Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

January 4th, 2016 Kimberly Review 87 Comments

4th Jan
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
Passenger
by Alexandra Bracken
Series: Passenger #1
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne Flame

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, Nicholas’ passenger, can find. In order to protect her, he 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

2016 Fave Rocked YA ROMANCE CREATIVE

Alexandra Bracken writes MAGIC and I was excited to dive into Passenger the first book in her new time traveling Passenger trilogy. Suspenseful and engaging we travel the timeline with our heroine and hero as they try to save her mother and stop the ruthless head of Ironwood.

Five Caffeinated reasons to grab a copy of Passenger

  • The writing  Alexandra Bracken brings the world(s) of Passenger to life as we travel from present day to the colonies,  jungle and more on our quest. She brilliant captures each period allowing the reader to travel from the comfort of their sofa. Bracken is a masterful storyteller and quickly drew me into the tale. The pacing is balanced and the rules unfolded perfectly.
  • The plot  Etta Spencer discovers she has inherited a legacy when she is thrust from present day to the colonies and forced to do Ironwood’s bidding. Along the way she must solve the clues her mother has left for her. It was exciting as she decided whom to trust and what to do about this sought after object.. The overall story arc is intense and has me craving Wayfarer, the next novel in the series scheduled for release in 2017.
  • The ship  A sweet, forbidden romance develops between Etta and her companion Nicholas Carter. Nicolas is a pirate searching for freedom and his impossible story touched me. Slow building, tender, heartbreaking and forbidden this romance will have you swooning.
  • Time travel  I adore time travel novels and Bracken has established a unique concept with portals, warring families and history. I enjoyed how she allowed the reader to learn about this legacy along with Etta. It created suspense, as we needed to decide who was foe or ally. The storyline raised question for the reader. What would you do if you could travel back in time? Would you stop a war or save a loved one?
  • The characters  Bracken delightfully introduced colorful, diverse characters as the tale unfolded giving balance to the suspenseful quest as we jumped into different periods. While the villains are not as fleshed out, we learned enough to fear them and I look forward to some of the things the author hinted about.

If you are looking for a brilliant adventure with a little swoon, I invite you to book your passage on the Passenger.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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87 Responses to “Passenger by Alexandra Bracken”

  1. Olivia

    Everyone seems to be loving this book and I just want to as well! I haven’t read a book by this author yet but her idea of this one really does interest me. And as you mentioned the writing being lovely, I am also looking forward to that too now!

  2. Lola

    I normally don’t like time travel books, but this one sounds really good! And the cover is so pretty! The romance sounds sweet and I love slow building romances. The characters sound fleshed out and it’s nice you even get a feel for the villains even if they aren’t as fleshed out as the main characters. Great review!

  3. Mandy

    Amazing Review!!!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I actually finished yesterday loving it. I agree with you so much. Thanks so much for sharing your review. Have a great week.

  4. JustRach

    This sounds brilliant, I’m definitely going to have to get a copy of this one! Thanks for the review 🙂

  5. Holly

    I was out of town when I finally got approved for this on 12/31 and it apparently archived in a matter of days (1/4) before I had a chance to get home and download it. UGH! I was SO disappointed!!! Glad to see you loved it!

  6. Lark

    This was already on my radar, but I’m delighted to see that you liked it so much. It sounds interesting and out of the ordinary. I’m on the hold list at the library for whenever their order comes in.

  7. Cyn

    Ooh 5 stars! I’ve been seeing lots of great things about this book, glad to see you really enjoyed it, too! All your reasons so sound awesome, can’t wait to see meet the characters, and the romance and the time travel! Great review, Kim!

  8. Lisa

    I’m very happy to see how much you enjoyed this one. I saw quite a few not-so-great reviews flowing in and it made me nervous. You’ve reinstated my excitement! 🙂

  10. Kim { Book Swoon }

    I’m trying to wait patiently for my copy in the mail, lol! I’m so happy this worked out brilliantly for you Kim. I love multiple settings and I’m so looking forward to this and, of course, the romance ; )

  11. Erica

    Ahh, I so need to read this one. There’s so many books that I want to buy, but no money to do it with.

  12. Lorna

    I like time travel romance, but not sure about this one. I do love the cover though. 🙂

  15. Sophia Rose

    Oh yes, this does sound riveting. I saw the cover on this one, but didn’t investigate it. Captivating review, Kimberly!

  16. Blessie (Mischievous Reads)

    5 STARS! Now I’m very intrigued! Now I can’t wait to get my hands on this. I’m not big on science fiction but the Time Travel concept has me curious. I actually couldn’t understand a single thing mentioned in the synopsis, but your review made it 10x clearer. Wonderful review, Kimba! Happy New Year!

