JANGO

Three teen heroes of Seeker (2006) leave the Nomana within days of each other. Wildman dives off a cliff to escape punishment; Morning Star accompanies Seeker to follow Wildman; Seeker, betrayed by someone in the Nomana community, leaves to find his nemeses and kill them. All three struggle with betrayal and self-doubt, and their reactions to this show both the strengths and weaknesses of their characters. Nicholson’s episodic structure tells the story of the Nomana exiles as well as introducing new characters, both attractive and not. There is a feeling of circularity: Seeker leaves the home he loves to return later to save it; Wildman leaves to escape being stripped of his personality and memories only to return to the Spikers, his original people. There are many mysteries: the role played by an old man named Jango, the nature of the Nomanas’ enemies, the Savanters and the nature of the Nomana god. This splendid read will both satisfy and tantalize lovers of the first book and send newly introduced readers to look for it. (Fantasy. 12-15)