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Seventh City
“Let me tell you a story that happened so long ago that only the hills and rivers can remember the time . . . .”
All her life, thirteen-year-old Maki has heard tales of the legendary city of gold, buried deep in the northern frontier. But when her village is burned and her brother captured by cruel invaders, the legend becomes desperately real.
Armed with a wolf-dog and a heart of courage, Maki sets out on a journey that will demand all her strength and cunning. She is determined to bring her brother home at all costs. Yet as her quest leads her deep into a wilderness of ancient dangers, Maki realizes that even for her, some prices are too high to pay.
All her life, thirteen-year-old Maki has heard tales of the legendary city of gold, buried deep in the northern frontier. But when her village is burned and her brother captured by cruel invaders, the legend becomes desperately real.
Armed with a wolf-dog and a heart of courage, Maki sets out on a journey that will demand all her strength and cunning. She is determined to bring her brother home at all costs. Yet as her quest leads her deep into a wilderness of ancient dangers, Maki realizes that even for her, some prices are too high to pay.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2019
9 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Emily Hayse
13 books148 followersEMILY HAYSE is a lover of log cabins, strong coffee, NASCAR, and the smell of old books. Her writing is fueled by good characters and a lifelong passion for storytelling. When she is not busy turning words into worlds, she can often be found baking, singing, or caring for one of the many dogs and horses in her life. A native of Michigan, she currently resides in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 25, 2025
(new review)
Why isn't everyone reading this book? And why isn't Hayse world-famous?
(original review)
Adventure is one of those sadly neglected genres that slips through the cracks of publishing. Adventure stories for boys and girls used to make up the bulk of publishing but, nowadays, they are scarce.
Enter Emily Hayse, author of Seventh City. At last, not only a sweeping adventure story—but one without sex, language, or excessive violence!
The author's spare writing style is well suited to the stark setting of this novel, creating a perfect setting for this gem of a story, where the wild and untamed landscapes our protagonist travel through is as much a character as the main cast.
And speaking of the main cast . . . Maki is a plucky and realistic heroine with a highly relatable attachment to her older brother—a bond that forms the crux of this story as the siblings fight to survive and stay together. Yet another unique element of this book is the fact that Maki is not only the one female in the cast, but also considerably younger than the rest of the characters, allowing us to explore more unique and subtle relationships that, for once, have nothing to do with romance!
Aside from satisfying my yearning for an adventure novel, I was craving some “frontier / flintlock fantasy.” Seventh City's general vibe is reminiscent of Last of the Mohicans, Pocahontas, and Ice Age – and it’s a combination that I am gobbling up!
A frigid and fascinating journey with a magical world where the minutiae of the journey is carefully cataloged, as if we are reading the log of great explorers—only this time it is a young explorer struggling with forgiveness, fear, and growing up. A captivating and thoughtful read culminating in a bittersweet ending; I highly recommend this historical fantasy novel.
Why isn't everyone reading this book? And why isn't Hayse world-famous?
(original review)
Adventure is one of those sadly neglected genres that slips through the cracks of publishing. Adventure stories for boys and girls used to make up the bulk of publishing but, nowadays, they are scarce.
Enter Emily Hayse, author of Seventh City. At last, not only a sweeping adventure story—but one without sex, language, or excessive violence!
The author's spare writing style is well suited to the stark setting of this novel, creating a perfect setting for this gem of a story, where the wild and untamed landscapes our protagonist travel through is as much a character as the main cast.
And speaking of the main cast . . . Maki is a plucky and realistic heroine with a highly relatable attachment to her older brother—a bond that forms the crux of this story as the siblings fight to survive and stay together. Yet another unique element of this book is the fact that Maki is not only the one female in the cast, but also considerably younger than the rest of the characters, allowing us to explore more unique and subtle relationships that, for once, have nothing to do with romance!
Aside from satisfying my yearning for an adventure novel, I was craving some “frontier / flintlock fantasy.” Seventh City's general vibe is reminiscent of Last of the Mohicans, Pocahontas, and Ice Age – and it’s a combination that I am gobbling up!
A frigid and fascinating journey with a magical world where the minutiae of the journey is carefully cataloged, as if we are reading the log of great explorers—only this time it is a young explorer struggling with forgiveness, fear, and growing up. A captivating and thoughtful read culminating in a bittersweet ending; I highly recommend this historical fantasy novel.
August 23, 2021
Books aren't written like this anymore. The YA genre and even Adult genre used to be filled with books written only with the adventure of Man Against Nature, Man against Man, and Man against Himself. They were rich with culture, history, and environment.
Seventh City is such a story.
I've seen it called a fantasy, but I would say that it is not. It is closer to historical fiction, but as places and people have been called slightly different things, it probably can't be called that either (even if the language used throughout the book is real, Inuit language). I guess it would fall into the Adventure/Treasure Hunting/Survival Fiction genre? Perhaps there are more of these around than I realize, but I haven't read them. The only book I can compare it to would be Jubal Sackett by Louis L'amour.
I was first drawn to the story by the idea of the heroine out to save her elder brother. Many a story has lured me in with that premise before only to have that brother be a jerk, be distant, or hardly be even a part of the story besides as a mercurial motivation. Happily, this story firmly sets the older brother as an admirable and important figure.
I was deeply fascinated by the detail of the Arctic environment, the culture of the native people, and the lifestyle of surviving the land. Our heroine was easy to root for, I deeply appreciated her young but tough character.
Content: Violence, particularly Man against Man and Man against Nature. Most of it is not graphic, and I am happy to say that all named and prominent animals survived (not counting predators). There is NO sexual content. Our heroine is thirteen, and while she has natural longings of wanting to be admired by the one she admires, nothing romantic is brought up. Any danger of being a female surrounded by males is immediately squashed by a particularly good-hearted fellow in the company. All language is mainly a twist on a "son of a devil" sort of thing. There is a strong message of making peace instead of war, with a very complicated and sometimes uncomfortably realistic portrayal of humanity and the good and bad on both sides of a conflict.
Review before Reading:
Me -casually glances at book-
Book: BROTHER CAPTURED BY CRUEL INVADERS.
Me -sits up- WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY?
Seventh City is such a story.
I've seen it called a fantasy, but I would say that it is not. It is closer to historical fiction, but as places and people have been called slightly different things, it probably can't be called that either (even if the language used throughout the book is real, Inuit language). I guess it would fall into the Adventure/Treasure Hunting/Survival Fiction genre? Perhaps there are more of these around than I realize, but I haven't read them. The only book I can compare it to would be Jubal Sackett by Louis L'amour.
I was first drawn to the story by the idea of the heroine out to save her elder brother. Many a story has lured me in with that premise before only to have that brother be a jerk, be distant, or hardly be even a part of the story besides as a mercurial motivation. Happily, this story firmly sets the older brother as an admirable and important figure.
I was deeply fascinated by the detail of the Arctic environment, the culture of the native people, and the lifestyle of surviving the land. Our heroine was easy to root for, I deeply appreciated her young but tough character.
Content: Violence, particularly Man against Man and Man against Nature. Most of it is not graphic, and I am happy to say that all named and prominent animals survived (not counting predators). There is NO sexual content. Our heroine is thirteen, and while she has natural longings of wanting to be admired by the one she admires, nothing romantic is brought up. Any danger of being a female surrounded by males is immediately squashed by a particularly good-hearted fellow in the company. All language is mainly a twist on a "son of a devil" sort of thing. There is a strong message of making peace instead of war, with a very complicated and sometimes uncomfortably realistic portrayal of humanity and the good and bad on both sides of a conflict.
Review before Reading:
Me -casually glances at book-
Book: BROTHER CAPTURED BY CRUEL INVADERS.
Me -sits up- WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY?
September 19, 2019
This book!!
It's an Alaskan-inspired fantasy that is just brilliant as far as worldbuilding. The characters are all amazing, and Maki is such a little ball of fire that's so loyal to family and her heritage. I could not put this book down!
From the wild landscapes and perilous moments where you weren't sure if they were going to survive (hello new fear of orcas, I see you. XD), the legends and culture, the characters, and just everything!
