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A review by xephtastic
The Traveler by E.B. Dawson
4.0
[b:The Traveler|36163426|The Traveler|E.B. Dawson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1504281152s/36163426.jpg|54938993] is a book full of subverted expectations. We are introduced to a dull, grey, ordered world. Anissa Robson doesn’t quite seem to belong in this world of concrete and skyscrapers; her heart is drawn to the majesty of the wild ocean, the towering mountains that surround the futuristic city in which she lives. She is suffocated by the bureaucratic environment of her job, and finds respite when she escapes into the lush, green world of her dreams.
But are they only dreams?
Everything Anissa thought she knew about her world is forever changed when she discovers secrets long buried, and an oppressive campaign that will drag her into the center of a conflict she never knew existed.
What I love about this story is the way Anissa takes on the role of the protagonist; she tries to carry everything on her shoulders, but is told that the “...story isn’t about [her].” There’s so much more to the story than she knows – countless moving parts and individuals and decades of history – it can’t all be tackled by one person, no matter how well-meaning they may be.
The characters are all multi-layered. Their motivations are often veiled, and you’ll find yourself wondering whether you know what they’re up to. They feel like living, breathing people, in richly described environments. Whether it’s the wet, glistening skyscrapers of Riyen after a rainstorm, or the green fields and jungles of Angapo, the world feels alive.
One minor issue I had with this novel was the occasional head-hopping. It made some scenes a little confusing/disorientating, but this didn’t spoil the overall experience of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the story was crafted, and how the narrative unfolded in often unexpected ways. Every action has a consequence, even if a character has only good intentions.
I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in the series, and look forward to what’s in store!
But are they only dreams?
Everything Anissa thought she knew about her world is forever changed when she discovers secrets long buried, and an oppressive campaign that will drag her into the center of a conflict she never knew existed.
What I love about this story is the way Anissa takes on the role of the protagonist; she tries to carry everything on her shoulders, but is told that the “...story isn’t about [her].” There’s so much more to the story than she knows – countless moving parts and individuals and decades of history – it can’t all be tackled by one person, no matter how well-meaning they may be.
The characters are all multi-layered. Their motivations are often veiled, and you’ll find yourself wondering whether you know what they’re up to. They feel like living, breathing people, in richly described environments. Whether it’s the wet, glistening skyscrapers of Riyen after a rainstorm, or the green fields and jungles of Angapo, the world feels alive.
One minor issue I had with this novel was the occasional head-hopping. It made some scenes a little confusing/disorientating, but this didn’t spoil the overall experience of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the story was crafted, and how the narrative unfolded in often unexpected ways. Every action has a consequence, even if a character has only good intentions.
I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in the series, and look forward to what’s in store!