Review – Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Title Passenger

Author Alexandra Bracken

Description from Amazon

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles, but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods-a powerful family in the Colonies-and the servitude he’s known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can’t escape and the family that won’t let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, his passenger, can find. In order to protect her, Nick must ensure she brings it back to them-whether she wants to or not.

Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods’ grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are playing, treacherous forces threaten to separate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home? forever.

Initial Thoughts

So I have had this book on my shelf for literally years and never got around to reading it. Back in September, I decided to give a try. And, yes, before you ask, I am that far behind on my reviews. I have books back to September that I have finished but haven’t reviewed yet.

Some Things I Liked

• History. Since the main plot of this story revolves around time travel, history was a significant element of the plot. I loved that we got to explore so many different times and they were each rich with detail.
• The romance. I thought the romance plot was cute and believable. Etta and Nicholas have real problems they need to sort out and I thought their story was realistic (as realistic as a romance between time travelers can be).
• The rules of time travel. I thought the guidelines and parameters were well thought out. Too often, time travel stories are filled with silly rules that end in self-fulfilling prophecy moments for the characters. Don’t change anything in the past because you don’t know how it will change the future. Oops, I decided to try to change the past and now the future is ruined moments. This book was very thoughtful about the impact of changing the future.

One Thing I Didn’t Like

• Etta’s family tree. Some of the names / families in this book were a little confusing for me. I wasn’t sure who was who for parts and there was a brief moment where I thought Etta and Nicholas were first cousins – which, if I’m being honest, totally weirded me out since they had such a cute romance going.

Series Value

So I read this book back in September. It’s November now and I have not picked up Wayfarer yet. I’m not saying I wouldn’t pick it up, I just feel compelled to note that I have not read it yet. The story was good, but it didn’t pull me in the way I wanted it to.

Final Thoughts

This was an interesting story about a girl who is capable of time traveling. There was a nice romance and there were many moving parts. I liked it, and, I would read the next book, eventually. I now see why I didn’t read this book sooner.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

• The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig – if you liked the time traveling element of Passenger definitely check out this duology by Heidi Heilig.
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – if you liked the history, time skipping, and romance elements of this book, give this stand alone by Erin Morgenstern a go.
• The Evil Queen by Gena Showalter – if you liked the modern setting mixed with a fantasy element, try this book by Gena Showalter. While it doesn’t encompass time travel, it does have a lot of the same feelings and themes.
• Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken – just because I haven’t read the next book yet, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t! I plan to read it, but my TBR is currently enormous so it’s been relegated to a lower spot for now.