I love Emily Hayse's writing style in this one (a bit different from Crowning Heaven) but it flows so effortlessly and absolutely pulls you in to the story and refuses to let go.
You start to care about all the characters who all come from different backgrounds. Rutter and Ransom were probably my favorites, seconded by Jeremiah and Willow. I adore sibling stories, and loved Maki's drive to save her brother Tsanu who was also pretty epic.
So good, and as I kind of anticipated from the end of Crowning Heaven, the ending was a bit sad in places, but leaves you with this bittersweet feeling that makes everything still feel complete.
Highly recommended! I received an eARC from the author for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
(But you know I'm buying my own paperback when it comes out because I loved it and also THAT COVER!)
It's an Alaskan-inspired fantasy that is just brilliant as far as worldbuilding. The characters are all amazing, and Maki is such a little ball of fire that's so loyal to family and her heritage. I could not put this book down!
From the wild landscapes and perilous moments where you weren't sure if they were going to survive (hello new fear of orcas, I see you. XD), the legends and culture, the characters, and just everything!
I love Emily Hayse's writing style in this one (a bit different from Crowning Heaven) but it flows so effortlessly and absolutely pulls you in to the story and refuses to let go.
You start to care about all the characters who all come from different backgrounds. Rutter and Ransom were probably my favorites, seconded by Jeremiah and Willow. I adore sibling stories, and loved Maki's drive to save her brother Tsanu who was also pretty epic.
So good, and as I kind of anticipated from the end of Crowning Heaven, the ending was a bit sad in places, but leaves you with this bittersweet feeling that makes everything still feel complete.
Highly recommended! I received an eARC from the author for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
(But you know I'm buying my own paperback when it comes out because I loved it and also THAT COVER!)
January 6, 2024
Crisp writing. Dazzling storytelling. Engaging characters. A heart-racing quest for a legendary city.
This book was a rare and precious find. The fact that I was moved to tears 18% in is saying something.
Something that struck home to me was the theme of it not being our responsibility to take on all the world's problems. Maki tries so hard to hold everything together and save the people she loves. But no matter how fierce, determined, and recklessly brave she is in her effort to reclaim her reeling world, there's not much that's within her control.
I adore Maki. She's a feisty yet lovable little heroine who's quick-witted and adept at the skills needed to survive in the fierce and wild land of her heritage.
Tsanu and Willow are the other two characters who stole my heart. Tsanu, Maki's older brother. Willow, who becomes as dear as an older brother.
Honestly, I liked every one of the main side characters (to varying degrees). Even the villain I came to respect -- just a bit -- by the end. I appreciated him for being a well-rounded character with clear motivation and a satisfying conclusion.
(The fact that I'm tempted to pepper this review with quotes means that I really, really enjoyed the writing style. Spare, poignant prose is my favorite.)
I wasn't sure I would like this book. I'm wary of fantasy, and there wasn't much about the cover or description that appealed to me. But a friend whose taste I respect spoke highly of the book, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did.
The fantasy elements didn't bother me like I thought they might -- that's coming from a realistic, real-world loving gal. The story read very much like a historical adventure about famous explorers on a dangerous expedition. I didn't blink at the appearance of wild beasts that don't exist in our real world because it fit so naturally into the story and the texture of the landscape. Striking out into a wild, unknown territory involves encountering dangers you didn't know existed. In a tiny, odd way, discovering the existence of unknown creatures added a feeling of believability to the story.
As far as the legends ... I was pleased with how all that was resolved and tied up so neatly at the end. And that it never got dark or creepy.
So, to my fellow no-magic, fantasy-wary readers who enjoy a solid adventure with deep themes and meaningful characters: You might like this book. You may even love it. It might be worth giving it a shot, at any rate.
And to those who do like fantasy ... but with a historical Alaskan mash-up -- what are you waiting for?
This book was a rare and precious find. The fact that I was moved to tears 18% in is saying something.
Something that struck home to me was the theme of it not being our responsibility to take on all the world's problems. Maki tries so hard to hold everything together and save the people she loves. But no matter how fierce, determined, and recklessly brave she is in her effort to reclaim her reeling world, there's not much that's within her control.
"I have come to believe that however hard we try, we can never know much about what will happen, or what will come of it."
I adore Maki. She's a feisty yet lovable little heroine who's quick-witted and adept at the skills needed to survive in the fierce and wild land of her heritage.
Tsanu and Willow are the other two characters who stole my heart. Tsanu, Maki's older brother. Willow, who becomes as dear as an older brother.
Honestly, I liked every one of the main side characters (to varying degrees). Even the villain I came to respect -- just a bit -- by the end. I appreciated him for being a well-rounded character with clear motivation and a satisfying conclusion.
"You may speak of madness, but are not all brilliant men a bit touched?"
(The fact that I'm tempted to pepper this review with quotes means that I really, really enjoyed the writing style. Spare, poignant prose is my favorite.)
I wasn't sure I would like this book. I'm wary of fantasy, and there wasn't much about the cover or description that appealed to me. But a friend whose taste I respect spoke highly of the book, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did.
The fantasy elements didn't bother me like I thought they might -- that's coming from a realistic, real-world loving gal. The story read very much like a historical adventure about famous explorers on a dangerous expedition. I didn't blink at the appearance of wild beasts that don't exist in our real world because it fit so naturally into the story and the texture of the landscape. Striking out into a wild, unknown territory involves encountering dangers you didn't know existed. In a tiny, odd way, discovering the existence of unknown creatures added a feeling of believability to the story.
As far as the legends ... I was pleased with how all that was resolved and tied up so neatly at the end. And that it never got dark or creepy.
So, to my fellow no-magic, fantasy-wary readers who enjoy a solid adventure with deep themes and meaningful characters: You might like this book. You may even love it. It might be worth giving it a shot, at any rate.
And to those who do like fantasy ... but with a historical Alaskan mash-up -- what are you waiting for?
March 5, 2023
I loved this book so much!!! Hayse is a brilliant writer. Looking forward to more from her!
November 16, 2019
4.5 up to 5. Very impressed! I had a bit of a hiatus halfway through to get some other books in (also I lost the paperback oops), but I finished the rest in about two days, which for me is pretty fast.
What strikes me most about this book is just how confident the author is with her writing style. First-person, present tense; an almost bare-bones narrative where nothing is developed a single word more than it needs to be. Not the sort of writing I'm typically drawn to, but it works so well for this story and this protagonist.
The characters are fantastic. Maki is an instant favorite, and while the "Big 4" of Willow, Ransom, Drucker, and Rutter overlapped a bit at first in my head, they each fall nicely into their own role as unique counterparts to Maki by the last 2/3rds.
The story is marketed as a minimalistic fantasy (which is what first got my attention, since that's also what I write), but honestly, most of it felt like a "regular" Native-American adventure story. Aside from the fictional setting and language, of course. The few fantasy elements don't really show up until the last few chapters. But it's fine. The story certainly didn't need anything added to it, especially not another run-of-the-mill magic system or anything more 'traditional' fantasy.
All in all, this is just a solid product. In a genre over-saturated with trilogies about convoluted magic systems and shirtless assassins, The Seventh City is a breath of crisp, fresh, clean air.
Oh, and those last few lines? Perfection.
What strikes me most about this book is just how confident the author is with her writing style. First-person, present tense; an almost bare-bones narrative where nothing is developed a single word more than it needs to be. Not the sort of writing I'm typically drawn to, but it works so well for this story and this protagonist.
The characters are fantastic. Maki is an instant favorite, and while the "Big 4" of Willow, Ransom, Drucker, and Rutter overlapped a bit at first in my head, they each fall nicely into their own role as unique counterparts to Maki by the last 2/3rds.
The story is marketed as a minimalistic fantasy (which is what first got my attention, since that's also what I write), but honestly, most of it felt like a "regular" Native-American adventure story. Aside from the fictional setting and language, of course. The few fantasy elements don't really show up until the last few chapters. But it's fine. The story certainly didn't need anything added to it, especially not another run-of-the-mill magic system or anything more 'traditional' fantasy.
All in all, this is just a solid product. In a genre over-saturated with trilogies about convoluted magic systems and shirtless assassins, The Seventh City is a breath of crisp, fresh, clean air.
Oh, and those last few lines? Perfection.
August 3, 2021
(4.5 stars, rounded up to 5)
If you're looking for a gripping story of adventure and survival, look no further than Seventh City.
First off, I love Hayse's style of writing. It has an almost timeless feel to it. Her writing is gripping and immersive.
I really enjoyed Maki's POV. She has such a firey spirit and no-nonsense attitude. She made a wonderful narrator for the story, helping to set the tone. Having Maki as the POV character was also a great way to create an immersive feel for the setting, as Hayse sprinkles words from Maki's language throughout the story.
The worldbuilding was great. Like several other reviews have noted, Seventh City is an Alaskan-inspired fantasy and it has a wonderful "last frontier" feel. You could also tell while reading that Hayse knows so much more about the world than is explored in the novel. (If you want to read stories set in the world of Seventh City, check out The Rivers Lead Home! An excellent companion to Seventh City!) The cultural aspect of the worldbuilding was also really nicely done.
The rest of the characters in the story were great. While Maki travels with a large group of soldiers, Hayse focuses on a key group of them. And even though these characters don't have a large amount of time on the page, you fall in love with them anyway because of Hayse's skill as a writer. I loved the sibling relationship between Maki and Tsanu, even though they don't get to be together much during the story. I love siblings in stories.
The plot is well done, balancing the search for the Seventh City and Maki's plan to rescue Tsanu with the simple need to survive the wilderness. Everything is paced nicely, and the tension mounts well over the course of the story.
The ending feels the tiniest bit abrupt, but I think that mainly because I wanted to stay with Maki and the others. I didn't want to have to end their story yet! But the ending is nice.
Overall, Seventh City is a fabulous novel! Emily Hayse is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
Cautions: ten instances of a British swear word; brief, non-graphic, moderate violence
If you're looking for a gripping story of adventure and survival, look no further than Seventh City.
First off, I love Hayse's style of writing. It has an almost timeless feel to it. Her writing is gripping and immersive.
I really enjoyed Maki's POV. She has such a firey spirit and no-nonsense attitude. She made a wonderful narrator for the story, helping to set the tone. Having Maki as the POV character was also a great way to create an immersive feel for the setting, as Hayse sprinkles words from Maki's language throughout the story.
The worldbuilding was great. Like several other reviews have noted, Seventh City is an Alaskan-inspired fantasy and it has a wonderful "last frontier" feel. You could also tell while reading that Hayse knows so much more about the world than is explored in the novel. (If you want to read stories set in the world of Seventh City, check out The Rivers Lead Home! An excellent companion to Seventh City!) The cultural aspect of the worldbuilding was also really nicely done.
The rest of the characters in the story were great. While Maki travels with a large group of soldiers, Hayse focuses on a key group of them. And even though these characters don't have a large amount of time on the page, you fall in love with them anyway because of Hayse's skill as a writer. I loved the sibling relationship between Maki and Tsanu, even though they don't get to be together much during the story. I love siblings in stories.
The plot is well done, balancing the search for the Seventh City and Maki's plan to rescue Tsanu with the simple need to survive the wilderness. Everything is paced nicely, and the tension mounts well over the course of the story.
The ending feels the tiniest bit abrupt, but I think that mainly because I wanted to stay with Maki and the others. I didn't want to have to end their story yet! But the ending is nice.
Overall, Seventh City is a fabulous novel! Emily Hayse is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
Cautions: ten instances of a British swear word; brief, non-graphic, moderate violence
August 18, 2022
absolutely gorgeous // completely gripping // Maki is such a dear, fierce little wolf cub // it takes a lot to make me fall in love with a story told in 1st-person, but this one absolutely swept me away // and THAT ENDING! // *sobbing* but in a good way... but also so heartbroken... oh man... all the feels with this one, y'all // I'd give it 6 stars if GR allowed it // highly recommend
July 11, 2021
4.4
An excellent read. You can tell the author executed her vision with great skill and care.
I started one of her other books and could not finish it, so I was pleasantly surprised by this one.
It is first-person present tense, which is not my favorite, and in this case, did raise some irritations for me. Maki's people live in the northern lands of a fantasy world that much resembles our world, and mirrors the colonization of America. She hates the "Invaders" for taking over the land, treating her people poorly, and stealing their resources. While her feelings are understandable, I did not enjoy being stuck in her highly prejudiced POV.
I will also say that if I had known this is basically a fantasized Western, with many of the Western tropes and characterizations, I probably would not have picked it up.
BUT for all that, I really enjoyed this read, and that is saying a lot. The setting was gorgeous, vivid, and moving. As winter slowly set in, I found myself needing a blanket, even though it is the middle of summer, because I could just *feel* the cold. The worldbuilding was meticulous and immersive. The pacing was impeccable. The tension (which I found sorely lacking in her other book) saturated every page and Maki's motivations were so incredibly realistic and relatable. Not only did I love the brother-sister bond but I loved the man vs nature themes.
My only other qualms were that the Captain felt a little one-dimensional to me and I wanted more out of the climax/ending. Not more action or higher stakes, but more meaning, perhaps. The author had foreshadowed some wonderful questions about faith and the nature of what we believe in, and I really wanted to see some of those come into play in the climax.
Overall though, I was very impressed by this book. If the premise intrigues you at all, you should pick it up. I am glad I took a chance on it.
An excellent read. You can tell the author executed her vision with great skill and care.
I started one of her other books and could not finish it, so I was pleasantly surprised by this one.
It is first-person present tense, which is not my favorite, and in this case, did raise some irritations for me. Maki's people live in the northern lands of a fantasy world that much resembles our world, and mirrors the colonization of America. She hates the "Invaders" for taking over the land, treating her people poorly, and stealing their resources. While her feelings are understandable, I did not enjoy being stuck in her highly prejudiced POV.
I will also say that if I had known this is basically a fantasized Western, with many of the Western tropes and characterizations, I probably would not have picked it up.
BUT for all that, I really enjoyed this read, and that is saying a lot. The setting was gorgeous, vivid, and moving. As winter slowly set in, I found myself needing a blanket, even though it is the middle of summer, because I could just *feel* the cold. The worldbuilding was meticulous and immersive. The pacing was impeccable. The tension (which I found sorely lacking in her other book) saturated every page and Maki's motivations were so incredibly realistic and relatable. Not only did I love the brother-sister bond but I loved the man vs nature themes.
My only other qualms were that the Captain felt a little one-dimensional to me and I wanted more out of the climax/ending. Not more action or higher stakes, but more meaning, perhaps. The author had foreshadowed some wonderful questions about faith and the nature of what we believe in, and I really wanted to see some of those come into play in the climax.
Overall though, I was very impressed by this book. If the premise intrigues you at all, you should pick it up. I am glad I took a chance on it.
January 13, 2021
This is exactly my kind of book! I've always been drawn to Native culture so the Alaskan Fantasy aspect alone had me falling in love. Pair the vibrant setting with themes of forgiveness, throw in a thirteen-year-old-girl capable of sending grown men to the hospital, and really, what more can one ask for? ;)
I absolutely love Maki! She's brave and loyal, if a bit hotheaded and too stubborn for her own good; but she's got a will of iron, a heart of gold, and a wolf to back her up. And then there's Willow: kind, honorable, and protective. The surrogate-sibling relationship the two of them build is probably my favorite thing aside from the actual sibling relationship.
I absolutely love Maki! She's brave and loyal, if a bit hotheaded and too stubborn for her own good; but she's got a will of iron, a heart of gold, and a wolf to back her up. And then there's Willow: kind, honorable, and protective. The surrogate-sibling relationship the two of them build is probably my favorite thing aside from the actual sibling relationship.
April 23, 2020
A little slow to start but once it gets going, it doesn't stop. I could hardly put it down. Fantastic worldbuilding. Engaging characters. A beautiful adventure.
December 31, 2020
This unique fantasy adventure, Seventh City by Emily Hayse, is beautiful, vibrant, and alive. The story, land, characters, themes, and legends are vivid and compelling. It’s an engaging tale of love and hate, death and life, hostility and forgiveness, friends and enemies, brothers and sisters, wonder and fear, wildness and peace.
