The fate of the world rests in the hands of a criminal.
Hasahai is a young man with a thirst for adventure, and a knack for making mistakes. After being assigned as an apprentice to the second best Searcher in the city, he finally feels like his life is headed in the right direction.
When he stumbles into the middle of a plot to destroy the First Mother and First Father, only he can stop the evil plan for revenge. But who is going to believe a teenage delinquent?
Nicole is the author of science fiction and fantasy adventures. The Leron Series includes Empyrean, Empyrean's Fall, and Empyrean's Future. Her science fiction standalone suspense novel Gutted is now available! You can follow Nicole L. Bates on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Instagram, or sign up for her Author Newsletter to receive updates on new book releases, book promotions, and special giveaways for book related merchandise!
Bates proves once again that she's the queen of worldbuilding with this YA fantasy. Richly imaginative and with an intriguing storyline, Searcher kept me hooked from start to finish.
Intriguing start to a series of endless possibility.
Searcher proposes a new look at the soul and one's destiny. What if you were somehow visibly marked as a troublemaker, would it impact your reputation and credibility? Does one's station in life determine their fate?
What I Enjoyed: A unique fantasy world with plenty of mystery yet to unpack in the series. Hasahai's character developed as he learned more about the people and world around him. His relationship with mentor Sesana unfolded organically and with feeling.
I greatly appreciate Bates' ability to crossover genres with ease and skill, something many authors strive towards yet fail to master. Her attention to detail plays well in the Fantasy genre - where creating entire worlds demands a steady pen.
What Didn't Work: Hasahai's romantic life could use some help and explanation. He seemed to like every girl, and ended up with one seemingly by default. Hopefully the second installment develops their relationship as good as the other types in his life.
Overall I look forward to what comes next and exploring more of this new world's flora, fauna, and mythos.
I loved this book so much, I almost regret finishing it.. I really loved the world and the characters and I'd happily go back for more stories!
This book follows 18 yo Hasahai, as he navigates a new world, learns a new profession and uncovers a sinister plot to overthrow and kill his world's authorities. There's a lot of adventure, banter and wonder in these 450 pages!
If you're looking for a fun YA fantasy, look no further, this book is perfect for a weekend read!
One thing I love about Nicole L. Bates is her ability to bring unique worlds to life and Searcher is no exception. The plot was interesting and had "I don't want to put the book down" moments. I would love to see more of the characters in future stories.