentinel Archivist is threatened by a terrible betrayal. And Shay has secrets of her own…
Seeker is the debut book for Samuel Griffin and the first book in The Sentinel Archives Series. This isn’t going to be for everyone due the the nature of the prose of the writing. Written as a regency or in a historical voice of sorts, the main character takes the reader through her personal journey to become a Seeker, someone in a secret type of society looking for huge leviathans of the deep. They are who are stirring once more and will the the force that could turn the tide of a the war.
Shay Bluefaltlow takes us through her journey as she struggles to live up the expectations placed on her to become one of the few secretly searching for the elusive scent song unique to each of the leviathans. A young girl in a strange place, the story is almost written in the flowery musings of a teen in her diary, if said diary was from a regency era. She is introduced to a strange world full of dangers and some espionage as she tries to make her way. Sponsored by a group of benefactors yet to be revealed she is guided through her training. Because of her age some of her rebellions, secrets and poor choices, while frustrating, can at least be understood. The action at the end was the most interesting part of the book as the actual leviathans come into play in a battle at sea.
The actual story is pretty decent and the world interesting with the idea of the Seekers and Leviathans and whatever their connection will end up being. However, I really struggled with the writing style. At times it was really hard to focus on the story through the prose as it took awhile to get from point A to B to C in the story. I believe the author lives on the poetical side of the fence and that is very much reflected in the story. So if you are a fan of some of other authors of the past like Dickens this will probably be an easier and more enjoyable read for you than it was for me. I do applaud the author for committing to this writing style whole heartedly but I think it will really factor into how much a reader likes the story within.
I really enjoyed the idea of the story and the plot is really interesting in the fantasy aspect. I’m not huge into the classics though and so I struggled through reading.
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I saw the cover aroung but it’s the first review I see. Too bad it wasn’t a bit more but why not one day
It is going to be great for some who are really into that kind of writing.
I saw the cover and premise and gave it a try.
Mhmmmm I am intrigued. I’m so picky with fantasy.
The writing style is either going to really work for you or against you, but the story inside is really very interesting.