When Maki’s older brother is captured by the cruel Invaders she hates with her whole being, she’s desperate to save his life. Her drive to protect her brother and avenge the wrongs against her people takes her on a dangerous journey with the soldiers she despises. Alone among many, there’s no one she can trust with her heavy secrets. Maki faces tyranny, treachery, and hostility from her enemies as she navigates the many perils and terrors of her beautiful yet savage homeland.
But she may not be friendless after all. Maki finds that her enemies are human too. She is forced to rethink everything she believes about her friends and enemies--and about the love and hate in her own heart.
This is a story all of us need. But some of us need it even more than most. It’s for those who are burdened by the weight of the world’s hate. It’s for the girl who wants to be the best woman she can be, but who struggles to fit into the different molds presented by her culture. It’s for the ones who must let go of bitterness before it destroys them. It’s for the person who thinks they have to save everyone, who struggles to let go of the impossible burden to protect their loved ones. And it’s for all of us who strive to let go of prejudice and see others with eyes of love, instead of with the views of our respective cultures.
The profound and beautiful themes of this novel made me think deeply and soothed my weary soul in a world burdened by hate. That part of the world is not new--it’s true all the time, not just this year--but this was a very timely read for me. I think it will be for every other reader, as well.
As much as I loved the themes, I usually love the characters and relationships of a book the most, and this was no exception. There were so many wonderful characters that I adored--and a few that I despised. But even the twisted antagonist was fascinating and real, and I understood him in the end. He was the exception, however. Most of the main characters were people I loved, often with great affection. Each was unique, interesting, human, and alive. I especially loved Maki’s brother, Tsanu, and her surrogate brother, Willow--who each had a different type of sweetness.
That brings me to the relationships--there were so many that I loved, especially Maki’s relationships with several of the male characters. Most of them were platonic brother-sister friendships, between Maki and each of several young men who fiercely and affectionately cared for and protected her, in a brotherly way. There were also two older men whom I loved, who looked out for Maki and their soldiers in a wonderful way. But Maki’s relationship with her brother, Tsanu, was the most important. They were such a wonderful sibling pair, and I loved Tsanu’s steady, quiet strength, and the way both Maki and Tsanu powerfully protected and cared for each other against all odds. I only wish they had been together for more of the book--it was sad to see them separated.
I was overcome with so many beautiful emotions while reading Seventh City--wonder, fear, peace, grief, joy, hope, and so much more. It made me laugh and want to cry in so many scenes and moments. My heart was filled with warm and good feelings. I was often afraid when bad things happened, and riveted by the action and terrifying danger. But through it all, I had an overwhelming sense of hope, as I expected and longed for good things and a good ending, even when so much was wrong.
My steady hope was rewarded by an ending that was better than anything I could have imagined. The climax captivated and surprised me with its action and intensity. I knew the book was building toward an explosion, but I couldn’t predict exactly what would happen. But I did hope for one thing, and I was warmly satisfied when it ended in the way I had longed for. I was so pleased when the final battle brought reconciliation and forgiveness instead of more hate and division.
And then came a wonderful, beautiful epilogue that filled me with joy, peace, hope, and warmth. The ending was so beautiful that I nearly cried with happiness--that’s unusual for me, and it’s no exaggeration. I loved it so much. The best endings hold a promise for the future, giving the reader a sense of what’s to come and what the characters’ new life looks like, without spelling everything out. This one was exactly that--it allowed me to imagine for myself what was next, while clearly confirming my hopes yet still leaving it open to my imagination and desires.
The setting of Seventh City was unique, fascinating, and gloriously beautiful. I’ve never seen a fantasy novel inspired by the Alaskan culture and landscape. That basis gave this novel a rich and living quality. The author captured the wild and savage quality of the land, its animals, and its people, while showing the warm and beautiful harmony between the people and their land. I loved hearing Maki talk about her beloved country and its flow of life, as the people relied on the land to provide their food and help them through the harsh winters. I can see why some of the other characters fell in love with the land as well, despite its cruelty.
Emily Hayse has a writing style that’s skilled, powerful, and beautiful. The vivid first-person narration brought Maki to life. Maki’s voice felt so real that it seemed as if Maki, rather than the author, was telling the story moment by moment, as it happened. It’s written in first-person present tense, and it was so natural that it took me several pages to realize that I was not reading past tense. I don’t usually read books in present tense, but when it’s done well, it’s powerful and immediate, and it draws me into the story.
The writing style and descriptions reminded me at the beginning of Rosemary Sutcliff, a favorite author shared by me and Emily Hayse. That comparison is an incredible compliment coming from me, since I’ve spent half my life searching, mostly in vain, for books that remind me of Sutcliff’s writing. But I quickly forgot that comparison as I began to enjoy Seventh City for its own totally unique writing and story. Later on, some of the legends, creatures, and events reminded me of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, but only in a small way.
I’m now a dedicated fan of Emily Hayse, and I can’t wait to read more of her work and follow her promising career as an author.
I’m hard pressed to find anything I didn’t love about Seventh City. Seventh City isn’t the style or genre that I normally read, so it wasn’t quite five stars. But it won me over completely, and toward the end of the book, it moved me so much that I slipped unconsciously from four stars to 4.5 stars.
Seventh City is perfect for fans of engaging adventures, rich worlds, deep themes, and fascinating characters. It falls on the border between middle grade and young adult fiction, with more violence and intensity than most middle-grade novels. It’s perfect for preteens, teens, and adults who enjoy wonderful stories and characters.
When Maki’s older brother is captured by the cruel Invaders she hates with her whole being, she’s desperate to save his life. Her drive to protect her brother and avenge the wrongs against her people takes her on a dangerous journey with the soldiers she despises. Alone among many, there’s no one she can trust with her heavy secrets. Maki faces tyranny, treachery, and hostility from her enemies as she navigates the many perils and terrors of her beautiful yet savage homeland.
But she may not be friendless after all. Maki finds that her enemies are human too. She is forced to rethink everything she believes about her friends and enemies--and about the love and hate in her own heart.
This is a story all of us need. But some of us need it even more than most. It’s for those who are burdened by the weight of the world’s hate. It’s for the girl who wants to be the best woman she can be, but who struggles to fit into the different molds presented by her culture. It’s for the ones who must let go of bitterness before it destroys them. It’s for the person who thinks they have to save everyone, who struggles to let go of the impossible burden to protect their loved ones. And it’s for all of us who strive to let go of prejudice and see others with eyes of love, instead of with the views of our respective cultures.
The profound and beautiful themes of this novel made me think deeply and soothed my weary soul in a world burdened by hate. That part of the world is not new--it’s true all the time, not just this year--but this was a very timely read for me. I think it will be for every other reader, as well.
As much as I loved the themes, I usually love the characters and relationships of a book the most, and this was no exception. There were so many wonderful characters that I adored--and a few that I despised. But even the twisted antagonist was fascinating and real, and I understood him in the end. He was the exception, however. Most of the main characters were people I loved, often with great affection. Each was unique, interesting, human, and alive. I especially loved Maki’s brother, Tsanu, and her surrogate brother, Willow--who each had a different type of sweetness.
That brings me to the relationships--there were so many that I loved, especially Maki’s relationships with several of the male characters. Most of them were platonic brother-sister friendships, between Maki and each of several young men who fiercely and affectionately cared for and protected her, in a brotherly way. There were also two older men whom I loved, who looked out for Maki and their soldiers in a wonderful way. But Maki’s relationship with her brother, Tsanu, was the most important. They were such a wonderful sibling pair, and I loved Tsanu’s steady, quiet strength, and the way both Maki and Tsanu powerfully protected and cared for each other against all odds. I only wish they had been together for more of the book--it was sad to see them separated.
I was overcome with so many beautiful emotions while reading Seventh City--wonder, fear, peace, grief, joy, hope, and so much more. It made me laugh and want to cry in so many scenes and moments. My heart was filled with warm and good feelings. I was often afraid when bad things happened, and riveted by the action and terrifying danger. But through it all, I had an overwhelming sense of hope, as I expected and longed for good things and a good ending, even when so much was wrong.
