Traveler by L.E. DeLano started off really great for me, and I was loving this cute little story about traveling to alternate realities. But then the traveling got weird and different versions of characters criss-crossed and things got confusing and dramatic, and why couldn't things be more simple!? There's essentially a love triangle between two people and why did this have to happen... It was exhausting and so difficult to push through. And then. The ending. Oh my gosh, that was heartbreaking and I honestly don't know why I did this to myself. I do not recommend this unless you're ok without a happy ending.

I'm a sucker for dimension-traveling that bleeds into reality, especially when it's a character that comes from a book and they go on some kind of adventure of some sort. That's what reeled me in this, but it's the action and anticipation is what kept me turning the page. Traveler hooked me in this plot-driven story and I'm anticipating to see what direction this goes in the next book.

It was a quick and exciting read and I enjoyed the time traveling so much! I could not put this book down and I'm so glad I got the privilege of reading it!

I'm not typically drawn to time travel books, but this one was certainly an exception. I thought the author did a fantastic job of world building. The characters were relatable, I felt easily connected to them, and the story itself was incredibly interesting. The start of the book was a bit over-the-top, but once I got past the first few chapters, the story became more enjoyable. The inclusion of parallel worlds is fantastic and brought joy to my sci-fi loving heart. Overall, this is a fast-paced, interesting, and unputdownable book. Excuse me while I run off to read the second one!

Such an interesting concept. Totally something I'd recommend to my students.

This novel had a great premise, wonderful characters, and a close to flawless execution. The idea of traveling through realities is not necessarily a new one, yet DeLano’s theories on people traveling with rules, through mirrors, and in dreams all mix together to form a great new story. Jessa and Finn are great characters with well-rounded storylines. Seeing things from only Jessa’s perspective can, at times, be frustrating, yet ends up playing well for the story. I think that the only faults in this story are some minor giveaways to the ending that were pretty obvious and that the theory behind the traveling can get somewhat confusing at times. These can both be set aside as minor flaws when overwhelmed by a great adventure that I can’t wait to continue.

Mirror, mirror on the wall… This book will captivate you! I do love a good time travel book and this one does not disappoint. The premise of time travel to different dimensions through mirrors was appealing. The author does a fine job of developing her characters and you become invested in what is happening to them. Take a moment to transport yourself to a different dimension and read this book!

Alternate universe and time travel? Okay, sign me up! Because why not?

I love love the premise of this book though I’m not usually a time travel reader but I love the idea of it – a lot of crazy adventures. So, the whole concept of the story is about the Traveler and the Dreamer. The traveler can move into different realities with just a mirror – that is their portal and the dreamer is in charge of keeping track of all the possibilities and they are also the one whose assigning jobs for the traveler. It’s like in the game, the traveler is the player and the coach is the dreamer. There is magical everytime that they switch different realities especially my one’s favorite is when they went to the Victorian Era. If you’re into Alternate Universe, I bet you should try this one.

The characters are so plain like I wasn’t emotionally invested in them (because in every book it should have an emotional investment to get into them) but I don’t have it. Jessa – she loves to write, a loving sister/daughter, and supportive bestfriend but sometimes she’s a whiny. I don’t have problem on it because I get it why she is whiny however there’s no reason how her character stands out even the other characters like Ben and Finn. While, the love interest in the story is lacking some flame I wish there’s no love interest here because it is much GREATER if instead of love triangle between Ben-Jessa-Finn, there are all bestfriends. I think the author is trying too hard to have a romance here but it is not working. It clashed to one another. The character development is shallow, slow, and bland. End of discussion.

On the contrary, I think this is a great introduction for the story and to the next book (I don’t know if it will be a duology or a series). Even though, I don’t like how the characters are, still, the whole concept of it are superb and I honestly can’t wait to read the next book because who knows what will happen right? Sometimes first book in the series/duology can be a not-so-good but ended up with a lot of twists to the next book.

thought I was in a reading slump...but come to find out nope, no reading slump here. I just COULD NOT connect with the story, characters, worldbuilding...nope, no connections to anything in this one. I wanted oh so much to love this book, I mean the synopsis sounds freaking amazing!

The writing was okay. The first few chapters were actually pretty fun. Around the fourth or fifth chapter, I felt like the same plot kept getting repeated over and over... (and not in a good way but a hugely BORING way.)

e characters were mostly one-dimensional. I'm not sure how to explain it. They were good characters but felt devoid of realism, for me they all fell flat.

Well, that's all I have to say about this book. Did you read Traveler? I noticed this book has a fairly good rating on Goodreads and just because it wasn't for me you may like this one, don't let me scare you away!

