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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars
Reading Wayfarer is probably one of the best reading experiences I've had; I was so deeply invested in the world, the storyline, and the characters that I never wanted to put the book down. Still, it's not without its faults.
The first half of this novel was so good, such a page-turner. After that though, the plot became needlessly convoluted. The drawn out scenes, the extensive descriptions, the constant time traveling, they ended up hurting the story more than anything. I appreciated how fast paced and action packed this book was, but there are entire sequences of events that I didn't need to happen. You could trim this book down to 400 pages max.
I was both satisfied and confused by the ending. Both happy and also underwhelmed. I'm not sure why Alexandra Bracken chose to leave the duology off like that considering the page count.
Ultimately, Wayfarer was a great read for me. Conceptually and story-wise, it's a four star book, but the shaky execution of several elements impacted my rating. For fans of YA time travel and historical fiction, the Passenger duology is a recommend from me.
Reading Wayfarer is probably one of the best reading experiences I've had; I was so deeply invested in the world, the storyline, and the characters that I never wanted to put the book down. Still, it's not without its faults.
The first half of this novel was so good, such a page-turner. After that though, the plot became needlessly convoluted. The drawn out scenes, the extensive descriptions, the constant time traveling, they ended up hurting the story more than anything. I appreciated how fast paced and action packed this book was, but there are entire sequences of events that I didn't need to happen. You could trim this book down to 400 pages max.
I was both satisfied and confused by the ending. Both happy and also underwhelmed. I'm not sure why Alexandra Bracken chose to leave the duology off like that considering the page count.
Spoiler
I love that Nicholas and Etta are reunited in the end, I do. (I hated that they were separated for like 90% of the book). But their meeting should've been an intense emotional conclusion, not the blasé half-assed meeting it turned out to be. Similarly, the epilogue did nothing to explain why Rose Linden did the things she did. After more than 500 pages, readers deserve to know! Especially since it's a duology.Ultimately, Wayfarer was a great read for me. Conceptually and story-wise, it's a four star book, but the shaky execution of several elements impacted my rating. For fans of YA time travel and historical fiction, the Passenger duology is a recommend from me.
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
I don't know if this was slow mid way through or if it's schools fault this took me so long, but overall it ended up being so good
I'm so conflicted about this series.
On the one hand, I love the time travel aspect. I think the whole idea of the multiple timelines being changed and travelling to different parts of the world during different big historical events is fantastic. If this story were JUST about Etta and trying to find the Astrolobe and discover the truth about her mother and family, I'd be sold.
Unfortunately, the half of this book that focuses on Nicholas trying to find Etta falls flat. I am absolutely unconvinced that they are in love. None of it makes sense. It's not as if Etta was some great love of his life that he's known for years and years and chases across time and space. They just met. They don't know each other. The idea that he would be going to such great lengths to rescue her because he loves her is absurd and really brings the rest of the story down for me.
So, it balances it out right in the middle. Parts of this are great, and parts of this are ridiculous.
On the one hand, I love the time travel aspect. I think the whole idea of the multiple timelines being changed and travelling to different parts of the world during different big historical events is fantastic. If this story were JUST about Etta and trying to find the Astrolobe and discover the truth about her mother and family, I'd be sold.
Unfortunately, the half of this book that focuses on Nicholas trying to find Etta falls flat. I am absolutely unconvinced that they are in love. None of it makes sense. It's not as if Etta was some great love of his life that he's known for years and years and chases across time and space. They just met. They don't know each other. The idea that he would be going to such great lengths to rescue her because he loves her is absurd and really brings the rest of the story down for me.
So, it balances it out right in the middle. Parts of this are great, and parts of this are ridiculous.
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
slow-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:
No
5/5 stars
I understand. There is the journey you make through the world—the one that aches and stings. We come together with others to make our way and survive its trials," she said. "But we are, all of us, also wayfarers on a greater journey, this one without end, each of us searching for the answers to the unspoken questions of our hearts. Take comfort, as I have, in knowing that, while we must travel it alone, this journey rewards goodness, and will prove that the things which are denied to us in life will never create a cage for our souls.
Something to listen to while reading this ♥ (P.S It has nothing to do with the book, I just listened to a lot of western folk while reading this and the flavour remained)
I tend to become very emotional when reviewing last books in series, especially if it is one of my favourite series of all time. I read Passenger a long time ago (and reread it very recently) and fell in love with this complex tale of history makers and time manipulators, the flow of a tiny change through the fabric of space and the unbelievable love story of Etta and Nicholas, a couple that, for those of you who know me personally, loosely inspired the story of two of my own characters, Cornelia and Lavellan.
