#sophia ironwood | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

rwbyvein · 2 years ago

Text

Firen Lhain: Chapter 1212: You Can Dance If You Want To: Part II / III

Everyone looked as Jaune appeared at the end of the carpet. He gave a nervous smile and wave. He took one step onto the carpet before pausing. He stepped sideways off the carpet and walked around the seating. He walked passed the sisters-three and stood in the centre. He nervously looked to the seating and realized everyone was staring at him. "Almost. ready." he squeaked, and turned towards Penthesilea.

"After everything you have accomplished, you cannot falter now." Penthesilea said to him.

"Not faltering." a shellshocked Jaune uttered, eyes unfocused.

"Then what?" Blake asked.

"I don't know?" Jaune asked, "Panicking?"

"After everything, you saying you're afraid of us?" Yang asked.

"Not..." Jaune voiced, and Penthesilea grabbed his hands. "Everything I've ever wanted. Never thought I would get anywhere near this..."

"We did get a big, comfy castle." Yang stated, "And a big, comfy bedroom." This seemed to shock Jaune out of his fugue as he shook his head. "I love you all, but I can't wait for this to be over."

"Me too." Yang said, suggestively raising her eyebrows.

"We're here for you." Summer stated.

"Maybe not as reassuring as you would hope." Sophia added.

All sound suddenly stopped and everyone turned to the end of the carpet. Here Comes the Bride began playing. All eyes were on Weiss, her dress white with light blue and silver filigree. Her precious shoes Jungrau upon her feet, capping off white stockings; white long gloves upon her hands, shear veil upon her face.

Behind her was Ruby with dress like those of Penthesilea, Blake, and Yang. She Petal Burst in front of her, and then did so repeatedly down the carpet, covering nearly the entire thing with rose petals. She then moved to the side and sat on her butt. She saw snears from Whitley and Jaune's family, but did not care in the slightest. This was their wedding, and need not care what others thought of it. Weiss elegantly took a single pace, and briefly paused, before taking another, and then another, moving her way down the aisle. She savoured every moment, along with the awestruck look upon her beau and belles. She continued down the aisle until she arrived at the gazebo, slowly stepping upwards. Jaune seemed completely lost as she grabbed his hand. She turned to smile at the crowd before turning towards Ironwood.

"We are gathered here today to honour the greatest warriors the world has ever known, and join them in holy matrimony. For Aeons, two great forces have fought for the fate of Remnant. For a thousand times in a thousand lifetime, they have clashed. The great of the world rose to join or oppose them, only to fall, and try again with the next generation. For milennia these two forces fought, until those that we honour here brought them peace. The Peace. The first peace the world has ever known. The world as we know it was born out of rebellion against the Brothers. We stood here, abandoned, fighting over the remnant of those that created us." He paused to breathe. "The greatest wars the world has known pale in comparison to this conflict. And here stand the victors. Aside from Mr. Ren and Miss Valkyrie, who wanted to sit in the aisles." he said as he gestured to the pair.

Nora jumped to her feet, "I've always wanted to be invited to a wedding!"

"Like I could do anything without you?!" Jaune called to her.

"Oh, you!" Nora replied, and sat back down.

"There are others too shy to claim credit." Ironwood stated, and Neo looked around nervously. "But now for why we are here. Jaune Arc, do you take Weiss Schnee to have and to hold, to love, honour, and cherish, in richer and poorer, and in sickness or in health, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Jaune said, lovingly looking into Weiss' eyes.

"Weiss Schnee, do you take Jaune Arc to have and to hold, to love, honour, and obey, in richer and poorer, and in sickness or in health, as long as you both shall live?."

"I do." Weiss said with all of her soul.

Ironwood then looked to Penthesilea and then Summer. Penthesilea nearly dropped her ring as the two presented them. Jaune grabbed the ring from Summer and gently placed it on Weiss's finger, pausing momentarily as he was stuck in awe. He finished planted the ring and then did not want to let go of her hand. Weiss gently pulled away, grasping the ring from Penthesilea before stoically placing it upon his finger.

"I now pronounce you Man and Wife." Ironwood bellowed, "You may now kiss the bride."

"Wait until he finds out what else we've done." Yang salaciously added.

"And others." Ironwood stated.

Jaune finished dipping Weiss, leaving her breathless before moving onto the seated Ruby. And then after Penthesilea, Yang, and Blake in turn.

Nora was screaming cheers, while Ren clapped. Neo held up a sign with a picture of a lit lighter. Winter recrossed her legs while Whitley smiled. Willow seemed completely overcome. Ciel, Gaylord and, Marie were clapping appropriately for the event.

Djed had a distasteful look that was shared by much of Jaune's seated family. His standing ones were quickly surprised in the midst of their tears as they were pulled into hugs. First individually by Jaune, and then as a group with all involved. Ironwood tried to wait it out, only to find a whirl of rosepetals pulling him in.

"I believe I am supposed to be officiating." Ironwood grumbled.

"You did." Blake stated.

"You did a wonderful job." Penthesilea added, and he sighed, pausing to enjoy the group hug.

When the hug broke up he stood up in a regulation stance and approached the edge of the gazebo, "I would like to thank General Morimoto for helping me with my speech."

