Seeker

Gr 8 Up—This sequel to Riders is told from the points of view of Daryn, the Seeker, and Gideon, who is the apocalyptic horseman known as War. At the conclusion of the previous volume, Daryn mistakenly left Sebastian (Famine) sealed in another dimension with Samrael, who is the last surviving demon in the Kindred. Daryn usually depends on the Sight to guide her, but her visions have stopped, causing her to rely on her instincts. Entering the dark realm with Samrael is risky and will surely test Daryn and the other riders as new adventures and demons arise and the mission goes awry. The book is well researched, with realistic dialogue among the characters, and the adventure scenes are captivating and will hold readers' attention. At times, the outcomes seem to come together too cleanly, often via leaps of logic that readers will have to accept as they go along for the ride. The romance between Daryn and Gideon will interest young adults and feels organic to the narrative. Fans of the first installment of this duology won't be disappointed, even though sometimes the plot meanders. Themes of faith and forgiveness among the characters will appeal to a crossover audience.