Passenger

I like the design of the book cover, really caught my attention. The book itself was phenomenal. The characters were well developed. The settings were very historical. Best book I've read since the new year.

One of my least favorite genres is fantasy. My least favorite is bodice rippers. This started out as fantasy/time travel and devolved into a bodice ripper. And when it ended, I discovered it was the first of a series. To be continued? I don't think so.

Alexandra Bracken’s Passenger is quite the tale of time-traveling filled with adventure, and yes, romance. This is my first Bracken book and I went in with a few reservations, but overall, Passenger was a pretty interesting read.

Etta is basically a prodigy. She was raised by her mother, had the best education, is extraordinarily talented with the violin where takes place in many competitions and will be having her debut in just a few short weeks. It’s when she goes to another performance just weeks before, that the chaos strikes.

She is suddenly transported back in time and off to meet the man in charge. Taking her and the girl who brought her, Sophia, is Nicholas. He’s a fairly young captain of the ship but dreams of running his own ship instead of one ruled by Ironwood, the family he’s regrettably apart of and who’s basically in charge.

The excitement truly begins when Etta is forced to find a magical object that will allow one to time travel back to any point with no rules, and as you’ll learn there are quite a few rules when it comes to time-traveling.

The book was a little hard for me to get into right away. Time-traveling books can be hit or miss especially when it comes to the explaining of said time-traveling. In Passenger however, it wasn’t too complicated, but a few details were a little muddy for me, but those were kind of explained as you went along but it kind of made it confusing in the beginning.

I just felt like the pacing was a little too slow at times. There was definitely a sense of excitement, as Etta is given a timeline as to when she must return the magical object to Ironwood. That definitely adds some tension and danger, it was just the way she went about doing her time-traveling jumps that dragged. Joining her on this journey is Nicholas. And right away, you know these two are meant for one another.

I must commend Bracken on the interracial romance though! It’s rare to see that these days and I must say I enjoyed it! Nicholas was quite the character. He comes off a bit cold and prickly in the beginning, but he grows on you and naturally you learn to see he is full of heart.

I’d say things started picking up for me around the halfway point, or there about. The excitement became greater as Etta and Nicholas hurry along on their quest being chased by other bad guys and such. And then that ending! Wow! Wasn’t expecting something like that! It’s kind of cliffhanger-y just so you know, but I would rate it as an exciting cliffhanger. One that leaves you jumping in your seat for the next book versus shouting profanities at the sky (not that I do that or anything!).

Overall, Passenger was a read that definitely amps up the excitement and enjoyment as you read further along. I will definitely want to continue this series, however long it ends up being because I am anxious to know what will happen to our characters!

Overall Rating 4/5 stars

Passenger is about time travelers! I love time travel books!

Yes, time travel is awesome, but did it work here? Yes, actually the time travel aspect did work for me. I didn’t feel confused at all and I was able to follow it. Which is actually surprising. Usually with time travel I just go with it and don’t get hung up in the details. In this one I was just able to follow it with no problem.

Etta is from now and knows nothing about time travel until she’s brought back in time and finds herself on a ship that’s just been pirated (not sure if that’s the right term). Here she meets Nick and finds out she’s been thrust back through time. I don’t recall the years (I stink at taking notes) but it’s before slavery is abolished. And Nick, well he’s African American. Well, half. So… yeah. Obviously that’s a problem for him just because of the time period but it’s not really an ‘issue’ in the book. Obviously Etta, being from now, doesn’t notice his skin color at all and has trouble remembering that he’s not usually considered equal because of it. Nick does not forget and it’s realistic how things progress, where he struggles a little because he’s use to people not accepting him because of his color.

Etta in the now is meek and quiet. But the second she time travels she becomes a bit of a spitfire and while the change seemed a bit abrupt I just wrote it off as we didn’t get a chance to really get to know her in the ‘now’. So maybe we didn’t see her personality enough to know. But from that point forward I liked Etta a lot. I liked how she didn’t just trust people or take their word. She had to look and see for herself.

In the book Etta and Nick have to work together to find something that her mother hid. They have to travel through time again and again, figuring out clues and piecing things together. I loved this time travel bit as they see a lot of places and time periods. I enjoyed going on this adventure even though it was very dangerous.

I liked the characters quite well. Both Etta and Nick were great and the secondary characters seemed realistic as well. The good and the bad.

This was an enjoyable read that I cruised through quickly, eager to find out what happens. Then there was a cliffhanger. So that part was a bit frustrating, but it actually seemed to work for the book so it’s not bothering me as much as I would have thought.

I do recommend this one, especially for fans of time travel, diversity in YA and a forbidden relationship.

“This was the danger, the seduction of time travel, she realized – it was the opportunity, the freedom of a thousand possibilities of where to live and how to start over. It was the beauty open to you in your life if you only stopped a moment to look.”

“Our choices that matter in the end. Not wishes, not words, not promises.”

“You cannot fathom the distance I would travel for you.”

There was so much buzz surrounding this book, that I have to admit, I was a little intimated by it. I was scared and worried. Why, you ask? Well, I sometimes feel a lot of pressure when I have in my possession one of the most anticipated reads of the year. So many people were raving about this book and the pressure to love this book was on…..Once I started this book, I quickly realized that all my fears were for nothing. This book totally exceeded my expectations.

When I started Passenger, I pretty much went into it blind. Yes, I read the synopsis and heard from word of mouth that this book was amazing, but other than that, I didn’t know too much about it. And I have to tell you, that is the best way to go into this book. Passenger is such a unique YA tale. The writing is smart and intriguing. It is so well written and so easy to picture, it feels as though you are right there in the story. Passenger is well paced and is told from dual points of view. One of the things that I enjoyed about this story was that it had something for everyone. It had fantasy, action, romance, and intrigue. It had time travel, historic elements, mystery and suspense.

So, I know I haven’t really shared much with you about this book, because again, I don’t want to spoil the beauty of it. Here is what I can tell you: This is one of those books that is almost impossible to not fall in love with. This story is so well thought out and the characters are so easy to connect with. This is one of those books that adults will love too. As always, I do have to warn you that this story does end with a cliffhanger and I am super excited to see where the author will take us next. Alexandra Bracken is a new author to me, and I’m really looking forward to checking out more books from her in the future.

SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!!!

This book was good and interesting and fast-paced (for the most part).

I liked Etta and Nicholas well enough, but this book started to become more about their relationship than their goal of finding the astrolabe and saving Rose's life.

I was a little disappointed it wasn't more of a scavenger hunt and them figuring out the clues. It was that way for the first clue, but once Etta realized the paintings showed her where to go, it wasn't as interesting.

I also felt the ending was a little rushed and not very well explained. I'm so confused and don't have any clue how that worked, it's so convenient how Etta's still alive. You would think Cyrus would also know about this weird rule about traveler deaths and know Julian might still be alive. I guess he could and just chose not to try and find Julian. It doesn't make any sense to me, but it is what it is I guess. I think the author just needed it to work out that way in order to write the next book.

I own the next one, so I'm going to read it and hopefully enjoy it! :)

Disney Book Group and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Etta Spencer, a teenage violinist from New York City, is on the brink of making her concert soloist debut when she inexplicably finds herself a prisoner on a ship in the past. It turns out that Etta is from one of the very few time traveling families and has been taken in order to find something very important. As she embarks on a journey through time, Etta comes to many realizations about her life, her family, and her future.

Although Passenger is almost 500 pages, the journey Nicholas and Etta take, in an effort to restore Etta to her rightful place in time, reads quickly and with ease. I thoroughly enjoyed both the writing style and the complete characterization, as it feels as though I have taken the journey along with Etta. The author does a masterful job of weaving explanations about time travel and passages through time into the story. Etta is a great main character, as her training as a violinist has taught her hard work, patience, and perseverance pays off. Thrown into a world she does not understand, Etta uses the lessons she has learned to find her way in this unfamiliar landscape. Passenger is classified for the young adult set, but both adults and teens alike will enjoy this well crafted story

Passenger is a fantastical story that blends history, adventure, and time travel. We follow Etta Spencer as she uncovers more than she expected about her family and history itself.

PROS:
-History. I love how history was weaved into the story. We see so many different time periods from 18th century America to 16th century Syria.I appreciated that the travels through time were not completely Euro-centric. We see the world beyond Europe and America, with their own rich histories and cultures. The cultures showcased are not Othered or depicted as primitive through the modern eyes of our protagonist, but they exist and thrive in their own times.
-Perspective. Related to showcasing historical events, I loved seeing Etta gain perspective through her travels. She acknowledges the privileges she has been granted by virtue of the time of her birth - others have fought and endured for her to have to advantages she now takes advantage of. Etta also acknowledges her privileged status as a white woman, who does not have to think about how her racial identity informs her every interaction with others.
-Characters. I LOVED Nicholas. He is so resilient and kind-hearted. He wants so much more than the hand he's been dealt in, but doesn't believe he deserves it for the immense guilt he carries. The Ironwoods blame him for every wrong action and and he carries that weight and he doesn't recognize his own worth because of it. Nicholas deserves the world and I hope he gets it in the next book. Etta is someone I have a love-hate relationship with. She is determined and crafty, but she is also naive and rash - not a good combination given her current situation. I can forgive her rashness because she was put into a do-or-die situation where she was in over head, and had to act. Even her naivety is somewhat forgivable because, she has no knowledge of the world (or its rules) she has entered. I just wish she thought more critically before jumping into the unknown.
-. The Ironwoods are a good antagonistic group. They are a selfish group who will do almost anything if it is in their own self interest. This contrasts nicely with both Etta and Nicholas, who are both caring people and value the lives of their loved ones more than their own.
-Time Travel. I like how time travel operates in the story. I think that having the days remain constant while the year changes creates a nice sense of urgency in the travels - not only in Etta's quest, but in every travel. There is a limited window to act or influence an event - even more constrained by not being able to interact with another version of yourself. The time travel really makes every action meaningful while also trivializing it. The actions in the past must happen to create a set of events or final destination for certain people, but they can be manipulated and changed also. The past must be protected to ensure the future, but it can be crafted to an individual's whims - changed and influenced to create a new future- and that's kind of terrifying.