"Boo!" Qrow screamed, pointing at Ironwood, only to have Taiyang grab his hand and pull it back. Ironwood glared at him before giving him a weak smile and crossing his hands behind his back.

Everyone started to move about in their seats, several standing up. Winter used a Glyph to launch herself onto the stage.

"Sister?" Weiss asked.

"I am afraid that there is more to the announcement." Winter shouted at the crowd.

"Curious?" Weiss asked.

"Is this really the best time?" Ironwood asked.

"Short answer, no." Winter replied, "This is the only time." She then turned back to the seats, "As of immediately, I am resigning my commission."

"Pardon?" Weiss tried to ask, as Winter quickly swooped in, wrapping her arms around Ironwood's neck before kissing him deeply on the lips.

Winter then turned to Weiss, "I did not want to steal the spotlight until after you were married."

"Barely." Yang stated.

"It seemed an an terminable purgatory to wait as long." Winter replied.

A pregnant pause followed, until Yang tapped Weiss' back. Weiss wanted to reply but could not. "Honestly?" Yang asked, "Yeah."

Winter gave Yang a curiously look. "That is her being supportive." Weiss said to her sister.

Winter nodded at Weiss before looking at Yang, "I thank you for your support."

Ruby quickly jumped up to her feet, "Does this mean I get to hug him?" she eagerly asked.

"Pardon?" Winter asked, and Ironwood's Semblance flashed.

"I'm married to Weiss, and she's your sister, and you're... um..."

"Financée." Weiss stated.

"Financée to the General." Ruby stated. "Ergo-wherefrom-andbecause, I should get to hug you."

"The transitivity of sisters." Weiss said with a nod as Ruby Petal Burst, reverting with her arms wrapped around Ironwood's neck as she hung there. Ironwood reached his left hand from behind his back to hold her. Now properly secure she hugged him properly before letting him. He released her and returned his hands behind his back. He saw motion and turned his head, only to see Jaune's larger-then-life form pulling him into a powerful hug. A back-clap later and he let Ironwood go. He turned to see Yang pulling him into a hug, a hug that Penthesilea and Blake quickly joined. Ironwood's Semblance flashed a few times before being let go.

Qrow stood up, "Word of advice, you should get used to group hugs!"

As he said this, J + RWBY + P pulled Winter into a group hug. Shantae scoffed.

"Fine." Jaune uttered, and turned to the seated, "Anyone who wants a group hug can line up!"

Shantae was the first in line, followed by Summer. Nora was next, whom was pulling Ren by his hand behind her. Saphron stepped out, with Terra picking up Adrian to follow her. Qrow followed after, with Taiyang dragging a semi-relucant Raven afterwards. Ciel was next, followed by Sarah, with Neo rushing from the back row. Gog stood up and shuffled passed Belle and Susan.

"Wait, what?" Belle asked, and Gog just gave her a brilliant smile, made even larger by his gargantuan size. Whitley stood up and adjusted his tie, causing his mother to look on curiously as he walked towards the line. Willow quickly rushed after him. Taj and Ulyana rounded out the rear, all the while Djed gave a disapproving look.

The family went on to hug every single one in turn.

"Not going to join in the fun?" Pietro asked Aurora.

"Someone has to keep a cool head." Aurora simply stated, "Though, I am hardly lacking for affection."

"Doesn't mean you don't want to." Pietro simply stated.

"And yourself?" Aurora asked, causing Pietro to give her a weak smile.

"I am not as young as I used to by. If my daughter and son-in-law pulled me into a hug at the same time, I might not survive." He then wiped away a tear, "I'm so proud of her."

Aurora wiped tears from her own eyes.

* * *

A sleek, black-pearl limosine pulled up. Whilhelmina Whitmore stepped out. As she stepped around the limosine she found her arm barred behind her back by a decloaking Ilia. She tried to struggle as Ilia easily pulled her other arm around, tying her thumbs together with a zap-strap.

The door quickly opened and Jacques Schnee quickly stepped out. Ilia disappeared again. Whitmore steadied herself to her feet. A moment later Ilia reappeared, planting Jacques onto his. "Do you have any idea who I am?!"

"Oh, will you shut your mouth?!" Ilia cried, as his arms thumbs were zap-strapped together. She then picked him up and shoved him headfirst into the limosine, his legs dangling out, barely on the ground with Ilia using her hip to balance him. Jacques struggled, but had nothing to really struggle against as he was perilously pinned. Whitmore quickly ran up to him, only to have Ironwood fire at the ground in front of her.

"Ms. Whilhelmina Whitmore and Jacques Schnee." Ironwood bellowed. "You are under arrest for violation of the Atlas ordinanaces about gatherings at the Great War Memorial."

"That hardly seems serious?" Ilia asked, as she kept Jacques pinned.

"Yes, well, you see, this is Atlas. Only those with a majority vote on the Council can hold events here."

"Fucked up that I'm on the side of The Machine." Ilia stated.

"Yes, well, you see, Jacques Schnee was instrumental in making the punishment nearly as harsh as murder." Ironwood stated.

"How in the hell does that justify firing a gun in the city?!" Whitmore asked.

