In this genre-blending sci-fi/fantasy/s­teampunk adventure, three teens are poised to become Seekers, a legendary role for which they've been groomed for years. Quin and her distant cousin Shinobu take the Oath. John, however, is kept from the ceremony; he knows the secret horror behind the honor, though readers are left with just an offstage hint of the grim reality of life as a Seeker. Quin deals with her Seeker trauma by becoming a healer, Shinobu becomes a frequenter of London opium dens, and John is on the hunt to return power to his family. Narration alternates between the love-triangle heroes and a fascinating centuries-old character named Young Dread. Dayton provides intriguing technology a shape-shifting whipsword and some powerful family heirloom athames (daggers) that cut holes to allow travel between rural Scotland, the bowels of London, and There though in some aspects the world building remains sketchy. The forthcoming movie is a perfect vehicle for the action-packed scenes and will prompt purchase of the novel for most teen collections. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: If the upcoming movie doesn't sell it, the national author tour, floor displays, comic cons, and more will.--Dobrez, Cindy Copyright 2015 Booklist

Three teens are tricked into using their phenomenal cosmic powers for immoral purposes. Quin, Shinobu and John are finally ready to be inducted into the secret society of Seekers. Though they are only teenagers, they have trained since they were children to fight with the Seeker weapon, the whipsword, and to avoid the dreaded mind-destroying disruptor. Somehow, horrifyingly, John fails his final test and is sent away. John, however, already knows the secret that's been kept from Quin and Shinobu: The Seekers are no heroes. Quin has spent her life desperate for her father's approval and is horrified to realize what a monster he's always been. With their lives toppled, the three would-be fighters are separated, traveling with magical speed from rural Scotland to a noir Hong Kong stocked with opium dens. The childhood friends are now at odds, though with chapters alternating with each protagonist, the characters have the opportunity to show all their perspectives. In an adventure packed with drug abuse, self-harm, amnesia and betrayal, one erstwhile Seeker aims to control another. It's a thinly drawn tangle of a setting, with portable televisions and cellphones alongside steampunk-style airships and sci-fi "airlifts." Nor do the heroes escape lazy stereotyping. For biracial Shinobu, for example, becoming "more Japanese" translates to "things like manners and honor." A relationship triangle completes the picture (as it's packed with pseudo-sexual violence, it's difficult to call it a love triangle). Ellipsis-laden dialogue makes even death-defying, CGI-ready adventures drag. (Science fantasy. 14-16) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In this powerful beginning to a complex family saga, 15-year-old Quin Kincaid, her biracial cousin Shinobu MacBain, and their friend John Hart train on the Kincaid family's Scottish estate to become Seekers, warriors who slip through space and time. Historically, Seekers used their powers and weapons-chameleon whipswords and nightmarish, sanity-stripping disruptors-to right wrongs. When Quin and Shinobu venture on their first mission, they find they're destined to be assassins for Quin's brutal, manipulative father. The novel's appeal lies less in the slightly futuristic, slightly alternate-history setting, than in the way the nascent Seekers cope with betrayal: Quin and Shinobu flee to Hong Kong, where Quin chooses a path of therapeutic amnesia, and Shinobu plunges into drug use and dangerous salvage diving. Meanwhile, John risks becoming what he most despises as he seeks revenge and possession of his family's "athame," the tool that allows Seekers to cut through the fabric of reality. Worldbuilding can be sketchy, but Dayton (Resurrection) excels at creating memorable characters, among them Maud, the "Young Dread," an ageless child whose mysterious clan is linked to the Seekers. Ages 14-up. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Quin has spent her life training to be a Seeker. When she takes her oath, however, she discovers that Seekers are no longer the heroes of legend. Unable to undo her actions, Quin must choose a side in a centuries-long conflict between Seeker families. This action-packed, genre-meshing adventure will appeal to fans of both high fantasy and science fiction. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 8 Up-Quin Kincaid is excited to finally reach the end of her Seeker training. The day she'll take the secret oath is finally upon her. Under the guidance of her father, she's been trained to wield various weapons, including a "whipsword." However, the culmination isn't what she expects. Seekers aren't heroes; they are assassins. Even John, whom she has loved and trusted, isn't who he claimed to be. When the Seekers' headquarters is attacked, Quin uses the chance to escape. Narrator Katharine McEwan brings a unique voice to this high fantasy. Her narrative pace is engaging and enjoyable despite the winding writing style. Her transitions between voices are well done and help to demarcate the jumps in point of view. The plot is a puzzle and intriguing if listeners are willing to wait for the height of the story. Due to frequent jumps in time, however, it may be perplexing to follow, losing some listeners. VERDICT Best suited for hard-core fantasy fans or for those who enjoy character-based fantasies.-Jessica Moody, Olympus Junior High, UT © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.