Recently, I’ve not read many stories where children or adolescents are the main characters – probably not since I was an adolescent myself. They can be difficult to do well because of the difficulty in suspending disbelief, but with The Seekers, I think the mistake would be in assuming this is aimed at younger readers. The mood in this is much closer to a less violent version of Sonantine or Wallander than any YA stories I’ve come across.

The prose can be a little awkward to follow in places, but there is a sense of melancholy and menace in the first chapter which is subtly done and it permeates the whole story. Danger is afoot, but as readers we’re not yet introduced fully to its nature or name. Billy’s bewilderment is a tangible presence, and you do feel badly for him.  Post the prologue, the chapters tend to be split up into several bite-sized chunks, which does make for easier suggestion.

Admittedly, there are plenty of stories out there where there are characters who just magically seem to have amazing abilities but are scorned by their peers, and it can be a cheap ploy to garner sympathy. But I don’t think that this is what Dash is going for here; while we do feel sympathy for Kathy and Billy in that they are very obviously ostracised by their peers, but neither character comes across as Mary-Sue/Gary-Stu in their own behaviour. Dash has handled that side of characterisation well.

The Seekers seems to be a slow burning story, gradually building up a very eerie and menacing presence, so if you’re looking for fast action, you won’t find it here. However, there are only a few chapters up at the moment, so I think that The Seekers has plenty of potential to grow into something bigger. If you don’t mind gradual build up, then this may be a story for you.

4 of 4 members found this review helpful.
Help us improve!  Register or log in to rate this review.