Ironwood put away his pistol, "Believe it or not, my Iron Cross has non-lethal modes. And I don't even mean less than lethal, I mean completely non-lethal. I have few times when I need to use my weapon, and when I do, it's almost aways against a Grimm. But, I might be taking too much time away from the nuptuals; you will have time to read the technical specs in prison."

"Prison?!" Whitmore asked.

"What?" Ironwood asked, "Didn't Jacques tell you? Aiding and abetting someone trying to break the ordinance is a crime."

"But?!.." Whitmore asked, and looked at Jacques with confusion and disgust, "But?! I was?.."

"Loyal." Ironwood stated, "And leave it to Jacques Schnee to make sure that loyalty is punished." Jacques mumbled something, muffled into the seating. "What?" Ironwood asked, "I have extended my protection to disgraced, and often traitorous former subordinates." Jacques mumbled something agian, "What?" Ironwood asked, "You want me to step in and use my position on the Council to try and get you out of breaking your own obscene, disgraceful ordinance? If you had figured out some virtue, you might understand where I'm coming from." Jacques tried to say something. "Let him speak." Ironwood said, and Ilia rolled Jacques sideways enough to let him speak.

"You think you're virtuous?" Jacques asked, "Atlas. Remnant would not be able to survive without me!"

"Oh?" Ironwood asked, "Were you the one who created the techniques used in your mining?"

"I created the SDC!" Jacques replied.

"You seem to forget that I worked with Nicholas." Ironwood replied. "The only thing you added was slavery, and a violation of Atlas' anti-discrimination policies."

"Slander!" Jacques cried.

"Considering it has been proven in court, I doubt you will fare all too well." Ironwood replied. "I am also tired of your insanely racist policies, which I have been investigating." Jacques face was once again pressed against the seat and mumbled harshly, "What?" Ironwood asked, "You should know how much scrutiny companies with major military contracts face. It was clearly stated in the contract, which I'm sure you and your lawyers read."

#rwby #firen lhain #faunus au #arc-en-ciel

6 notes · View notes

anjibooks · 8 years ago

Text

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken (Passenger #2)

"I believe that the only way to balance the power of what we can do is with sacrifice. Accepting that we cannot posses the things and people not meant for us, we cannot control every outcome; we cannot cheat death. Otherwise there's no meaning to any of it." The second book in Bracken's Passenger duology is absolutely captivating, taking you on a beautiful journey across the centuries. For those of you who are unaware, Passenger is a novel about a girl who discovers she's a time traveler, and then must embark on a journey-- kind of like a scavenger hunt through time-- in order to save her mother. It's not the most unique of premises, but trust me when I say there are a ton of unique ideas inside the story. Especially with the way time travel is described. Bracken happens to also be the author of one of my favorite series-- the Darkest Minds. (One that I highly recommend), so of course, when her new book, Passenger, came out last year I absolutely had to read it. Unfortunately I found Passenger to be rather disappointing. It was good, but it certainly did not live up to my expectations. This I suspect was because I was unable to really connect with either of the two protagonists very well. The things I loved the most about the first book were the time travel elements and the mystery surrounding the plot. I would have to say the same about this book, though, I would also have to say I enjoyed this book much more than the first. Somehow Wayfarer did not make it on my TBR list for 2017... Whoops. It was meant to be there, I guess I was just really tired while writing it and forgot this book. Anyway, for those of you interested in the books and haven't read them yet, I would recommend them to you. They possess some truly unique ideas and really just take you on a journey through time. With that said, there are definitely spoilers below FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT READ PASSENGER yet, so I recommend you people turn away. Spoilers are no fun. For those of you who have read Passenger, you're good, keep reading. I avoided reading this book for a while, just because I remembered being disappointed by the first and because I've been drowning under a gargantuan pile of schoolwork lately. But finally, though, on my eight hour plan ride home from Spain I picked this book up... and did not put it down until I was done. Like I said before, I definitely enjoyed the second book more than the first. While both novels have elements of mystery in them, I definitely enjoyed the mystery in Wayfarer more-- there were a couple plot points that I was unable to unravel until the book did it for me. Something that does not often happen. Most of the complaints about Wayfarer are about how the protagonists-- Nicholas and Etta-- are not together for the majority of the book. Personally, I was not overly bothered by this. If you read my review for the first book, you'd know I haven't been particularly attached to their romance, so them being apart doesn't bother me too much. In fact, I found I liked their journeys more when they were apart. It was much more interesting to see their relationships build with other characters. Another thing I mentioned in my last review-- the characters I was most interested in were Rose Linden and Henry Hemlock. Similarly, these were the characters that most interested me in this book. I just love how Rose doesn't have a clear good and evil line. She blends it quite often, seeing the ends as justifying the means. She seems cruel and cunning, willing to do anything to get what needs to be done. This is one of my favorite kinds of characters. It really excited me to find out more about Rose and her backstory, and honestly I just wanted to read more about her this entire book. Alexander, if you're reading this (which I doubt), I would absolutely love a book just following Rose in her teen years, when she helps to create the Thorns and infiltrates into the Ironwoods. Honestly as interesting as these books were, I think I would be ten times more intrigued in seeing Rose as she goes through all these experiences and becomes the woman that we first meet in Passenger. It has the perfect setup too-- Augustus Ironwood falls in love with her, and so does Henry Hemlock. Two men on two opposing sides of a war. Speaking of, as I predicted (and so did everyone else), we get to meet Etta's father, Henry Hemlock in this book. I loved his character, and was excited every time we got to see him. I also loved how complex his relationship with Rose is. I just wish we got to see more of it. I really hope that Alexandra writes some spin offs, because she has so much more material in these stories to elaborate on. And I really want it to be about Rose and Henry and Augustus. I really thought we'd get to know more about Augustus Ironwood in this book, too, but sadly, we didn't. HEY! Alexandra! Please, please, I just need a novel about these characters that came beforeeee. Please. I need it. We're actually introduced to a whole cast of new characters in this book, which is another reason people have complained about the book. It just crams so much new information in, because it's a duology there aren't more books to carefully set everything up. There are a ton go things that just kind of came up and slammed you in the face-- like none of it had ever been mentioned (or at least, not that I remember) so a ton of BIG plot points in this book just seemed to come from nowhere. Then again, I should probably reevaluate this after I reread both books again sometime. Because of this whole new number of characters, there were just a ton of plot points that didn't get fully wrapped up. Which is another reason I suspect Bracken might be planning some spin offs (or I hope). This book left me feeling happy, yet a little unsatisfied. There are the fates of some characters and some characters' relationships that I'd really like some more closure on. (Or just a spin off novel or two on Rose, Augustus and Henry. PLEASE) "Promises are for saints and losers. Most of the time we can't even keep the ones we make to ourselves." Anyway, Rose and Henry weren't the only characters I really enjoyed in this book, though I did like them the most. I also liked getting to see and know Sophia more. She's a really complex character (they all are), and she turned into a main character in this book, while she was only a minor one in the last book. That was a good choice on the author's part. I really came to appreciate her sarcastic, spunky attitude. "The whole building quaked as it galloped toward the pooling wine. 'My God,' Sophia said. 'That's an animal with its priorities straight.'" While I'm on the topic, I should mention that I was really truly impressed with how well woven the web of characters are. They all have extremely complex backstories, emotions and relationships and I LOVED IT. Anyway, we also meet a new character that was mentioned in the last book that I completely forgot about. I really loved this character and wished I got to see more of them and see how their fate turned out. You'll know who I'm talking about if you read the book. All the characters go through some major character arcs in the story, something I really enjoyed following because it was so well written. I'd give this book 8/10 stars, it really was enjoyable and I loved the scraps we were thrown about Henry and Rose. I also really appreciated the plot and just the complexity of the entire story. Highly recommend it. Synopsis:

All Etta Spencer wanted was to make her violin debut when she was thrust into a treacherous world where the struggle for power could alter history. After losing the one thing that would have allowed her to protect the Timeline, and the one person worth fighting for, Etta awakens alone in an unknown place and time, exposed to the threat of the two groups who would rather see her dead than succeed. When help arrives, it comes from the last person Etta ever expected—Julian Ironwood, the Grand Master’s heir who has long been presumed dead, and whose dangerous alliance with a man from Etta’s past could put them both at risk.

Meanwhile, Nicholas and Sophia are racing through time in order to locate Etta and the missing astrolabe with Ironwood travelers hot on their trail. They cross paths with a mercenary-for-hire, a cheeky girl named Li Min who quickly develops a flirtation with Sophia. But as the three of them attempt to evade their pursuers, Nicholas soon realizes that one of his companions may have ulterior motives.

As Etta and Nicholas fight to make their way back to one another, from Imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, time is rapidly shifting and changing into something unrecognizable… and might just run out on both of them.

Anyway, sorry for the all over the place review, but I'm super jet lagged and tired. I just wanted to crack this review out as soon as possible. Thanks for reading! -Anj

#passenger #wayfarer #etta spencer #rose linden #henry hemlock #nicholas carter #sophia ironwood #ironwood #time travel #li min #alexandra bracken #bracken

0 notes

wordcollector · 8 years ago

Text

January Book Review: Wayfarer

Wayfarer (Passenger #2) By: Alexandra Bracken Release Date: January 3, 2017

*Beware: Spoilers Ahead!*

Official Synopsis:

I’ve been orphaned by my time. The timeline has changed. My future is gone.

Etta Spencer didn’t know she was a traveler until the day she emerged both miles and years from her home. Now, robbed of the powerful object that was her only hope of saving her mother, Etta finds herself stranded once more, cut off from Nicholas—the eighteenth-century privateer she loves—and her natural time.

When Etta inadvertently stumbles into the heart of the Thorns, the renegade travelers who stole the astrolabe from her, she vows to finish what she started and destroy the astrolabe once and for all. Instead, she’s blindsided by a bombshell revelation from their leader, Henry Hemlock: he is her father. Suddenly questioning everything she’s been fighting for, Etta must choose a path—one that could transform her future.