This book took what we knew from the first book and twisted it so much more, turned it to both sides and studied carefully. The world expanded, the characters developed, the story took so many unexpected turns and my heart swelled with millions of emotions. There are countless reasons for which I will recommend this book to starters on historical fantasy. The first one is, of course, that it does not focus on one historical period but the whole spectrum of time itself, and the main character is a girl from our years who journeys through it and leaves her mark, in her own unique way. The second reason is the construction of time travel itself, that is so thorough that doesn't leave any plot holes that most books usually do (with the price that these books are very slow paced, though).
The third is the captivating writing, the rich, detailed descriptions and the build up of the plot, which was even stronger in this book, which turned out to be an even wilder hunt than the first one. The fourh is of course the characters. From the romance of Etta and Nicholas, to the complex family relationships (that took the most wonderful turn in this book), to Sophia's moral ambiguity and strength (I was so glad she got a girlfriend in this book! ♥) they all became passengers in my heart and now will forever be carried to the future. Speaking of characters, this book had a much lesser focus on romance than the first one and this made me very happy, because it showed how the characters evolve apart from each other.
In general, this book taught me patience, and sacrifice, and acceptance of fate, sometimes, as well as choosing the lesser of two evils. It filled me with so many questions about life and history and the choices we make to protect others, that it kept me thinking about it for weeks after. I still crave to reread the series, but I will not, because I have a problem with my rereading impulses this year and I seriously don't like it. Anyways, it is a beautiful duology about a violin prodigy and her time-traveller family and an iron-willed sailor and his search for freedom, but it is so much more than that. It is an eulogy in time itself and those who shape it, winners, losers, lovers and writers ♥
Until the next review, live, dear readers ♥ Leave your mark in this world, through your words and your bonds and your dreams ♥ And keep holding stories in your heart ♥
~Mary ♥
I understand. There is the journey you make through the world—the one that aches and stings. We come together with others to make our way and survive its trials," she said. "But we are, all of us, also wayfarers on a greater journey, this one without end, each of us searching for the answers to the unspoken questions of our hearts. Take comfort, as I have, in knowing that, while we must travel it alone, this journey rewards goodness, and will prove that the things which are denied to us in life will never create a cage for our souls.
Something to listen to while reading this ♥ (P.S It has nothing to do with the book, I just listened to a lot of western folk while reading this and the flavour remained)
I tend to become very emotional when reviewing last books in series, especially if it is one of my favourite series of all time. I read Passenger a long time ago (and reread it very recently) and fell in love with this complex tale of history makers and time manipulators, the flow of a tiny change through the fabric of space and the unbelievable love story of Etta and Nicholas, a couple that, for those of you who know me personally, loosely inspired the story of two of my own characters, Cornelia and Lavellan.
This book took what we knew from the first book and twisted it so much more, turned it to both sides and studied carefully. The world expanded, the characters developed, the story took so many unexpected turns and my heart swelled with millions of emotions. There are countless reasons for which I will recommend this book to starters on historical fantasy. The first one is, of course, that it does not focus on one historical period but the whole spectrum of time itself, and the main character is a girl from our years who journeys through it and leaves her mark, in her own unique way. The second reason is the construction of time travel itself, that is so thorough that doesn't leave any plot holes that most books usually do (with the price that these books are very slow paced, though).
The third is the captivating writing, the rich, detailed descriptions and the build up of the plot, which was even stronger in this book, which turned out to be an even wilder hunt than the first one. The fourh is of course the characters. From the romance of Etta and Nicholas, to the complex family relationships (that took the most wonderful turn in this book), to Sophia's moral ambiguity and strength (I was so glad she got a girlfriend in this book! ♥) they all became passengers in my heart and now will forever be carried to the future. Speaking of characters, this book had a much lesser focus on romance than the first one and this made me very happy, because it showed how the characters evolve apart from each other.
In general, this book taught me patience, and sacrifice, and acceptance of fate, sometimes, as well as choosing the lesser of two evils. It filled me with so many questions about life and history and the choices we make to protect others, that it kept me thinking about it for weeks after. I still crave to reread the series, but I will not, because I have a problem with my rereading impulses this year and I seriously don't like it. Anyways, it is a beautiful duology about a violin prodigy and her time-traveller family and an iron-willed sailor and his search for freedom, but it is so much more than that. It is an eulogy in time itself and those who shape it, winners, losers, lovers and writers ♥
Until the next review, live, dear readers ♥ Leave your mark in this world, through your words and your bonds and your dreams ♥ And keep holding stories in your heart ♥
~Mary ♥
So happy to read this book and conclude this duology! Definitely worth reading! Review : http://joantsblog.blogspot.gr/2017/02/wayfarer-book-review-by-alexandra.html
adventurous
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:
Yes
I really loved this book this duology ended in such a perfect way it was really good will read more from this author soon. I loved all of the characters very much they were developed so much the story never slowed down much it was always interesting. The writing was really good and was never dull I hooked from the very first page so far out of the six books I have read this one is my favorite. So overall I loved this book and want to read more by the author very soon.