CONS:
-Romance. I don't usually mind insta-love in a story, because I take it to mean more of an insta-connection - an indication this couple could be more. They could feel an immediate connection with someone and believe that they could grow into a relationship. Etta and Nicholas develop an immediate connection because of their situations - both trapped and manipulated by the Ironwoods. Both are being used like puzzle pieces to an end that they desperately want, but is not guaranteed they will get. I buy their draw to one another and that they see each other as more than how they see themselves. That said, the romance felt a little heavy handed. It seems like Etta and Nicholas start to value each other more than their goal of getting the astrolobe, and that was less interesting for me.
-Music. It felt like music was supposed to be this big deal in the story. Etta plays the violin, travelers hear the musical tunes of the passage ways and find them using a harmonica, and music was used as symbol multiple time in the story and I just did NOT care at all. Maybe I wasn't supposed to, but the recurrence of music felt like it was supposed to have a significance or meaning. Maybe I was reading to much into it and it was just supposed to a unifying constant through the story, but I didn't care about the musical aspect and imagery at all.

Overall I really enjoyed this story. I liked it better that Bracken's The Darkest Minds series which I probably won't finish. I was more personally invested in the story and the characters. I loved how the characters interacted with time and had to reorient themselves after each jump. I will definitely continue on with the series and I am eager to see how some of our characters are reintegrated into the story.

(Originally posted on bookmyopia/wordpress)
Born in an era when African slavery was a norm, Nicholas Carter is one of the lucky few to have escaped that ill-fated destiny. Captain Nathaniel Hall purchases his freedom from the powerful Ironwood family, trains him as a sailor and privateer for British ships and raises him as his own. But Nicholas is not just an Ironwood slave but the illegitimate child of one of the Ironwood sons. He is also, as he later finds out when grudgingly revealed by the Ironwood patriarch, an inheritor of the time-travelling ability. The number is dwindling, there are less than a hundred travellers left, and all do the bidding of, and play by the rules set by the Ironwood grandfather. He would like nothing to do with Nicholas, but with his empire crumbling and timelines becoming unstable, he needs an ancient lost artefact to restore order. Tempted by the promises of being trained in time travelling wisdom and a legitimacy which has eluded him, Nicholas foolishly agrees to a binding contract with the Ironwoods, the terms of which stipulate that he has to accompany his half-brother across different centuries in search for this lost object. The search is unfruitful with disastrous consequences. He is exiled back to his natural timeline and forbidden to travel again. He makes peace with reality and gets back on his job of capturing ships. One of the prize captures holds two passengers and that throws him back to the Ironwoods path.

Etta Spencer has her future figured out. As a violin prodigy, all she has ever dreamed of is to render melodies, make her mentor proud and win the affection of her reticent mother. She has battled stage fright and isolated herself from a social life to achieve this dream. Her performance at a forthcoming event is supposed to be her grand debut, testing waters to get rid of her nerves. Just when she thinks she has got a grip on herself, she overhears an unsettling conversation. This, combined with unexplained acoustic reverberations when she is playing on stage, causes her to fumble her way through her performance. A murder and kidnapping later, she realizes that this is just the beginning of her nightmare, a journey that begins with a ship she is a passenger on – in a different century.

My experience with time-travel fiction is severely limited, the closest being a few chapters from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. But I feel that time-travelling is a tricky bit of fictional concept to handle, due to its inherently contradictory nature. It is something that can get ludicrous and messy very easily if the author doesn’t have a hold over the self-imposed set of “rules” for it. But Bracken tackles it with nimble plotting and a sleight of hand that is entertaining to read. All this would have not counted for much if the characterization had fallen flat. But the people fleshed out in the book are not just distinctive in their backgrounds, ways and motives but also .. uh .. not boring to read about. Cyrus Ironwood is sufficiently ruthless, but over the years his actions are blinded and driven by a reason that is not just power. Sophia, another distant Ironwood kin, is denied of her rights like Nicholas, but she turns out to be a cankerous version of what she could have been. Rose, Etta’s mom is … well.. I am not sure what to make of her. I don’t know how to say anything without throwing in spoilers, but let’s just say, I don’t like her.

I loved Etta and Nicholas and totally dug the way their relationship progressed. It was unhurried and (thank god!) they didn’t lose sight of the very real problems of the .. time between them. There were times I got impatient with the romantic proses, but I must admit, they were well-written, without getting too cheesy and out-of-place. I loved Etta and Nicholas individually as characters too. I think one of the reasons they worked for me is that despite how young they were (I think Etta is seventeen and Nicholas is twenty), they showed maturity and common sense (not that this has much to do with youth though) in situations that necessitated it, but didn’t always look self-assured or worldly-wise belying their age and life experiences. Theirs was a love story and journey that was so much fun to read about and visualize because it, quite literally, transcended time and space. Witnessed wars, relics in ruins and wildlife in its tranquil best. And satisfyingly, it was also about individual journeys of two equals, in every sense. That is another arc I loved – Etta steering Nicholas into that headspace where he can believe that equality is probable beyond the parables.

Bracken divides the book into different eras, as traveled by Etta and Nicholas, but as I read the book, I personally felt, it could also be seen as two halves – the second half beginning with Etta and Nicholas’s journey to find the object. It was here that I felt the pace of the book began to ebb. It started taking the form of a typical archaeological treasure hunt by people escaping goons. But as the story marches into the final hundred-odd pages, it veers towards some exciting strides. And oh boy, Bracken ends the first installment of this series with a flourish! She teases us with some startling revelations and unexpected alliances. And a huge chunk of family history and heritage left to be discovered. I can’t wait to see what she serves up in the next book!

Passenger, Alexandra Bracken’s newest novel, is a whirlwind of an adventure, that takes its protagonist and readers on a tour, not just of the world but through time itself. Etta’s life has been ruled by one desire: to reach her potential as a violinist, but her life plan is interrupted when she is kidnapped from her own time period and plunged into the 18th century. Etta must face the reality that her mother has kept an important secret from her, that her family, along with several others, have the ability to time travel. Cyrus Ironwood, the patriarch of the most powerful of these gifted families, has spent years manipulating timelines in order to gain wealth and prestige. He threatens Etta into using her gift in order to help him find an important relic from the past, one that may make him utterly unstoppable.

Passenger starts off rather slow as Etta is taken from present day New York City and shoved into an era so unwholly like her own. She spends a large portion of her time traveling on a ship toward an uncertain destiny. The action doesn’t truly pick up until Etta does a little time traveling of her own, which doesn’t occur until you’re nearly half-way through the novel. I enjoyed the second half a lot more than the first as Etta and her companion, Nicholas, travel to different eras and historical landmarks. For me Nicholas Carter is the more interesting of these two characters. Nicholas’s relationship with the Ironwoods is a complicated affair, his mother was one of the family’s slaves and his birth father bares the name of Ironwood. Nicholas once believed he could be part of this family, but quickly discovered Cyrus was only interested in using him. Desperate to cut ties with the Ironwoods for good, Nicholas is prepared to go to any length to accomplish this.

The romance in this one was probably my least favorite aspect of the book. Nicholas and Etta’s immediately attraction to one another really put me off as they both became rather too preoccupied with the another far too early into their acquaintance. I would have felt more invested in their relationship if the author had laid out a foundation of friendship first. There are a couple of minor characters I wanted to see more of. We’re told that Sophia is more than the ambitious and hostile granddaughter of Cyrus Ironwood, but she isn’t really given the opportunity in this first book to be anything else. Time travel is always a fun premise to explore and for the most part I enjoyed Passenger.

“Nicholas felt a rueful smile spread across his face. And a curse be on him for it, because now he knew her. She’d shown him her mind, and she’d opened up her heart, and now he knew the taste of her tears.

And he was wrecked.”

' Alexandra Bracken, Passenger
I purchased this book after quickly realizing its fast growing popularity. The hype surrounding this novel is huge. Yes, I am a follower. This is because I follow bloggers who have very similar tastes as me when it comes to reading. If they like the novel, most likely I will too.

This book is completely different from Alexandra Bracken’s first series The Darkest Minds. While I liked the first novel, the series went downhill for me after that. I didn’t hate it, but It also wasn’t in my top five favorites.

With that being said, I fell in love with Passenger. I decided to go into this novel with an open mind and not judge it based on Bracken’s other novels.

In case you don’t already know or you skipped the synopsis above, this novel is about a young girl who is an aspiring violinist. After events transpire at one of her performances she is thrown (literally) into the past. She soon learns she’s been lied to all her life. Etta’s life is changing. Nothing will ever be the same.

Bracken is brilliant. She has written not one, but two kick ass female characters in this novel. They are both strong, fierce girls who won’t let other people stop them from being who they are meant to be. Even if that means disobeying the most powerful man in history. So few YA authors understand that young teenage girls need characters like this. Bracken nailed it.

Their relationship was interesting to say the least. They have a strong dislike of each other throughout the novel. The girls are constantly bickering and throwing sarcastic comments at one another. You would think that being the only girls in a game of power hungry men would automatically make them band together, but no. Sophie wants nothing to do with Etta other than to use her as a means to an end (or new beginning). I found myself enjoying the oppositeness of the girls.

“And he was wrecked.”
Wrecked is right. Nicholas Carter had me feeling so many emotions while still keeping me guessing. The fact that he is a pirate (a legal one) is enough to make me fall in love. He is also a freed slave and the bastard some of a very rich and powerful man. If his life wasn’t already tragic enough he was also separated from his mother at a very early age. He is strong, stubborn, handsome, and passionate.

The romance aspect of the novel was very subtle. I really appreciate this since many authors push there characters together too quickly and shove the romance in their readers’ faces. Readers can see a romance blossoming between Etta and Nicholas without it being unrealistic.

Over all, this story captivated my heart. I absolutely love anything that has to do with pirates and the fact that Bracken throws in time travel and it actually works makes me extremely happy. I can’t wait for book two in Passenger series.

Henrietta Spencer (aka Etta) lives in New York during the year of 2015 as a violinist prodigy and is suddenly transported back into time to a random place in 1776 on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Little did she know she was going to befriend Nicholas Carter. Nicholas is content about his life since he is free from the Ironwoods for many years until Etta shows up. Both Etta and Nicholas are launched into a web of lies, secrets and betrayal. It's a game that they must play. He finds out that the Ironwoods are not giving up on him. Both time travelers undertake this dangerous journey, crossing many continents and centuries to locate an artifact called an astrolabe in order to save Etta's mother. If Etta fails to locate the astrolabe and bring it back to the Ironwoods, she will lose everything.