Still devastated by Etta’s disappearance, Nicholas has enlisted the unlikely help of Sophia Ironwood and a cheeky mercenary-for-hire to track her down. But after a deadly mistake derails their search, they discover an ancient power far more frightening than the rival travelers currently locked in a battle for control—a power that threatens to eradicate the timeline as they know it.

From colonial Nassau to New York City, San Francisco to ancient Carthage, imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, #1 New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Bracken charts a gorgeously detailed, thrilling course through time in this stunning conclusion to the Passenger series.

My Synopsis:

The day Etta Spencer discovered she was a traveler was the day she was thrown through a tear in time, emerging centuries before and miles away from everything she’d ever known. Now, once again lost in time, she finds herself without the one instrument capable of saving her mother’s life and returning them home. Even worse, she finds herself separated from Nicholas, the eighteenth-century privateer who holds her heart.

When Etta suddenly finds herself surrounded by the Thorns, the band of rebel travelers now in possession of the astrolabe, she’s determined to stick to the plan and get rid of the astrolabe permanently. But even the best laid plans go awry, and Etta’s resolve is tested when she discovers that the leader of the Thorns, Henry Hemlock, is her father. Suddenly, everything Etta knows is called into question, and she’s faced with a decision between doing what’s needed to save the timeline and doing what will allow her to be with the ones she loves.

Having found himself alone of the search for the astrolabe, Nicholas teams up with Sophia Ironwood, former enemy and the one responsible for Etta’s disappearance, to hunt down the powerful object. As new secrets are uncovered and new friends are made, Nicholas’s hunt turns to finding Etta and, more importantly, to staying one step ahead of a powerful new enemy more terrifying than anything he’s faced before, one who threatens to destroy the timeline once and for all.

Etta and Nicholas’s journeys lead them across the globe and through several centuries as they work to save time and find one another. The thrilling conclusion to the Passenger duology delivers danger, action, and romance that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final page.

My Thoughts:

Time travel books always seem to fall into one of two categories for me: well done or wasted potential. There are endless scenarios and storylines a time travel story can explore, yet more often than not, it seems like I love the concept but not the final outcome.

That’s when I wish I were a time traveler so that I could go back and tell myself not to waste my time on that book.

You’re probably wondering where this complaining is coming from since I gave my latest time travel read, Wayfarer, 4 out of 5 stars on my Goodreads account, so allow me to explain. I complain only to say that the Passenger duology fell into the first category. The time travel in these book promises a lot, and it truly delivers in terms of adventure and emotional impact.

Passenger, the first book in this duo, was the story of Etta Spencer, a young, modern-day violinist who discovered her identity as a traveler, an individual able to locate and move through passages in time and space. This book followed Etta as she was forced into the search for an ancient astrolabe with the ability to create new passages; joining her on her quest was Nicholas Carter, a privateer and bastard of the powerful Ironwood family, who wanted nothing more than to wash his hands of time travel and return to the sea. But of course, things weren’t that simple, and Etta and Nicholas found themselves falling in love as they raced through time, fighting to stay one step ahead of everyone else searching for the astrolabe and trying to decide if they could ever have a future together. Passenger ended on a cliffhanger, with Etta injured and orphaned in time, Nicholas determined to find his love, and the astrolabe in the hands of the enemy. It was a rough spot to leave everyone—characters and readers alike—but what follows made it worth the while.

Wayfarer picks up a few weeks after the ending of Passenger, with Nicholas and his new partner, Sophia, searching for the astrolabe, Rose searching for Etta, and Etta herself held captive by the Thorns as she recovers from her gunshot wound. We are immediately flung into the chaos and danger of this new world, where former enemies must work together, secrets and lies will be uncovered, and the timeline threatens to shift at any moment, and not necessarily for the better.

My favorite thing about Wayfarer had to be the fantastic character development. Etta and Nicholas are both forced to adapt to being apart, and it changes them in very different ways. Etta becomes even more of a spitfire, willing to shoot first and ask questions later as she fights to figure out how to reset the timeline. Nicholas, on the other hand, seems to revert back to internalizing everything. He doesn’t have anyone around that he trusts enough to share his feelings with, so he pushes his emotions down, becoming more sullen and more focused on finding Etta and setting things right. For both Etta and Nicholas, this book was a tough journey emotionally, mentally, and physically, but they had already shown that they were tough enough to handle themselves in any given situation, especially after everything they had gone through in Passenger. Resultingly, it seemed like Wayfarer was the opportunity for others to grow and to let Etta and Nicholas act upon the development they’d already undergone.

What’s more, I think that the different reactions between Etta and Nicholas and their new situations can in part be attributed to the company they finding themselves keeping. Their separation allows for the introduction of a number of new characters as well as the promotion of sorts for Sophia Ironwood to a more primary character.

I was quite excited to meet Julian Ironwood. I had taken Nicholas’s description of his half-brother with a grain of salt as there was a bit of bad blood between the two, but no, Julian was exactly the flighty, flirty coward that Nicholas made him out to be. I have to admit, though, that I really liked Julian— especially his tangents and his ridiculous bragging—and I loved that Etta was forced to team up with him. It says a lot about Etta’s self-restraint that she doesn’t simply steal his journal and dump him somewhere. It also says a lot about her optimism and her faith in Nicholas that she keeps trying to find a spark of goodness in Julian. Surprisingly, it’s Julian himself that eventually finds that spark, and from that point on, although he’s still flighty and flirty, he’s all-in for helping Etta, stopping his grandfather, and fixing the timeline. I liked this changed in Julian, and I was glad to see him become less of a jester-type character and more of a true partner by the end.

Another new character that is dedicated to fixing the timeline from the start is Henry Hemlock, the leader of the Thorns and Etta’s father. I loved the relationship that grew between Etta and Henry. Rose certainly had never acted like a mother to Etta, leaving Alice as her only family growing up. After meeting Henry, I was so sad for Etta that she had never gotten to meet her father. Henry is everything Rose is not: open, friendly, caring, and determined without being ruthless. He wants to take care of his daughter, but he also wants to help her in whatever decisions she chooses to make. And, like Etta, he’s musical; the scene of Henry and Etta playing for the tsar warmed my heart, and it showed just how alike father and daughter were. I also appreciated that Henry knew the reality of sacrifice and the need to save the many at the cost of the few. Henry isn’t perfect, but he is trying to right all the wrongs Cyrus Ironwood has inflicted all across time, even if that means losing the people he loves.

Looking at Julian and Henry, it seems like Etta got perhaps the more frustrating but better end of the bargain in terms of new partners. And by better, I really just mean safer, because at least those two aren’t threatening or actually trying to kill Etta. Nicholas isn’t quite so lucky in that regard, but he does get lucky in terms of ending up with a new set of fierce and fearsome females to work with.

Although Sophia was featured somewhat in Passenger, she was really only present at the beginning, where she was responsible for getting Etta through the passage, and at the end, where she showed up as a surprise villain before being beaten, robbed, and left for dead. She wasn’t a likeable person—she was bossy, threatening, and racist—but she was always unashamedly herself, and it was impossible not to feel for her as yet another person hurt by and forced to do the bidding of Cyrus Ironwood. Now that she’s split with the Ironwood family, Sophia initially seems to have taken a turn for the worse. She deals with her new reality, both as a woman on the run and as a woman missing an eye, by drinking, and her alcohol-fueled temper makes things worse for Nicholas and herself before she really starts to be helpful. But Sophia isn’t the type to stay down for long when revenge is at hand, and soon she’s racing through time alongside Nicholas.

Even if Sophia had no other redeeming qualities, her never-back-down attitude would’ve made me like her. Yes, her mouth consistently gets her in trouble, but she has the fighting skills to keep herself safe. Seriously, I loved seeing Sophia’s ferociousness and skill in her fights, and Nicholas easily owes her his life many times over. At first, she only saves Nicholas because she needs him as a partner, but eventually she’s saving him because she cares about him. Nicholas’s true nature manages to extinguish Sophia’s prejudice against him, and the two become friends. It’s still a rocky relationship, with lots of threats and violence, but that’s really just Sophia’s way of showing she cares. I was glad to get to know Sophia better and to see her out from under Ironwood’s thumb where she could allow herself to be a bit more vulnerable and where she could find the respect she’d always wanted.

Of course, some of that vulnerability and respect is related to the appearance of Li Min. I loved Li Min and her unorthodox introduction to Nicholas and Sophia. It was obvious pretty early on that she was playing multiple parties, but that didn’t make me like her any less. In fact, as Li Min opens up about her past, it becomes clear that even though she’s lying to Nicholas and Sophia about Etta’s whereabouts, she’s doing so to pay back a debt and preserve her honor. She also manages to save Nicholas and Sophia multiple times, so it would be hard to wish she’d leave them alone. I liked the relationship that began to develop between Li Min and Sophia; they brought out the best in one another, and I appreciated that Li Min not only encouraged Sophia to open up about her difficulties in dealing with her disability but also helped teach her how to compensate for her blind spot in a fight. Those little moments move them from friends to something more, and I was glad that they were both willing to open their hearts to each other knowing that even if they both made it out of the final showdown alive, they could still be separated forever when the timeline reset. Both women are willing to hope for the sake of the other, and it’s obvious that this is a dramatic change in each of their characters brought on by the potential of finally having found someone who could love them just for being themselves.

And speaking of being themselves, the final new character that I came to love was the Belladonna. I’ve always liked obscenely powerful characters and even more so when those characters were women, so it was hard not to like the Belladonna even in spite of the fact that she was responsible for Nicholas’s slow death via poison. I loved that the Belladonna owned her position and enjoyed striking terror into the hearts of others. She is clever, manipulative, and patient, and she has a knack for seeing the truth of a person even if they themselves can’t see it. I had an inkling early on that the Belladonna was more than she seemed, and that really explained how she’d become the person she was and also how she’d managed to amass such a collection of historical artifacts. I loved seeing inside the Belladonna’s treasure trove as well as seeing how protective she was of her possessions; although her shop seemed like a terrifying place, it also seemed like it would be fascinating to visit.

The Belladonna is two steps and a few centuries ahead of everyone, and I think it would take a second reading to see all the pieces of her plan and how they fit together. While I wasn’t wild about the threat that precipitated her having said plan—I’ll get to that in a moment—I did appreciate that she planned a chance for Nicholas and Etta to have their happy ending. It showed that while the Belladonna may have seemed like an antagonist, she was playing a long game to save everyone, and for that, she landed on my good side.