My steady hope was rewarded by an ending that was better than anything I could have imagined. The climax captivated and surprised me with its action and intensity. I knew the book was building toward an explosion, but I couldn’t predict exactly what would happen. But I did hope for one thing, and I was warmly satisfied when it ended in the way I had longed for. I was so pleased when the final battle brought reconciliation and forgiveness instead of more hate and division.
And then came a wonderful, beautiful epilogue that filled me with joy, peace, hope, and warmth. The ending was so beautiful that I nearly cried with happiness--that’s unusual for me, and it’s no exaggeration. I loved it so much. The best endings hold a promise for the future, giving the reader a sense of what’s to come and what the characters’ new life looks like, without spelling everything out. This one was exactly that--it allowed me to imagine for myself what was next, while clearly confirming my hopes yet still leaving it open to my imagination and desires.
The setting of Seventh City was unique, fascinating, and gloriously beautiful. I’ve never seen a fantasy novel inspired by the Alaskan culture and landscape. That basis gave this novel a rich and living quality. The author captured the wild and savage quality of the land, its animals, and its people, while showing the warm and beautiful harmony between the people and their land. I loved hearing Maki talk about her beloved country and its flow of life, as the people relied on the land to provide their food and help them through the harsh winters. I can see why some of the other characters fell in love with the land as well, despite its cruelty.
Emily Hayse has a writing style that’s skilled, powerful, and beautiful. The vivid first-person narration brought Maki to life. Maki’s voice felt so real that it seemed as if Maki, rather than the author, was telling the story moment by moment, as it happened. It’s written in first-person present tense, and it was so natural that it took me several pages to realize that I was not reading past tense. I don’t usually read books in present tense, but when it’s done well, it’s powerful and immediate, and it draws me into the story.
The writing style and descriptions reminded me at the beginning of Rosemary Sutcliff, a favorite author shared by me and Emily Hayse. That comparison is an incredible compliment coming from me, since I’ve spent half my life searching, mostly in vain, for books that remind me of Sutcliff’s writing. But I quickly forgot that comparison as I began to enjoy Seventh City for its own totally unique writing and story. Later on, some of the legends, creatures, and events reminded me of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, but only in a small way.
I’m now a dedicated fan of Emily Hayse, and I can’t wait to read more of her work and follow her promising career as an author.
I’m hard pressed to find anything I didn’t love about Seventh City. Seventh City isn’t the style or genre that I normally read, so it wasn’t quite five stars. But it won me over completely, and toward the end of the book, it moved me so much that I slipped unconsciously from four stars to 4.5 stars.
Seventh City is perfect for fans of engaging adventures, rich worlds, deep themes, and fascinating characters. It falls on the border between middle grade and young adult fiction, with more violence and intensity than most middle-grade novels. It’s perfect for preteens, teens, and adults who enjoy wonderful stories and characters.
October 7, 2019
My favorite read of the year.
Maki's matter-of-fact yet perceptive narration pulls you in and doesn't let go. It took me half the book, HALF THE BOOK, to realize that this novel is written in present tense. Ordinarily, I notice because I prefer past tense over present. When a book can make the tense invisible and fit the story like a glove, that's one good book.
I LOVE Alaskan culture and using it in fantasy was so unique and delightful. I adored how Maki's straightforward narration fit it, and the appropriate similes that cropped up occasionally. I loved seeing the contrasts between Maki's culture and that of the Invaders. And I loved seeing Maki paint those contrasts and then gradually, ever so gradually, come to the realization that they're not so different under it all.
I love Maki so much. Her spirit and her loyalty and her love. I don't know that I've seen many portrayals quite so accurate of a thirteen-year-old protagonist. You feel Maki's toughness, her pride in who she is, and at the same time her just-beginning adolescence.
And oh my goodness, I love Tsanu. All that fire like Maki under the surface, but with such an adorable older-brother love and protectiveness. I loved his fierce pride after the attack at the beginning, and his stupid way of wanting to do his own thing and not accept help (but you still love him for it)
... and Willow. WILLOW IS PRECIOUS AND HE NEEDS A HUG.
And JEREMIAH. And all of them. Gah! Emily Hayes draws her characters with such fineness that you instantly know how human they are, but there's so much more to be discovered under the surface. None of it ever betrays your first impression of a character. It only unfolds and deepens them.
And Captain Innes. Oh, how I knew I was going to hate Captain Innes. I knew exactly what he was like from the first moment I saw him. And yet Emily Hayse wouldn't even let me quite hate him by the end.
Hayse writes with an eminent understanding of humanity, and that's what makes her novel so utterly captivating. We see people with lives that extend far beyond what we see on the page. We see people who are bursting with life, vivid and dynamic and broken and beautiful.
Then there's just enough language nerdiness, woven seamlessly yet shamelessly into the story. I AM HERE FOR THE LANGUAGE NERDINESS. And oh, I love it when the author goes an extra mile to write some actually decent rhymage so her character can sing a folk song from his homeland.
True to form, I'm obsessing too much over the characters and the themes and minor details to remember to discuss the plot. Well, here's what you need to know.
Maki's brother was taken by the Invaders? Well, Maki's going to get him back. Even if it means disguising as a horse-boy.
The fantasy element is pretty small, which might disappoint some people, but I loved it. I loved the gritty days on the trail and the slow nights and songs under the stars and the faces of people who love each other but don't know it yet. I loved the utter, clearsighted humanity of this book.
TL;DR: Seventh City touched all my happy spots. I'm still trying to process it and I need to reread. I apologize for the incoherence of this review.
Maki's matter-of-fact yet perceptive narration pulls you in and doesn't let go. It took me half the book, HALF THE BOOK, to realize that this novel is written in present tense. Ordinarily, I notice because I prefer past tense over present. When a book can make the tense invisible and fit the story like a glove, that's one good book.
I LOVE Alaskan culture and using it in fantasy was so unique and delightful. I adored how Maki's straightforward narration fit it, and the appropriate similes that cropped up occasionally. I loved seeing the contrasts between Maki's culture and that of the Invaders. And I loved seeing Maki paint those contrasts and then gradually, ever so gradually, come to the realization that they're not so different under it all.
I love Maki so much. Her spirit and her loyalty and her love. I don't know that I've seen many portrayals quite so accurate of a thirteen-year-old protagonist. You feel Maki's toughness, her pride in who she is, and at the same time her just-beginning adolescence.
And oh my goodness, I love Tsanu. All that fire like Maki under the surface, but with such an adorable older-brother love and protectiveness. I loved his fierce pride after the attack at the beginning, and his stupid way of wanting to do his own thing and not accept help (but you still love him for it)
... and Willow. WILLOW IS PRECIOUS AND HE NEEDS A HUG.
And JEREMIAH. And all of them. Gah! Emily Hayes draws her characters with such fineness that you instantly know how human they are, but there's so much more to be discovered under the surface. None of it ever betrays your first impression of a character. It only unfolds and deepens them.
And Captain Innes. Oh, how I knew I was going to hate Captain Innes. I knew exactly what he was like from the first moment I saw him. And yet Emily Hayse wouldn't even let me quite hate him by the end.
Hayse writes with an eminent understanding of humanity, and that's what makes her novel so utterly captivating. We see people with lives that extend far beyond what we see on the page. We see people who are bursting with life, vivid and dynamic and broken and beautiful.
Then there's just enough language nerdiness, woven seamlessly yet shamelessly into the story. I AM HERE FOR THE LANGUAGE NERDINESS. And oh, I love it when the author goes an extra mile to write some actually decent rhymage so her character can sing a folk song from his homeland.
True to form, I'm obsessing too much over the characters and the themes and minor details to remember to discuss the plot. Well, here's what you need to know.
Maki's brother was taken by the Invaders? Well, Maki's going to get him back. Even if it means disguising as a horse-boy.
The fantasy element is pretty small, which might disappoint some people, but I loved it. I loved the gritty days on the trail and the slow nights and songs under the stars and the faces of people who love each other but don't know it yet. I loved the utter, clearsighted humanity of this book.
TL;DR: Seventh City touched all my happy spots. I'm still trying to process it and I need to reread. I apologize for the incoherence of this review.