Time traveling is something I don't see too much in YA and I am glad Alexandra Bracken wrote Passenger so wonderfully. I love how Bracken weaves music with a dangerous voyage across seas. The plot is carefully crafted. The novel is well written and the dual POVs capture the emotions and thoughts of both characters seamlessly. Readers are transported to New York, London, Angkor, Paris and Damascus during various time periods. Etta is strong-willed, cunning and independent young lady while Nicholas is vigilant and protective. The writing is compelling but I feel like the pacing of the book is slower toward the middle and the novel could have been shortened. The book is over 450 pages and certain parts could have been tightened. I do appreciate seeing diversity in the book and how Bracken doesn't sugarcoat how Nicholas is being treated throughout the past. And that cliffhanger! I don't want to spoil the novel too much but this is a must read!

If you're a fan of the Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare and or are interested in historical fiction, I would highly recommend Passenger.

The first in a duology, PASSENGER is an epic fantasy and time-travel novel by Alexandra Bracken, the author of The Darkest Minds Trilogy and the stand-alone novel BRIGHTLY WOVEN.

The two main characters in PASSENGER are Etta (short for Henrietta) and Nicholas. Etta is a violin prodigy who resides in present-day New York City. Nicholas is a sailor who resides in 18th century colonial America. Etta is thrown from the world she had always known to unfamiliar places and eras, including Nicholas’ ship. Etta and Nicholas must embark on a quest through time to stay alive. With high stakes, lives on the line and heated romance, Etta and Nicholas travel to unimaginable times and places.

PASSENGER did live up to my expectations for the most part, it just took a while to get there; I felt the first half of the story dragged on. Once I got closer to the end, though, I enjoyed the characters and pacing much more. It is definitely worth it to keep reading. The ending seemed a little bit rushed, but it left me eagerly awaiting book two.

The historical aspect of PASSENGER was very interesting and kept me enthralled throughout. I wish we could have seen more places and times because the writing was so detailed and interesting. I really enjoyed all of the quirks that we learned time-traveling and the rules surrounding it. The best part of the story had to be the romance; it was phenomenally written and the characters and their relationship truly developed throughout the novel.

If you loved The Darkest Minds you will probably like PASSENGER because they both have Bracken’s recognizable style. You don’t need to like historical novels to like this book because it focuses on other things as well --- it somehow combines the perfect amount of time-travel, romance and character development. All in all, PASSENGER has a very unique plot that will keep you reading as long as you don’t give up on the slow beginning.

Reviewed by Grace P.

First of all, I love Alexandra Bracken's writing so much! She is just utterly amazing. I loved that this is historical fiction. I loved the world building. I love the attention to detail in the way that the people of different eras and places dress and act. I enjoyed the way the concept of how time travel and passages work was really easy to follow. I liked the characters. I just really enjoyed everything about this book!

Etta is, as mentioned, a violin prodigy, but she is also a traveler, unaware of her abilities until she is pushed into a passage by a strange girl and wakes up to find that she is no longer in Manhattan in 2015, but on a ship headed to New York in 1776. She learns that Sophia, the stranger who pushed Etta into the passage, was given the task of finding Etta and bringing her back in time to her Grandfather, Cyrus Ironwood. On the ship, Etta manages to make friends with the crew and especially Nicholas, the legal pirate and captain of the ship. Once she meets with Ironwood, she is blackmailed into going on a scavenger hunt all over the world through time to find something he claims that her mother stole from him and hid. She accepts the challenge, but has plans of her own when she finds the very important artifact that Ironwood wants so badly.

I really liked Etta! I think that my favorite thing about her is how shamelessly flirty she is with Nicholas. I love it. I don't even know what to say about her. She is smart to be able to figure out the clues her mom left her to find the next passages that she needs. She's brave. She's willing to do anything for the people she loves. I just found her to be a really fantastic heroine!

Nicholas is the perfect gentleman. He follows Etta on her journey through time to find what Ironwood wants. He has his own reasons for tagging along, but he is very helpful to Etta. He claims that he can be Etta's protector, but she just wants him to be her partner. He's really got some conflicting feelings going on in this book, but I really like him as well.

Etta and Nicholas are obviously the romance in this novel and I really liked their romance. Etta doesn't have any qualms about Nicholas in the romance department, but Nicholas has some hesitation about it due to the fact that they are from completely different times and I think a little bit because of the difference in their skin color. But they're so so so good together, I think!

Overall, I would highly recommend this book! If you love Alexandra Bracken, historical fiction, and time travel, I think that this will be the book for you! It's an EXCELLENT book and I can't wait to read Wayfarer (SO FAR AWAY) so I can learn how that cliffhanger gets resolved!

I received and advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What to say about this book?!! Read it! This is the best historically researched book that I have read in a long time. I love the characters; especially the main two, Etta and Nicholas. Coming from two different times in history, these two embark on a journey to stop the changing of history at the whim of a madman. I love the world building and the different settings as they traveled from place to place throughout history. The writing is impeccable and I couldn’t put it down to save my life. I was left wanting more at the end, and I can’t wait to read book 2. From Etta’s aspiration of being the best violinist in the world, to Nicholas’ longing to be free from his oppressors, I loved everything that this book stands for. Nicholas doesn’t lose his cool (well, not on the outside, at least) when being discriminated against, and I loved him more for it.

I love the main characters, Etta & Nicholas. I love that they’re so very different, and the romance wasn’t forced. I guess it’s true when they say opposites attract. Etta is from modern New York, whereas Nicholas is from a different time and place in history that hasn’t been so kind to his being. I love how fiercely protective Etta is of Nicholas, and just her open-mindedness in general. I liked the blindness of their romance. There’s no way of knowing what could happen at any given moment. Etta is being used as a means to an end and there are forces at play that neither Etta or Nicholas can control. I’m eager to know just what will happen in book 2 because there’s a scene that cannot be ignored. I won’t spoil this but Bracken’s got some ‘xplaining to do on the romance front!

The time travel isn’t chalked full of equations and how-to’s, so it’s fairly easy to understand. I love the different places that the characters traveled to. I’ve never Googled so much in my life, as I did with this book! I needed to be able to visualize the people, places, and things. Not that Bracken doesn’t give you ample descriptions, but I have to Google a lot when reading any historical books. The fashions, societies, musics, dialects…they were all well fleshed out. Other than the cliffhanger ending, there’s not really anything I didn’t like. There are the a-hole characters, but that’s part of the story and it keeps everything interesting.

I really enjoyed this book, and although it’s labeled YA, I think that readers of all ages will enjoy it. I love the many genres that make up this story, so there’s something for everyone. Highly recommend this book!

Henrietta Spencer (aka Etta) lives in New York during the year of 2015 as a violinist prodigy and is suddenly transported back into time to a random place in 1776 on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Little did she know she was going to befriend Nicholas Carter. Nicholas is content about his life since he is free from the Ironwoods for many years until Etta shows up. Both Etta and Nicholas are launched into a web of lies, secrets and betrayal. It's a game that they must play. He finds out that the Ironwoods are not giving up on him. Both time travelers undertake this dangerous journey, crossing many continents and centuries to locate an artifact called an astrolabe in order to save Etta's mother. If Etta fails to locate the astrolabe and bring it back to the Ironwoods, she will lose everything.

Time traveling is something I don't see too much in YA and I am glad Alexandra Bracken wrote Passenger so wonderfully. I love how Bracken weaves music with a dangerous voyage across seas. The plot is carefully crafted. The novel is well written and the dual POVs capture the emotions and thoughts of both characters seamlessly. Readers are transported to New York, London, Angkor, Paris and Damascus during various time periods. Etta is strong-willed, cunning and independent young lady while Nicholas is vigilant and protective. The writing is compelling but I feel like the pacing of the book is slower toward the middle and the novel could have been shortened. The book is over 450 pages and certain parts could have been tightened. I do appreciate seeing diversity in the book and how Bracken doesn't sugarcoat how Nicholas is being treated throughout the past. And that cliffhanger! I don't want to spoil the novel too much but this is a must read!

If you're a fan of the Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare and or are interested in historical fiction, I would highly recommend Passenger.

The first in a duology, PASSENGER is an epic fantasy and time-travel novel by Alexandra Bracken, the author of The Darkest Minds Trilogy and the stand-alone novel BRIGHTLY WOVEN.

The two main characters in PASSENGER are Etta (short for Henrietta) and Nicholas. Etta is a violin prodigy who resides in present-day New York City. Nicholas is a sailor who resides in 18th century colonial America. Etta is thrown from the world she had always known to unfamiliar places and eras, including Nicholas’ ship. Etta and Nicholas must embark on a quest through time to stay alive. With high stakes, lives on the line and heated romance, Etta and Nicholas travel to unimaginable times and places.

PASSENGER did live up to my expectations for the most part, it just took a while to get there; I felt the first half of the story dragged on. Once I got closer to the end, though, I enjoyed the characters and pacing much more. It is definitely worth it to keep reading. The ending seemed a little bit rushed, but it left me eagerly awaiting book two.

The historical aspect of PASSENGER was very interesting and kept me enthralled throughout. I wish we could have seen more places and times because the writing was so detailed and interesting. I really enjoyed all of the quirks that we learned time-traveling and the rules surrounding it. The best part of the story had to be the romance; it was phenomenally written and the characters and their relationship truly developed throughout the novel.

If you loved The Darkest Minds you will probably like PASSENGER because they both have Bracken’s recognizable style. You don’t need to like historical novels to like this book because it focuses on other things as well --- it somehow combines the perfect amount of time-travel, romance and character development. All in all, PASSENGER has a very unique plot that will keep you reading as long as you don’t give up on the slow beginning.

Reviewed by Grace P.

First of all, I love Alexandra Bracken's writing so much! She is just utterly amazing. I loved that this is historical fiction. I loved the world building. I love the attention to detail in the way that the people of different eras and places dress and act. I enjoyed the way the concept of how time travel and passages work was really easy to follow. I liked the characters. I just really enjoyed everything about this book!

Etta is, as mentioned, a violin prodigy, but she is also a traveler, unaware of her abilities until she is pushed into a passage by a strange girl and wakes up to find that she is no longer in Manhattan in 2015, but on a ship headed to New York in 1776. She learns that Sophia, the stranger who pushed Etta into the passage, was given the task of finding Etta and bringing her back in time to her Grandfather, Cyrus Ironwood. On the ship, Etta manages to make friends with the crew and especially Nicholas, the legal pirate and captain of the ship. Once she meets with Ironwood, she is blackmailed into going on a scavenger hunt all over the world through time to find something he claims that her mother stole from him and hid. She accepts the challenge, but has plans of her own when she finds the very important artifact that Ironwood wants so badly.