The other thing I absolutely loved about Wayfarer was the ending. After the astrolabe is destroyed and everyone is thrown back to and stuck in their original time, it seems like no one will get the happy ending they’ve fought so hard for. Etta and Nicholas ae separated, Rose and Henry are torn from each other and from Etta, Sophia and Li Min lose one another, the Thorns and their families are scattered, and poor Julian is left all alone. For Etta in particular, it’s a shock as she not only returns to the future by herself, she returns to a future that has been significantly altered due to the reversion back to the original timeline. It’s hard to see Etta faced with such utter uncertainty, but then again, it’s Etta. She’s already proven that she’s tough, that she can take a few hits and keep on fighting. And after an initial period of mourning—for Alice, for her parents, for Nicholas—she makes a plan and gets on with her life. She finishes school, gets a job, and eventually begins playing the violin again.

I was glad that Etta returned to one of the things she truly loved, but I liked that she chose to play with an orchestra. Playing as part of a group took some of the pressure off and let Etta enjoy her playing, and it also meant that she didn’t have to be quite so alone, even though she was still forced to hold everyone at arm’s length to keep her past a secret. I knew something big was going to happen at Etta’s debut concert, not just because there weren’t that many pages left, but because it would be a fitting parallel. Everything began for Etta at her first big performance in the altered timeline, so of course everything would begin again at the same point in this timeline.

I was smiling like an idiot as Etta found Rose, then Henry, then finally Nicholas in the audience. It’s such a sweet and encouraging way for them to reveal themselves to Etta, and of course, it gives Nicholas a chance to finally hear Etta play. And play she does, buoyed by the love and joy she feels at seeing her love and her family again. The reunion between Etta and Nicholas was perfect, and I was glad that Nicholas explained everything right away: that the image of the astrolabe had been burned into his hand as he destroyed it (a la Major Toht and the headpiece of the Staff of Ra in Raiders of the Lost Ark), that he’d found Rose and Henry and that together they’d gone to see the Belladonna and get something from Etta’s time, that they were opening all the passages to allow everyone to be with their loved ones, that time travel would be possible once again but that the rules would change to keep something like the war between the families from ever happening again.

It’s not a plan without a risk of failure or without its fair share of challenges, but it has to be better than keeping everyone apart forever and never letting anyone experience the wonders and knowledge that time travel can provide. Of course Etta and Nicholas aren’t going to be forced apart after everything they’ve been through, but I liked that their happy ending was gained alongside that of so many others and via a reasonable and logical means. It’s the ending they deserve, and I was happy to see them happy and ready to explore new times and new places together.

Despite all the things I loved about Wayfarer, there were a few things that kept it from being a perfect read for me. The pacing in particular really bothered me. There was plenty of action in both points of view, but I felt like the characters failed to truly more forward for a good portion of the book. On Etta’s side, she spends a lot of time getting to know Henry and learning the truth about Rose’s actions, and although learning the truth helps explain as well as change motivations, there isn’t a good balance between exposition and acting upon the new information. It isn’t really until the explosion in Russia and Etta’s escape with Julian that things really start moving on their end.

Unfortunately, the pacing for Nicholas and Sophia is even slower. I lost count of how many times Nicholas’s sections ended with him and Sophia in a new time and place but still being chased and collecting new injuries. Yes, I understand that they’re on the run, but it still seems like their escapes take longer than I would’ve expected from two such resourceful and knowledgeable people. Maybe it was just that their new enemies were more powerful, more deadly, and more determined than Cyrus Ironwood and his people who had chased Nicholas and Etta in the first book, or perhaps it was that Nicholas and Sophia had to face more traps and plots to keep them from achieving their goal. Nonetheless, it takes Nicholas’s imminent death to get the group in gear and get them to finally break their cycle of fight-run-hide. It wasn’t quite a deal breaker for me, but it did make the story seem unnecessarily long, and when a book’s already as long as Wayfarer, you don’t really want it to be too much longer.

But now that I’ve mentioned the new threat that chased after Nicholas and Sophia, I have to admit that I didn’t especially care for the Ancient One and his Shadows. Do I like the idea of such an ancient and powerful character threatening our main guys and gals? Yes. Do I like the idea of a group of highly-trained assassins with terrifying weaponry and nothing to lose? Definitely yes. But the whole Ancient One plot felt like it came out of left field. It isn’t that I didn’t like the arrival of another big bad—in truth, a Bigger, Badder—but there was absolutely no indication of anyone else after the astrolabe in Passenger, not even a hint. And to me, the final book doesn’t seem like the best place to introduce, establish, and make a threat out of a brand new group of characters.

