The Watchers

“Jo Sisk-Purvis weaves a fascinating journey into the fantasy world of The Watchers. As the series opener, it does what it should do; it leaves readers thirsting for more, wanting to know what comes next. I particularly appreciated the moral quandaries the protagonist faced; how to lead a revolution against the evil Paav when your life is dedicated to love, peace, and peaceful cooperation? I thoroughly enjoyed her constant internal conflict, balancing the powers she possesses with the ultimate desire never to harm anyone. Alesea is an appealing character. As a young woman, she not only has to deal with knowledge previously withheld from her but also the first bloom of love and competition for her attention from two men she cares about deeply. The world Sisk-Purvis has created contains many interesting facets, especially the history of the races, and I hope to learn more as the series continues. When I finish a book and instantly want to start the next in the series, I know the author has succeeded; this author has, and I can highly recommend The Watchers.”

“The Watchers by Jo Sisk-Purvis is a young adult adventure full of danger and intrigue. I shivered with apprehension multiple times throughout the narrative as it seemed Alesea and Roni were sure to be caught by the cruel Paav. Along the journey, I enjoyed learning about Alesea’s parentage and read eagerly to see where her destiny would take her. It was intriguing to see the A’lodi in action, which seemed something like the principles of love. It could even be used to reform and defeat an enemy in a timely fashion! I was excited by the romance between Alesea and one of the crew and felt it was poetic for her first love to end in tears. I was also curious whether the prophecy of the Trekana would influence Alesea’s behavior. I can recommend The Watchers by Jo Sisk-Purvis to lovers of series fantasy.”

“I found The Watchers by Jo Sisk-Purvis to be an engaging novel. The characters were interesting and it was difficult to predict how the plot would develop. I would have preferred it if the idea of watchers, listeners, doubles, and their origin could have been explained much earlier in the novel, perhaps in some sort of prologue. I enjoyed the plot, the pacing, and the struggles of the characters, from Alesea having to learn how to trust someone she perceived as a traitor to a watcher having to deal with being surrounded by people who were different from him. It’s nice to see smaller plots woven into the bigger picture—it gives the whole story more substance and makes you curious about the outcome.”