I really liked Etta! I think that my favorite thing about her is how shamelessly flirty she is with Nicholas. I love it. I don't even know what to say about her. She is smart to be able to figure out the clues her mom left her to find the next passages that she needs. She's brave. She's willing to do anything for the people she loves. I just found her to be a really fantastic heroine!

Nicholas is the perfect gentleman. He follows Etta on her journey through time to find what Ironwood wants. He has his own reasons for tagging along, but he is very helpful to Etta. He claims that he can be Etta's protector, but she just wants him to be her partner. He's really got some conflicting feelings going on in this book, but I really like him as well.

Etta and Nicholas are obviously the romance in this novel and I really liked their romance. Etta doesn't have any qualms about Nicholas in the romance department, but Nicholas has some hesitation about it due to the fact that they are from completely different times and I think a little bit because of the difference in their skin color. But they're so so so good together, I think!

Overall, I would highly recommend this book! If you love Alexandra Bracken, historical fiction, and time travel, I think that this will be the book for you! It's an EXCELLENT book and I can't wait to read Wayfarer (SO FAR AWAY) so I can learn how that cliffhanger gets resolved!

I received and advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What to say about this book?!! Read it! This is the best historically researched book that I have read in a long time. I love the characters; especially the main two, Etta and Nicholas. Coming from two different times in history, these two embark on a journey to stop the changing of history at the whim of a madman. I love the world building and the different settings as they traveled from place to place throughout history. The writing is impeccable and I couldn’t put it down to save my life. I was left wanting more at the end, and I can’t wait to read book 2. From Etta’s aspiration of being the best violinist in the world, to Nicholas’ longing to be free from his oppressors, I loved everything that this book stands for. Nicholas doesn’t lose his cool (well, not on the outside, at least) when being discriminated against, and I loved him more for it.

I love the main characters, Etta & Nicholas. I love that they’re so very different, and the romance wasn’t forced. I guess it’s true when they say opposites attract. Etta is from modern New York, whereas Nicholas is from a different time and place in history that hasn’t been so kind to his being. I love how fiercely protective Etta is of Nicholas, and just her open-mindedness in general. I liked the blindness of their romance. There’s no way of knowing what could happen at any given moment. Etta is being used as a means to an end and there are forces at play that neither Etta or Nicholas can control. I’m eager to know just what will happen in book 2 because there’s a scene that cannot be ignored. I won’t spoil this but Bracken’s got some ‘xplaining to do on the romance front!

The time travel isn’t chalked full of equations and how-to’s, so it’s fairly easy to understand. I love the different places that the characters traveled to. I’ve never Googled so much in my life, as I did with this book! I needed to be able to visualize the people, places, and things. Not that Bracken doesn’t give you ample descriptions, but I have to Google a lot when reading any historical books. The fashions, societies, musics, dialects…they were all well fleshed out. Other than the cliffhanger ending, there’s not really anything I didn’t like. There are the a-hole characters, but that’s part of the story and it keeps everything interesting.

I really enjoyed this book, and although it’s labeled YA, I think that readers of all ages will enjoy it. I love the many genres that make up this story, so there’s something for everyone. Highly recommend this book!

“‘Know this, pirate,’ he said his hands gripping the railing, ‘you are my passenger, and I will be damned before I let any harm come to you.’”

“But she wondered if, in moving outside of the natural flow of time, they had forgotten the most crucial point of life—that it wasn’t meant to be lived for the past, or even the future, but for each present moment.”

“…a flower is no less beautiful because it does not bloom in the expected form. Because it lasts an hour, and not days.”

What do you get when you mixed equal parts time travel, pirates, music, and romance? Passenger, of course! This book had many fresh and interesting ideas that I don’t often see in YA lit, and it had more descriptive language than most books for young adults. I’ve read the reviews, and some people couldn’t get into it because the book seemed to drag. I, however, enjoyed the slightly slower pace and descriptive language. It was refreshing after reading many YA lit books written in present tense and short, choppy language.

I almost thought of adding historical fiction to the genre listing for this book. Although the book isn’t about a historical event in the past exactly, the main characters do travel through different places and times like colonial America and WWII-era London. This adds a very unique element of conflict to the characters. Nicholas Carter, a main character, is the son of an African American slave woman and wealthy, powerful white man. He faces the prejudice and social constraints of the 1800s placed on Negro men. But because of time travel, a white girl from the 21st century is thrust into his world, which makes for some very interesting and unique relational struggles. Can love overcome society’s laws and expectations? This is much deeper than the source of most tension in YA lit couples.

I loved that, as a reader, I was thrust into the world of ship sailing and pirates through the eyes of Nicholas, and the world of music through Etta. I found both worlds fascinating and enjoyed the descriptions and terminology unique to each. I’m pleased to say that Alexandra Bracken made her characters interesting, and the romance, for the most part was full of page-turning chemistry.
The questions I had about time travel and the characters, and the electric chemistry between the characters, kept me swiping left (as one does with an e-book).

However, when I got about two-thirds into the book, the plot started to drag. The character chemistry was not as palpable and the explanations of time travel and the rules of what can/can’t happen and why began to bog down the story. I’ve decided that although I enjoy time travel reads, I’ll just have to accept an inherent element of confusing and unresolvable characteristics that comes with the beast.

Overall, this was an interesting book with dynamic characters and descriptions. Of course, Alexandra Bracken left Book 1 on a cliffhanger, so I’m onto reading Wayfarer now to see what happens to the characters.

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A brilliant mix of time travel and fantasy.

Opening Sentence: As they ascended, retreating farther from the winding trails that marked the way to nearby villages, the world opened to him in its purest form: silent, ancient, mysterious.

The Review:

This has been on my ‘TBR’ list for several months and I’m glad to have finally gotten round to reading it. Initially, I found it a little difficult to get into but once Etta met Nicholas, things began to get interesting.

Etta is forced into the world of time travelling where she literally falls into a time where women have very few rights and are meek and subservient. This doesn’t go down well with outspoken Etta so when she almost gets into a fist fight over Nicholas’s honour on a ship full of pirates, you know she’s a bad ass!

“If you can believe it, that’s actually an improvement in her mood,” Etta whispered. “This morning she threw half of her trunk at me when I came in to wake her up.”
“Ah, the Ironwood charm,” Nicholas said. “I suppose she then made you pick it all up for her as well?”
“Actually, I threw the water from the basin on her to cool her off.” A dark look passed over Etta’s face as they watched the carriage rock with the force of Sophia’s entry. “Should have grabbed the chamber pot instead.”

I loved the idea of time traveling through the secret ‘passages’ and though the rules often confused me, it reminded me of the time turners used in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, thereby making it more realistic in my mind.

As the first book in the series, there was bound to be a lot of world building but I didn’t find it as tiresome as some other first books. However, what did annoy me was Etta’s not-so-dear mother! I understand why Etta wanted to go back and save Alice, but saving her own mother frankly felt like a waste of time. Especially since Rose had kept sooo many secrets from Etta and always appeared to have a chilly persona. The entire time-travelling world was unknown to Etta but Rose expected her to save the world, how does that work?

“I wish you had gone a little easier on him,” she said.
“He came in here thrashing a sword around. Was I supposed to stand idly by and do nothing?” he huffed.
“Well, you weren’t supposed to try to rearrange his face with your fist.”
“I wasn’t,” Nicholas protested. “He lunged up into it several times. I was only in the way.”

An important issue explored in Passenger was the discrimination of different races and the occurrence of slavery. Nicholas’s entire life story was incredibly sad so I was so glad that he met someone like Etta. It’s clear from the very first moment they meet that they have an undeniable chemistry.

“If you can travel anywhere…to any time, for the most part,” she began, “why do you stay here? In an era where there are men like Wren, who treat you that way?”
“You presume I have a choice,” he said. “Good night, Miss Spencer. Rest well.”

If you’re not a fan of cliffhangers then you clearly shouldn’t be reading any series, especially this one. I, however, loved the suspense at the end and eagerly anticipate book two!

Notable Scene:

Hasan gave one last gentle pat to her hand, continuing, “It is blasphemous, I know; it goes against our teachings and beliefs, but I accept their choices. I cherish them in my heart. I cannot help but think, it matters not who you love, but only the quality of such a love. And so what I wish to say to you is…a flower is no less beautiful because it does not bloom in the expected form. Because it lasts an hour, and not days.”

FTC Advisory: Disney-Hyperion provided me with a copy of Passenger. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

I want to thank Disney Hyperion for approving me for an early copy of this book to read and give an honest review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.

I'm pretty sure this is one of the most anticipated books to be coming out in 2016. I don't know anyone who wasn't a fan of Bracken's Darkest Minds series. Her writing is just fantastic and she can tell quite a story. So, given the opportunity to read this, and the rave reviews of my fellow bloggers, I jumped in with both feet. I don't even think I read past the first line of the review. I didn't care because I was convinced it would be fantastic. And, while in the end I did enjoy it, I will say it was harder for me to get to that point than I would have liked.

I will say this review will be hard to write without spoilers. And I really don't want to go in that direction. So I'll give the bare bones of characters and background to try and put it in perspective.

Etta is a musical prodigy. She's spent her life learning to play and be an expert at the violin, though she has yet to have a debut. I found Etta to be easily relatable in this book. She certainly had much of the teen angst you expect, but at the same time she was mature beyond her peers. I think this is due to the fact that she has put all her focus on her violin career and not allowed any other distractions in her life: friends, boys, other activities.

Nicholas lives long ago. But he's not just your ordinary boy. He is able to travel through time. And he's sent on missions to find things for the family that has taken him in. But he's never treated as an equal, because he doesn't have the same color skin as they do. I really love Nicholas. He's determined to make a life of his own, to own a ship and be it's captain despite the color of his skin. And he wants no distractions when it comes to this. So when he's sent on a mission to collect a girl and return her to those who took him in, he doesn't question it. He's loyal, strong and stubborn, but he's also more emotional than he lets on.

This book is written in third person, which was perfect for how it was presented. I haven't read many authors that can truly do this point of view justice and Bracken did a terrific job. I love that you can get a truly organic picture of the characters through her writing. There is lots of background given helping you to understand exactly who the characters are and why they are essential to the story.

I will say I was a bit disappointed that more of the book didn't take place on the ships. Just from the cover I thought it would be so. And I found it a bit slow going until about half way through. There was a ton of narrative. I don't mind this when it's world building, but that wasn't truly the case with this book. Also, there are flashbacks within flashbacks. Often times I had to re-read things to know exactly what time period I was in and figure out when I was back in the present story of the book. This distracted me. I like stories to flow easily. To be told well enough that I don't question what is going on. This is the reason for the 4 star rating.

