Seeker, Morning Star, and Wildman are in training to become Noble Warriors. They've achieved nearly everything they set out to do---and nothing is what they thought. For Seeker, the power of becoming a Noble Warrior comes with burdens, questions, responsibilities, and no way to know for sure if his path is the right one. For Morning Star, the unexpected revelation of her own heart seems a contradiction to continuing onward in her training. And for Wildman . . . living by the rules has never been his style. He's still to get a glimpse of the Garden and the one who waits within, the All and the Only. It's all he's ever wanted. As war comes once again to the land, the three find themselves at the heart of something greater and more terrible than they ever dreamed. . . It's been nearly ten years since I read the first book, so my memories going into this one were a little foggy. Thankfully, the main plot was very easy to get back into, beginning as it does with the slow life of training with the Nomana, and gradually building speed through the final war. I still like Seeker best. In this volume his troubles take on more of an adult tone as he wrestles with who he is, what purpose his abilities have, and what direction to take his life. He knows there is a reason, but he has no idea what that reason might be. And then when he does have a mission, its purpose contradicts his vows. More, his reactions during it show he's not quite as pure and detached as he aims to be.Morning Star's revelation seemed a bit too abrupt, but it otherwise plays out well. I found it interesting how what she noticed, what she says, about herself is also true for Seeker, although he won't say it and probably doesn't realize it himself. Echo, a resident of the forest Glimmen, is an interesting contrast---a girl captured by an army, forced to choose a marriage she does not want. Echo took a while to grow on me, mostly because I was dreading how her storyline would turn out, but she shows a lot of cleverness in avoiding what could have been the worst of her situation.And Wildman, is, as always, the wildcard. He's capable of great things when he's focused, but the Nomana seem determined to frustrate him. And it's kind of looking like he might end up as part of the problem later on, even if right now he's helping out. It will be interesting to see what kind of a path he chooses to blaze on the road ahead, especially with all the tools at his disposal by the end.The only quibble I have is a small one---the whole "Nothing is dependable. Nothing lasts." that is supposed to be Seeker's key revelation---the nothingness he is, the nothingness that is all around him---is really more a statement for horror and despair than the joy it stirs in him. It is perhaps the best argument for eternity: nothing in this world is everlasting, and so nothing in this world is able to hold the weight of our hopes and dreams. And Seeker points this out near the end when he talks with Echo about gods. She can only see what she wants now and next, and he, emptied of wants, can see where such a course must eventually lead.But it makes for interesting reading, and an interesting plot, and most certainly interesting powers. I was amazed Seeker got so much of an upgrade so early in the story (and what it did to him to get it). And then it was great fun watching the ramifications play out. Now that Seeker has such a different perspective on life, it's catapulting him into places the old him would never have dared.Overall this is probably best read after the first book, although it's mostly the minor characters who benefit, as most of their backstory is only slightly touched on, if at all. And with such an open ending, the third book has a lot of space to go places . . . I rate this book Highly Recommended.See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
Jango is the sequal to the fantasy book Seeker, about three aspiring noble warriors. The Noble Warriors are a group dedicated to searving the "All and Only," and posess formidible power. After becoming a member of the Warriors in Seeker, the pact between Wildman, a former 'spiker' captain, and Seeker after Truth, the Protagonist, is broken. Wildman dives off a cliff, and is presumed dead. Seeker, after unlocking his latent power in training, is told that a traitor is among the Warriors. He is told to leave, before he is killed or "Clensed" by the traitor. His previous friend, Star, leaves the Warriors, hoping to find Wildman. Meanwhile, a new threat is being brought forward in the rest of the world. A ruthless warlord begins traveling around, destroying villages, attacking innocents. They are momentarily defeated by the Warriors, but he is enraged by the loss. This warlord, after attacking the great city of Radience, the old threat from Seeker, makes a pact with the Radience members. They plot to destroy the One and Only for good. A mysterious man, who refers to himself as "Jango," and he tells him he needs to kill an ancient orginazation who is also bent on destroying the One and Only. Seeker dissappears, to kill these men, as Star finds Wildman, alive. He had re-joined the "Princess" of the Spikers' group, eventually taking lead of every single spiker itself. All three armies begin to march, that of radience, that of the warlord's, and that of the spikers, to attack the Noble Warrior's sanctuary. Seeker learns of this too late, arrivng on the field of battle after the armies attacked. The Noble Warriors held off the attackers, but the secret weapon of Radience was unleashed. It destroyed their home, along with the One and Only. Seeker goes berserk, ending the fight with one blow to the ground. The end seemed near for the Warriors. Star and Wildman, stunned at the loss of the One and Only, both recede into the Spiker community. Seeker goes off, wandering the earth, declining to become the leader of the Noble Warriors. A door appears before him, revealed by Jango. Seeker enters the door, finding the One and Only. He was not dead after all.
What do You think about Jango (2007)?
This is the second book in the Noble Warrior Trilogy. I didn't think that anything would top the first (Seeker), but I really enjoyed this one just as much.Seeker of the Truth, Morning Star, and Wildman are now novices as a Noble Warrior. All three feel undeserving for their training for different reasons. Soon all three sense their destiny. The Nomana have a traitor amongst them, Radiant Leader is still seeking to destroy the Nom, a new warlord appears to take over the world. Can the Lost Child be saved? What or who is Jango? These questions can be answered in the last few pages holding the readers interest throughout the entire book.
—Barbara Ell
These books are an interesting mix of Star Wars and Avatar: the Last Airbender, with a touch of Game of Thrones thrown in for good measure. But for a series that claims on the book jacket to be about friendship, there isn't a whole lot of interaction between the friends. In truth, at least in Seeker and Jango it's been more about their separate journeys, which is fine, it just doesn't fulfill the claims of the book jacket. It seems that the only proof of the friendship between the three heroes is when the narrator tells us how they feel about each other; we aren't really shown it through their actions.I was sad to see Morning Star take more of a back seat to Seeker and the Wildman in this one, and rather repulsed at (view spoiler)[how her sudden realization of her love for the Wildman turns her into his groveling servant, willing to do anything for him so long as she is allowed to remain in his presence, never expecting anything more from him. I understand that Morning Star has always had self-image issues, but in Seeker the narration mentions how her soft outward demeanor is really a mask for her true self: the tough, clear-eyed Morning Star. Where was that Morning Star in Jango? I liked it better when she and the Wildman were bickering all the time. (hide spoiler)]
—Caitlin Mininger
I read the first novel when I was in high school; now I am a senior in college. I didn't expect to have the same "I love this book" reaction as I did with the first, but I also didn't expect to completely hate it. Even in my state of preparing myself to be let down, I was not truly prepared for how boring this novel was. There seemed to be little character development, and I found myself not caring for them as a result. I wish that Nicholson had devoted more time to the main three than delve into needless side characters. The writing was basic at best, but that could be because it is written for a younger generation than what I am. The book shined when it focused on Seeker, who is the real heart of the books so far. I would like to read the third book to finish out the trilogy, but after reading this, my expectations are as low as ever.
—Tyler Carlson
