Seeker

When I was a very troubled, stuttering child with undiagnosed mental illness, I opened up my world through the likes of Tolkien, Stephen R Donaldson and later - the larger tomes of Stephen King and Clive Barker. The epic sprawling quests and adventures spoke to me and allowed me escape as well as a vocabulary that would free me from my stutter.

Those books hold an incredibly special place in my heart as part of my DNA and as saviours of my life.

"Seeker" took me back to those times. The wonder of fictional discovery and long lexicological roads. The beautifully crafted prose, the character depth, the - at times - feeling of doom and that nothing is going to go right for the protagonist. All of it whisked me back to the linguistic escapades I traversed through pages many years back.

There's good versus evil. There's injustice and backstabbing. There's strange foods and creatures, places and cultures.

If you want a quick read, this isn't for you. If you prefer simplistic writing, also a nope. However, if you want to lose yourself across vast, fantastical lands and go on adventures with Shay - as you watch her grow and make mistakes and you say NO! at times - and discover huge leviathons amidst epic battles; then please, PLEASE read this book.

It astounds me that this is a debut. How does a human without decades of books behind them arrive with something as huge as this?

I'm so ready to see the further adventures of Shay. I was there when she was sold, I stood watching as she grew up, I cringed at her human mistakes.

Samuel Griffin, take a bow, man. This is something to be proud of.

These is a read that really gave me all the feelings of reading the old “classic” fantasies. A world i could really get lost in and so well built up across vast sprawling lands . It had the backbone of good vs evil we know so well, but in a way that felt new and already timeless at the same time. I hope this book gets the hype it really deserves.
Our main character shay is so human in her nature it makes her almost annoyingly relatable as she makes mistakes so many of us would make, and we watcher her learn and grow from these and encournter unfamiliar siutations and have to apply those life lessons learned the hard way to these situations.
The world itself, phenomenal. Weve got new lands and cultures that feel distinct from each other but still complete as a whole, and its just so beautifully well developed and written. It has feelings of fantasy but also regecy and steampunk all at once, and id happily read whole books just describing the world.
And yet the characters are also beautifully crafted and the relationships with other and the way they play off one another and grow and interact
This really feels like a book that will stand the test of time and o hope it one days becomes another classic that people will read and pass on to their kids!
I already want the next book!!

This was a really well done debut novel, it had everything that I was looking for in a fantasy novel. It uses the world perfectly and had that magical element perfectly, the characters felt like they were supposed to in this type of book. I enjoyed the way Samuel Griffin wrote this and wanted to read more in this world. It uses the regency-era elements perfectly and I'm glad I got to read this.

This was a very enjoyable book. I loved the writing style and the plot was very well thought out. I would definitely recommend this book.

"Today I am equipped with the knowledge that my future was to be far greater, more exciting, and more disturbing than anything so simple as my young imagination could then conjure. Indeed, looking back, my forecast was positively quaint. I ask myself a question often, and it is this: if I had understood all that was to befall me, would I have run, that day, or exulted?

I find I do not know."

Ancient leviathans have stirred from their long slumber. Their scent song marks where they might be found but only to those who have the means to somewhat hear it: Sentinel Archivists.

Shay Bluefaltlow finds herself training to become such a specialist when she is forced into indentured servitude. Her new home, the city of Fivedock, is strange and unfamiliar, as are her new companions: a belligerent surgeon, a remarkable little boy, and a formidable Sentinel Archivist tasked with teaching Shay the terrifying ways of the trade.

Her unanticipated position requires rigorous training, diligent study and a strong constitution. Shay, afraid she is unequal to the prodigious task but desperate to impress her superior, struggles to prove herself.

When war breaks out across the Concord, the office of the Sentinel Archivist is threatened by a terrible betrayal. And Shay has secrets of her own.

