Obernewtyn & The Farseekers

The Obernewtyn Chronicles #1-2

by Isobelle Carmody

New from acclaimed fantasy author Isobelle Carmody comes The Seeker, an omnibus edition of the first two books in the dystopian fantasy the Obernewtyn Chronicles—Obernewtyn and The Farseekers!

Discover the adventure! Elspeth Gordie has a secret: she's a Misfit, born with mental powers that would mean her death if discovered. But she's not alone, and her exile to the mysterious compound known as Obernewtyn is just the beginning....


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Childrens, Magic

Hardcover

First published July 26, 2011

About the author

Isobelle Carmody began the first novel of her highly acclaimed Obernewtyn Chronicles while she was still in high school. The series has established her at the forefront of fantasy writing in Australia.

In addition to her young-adult novels, such as the Obernewtyn Chronicles and Alyzon Whitestarr, Isobelle's published works include several middle-grade fantasies. Her still-unfinished Gateway Trilogy has been favorably compared to The Wizard of Oz and the Chronicles of Narnia. The Little Fur quartet is an eco-fantasy starring a half-elf, half-troll heroine and is fully illustrated by the author herself.

Isobelle's most recent picture book, Magic Night, is a collaboration with illustrator Declan Lee. Originally published in Australia as The Wrong Thing, the book features an ordinary housecat who stumbles upon something otherworldly. Across all her writing, Isobelle shows a talent for balancing the mundane and the fantastic.

Isobelle was the guest of honor at the 2007 Australian National Science Fiction Convention. She has received numerous honors for her writing, including multiple Aurealis Awards and Children's Book Council of Australia Awards.

She currently divides her time between her home on the Great Ocean Road in Australia and her travels abroad with her partner and daughter.

Librarian's note: Penguin Australia is publishing the Obernewtyn Chronicles in six books, and The Stone Key is book five. In the United States and Canada this series is published by Random House in eight books; this Penguin Australia book is split into two parts and published as Wavesong (Book Five) and The Stone Key (Book Six).

Reviews

[Luce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obernewtyn - 3/5 stars, The Farseekers - 4/5 stars

[Nanci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d read this 2-in-1 volume sometime around 2000/2001 but haven’t read the rest of the post-apocalyptic fantasy series despite having bought the books about a decade ago, so I’ve finally decided to complete it which meant I needed to reread this pair first. I enjoyed experiencing anew Elspeth Gordie’s journey from being a lonely wary orphan Misfit to talented guild leader after her transferral to the distant mountain workplace called Obernewtyn where she learned to trust other Misfits and helped defeat crazy Alexi and Madame Vega before they could use Elspeth’s considerable mental powers to find the Oldtimer’s hidden weapons. I love the cat Maruman and wish he’d been more prevalent in both books but understand the need for other characters to advance the stories. I like her interactions with fellow Misfits (Farseeker Matthew, blind Empath Dameon, poor Cameo, scowling Rushton who loves Elspeth but can’t express his feelings, former Herder acolyte Jik, wild Dragon, etc.), animals (such as Maruman, horses including Gahltha before and after his change to Guardian of ElspethInnle the Seeker who’s destined to save everyone, loyal dog Darga, and the mystical Agyllians/Guanette birds who healed Elspeth’s fire-scarred infected legs and confirmed that she’s destined to find and destroy the machines that caused the Great White), and others (I pictured Chris Hemsworth as the hearty Seditionist Brydda). Carmody’s done a good job of creating a world of cities and folks still coping with the changes wrought by a centuries-past cataclysm;
the narrative flows nicely, all characters are distinctive, the fanaticism of the Herders is understandable but I’m glad the Misfits and Seditionists are fighting their close-mindedness.

[Lee Bartholomew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an omnibus from the old SFBC book club which really doesn't exist anymore. The site now is overpriced and has retail sized hardcovers. Makes B&N look cheap. I do miss the size of SFBC and other book clubs I was members of .. They were smaller and fit shelves easier. Nevermind easier to handle. There isn't much more to say on this book. I left reviews for the other 2. I loved the first one more. But the second one is a great follow up for someone writing a book while in High School. I got hooked on book one of a 7 book series in High School and many of my handles (screenames) are based on it PatrynXX = well look up The Death Gate Cycle. If you happen on this set. It's a keeper. But you miss the first 2 covers which are helpful..But I like this cover better

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the story so far and I really wanted to read if there's a sequel of it.

[Sharil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Unique plot with lots of twists and turns. I loved the characters and look forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Kiara James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing series loved every minute of reading these books

[Jen.talty]

Obernewtyn review

book by: Jsovelle Carmody

Review by: Jennifer Talty

The book was very masterfully written, not only for its many different events but also for the human emotions that can be easily seen and felt while immersing yourself into the story. Unlike some novels, obernewtyn is very adventurous and keeps the reader on their toes as they continue on through the story, what with its mysteries, hidden secrets, and many intense moments, this book is a good read for those who wish to be immersed into the story itself.

[Annmarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was great loved it couldn't put it down its got everything in it I.I was completely swept up in it there's 7 books altogether it looks like I'm waiting on the 3 rd book now !I've been trying a lot of different types of book lately and now I've seen I've been missing a lot by only reading my regular genre !I loved that the animals were talking in it to I am hoping for some romance with her and the guy who loves her in the coming books. can't wait to read!!!!!!I'd definitely recommend this book and this book has book one and 2 in it

[Linda Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book was a little slow to start, but then the pace picked up as the characters, and their place in a post apocalyptic world where many have discovered latent psychic abilities, are developed. Some factions are striving to recover the "beforetime" technology to gain power and others realize that it would have the potential to finish destroying their world, and the last of humanity.

Over all I enjoyed both of the first two books and I am looking forward to finishing the series.

[Jennifer.talty · Rating 4 out of 5]

book by: Jsovelle Carmody

Review by: J

I found this book to be very interesting along with suspenseful due to the mysteries and also the plot line. Each character had their own personality which is a nice change to just bland characters who just show up and leave randomly within a novel. I would recommend this book to anyone in want of adventure and suspense!

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read and a mildly interesting story. I was considering continuing the series, but the combination of one-dimensional villians and the fact that it's not finished after 25 years changed my mind.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rereading this series on my nook, still loving them!

[Ikarus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netter Fantasy-Roman

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it so far can't wait to see what happens next

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good 2 book novel that I own and love. The originality is great.

[Lelly]

Love this series! Can't wait for the last book

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and want to read more. However I didn't find myself having a hard time leaving the world of the book. It was not one I daydreamed about.

[Tabitha Hitchcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! I think I've read the books 3 or 4 times over :) they are so well written as well.

[Arianna Centrella · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was cool and mystifying and it was spell binding

[Jemiah Devis]

awesome

[Lucyfer]

I really liked the way it treated psychic powers not just as a burden or a superpower, but for those who grew up with it simply as the way they perceive and interact with their environments.
And I loved all the small references to our present and the overall development of the story and the character (up until a point in the later books where I lost interest).