Seer's Blood by Doranna Durgin was a fast-paced, entertaining read. The main characters were well drawn and grew as the story unfolded. It was an enjoyable book. ( )

Once upon a time in a Holler far away, a young man appeared on her doorstep. He was Darcy, she was Blaine. Darcy had a seeing; the Annektch (Takers) were returning to the mountains for the magic and for the people. His kin were Seers immune to the magic of the Takers. He came to help if only they would believe. Blaine was of the hills, wild and trying to be free. Her way of life demanded things she wasn't willing to give, but were necessary for survival. She'd found an old book of history and magic once so she would believe. Together they fight to persuade her people of the danger. Mountain folk, isolated, suspicious of strangers, loyal, hard working, clinging to what they knew. Most didn't believe until too late. Then Darcy and Blaine fought the Takers-those creatures who took over another's body and used it up-enjoying every pleasure and pain they could inflict. And the mountain people joined the fight. But how can you win against a creature who can take your mind and control you with a touch? ( )

I enjoyed Seers Blood. Got a bit confused with the terminology of the 'baddies'. Good tension between characters. I felt I knew the characters well.

I do not like to write anything bad about a book because my opinion is only my opinion. But since I was reading this as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers, I felt I needed to review. Unfortunately I could not finish this book. When I read, I typically get lost and feel like I am in the story, nothing about this particular book grabbed me and made me want to continue. ( )

Doranna Durgin's novel "Seer's Blood" follows feisty mountaineering outcast Blaine who follows enigmatic newcomer Dacey on a daring coming of age journey to save her family and her home. Blaine has been haunted by troubling dreams when she sees a large group of strangers camping out near her family's homestead. Not too long after a curious man, Dacey, brings warning of an ancient enemy. Blaine, armed with the incomplete knowledge of the long-lost seers, eventually allies with Dacey and his frankly awesome dogs, they learn, grow, rally their strength and lead an epic ass-kicking charge.

I wanted to love this book, I really did. It had a shadowy, possibly novel magic system, a straight up awesome villain, a solid heroine and a good dynamic between the two main characters. It had dogs, written well! So much potential, and instead of doing anything revolutionary Durgin meandered through the plot. Which is to say the climax was well done, but I was a little upset because it could have been so much more expansive in scope.

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