Seeker is a first person fantasy with a rich, Regency-era voice and a bewitching touch of strangeness. Robin Hobb meets Georgette Heyer and Donna Tartt in this sumptuous tale by the dazzling new master of Flintlock Fantasy, Samuel Griffin.

This is a new flintlock fantasy that I devoured in only a couple ays. If you enjoyed A Promise of Blood trilogy by Brian Mcclean then I think you'll enjoy this one too. I think this has a chance to become one of, if not the best flintlock fantasy out there:)

I’m always looking for well written and fleshed out fantasy books.

Seeker absolutely delivered on this.

The world was able to be understood- always important in a debut fantasy book- and the characters were ones I was able to become invested in and care about!

It’s not necessarily fast paced, so if you need that this book probably isn’t the one for you. But if you’re looking for incredible, descriptive writing? This is a must-pick-up book for you!

As someone who isn't a huge fan of prose, I was rather unsure when I first began to read it. But the world that Griffin creates throughout this book did more than enough to keep me engaged. The glimpses into the past we're given at the start of each chapter create a beautiful, intricate look into the world and help elevate the book beyond just the story. As I read, it felt as if I was reading Shay's diary. The nature of the writing makes the story feel more intimate and personal, bringing Shay to life beyond the pages.

This is a truly wonderful book and I look forward to seeing what comes next!

This was very different from my usual type of book. I was intrigued to find out what Flintlock Fantasy was. I was pleasantly surprised and found the whole book to be utterly entrancing.

Seeker by Samuel Griffin is a gripping adventure that takes readers on a thrilling journey from start to finish. The world-building is rich and immersive, painting a vivid picture of the fantastical realms explored by the protagonist. Griffin's writing style is engaging, with well-crafted action scenes that keep the adrenaline pumping. The characters are complex and compelling, each with their own unique motivations and struggles. While there are moments where the plot could have been tighter, overall, Seeker delivers an exciting and enjoyable reading experience for fans of fantasy and adventure novels.

Seeker by Samuel Griffin is such a a unique debut book that is laced with equal parts magic and fantasy. The characters are well developed making you invested in their success. The writing is poetic and descriptive drawing the reader into the world. The only thing I didn't like was how slow paced it was. I struggled for almost half the book but after the half way make I felt that the story picked up pace.

Thank you NetGalley and Panthe Press for providing the ARC!

Orphaned War girls. Traces of Seekers. A Concord War.


Shay Bluefaltlow. Ridley, a guardian and supervisor and her jailor. The Sentinels. Chief Archivist. Apothecaries. Draper's Ward. Thirteen Concord drams. The goal: a quote passage to Quom Protectorate.

Ancient leviathans. Wax and candle flames. Breaking Old Accords. The Tripart Wars. Operas. Gospek harmonizer, spindly steel armatures. Sentinel odour harmonics. Scent song notation.

The very details that spin this story's tapestry are intriguing, learning of this world and it's history is like unspooling thread, langurous and long, but worth the effort in the end. Seals and signets. Binding with blood.

Concord of the Houses. The Whispering Coast. Rifleman Belfry. A ball, the social debut, and a waltz. A gift, a key. A lively ballroom. Tinctures. The Three Moons: Ra, Guisi, and Aises. Eclipse of the Luminaries.

The Aeronaut's Balloon. Conspiracies. Bloody deaths. Laudanum. The Spirit Breaker, a fivedock ship. Optic glasses. A philosopher. Curious gods. Intimidating magic. Tainted dreams. Deals and bargains.

This was certainly a unique ride and I was enthralled, hanging onto the edge of my seat in tandem with each defining parts of the story. Bits of this felt like the Regency-era, steampunk, and fantasy. There is an ever-present strangeness that lingered as I read. 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!

What a great book! Thanks to samuel Griffin, & Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this book.

The Seeker" by Samuel Griffin is a captivating fantasy novel that follows the journey of a young protagonist through a world filled with magic and danger. Griffin's storytelling is rich and immersive, drawing readers into a vividly imagined world where every page is filled with excitement and adventure. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey. With its engaging plot and compelling narrative, "The Seeker" is a must-read for fans of fantasy fiction.

