As a child, Mila meets a young man who leaves a black patch in her hair after he touches it. Following this, she starts to lose people around her and suspects the incidents could be linked to the presence of the young man. Seeker by Suzana Thompson is a coming-of-age paranormal tale that reveals Mila's struggles through different situations as a young woman: the death of some people around her, supernatural events, faith, finding love and choosing a partner, planning her future, and contemplating going against her parents' wishes to achieve personal goals. Also, Mila (the main protagonist) oversees the transition of another major character in the story, whom she finds somewhat attractive, to a different lifestyle while she worries about who death would devour next. Is anybody really safe from death in Seeker?

This is one of those books that run so wildly that you find it hard to predict what will happen next. Suzana Thompson mixes continuity and suspense in a way that captured my full attention and had me looking forward to another new twist in the story. Seeker is woven around the themes of atheism and Christianity, life and death, high school romance, regrets, and family. A large part of the story is dedicated to the protagonist's efforts to choose the right boyfriends for herself and her friend in high school while dealing with trust and commitment issues. The near-death and death experiences taught me to be appreciative of the people in my life. I loved the combination of the fun and dark themes in Seeker and would recommend it to young adults who love romance and paranormal books that have Christian messages and values embedded within.

“People are afraid of the unknown, but I am somehow known to all of them and help them on their final journey.” In Seeker by Suzana Thompson, 5-year-old Mila Albrecht sees a strange boy at the zoo who's invisible to everyone but her. Their encounter leaves a permanent mark on Mila, a black patch in her blond hair that never washes out or fades as she grows older. What she doesn't realize is that she also leaves her mark on him. It will not be their last meeting as he's drawn to her and Mila soon realizes that her life will change in unexpected ways.

Seeker by Suzana Thompson is a paranormal YA story with a spiritual tone about life and death. The concept is a blend of familiarity and originality which serves the story premise well. Mila is a young protagonist with a mature outlook on mortality since she has to face the loss of a family member, her friends, and dealing with a strange boy, Silas. Coming-of-age and romance are part of the themes which complement the paranormal elements. That said, the development of the plot is unexpected. It deals with the question of how much responsibility young adults can and are willing to handle including how much adults can trust them to make the right decisions about their lives. Thompson's Seeker has a different way of tackling spirituality in a YA story and it will be the most evocative part for its targeted readers. All in all, an interesting read.

For readers who enjoy realism and mystery in young adult paranormal, Seeker by Suzana Thompson will be a perfect read, pulling them into the life of a fictional character and touching on strong emotional chords. Mila first meets him when she is five, at the zoo, and while he doesn’t look scary to her, his gaze is not friendly, yet she is fascinated by his flat, onyx eyes that stare coldly at her. He moves his gaze onto other kids. Later, Mila learns of the demise of the kids he has stared at while at the zoo. At nine, she sees him again while at her grandma's, his black eyes as impenetrable to scrutiny as complete darkness is to sight. When she meets him again at fourteen, she has a clearer idea, with patterns becoming clear in her mind; she is at the hospital with Uncle Dave having an operation. Silas is his name. The unchangeable man who brings death with him. But then, Mila is irrevocably attracted to him. Silas, the name that is akin to death, is mortal, and he gets married to Mila and they bear a son called Joshua. What happens at the end is unexpected and it will stun any reader.

Seeker is a wonderful story and what caught my attention the most is the fact that Mila, the protagonist, seeks answers. When the reader encounters Mila, she is absorbed in the identity of Silas, and while she doesn’t like what happens when he appears, she is attracted to him. There is a subtle irony here and it unfolds at the end of the narrative. Suzana Thompson’s novel is beautifully written for fans of paranormal and young adult fantasy, and it features characters that are exceptional, taking readers on a ride through family dynamics, the experience of love, sickness, and death. There is a wonderful juxtaposition of life and death, of love and rebirth, and of mystery and understanding. Seeker is written in gorgeous prose and interesting dialogues. The drama is exquisite and it is exciting to follow Mila’s journey as it leads to her own destiny, one I never expected. The story is told by Mila and in a voice that is both quirky and absorbing. This novel is a twisty tale that will blow the reader’s mind — exceptional plot twists, unforgettable characters, and pulsating drama.

Sad, heartwarming, and tragic may well describe Suzana Thompson’s Seeker. It is one of those rare young adult novels that dare to explore the nature of death. At the heart of the story is Mila, who, as a young girl of five, first encounters a mysterious young man at a zoo. The man was looking at her instead of the exhibit, but he shifts his gaze to another child. At some point when the young man comes to stand beside her, he reaches out to touch her hair before pulling his hand back. To her parents’ surprise, Mila’s blonde hair has been shaded with a small patch of black. The young man, Silas, has left a mark on Mila, but little did she know that she also left a mark on him. Mila will continue to encounter the mysterious man as she grows up. And whenever he appears, people die. As their series of encounters develop, Mila and Silas will discover that love is stronger than death.

Suzana Thompson features a unique leading character with the promise of courage and a depth that evolves as she goes through life while encountering the supernatural. Thompson puts a different spin on the concept of death while seemingly asking you what you are afraid of. Many of us fear death, and this fear is shaped by our beliefs of whether or not there is an afterlife. Through Mila’s eyes, Seeker will open yours to the realization that dealing with death is a process. In Mila’s journey, you understand that death is an essential process that takes something precious but gives something in return of equal value—and that is strength. Brace yourself for an unlikely ending that might make you crave for more or trigger you to imagine an alternative.