Obernewtyn #2

The Farseekers: The Obernewtyn Chronicles 2by Isobelle CarmodyAs I type this review, I am a little over half-way through the third book in this series. I read this book, The Farseekers, in one day and then immediately started on the next book. I am adoring this series.Two years have passed since the end of the first book of Obernewtyn. Obernewtyn itself has become a secret refuge for Misfits and each of the talents have formed their own guild. Elspeth has become the guildmistress of the Farseekers, those who can mind-speak with others. When a new and mysterious Talent is discovered by an accidental Farseeking, Elspeth and a few others embark on a dangerous quest to travel and seek out this unknown Misfit and bring he or she back to Obernewtyn.A few thoughts popped into my head as I was reading... book 2 reminded me of one of my favourite fantasy series, Kate Forsyth's Witches of Eileanan series. It also made me think of Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy. The story is rich with description and a world so vivid you can't help but picture yourself there as you read. The characters are deep and delicious (like cake!) and I am very wound up in Elspeth's life and dilemmas.The meeting of new people along the way is both exciting and makes you wary - will this be friend or foe? Who is  to be trusted in this world and on this quest? How many people can know the truth? Not once was I disappointed by predictability! There is death, and death that I had not foreseen (obviously I don't have any futuretelling misfit talents of my own). I also love the interaction with the animals in the book. They are (mostly) seen as equals by those at Obernewtyn, and even form their own guild.I don't even think I would classify this series as YA to be honest. Not the further I delve into the series. I think that Elspeth was supposed to be about 14 in the first book, which would make her 16 in this one, however none of the characters act as though they are children. All are written very maturely. I often forget myself as I read that these people are younger than I always think they are. If you are a fan of Robin Hobb I would certainly encourage you to pick up this series! And though the first book was short, the second is over 400 pages and the following books are all in the 500-page range. And this is not fluffy reading.Back to book 3 I go!The Obernewtyn Chronicles

1. Obernewtyn
2. The Farseekers
3. Ashling
4. The Keeping Place
5. Wavesong
6. The Stone Key
7. The Sending - early 2010?? I hope!
8. The Red Queen - NO CLUE!