Customer Reviews

The Farseekers

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the obernewtyn chronicles have been my favourite books since 1987, when i was introduced to obernewtyn as a 9 year old school girl. this is when the first book was ever published. ever since then ive been on an impatient wait for the following books. to the farseekers, what can i say? it just gets better and better. to all of you who live outside of australia, be patient. if you guys think youve got it bad, with only the first two of her books being released there, just imagine what we down under are going through. shes a painfully slow writer. id suggest if its possible, to get your hands on her other books, scatterlings, the gathering, darkfall (a new series, the legendsong which shes started) and green monkey dreams. but i guess that all depends on whether theyve been published overseas. i dont want to ruin it for you, but trust that your patience will be worth it. not only do the following two books, ashling and the keeping place get better and better but her writing improves dramatically. im not saying that shes a bad writer, shes actually my favourite author. but you have to realise that she began to write obernewtyn at the age of 14 and worked on it throughout high school, and for a 14 year old that was an amazing piece of work. it just really hits you how her writing style has developed into something that really blows you away. but i can tell foreign readers this, the next book and supposedly the last book in the chronicles is called the sending. i say supposedly, because i remember after the farseekers came out the next book was meant to be the keeping place, but it ended being ashling and then the keeping place(which was just released in australia this year). i hope to god that the sending isnt the last book. and shes also meant to be working on the second book in the legendsong series, called darksong.

This second book in the Obernewtyn Chronicles is a fantastic sequel and a joy to read in and of itself. While the first book, Obernewtyn, kept to a typical first book style (i.e. it could have stood alone as a single book), The Farseekers takes its place as part of an ongoimg story.

For background, the world that Carmody has created is a post-apoctalyptic one. The consequences of the Great White, as it is called in the books, are rampent. Besides tainted land and water, there are numerous mutations amoungst the people of the land, both physical and mental. In the land, there exists an oppressive Council to control the people and the mutations with a strict hand. These books tell the story of a special group whose mutations have given them special mental abilities (esp, ability to talk with animals...). At their mountain home at Obernewtyn, they must hide from the Council, but also fulfill their goal of making Misfits (as they are called) acceptable in the land. Obernewtyn has become a haven for such Misfits and there they are trained to use their talent well.

But the main character, Elspeth Gordie, has a mission that goes beyond her fellow Misfits' plans. No one but her knows about it, and even she is not all clear on the details. It is in The Farseekers that she discovers more about who she is and what she has been called to do.

So The Farseekers tells of Elspeth's mission and of the plans and purposes of Obernewtyn - which for now are bound together. The adventures that Elspeth and company engage in are exciting and are meaningful due to the ultimate purposes of the group. It is the story of a quest across land and water to find an old library and a very powerful Misfit. As they journey, they meet others in the land who oppose the Council as well as face the harsh realities of danger and death. As one reads, one realizes the significance of details mentioned in book 1. New characters and new plots are revealed and new relationships form.

The strong points of the book, besides a really great story, are the details and the character development. Isobelle Carmody has a fantastic way with details. Everything has a purpose in her books, which is hard to realize during the first reading. By the end of the second book, and most certainly by the end of the subsequent books, one absolutely has to reread the earlier books. In addition, the characters in the books are very real. Carmody describes them in many facets - physically, emotionally, intellectually ... etc. One becomes attached to the characters very quickly and (at least for me) I feel like I am Elspeth as I read. It is almosr painful to finish the book because I so want to be back in her world, in her place. Conversations are realistic. For example, three, simple, short words said by one character to another near the end of The Farseekers (you'll know them when you read them) are in my mind the most tender and emotionally wonderful words I have ever read.

Buy this book, buy all the books and read them over and over again. Enjoy them. I can't praise them enough. This is the best fantasy series I have ever read.

(Book 4 is only available from Australia right now, and we are all desperatly awaiting book 5)

The characters, plots and intrigues introduced in Obernewtyn not only continue in Farseekers, they escalate! A rescue mission forces Elspeth to lead a group of Misfits on a journey into deserted ruins, enemy camps and hidden cities. The intrepid Elspeth, now a little older, wiser and dedicated to the Misfit cause, is faced with well thought-out and plotted perils including ambushes, kidnappings, daring rescues and incredible shocks and surprises. Given the recent dearth of GOOD Sci/Fi and Fantasy recently, Obernewtyn and The Farseekers are the find of the year! You'd never believe these books were written for a young adult audience in Australia nearly ten years ago! Obernewtyn and The Farseekers have just been published here in the US, and I for one can't wait for the remaining two novels in this series. A must for Fantasy lovers of all ages!

This book explores how life at Obernewtyn is undertaken after Rushton becomes the master. It tells you in more detail about the mind talents the misfits have. It is well written and action packed. The characters have become more mature and you can really relate to them. The ending is fantastic and thought provoking. A must read! However, it is better to read Obenewtyn first (otherwise you have no idea what half of the book is about).

