This is a rather typical YA fantasy piece.

The characters within it seem to lack significant depth, being only about a millimeter deep.

There are numerous instances of "suddenly" throughout the story.

These sudden occurrences often feel rather forced and do not flow smoothly within the narrative.

It gives the impression that the author is relying too much on these abrupt changes to drive the plot forward instead of developing a more organic and engaging storyline.

While the concept of a YA fantasy may be appealing, the execution in this particular case leaves much to be desired.

The lack of character development and the overuse of "suddenly" make it a less than satisfying read for those who are looking for a more immersive and well-crafted fantasy experience.

Perhaps with some revisions and a greater focus on building more complex characters and a more coherent plot, this could have the potential to be a better piece of YA fantasy literature.

I read this book on the recommendation of the same friend who recommended The Winter Prince to me. However, this one didn't achieve as much success in my opinion.

I truly adored the first half of the book. It had a mysterious urgency and perils that kept me on the edge of my seat. Just like Callie and West, I was struggling to understand the rules of this new world and the reason for their journey. Everything related to the mysterious castle was marvelous and coherent.

Nevertheless, once Callie and West's journey through the desert began, the tension seemed to drop. Additionally, the allegorical ending was a bit too obvious for my taste. The gender roles sometimes bothered me, but it appeared that the book and the characters were aware of this issue.

The ending reminded me of a less brutal version of The Amber Spyglass, a book that I absolutely love. I can't help but wonder if Seaward had any influence on that ending.

Overall, while there were some aspects of this book that I enjoyed, it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

I originally read this book as a middle schooler, having fallen in love with Cooper's The Dark is Rising series. After that, I reread it countless times. However, the story didn't have the same staying power for me as TDIR. I suspect it was the romance and some surprisingly steamy parts that made this an adolescent favorite.

The book does have echoes of TDIR. Tyrannis and Lugan mirror The Rider and Merriman in certain ways. The theme of young strangers navigating a larger-than-life quest is also familiar, along with some roots in Celtic mythos (hello, selkies!). But Seaward is definitely aimed at an older crowd (and did I mention those sexy bits?). It also has a much broader symbolism.

On my reread, I noticed that Westerly and Cally are cute together, although perhaps a bit underdeveloped considering they are the protagonists. They are very funny (West's brand of sarcasm is particularly enjoyable to read). But since we meet them just as they are thrust into this world, we don't get to know them much beyond their survival and growing love for each other (and even that isn't explored in great depth beyond two teens in dramatic circumstances). The book is definitely for those who prefer their literature to be heavy on theme and setting rather than character.

I'm glad I reread it. It was a nice comfort read after a long year of demanding work-related book requirements. But I'm not sure if I'd need to revisit it again. It really pales in comparison to TDIR. Cooper's work truly shines when she can really delve into the characters she creates (Lugan can't hold a candle to Merriman, the best of the old wizardly mentors in my humble opinion). And the circumstances that Cally and West encounter seem like fleeting moments compared to the rich adventures that Will Stanton and the Drew children embark on.

Still, top marks for those sexy bits.

This is a great little story.

It may not reach the same height as "The Dark Is Rising", but it is still a good and enjoyable young adult story.

The plot is engaging and keeps the reader interested from start to finish.

However, I do have one small criticism.

I just wish that Cooper didn't feel such a strong need to soapbox and moralize.

Good storytelling should be able to convey its message and values without the direct intrusion of the author.

The story itself should be able to speak for itself and allow the reader to draw their own conclusions.

Despite this minor flaw, I would still recommend this story to anyone looking for a good YA read.

It has its own charm and appeal, and is sure to entertain and engage readers of all ages.

Overall, it is a solid effort that shows promise for future works by the author.

The summary I perused stated that the main protagonists were the heirs hailing from two distinct warring kingdoms.

Had this been the actual scenario, the narrative would have boasted more depth and potentially warranted a solid 4 or even a 5 rating.

However, as it stands, the main characters are merely random individuals who find themselves in a strange land by happenstance.

Yes, their parents possessed some distant magical roots, but this only serves to transport our characters into this foreign realm.

The novel abounds with metaphor and likely allegory, so do not anticipate a typical storyline - but this, of course, is characteristic of Cooper.

It is one of those novels where the joy lies in the journey, and I rate it higher than "The Alchemist" (a work with which you are probably more acquainted).

I would not be astonished to discover that the author of the Hunger Game series (whose name eludes me at the moment) had read this and drawn inspiration to fashion her depictions of the Games.

A fantastical, meandering world of meaning and self-discovery is envisaged by Cooper. It is a world that takes the reader on a journey through the complex emotions and experiences of the characters. Perhaps the story is a little heavy handed with its weighty themes, such as the evolution of West and Caly's love. However, it is this very intensity that makes the story so engaging and thought-provoking.

The love between West and Caly is not a simple one. It evolves over time, through trials and tribulations, and is tested by the challenges they face. Their relationship is a microcosm of the larger themes explored in the story, such as the search for meaning in life and the inevitability of grief.

Despite the hardships and heartaches, the story ends well. It is a bittersweet suspension of the promise of hope and the certainty of grief. The reader is left with a sense of both sadness and optimism, knowing that life is full of both joys and sorrows, but that there is always the possibility of finding love and meaning in the midst of it all.

This work presents an extended metaphor that is, for the most part, beautifully crafted.

However, it does have its flaws. There are moments when it comes across as a bit cheesy, and there are some awkward plot holes and leaps that can't be ignored.

