Catch the Sun (The Jan Willem Saga Book 1)

Jan Willem's wartime adventures during the Siege of Ladysmith which I had never heard of are expertly told, with all the elements that make historical adventure compelling: The South African opening of Catch the Sun sets the stage for the majority of the book which takes place in England.

Jan Willem's adjustment to life in England is rough to say the least. He's bullied at the fancy boarding school the Major sends him to, and ends up being mentored by the Major's gamekeeper. Perhaps as a result of all he's been through, he's a passionate young man who earns both enemies and protectors. Where does someone like Jan Willem fit in rigidly stratified Victorian society?

He's not to the manor born, but following in the footsteps of his mentor as a gamekeeper is below his station. Author Ian Robertson depicts Jan Willem as a pretty realistic 15 - he knows right from wrong, he's smart, but has a lot to learn about life, and he's impulsive at times which gets him into trouble. He's also looking for a father figure in his life, and is willing to forgive a lot for someone who is able to be present for him. Catch the Sun has a great balance of character and plot, and kept me on my toes throughout. I was never sure who would live and who would die, or what the ultimate outcome for Jan Willem would be.

I would recommend it to male and female readers who enjoy historical adventure. My only peeves were weak editing in my Kindle edition, and some backstory digressions that were awkwardly inserted and not strictly necessary. I look forward to reading the sequel, set during World War I. Story telling is a gift. To be able to add accurate historical content without weighing down the story is a talent. I waded into Jan Willem's saga carefully. I found myself drawn in with the beautiful writing of Mr.

He takes Jan Willem through many trials, but with each one there is heart. The supporting characters are written richly, the villains evil but complex, the good guys men and women filled with heart and strength. It allowed me to see what was going on everywhere, rather than just at one location. It was really hard to get into this novel. For around the first half of the book, I had to force myself to come back to it. Not because it was dull, or the style was painful to read; there was just no hook, no incentive for me to feel for these characters. It gave it an otherwordly feel while not making the characters completely alien to our society.

Seeker is a good read about overcoming evil, stopping horrible deeds, and finding your place in the world. Revisiting an old favourite can soil a memory. Great tale and I'm glad I've got book 2 already waiting Oct 11, Rhys rated it really liked it. This review was originally posted on ThirstforFiction.

Morning Star and Wildman, too, wish to become Noble Warriors. All for very different reasons. But before they can join, they must prove themselves worthy. When Seeker finds a plot to destroy Anacrea, the Island on which the Noble Warriors live, he knows what he must do.

He knows what he must do. Together with Morning Star and Wildman, he seizes his chance to show he is worthy of becoming one of them. Much like the Wind On Fire Trilogy, it seems that the Noble Warriors contains a host of fantastic characters, as well as a story that delivers a powerful message. William Nicholson has always been fantastic at realising characters in his stories; from writing fantasy trilogies to scripting Gladiator, his focus has always been on the characters, and how events around them will change them. Each of the characters in Seeker are original, and all feel so real and fleshed out.

Seeker is a very character driven story, and Nicholson has done a great job at making the characters unique. Infact, I would go as far as to say that the reason there is a plot is so that it changes the characters, their morals and their ideas. Seeker was not written because Nicholson had a great plot in mind. It was written because Nicholson wanted to tell the changes a person undertakes to achieve their dreams, and what effects this has on the character. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I've been avoiding this series for a couple of years, afraid that I would be overwhelmed by it.

That was a mistake! It's always a mistake to avoid good writing. His older brother, Blaze of Justice, joined the Nomana three years earlier. But, when Seeker enters the enclosure, he is horrified to discover that his I've been avoiding this series for a couple of years, afraid that I would be overwhelmed by it. But, when Seeker enters the enclosure, he is horrified to discover that his brother is being cleansed and is to be cast out - stripped of his memories and powers and left with the mind of a young child.

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Seeker determines that he will follow Blaze and right this wrong. At the same time, Morning Star, a young shepherd girl whose mother left her to join the Nomana, decides that she will follow in her mother's footsteps. And the Wildman, a young bandit, becomes fascinated by the power the Nomana display and also decides he will join them. The three teens encounter each other on their journeys and discover that they share the same goals - not only to join the Nomana, but to discover and destroy the secret weapon being built against them in the city of Radiance.

If this book has a flaw, it may be the rather heavy-handed names. The people of Radiance, for example, worship the sun, but the city is actually a place darkened by fear and injustice, which practices human sacrifice. The Nomana exhibit a rather Buddhist detachment and use no weapons - and so on. But the characters are complex and vivid, and the plot very well handled. And Nicholson's prose is absolutely lovely. I read this book thinking to myself, "I could learn from this!

Yes, Nicholson is in that league! If you like that type of complex fantasy, and that clarity and subtlety in the writing, this book is for you. Onwards now to book two, "Jango"! There are two other characters who strive to become Nomana at the same time as Seeker, Morning Star and Wildman, the first who can see colors in people and know their temperament, the latter of whom is cocky jerk and only wants to be Nomana because he witnessed the great power the warriors wield. All three are rejected, and they come together to uncover a plot to destroy the Nomana in hopes that it will be enough to let them into the ranks of the holy warriors.

Seeker is somewhat unique as fantasies go, both in the writing style and the characters. At first Wildman was not just obnoxious to those around him, he annoyed me quite a bit, but he improves over time. But some of the characters were simply too eccentric perhaps meant to provide humor , and a few other things made it less interesting for me.