September 2, 2024
It's not often that I get sucked into a book when life is hectic, like it's been this summer—but Seventh City grabbed me and held me from beginning to end.
It's also rare that I enjoy every single aspect of a book, but I can honestly say I loved EVERYTHING about Seventh City. Maki is a compelling main character with grit, resourcefulness, and a bit of thirteen-year-old-sass, and being her head was as fun as it was gripping. The supporting cast is complex and well developed; if you love a big ensemble cast with lots of people to root for, this is where it's at. (Rutter, Ransom, and Jeremiah were personal favorites of mine.) The adventure story itself is thrilling; lots of classic adventure beats, with an Alaskan twist. And the setting is truly magnificent. Maki's descriptions aren't flowery, but they capture the raw power and atmosphere of the wilderness beautifully. I was riveted from page 1 and had literal cold shivers during the ending climax.
Hayse also addresses the dynamic of indigenous people vs. colonialism/imperialism in morally unambiguous yet thoughtful terms, which is incredibly refreshing. Especially for me as someone who came up in the homeschooling community and was only given books from a colonialist perspective for many years. She's unequivocal about certain things—invasion, murder, and theft are wrong—but also digs into individual motivations on both side of the conflict. Ultimately we're left with Maki's perspective as an indigenous person, which is exactly the voice that needs to be heard in a story like this; but she also grows from blanket hatred to humanizing her antagonists to ultimately being able to find a healing, peaceful path forward with those who are willing to lay down arms and restore the damage they've done.
Lastly the prose, one of my common bookish gripes, is fabulous. It's a totally different voice from Yours, Constance—the one other Emily Hayse book I've read so far—but with the same understated yet arresting quality. With how different and yet distinctive the two styles are, I'm now super curious to see what her writing is like in her other stories (which I intend to binge-read at some point).
All in all, a stunning book. Would 10/10 recommend this to literally anyone. And I don't say that lightly.
(Also, I've seen rumor on Emily's Instagram that she's going to adapt Seventh City into a screenplay and just had to say...I would personally put money towards a Seventh City movie 👀 Or beat down Hollywood's door if that would be at all helpful 😂 It's just that good.)
It's also rare that I enjoy every single aspect of a book, but I can honestly say I loved EVERYTHING about Seventh City. Maki is a compelling main character with grit, resourcefulness, and a bit of thirteen-year-old-sass, and being her head was as fun as it was gripping. The supporting cast is complex and well developed; if you love a big ensemble cast with lots of people to root for, this is where it's at. (Rutter, Ransom, and Jeremiah were personal favorites of mine.) The adventure story itself is thrilling; lots of classic adventure beats, with an Alaskan twist. And the setting is truly magnificent. Maki's descriptions aren't flowery, but they capture the raw power and atmosphere of the wilderness beautifully. I was riveted from page 1 and had literal cold shivers during the ending climax.
Hayse also addresses the dynamic of indigenous people vs. colonialism/imperialism in morally unambiguous yet thoughtful terms, which is incredibly refreshing. Especially for me as someone who came up in the homeschooling community and was only given books from a colonialist perspective for many years. She's unequivocal about certain things—invasion, murder, and theft are wrong—but also digs into individual motivations on both side of the conflict. Ultimately we're left with Maki's perspective as an indigenous person, which is exactly the voice that needs to be heard in a story like this; but she also grows from blanket hatred to humanizing her antagonists to ultimately being able to find a healing, peaceful path forward with those who are willing to lay down arms and restore the damage they've done.
Lastly the prose, one of my common bookish gripes, is fabulous. It's a totally different voice from Yours, Constance—the one other Emily Hayse book I've read so far—but with the same understated yet arresting quality. With how different and yet distinctive the two styles are, I'm now super curious to see what her writing is like in her other stories (which I intend to binge-read at some point).
All in all, a stunning book. Would 10/10 recommend this to literally anyone. And I don't say that lightly.
(Also, I've seen rumor on Emily's Instagram that she's going to adapt Seventh City into a screenplay and just had to say...I would personally put money towards a Seventh City movie 👀 Or beat down Hollywood's door if that would be at all helpful 😂 It's just that good.)
November 19, 2021
Seventh City is a story about the peacemakers, about learning to see people for who they are as individuals instead of lumping them into an 'others' category. The story is set in a stark, breathtaking, and utterly realistic fantasy world. I grew to love so many of the characters, especially Drucker (the doctor). A certain character death made me shed tears (and I'm not talking about . Seventh City is an excellent, gripping read with a unique setting, a wonderful heroine, and excellent themes. Highly recommended.
November 20, 2023
Wow! Just wow! I literally stayed up till 2 AM to read this, and finished the book in a span of 15 hours.
IT WAS SO GOOD! I really loved this book, and it’s now one of my favorites! I was a little disappointed in the climax, because it was a little lame….but the very end was awesome! Willow is by far my favorite, with Maki in second!
If you want to read this book, I highly recommend it! XD
IT WAS SO GOOD! I really loved this book, and it’s now one of my favorites! I was a little disappointed in the climax, because it was a little lame….but the very end was awesome! Willow is by far my favorite, with Maki in second!
If you want to read this book, I highly recommend it! XD
March 3, 2021
Maki (aka "Wolf pup") might just be the toughest thirteen-year-old girl in any book I've read! I loved going on an adventure alongside her and seeing the harshness and beauty of Uniap'nik from her perspective. Her relationship with her brother was also heartwarming.
The story fully enveloped me in its world. I felt the stinging cold (it probably helped that I read this in winter😝), grew tense whenever danger loomed, and ached for Maki in moments of worry or sorrow.
I was a little disappointed in the ending--not with what happened as much as how quickly it happened. After everything the characters had been through, it felt like certain elements needed more resolution. But maybe that's just me being nitpicky.
I'm excited that there is a collection of short stories about some of the characters. I'd love to learn more about them!
The story fully enveloped me in its world. I felt the stinging cold (it probably helped that I read this in winter😝), grew tense whenever danger loomed, and ached for Maki in moments of worry or sorrow.
I was a little disappointed in the ending--not with what happened as much as how quickly it happened. After everything the characters had been through, it felt like certain elements needed more resolution. But maybe that's just me being nitpicky.
I'm excited that there is a collection of short stories about some of the characters. I'd love to learn more about them!
April 4, 2021
Wow.
This story is a delicious mix of American history filtered through fantasy, Mulan, The Hobbit, and Moby-Dick all rolled into one. To be honest it took me a little while to get into it, but by the end I was invested and couldn’t put it down.
This story is a delicious mix of American history filtered through fantasy, Mulan, The Hobbit, and Moby-Dick all rolled into one. To be honest it took me a little while to get into it, but by the end I was invested and couldn’t put it down.
November 10, 2021
I really enjoyed Seventh City! I loved the premise and this story delivered on all the promise, sometimes in ways I didn’t expect. Maki is a compelling MC, brave, loyal, smart, but still having room to grow. I loved the brother-sister relationship established early on with Maki and Tsanu. The characters are nuanced and real, and since character arcs are one of my favorite things, I enjoyed watching several of them grow. I loved the friendships that Maki developed with different members of the company as well, Willow and Rutter in particular. The worldbuilding was excellent. I haven’t read many books set in Alaska (though this is a fantasy Alaska) but I could feel like I was there, the setting and description were so vivid. Once the action really got going, it was difficult to put the book down! The use of the legend was great — there was enough foreshadowing to keep me worried and yet the ending still caught me off guard! Overall, a highly enjoyable read.
March 30, 2025
This book was deliciously different, set in a fantasy-ish Alaskan-esque frontier with adventure and elements of survival, which are genres I love and am really getting into, respectively. Also, it's about a brother and sister, which is a dynamic I don't get enough of. Really, I saw that in the description and knew this was a book I HAD to get my hands on.
Hayse does a brilliant job with the worldbuiling, and Maki's voice is so interesting and relatable to read. She's a strong female character without being macho or an amazon, which is super refreshing. Tsanu is an awesome brother, too, and seeing him through Maki's eyes reminds me of how I sometimes look at my own older brother. Then, of course, there's Willow Tam, Rutter, and dear, dear Jeremiah of the Invaders. It's a great example of how there is no strict black and white of any conflict, but good and bad on both sides.