Travel As If Your Life Depends On It
When Jessa meets Finn she feels a strong sense of deja vu, and undeniable attraction, even though she feels sure she has never met him before. And she hasn’t, at least not in her current reality. She finds out that she is a member of group of people who can travel between various realities, making slight “corrections” under the advisement of a race of beings called Dreamers. Much to her dismay, she discovers that Finn has come to find her because her other versions are being systematically killed off in numerous realities, including his own.

Related imageWhile it is clear that they have been in love in many other realities, at fist Jessa is hesitant, but once their relationship heats up, it is sweet and tender, much to the dismay of her friend Ben. Although the love triangle of Tessa-Finn-Ben is Twilight-esque, it was still enjoyable, with just the right amount of teenage angst and budding adult feelings. Jessa soon finds that she, Finn, and Ben have varying degrees of relationships across the realities, although they seem to usually be linked together in some fashion, but that the relationships are based on the decisions made by the individuals in each reality. This provides an interesting subject to ponder: how do our own choices, the choices of our friends, and even the choices of our parents, combine to shape our reality? How does the idea of fate factor in to this…and are we really free to make our own choices or is everything pre-determined?

The mystery of why Jessa is being murdered in multiple realities unfolds across the books in a very systematic faction, without being too predictable. L.E. Delano also does an excellent job of building the reader’s understanding of the travelers and how they work across the story, giving just enough information, to allow readers to grow in their knowledge at about the same rate as Jessa would if she was not a fictional character. The reveal of the villain was surprising, which was a pleasant departure from most YA books of this type, as was the overall premise regarding time travel.

In short, I recommend this book to just about anyone. There’s time/alternate universe travel, philosophy, young love, mystery, a little bit of thriller mystique, and dystopian themes. There’s even a pirate! If you’re looking for a quick read to relax with over the weekend, I promise that Traveler will not disappoint.

This was a fun quick read!

Jessa has always found inspiration for her writing in her dreams. Particularly from a certain boy who showed up quite frequently.  Until suddenly, he shows up in real life and tells her those dreams were different realities that she lived through.  Jessa is a traveler–and somebody is trying to kill her.

This has been getting some mixed reviews, but I enjoyed it.  It was a fun, quick read.  Sort of a time travel novel with a sci-fi/fantasy twist.

Jessa was an OK character for me. I liked her at times, and others I found her to be a bit selfish and whiny.  I did like seeing all the different versions of her though.  Finn was interesting. I loved his back story, and alternate version of himself, but other than that he was a typical fictional boyfriend.  Same thing with Ben.  There was some love triangle thing happening (you all know how I feel about those), but it wasn’t too bad.  I have a feeling Ben is going to play a larger role in the upcoming installments.

 The plot moved fairly quickly.  Whenever Jessa traveled through worlds however, it felt a bit forced.  Why was she going? What was her motivation?  Overall, it was a bit predictable in terms of story arc.  Certain parts I saw coming a mile away.  Nonetheless, it had me turning the page.  I twas an interesting concept and I wanted to see what new reality Jessa would be thrust into.

If you feel like a quick, fun read that sets up for more in the future, pick this up.  I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to the next one (and a certain pirate as well ;)!).

'Traveler' is the first book in a new and refreshing young adult fantasy series that fans are sure to love. There's always plenty of books about time travel, but rarely do you find alternate realities. The idea is a breath of fresh air to me - mostly because instead of one or even two realities, there are so many varying ones in the world the author creates for the characters. With every mirror and dream being portals to alternate realities - the possibilities are basically endless, and that brings a ton of possibilities to life before our eyes. I loved learning all about the Travelers and what they're able to do, along with all the intriguing things the alternate realities contain. I really hope that the author expands on these topics in the following books.

The main characters are complex and rounded with unique traits. Jessa is the narrator of the book, which made her the more accessible one for me to connect with. She's a fellow lover of books and writing - and that only made me like her more. She grows and matures a lot over the course of the novel, and I liked watching her character change. Of course, we can't forget about the second main character, Finn, and his role in the story. I enjoyed getting to know him and learning about his life as a Traveler. The relationship between Jessa and Finn is complicated, but it changes and grows throughout the book and I really loved watching it happen. The story is told from Jessa's perspective, in the first person - which is by far my favorite style of writing. I think it's a perfect fit for the book. It wouldn't have had the same kind of effect on me as a reader if it had been done differently. There were some parts of the story that felt cheesy and predictable, but it only bothered me a few times. I'm hoping that the next book will flow better and I'll be able to fully immerse myself into it. I'm excited to see where the next book will take them and what sort of trouble they'll find. I'm glad this is the beginning of a new series and I'm looking forward to learning more about Travelers and their gifts. Recommended for fans of YA fantasy, science fiction, contemporary, supernatural, and even romance.