I truly hope to enjoy further Samuel Griffin books.

Enthralling from start to finish. Excellent prose and writing style. Can't wait to read more from this author.

I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next one. The world and the characters are entirely believable and I really enjoyed being immersed in both. The pace is pleasing, it escalates until it reaches a very satisfying crescendo. The Regency feel is echoed in the society and the characters, and the language is beautifully crafted to echo this. The fantasy elements are exquisite in their concept and execution. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

The author, Samuel Griffin, has had a ball and indulged himself to the full in writing this atmospheric and unusual novel and sharing his love of language. If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Wooed by the period style, enhanced with florid imageries, the story is a veritable whirligig as it pirouettes, reels, gyrates, spins and pivots through forbidden knowledge, loss, forthcoming disasters, betrayal, pending the reawakening of ancient leviathans, or possibly gods.
Beguiled as I was with the writing and the fantastical elements, I did wonder at times where it was all going, with diversions to the left, surprises to the right, key characters disappearing, with destiny (in this volume) detailed in the final few pages. But a great read overall.

Thank you to Panthe Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of Seeker!

This is such a rich a luscious world that it’s impossible not to compare it to some of the greats. It’s a decadent fantasy with long luxurious prose that leaves me wanting more from Griffin! It’s expert craft level for a debut novel, intriguing in just the right ways.
I can see how this book isn’t for some people, if you don’t like tapestries of complex world building and characters and prefer a simplistic read, I would say that this story isn’t for you. Your loss.
It’s wonderful to read a fantasy book with elevation. Dedication to the good versus evil debate, and the mystery seeps through the words.
A fun but complex read, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next!

A surprise to be sure but a welcome one! I didn't have many expectations going into Seeker, but this was a well-written, exciting and thoroughly capable debut in the flintlock fantasy sub-genre, with an intriguing and novel conceit focusing on the hunt for mythical colossi thought extinct by many. Shay was a likeable and engaging protagonist, and though her numerous failures over the course of the story were sometimes cloying, they added a real sense of reality and intended long term storytelling over what I hope will be a long-running series.

I did feel at times that the world building was lacking a touch, the city of Fivedocks and the threat from the conspiracy not completely integrated into Griffin's narrative, but the overarching sense was one of future books in mind, and setting up the next books to come. Definitely one to watch!

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Panthe Press for the ARC.

I'd heard nothing about this debut novel before I read it and I have to say I was extremely pleasantly surprised.

The setting is gorgeous, the characters interesting and the story was equal parts moving and absorbing.

I can see why some may find the prose a struggle but for me this was one of the strongest elements. Griffin's lyrical, beautifully constructed sentences are a far cry from the digestible, bland prose of the vast majority of modern speculative fiction.

I've never enjoyed a flintlock fantasy story so much - I found myself completely believing in the narrator and could not put the book down.

I would thoroughly recommend this to any fan of low, adult fantasy as well as historical fiction fans who are open to reading excellent fantasy.

I cannot wait for book 2 in the series!!!!!!

Fabulous book. It completely transported me to a different world. The detail and plot and characters were brilliant. Don’t hesitate to buy it and then sit down and prepare to be wowed

4.25 ⭐
0 🌶️

Wow. This was quite the adventure. It started slow, but it definitely picked up in the second half. The author's writing style mirrored the time period of the book. Since the book is written in the first person, it gives it an almost autobiographical voice. It's unique, and I can't quite think of a book that left me with this feeling. In a sense, it reminded me of something written long ago. It was unique, and I enjoyed it. At times, it got a bit wordy, but it flowed well, and I didn't get bogged down.