Did I like the book? Will I read the rest of the series? Mar 06, Qais rated it liked it Shelves: Seeker, the first of a trilogy, by William Nicholson, is a fantasy novel that is told through the eyes of Seeker. Seeker,the main character, wants to join a group called the Nomana a revered order of warrior monks , however his father wants him to be a teacher, like him.

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This novel tells the story on Seeker's adventure be part of the Nomana. It's unpredictable plot, compelling characterisation, and the relatability of the characters is what made this book outstanding. Nicholson made you have no Seeker, the first of a trilogy, by William Nicholson, is a fantasy novel that is told through the eyes of Seeker.

Nicholson made you have no guess as to what would happen next. He contrasted the character's perfectly, using Wildman Seeker's friend foil Seeker perfectly. His variety of characters, ranging from dynamic to flat, I thought truly made the characters more gripping. Nicholson also intentionally made the characters flawed, which helped with the characters relatability. I feel if a character is perfect it makes the story less entertaining as there is less plot.

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Nicholson accomplished a lot of good things in this book; however, in the first few chapters of the book, I was very confused as to what was happening. I was completely unaware of the surroundings of the main protagonist and I had no idea what was going on. This almost made me abandon the book, and ended making me have a less pleasant experience throughout the book.

Overall, this book brings you through a rollercoaster of emotions, told from different characters perspective, that I think fans of young adult fiction books would enjoy. This is book that you just won't forget. Aug 28, Jordan Vermillion rated it really liked it. This book was breathtaking. It made me think of what was going to happen next as it jumped back and forth between chapters with different characters.

I would have to recommend this book to anyone seeking to read about adventure. This book is book one of the noble warrior's. This book is all about adventure. Most of the characters in this book are carried on to the next series. The book is about a boy has wanted to become a Nobble Warrior all of his life, but his dad wanted him to take his place This book was breathtaking. The book is about a boy has wanted to become a Nobble Warrior all of his life, but his dad wanted him to take his place as head of the school.

But once his brother was kicked out and was no longer a Noble Warrior, He went looking for his brother. When I first started to read this book it really wasn't that interesting. Basically I really didn't want to pick up the book. But after a couple of chapters I had a hard time putting down the book due to the fact that it just started to get very interesting.

Everything started to get more and more intense as he was searching for his brother. I recommend this book because it gives so much detail to everything that is happening. Most authors that are male have a hard time going into first person but he makes it work very well. Also as he is telling the story he becomes so descriptive that he going into first person with basically every character. If you love adventure then this book is for you. As you get deep into the book the adventure gets amazing.

When thinking of a boy who is meant to be head of a school but ends up traveling to find his brother and hopefully becoming a Noble Warrior. Jun 01, Angelica rated it it was ok Shelves: I loved the Wind on Fire Trilogy. So when I was finished, I was eager to read the next books that William Nicholson wrote. Wow, was I disappointed. Nicholson is a screenplay writer so maybe characterization is new to him, since actors can flesh out his characters already. However, the characters in this book just seem kind of ridiculous. I've disliked Seeker since his ridiculous, intentional test fail.

That was just lame and weird. Other characters like Caressa and the goatboy whose names I forgot, their actions and words just do not make any sense at all. The only person who I kind of like is Morning Star. She's very Eyre-esque, being small and plain, but she's got attitude and clever one-liners. She was able to tell the Wildman who btw is supposed to be fierce and violent exactly what she thought about him, which was awesome.

BUT, I do like Nicholson's worldbuilding. Like in the Scorpio Races, the description of the beautiful surroundings sort of distracts the readers from the horrible characterization though in the Scorpio Races, the worldbuilding also distracts the readers from the complete lack of plot. Seeker has plot, although it's a sort of dry, cliche one. I might want to read the next book, but let's just say that I'm not exactly running to the nearest library. Sep 07, Ambar Morales rated it liked it. Can of expected more from the author of wind of fire xD. Feb 10, Saffy rated it really liked it Shelves: Jul 01, Mark Buxton rated it really liked it.

My name is Mornng Star, and I've always wanted to be a Nomana like my mother. I care about others and would use the Nomana powers to help the less fortunate. However, I was rejected by the Community and discovered my mother is not here either. What's happened to her? I've met another reject named Seeker, and we've joined the crazy killer Wildman on his boat. Seeker has an idea to get an invitation from the Nomana by performing a great deed they cannot do themselves.

He says a secret, powerful bo My name is Mornng Star, and I've always wanted to be a Nomana like my mother.

Just a Corpse at Twilight

He says a secret, powerful bomb is being built in Radiant that will be used to destroy the whole island of Anacrea. I know there is more to Wildman than asking if I want my throat slit, and the green color I see around him tells me he's uncertain. Perhaps there's a slim chance the Nomana will accept him too. I must admit the first part of the book didn't grab me. It was establishing background information and setting up the conflicts and subplots, but nothing was overly compelling. It became much more interesting once the characters were rejected and teamed up with Wildman.

The teens needed to teach him compassion for others and how to control his urge to hurt those people. The characters had their own stories beyond the Nomana, but they all came together in the end. Seeker wanted to find his brother after he had his mind cleansed and was banished from the island.

Phil Edwards Goodreads Author. Want to Read saving…. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Refresh and try again. Ian Roberts is now friends with Antony Farr. Sep 20, Ian Roberts wants to read. The Elementary Particles by Michel Houellebecq. Feb 06, Ian Roberts rated a book it was amazing. Hand Me My Travelin' Shoes: Feb 24, Ian Roberts rated a book liked it. The Definitive Biography by Ian Carr. Ian Roberts rated a book really liked it.