Time travel is always a huge hit for me. But it has to be done well. And not all authors can pull it off. I have to say that Bracken did a pretty good job. I had a few areas that confused me with explanations, though. And the time travel part wasn't as prominent as I thought it would be. Most of the book takes place in the past without us even getting back to Etta's actual time.

I wasn't hugely keen on the romance and almost felt it was a bit pushed in the book. I think the story could actually have had more build up in that department. The attraction was too quick for me. I think a slow burn would have made it more believable.

In the end I really did enjoy the story/plot. There is really no predictability in this story. Well, aside from the romance that you know will bloom. And the characters were done very well, each with their own personality and way of being. I will certainly be reading the next book in this series to see what happens because with that kind of cliffhanger there is no way you could not want to read on!

This book has a nice mixture of mystery, romance and time travel. All of the characters were interesting and well written. Etta is strong, intelligent and courageous despite all the obstacles she has to overcome. She is thrust into time travel without any training or knowledge that she even has the ability to time travel and forced to go on a journey to find a mysterious object. She must do this to save the people she loves, including her mother, Rose. That woman will not be getting any mother of the year awards, that's for sure! Rose is a complicated character who I found fascinated me just as much as she angered me.

Nicholas is a charming, caring and endearing character. He is like Etta, unwillingly thrown into the journey through time to search for the missing object. Even the villains were well written and I enjoyed their scenes as well as learning why they have such an obsession with finding the artifact and what they stand to gain from its use.

I did feel that the story was a bit slow. There was more talking and romance, sideways glances and hands brushing, etc. than there was adventure. I was really excited for the action and the journey to begin and when it finally did I just couldn't put it down. It really picks up and what an ending! I am excited for the next book to come out to see where it will all head.

This series is a duology so there will be one more book due out in 2017. If you enjoy romance, adventure and time travel I highly suggest checking this book out.

Etta is a very ambitious girl that has worked very hard for becoming a professional violin player. But her dreams and her life is thrown off its course when she is forced back in time.
She finds out that she is a time traveller and so is her mother who hid a very important device called the astrolabe in an unknown time and place.
The head of a powerful time travel family, called the Ironwoods, has now captured her mother and in order to save her Etta must find the astrolabe that he desires.
To ensure that she achieves this task Nicholas, a time traveller connected to the Ironwoods, is sent with Etta but he has his own goals to think about.

I did overall enjoy this book, it was interesting and had its exciting parts. But I did have some problems with it.
I would have liked to connect more with the characters. Etta was cool but after reading The Darkest Minds trilogy by Alexandra where all the characters were great in my opinion I guess I was expecting a bit more.
I also would have liked the story to stay in some time periods a bit longer, I know that would have made the book a bit longer as well but I think that would have given me time to connect to the atmosphere of the time and place better.
And I thought that the romance moved a little too fast.
But the ending left me excited for the next book that I hope it will be even better than this first one.

First of all, this cover is GORGEOUS! I love it...

This was fun and highly entertaining! I thought this was a really great plot and while some of the time travel aspects/rules could be a little confusing at times, this was a solid first book for the series.

Etta and Nicholas were a really cute couple! The pacing of the romance, however, was a bit off to me...it started out as a sort of slow burn sort of thing and then it was like *BAM* *FEELINGS* all of a sudden. We went from attraction to all-consuming love in like 2.5 seconds. I did really like that he called her "Pirate" as an endearment though...sounds dumb but trust me it totally works.

One of the things I found really great about this book was Etta's realization of her own privileges as a white woman (girl i guess) of the 21st century. Nicholas is POC (born in the 18th century, i think?) and was once a slave and knows all too well what people believe his place in life is. As Etta journeys through time with him, her eyes are opened to things she never had to deal with before. She comes to understand Nicholas's hardships a little better. I also liked that she comments about how even her century isn't without it's prejudices and major issues. That just because the world has grown and flourished over the centuries, it doesn't mean everything has changed.

So besides the pacing of the romance, I really enjoyed this. The time travel was awesome and the characters were all pretty great. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!

3.5 Stars

Passenger was a pretty exciting release for me. I found the synopsis really intriguing and loved the line "A scavenger hunt through time." It was Lit Up Review's February spotlight book club read and I was pretty happy to be able to read it with the ladies from Lit Up Review. It wasn't as good as I had hoped and expected it to be. I spent about three weeks on this book before finally finishing it. (I read books in between these three weeks but it took me so long to work through it I had to stop to read other books.) I liked it but the main issues I had with it was how slow the plot was, how rushed some situations were, and mostly how lacking the adventure it was for me. But if you enjoy fun and captivating reads with time travel definitely try Passenger, because you may enjoy it more than I did.

I enjoyed reading from Etta and Nicholas as they were both interesting characters with very interesting backgrounds and pasts. Etta is from 2016 but Nicholas is from the 1800's I believe? Somewhere around that time. They both are somehow tied into this whole situation and go looking for clues to find this stolen object. Both Etta and Nicholas were very different characters but similar at the same time. They both were very smart about situations, each knowing different things that helped them on this journey. I especially liked reading about the character development that Etta goes through. She is thrown into the whole time traveling thing and she has to adjust and learn as she goes through the whole life scavenger hunt. By the end, she is a lot more informed on time travel and also has gained from knowledge from the situations she was put in. I am really looking forward to the next book when we get to see Etta in a situation I definitely didn't expect her to be in.

The plot is probably the reason why I write "I am excited for the next book." I have never read an Alexandra Bracken book before Passenger but if this is what her plots are like then sign me up because the whole time travel aspect and scavenger hunt is genius. I just want to establish my love for the plot and the whole direction the book is series is headed, especially that ending (More on that will be in the spoilers section). Okay, not what brought my rating down? It is what makes the plot better than it already is. Perfect pacing, making sure the book doesn't drag out for too long, ect ect. The problem I had with Passenger was that I was bored out of my mind for the first 150-200 pages. I get that there were things that needed to be introduced and stuff but I came here for that "scavenger hunt through time" and going through 200 pages for that is a bit much for me. And once it did get to the actual scavenger hunt, the pacing was a bit too slow for me and I felt like the entire hunt through time lasted about two minutes long. Hopefully, this doesn't happen too much in Wayfarer (the next book!) because it pains me that this plot could have had so much potential but it was held back by the pacing and just how long it took to finally get into the plot.

Also, just wanted to mention real quick that I really love the time travel world that Alex has created and I can't wait to read more from it.

The one last thing that brought down my rating was how rushed things got with Etta and Nicholas. I just feel like their feelings for each other just popped up out of nowhere. Like it was one chapter where they were just talking about what was happening then the next Etta is maybe liking Nicholas? Yeah, no thank you rushed feelings. They're cute together but I really wish the relationship could have been handled a bit more realistically...

I gave this book 3 stars because I enjoyed the plot and characters but there were too many things that bugged and prevented me from being able to fully enjoy it.

Etta Spencer is pulled into her mother’s secret family legacy. She discovers they are one of four families that can travel through the passages of time. When she is kidnapped and forced to retrieve an heirloom that her mother has hidden somewhere in time, her dangerous mission will lead her across oceans and far off lands and into worldly eye-opening experiences she never could have imagined.
Passenger is a sweeping historical journey---it feels so vast and the plot is so beautifully orchestrated. In the beginning, I did feel a little overwhelmed with the amount of backstory happening, but I was also undeniably impressed with how much research and knowledge went in to every historical detail that was woven into the story. Once the adventure and danger really kick in, (for me, this was after Etta discovers her real quest and leaves the 1800s) I found myself unable to put this one down. The romance really kept a great balance with the storyline, never overtaking Etta's real purpose to save her mother and stop the tyranny going on among the traveling families. Etta and Nicholas face challenge after challenge with a strength that they seem to spark in each other, and watching them grow closer through it all is so compelling. I also love how she slowly discovers that things were not always what they seemed with her relationship with her mother. Music also plays a big part---not as big as I'd expected, but I loved how connected she was to her love of music.
The tale encompasses several centuries and five cultures of intriguing characters and engaging moments in time. I loved all the time-hopping that landed the characters in familiar historical moments and the DaVinci Code-style riddle-solving as Etta cleverly works through her mothers hints to get to the next point. These things mixed with a complicated romance and the strong theme of family and freedom are what made Passenger an absolute must-read and has me eagerly anticipated the second book!

Etta is a regular teenager who has cut herself from everything to focus on her passion: the violin. Her world revolves around her mother, with who she has a complicated relationship, and her violin teacher. She doesn’t have anything else. I am not sensible to music in general. Yes, I cry if I hear a special song, but an instrument alone has never moved me. I am lyrics girl. Still, the recurrence of a certain musicality and the references to music, either in words spoken by Etta or in the writing itself did not bother me. I found it a good tool to try and understand Etta. You get to learn about her through the events and her reactions, I appreciated it better than if I had been told “she is blablabla.”

Now, let’s get to Nicolas. Contrary to Etta, Nicolas was born in the 18th century. He is a pirate with quite an interesting background. His presence brings an interesting contrast with Etta’s reactions to the places and times they visit. Their reactions are a mirror of their own society. Most other characters are familiar with time traveling, being able to adapt and fit in, but the rules of the century they were born in just never really fades away. It is also worth mentioning Nicolas is an Afro-American, and the subject is tackled throughout the book. I thought it was a nice touch to give depth to the story itself as well as the experience narrated. Also, isn’t it nice not to have a fair and tall blond guy with blue eyes and a killer smile as a love interest? Etta’s mother has a particular role in the story and the reader’s feelings towards her change as the story unfolds. Still, at the end of the book, I did not know if I liked her, understood her, or hated her.

Welcome to Passenger Airlines, we wish you a pleasant journey.
Dear authors, if you’re going for time travel, beware I am a Doctor Who fan (RTD era, not Moffat, please.).
If handled badly, your journey will leave the reader bored, confused or both. Thankfully, the matter was handled quite well in the Passenger. I won’t reveal where the story takes you but I was relieved (that being an euphemism) when the characters escaped the whole boat and pirates area. I am not a fan of pirates, legal or not. The transitions are smooth and do have a nice coherent feeling as we discover the entire time traveling process with Etta. Many details about each time and place are set for the reader to connect with the story and the problems encountered; clothes, manners, society issues. Nothing is left behind, Bracken has done her share of homework.

