Wayfarerby Alexandra Bracken
♦publisher: Disney Hyperion
♦release date: January 3rd, 2017
♦hardcover, 532 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Passenger, book 2 (duology)
review of book 1, Passenger
♦source: from publisher for honest review
All Etta Spencer wanted was to make her violin debut when she was thrust into a treacherous world where the struggle for power could alter history. After losing the one thing that would have allowed her to protect the Timeline, and the one person worth fighting for, Etta awakens alone in an unknown place and time, exposed to the threat of the two groups who would rather see her dead than succeed. When help arrives, it comes from the last person Etta ever expected—Julian Ironwood, the Grand Master’s heir who has long been presumed dead, and whose dangerous alliance with a man from Etta’s past could put them both at risk.
Meanwhile, Nicholas and Sophia are racing through time in order to locate Etta and the missing astrolabe with Ironwood travelers hot on their trail. They cross paths with a mercenary-for-hire, a cheeky girl named Li Min who quickly develops a flirtation with Sophia. But as the three of them attempt to evade their pursuers, Nicholas soon realizes that one of his companions may have ulterior motives.
As Etta and Nicholas fight to make their way back to one another, from Imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, time is rapidly shifting and changing into something unrecognizable… and might just run out on both of them.
Meanwhile, Nicholas and Sophia are racing through time in order to locate Etta and the missing astrolabe with Ironwood travelers hot on their trail. They cross paths with a mercenary-for-hire, a cheeky girl named Li Min who quickly develops a flirtation with Sophia. But as the three of them attempt to evade their pursuers, Nicholas soon realizes that one of his companions may have ulterior motives.
As Etta and Nicholas fight to make their way back to one another, from Imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, time is rapidly shifting and changing into something unrecognizable… and might just run out on both of them.
Review: If there's one thing that can be said about this series, it's that it certainly is impressive. Once again, Bracken spins a historical adventurous tale with a scope so expansive and rich in detail it will leave any reader's head spinning.
Wayfarer picks up shortly after Passenger ends. Etta and Nicholas have been separated by centuries and everyone is searching for the astrolabe, all with different intentions on what to do with it once it's found---even more so once it becomes clear exactly what the consequences might be of destroying it. As the search intensifies, passages begin to collapse and timelines change, making the need to get it back (and out of Ironwood's hands) before all of history is irreparably damaged more desperate than ever.
This time around, Etta has definitely acclimated to the life of a traveler, and faces down every danger and challenge that comes her way with grit, smarts, and tenacity. Someone also happens back into her life that is so important to her story, someone who will change her heart and open her eyes to emotions she's repressed her whole life, leading her to questioning her relationship with her mother and her own confidence. A few other great new characters come into the story: Nicholas's supposedly-dead brother, Julian, is a fun addition with his brash confidence and witty remarks. It was also interesting to get more backstory on Sophia, and see her hard exterior and heart be cracked wide open by the fierce newcomer, Li-Min.
The historical detail in this is sublime. My very favorite part of the story involved Etta getting to finally play music again and for the most humbling impressive two-person audience she could dream of. My only issue with this story is not that the book was long (I don't mind a brick of a book once in a while lol) but that at many times it felt long. And as sometimes happens with alternating view points, there are times when one side of the story and action is more compelling than the other, so when the viewpoint switches, it tends to break down the pacing a little.
For those hoping to jump back into the swoony story of Nicholas and Etta---be prepared to have your patience tested! However, their determination to fight their way back to each other is rather romantic. The whole quest builds to an action-packed climax and a twist that I didn't see coming! It wraps up in a sweet and satisfying finale that I'm sure will satisfy even the most hopeless romantic (like myself :D). All in all, a beautiful story and a wonderful read-worthy duology.
~Favorite Quote~
There were nights Etta dreamed of drowning, of sinking further and further into the black heart of the sea. No one came to rescue her.
She'd had to rescue herself.
She'd had to rescue herself.
•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•
Alexandra Bracken was born and raised in Arizona. The daughter of a Star Wars collector, she grew up going to an endless string of Star Wars conventions and toy fairs, which helped spark her imagination and a deep love of reading. After graduating high school, she attended The College of William & Mary in Virginia, where she double majored in English and History. She sold her first book, Brightly Woven, as a senior in college, and later moved to New York City to work in children's book publishing, first as an editorial assistant, then in marketing. After six years, she took the plunge and decided to write full time. She now lives in Arizona with her tiny pup, Tennyson, in a house that's constantly overflowing with books.
Alex is a #1 New York Times bestselling and USA TODAY bestselling author. Her work is available across the world in over 15 languages.
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