Title: Passenger

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: January  05, 2016

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)

passage, n.
i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.
ii. A journey by water; a voyage.
iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.

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

REVIEW:

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing me an e-ARC of Passenger in exchange of an honest review.

Everything about this book is new to me. Aside from being attracted to the book's cover, another reason why I asked for an ARC of this book is that after I watched Once Upon A Time. I started obsessing over Killian Jones a.k.a Captain Hook. I used to hate the idea of reading something which include pirates or even ships, now I wanted to give it a try, a chance. I was hesitant for I badly want to read it, but I don't want to dislike it.

First things first. The characters.

Nicholas Carter, a cool pirate. LOL. He knows when not to or when to give in to his anger. A real gentleman. Nich calculate things undoubtedly well, smart.

Henrietta Spencer, oh what a lovely name, is a concert soloist. Indeed, an outstanding protagonist. Who wants to make her mama proud. Who gave up everything for her debut. She's a full-spirited girl which made me like her more.

A 17-year old violinist who's about to make her dreams come true suddenly woke up in a different era, time. Information kept on loading, secrets that her mom, Rose, hasn't told her have been revealed. Secret including things about herself, their past.

The romance. Oh I really don't know what to say 'cause it was just so perfect, not too cheesy, not even boring, just average. And it kills me every time they spit out lines that literally send bolts of electricity through my veins.

“Know this, pirate,”he said, his hands gripping the railing, “you are my passenger, and I will be damned before I let any harm come to you.”She was unsure how to respond to the fervor of those words. “Another rule?”she managed finally. “A promise. If I see that you’re in danger from Ironwood, I will help you escape myself. But should you try to leave on your own, know that I will go to the ends of the earth to bring you back."

I almost lost air when I read that line. I loved how they developed, how their romance developed. There's only one thing I disliked, they happen to want each other in such a short period of time, but it didn't also bloom immediately. Also, it's a good thing that the story didn't just revolve around the lovers.

The story. Honestly, I was confused, I didn't know what was happening. I felt lost. I kept on re-reading some lines, parts. The whole thing was new to me. I've never read anything with violins, pieces, ships, directions, masts and oh, riggings. Some words, terms are new to me so I still need to Google it. I loved it though, how I've learned new things from this book. This book added knowledge. Yet I'm thankful that somehow, I've started understanding it. The story... it was epic! The word built was incomparable. Time traveling is a hard one to make, but the author has made a great work.  I just can't express my thoughts as to how her writing is so amazing I don't want to stop talking about it but I need to.

This book made me learn a lot of things. 

1. Bravery when most of the characters like Etta, stood up for what they believe in. Fight for what they know is right.
2. Freedom of choice.

"I want you to remember that— it’s our choices that matter in the end. Not wishes, not words, not promises."

     3. Time traveling. I've always seen time traveling as adventurous, exciting. Now that I've read this book it made me realize that traveling through time is beyond dangerous. I remember watching OUAT wherein characters were forced to travel time and they almost ruined someone's future. What happens when you try to alter the past? Well altering it means having to alter the future too. Bad or good things may happen. Worst is you maybe erased, you won't exist.

 Overall, I love this book! I adore it! But the ending, oh I so wanted to continue sobbing for the book ended beautifully, yet it'll leave you hanging. It'll leave you wanting more.

Hands down to Alexandra Bracken for making such a remarkable book!

SYNOPSIS

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

REVIEW

I read the book without reading the synopsis first, I never do that, I always read the synopsis. But hello bookworms! it's Colleen Hoover, everyone loves her book! i've read it last night, and finished it earlier this morning. Here is how it went.

It's November 9th and Fallon, an 18 year old girl who's life was almost ruined because of the fire that happened two years ago, is in a restaurant with her dad, who's a famous actor- an arrogant one, Donovan O'Neil. She was bidding goodbye (well not exactly just letting her father know she's leaving), she'll go to New York wanting to audition for Broadway, and instead of supporting her, Donovan laughed and said things that a father shouldn't say to his daughter.

"Sorry I'm late, babe."

And then this guy named benton James Kessler, came in to the picture and introduced himself as Fallon O'Neil's boyfriend. That's how they met.

Ben the Writer and Fallon the Transient, they had a deal. For every 9th day of November, for five years, they will have to see each other. One should accomplish his or her assignment.

"What if... we meet up again next year on the same day? And he year after that? We'll do it for five years. Same date, same time, same place."

And so they did, they have to live without each other for a year, not knowing one's phone number, email address, Facebook account. in short, w/o connection.

CHARACTERS

Fallon O'Neil were so closed to achieving her goal, until a very despairing incident happened. She's now trying to cover her entire body, she lost her confidence, she's afraid of what other people might think when they look at her.
Benton Kessler is a guys who loves write, he lost his father and his father, but he stood up and fought, he's a silly yet admirable guy. He's the sole reason why Fallon changed the way she look at things.

"Go easy on me, Fallon. My heart is fragile."

November 9, was told in a dual point of view. It is not just a story between Fallon and Ben and their love interest. CoHo made a book not just about falling in love, but also learning how to accept who you are, loving yourself, and boosting your confidence. Colleen Hoover made me, or other people who have read her book believe that scars don't define you, it never will. That scars are not a basis for ugliness. That you don't get to be ashamed of who you are, of what you have. And remember that despite the flaws, there's always someone who will accept you for who you are.

I'm not going to make a comment on the way how she wrote November 9, because the same as how she made her other books, it was freaking astounding. No doubt, extraordinary.

And here is another thing that I've learned from this book.

Your life won't stop just because something unimaginable, unexpected, happened. Do not, ever, let what has happened in the past, define you for who you are now. You can always make a change. Also, no one should live pleasing other people, you only have to please yourself.

November 9 is indeed, remarkable. This book will not just make you feel damaged, it will not destroy you, it will also make you feel mad, ecstatic, confused, humorous, it will make you feel lots of emotion all at once. Cheers to Colleen Hoover for writing another incredible story!

QUOTES

“You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“When you find love, you take it. You grab it with both hands and you do everything in your power not to let it go. You can’t just walk away from it and expect it to linger until you’re ready for it.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“You can’t leave yet. I’m not finished falling in love with you.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“I thought I was stronger than a word, but I just discovered that having to say goodbye to you is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“I think about you every second of every day and I don’t know how to get over you,” she says.

“Don’t,” I beg her. “Please don’t get over me.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“It’s easy to fall in love, Ben. The hard part comes when you want out.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“You left with my soul in your fists and my heart in your teeth, and I don’t want either of them back.” ~Ben”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“Goals are achieved through discomfort and hard work. They aren’t achieved when you hide out in a place where you’re nice and cozy.”
― Colleen Hoover, November Nine

“Whoever said the truth hurts was being an optimist. The truth is an excruciatingly painful son of a bitch.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“Whoever said the truth hurts was being an optimist. The truth is an excruciatingly painful son of a bitch.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9