This is a book you must read to grasp the plot. I am looking forward to more books in this series, just from the perspective I need to see where the author goes with this. Shay is a character with flaws and struggles with her place in the world. Being an orphan and sold into indentured servitude, she didn't have a lot of choices in her life. However, she ended up being in service to a surgeon and found herself in better circumstances than before. We go along with her on her journey, which is mundane and exciting. But it is all to get you to that last 25% of the book that is quite indescribable. Read the book and find out for yourself.

Thank you NetGalley and Panthe Press for the eArc. These opinions are my own.

This was a book that I could not put down. As a lover of fantasy books it is not too often that one comes along that is sufficiently different. This is one of those books. The world and the context are great. The characters are interesting and the story unfolds really well. I want to read more about the characters and this world.

I loved this book. Griffin's world-building and characters are so much fun to read and explore. I love the world that was created and the imagery that was used, which brought me right into the story. Shay is such a strong and dynamic main character, and I think it was a great read and I can't wait to see what comes next because Griffin has made me fall so in love with this world and the characters

In Seeker we follow Shay Bluefaltlow from the Orphaned War Girls School to her new life in a new country with mysterious masters and a sense of destiny that she doesn't quite feel worthy of.

'I will always remember the day I was bought. Which may be of little surprise, for who could expect to forget such a thing? And I shall tell of it, for I believe I have earned that right.'

The world of the book was beautifully described and felt slightly familiar whilst also magically different. The reader discovers this world and its curious inhabitants alongside Shay as the story unfolds, we are carried along with her experiences and feelings until the culmination of the book. I can't wait to see where Shay's story goes from here and eagerly await the next instalment of the archives.



#seeker #thesentinelarchives #netgalley #fantasy #magic

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a spellbinding fantasy with steampunk elements following the story of Shay as she embarks on an exciting, dangerous and thrilling new chapter of her life. I really liked the way it was written, reminding me of the old classic books I've enjoyed. I have read others saying it was a little hard to get through but I was invested all the way through. It was hard to put down, and I will definitely be reading the next book to follow Shay's adventures. A really good debut novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a review.

I'm not a fantasy reader, I prefer romance (Dark, Sports etc) but this cover pulled me in.

Once I started reading, I was sucked in from the start til the end, It wouldn't let me go and I'm happy to be it's hostage..

This is one of those books that will stay with me forever.

Watching the world be built as I read was such an experience. The character building, watching them make mistakes as they go and growing from them was imo amazing.

I tend to get bored easily (ADHD), but I couldn't put this down until it was over & then I was sad. I was sad that the story was over and I wouldn't be with these characters until the next book. I can't wait to have this in my hands and on my bookshelf when it's released in Hardback..

Samuel take a bow, what an amazing debut.
I had the honour of getting this debut as an earc from the publisher.

I received an eARC this book for an honest review from NetGalley. This was a fun book with great characters and wonderful world building. It was some what steampunk with naval background. I was taken in from the beginning when Shay was purchased. I would have liked to have more of Penelope in the story and may at some point a prequel of the history of it all. It was very exciting and I loved the intrigue with all of the characters. I truly enjoyed Hardy and her involvement. I liked that Shay had her anxieties with her development as an archivist and her person in general, The ending was something else and I was on my toes the whole time . Yay for Seeker!

Historical fiction readers, if I said “Regency novel” to you, what comes to your mind? Elegant dresses, lavish house parties, coffee house meetings, callous  whispers behind elegant manners and Jane Austen, perhaps?

Well - hands on the table, it did to me. I will go further and say that it's not normally my sort of thing to read – why should I read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice when there are other books more to my taste? However, Seeker does that difficult thing of taking a Regency style setting and making it into a fantasy story - a flintlock fantasy, if you like. The two shouldn't work together, and yet here they do, admirably.

Shay  Bluefaltlow has for many years been brought up by Ridley Fassinger, a surgeon and doctor, along with the young deaf Peck in her home city of Fivedock. This is generally a happy existence, if somewhat sheltered, until Shay is indentured to Penelope Etherington.

