Jacob grew up in Harmony, a city populated entirely by blind people. In the previous story (TRUESIGHT) Jacob was forced to leave Harmony. Because Jacob can see. After being ostracized by the only family and community he had ever known, and observing firsthand the treachery of the man in charge, Jacob fled to the unknown. Which is where THE SEER picks up.
Jacob wasn't completely prepared for his journey. He is traveling on foot through foreign areas, it's been days since he's eaten or drank anything, and he's heading towards a place he was raised to dislike. Jacob is beginning to doubt the wisdom of leaving Harmony, even if he is a fugitive.
He is "rescued" by Xander. Xander lives alone outside of the city and the painful memories that live there. In a way they are both attempting to escape their pasts. Perhaps that is why Xander is willing to help Jacob, in his own gruff way.
Jacob has a mission. His friend, Delaney, was banished from Harmony by her own father. She traveled the same roads as Jacob, without the benefits of sight. Jacob feels driven to find his friend.
Finding her turns out to be easy. Getting to her? Well, that's another story entirely. Jacob and Xander are going to have to rely on and trust each other, and that's just the beginning.
In addition to being a great, intelligent, futuristic adventure, there are real characters with good stories. And it's just a really interesting concept. To start with, there's a city where being blind is the only way. Even though Jacob didn't fit in there, it's still comforting because it was a place he knew. Add in a girl who should have fit in there, but didn't. A man who can't seem to find any place where he fits. And some people who will try to make everybody fit into what they want them to be.
Sometimes what you think you want isn't really what you want at all.
Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman
