Wayfarer (Passenger)

In Alexandra Bracken’s Wayfarer, the story picks shortly after Passenger ends. Etta and Nicholas have been separated by centuries. The astrolabe that will save the world from Ironwood’s schemes has gone missing, and as passages collapse and timelines change, the need to get it back intensifies before all of history is irreparably damaged.

Etta, having acclimated to the life of a traveler, faces down every danger and challenge with grit and tenacity. She also meets someone who will change her heart, her confidence, and open her eyes to emotions she’s repressed her whole life. Some may be disappointed in the lack of swoonworthy moments between Etta and Nicholas, but it was interesting to get more backstory on Sophia and to see the supposedly-dead Julian resurface. Wayfarer does, also, introduce us to many new faces, some of them sure to become memorable favorites.

Danger escalates as Ironwood’s men close in and a new enemy presents itself in the “Shadows.” Once again, Bracken gives us a historical adventure with an expansive scope and rich detail, which sometimes slows the pace of the story, but overall will leave readers in awe. The duology wraps in a climactic end that will leave readers breathlessly satisfied.