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teeggzz's review
3.0
*3.5
So after absolutely loving TDM by Alex and all the hype around Passenger I thought I would really enjoy it but unfortunately I was a bit disappointed.
So let's start with the writing. Holy crap Alex's writing is so different compared to the writing in TDM. The book is also in third person which kinda made me feel disconnected from the characters. The pacing seemed like it was slow but it actually wasn't. Everything was at a good speed but I felt like the endless amounts of descriptions is what made it feel so slow. Sometimes it was a struggle to get through a chapter because they were so bulky and some summing up to around about 50 pages or more. There were also A LOT of info dumps, especially at the start. For the first 100 pages I was like, "wtf is going on?". I think because the world and time travel aspect was so complex it made it very hard to absorb in only a few pages. I'm also not up to date with my history so I had to google some things more than once.
The characters were alright to say the least. Etta I feel like didn't really have too much personality or quirk to her. I think her whole character was just built up from the fact that she's a violinist and that's about it. As with Nic had a bit of a backstory but I didn't really like him immensely. He had an annoyingly hot temper and was VERY over protective. He wouldn't let Etta have free rain to do what she wanted. For example in the jungle she wanders off for two seconds and then he's yelling at her and is like, "you promised you wouldn't run off without telling me again!" It's like, okay buddy calm down you've only known each other for a couple weeks.
Speaking of the romance I did kinda enjoy it. It was a well-rounded relationship even if it was a bit insta-lovey. You could tell they really cared about each other and they did have some fallout's which made it realistic. Although I felt like this book revolved around the romance and the "adventure" aspect was on the side. Yes, I know they were travelling through time and that's classed as "adventure" but I felt like all they thought about was how much they loved one another and each scene they were making out. Going into this novel I didn't expect it to be so romance heavy.
When Nic got stabbed I didn't cry, even though it looked as if he was about to die. When Etta DID die (supposedly) I didn't really feel anything either because I wasn't very invested in the characters. I mean they're average but I don't die hard love them.
And when we find out Rose killed Alice?! WTTFFFFFF. ALICE WAS MY FAVE CHARACTER!
I also predicted from the very start that Henry was Etta's father, it was just plain obvious.
Over all it was an alright book that was enjoyable in most parts although I was slightly let down. Definitely different from TDM and I might pick up Wayfarer.
So after absolutely loving TDM by Alex and all the hype around Passenger I thought I would really enjoy it but unfortunately I was a bit disappointed.
So let's start with the writing. Holy crap Alex's writing is so different compared to the writing in TDM. The book is also in third person which kinda made me feel disconnected from the characters. The pacing seemed like it was slow but it actually wasn't. Everything was at a good speed but I felt like the endless amounts of descriptions is what made it feel so slow. Sometimes it was a struggle to get through a chapter because they were so bulky and some summing up to around about 50 pages or more. There were also A LOT of info dumps, especially at the start. For the first 100 pages I was like, "wtf is going on?". I think because the world and time travel aspect was so complex it made it very hard to absorb in only a few pages. I'm also not up to date with my history so I had to google some things more than once.
The characters were alright to say the least. Etta I feel like didn't really have too much personality or quirk to her. I think her whole character was just built up from the fact that she's a violinist and that's about it. As with Nic had a bit of a backstory but I didn't really like him immensely. He had an annoyingly hot temper and was VERY over protective. He wouldn't let Etta have free rain to do what she wanted. For example in the jungle she wanders off for two seconds and then he's yelling at her and is like, "you promised you wouldn't run off without telling me again!" It's like, okay buddy calm down you've only known each other for a couple weeks.
Speaking of the romance I did kinda enjoy it. It was a well-rounded relationship even if it was a bit insta-lovey. You could tell they really cared about each other and they did have some fallout's which made it realistic. Although I felt like this book revolved around the romance and the "adventure" aspect was on the side. Yes, I know they were travelling through time and that's classed as "adventure" but I felt like all they thought about was how much they loved one another and each scene they were making out. Going into this novel I didn't expect it to be so romance heavy.
When Nic got stabbed I didn't cry, even though it looked as if he was about to die. When Etta DID die (supposedly) I didn't really feel anything either because I wasn't very invested in the characters. I mean they're average but I don't die hard love them.
And when we find out Rose killed Alice?! WTTFFFFFF. ALICE WAS MY FAVE CHARACTER!