This is the second novel in Isobelle Carmody's Obernewtyn series about a post-apocalyptic world thrown back into a middle ages full of fear and doubt. Even before the great battles that brought the world to the brink of disaster, science had begun to investigate the possibilities of humans with enhanced mental powers. But the aftermath of the war triggered a massive increase in skills that the 'normals' saw as a great threat. Labeled misfits, they were healers and coercers, farseers and beast speakers, and hated by those who believed that the way to be safe from the mistakes of the past was to destroy any living reminder.

Hidden in this dangerous world are the misfits of Obernewtyn, led by Rushton and Elspeth Gordie they mark the beginnings of a new force in the paranoid world around them, one that that can stand up to the Herder Priests and the Council. But the challenges are many. Elspeth has sworn to discover and destroy the machines that destroyed the world of the beforetimers, but first she must see to the survival of Obernewtyn. And so a small group of misfits sets out to find an ancient library, and to discover more misfits to help at Obernewtyn.

Posing as a gypsy troupe, they seem to careen from danger to danger. First the camp of the Druid's men, then a rescue from herders, and then the threat of capture by the Council's soldiers - danger lurks everywhere. And the land itself is full of threat, tainted and haunted. But they must succeed. To fail means the end of Obernewtyn, and the very really danger that the old weaponmachines will be found again and bring about a second, and final apocalypse.

Isobelle Carmody's world is both threatening and fascinating. The skills of the misfits, animals that can mindspeak, places of darkness and great power, the story tells as if it was fantasy, but it is much more. Carmody displays considerable skill in blending the worlds together and making what you read immediate and compelling. Elspeth is perfect as hero, adventurer, and young woman facing a daunting task. Highly recommended.

If you havent read this book then you must. My brother got me into the series and once I started reading it I couldn't stop. I have now read all four books in the series (The Keeping Place was brilliant) and I am eagerly waiting for the next book. If only she could write as fast as I can read.

The Farseekers (1990) is the second SF novel in the Obernewtyn series, following Obernewtyn. In the previous volume, Rushton organized a rebellion against the ruling triumvirate and both Madame Vega and Alexia were killed. Ariel fled out into the snow and was presumed to be dead. Obernewtyn was reorganized into a Misfit haven under Rushton, the true owner.

In this novel, Elspeth Gordie is a Misfit who leads the Farseeker Guild. She has many talents and has been told that she is the Seeker who will find the weaponmachines of the Oldtimers. She also seems to be the Inne of the beasts, who will lead them to a freerunning Barud.

Maruman is a mutant cat. He has been with Elspeth for many years. He is getting old and lazy, but he is also her contact with Allthis.

Rushton Seraphim is the Master of Obernewtyn, leader of the Misfits. He has some latent Talent.

Roland is the Healerguildmaster. He worries about the scarring on Elspeth's feet and legs.

Kella is a Healer. She treats Elspeth's aching and swollen feet.

Matthew is a Farseeker guild ward. He has grown significantly since joining the Misfits at Obernewtyn.

Maryon is the Futuretell guildmistress. She foresees futures, but what she sees is not necessarily foreordained.

Jik is a former Herder novice. He has been hearing voices in his head. At first he thinks that they are demons, but then he learns that they are the Misfits.

Garth is the Teknoguildmaster. He supervises digs in the ruins of the Oldtimers. He passionately desires knowledge of the Beforetime.

Gahltha is a large black stallion. As his name suggests, he is the leader of the equines.

Domick is a member of the Coercer guild. He has been developing a relationship with Kella.

In this story, Elspeth is receiving a scolding from Roland about staying off her feet. Elspeth reminds him that she has responsiblities as the Farseekerguildmistress. Roland is unsympathetic and points out that Garth manages to stay in his caves without losing control of the Teknoguild.

As they are having their argument, Kella brings in a herbal infusion to soak Elspeth's feet. Roland leaves and the girls discuss current affairs, including the abhorrent use of torture as a tool by their enemies. Then they are interrupted by Matthew with news of the return of Rushton and his call for an emergency guildmerge.

Since Rushton presents his motions last, Elspeth proposes a joint expedition by the Farseeker and Tekno guilds to the western shore. The Teknoguild has discovered a cache of books near Aborium and also has found indications of a Misfit with strong talents near the town. Rushton agrees and suggests that they also include someone to go to Sutrium to learn what the Council is doing.

Then Elspeth is summoned to the Healer hall. Maruman is having another fit. She probes deep within his mind, almost down to the shining -- but dangerous -- mindstream. There she hears a voice telling her to prepare for a dark journey.