This was a fun read. The book has some flaws, especially in the science department, but I enjoyed reading about the other realities and some of them I wouldn’t mind visiting myself. You do need to be willing to except the travel through mirrors to other dimensions and with the people in each reality switching places. It is a little confusing, but once you decide to roll with it, you do enjoy the ride. I especially liked the reality that had the food that was all glittery. I also appreciated that the author included a recipe for the glitter mousse that the characters enjoyed in that reality. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks good.

The adventure part of the plot was good, someone is killing all of the Jessa’s in all of the realities and Finn is trying to prevent them. And there were a few plot twists I didn’t see coming, especially who was behind the killings. The romance between Jessa and Finn was sweet, and even the somewhat love triangle that sort of happens, in different realities, was good and not too predictable.

I really liked Finn, especially the Irish pirate version, which I hope we get to see more of. It does get a little confusing with all of the different realities and versions of the characters, but the story is mostly told through Jessa’s point of view, which helps to keep things moving and less confusing. I also appreciated the autistic brother, I felt that the author did an honest portrayal of him and of what Jessa’s life was like living with him. It was nice to see different versions of him as well, some with and some without autism.

This was a debut novel by this author and I think she is off to a good start. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series. I also just love the cover! It is what made me take a look at the book in the first place on Netgalley.

Traveler is L.E DeLano’s debut novel and is an easily entertaining tale of multidimensional travelling, romance and danger.

Jessa has spent her whole life dreaming of faraway lands and vivid lives, writing down her tales and imagining stories of danger and romance and adventure. But Jessa knows that’s all they are; stories…..until the starring character in many of her imaginings, Finn, turns up in real life and gives Jessa the shock of her life. Finn is everything she envisioned, but he complicates things further when he explains to Jessa that she has an incredible ability that allows her to travel through dimensions. Being able to travel through multiple realities is a thrilling, and scary possibility, but with all the Jessa’s dying in their respective worlds, something sinister is happening and Finn and Jessa will need to work out what before Jessa herself becomes a casualty.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading a few time travel novels lately that I’ve really loved, so I had high hopes for Traveler and while it didn’t blow me away as I had hoped it would, I still found it to be an easy, engaging tale. Traveler is an interesting read with L.E DeLano weaving together interdimensional travel, multiple realities, romance, action, danger and all kinds of mayhem in her debut. It was highly entertaining.

The characters were easy enough to follow, enough fleshed out to appeal whilst not being too over baring. Right now I like Jessa and Finn and even Jessa’s best friend Ben, although I’m not completely sold on the romance between Finn and Jessa. And yet I like them as a couple, so there is that complexity.

I have to admit the final few chapters and the epilogue of Traveler were both saddening and shocking. I wasn’t expecting L.E DeLano to end the novel the way she did at all and am a bit perplexed by it if I’m honest. It complicates things and certainly opens up a lot of possibilities for future books, but it means so much more emotion is going to be involved and I don’t know if my heart can take any kind of love triangle-square-hexagon etc.

Traveler is a tale you can’t help but plod along with and was cute. For me the best parts of the book came towards the end where DeLano ups the stakes and leaves her readers shocked up some unexpected developments. I’m intrigued by what L.E Delano has planned for the rest of the series and am looking forward to seeing what happens after the events of the startling ending!

Traveler is the first book in the young adult science fiction/time travel series by the same name from author L. E. Delano. This is L. E. Delano’s first book. I really loved this story. I found it to be a really cool concept that I think will be even more fleshed out in the upcoming books. So you can imagine my surprise when I head over to goodreads and I start seeing some two star reviews. I was shocked in fact. But that just goes to show that different books will work out differently for different people.

Traveler is the story of Jessa and Finn. And bear with me, because while this review is not necessarily spoilery, it does explain the concept of the book because I think the concept is so freakin’ cool! Jessa is just this normal girl until the guy that she has been seeing in all of her dreams shows up in real life and tells her that she is in danger. And things are just starting from there. Don’t worry, Jessa does not automatically buy into his very crazy story about multiple dimensions, but I did love the method he used to finally convince her. It was the satisfying proof that I would have wanted if I were in her place.

Finn finally manages to convince Jessa that they are travelers and they can visit all the different versions of realities where things might be a little or very different. But the kicker is that someone is killing off all the Jessa’s in there different realities. And Finn wants to protect her. So they embark on a race through time and multiple dimensions to find out who is trying to kill off all the Jessa’s. Doesn’t that sound really cool? I think so!

The romance is pretty light in this one, but I think it is going to develop more in the next couple of books. Finn and Jessa have quite the history and I liked meeting the different versions of each other. I also loved that Jessa’ friend Ben popped up in a couple of different realities as well. I can’t wait to see where that goes as well. I loved what Mrs. Delano did with Travler. I do have some questions that I think will be cleared up in the next book but she took a really cool concept and ran with it, and I loved the result.