Nonetheless, when I consider my overall experience, it's likely a combination of nostalgia and my deep love for Cooper's 'The Dark is Rising' series that drives me to rate this one a solid 4 stars.

The power of nostalgia often has a way of clouding our judgment, making us overlook some of the imperfections and focus more on the aspects that resonate with our memories and emotions.

In this case, despite the noted flaws, there is still something about this work that speaks to me on a personal level, and that's what ultimately led to my relatively high rating.

Perhaps others may view it differently, but for me, it holds a certain charm that I can't quite put into words.

Ah, Susan Cooper.

I truly had no idea what to anticipate from this novel. Clearly, what I had in mind wasn't present. (This is my third book for the Middle Grade Madness August 2022 MG Reading Challenge.) I wrongly thought it might have a maritime or nautical essence, and I could check off related tasks. But no.

Instead, it was a coming-of-age/quest story. There were two separate, recently bereaved teens. A male, West (Westerly), and a female, Cally (Calliope), who were leaving their innocence behind. It included selkies, Rhiannon, Tir n'An Og, stone giants, and a lot of travelling or fleeing through various natural landscapes, always seaward (thus the title), in a desperate attempt to reach the sea.

This book would make an excellent movie or series, considering the graphics capabilities of today. I think my favorite character might be Peth the... yeah, I still don't know what kind of creature he was (one of "Lugan's folk", which doesn't narrow it down much). And Rhiannon's leaf magic was easily the most captivating scene for me. But there's quite a lot here. From impassable deserts to unclimbable rock faces to enchanted buildings, bone divination, first sexual stirrings, forces of nature, weather magic, death, life, the afterlife(s).

It's partly a romantic coming-of-age read and partly a "meaning of life" philosophical book, all wrapped up in Cooper's Celtic/British Pagan-mythological subtext (similar to one of my all-time favorites, The Dark Is Rising Sequence). If you could only read one of hers, make it The Dark Is Rising. This one was good, but didn't reach 'greatness' by my reckoning.

When two children find themselves carried away from a set of catastrophes too haunting to accept, into a world just as complicated as perilous, they each are filled with a desire to find the answer to their being there and set off Seaward.

Cally and West begin their journeys alone. The land they cross is full of a magic and people beyond the realm of their understanding. Yet, there is something about this reality which they are unquestionably a part of.

The more I reflect on Seaward, the more I really like it. Both Cally and West are well drawn. Much is left to infer upon their inner thoughts and feelings. These are teenagers growing up in a world which they can comprehend on a surface level but which remains ever more complicated beneath the skin. As a passenger alongside their journeys, we find our own selves trying to pick apart the nature of those they meet whilst answering the questions which hover in their minds. These are complicated children in complicated situations encountering situations which are beyond their understanding and experience.

The Land and its denizens itself is very interesting and full of the fantastical. Yes, there are elements of The Dark is Rising in here but, in some ways, the reading feels more grown up. The questions are bigger or, perhaps, far more personal. The two main rulers of the realm, Taranis and Lugan are metaphors for something which is alluded to at the end and ones which readers may return to with different perspectives as they grow up. The final chapter has been as carefully constructed as the journey itself. Although there may be gaps, as with the Dark is Rising Series, where you would like a little more explanation, I felt the story’s close was as satisfying as any others of hers that I have read.

Overall, Seaward is a captivating and thought-provoking read that takes readers on a journey through a mysterious and magical world. It explores themes of identity,成长, and the search for meaning in a complex and often confusing world. The characters are engaging, the setting is rich and detailed, and the story is full of twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Whether you are a fan of fantasy or simply looking for a good book to read, Seaward is definitely worth checking out.

This is rather different from the way I recalled it from reading during my childhood.

To be sure, all that I could truly remember from this book was a mention of "the girl with the selkie hands".

This is a very distinct form of prose compared to what I more commonly read nowadays.

There is far more description and long passages of narrative flow as opposed to more contemporary fiction.

The latter, I find, often reads a great deal faster as it is so frequently broken up with more dialogue and is more centered on action rather than description.

In the end, I liked the story. I found it interesting.

However, partly because of the brevity of the story and partly because of the writing style, I didn't appreciate it as much now as I did when I was a child.

I can fully understand why the concepts have remained with me over the years, but less so the actual details of the overall story.

Perhaps with more time and a closer re-reading, I might be able to rediscover the magic that I once felt.

For now, though, I am left with a sense of nostalgia and a desire to explore more of the books that I loved as a child.

I was familiar with Susan Cooper due to the Dark is Rising series. However, I never had the inclination to search for any of her other works. That was until a coworker presented it to me as a Christmas gift. It was her favorite during her childhood, which is truly an honor.

I am extremely glad that she did. It has been an incredibly long time since I have read a book that is just this... Joyful. Cooper excels at integrating mythology into her stories in a manner that is both faithful to the source and yet somewhat novel.

I would highly recommend it to children everywhere. It has most definitely earned a place on my list of books to offer to unsuspecting young individuals. It's a wonderful read that can transport children into a world filled with magic and wonder, while also teaching them about different mythologies and cultures.

A gentle, inventive fantasy, this story presents a world filled with unique charm and creativity. The author has crafted a narrative that is both imaginative and engaging on the surface. However, as I delved deeper into the tale, I found that it just didn't have the strength to fully hold my attention. The pacing was perhaps a bit too slow in some parts, causing my mind to wander. The characters, while interesting, lacked that certain spark that would have made me truly invested in their journey. Despite its many positive aspects, in the end, I had to admit defeat and DNF (Did Not Finish) this particular fantasy adventure.