Later, Elspeth meets Gahltha, who strongly objects to subordinating his horses to humans. Elspeth points out that the human Misfits are not abusing the beasts as normal humans do. Gahltha is against his horses participating in the expedition, but agrees to allow them to go only if Elspeth goes with them.

Despite Rushton's objections, Elspeth is chosen as the leader of the expedition. She also takes Matthew, Gahltha and three other equines. Kella of the Healerguild and Pavo of the Teknoguild are included. And Rushton selects Domick to spy on the Council in Sutrium.

Then Maryon recommends that they take Jik with them. Although he is familiar with Sutrium and Aborium, Maryon is not sure why Jik should go. But go he must and his dog Darga will also be going with them.

This tale has the party -- except Domick -- disguise themselves as gypsies. They try to bypass Sutrium by going through the White Valley, but find others there before them. Elspeth has Domick leave them and travel to Sutrium, but the rest have an adventure.

This story reads like fantasy, but has an SF background. The Talents are psionic -- esper and telekinetic -- abilities. The Misfits learn that these Talents had existed before the Great White -- the nuclear apocalypse -- and thus are not necessarily the results of intense radiations.

Still, mutations have occurred from the weaponmachines and may have accelerated the development of such Talents. But most mutations are crippling or lethal rather than benevolent. So the Talents were probably well established in the gene pool before the apocalypse.

The most fantastic aspect of these stories is the intelligence of the beasts. But psychology has proven that almost every animal species -- except maybe amoebas -- have a degree of cognition. Any cat or dog owner knows that animals can think to some degree. But read about flatworms -- which lack brains as such -- that can learn how to move though a maze to reach a reward at the end.

There are great arguments about the mental abilities of cetaceans and primates. Certainly their minds differ from ours, but do they have the ability to reason? Telepathy might provide conclusive answers to these questions.

Animal reasoning plays a significant role in this story. The sequel to this novel is Ashling. Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Carmody fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of strange Talents, strong enemies, and persevering heroines.

-Arthur W. Jordin

This is an unusually well-written series, with unique characters and a fascinating story line. Isobelle Carmody is a gifted writer. I have read a lot of fantasy/scifi, and often the plots or aspects of the plot are similar from one book to another (find a portal, travel to another world/time, etc). This series is not only creatively different, it is thought-provoking. I could not put down each book in the series, reading late into the night (which I usually avoid doing). I will not recapitulate the plot here, because so many others have done so. I do want to contradict one of the reviewers cited above (Publisher's Weekly), who stated that the book was more likely to appeal to adolescent females. I am a 45-year-old woman, and I have found this series to be one of my all-time favorites. There is nothing adolescent about it, except the ages of some of the characters. However, they do not act or think in particularly adolescent ways. Of course, I think the series would ALSO appeal to adolescent females, as well as to advanced pre-teen readers (since the plot is complicated). Order your copy of Obernewtyn today, and set some time aside!

It has been a couple years since Elspeth first came to Obernewtyn and much has changed. The school is now run by the misfits who used to consider the castle to be a prison. They are members of guilds, which guild depends on their strongest gift, and decide how things are going in the castle. Elspeth is a guildmistress and has a lot of say with the guilds. Outside of Obernewtyn little has changed. The land is controlled by the herder religion and the harsh government that wants to rid the world of Misfits. So that's why it's a terrible thing when the misfits learn that people from the government are becoming suspicious of Obernewtyn, their only safe haven.

When Elspeth has a premonition that she needs to find a powerful misfit far to the South she knows she needs to convince, Rushton, the master of Obernewtyn to let her go. She sets off with a team of misfits of every guild including plucky newcomer, Jif, and a horse that hates people. Unfortunately their journey proves to be more perilous than the small teams of misfits could ever imagine. Amazing and terrible things happen including being captured more than once, facing death, meeting a couple new friends, and seeing a couple old ones. Elspeth has a big challenge in front of her.

The Farseekers, the second book in the Obernewtyn chronicles, proves to be an even better book than the first one, Obernewtyn, the first book in the series. The book suspenseful with a new surprise around every twist and bend. It has more magic than the last book and different kinds of magic. It's fun to see how each character has grown from the last book. Everyone seems to get smarter as they get older. And it's fun to watch some romance blossom between unlikely characters. I highly recommend this book to fans of fantasy authors such as Mindy L. Klasky, Mercedes Lackey, and Tamora Pierce. I can't wait to read the third book in the series Ashling, which is currently sitting on my bookshelf and waiting to be read.

There are just some books that you can't put down, and you're really sorry when you finish them because you want to read more. I read Obernewtyn and The Farseekers and immediately started searching online for the next books in the series. I haven't purchased them yet from Australia because I keep waiting for another one to come out (SOON?)(I hope) so I can order three of them and have yet one more book in the series to read before I have to go into withdrawl again. Obviously I would highly recommend this series to anyone from young adults up.