  17. Mary

    This was a solid read for me, though I didn’t love it quite as much as you did. I highly enjoyed how Bracken captured each time period so beautifully. Woman really knows how to write.

  18. Kathy

    I’ve seen some mixed thoughts on this one, all from readers I trust, but I’m secretly hoping it’s will be the surprise book in my monthly subscription package because I want to form my own opinion of it. I’ve been intrigued about the hype it’s getting.

  19. Bill (Billbrarian)

    I have been hearing really good reviews about this book and got a copy of it from Netgalley. I’m looking forward to reading it. Great review!

  22. Katie

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kimberly 🙂 I’ve heard nothing but good things about Passenger thus far, and as I really enjoyed Bracken’s The Darkest Mind, I think I will definitely give this one a try.

    Have you read other time-traveling YA? I’d like to recommend Timeless by Alexandra Monir, if you have not yet read it.

  25. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Oh now this one sounds so good! I must read it. I also love that it has a pirate that isn’t like the “real” ones so you can swoon. 😉 I would like the villain to be more fleshed out (usually more interesting) but as long as they are not good, I’m good. 🙂 Brilly review!

  27. Candace

    I enjoyed this one as well. My review for it goes up tomorrow. I liked the diversity, time travel and romance a lot. The ending almost killed me dead though. I need more NOW!

  29. Lekeisha

    So glad that you loved this one! It’s one of my favorites and I am gonna be rereading it soon. Probably over Spring Break. Great review!

  30. Angel Erin

    Wow I’m so glad you enjoyed this one so much! At first I wasn’t very interested in this one, but I’ve been seeing so many amazing reviews for it. I will definitely have to read it then. Fabulous review as always!

  31. Katherine

    This sounds beautiful and heartbreaking. The characters are definitely different than any I’ve heard of before. I’ll have to look for this one.

  34. Angela

    Ooh, this one looks amazing, I’ve been wanting to branch out and read more science fiction and this one sounds like something I would enjoy.

  35. Jenny

    WOO HOO!!!!! I just finished this one and absolutely loved it too Kim! I thought the whole time travel aspect was really well done and didn’t make me head hurt trying to figure out the science of it all, and the romance just made me happy. Next book please!!!!

  36. Ro

    When I see a 5 star review with such good stuff, it makes me want to grab it quick! Love this this review. Hugs…RO

  37. Ksenia

    I haven’t heard about this book before, Kim. I do love forbidden romance and I’m intrigued by time travel. Great review!

  38. Bookworm Brandee

    I want! This is the second book I’ve said this about today but I was drawn to this one because of the cover. 😉 Now I know I’ll be grabbing a copy. It sounds like a complex tale and I love that there’s time travel, mystery, suspense, and romance. 🙂

  39. Ramona

    Hm… I’m torn about Ms Bracken. I loved Brightly Woven so much, but I was thoroughly disappointed by The Darkest Minds and Never Fade. I’ll probably try this one based on your review, but I’ll go into it with caution. Happy New Year, dear Kimba!

  40. Cynthia

    Great review! This is one of my most highly anticipated reads. I am glad it lives up to the hype.

  41. Nick

    I sadly couldn’t get into this book, Kim. 🙁 I even started the book again just so I could force myself to like it, but it was so much of info dump at the beginning and it didn’t feel like the story was going anywhere so I DNFed. This was one of my most anticipated reads, so I’m really dejected.
    I am glad that you had much better luck with it, Kim. The romance sounds perfect for me from your description. I think time travel and I just don’t mesh well together.
    Beautiful review, Kim!

    • Sam

      Nick, I made a new year resolution to read 1 book per month, and this book was in my list, but I start to hesitate after your comment. Is it only time travel part you did not enjoy or ?

      • Nick

        Sam, I wasn’t a fan of the characters (all pretty bland) and the romance (I didn’t feel the chemistry between the characters) either. To me, the book felt dense and I made it through 50% of the book and nothing significant happened. I would recommend reading reviews on Goodreads before making a decision, however. It’s one of those books people either love or dislike.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Man, Nick I am so sorry. This grabbed me from page one, and I didn’t feel like there was an info dump. Yes, I can see you loving this romance. Bummer.

  42. melliane

    Oh time travel! it’s been a long time…. I saw this one on NG but didn’t ask for it, I really should have done it, it looks so good!

  43. kindlemom1

    Gah! I passed on this and now I see I shouldn’t have, darn it, I hate it when that happens but I’m so looking forward to reading this now!