Etta is sent on a mission by someone she doesn’t know, surrounded by people she had never heard of before, far away from the regular life of a teenager. Imagine being told you can travel through time and space, that the closest people to you have left you in the dark about it, and that now you need to use your ability to save them by retrieving an ancient object. Said object being extremely dangerous if left in the wrong hands. Should Etta follow the orders or make sure the object, which was hidden for a reason, stays away forever? Everyone has an agenda, riddles need to be worked on, historical events come in the way, unwelcoming places are visited. All events build up a tension that reaches its peak at the end of the book. I felt just like Etta most of the time. The beginning left me confused, a little bored at time (thanks, pirates!) but once the quest began, I just had to keep going. On the side, and slowly making its way into the characters’ hearts is a love story that is hinted throughout the first part of the book, and becomes a major matter as we follow Etta and Nicolas’ adventure. Their relationship is not rushed or imposed on us out of nowhere but grows with the hardships both have to go through, which I thought was refreshing.

Overall, I did like Passenger, although I wish the prologue weren't so soporific.

The protagonist, Etta, is chased through time from modern day theater, to a pirate ship, to WWII London, to Cambodia, Paris and Damascus to find an astrolabe that will allow her to return home to save her mom. The sequences keep you moving but when is it too much. Etta meets varied friends and foes that test her pirate-heart and wits at each time-shift.

Issues of women’s rights, slavery and prejudice through the lens of changing times in this novel are integrated throughout the story. Etta’s nemesis, a girl who could be heir of her family’s time-traveling heritage is discounted because she’s a girl. The injustice draws them together. And Etta’s traveling companion and potential love interest is a black youth, who is also in line as heir, but is not the right ethnicity to lead the family. He travels with Etta as her protector in search of the astrolabe in order to prove himself, but to who?

The middle of the book dragged a bit for me. Scenes were described in more detail than I like. Bracken described the entire crew of a pirate ship when they weren’t particularly integral to the plot. She could have trusted the action and dialogue of the dinner scene to represent crew-members characters instead of describing them.

Each location was well researched and integrated into scenes, but the pattern of Etta’s chase repeated its overall arch, not adding much to characterizations or plot. At 486 pages, it could have been condensed by eighty pages with good effect.

With that said Passenger did for me what I ask of a book, I connected with Etta and her story took me out of my time and place. Twists at the end of the story were fun and assure an interesting sequel.

"The truly remarkable thing about your life is that you're not bound to live it straight forward like the rest of us."

After a devastating loss on the night of her latest violin performance, Etta Spencer finds herself torn away from the people she loves and even from her own time.

Nicholas Carter is centuries away and confident his dream of captaining his own ship is well within reach even with the challenges inherent to his status as a freed slave.

When Etta appears as an unexpected passenger on Nicholas' ship, the two are thrown together in a hunt for a stolen artifact. Etta hopes it can help her return to her own time. Nicholas, meanwhile, believes giving the artifact to the Ironwoods can sever his remaining ties to the ruthless family while also keeping Etta safe.

Traveling across centuries and around the world, Nicholas and Etta will have to trust each other as they follow clues to the artifact's long-hidden location. Along the way they will uncover secrets about Etta's past and a truth that could threaten both of their natural times--and everything in between--in Passenger (2016) by Alexandra Bracken.

Passenger is the first of a two-book series that is partly a homage to Outlander and partly all its own. The story will continue in Wayfarer.

Passenger is a thrilling adventure that spans countries and centuries. Each time period Etta visits is brought to life with vivid and well-researched descriptions ranging from the nuances of eighteenth century clothing to an eerily well-realized depiction of London during the Blitz.

Passenger is a book filled with a diverse group of time travelers who live across and between time--often spending large periods of their lives outside of their normal flow of time and living in a decidedly non-linear fashion.

Because of this fluidity, Passenger is filled with unlikely allies (and enemies) as characters who would never otherwise meet are brought together. Consequently the dynamic between Etta and Nicholas has a complex tension as they work to find common ground despite their shockingly different upbringings and times. Their initial attraction and romance is even more satisfying because these two characters meet as equals and partners.

Although Bracken has moved in a different direction from her popular Darkest Minds trilogy, the writing here remains strong with her usual attention to detail both in terms of an intricate plot and many rich settings. Passenger is a delightful novel sure to appeal to fantasy readers and fans of time travel stories as well as readers of historical fiction. Highly recommended.

Possible Pairings: Loop by Karen Akins, Until We Meet Again by Renee Collins, Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, Chasing Power by Sarah Beth Durst, The Glass Sentence by S. E. Grove, The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig, Hourglass by Myra McEntire, The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski, Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor, All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill, Pivot Point by Kasie West

Rating: 4 Stars (Really Liked It)

My interest in this book was piqued when the bookstagram community discovered its beautiful cover and went on a month-long photo spree. As the cover-mania slowed I noticed people complaining that the book was "slow" or "boring." I'm here to say that I did not find that to be the case at all.

For starters: Pirates, Time Travel, History. Somehow the universe has conspired to bring me these 3 things (which I love) in every book I've read this month!

The world created in Passenger was brilliant. I wasn't as interested in the mechanics of time travel in this story (and neither was Alex from what I can tell), but the world it existed in and the corruption that can be created through such power. She does address some of the major issues anyone would bring up in a time-travel story, such as "can I make myself cease to exist?" but aside from that it was very character and story driven.

The main characters: Etta and Nicholas. Etta is a 21st century girl with a tense mother-daughter relationship, no knowledge of her father, and a close loving relationship with her violin instructor. Nicholas is a freed slave living through the American revolution and trying to make his way as a sailor. There's a stark contrast between these two characters' lives before they intersect. Throughout the entire book the language styles they use were consistent which meant that Bracken had to switch between centuries constantly. Impressive.

The difference in race and time period also created an opportunity for some great social commentaries. Even the unlikeable Sophia brought some great perspective as a 20th century female. Until she had the opportunity to time travel, Etta probably would not have considered herself blessed.

I felt like the story progressed quite well. You can clearly see Bracken's love of history coming across in the time periods she selected for her characters to witness, but we didn't dwell too long in any.

I agree that the writing style was beautifully detail-oriented to the point where I skipped some sentences that were flowery descriptions, but I think that's a compliment to how much I wanted to know WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

I'm excited for #2. And especially excited since we have the same Alma Mater. TRIBE PRIDE
4 Stars (Really Liked It)

Title: Passenger

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Age Group: Teen/Young Adult

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: Passenger, book one

Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

I borrowed this book from my local library and reviewed it.

Truthwitch turned out to be a major bust, so when I got to Passenger, I had mixed feelings. I'd heard good and bad things about it, and I was worried that I wasn't going to enjoy it. I've read her debut novel, The Darkest Minds, a few years before, and really liked it. So to say that I was ambivalent about this novel is to make a huge understatement. (Plus, look at that cover! It's so beautiful! The bottle! The city! The lettering!)

But, happily, my worries were unfounded, especially when I really let myself go, and enjoy the story. This book was, for me, like throwing the door open to a new and dangerous world, where time is used for man's own ends and nothing is really as it seems. I was absolutely spellbound by this lovely, gorgeous adventure that this Passenger. I loved every single moment of it, and the only bad thing is that the sequel won't be here until 2017! (Excuse me while I curl up in a ball and cry for the next ten months...)

Passenger begins with seventeen year old Etta, a promising young virtuoso, at her debut. But things are quickly thrown off course when she finds her mother has disappeared. And just to complicate things a wee bit, she discovers that her mother's past is riddled with dark secrets, and as if that wasn't enough, throwing in dynamic characters that only cause its star to shine further--I loved Etta completely, as well as the other characters that populated the novel.

The pacing of this novel was immediate--I was sucked in immediately, the book holding my heart from the very first line. It was such a meaty adventure story, with so many other wonderful elements tucked away inside it, like romance, suspense, and intrigue. And it helped a lot that there were so many twists and turns that I was frantically reading, breathless, hanging on every single word until the very end. If all time travel stories are like this, I may have found a brand-new subgenre for 2016. Yay!

I loved pretty much all of this book, but it wasn't totally perfect: Sometimes, with the information dumping, I had to go back and reread so I could fully understand everything. But nonetheless, Bracken has crafted a beautiful tale that I loved--I can't wait to see where the series is headed! The bottom line: A breathless adventure full of twists, romance, and excitement--one of my favorites of the year! Next on deck: Seven Black Diamonds by Melissa Marr! (P.S: Happy Easter everyone! May you enjoy pleasant company, great food, and of course, candy!)

First off let me apologize if this review sounds like I'm all over the place. I just read one of the best books of my life and I'm writing this review at 4am! I can certainly say that my year of reading definitely went out with a bang! Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING I wish and hope for in a book was within the pages of Passenger! Gah, I'm so excited about this book!

Epic unforgettable romance- CHECK!
Heart-stopping adventure- CHECK
The BEST PACING IN A BOOK EVER- CHECK!
Beautiful going-down-in-the-history-books writing- CHECK!
Keep you up all night kinda book- CHECK!

So let's talk romance. I don't know about you but I'm always in search of epic romance in a book. Quite often I find snippets of it in novels. Very rarely do I find TRULY MADLY DEEPLY FELT EPIC ROMANCE. Well it's in every grain of this beautifully written story.

"The melody of her heart had no name; it was quick, and light. It rolled with the waves, falling as the breath left his chest, rising as he inhaled. It was the rain sliding down the glass; the fog spreading its fingers over the water. The creaking of a ship's great body. The secrets whispered by the wind, and the unseen life that moved below.
It was the flame of one last candle."

The adventure in this book was downright amazing! I just love diving into a book and feeling the heart-pounding excitement while reading! The pacing couldn't have been better, it was just perfect! What I loved about Passenger was the flawless mix of adventure and epic romance. Both elements were the perfect amount, nothing too overdone in the least. If you love a story with tons of romance and adventure then Passenger is for you!

Now let's talk about Etta and Nicholas. I am telling you all now, you are going to hear about this couple for a LONG time! As I mentioned above we have the perfect blend of adventure, romance and pacing. What if I told you the character development is so amazing you won't want this book to end?!? Seriously I almost cried when I turned the last page! Alexandra Bracken, if this book was a thousand pages long I would still ask for more!

Another thing I loved was the characters being extremely easy to follow. You won't have to try and keep track and make notes. Bracken's writing is so clear and concise, she writes in a way that each character is defined in their own right and stands out from one another beautifully.