So far, this reads like Dickens’ Great Expectations (I know: later age, but even so..), the story told in the first person about a young person’s rite of passage. It is at this point, however, that things become more fantasy like. We learn that Etherington is Fivedocks’ Chief Archivist, charged with keeping records and monitoring for the Sentinels for the nation. She is told that the Sentinels are ancient leviathans, not seen for hundreds of years, but whose records show that if they return, devastation will result.

Shay’s new occupation is to train to be an assistant to the Sentinel Archivist as a Seeker, a role that involves monitoring for Sentinels as well as maintaining and deciphering some of their old records, using scent song to understand their speech. She takes to her new duties in  this Age of Enlightenment with a passion, even though it means that she must take a poisonous elixir in order to decipher the scents of the ancient creatures.

The story here revels in the scientific wonders and the joy of knowledge that Shay experiences at this point.

Although some of the minor characters are a little unsubtle, Shay herself is an interesting character. Clearly young, she is impetuous, rash and immature. She makes mistakes, but generally learns from them the hard way. This makes her endearing and irritating at the same time, a cause of frustration to the more experienced, less impetuous adults. Her reckless nature also has life-changing consequences for more than one person close to her.

Away from Shay’s new world, things are also changing in the wider world. A war seems to be brewing between different political factions, with neither particularly concerned about the signs that the Sentinels may be returning.

When Etherington is called away on official duties, Shay finds herself put into the position of covering for the Sentinel Archivist and also having to negate a possible coup by negotiating the dangerously civil world of the influential elite. In the finest tradition of regency novels, Griffin  presents Regency style soirees as some sort of battleground, a sneakier, subtler version of what happens on the high seas.

Shay is, of course, an outsider, a fish out of water who would rather be with her books and her studies rather than having to navigate around the barbed conversations of societies’ elite.

The end of the book finds Shay dealing with many issues all at once - tangled with the impending return of the Sentinels, involved in the middle of a sea battle and also attempting to foil a power coup attempted by some of the government’s enemies.

The book’s inner cover describes the book as “Robin Hobb meets Georgette Heyer meets Bernard Cornwell”. To me, it is more like “Jane Austen meets Godzilla”, where regency manners meet legendary monsters. Although the Sentinels only really appear at the end of the book, I’m sure that we’ll read more about them in future books.

Lastly, a mention of the book itself. Shay’s story is illustrated throughout by some lovely black-and-white illustrations by Jonas of Stardust, which add to the story and show us some of the instruments used by Shay in her work. They are not essential but do add to the setting enormously.

It’s always good when you find a book to be more than you hoped it would be. And so it was with Seeker. An unexpectedly good read, and I look forward to reading more stories set in this world in the future.

What an amazing debut from Samuel Griffin. The author is an impeccable descriptive writer and this book goes beyond anything I have ever read. I can’t believe that this is his first book! I haven’t read any books with this sort of regency-era writing style before and I for one can say it is not too difficult, I would say the style is more intriguing and mystical which simply adds to the genre of the books setting, it certainly doesn’t hinder the projection of the story at all. I cannot wait to follow Shay in the next book, counting down the days! I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to delve in to a new magical world with endless possibilities! From golspek harmonisers to outrageous behemoths…I am in my element!

What a great debut fantasy novel. The writing style took a little bit to get used to but eventually you fall into the crescendo pattern. This is not a book you can rush through. Take your time and allow the world to form. Such a great story and and would absolutely recommend.

Gripping story from start to finish. The magical system is complex but really interesting to read. The world building is rich and complex. Keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

The Seeker by Samuel Griffin, is an amazing debut story, that takes the reader to such a fantastical world you don't want to leave. The writing is so unique and old school, the reader feels as if they are in a previous era such as the Victorian Era. While reading, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens are the two main authors that come to mind that compare in the style of writing Mr. Griffin uses which is no easy feat, and for that alone should be granted an award. Book two of the Sentinel Archives will hopefully be coming out within the next year or so, and we can see what further adventures our Seeker will be going on, and how she will continue to evolve, both physically and as a seeker.

