Official Review: The Seventh Seal by A. J Dobbs

[Heidi M Simone]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Seventh Seal" by A. J Dobbs.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Balance. A world needs balance for it to maintain structure. But, what happens when there are two worlds? The balance, then, is even more precious and more vulnerable.

In The Seventh Seal, by A.J. Dobbs, there is a land called Thera. Within this land, there the Seven Keepers, who ultimately work together to ensure that Earth and its alternate planet, Arthe, are balanced. When word gets out that the conniving, Odling Smee, wants to offset the balance, the Seventh Seal Keeper, Michael Stone, seeks this man out to be rid of him once and for all. However, Smee is always one step ahead of everyone, and Michael is unable to follow through. Though Smee is captured, Michael does not desire the same fate for his son, Daniel. Therefore, he throws his prized and signature Seal, the mark of a Keeper, into the bottom of a lake before his untimely death.

Years later, an unfortunate event takes place and Smee is on the run again. Untold secrets begin to unfold for fifteen-year-old Daniel. The confused teenager is thrown into a world that he never knew existed and the reason for his father’s death. Now, as the power of the Seven Keepers are restored, their mission is to stop Smee from stealing not only their Seals, but a very powerful and dangerous mechanism called the Arcanum. The powers of the Seals and the Arcanum is too great to mess with. There is no telling what damage this untrustworthy man can do.

In this young adult read, I was captivated within the first few pages. The author cleverly creates a new world, which ties this fantasy read with science fiction. It is told through a narration; one main character tells the story through his eyes, but is also able to relay what happens to other characters. Themes of loyalty, responsibility, working together, and friendship is woven into this tale.

The protagonists are likable, and even the antagonist, Smee, I did not dislike. Dobbs gives the reader some background of Smee to describe why he is the way he is, so that perhaps helps with my acceptance of him as the villain. As a side note, I love the tie-in of a telepathic dog named Geddy. He is adorable!

There are some aspects that I would like to see be developed a bit more. For one, the planet Arthe is hard to picture and its correlation with Earth. Also, most of the Keepers are one-dimensional. It is difficult to distinguish one from the other, especially, since most of them do not have big speaking roles. I also feel that some scenes were rushed. For instance, when Daniel accepts his role as a Keeper, there isn't much discussion of his training before he is thrown into a fight. It is presented as the Keepers need to rush to train him, but that the fighting would come naturally, which is a bit contradictory.

The Seventh Seal is a first in a series, so perhaps some of the questions and concerns will be further explored in its sequel. Even with a bit more room to grow, I found this read very enjoyable. Therefore, I give this book a 3 out of 4 stars rating. I would recommend this read to both young adults and adults who like a fun mix between fantasy and science fiction.

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The Seventh Seal
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[TrishaAnn92]

This sounds like a fascinating read! Having questions at the end of the book would drive me nuts though! I guess it's a series worth waiting for more than one book to be released before actually reading it.

[kimmyschemy06]

Sounds like one enjoyable book. I like stories that deal with 'loyalty, responsibility, working together, and friendship' they make the book something the readers would learn a lot from. Great job on the review.

[Heidi M Simone]

This sounds like a fascinating read! Having questions at the end of the book would drive me nuts though! I guess it's a series worth waiting for more than one book to be released before actually reading it.

It was a very fun read and interesting read! You're right, though, it might have good to release both books at the same time to answer some of those unanswered questions.

-- 14 Nov 2016, 17:53 --

Sounds like one enjoyable book. I like stories that deal with 'loyalty, responsibility, working together, and friendship' they make the book something the readers would learn a lot from. Great job on the review.

Thank you, kimmyschemy06! I liked that this book touched upon those concepts, too.

[TrishaAnn92]

This sounds like a fascinating read! Having questions at the end of the book would drive me nuts though! I guess it's a series worth waiting for more than one book to be released before actually reading it.

It was a very fun read and interesting read! You're right, though, it might have good to release both books at the same time to answer some of those unanswered questions.

-- 14 Nov 2016, 17:53 --

Sounds like one enjoyable book. I like stories that deal with 'loyalty, responsibility, working together, and friendship' they make the book something the readers would learn a lot from. Great job on the review.

Thank you, kimmyschemy06! I liked that this book touched upon those concepts, too.

I'm adding it to my TBR but I'm going to wait for the second book to avoid going crazy.

[Heidi M Simone]

This sounds like a fascinating read! Having questions at the end of the book would drive me nuts though! I guess it's a series worth waiting for more than one book to be released before actually reading it.

It was a very fun read and interesting read! You're right, though, it might have good to release both books at the same time to answer some of those unanswered questions.

-- 14 Nov 2016, 17:53 --

Sounds like one enjoyable book. I like stories that deal with 'loyalty, responsibility, working together, and friendship' they make the book something the readers would learn a lot from. Great job on the review.

Thank you, kimmyschemy06! I liked that this book touched upon those concepts, too.

I'm adding it to my TBR but I'm going to wait for the second book to avoid going crazy.

Nice! Lol, that might be the best!

[TrishaAnn92]

It reminds me of how I felt after reading the first and thencsecond installment of Bone Season by Samantha Shannon...I'm anxiously awaiting the third one...

[Heidi M Simone]

I haven't actually read that one, but I know what you mean. Sometimes, if it's been too long in between, then I almost want to reread the previous ones as a refresher, as well.

[TrishaAnn92]

I haven't actually read that one, but I know what you mean. Sometimes, if it's been too long in between, then I almost want to reread the previous ones as a refresher, as well.

I love the Bone Season, lol I did that with the second book, went back and read the first.

[Heidi M Simone]

If the Bone Season is worth a reread, maybe I'll have to check it out!

[Misa2718]

Good job on this review! This book sounds really interesting! I like elements of fantasy and the idea that there is a second world. It kind of reminds me of the movie "children who chase lost voices." Just the idea that there is another world that exists in order to keep balance in our world is so intriguing. This book is definitely on my list of books to read. The review was well written and was pretty riveting. If the review was that good I can only imagine the actual text.

[MarisaRose]

Thanks for the well written, honest review! This sounds like a fun read, although I would be a little bothered by an ending with so many questions.

[Heidi M Simone]

Good job on this review! This book sounds really interesting! I like elements of fantasy and the idea that there is a second world. It kind of reminds me of the movie "children who chase lost voices." Just the idea that there is another world that exists in order to keep balance in our world is so intriguing. This book is definitely on my list of books to read. The review was well written and was pretty riveting. If the review was that good I can only imagine the actual text.

Thank you, Misa2718! I appreciate your kind words. If you do get the chance to read the book, I hope you enjoy it!

-- 25 Nov 2016, 23:08 --

Thanks for the well written, honest review! This sounds like a fun read, although I would be a little bothered by an ending with so many questions.

Thank you, MarisaRose! It was a fun read, and there's definitely a need for some answers now.

[geoffrey ngoima]

sounds like a cool sci-fi movie, sth nice to sit down and read.
Thanks for the pleasant review

[MsTri]

At first, I wasn't sure this interested me, but your review was very convincing, and now I think I do want to read it. Albeit with a grain of salt, thanks to some things you point out, but still...Thanks for the introduction.