Fated (Soul Seekers) [Hardcover]

Alyson Noël (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 22, 2012 | Series: Soul Seekers (Book 1)

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Immortals, Alyson Noël, comes Fated—a breathtaking new saga brimming with magic, mystery, and an intoxicating love story that will steal your heart away. Meet The Soul Seekers.

Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter’s sanity, Daire’s mother sends her to live with the grandmother she’s never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are—the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker—one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead.

There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it’s when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the one guy she's meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Alyson Noël paints a magical New Mexican landscape." –New Mexico Style

"Noël does a terrific job of slowly unspooling secrets and motivations with writing that is both charismatic and spunky." –LA Times

"A rush of romance will sweep you away in this hauntingly mystical read. I'm already as addicted to Daire and Dace as I was to Ever and Damen. Next book please!" –Janet, teen reader from Kentucky for Justine magazine

"An adventurous page-turner. Dreams and reality bleed into each other in this dangerous and edgy romance. Another home run series for Alyson Noël!" –Anna, teen reader from NY for Justine magazine

"Emotional, fast-paced, romantic. I love Alyson Noël’s lushly descriptive writing –I could hear the beating of the crow’s wings, feel the blue-eyed boy’s embrace and smell Paloma’s coffee in this new Soul Seekers series." –Catherine, teen reader from Florida for Justine magazine

"With fantastic characters and an amazing plot,　Fated will suck you in and leave you breathless.　Noël is a master with words…with passion and thrills around each corner, this book is a must read." – Romantic Times (Top Pick!)

"Atmospheric and enjoyable...Noël's　many fans will be eager to find out what happens next." –Publishers Weekly

"Readers will feel the pull of Daire's quest just as forcefully as Daire herself does, and will count the days until the release of Echo." –Shelf Awareness, Maximum Shelf

"A fast and enjoyable read...with some very unique plot twists and balance among the romance, conflict and family relationships." --Deseret News

"Two boys, one light and one dark, factor heavily into the intriguing, twisting story line, which is sure to draw Noël’s numerous fans." –Booklist

"Another captivating series from Alyson Noël. Fated did an excellent job setting up everything for the next books in the series. …I’m really looking forward to seeing where this series goes!" –The Story Siren

"Fated reads very well and the descriptions set the scene perfectly. Noel takes the time to set the story up right so it never feels rushed or that any details were missing. …I’m glad there’s not too long to wait for the sequel – Echo is due out in November of this year."—The Reading Date

"If you're looking for a new series to get stuck into "The Soul Seekers" is out of this world." –Dark Readers

　"I found myself unable to put this book down, completely captivated by　the narration and the beautifully crafted world. It was a refreshing YA fantasy with new elements I’ve never before." –Love, Literature, Art and Reason

"A superb thriller. The key to this absorbing tale is the heroine who makes the Noël mythos seem genuine as she enters the underworld while wondering who she can trust. Filled with twists, this is a winning opening act." – Alternative Worlds

"This book has it all—magick, spookiness, cute boys, a little romance, danger, fun and light-hearted moments, some mystery, and there's even good/evil twins (cute ones, too!) What more can you ask for? I am very intrigued by this new world that Alyson has created, and I cannot wait to read more about Daire and her friends in the future." –Once Upon A Twilight

"Noël has surpassed all of my exceptions with a new world filled with magick, trust, and love. . . . It just mesmerizes me how [she] can create a world filled with fast-pacing, heart-breaking plots along with awesome characters and such a magical world."—Cover Analysis

"I loved this book. All the characters were beautifully developed including some of the minor characters. . . I for one had high expectations of this book because of Evermore and Fated defiantly met those standards."　—Flamingnet

"The world-building in Fated is fantastic. …The plot is amazing and the rich Native American history along with the supernatural elements of the book, just made it even better...Fated is a story of pure magic—breathtaking and wonderful, all at once." 　—Kindle & Me

"Fated was absolutely original in its own way! From the vivid descriptions to the spiritual world the author, Alyson Noël, has cleverly created, I was so intrigued and stunned by this book that I can't wait to see where Noël takes this series to because she sure as hell has a winner right here!" —Tales of the Inner Book Fanatic

"This novel is something different than anything I've encountered. Fated has a rich mythology, full of spirit animals, spirit journeys, fate, soul-seeking, and of course, good and evil."　—Thirteen Days Later