I also predicted from the very start that Henry was Etta's father, it was just plain obvious.
Over all it was an alright book that was enjoyable in most parts although I was slightly let down. Definitely different from TDM and I might pick up Wayfarer.
madelynfilkowski's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
beckylbrydon's review
4.0
A book about time-travellers hunting for a missing item hidden in history, Passengers managed to address multiple themes throughout, all while keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. Through Etta, we saw how priveleged girls of today truly are when looking back to all the social and cultural attitudes of and towards women across time, as she's kidnapped back through time and told to find a very valuble item her mum has hidden. Through Nicholas, the different attitudes to social status and the different colour of skin were addressed, as well as his response to it in his own time of the 1700's and also of other times such as 1940's London blitz. Alexandra Bracken also managed to explain the concepts of how this variation of time travel happens without leaving the reader in confusion, which with the possibilities of paradox's and meeting people in the wrong order is rather impressive. Full with witty arguments and banter, a kick-ass story, a detailed but not overly-so background and left open to so many more possibilites... definitely worth a read
theemolibrocubicularist's review
5.0
"I love you." For whatever small comfort it was worth, he would have the truth between them now. "Most desperately. Bloody inconvenient, that."
Passenger was an amazing read. It brings the reader in and entraps them strongly from beginning to end. Seeing how Nicholas was treated in each timeline because of his skin color was heartbreaking to read, especially when Nick and Etta would receive racist looks when they're together. I like to think our world has gotten better since these timelines but with the election in the U.S., I don't think we've come as far as many people have hoped.
Passenger was an amazing read. It brings the reader in and entraps them strongly from beginning to end. Seeing how Nicholas was treated in each timeline because of his skin color was heartbreaking to read, especially when Nick and Etta would receive racist looks when they're together. I like to think our world has gotten better since these timelines but with the election in the U.S., I don't think we've come as far as many people have hoped.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
2.0
2/5
DNF
The concept of the story sounded really fun and adventurous. When I actually started reading it though, for me it was one big confusing mess. I had started skimming the pages with around two hundred pages left until I finally gave in at less than a hundred pages left simply because I lost interest. I wish I could be rating this book higher because it had so much potential, but I didn’t because it had been a while for me to find a book that reminds me that not every type of time travel is for me.
DNF
The concept of the story sounded really fun and adventurous. When I actually started reading it though, for me it was one big confusing mess. I had started skimming the pages with around two hundred pages left until I finally gave in at less than a hundred pages left simply because I lost interest. I wish I could be rating this book higher because it had so much potential, but I didn’t because it had been a while for me to find a book that reminds me that not every type of time travel is for me.
bunbunbunny's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lclowe's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
isabella1018's review
5.0
I started this book kind of iffy but now I can't believe this is over. It went so fast!! I love this book and I am so excited for book 2.
The time travel is so interesting. You wouldn't think that the events would play how it would but they did. I love the characters and how the rules work in time travel. I adore the two main characters: Etta and Nicholas and their relationship.
I honestly have to say I don't like Rose at the moment and she is a horrible mother. I loved seeing Alice young and how all the pieces fit together. And the paintings! I love how her mom gave her all the pieces and Etta just has to fit them together, but quickly. And I loved when they were on the ship the first night. I laughed so much but also wanted to shoot wren. I think he will make an appearance in book 2.
I love Nicholas but I hate how there is a wall between them because of his skin. But I am so happy that Etta is strong enough to make her own choices and stand for what she believes. Ah I have so many thoughts so I now have to watch book review videos on it! Please read.
The time travel is so interesting. You wouldn't think that the events would play how it would but they did. I love the characters and how the rules work in time travel. I adore the two main characters: Etta and Nicholas and their relationship.
I honestly have to say I don't like Rose at the moment and she is a horrible mother. I loved seeing Alice young and how all the pieces fit together. And the paintings! I love how her mom gave her all the pieces and Etta just has to fit them together, but quickly. And I loved when they were on the ship the first night. I laughed so much but also wanted to shoot wren. I think he will make an appearance in book 2.
I love Nicholas but I hate how there is a wall between them because of his skin. But I am so happy that Etta is strong enough to make her own choices and stand for what she believes. Ah I have so many thoughts so I now have to watch book review videos on it! Please read.