SEEKERS

In this debut YA fantasy, two young friends must separate and try to save their world.

Tyras has just returned from seizing an artifact in Koterra for his master, Lunaris. Since Tyras is the Senior Seeker, it is his job to go out into the world and bring back whatever artifacts Lunaris, as Argan Sovereign of Wisdom, deems important to add to their collection. But the journey home was long, and all Tyras wants is to deliver the item, file his report, and rest. Instead, he walks into a bloody scene—his best friend and fellow Seeker, Oren, is barely alive, having sustained injuries while defending their master from an attacker. Now, giving them no time to recuperate, Lunaris sends both Seekers on quests—Tyras must return to Koterra and locate the Conduit, a relic, and Oren must track down the assassin for answers about who ordered the assault. But things almost instantly go off the rails—Tyras is quickly captured by the person he stole the most recent artifact from. After learning they are on the trail of the same man, who has important information about the Conduit, Tyras and his captor form an unlikely and uncomfortable alliance. Meanwhile, Oren finds the assassin only to learn she doesn’t know who hired her—and the two decide to work together to get answers. Despite spending most of their lives together, Oren and Tyras are now on vastly different paths. But their perilous journeys may make them realize that their world isn’t as black and white as they were always led to believe. In this engaging novel, Knowlton gives readers a story that could very easily turn into a series, considering how big and creative the author’s worldbuilding is. With the amount of blood and wounds that are mentioned in this tale, it may not be suitable for younger teens. But older teens will love the swift pace and nearly constant action. Tyras and Oren are snarky and have their own flaws, but their sense of duty is quite admirable and will make readers root for them throughout the many hardships they face in this inventive story.

A fast-paced, entertaining fantasy with two appealing heroes.