One last thing I want to mention. This book covers some pretty serious social issues. The author does it in a way that is perfect for the story and doesn't seem forced at all. I love how we get to see how societal issues evolve and change over time.

I'm so excited for you all to read this book! Please, if you've never listened to me on a book recommendation before, do so now. READ THIS BOOK! I promise that you won't regret it! Now I'm off to wait for book 2, and I guess try to get some sleep since it's 5am! Happy New Year everyone!

I received this book for free from The Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

My Take:
Ah, this book! Just thinking about it gets me excited. And swoon. Because, NICHOLAS.

Passenger caught my eye not only for its cover but because, TIME TRAVEL. I love time travel books, and I am always on the hunt for more. Throw in some pirates and you got yourself a deal.

Admittedly, heading into Passenger had me extremely nervous. Many of my friends all had mixed thoughts on it and honestly at the time, I couldn’t pinpoint whether or not it was be a ME book. But I wasn’t nervous for long because I was hooked from the first track!

When we meet Etta, we get a quiet, reserved violin player that is wholly dedicated to her music and nothing else. She aims for great success for herself, and to make her mother proud. But not too long into the book, Etta’s world is jolted and she finds herself in 1776 on board a ship and no idea how she got there. In short? Her character is nothing short of amazing. At every turn, she is put through more trials, learns more about her mom, family history and the like, but she remains strong. She has so much heart, so much passion for everything she is hard NOT to like.

Nicholas (hearts in eyes) is a “legal” pirate who was tasked with taking Etta to see the head of the Ironwood family, not knowing that his world would also be turned upside down. Having so much of his life dedicated to the Ironwoods, he has sworn off the family and just wants to live his life on the sea. He’s quiet, compelling, smart and like Etta, has a huge heart. He dedicates himself to protecting Etta from the Ironwoods and in turn, sets out with her to travel through centuries looking for an ominous treasure.

Ah, these two together makes me happy. There is so much against them, but they find themselves becoming closer each passing day, and seeing their love deepen was beautiful. They had SO MUCH going against them, but these two make a great team and I love that they worked it though it; finding love and acceptance with each other. I also loved that Etta went for what she wanted.

One of my favorites aspects of Alexandra’s storytelling was how she weaved in history with the hardships and trials of the people of that time. Slavery, race, prejudices and feminism. In Etta’s time, present day, she is use to telling it like it is. She is use to doing what she wants, when she wants; it didn’t matter that she was woman, or that Nicholas was a man of color. I loved that she didn’t back down, that she challenge the times & the rules, she challenge Nicholas. She pushed him to see that there was more to him that what people TOLD him, and it was just ALL well done.

On that note, the travel rules blending in with history I thought, were pretty cool. There were times where I did have to rewind the audio to listen again, just to make sure I was following completely. I also loved that we learn about the rules, the family history along with Etta, because it IS a lot to take in. It’s pieced together throughout the book, giving us little dashes at a time. I thought the end was a LITTLE confusing, because what I thought was going on wasn’t. It makes you question everything that happened up that point, and how much of the time line was altered, or could be altered and WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. I was surprised at the direction it went. BUT. I do think it set up for the next book perfectly.

My other small peeve(s) was how long it took in the beginning for things to GET GOING. Looking back though, it almost feels necessary to set up for things that happen later on. A necessary evil, if you will. There were also a lot of secondary characters that I might not recognize of they are to make another appearance. My brain was overloaded enough to remember everyone.

The Narration
Saskia Maarleveld’s name look SO familiar, I could have sworn I have listened to her before, but I can’t find a book that she has narrated that I have. In any case, with this kind of story, the narrator can make or break the book and she nailed it! The story is told in 3rd person, so that is always tricky for me when it comes to audio books. But she was able to capture the personalities of the characters and even did a fantastic job with the accents.

Overall – if you couldn’t tell, I LOVED Passenger. I am glad I went with my gut and dove in, because this is definitely one that will stick with me for a while. It’s masterfully written; weaving together many elements to create a beautiful, heartfelt and adventurous story. I highly recommend it!

(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Hachette Children's Group and NetGalley.)

“I want you to know, I have never stolen anything in my life.”

This was a YA time travel story about a girl dragged through time against her will.

Etta was a strong girl and she did her best to stand up to those who threatened her. She used her brain to work things out, and didn’t give up when things got hard.

The storyline in this was about Etta being dragged through time against her will and then threatened into finding something that someone claimed her mother had stolen. The pace in this was super-slow though, and the book really dragged for me.
We did get a bit of romance, but it was a bit forbidden with the love interest being from a different century!

The ending to this was a giant cliff-hanger, which after such a long book was a bit frustrating.
6 out of 10

We've all heard of the amazing adventures that you can have through books. I'm sure we've all seen it enacted on television- someone opening a book and being transported to an exciting adventure in a different place and time.....Passenger by Alexandra Bracken is one of those rare books that truly embodies that scenario.

Alexandra Bracken has written a timeless masterpiece! You're brought around the world and through time on the most entertaining and exciting of voyages! The author has also masterfully managed to weave a tantalizing mystery into the story- one that will keep you hungrily turning pages well past your bedtime. This is one of those books that just cannot be put down once opened and the treasures within are discovered. Without a doubt, the treasures of this gripping tale are the well-formed characters, intricate yet believable world-building, adventure, non-stop action, travel(both through time and place), a well thought-out and perfectly executed plot, and of course the truly timeless, exciting, sweet, yet forbidden romance between two very lovable characters!

The protagonist, Etta(Henrietta), is now one of my favorite heroines! She is everything I want in a strong heroine- brave, intelligent, witty, resourceful, passionate, kind, polite, fierce, adventurous, altruistic, humorous, talented, and yet still very relatable and believable. I loved her personality! The author did a wonderful job of bringing Etta to life through her fierce, yet gentle personality. This however isn't how she starts out. At the beginning of the story Etta is unsure of herself and as it progresses and she overcomes obstacles in the story, she grows as a character and becomes more sure of herself and confident. I enjoyed being along for her journey through time and self discovery!
Nicholas Carter was the perfect partner for Etta. These are just two characters that were just so RIGHT for each other. They were quite literally made for each other! Their personalities while different and unique, just meshed so well but there was still some inevitable, delicious friction!
Despite the unfortunate circumstances of Nicholas' childhood,(or rather because of)he was such an amazing person. A real gentleman. There were so many qualities in his personality that I loved and I especially loved that we got to read the book from his POV as well as Etta's. In so many books, the men are just eye candy. It was refreshing to have such a great male character share the spotlight with the heroine.
There were several villains in the story but I don't want to give too much away. Etta and Nicholas can't trust anyone(and perhaps not even each other at first) and it makes for a very exciting story.

By far one of the most fascinating aspects of the story was the time travel. It is extremely apparent how much effort the author must have put into her research. It was so intricate and detailed which also made it very believable. I loved the history that was included as well.
The story was paced perfectly. I never got bored or lost interest. I stayed extremely invested in the story form the beginning to the very end. And then at the end yearning for more immediately! Bracken is a pro at creating an enticing atmosphere. Each scene was set so well that you're transported directly into the story. It isn't just a book- it's an all-consuming experience! I would recommend this book to everyone! There is something there for everyone to fall in love with!!

*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*

Original Review Link: http://asdreamsaremade.com/2016/01/book-tuesday-passenger/

I’m not going to waste time giving an intro. I’m just going to dive right in and proceed to tell you how amazing this book was. Ok? Ok.

Etta is a violin prodigy. She’s given up everything for her craft, but on the day of an important recital, her whole world turns upside down. She discovers she’s a traveler, one who can travel through time, and in order to save her mother, she must embark on an epic quest through history to find the an important historical artifact for the ruling family–the Ironwoods. With the help of Nicholas, a shunned member of the Ironwood clan, Etta sets out to save her mother and save the course of history as we know it.

This book was fantastic. Utterly, fantastic.

I know the marketing campaign has been billing it as Outlander for teenagers and while it does have the time travel aspect, it’s so much more than that and really is its own original being.

Etta was a remarkable character. Very able to adapt to extraordinary circumstances and rather cunning at the same time. She’s thrown into impossible situations and is able to rise to the occasion. Her upbringing in the 21st century causes some problems at times, but it makes for such entertaining reading that you root for her the entire way. There was a moment in the narrative that had you going "YES!!"

Nicholas was a great counterpoint for her. It was a nice change to see a main character of mixed race in a YA novel who struggles with his identity, especially through the viewpoint of different eras. I loved, loved, loved the romance between them. The secondary characters were well developed. Grandfather was one scary dude; Etta’s mother was ruthless, but you could still see hints of humanity behind her façade; Sophia was such a biznatch! Although you understand why she’s the way she is. I’m curious to see how her plot line develops, especially after this ending.

The plot moved very well. Because of the time travel element, it always had you guessing and wondering where in time they would end up next and what would happen. In its simplest sense, I would describe it as a scavenger hunt through time. Who doesn’t like that?? And that ending. THAT ENDING. I almost died.

I can honestly say, I didn’t dislike one thing about this book. I absolutely loved it. From the characters to the plot, it had you on your toes the entire time. You can see that Ms. Bracken really did her research in the historical department and it was reflected in the way her characters adapted to the era they were thrust into. That was one aspect I really enjoyed; seeing how social customs and norms have evolved and changed throughout history and cultures.

If you have a desire for adventure, romance, history, and just pure fun, pick this one up!

****ARC received through Netgalley for an honest review.****

Oh, wow. Amazing! Etta is an amazing female lead. Well developed and she actually has a personality and a brain! She's a fighter! Even when her life is thrown into chaos and her life torn apart she doesn't give up. Her life is left hanging in the hangman's noose, she never doubts herself. She fights. Thank you Bracken. Thank you for an amazing female lead.

More importantly thank you for addressing time travel so well. For making a fantastic and diverse male lead. For portraying so expertly what life was like for females and African Americans. While not being overly preachey. The way both characters reacted to the times was refreshing. Not to mention how Etta, a woman of the 21st Century dealt with it. Highlighting the rights and freedoms that those of us in the modern age take for granted. Not to mention not being heavy handed.

Thank you dear Bracken for an amazing love story. It was perfectly matched as the unfolding time traveling adventure swept me away! What a heady rush! Great romance and great time travel? (I know I'm being vague,but I want readers to discover it on their own.) The first 50% of this book was a solid 5 stars from me. Sadly the other half kicked in.