Like I said, it’s not that I disliked the Ancient One and his Shadows because they were bad guys. In fact, I liked the threat that they created and that there was a bigger story going on aside from the one Etta and Nicholas were immediately involved in. But the inclusion of the Ancient One almost felt contrived at this point. Wayfarer could’ve had an equally powerful and dramatic outcome if Cyrus Ironwood has remained the main villain, and the Belladonna’s plot could’ve still been successfully enacted. It was nice to get more background about the astrolabe and its true power, but that also could’ve been introduced another way. I guess when it comes down to it, it was the fact that the Ancient One just came out of nowhere that I had a problem with. If he’d been alluded to in Passenger, or if someone had mentioned the Shadows, or if someone had shared that creepy little nursery rhyme earlier, their appearance might’ve been easier to believe. As it was, though, they felt shoe-horned in for the sake of adding more danger and drama, and I thought that was a mistake.

I know a lot of people also had a problem with Etta and Nicholas being separated for the majority of the book, but that really didn’t bother me all that much. Yes, I missed the romance, the banter, and the partnership between them, but being apart allowed each of them to grow and work in ways that they never could have if they’d been together. And Etta and Nicholas never would’ve gotten to know Julian, Sophia, and Li Min so well if they’d all been together, and it would’ve been a real shame to deprive us of the greatness of these characters. So perhaps surprisingly, I thought keeping Etta and Nicholas apart until just before the final showdown was a wise decision.

The last thing I want to mention about both Passenger and Wayfarer is how much I love the times and places the characters explore. They aren’t the typical eras and locations that are used in time travel stories; they’re new (old?) and exciting locales and time periods that allow us readers to learn a little bit more about history and about different cultures both past and present. The descriptions of these travels are vibrantly written, too, which adds another level of authenticity and fascination to each new place. I now have a number of new events and people to research and some new places to add to my bucket list.

Overall, Wayfarer is a strong sequel and a wonderful ending to this duology. I didn’t like it quite as much as I liked Passenger as a whole, but I did love the wonderful and realistic character development, the wide range of new characters, and the perfect ending. Etta and Nicholas are definitely one of my OTPs, and their determination to fight across time to be with one another shows that nothing can stop true love. The places and times that are brought to life provide vivid backdrops and turn another time travel story into an intriguing exploration of the past. Fans of history, family secrets, and star-crossed romances will love the Passenger duology, and I suggest you check them out today. You never know when the timeline might shift and keep you from ever getting the chance to read these wonderful books.

Stray Thoughts and Observations:

I love the ship imprint on the actual cover of the book!

What a brutal opening. No wonder Rose is so messed up.

Etta has gotten to be a right badass. Her knack for finding/creating weaponry on the fly is awesome.

Henry Hemlock is such an awesome name. Points of alliteration.

I love that the Belladonna has Excalibur. A neat little extra.

I would either be a great time traveler or a truly terrible one. I could learn all the history and the languages and the etiquette easily enough, but I think I would fangirl hard if I ever met anyone truly famous and blow my cover.

This reunion between Julian and Sophia is priceless.

Kisses in the heat of battle are my favorite.

Oh Alice, taking care of Etta to the end and beyond.

I definitely need the story of Nicholas, Rose, and Henry going to see the Belladonna and fighting over that keychain.

I would like to see Nicholas and Etta pop up in the background of some future book. They could fit in pretty much anywhere and in any time, so it’s not an unreasonable request. So get on that Bracken, please and thank you.

Favorite Quotes:

Rose finally closed her eyes. She imagined her veins, her ribs, her whole chest hardening like stone to protect the parts of her that hurt so very much. She was too little to fight them now; Rose knew this. But she also knew that one day she wouldn’t be.

Wondering if the reason her mother seemed to rarely speak to her was because her language was color and form, when Etta’s was sound and vibration.

“My mother met that woman and both survived?”

If the first woman sang her words, this one crushed them between her teeth.

There was something else that Hall used to say—that life itself was uncertainty and the only remedy to its madness was to act boldly.

“There is the journey you make through the world—the one that aches and sings. We come together with others to make our way and survive its trials,” she said. “But we are, all of us, also wayfarers on a greater journey, this one without end, each of us searching for the answers to the unspoken questions of our hearts. Take comfort, as I have, in knowing that, while we must travel it alone, this journey rewards goodness and will prove that the things which are denied to us in life will never create a cage for our souls.”

It was simple, but even simple plans were prone to unexpected disasters.

“Why didn’t he go way back—beyond ancient times? Prehistoric. Actually, how far back do the passages go? Could you see, like, the dinosaurs? Cavemen?” Julian leaned back against the rock, pressing a hand against his chest, his expression one of pure astonishment. “My God, Linden-Hemlock-Spencer. I believe you’ve just given me a new purpose in life.” Etta’s brows drew together. “Finding new passages?” “No, hunting for dinosaurs,” he said. “Why did I never think of that—oh, right, the eating thing. Big teeth and all. Well, never mind.” “How quickly the dream dies.”

“I went to the Thorns,” he said quickly, “which was a rotten idea all around. They despised me and I slept every night with one eye open—oh God—I heard the words leave my mouth and I couldn’t stop them, Soph—“

“I don’t really want logic right now, Carter. I mostly want murder.”

A man made his own future. He chipped it from whatever hardships insinuated themselves into his life; he carved out the happy, glad moments to capture his gratitude for them. It came from the simple magic of merely living.

“Name the horizon, and it’s ours.”

0 notes