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Blog Tour: The Seekers Series by David Litwack (Melissa’s reviews, giveaway)
The Children of Darkness (The Seekers, #1)
written by David Litwack
published by Evolved Publishing, 2015
find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository, Goodreads
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Did I enjoy this book: I enjoyed the read, but there’s A LOT going on. I felt rushed; I wish Litwack would have slowed the pace–as soon as I got used to what Orah and friends were up to, they’d finished that and moved on to the next adventure. I guess I would have preferred less plot and more depth . . . I would love to see this book split into two: one for the keep quest and one for the time spent in the keep. It was like watching a LOTR-style journey on fast-forward.
That said, I’m looking forward to the second book in the series. I want to know what happens!
GOLDEN LINE
“We should not be so seduced by our mission that we forget how to live.”
Would I recommend it: Yes, but buckle up–it’s a fast-paced ride!
About the book – from Goodreads: “But what are we without dreams?”
A thousand years ago the Darkness came-a terrible time of violence, fear, and social collapse when technology ran rampant. But the vicars of the Temple of Light brought peace, ushering in an era of blessed simplicity. For ten centuries they have kept the madness at bay with “temple magic,” and by eliminating forever the rush of progress that nearly caused the destruction of everything. ~ Childhood friends, Orah and Nathaniel, have always lived in the tiny village of Little Pond, longing for more from life but unwilling to challenge the rigid status quo. When their friend Thomas returns from the Temple after his “teaching”-the secret coming-of-age ritual that binds young men and women eternally to the Light-they barely recognize the broken and brooding young man the boy has become. Then when Orah is summoned as well, Nathaniel follows in a foolhardy attempt to save her. ~ In the prisons of Temple City, they discover a terrible secret that launches the three on a journey to find the forbidden keep, placing their lives in jeopardy, for a truth from the past awaits that threatens the foundation of the Temple. If they reveal that truth, they might once again release the potential of their people. ~ Yet they would also incur the Temple’s wrath as it is written: “If there comes among you a prophet saying, ‘Let us return to the darkness,’ you shall stone him, because he has sought to thrust you away from the Light.”
The Stuff of Stars (The Seekers, #2)
written by David Litwack
published by Evolved Publishing, 2015
find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository, Goodreads
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Did I enjoy this book: If you’re looking for a dystopian series that covers nearly every possible outcome of a cataclysm, you can end your search here. Litwack once again delivers a remarkable amount of plot, and it’s cool. It’s SO. COOL. But I’ve got the same complaint I did with The Children of Darkness: Slow it down. Let me savor things. Don’t just tell me Orah & Nathaniel are totally in love–show me. Let me spend more than five minutes in the dream . . . I WANT to get lost
GOLDEN LINE
“How have we come to this?”
Would I recommend it: Yep! Keep reading, but again–be prepared for A LOT of plot.
About the book – from Goodreads: The second volume in award winning author David Litwack’s dystopian trilogy, The Seekers
But what are we without dreams?
Against all odds, Orah and Nathaniel have found the keep and revealed the truth about the darkness, initiating what they hoped would be a new age of enlightenment. But the people were more set in their ways than anticipated, and a faction of vicars whispered in their ears, urging a return to traditional ways.
Desperate to keep their movement alive, Orah and Nathaniel cross the ocean to seek the living descendants of the keepmasters’ kin. Those they find on the distant shore are both more and less advanced than expected.
The seekers become caught between the two sides, and face the challenge of bringing them together to make a better world. The prize: a chance to bring home miracles and a more promising future for their people. But if they fail this time, they risk not a stoning but losing themselves in the twilight of a never-ending dream.
About the author: The urge to write first struck at age sixteen when working on a newsletter at a youth encampment in the woods of northern Maine. It may have been the wild night when lightning flashed at sunset followed by the northern lights rippling after dark. Or maybe it was the newsletter’s editor, a girl with eyes the color of the ocean. But he was inspired to write about the blurry line between reality and the fantastic.
Using two fingers and lots of white-out, he religiously typed five pages a day throughout college and well into his twenties. Then life intervened. He paused to raise two sons and pursue a career, in the process — and without prior plan — becoming a well-known entrepreneur in the software industry, founding several successful companies. When he found time again to daydream, the urge to write returned.
David and his wife split their time between Cape Cod, Florida and anywhere else that catches their fancy. He no longer limits himself to five pages a day and is thankful every keystroke for the invention of the word processor.
$25 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
+ a second winner wins paperback copies of The Children of Darkness and The Stuff of Stars (US)
Ends Feb. 10
10 Comments
by Sue A.
Good review! When a book leaves you eagerly awaiting the sequel, that’s great praise.
by candacemom2two
I agree that they are more plot driven and I think that maybe made it feel more literary to me. It’s funny though, you say you want it to slow down and so far most everyone has said it’s very slow paced. Interesting how that is. I consider them slow paced myself though still a fast read. I think I see what you’re getting at though.
Thanks so much for hosting a tour stop and reviewing both books. I’m glad you enjoyed them!
by bethany whitling
Loved the review, it makes it so I can’t wait to read the book and to get to know more about this author……
by robeader
I’m not familiar with David LItwack so thank you Melissa for the review. I would probably not have stopped to check it out without your insight. robeader53@yahoo.com
by Gina M
I liked the very honest reviews!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
by Dan Denman
I am new to the series. It sounds like my kind of story. I am looking forward to these books!
by TheEveryFreeChanceReader
Good luck in the giveaway!
by lindamoffitt02
Thanks for the chance to win the books Following on Twitter and Liked Your FB page too 🙂
by TheEveryFreeChanceReader
Good luck! And thank you for following EFC!