Wayfarer Review

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: January 3rd, 2017

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

All Etta Spencer wanted was to make her violin debut when she was thrust into a treacherous world where the struggle for power could alter history. After losing the one thing that would have allowed her to protect the Timeline, and the one person worth fighting for, Etta awakens alone in an unknown place and time, exposed to the threat of the two groups who would rather see her dead than succeed. When help arrives, it comes from the last person Etta ever expected—Julian Ironwood, the Grand Master’s heir who has long been presumed dead, and whose dangerous alliance with a man from Etta’s past could put them both at risk. Meanwhile, Nicholas and Sophia are racing through time in order to locate Etta and the missing astrolabe with Ironwood travelers hot on their trail. They cross paths with a mercenary-for-hire, a cheeky girl named Li Min who quickly develops a flirtation with Sophia. But as the three of them attempt to evade their pursuers, Nicholas soon realizes that one of his companions may have ulterior motives. As Etta and Nicholas fight to make their way back to one another, from Imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, time is rapidly shifting and changing into something unrecognizable… and might just run out on both of them.

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My Review:

This is a FANTASTIC conclusion to the Passenger duology! Bracken is an incredibly talented writer, so I had no doubts about this being a wonderful wrap up to the pair of books. I loooved the character development throughout this novel with Sophia! She plays a much more important role in this book, compared to the first, which I really appreciated because she is an extremely interesting character: driven, determined, and sometimes a little blunt with what she says, but a strong friend determined to protect her friends.

Etta also shows her stripes in this novel more than the last! I really appreciated how she is depicted as able to push through pain and hardship in order to reach an end goal. She never quits in pursuit of what she knows needs to get done, even if the outcome could result in more pain for her and those she loves.

Nicholas!! He is so incredibly determined to find Etta (the cutest thing ever) and is willing to literally sacrifice himself for her future. He makes terrible deals for the sake of finding her again, and is overall just a good guy who doesn't deserve the hand he's's dealt.

The only complaint I have about this book is that Nick and Etta were separated for too long. Seeing both sides of their stories was really interesting and gave a lot of perspectives and allowed for more settings to be explored (and more frustration when they crossed paths without knowing), but it got a little lengthy and boring after a while. The pacing was slower than I would have liked, and seeing Nick and Etta together sooner would have made the pacing a little better overall. I won't say I don't wish there had been more of the romance aspect in this book, because having a little more Etta/Nick interaction would've been greatly appreciated. ; )

Overall, I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend this book/duology. I love the romance and the diversity throughout, and despite a few pacing issues I think this was an amazing wrap up to the duology.

Final Grade: A