About the Author

ALYSON NOËL is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Immortals series, the Riley Bloom series, and seven previous novels for St. Martin’s Press. She lives in Laguna Beach, California, where she is at work on her next book.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (May 22, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780312664855
• ISBN-13: 978-0312664855
• ASIN: 0312664850
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (117 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #372,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alyson Noël is the #1 New York Times best selling, award-winning, author of FAKING 19, ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS, LAGUNA COVE, FLY ME TO THE MOON, KISS & BLOG, SAVING ZOË, CRUEL SUMMER, FOREVER SUMMER (a LAGUNA COVE/CRUEL SUMMER 2-in1), KEEPING SECRETS (FAKING 19/SAVING ZOE 2-in-1), THE IMMORTALS series including: EVERMORE, BLUE MOON, SHADOWLAND, DARK FLAME, NIGHT STAR, & EVERLASTING, THE IMMORTALS spin-off, RILEY BLOOM series including RADIANCE, SHIMMER, DREAMLAND & WHISPER), with short stories apearing in the anthologies: FIRST KISS (THEN TELL), KISSES FROM HELL, & DEAR BULLY. She is currently working on a new series for teens, THE SOUL SEEKERS: including FATED & ECHO- in stores now-, MYSTIC (05.07.13), & HORIZON (11.12.13).

With over 8 New York Times bestsellers in 2 years, and over 7 million copies in print, her books have been translated into 37 languages, sold in over 50 countries, and have made the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, NCIBA, Walmart, and numerous international bestsellers lists. And have won numerous awards such as: the National Reader's Choice Award, NYLA Book of Winter Award, NYPL Stuff for the Teenage, TeenReads Best Books of 2007, Reviewer's Choice 2007 Top Ten, appeared on the CBS Early Show's "Give the Gift of Reading" segment, and selected for Seventeen Magazine's "Hot List" and Beach Book Club Pick.

The dramatic rights for all 4 books in THE SOUL SEEKERS series were optioned for film by Cheyenne Enterprises--and her adult novel, FLY ME TO THE MOON, was optioned by Ridley Scott's, Scott Free Productions, with Sharon Maguire (Bridget Jones' Diary) set to write and direct.

Born and raised in Orange County, California, she's lived in both Mykonos and Manhattan and is now settled in Southern California where she's working on her next book.

Photo by Nancy Villere.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#56 in Books > Teens

#56 in Books > Teens

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Could Have Been Fated For Something More April 4, 2012

By Leah

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Daire's a girl who travels the world with her makeup artist mom for major films. She's also being plagued by visions of glowing figures and crows. The more these visions take hold, the more Daire begins to questions her sanity. She never expected that these would be the heralding of a calling which will pit her against unimaginable evil.

EDIT: FATED is the first book I have read by New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noel, but I am familiar with her IMMORTALS series. I was a little hesitant to read this because of the mostly negative reviews I have read about her previous novels, but curiosity got the better of me. I'm very glad I read FATED for two reasons. I love Native American myths and legends, and the mythology and traditions in the book made for a fascinating read. This, along with the landscape of New Mexico, brims with magic and mystery. These were the strengths of the story.

Pacing wise, the first third is a little slow, but once things pick up, the story becomes compelling. It takes its time to explain things or let them unravel.

Daire was troublesome for me. She's a level-headed sixteen year old, but she doesn't sound like a teenager. Some of her phrasing is archaic. Also, she is very close minded, even when beyond ordinary things start happening to her. She treats everyone, including her own mom, like garbage. She was very frustrating. Most of her dialogue is complain, whine, groan, moan. But once she started her journey, it was easier to get onto the path with her; not by much.

When she meets her love interest, Dace, it's instantaneous. But he's too perfect. I'm assuming that, since this is the first in a series, there will be more development of him as a person. The villains were a lot more interesting, if in a psychotic way. I did like Daire's grandmother, who reminded me a lot of my own.

After reading a few mediocre books in the past few weeks, FATED was a nice change of pace. It's well thought out although Daire sucks all the fun out of most of the book. To be savored if you enjoy folklore and myth and can stomach angst.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars lacking...Something June 3, 2012

By Nikki Wang

Format:Hardcover

*Complimentary copy provided. This does NOT affect my review in any way.*

the book starts off during a time freeze, something Daire is used to y now. What she isn't used to are the glowing people and the crows attacking her in the middle of them. Marked as crazy almost immediately, Daire only has two choices and decides to choose the lesser evil and is shipped off to her grandmother's home--a woman she didn't even know was alive. Quickly she learns about her powers as a Soul Seeker and learns to eventually accept it, to control them. Making things even more interesting is Dace, the boy Daire's literally been dreaming about, and someone who she's immensely attracted to. The problem? Dace is part of a family called Le Coyotes, a family that has tried o control the Lowerworld, an event that will, eventually, kill humanity. Should she trust him? Or is her truly the one she will be forced, fated, to kill?