Very unique, loved the concept, the characters were excellent. Kept me interested the entire way, very hard to put down. Looking forward to the next book from this author. .

This book was simply beautiful! The writing that Samuel Griffin weaves gives life to a story of Shay Bluefaltlow. She leaves her school and finds adventure whether she thinks she deserves it or not.

I connected a lot with the world and characters so when I saw this was a series I was beyond excited!

I love the Regency period, mainly romance, and it's been a long time since I've delved into Regency fantasy. This made me love it all over again. It is told from the POV of an orphan who is "bought" as an indentured servant to a stoic and grumpy doctor, who treats her well, but young Shay wants to be free. She plans an escape that lands her not so much in trouble as truth, at least she's finally getting answers. The question is does she want them? The author did an excellent job of creating life-like characters that show their personalities and help immerse you in the story. A detailed and elaborate world that tells a great story. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Thank you to Panthe Press and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Although fantasy is not my go to genre I enjoyed this novel. Shay is taken to be educated by Chief Archivist and follow her out into the world. Well written and well drawn world, with good characterisation. Look forward to the next installment. Thanks to Panthe Press and Netgalley for this review copy.

This was HIGH EPIC fantasy in all of its glory!
With complex world building this isn’t for the faint hearted but is 100% worth sticking with as this is a fantasy world unlike any I’ve ever read. Written with an incredibly strong and empowered fmc this is such a strong start to a series! I will definitely be waiting patiently for the second book!

This book was so unlike anything I have read before. The language used was complex and not only was the story really creative the writing style felt really unique as well. It was a great story, great world building and characters and an intriguing start to a series. I will absolutely be reading the rest. Thank you so much NetGalley for allowing me to read it!

Seeker by Samuel Griffin is the story of an orphan, Shay Bluefaltow, who has a different appearance, a birthmark that covers half of her face and portions of her body. She is ridiculed at school and there is no one to speak up for her. She is headstrong and does not always take advice. Eventually, she is sent into indentured service with a kind doctor who is also taking care of a deaf/mute young boy.

Shay cannot leave well enough alone and makes plans to run away. She asks for help from someone who informs the doctor of her plan and she is sent to a place where she must learn a new job, to be an archivist. This is much more complicated than Shay at first understands. The main archivist and the good doctor have much hope and trust in Shay. She may not deserve their trust, she is just a teenager, her choices are not always what an adult would do.

The writing style is sort of “flowery” or maybe old-fashioned, which makes it seem like a former time. However, the story takes place in a time and place which is undeterminable. Past? Future? It is hard to say. It took me a few chapters to become accustomed to the writer’s style, but it is well worth continuing reading and hard to put down after a point. It is definitely fantasy, but even if you don’t normally read fantasy, you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy to read and review.

The story is pretty interesting and I was fairly hooked from the start. I wasn't sure where things were going initially but it made me want to read more. The main character is likable (at least for me) and I cannot wait to continue to read other books in this series!

This debut Flintlock Fantasy by Samuel Griffin set in the Regency era, follows the story of Shay Bluefaltlow upon her arrival in the city of Fivedock, where she finds herself in training to become a Sentinel Archivist.

A war looms as ancient leviathans stir from their long slumber and their scent song marks where they might be found, but only to those with the means to somewhat hear it: Sentinel Archivists.

Although the beginning of this story was a little slow and disjointed at first, the pace quickens and the world building takes you on a wonderful fantastical and unique adventure written with beautiful language, well developed characters, stunningly strange character and place names such as Fivedock and The Whispering Coast and a magical storyline which encompasses everything from love, loss, betrayal, war and friendship.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and what a great debut novel. I am so looking forward to further books in this series.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Panthe Press and the author for the ARC.

hank you to Netgalley and Panthe Press for the arc.