This is a book I will enjoy reading again.
Hayse does a brilliant job with the worldbuiling, and Maki's voice is so interesting and relatable to read. She's a strong female character without being macho or an amazon, which is super refreshing. Tsanu is an awesome brother, too, and seeing him through Maki's eyes reminds me of how I sometimes look at my own older brother. Then, of course, there's Willow Tam, Rutter, and dear, dear Jeremiah of the Invaders. It's a great example of how there is no strict black and white of any conflict, but good and bad on both sides.
This is a book I will enjoy reading again.
March 22, 2021
This story was such a thrilling adventure! The tension and atmosphere kept me glued to every page.
This is now the second book that I have read of Emily’s. She seems like a person I’d love to know in real life- for how could she write so deeply of noble characters and not be one herself?! <3
This is now the second book that I have read of Emily’s. She seems like a person I’d love to know in real life- for how could she write so deeply of noble characters and not be one herself?! <3
February 7, 2024
"I like a good hero-story. I daresay more men would be men if they took them to heart."
Read for:
· Legends of lost cities
· Northern lights
· White-knuckled survival
· Horses and wolf-dogs
· A strong brother-sister bond
· Heroism
I loved this book.
Maki feels like a realistic thirteen-year-old girl growing up in this Alaskan/Arctic-inspired culture. She's smart, knowledgeable, nimble, and wise but with a touch of innocence to her reactions, even her prejudice. She's relatable, too, in her quest to find bravery, to keep walking forward despite the fear dogging her steps. And her fierce love for and attachment to her older brother is moving and wonderful, driving a large portion of the plot seamlessly and believably. (I'm such a sucker for a good sibling story.)
Though much of the story consists of journeying, the pace never slackens, and it always gripped my interest tautly. The mix of action and character interactions is perfect, and the author also balances and explores different forms of conflict with excellence (man vs. nature, man vs. man, and man vs. self).
Since a few themes were teased earlier on, I would have appreciated those coming into play more throughout the story, but they're profound and touching in their subtlety, too. Otherwise, I have very few complaints about this story. In many ways, Seventh City feels classic, timeless, fitting effortlessly into the well-worn groove of adventure/survival tales. Yet it's fresh and visionary at the same time, boasting beloved tropes that saturate adventure stories but including them in a very non-hashed way.
This is a special book. I'm so glad I read it.
🏔 heads-up for content: Maki says that her mother ran away with a nomad when Maki was young. Moderate violence. A few instances of "mild" British language. Maki pretends to be a boy for a while as a disguise for safety. A mention of suicide in a song. 🏔
July 5, 2022
This was a really well-written book in many ways. The characters were engaging and the world building was excellent. I especially loved Maki's wolf-dog Iki -- he reminded me of my wolf/Malamute crossbreed Westley that we had when I was a teen. He was my dog, the way Iki is Maki's, and yeah, I really liked their relationship.
But it took me over a week to read this book because... it was too tightly wound for my taste, to be honest. Bad thing after bad thing happens, in quick succession, with too little respite for the characters or the readers. But I handed this off to my kids when I finished it, and my 12-year-old inhaled it in one day, so clearly, the pacing didn't bother her at all. YMMV!
But it took me over a week to read this book because... it was too tightly wound for my taste, to be honest. Bad thing after bad thing happens, in quick succession, with too little respite for the characters or the readers. But I handed this off to my kids when I finished it, and my 12-year-old inhaled it in one day, so clearly, the pacing didn't bother her at all. YMMV!
June 29, 2022
This book was so different from what I thought it was going to be, but so much better! I loved the journey of Maki, both outward and inward. The pacing and development are so well-done. Somehow Emily manages to put hardship and tragedy into a story, and still end it in a heartbreakingly satisfying way.
This book was also the Book of the Year for the 2020 Realm Awards.
If you enjoy stories built around native American legends and arctic settings, I recommend trying this one out.
This book was also the Book of the Year for the 2020 Realm Awards.
If you enjoy stories built around native American legends and arctic settings, I recommend trying this one out.
October 3, 2021
This book had so many aspects that I loved - beautiful writing, rugged landscape, harrowing encounters with the wilderness, fascinating characters, heroic legends. And a great dog. Emily Hayes has enchanted me again and again with her writing, and Seventh City more than lives up to the hype. Grab it on a cold winter day, snuggle in with a cup of something hot, and let Maki take you on an adventure you won’t soon forget.
January 6, 2023
Hayse is masterful at world making. I look forward to reading the rest of her work.
April 28, 2025
Just as good the second time
April 29, 2024
Wow.
That's it. That's my review. Just wow.
Okay, so I had this recommended to me by a friend years ago, and I bought it because I trusted her, but I've somehow been afraid to pick it up. I can't put my finger on entirely why, except that sometimes epic stories with gushing reviews overwhelm me. Also, from the cover and the description, I got the impression that this was some solitary quest into the wilderness, which is really not quite my cup of tea because I thrive on character interactions. But when this fit a spot I needed for a challenge this year, I decided to bite the bullet and try it. And...boy was I wrong. Not about everything. It was definitely epic. It deserves every one of those glowing reviews. But solitary quest? Not a bit of it. Okay, maybe her quest is solitary, since everyone else around her has different motives. But lonely? No character interactions? Ha! Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Okay, to start with, the writing style was fantastic. I was glued to it like a magnet from the very first page. Gorgeously done, and made me feel like I was right inside the pages. Just beautiful. And the setting. Fantastic! Both the land and the cultures. It all felt so real! I loved all the bits and pieces woven together that you don't often see in a fantasy setting (at least in my limited experience). Native American-type cultures, probably most closely related to the Inuit or similar tribes. The clash with the more western "invaders." A reckless treasure hunt worthy of any conquistador. And a captain who gave off shades of Moby Dick (even though I've never actually read the book and only know it through the vaguest references). It all wove together into an absolutely epic combination that left me absolutely breathless. My one issue was the native names for all the animals--I had a bit of a hard time keeping them straight when they were used out of context, and sometimes it was hard to tell whether it was a real animal or a fictional one that was in view, especially toward the end. But that was a minor blip in the grand scheme of things.
So, can I just say, the characters? Because I have to say the characters. I absolutely adored Maki. So strong, so determined, so unbending, but not in a frustrating or annoying way. Her relationship with her brother was absolutely awesome, and even with the little we got to see of him, I love him more than just about anyone else in the story. Also Willow. So much Willow! If I continue from there, it'll probably be spoilers, but I'll just say, he's not the only one of the company I fell in love with, although definitely the one I loved most deeply. Also Kavik. I don't think that's a spoiler, but...when Maki's two worlds collided near the end, I was just about sick at the thought of what could happen. Which leads me to the themes. So, so well done! From the very beginning, my heart hurt for the native people who had had their land and way of life broken in on, but I loved that we didn't end there. That we got to meet some of these "invaders" and see that they couldn't all be painted with the same brush. In fact, they couldn't all be painted with any single brush. And Maki's struggle as she began to recognize that, yet didn't want to recognize it, was so well done. Also, there was one incredible line near the end about how what one side sees as just retribution will never seem that way to the side it's taken out on that struck me as so true and so profound! At some point, you can't fix all the wrong that's gone on in the past, and attempts to go back and undo it are only going to cause more resentment and hard feelings. You have to acknowledge the wrong, but then you have to try to move past it and look to the future and what can be done going forward. It was just so, so good.
My heart was in my throat for several of the final chapters, and I did cry some tears near the end, but overall, I was beyond satisfied with the way things wrapped up, and there's only one thing I'd change if I could. Intense? You have no idea. But worth it, finally. So worth it. I'm so glad I finally took the plunge, and I only regret that I didn't do it sooner.
One small note--since Maki's culture is based off native tribes, there are mentions of some practices that might be seen as spiritual but weren't really portrayed that way here. For example, Maki talks to and thanks the animals she kills for food, but there's no talk about spirits or anything mystical surrounding them. Totems are mentioned, but as memorials to the dead, not objects of worship. On the other side, there are a few scattered mentions of prayer or saying things like "God have mercy on his soul," mostly in the context of funerals. Religion of any kind doesn't come into play in the story in any meaningful way, which I was okay with.