What was wrong? Pacing. The romance basically paused the story so that the romance could develop. It happened again and again. The action and sweeping adventure would kick in, and then queue pause for romance time. It lead to slow pacing, and I almost got readers' burn out as I grew bored when the meat of the story was on hold. Don't get me wrong, the romance is excellent! I highlighted so many swoon worthy lines. It was just bad pacing. Things picked up for the last 10 % of the book and the book ended on an amazing plot twist/cliffhanger.

In the end I'm trying to not give too much away. I want this book to be a surprise for readers. The time travel of Passenger is so unique and well thought out! The idea of getting into a portal in New York and being dropped off in not only a different time, but halfway across the glob is inspiring! (Not to mention some of the other cool rules of travel.) Etta and Nathan are currently one of my top couples, and I look forward to reading more about them. They're both so well developed, and most importantly Nathan is actually a good guy. Not some jerk disguised as the “bad boy” type. Oh, how I want the next book so bad. Bracken throws one heck of a curveball at the end. There are some serious questions to be answered! What away to kick off 2016s new round of books.

Sexual Content: Sexual humor some frank discussions about sex. Minor dark themes. There is a sex scene, not explicit. But I did not like the way safe sex was not addressed. She's time traveling and it's in the past. Contraceptive anyone? (Maybe that's a plot twist . . . one time is all it takes.)

3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.

Disclaimer: I received this free book from NetGalley.

Time travel must be tough. To write that is. I can’t imagine the hurdles an author has to go through to make the science stick. Not to mention making it just fantastical enough without becoming completely unbelievable. On the other hand, the reader has to put a great deal of trust in an author. If I keep reading, if I suspend disbelief for just a bit longer will this be worth it? In the case of Passenger by Alexandra Bracken your trust is well founded.

A young girl, Etta Spencer, is suddenly drawn back hundreds of years through time to confront a destiny she was completely unaware of until this moment. Etta herself is a great character. Too often lately, authors are trying so hard for their lead to be portrayed as a “strong, female lead”, what we end up with is a girl so far from normal, unearthly, preternaturally accomplished that it’s hard to relate to the character. Etta Spencer is much more real. She is confused, sickened and frightened by her situation. She doesn’t have any special fighting skills to lean on (I swear if I read about one more teenage girl who (surprise!) is a genius with a bow and arrow I’m going to scream!). What she does have is determination, fierce loyalty to the people she loves and a firm sense of right and wrong. Those things will serve her well in the future, or in the past. Ha! I also like the way Ms. Bracken writes the men in her books. Nicholas is a complex character. I love that Ms. Bracken’s books are always so diverse. As an African-American this comes into play with Nicholas. The time he lives in has worked on him in ways that leave him understandably insecure but he is still a very principled and hardworking person. A match for Etta if there ever was one. Will they end up together? Unknown at this point. *wink wink*

I’m a fan of Alexandra Bracken’s, since I read her Darkest Minds series and this new series is just as promising. The story did bog down a little bit in the middle. Is it because I’m an older woman that I wasn’t swooning for the make-out sessions? Instead, I found myself yelling at them “For goodness sake's people, get moving! TIME is running out!” Well that in and of itself is testament to how invested I was in the story. For those of you looking for a little romance to temper the fantasy, this book is a good one for you. Ms. Bracken certainly knows her audience and delivers just what they like. I enjoyed the story, and am looking forward to the next installment of the series, Wayfarer. Which can’t come soon enough for this reader.

Bonus link: Here’s a treat – a Pinterest board by Alexandra Bracken with photos and artwork that inspire or are inspired by Passenger – fashion to die for! https://www.pinterest.com/alex_bracken/passenger-and-wayfarer/

Spotify Song for this book: Edge of the Ocean – Ivy

This book has a slow start despite the action the protagonist finds herself thrown into within the first few chapters. It gradually picks up steam, and readers who stick with it long enough will find a very compelling adventure full of love, betrayal, and time travel to far flung reaches. Etta and Nicholas are the major players in this story, and their relationship is complicated by a variety of surprising elements that make for suspense and uncertainty right up until the final moments of the book. While Etta is the protagonist, I actually think readers will find Nicholas the more complex and intriguing character - his backstory is heartbreaking and well developed. He adds some needed diversity to the YA literary scene, and his situation will inspire some thoughtful consideration. He will also allow this book to be one that my high school guys can enjoy as much as my high school girls.The plot is one that takes a bit of unravelling. Readers will have to invest a bit of time to get the payoff, but I think it is worth the effort. At times the romantic relationship took a frustrating amount of time, and that slowed the action, but it does create a more complex story and I think most YA readers will appreciate the time dedicated to developing this sub-plot. Overall, I think fans of all ages and both genders will find something to enjoy in this book. I'm certainly adding it to my classroom library wish list and recommending it to fans of time travel and action reads. Language and situations are appropriate for grades 7+. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've been excited forward this book for sometime since everyone keeps buzzing about it. love the idea of this book -- time travel, exotic and historic places, a love story. What's not to like? I received an ARC at YallFest so here are my thoughts on Passenger!

Bracken does a great job of building Etta's life and family in modern New York City. Etta's journey goes to some really interesting and varied locations which makes me want to read more Passenger books since the possibilities are endless.

While I enjoyed this book, a couple of things held me back from loving it (even though I really wanted to love this one!). I'm keeping this review spoiler-free so I'll some of this will be a little vague.

1) With any story involving time travel, clarity is key. Passenger takes about a third of the book before the dots start connecting and, even then, things are a bit muddled. I wish a few things came together sooner and/or we had a more vivid/tangible example of what happens when someone monkeys with time so that the rules/consequences of this world were clearer. Instead, the first third feels confused and slow to start.

Once the pieces come together a bit, the story moves well until we get to the end where I had another issue...

2) The last major character is sort of thrown into the story with her past motives left very vague. I'm sure the next book (books?) will, at some point, illuminate her story, but it turns the ending of Passenger into something unsatisfactory since its unsettled. There are just too many unresolved questions which left me feeling that Etta's whole journey was unnecessary. Why didn't this person do XXXX herself? Why did she have to do xxxxx that way? So at the end, I focused more on those unanswered questions than the set up for the next book.

Overall, I did enjoy the book and I don't think everyone will focus on the vague ending as much as did. Even so, I look forward to the next book in the series, Wayfarer.

Alexandra Bracken- you have officially made me a super fan after reading Passenger. This book was on my top lists of books to read in 2016. When I got approved to read it on Netgalley I was screaming inside because I've only heard amazing things about the book. Passenger has definitely lived up to its word as it was brilliantly written and addicting. My heard and brain were torn and felt tortured by the end. This book has elements of history, science fiction and time travel. Mix those all together and you get amazing characters, and a well organized plot. Don't let this book fool you because you will be addicted to the plot and a pirate named Nicholas Carter (*swoon*)

Etta Spencer is a 17 year old violin prodigy, living in 2015 Manhattan. Then one night changes everything as her entire world is taken away from her as she is taken back in time to 1776 in the middle of the Atlantic where she meets Nicholas Carter. Where the two meet starts a chain of events as they try to rewrite history. Etta is actually a time traveller and is a pawn that has been happening for centuries against the Ironwoods.

I really loved Etta, she was quick, spunky and it was fun seeing what she will do say and do next. Nicholas is perfect for her, as he is a gentleman, cunning and very smart. The books romance is not the importance, but her journey as she gets to know her family. All the characters were well developed and added depth to the story. I personally loved the entire book and I already want the next book.

Bracken is an author to look out for because she creates multiple settings and has a great knowledge of the past. Secrets will be revealed, betrayals made as Etta and Nicholas make this journey through centuries and continents. You will definitely be wanting more of this series because it even gave me the feels!!! Pick this book up immediately!!

Damn! That was an amazing story. For me this book has to go on the all time favorite book shelf. It has all of my favorite components in a good story - time travel, romance, fantasy, drama, scheming, power, slavery, freedom, and so much more. I ran across not a single boring moment, not a single sentence or thought out of place. The story seemed to work itself into a perfect whirlwind without a beginning nor an end - everything just worked together and independently, weaving a masterpiece to enjoy.

I lived the story with Nicholas and Etta and that lent itself to a beautiful journey and experience for me as the reader. My only regret I had was that the book ended and now I have to wait until the second book, Wayfarer, comes out.

Thank you, Ms. Alexandra Bracken, for gifting this world with your amazing writing and elegant ability to tell one heck of a great story. I sincerely loved it and HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to all High School and older readers who want to be transported into a new land with amazing adventures.

Happy Reading!

*I received this book as an eARC from Disney-Hyperion via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Passenger is beautifully written. I was captured by the writing at the start. I love the concept of this book. Time travel is coming to YA and I'm loving it!

I liked trying to figure out the mechanics of the time travel as AI read the book, but I had a few problems with the way paradoxes were dealt with. Some things were just never fully explained. I really need to find an excellent article about how exactly the passages work. Or find a book club or group of people who have all read this book. Maybe the time travel will be more fledged out in the sequel.

I really liked the use of music in this book. The protagonist is a violin prodigy and music also has a role in identifying passages, or time travel portals.

There's a lot of romance over a short amount of time. And also a thought of inner thoughts. I wasn't a big fan of these aspects of the book. The overall feel of the book reminded me of Divergent.

I really enjoyed this book, but there were parts that just didn't sit well with me. The romance and the inner thoughts that seemed to repeat themselves often weren't my favorite parts. I also wasn't too keen on all the dynamics of the time traveling. I give this book a 4/5. I recommend it and will definitely be looking for the sequel!

Alexandra Bracken brings the world(s) of Passenger to life as we travel from present day to the colonies, jungle and more on our quest. She brilliant captures each period allowing the reader to travel from the comfort of their sofa. Bracken is a masterful storyteller and quickly drew me into the tale. The pacing is balanced and the rules unfolded perfectly.
A sweet, forbidden romance develops between Etta and her companion Nicholas Carter. Nicolas is a pirate searching for freedom and his impossible story touched me. Slow building, tender, heartbreaking and forbidden this romance will have you swooning.
I adore time travel novels and Bracken has established a unique concept with portals, warring families and history. I enjoyed how she allowed the reader to learn about this legacy along with Etta. It created suspense, as we needed to decide who was foe or ally. The storyline raised question for the reader. What would you do if you could travel back in time? Would you stop a war or save a loved one?
Bracken delightfully introduced colorful, diverse characters as the tale unfolded giving balance to the suspenseful quest as we jumped into different periods. While the villains are not as fleshed out, we learned enough to fear them and I look forward to some of the things the author hinted about.Copy provided by publisher, full review appeared on caffeinated book reviewer.