This was an interesting and unique debut that follows Shay, an orphaned teenage girl, through a regency style fantasy.

The language used by the author is exactly what you would imagine to be very true to this era, resulting in an atmospheric read. It was a little slow to get off the ground, but the slow world building does pay off in the second half. Shay was a relatable, believable character who navigates through her insecurities and fears in order to do what needs to be done.

One of the things I really loved was Shay's friendship with Peck, the parts where they were just being children were so well written and they made to story come alive.

Fantastic debut!

I received this book from Panthe Press on NetGalley for an honest review of the book.

This is the story of Shay Bluefaltlow who is an orphan who is forced into indentured servitude where she begins to training to become a Sentinel Archivist one of the few people who can fight back against the Ancient leviathans who have begun to stir their long slumber. Yes, like every good fantasy novel there always has to be an ancient evil for the hero to kill. It's required.

Unlike a lot of fantasy stories though this takes place in the Regency time frame rather than the popular Medieval one so many other fantasy stories use. I liked how this did spice things up and give Samuel Griffin a different place to build his world and have some fun. Flintlock Fantasy is something I am going to have to explore in the future.

Over all I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun and interesting story with the mystery behind why Shay is an orphan. There is a lot of good world building and lore in this which I liked. I know some people wrote that it slowed things down for them but I am a Fantasy Reader, so bring on all the Lore! The characters are also very likable in this. Sometimes I find myself wanting to strangle characters because of how dumb they can be. But with this one, I didn't feel that way, so that is a good thing.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fantasy book that is a little different than your typical fantasy book.

"The Seeker" by Samuel Griffin, is a
flintlock fantasy. The narrative follows Shay Bluefaltlow, a young woman thrust into the arcane world of Sentinel Archivists, where she must navigate the complexities of forbidden knowledge and a society on the brink of war.

Shay's journey is one of self-discovery and resilience. Her character is etched with the nuances of vulnerability and determination, making her a relatable protagonist. The supporting cast, add depth and color to the tale, each with their own distinct personalities that challenge and complement Shay's own.

The book's problematic lies in its exploration of indentured servitude and the moral quandaries it presents. Griffin's prose flows with a fluidity that belies the weight of the story's themes.

In terms of critique, while the novel has a good world-building and character development, some readers may find the pacing uneven at times, with certain sections delving deep into the lore at the expense of narrative momentum.

Overall, "The Seeker" earns a solid 4out of 5 stars. It is a commendable debut that promises to leave readers both enchanted and reflective. Its few pacing issues are far outweighed by its strengths, making it a must-read for fans of flintlock fantasy and those yearning for a journey into a world rich with intrigue and wonder.

Thank you NetGalley and Panthe Press for the Arc. These opinions are my own.

This is a complex story that develops slowly. It is an unusual world and characters motives are interesting. I do recommend it

This was an amazing read thru a fantasy on a different level. The author very obviously loved writing this book and it shows. I loved that this has magic and other fantasy elements. The characters are well developed and you get attached to them. This book was a bit slow to get thru. It is written as a regency style and I did have to push thru the first part of the book. This book was very atmospheric and the historical element gave it a certain vibe. I can’t wait for this story to continue. I feel this book was setting future books up for a grand adventure.

Thank you Samuel Griffin and Panthe Press for the ARC.

I have been reading historical fiction for more than forty years, primarily those set in Regency England. Never having read flintlock fantasy before, I was intrigued by the premise of Seeker, and eager to begin this story. Written in first person prose throughout with little dialogue in the beginning chapters, I can understand how this may make for a slow start to the book. However, I found this technique a valuable way for me to learn about Shay and see how her character, thoughts, intentions, and maturity change over time. I was able to clearly see in my mind’s eye the various environments, personalities, and interactions the author detailed. With descriptive language and a cast of supporting characters, some that it is unclear whether they are friend or foe, this story builds to its ultimate conflict. Setting the stage for the rest of the series, Seeker: The Sentinel Archives Book 1 lays the foundation for the books to come which I am eager to read.