That's it. That's my review. Just wow.
Okay, so I had this recommended to me by a friend years ago, and I bought it because I trusted her, but I've somehow been afraid to pick it up. I can't put my finger on entirely why, except that sometimes epic stories with gushing reviews overwhelm me. Also, from the cover and the description, I got the impression that this was some solitary quest into the wilderness, which is really not quite my cup of tea because I thrive on character interactions. But when this fit a spot I needed for a challenge this year, I decided to bite the bullet and try it. And...boy was I wrong. Not about everything. It was definitely epic. It deserves every one of those glowing reviews. But solitary quest? Not a bit of it. Okay, maybe her quest is solitary, since everyone else around her has different motives. But lonely? No character interactions? Ha! Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Okay, to start with, the writing style was fantastic. I was glued to it like a magnet from the very first page. Gorgeously done, and made me feel like I was right inside the pages. Just beautiful. And the setting. Fantastic! Both the land and the cultures. It all felt so real! I loved all the bits and pieces woven together that you don't often see in a fantasy setting (at least in my limited experience). Native American-type cultures, probably most closely related to the Inuit or similar tribes. The clash with the more western "invaders." A reckless treasure hunt worthy of any conquistador. And a captain who gave off shades of Moby Dick (even though I've never actually read the book and only know it through the vaguest references). It all wove together into an absolutely epic combination that left me absolutely breathless. My one issue was the native names for all the animals--I had a bit of a hard time keeping them straight when they were used out of context, and sometimes it was hard to tell whether it was a real animal or a fictional one that was in view, especially toward the end. But that was a minor blip in the grand scheme of things.
So, can I just say, the characters? Because I have to say the characters. I absolutely adored Maki. So strong, so determined, so unbending, but not in a frustrating or annoying way. Her relationship with her brother was absolutely awesome, and even with the little we got to see of him, I love him more than just about anyone else in the story. Also Willow. So much Willow! If I continue from there, it'll probably be spoilers, but I'll just say, he's not the only one of the company I fell in love with, although definitely the one I loved most deeply. Also Kavik. I don't think that's a spoiler, but...when Maki's two worlds collided near the end, I was just about sick at the thought of what could happen. Which leads me to the themes. So, so well done! From the very beginning, my heart hurt for the native people who had had their land and way of life broken in on, but I loved that we didn't end there. That we got to meet some of these "invaders" and see that they couldn't all be painted with the same brush. In fact, they couldn't all be painted with any single brush. And Maki's struggle as she began to recognize that, yet didn't want to recognize it, was so well done. Also, there was one incredible line near the end about how what one side sees as just retribution will never seem that way to the side it's taken out on that struck me as so true and so profound! At some point, you can't fix all the wrong that's gone on in the past, and attempts to go back and undo it are only going to cause more resentment and hard feelings. You have to acknowledge the wrong, but then you have to try to move past it and look to the future and what can be done going forward. It was just so, so good.
My heart was in my throat for several of the final chapters, and I did cry some tears near the end, but overall, I was beyond satisfied with the way things wrapped up, and there's only one thing I'd change if I could. Intense? You have no idea. But worth it, finally. So worth it. I'm so glad I finally took the plunge, and I only regret that I didn't do it sooner.
One small note--since Maki's culture is based off native tribes, there are mentions of some practices that might be seen as spiritual but weren't really portrayed that way here. For example, Maki talks to and thanks the animals she kills for food, but there's no talk about spirits or anything mystical surrounding them. Totems are mentioned, but as memorials to the dead, not objects of worship. On the other side, there are a few scattered mentions of prayer or saying things like "God have mercy on his soul," mostly in the context of funerals. Religion of any kind doesn't come into play in the story in any meaningful way, which I was okay with.
February 22, 2021
This has to be one of the most unique “fantasy” books I’ve read in a while.
I put fantasy in quotes because it’s not fantasy, not really. The only real “fantasy” element is the fact that it’s not set in this world—there’s no magic, no mythical creatures on a grand scale, none of the typical fantasy elements. So if you’re reading it for a fantasy story…that’s not what you’ll find.
But I actually liked that. It felt very grounded and real, with the setting heavily influenced by Alaskan native culture, which felt unique to me because I can’t remember ever reading a book that drew on that particular culture. The characters all feel intensely real—every single person introduced jumps off the page as if I were reading about a real, living human, with complexities and gray areas and quirks and faults and good in them, every one of them. I ended up loving the soldiers of Innes’s company way more than I had expected, especially Rutter and Willow. (Oh, Willow. He’s such a cinnamon roll.) Innes is an especially interesting character, intensely dislikeable and yet there’s a vivacity about him that draws you to him and makes you understand why his men would follow him through the wilderness.
Maki shines as a main character, determined and stubborn and strong and just on the cusp of being mature, yet still very much a young teenager. Her voice is unmistakable; the writing style isn’t flowery or even all that descriptive, and yet it captures scenes and feelings with fine, light strokes.
The story is an adventure of sorts, a journey through the wildlands to find a legendary city. When they actually each their destination, it’s a bit of a surprise, and yet it makes everything that came before it make sense. (And I have always really loved ancient legends as a story trope!)
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and Emily Hayse’s style, and will definitely be reading more from her in the future!
I put fantasy in quotes because it’s not fantasy, not really. The only real “fantasy” element is the fact that it’s not set in this world—there’s no magic, no mythical creatures on a grand scale, none of the typical fantasy elements. So if you’re reading it for a fantasy story…that’s not what you’ll find.
But I actually liked that. It felt very grounded and real, with the setting heavily influenced by Alaskan native culture, which felt unique to me because I can’t remember ever reading a book that drew on that particular culture. The characters all feel intensely real—every single person introduced jumps off the page as if I were reading about a real, living human, with complexities and gray areas and quirks and faults and good in them, every one of them. I ended up loving the soldiers of Innes’s company way more than I had expected, especially Rutter and Willow. (Oh, Willow. He’s such a cinnamon roll.) Innes is an especially interesting character, intensely dislikeable and yet there’s a vivacity about him that draws you to him and makes you understand why his men would follow him through the wilderness.
Maki shines as a main character, determined and stubborn and strong and just on the cusp of being mature, yet still very much a young teenager. Her voice is unmistakable; the writing style isn’t flowery or even all that descriptive, and yet it captures scenes and feelings with fine, light strokes.
The story is an adventure of sorts, a journey through the wildlands to find a legendary city. When they actually each their destination, it’s a bit of a surprise, and yet it makes everything that came before it make sense. (And I have always really loved ancient legends as a story trope!)
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and Emily Hayse’s style, and will definitely be reading more from her in the future!
July 21, 2020
Good books are the ones that bring you into the story, that make you one with the characters and their journeys, that make you feel their joys and sorrows as if they were your own; the best are the ones that help the real world have more meaning. "Let me tell you a story that happened so long ago that only the hills and rivers can remember the time..."
With an almost lost art of poetic and masterful story-telling, Emily Hayse has brought this Alaskan fantasy to life in a way that almost makes it seem to have really happened. The characters are so real and alive that you feel as though you were among them even as Maki was. The scenery and settings are portrayed very beautifully and I have gained an appreciation for this new type of fantasy. The storyline was amazing. And so many good quotes!!! I read it in a few hours—couldn't put it down—and I was in tears at the end. (Can't say why because spoilers) I love this book so much. It's probably my favorite read of 2019. Definitely my top 10 books of all time. GO READ IT, PEOPLE!
With an almost lost art of poetic and masterful story-telling, Emily Hayse has brought this Alaskan fantasy to life in a way that almost makes it seem to have really happened. The characters are so real and alive that you feel as though you were among them even as Maki was. The scenery and settings are portrayed very beautifully and I have gained an appreciation for this new type of fantasy. The storyline was amazing. And so many good quotes!!! I read it in a few hours—couldn't put it down—and I was in tears at the end. (Can't say why because spoilers) I love this book so much. It's probably my favorite read of 2019. Definitely my top 10 books of all time. GO READ IT, PEOPLE!
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