The book lacked the edge I had been anticipating, I'm afraid. Nothing really seemed as dangerous as this type of story required in order to make you excited. In short--Fated seemed seemed just a bit too innocent at times. Especially with the things we encounter. On the other hand, I enjoyed reading it and the story was as original as you can get in the paranormal genre.

What I did fully love, was the fact that Alyson Noel could create wonderful worlds that honestly didn't sound that farfetched, the way she wrote it! I could honestly believe in the Lower, Middle, and Upperworld if I knew it was fiction. It's just the way that Alyson Noel pieced together the words and sentences that made you convinced of everything. Onto characters, I honestly hated Daire the first few chapters. She seemed as shallow as Ever was sometimes, but later on, you did see her (hopefully) real side, one that's caring and not as whiny. Dace wasn't at all as dangerous as his brother, Cole, and that was one thing I didn't exactly like. In real life, a sweet, caring guy is wonderful! In books, I know a lot of readers prefer the dark and dangerous ones. A seemingly innocent boy didn't fit with the blurb, exactly. I thought at first that Dace would be all cocky and a bit sweet, still dangerous. That way you honestly wouldn't know if he was friend or foe. But even though I was skeptical at first, I Dace did eventually grow on me and I grew to like him more and more. Cade is your typical antagonist, although even more evil in my eyes. I mean, he ate...well, read it and find out!

I do think Fated lacked a plot, though. It as more of an introduction than an actually completed book. honestly, the only action there truly was, was near the end. The romance was barely there. It seemed more as if Dace and Daire had already fallen in love through their dreams, rather in real life which is the only part wefully experience along with her.

For people who are interested in shamanism and loved the Immortals like I did, I definitely think you'll love it! The story and setting were different from all the others we see and the way that Noel approaches things definitely makes you fall in love with a few key factors. Fated was a satisfying read and I did enjoy it. I just didn't love it as much as I hoped, and perhaps that has something to do with this review: too high hopes. There were many moments that made me laugh, cringe, and look around nervously and that's all thanks to Daire, so I'd definitely give this book a try! Shelf Awareness also gave me some interesting insight to the making and publicity of the novel. click here to read the article. Just scroll down after the review.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A great new paranormal series from Alyson Noël May 22, 2012

By The Book Muncher VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

For almost as long as she can remember, strange things have been happening to Daire Santos, things like time stopping altogether for everyone but her. Lately, the strangeness has gotten much worse, especially now that she's being followed by crows and weird glowing people. Though everyone else thinks these visions are just severe hallucinations, Daire knows all of this has to be real. So Daire goes to live with her estranged grandmother, the only person who believes her side of the story, in Enchantment, New Mexico. There, she learns why such strange things have always plagued her life--they're signs that Daire is coming closer to her destiny as a Soul Seeker, someone with the ability to navigate the realms of the living and dead. With help from her grandmother, Daire comes to learn and embrace her new powers, but time is short. There's a deadly plot afoot amongst the Santos' and Soul Seekers' age-old enemies, and Daire may be the only person who can stop it.

I enjoyed many of Noël's earlier novels, from her paranormal Immortals series to her contemporary standalones, because Noël clearly knows how to tell a story. Fated really only further proves that point. Due to an intriguing premise and Noël's vividly descriptive writing, I was quickly drawn into Daire's story and the unique world of Enchantment. My interest was then maintained through an exciting plot that was well balanced between the obstacles of everyday life, a very sexy romance, and more fantastical elements. Though I wasn't too enamored with the writing style at times and do wish that the romance was a little more developed and satisfying, I have to say that Noël really delivers on all other accounts in this novel, and especially in terms of an intriguing concept and truly engaging plot. Overall, I immensely enjoyed Fated and look forward to the continuation of Daire's story in further installments in the new Soul Seekers series.

Fans of The Immortals series by Alyson Noël, My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent, and The Dark Divine by Bree Despain will not want to miss this awesome start to a new series.