Seeker is a well thought and incredibly fun steampunk novel with a likeable main cast of characters. Despite the deliberately Victorian style language, it reads quickly and is easy to keep up with.

My only gripe with the book is it takes a very long time to get where it’s going so to speak. The main plot takes a great deal of time to set up, but it’s well worth the wait!

This is a very enjoyable & atmospheric book - plucky orphans, strong competent women, gruff men with a heart of gold, mysterious powerful beings lurking on the sidelines, political intrigue & betrayal, all wrapped up in a really engaging flintlock fantasy world! The cover art & illustrations throughout are also really impressive.

This book left a lot of room to grow for later instalments in the series, and I was very happy to be given the chance to read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley & Panthe Press (in exchange for an honest review).

The world-building was gradual but very good by the second half of the book, and I love the unique lore that Griffin has created here. I would’ve loved to know more about the bled, about the Sentinels and their history, as well as the history of the Archivists - although the ongoing mystery surrounding everything only made the story feel more compelling.

It did feel like quite a slow read at times, which I think was in part due to the writing style: both the elevated regency-style language and the unusual syntax. While the chosen vocabulary & grammatical structure meant I had to read quite a few parts of each chapter very closely (often multiple times) to parse the full meaning, they did also go a long way to instilling an appropriate atmosphere! There were also quite a few typos and instances of characters’ names being misspelled (sometimes very incorrectly - eg Bamshott instead of Bamcroft) but that is to be expected in a pre-publication ARC.

The secondary characters were not always developed as thoroughly as I would have liked, and one or two were dropped in with seemingly no introduction or follow-up - but I wonder if this was a deliberate choice to give some of them room for growth in upcoming books. It was also an interesting reflection of the fact that we are being told all of this through Shay’s lens of experience, with her often only giving those characters attention when they have some part to play in her immediate goals - so it perhaps reflects quite accurately what she herself feels is relevant to know or say about them.

I also have to applaud the names (places as well as people) used in this book - they were consistently very well chosen! Shay Bluefaltlow is a fantastic fantasy MC name, Fivedock is a solid choice for a city, but hats off especially to Peck and to Felicity Hapeworth-Arksthrotle.

I really enjoyed this book, and would especially recommend it to anyone who is a fan of flintlock fantasy and isn’t put off by regency-style language.

Finally, not really any major Content Warnings for this book, but potentially for very brief mentions/moments of alcohol abuse, torture and bereavement.

This is a great book, with a rich world-building background that you will love to soak in.

Shay was raised in a children's home, with no memory of her parents. One day a man comes and "purchases" her, though she has no idea what for. All she knows is that they have to travel a fair way to him, to the busy capital city of Fivedocks, a hub of commerce and intrigue. There she begins to study a lesson plan that he, a doctor, sets out for her. But it is in her nature to push, to want to know more, and in that push, she is introduced to the reason she was bought there. She is to be a Sentinel Archivist, someone who tracks the mighty creatures, the Sentinels, who move through the world and can cause destruction in their wake. But this post is far from easy and encourages her to delve into magics that she did not know she had a talent for.

This book was fantastic, though it took me a bit to get into the first-person narrative. But once I had, I loved the story, the complex world design (quite unlike anything I could think of) and some rather fun political machinations going on in the background. Overall, this was a fun read and I can't wait for the next book to come out.

An exciting new world full of intrigue. I loved the descriptions and world building. It was a bit slow at the start, but it got better as it went along.

Thank you p. press publishers and netgalley and the author of the books for the chance to leave a review which is honest and my own thoughts

This was really good story. It reminds me of history but set in another world. I liked how deep it was and how it sucked you in. I love regency always and it was like that but fantasy. I wanted to know more and was sad but happy at the end It made me emotional
The cover is so pretty and all the pictures inside