Bottom line: Traveler is like a really cool mash up of Passenger and 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil. It is a race through time and multiple realities to solve a pretty important mystery. I loved this book and cannot wait for more.

The premise seemed interesting, but it was poorly executed. I didn't like the writing style. It tried to be witty, but it fell flat. The characters were also flat and unlikable. They had no personality. I forgive these flaws, if it had a good story. However, the book was focused more on Jessa's love life than the story. I was hoping this book would be more like Passenger, The Girl from Everywhere, and The Book
Jumper. Sadly, it just didn't mount up to any of those books. Thus, I cannot recommend it.

One test I have on a book is whether or not, once I set it down, do I keep thinking on it and begin processing the book talk because I know it will do well in my library based students current interests. Now, this is not to say I would not purchase a book because it didn't fall into a particularly genre that was the current favourite at school! But, in this case this is a book I know will be well received because of the storytelling and the love story involved. I appreciated the fact that even though it was a love triangle it was not all consuming. It felt natural, believable. The author more than delivered on the promis of the premise and I am quite certain there will be a student or two and more who will be awaiting the sequel.

Rating: 4.75/5 Penguins

Quick Reasons: GAAAAAH, why must you hurt me, book?!; entertaining, complex, realistic characters; TIME TRAVEL FOR THE WIN!; there's also a sort of mirror worlds/through the looking glass thing happening that I adore; I need book two, and I need it now--give it or risk a temper tantrum!

HUGE thanks to L.E. DeLano, Swoon Reads, Xpresso Book Tours, and Netgalley for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.


---"Jessa, now you know that you exist in multiple realities. But the truth is, there are fewer and fewer of you every day."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," Mario finishes, "you're being killed off. One by one. Everywhere. In every reality."

I go cold inside. "Who?" I ask. "Who's killing me?"

Mario's face is full of sympathy, but Finn's voice chills me to the bone.

"I am."---


I think the wounded penguin noises I made after this read might have been loud enough to scare the entire WORLD, guys. Seriously. My heart? Broken into itty bitty pieces I could never hope to glue back together. I need book two...and I mean NEED, as in I will not survive without it, as in I am putting the fate of my poor penguin soul in its hands. Which is probably not the best idea, considering it doesn't come out until next spring at the earliest. BOOK, WHY YOU HURT ME SO?!

Let's just...try to be rational and coherent for a minute, okay? There is something deliciously "through the looking glass/mirror-worlds" happening in this book that I adored from the get-go. I've always been a sucker for alternate realities/time travel (perhaps that's the daydreamer stuck in me?), so when I read the blurb for this book however long ago it was, I immediately knew I needed to read it. And as I hoped, I wasn't disappointed in the least! The plot is intricately-woven and beautifully done, a crescendo of action and emotions that left me a sobbing wreck at the end. I mean...what more could I ask of a book?!


---"Maybe she has a thing for enchanted pirates," he says.

I press my lips together and glare at him. "Maybe she hasn't noticed your smell yet."---


The characters and their relationships/interactions are fairly believable and complex. While there were a few moments of trope to be found, the drama of the plot and the intrigue of the mystery enthralled me throughout...and the use of alternate realities helped, in a sense, to keep me somehow grounded. I LOVED stepping through the mirror with Jessa, in fact, and seeing the different ways she "altered" in each place. And Finn.... I just.... Let's just not talk about Finn right now, okay? My penguin heart can't handle it.

Basically, I NEED BOOK TWO! And I need it desperately. I think I left a large part of my heart trapped in the pages with Jessa, and I need the second book to retrieve them. Someone, PLEASE, give me book two sooner than next spring when it's promised?! PLEAAAAASE?! I definitely recommend this to lovers of time travel/alternate realities, complex and entertaining personalities, and fast-paced enthralling action. Take a step through the mirror with me, penguins; let's help save the world.

I found this story to be really interesting. The ability to traverse between multiple universes and inhabit a different version of you was surprisingly ingenious. As well as how it's done, through reflective surfaces. I gave it 3 stars out of 5 because there were a few points throughout with either a character action or a plot point that had been either glossed over or ignored for sake of continuity. I'm hoping these are addressed or answered in the second book. I hate been left with unanswered plot holes.

I really thought I'd love this book with a blurb that promised pirates and a writer girl...but since those were two very slim parts of the novel and the rest was filled with paranormal cliches, I ended up not being a fan at all.

I was particularly disappointed how we seemed to have step back in time to when literature was on the whole train trip of thinking that hot-paranormal-boyfriends who stalk their girls, are possessive over them around everyone else, never leave their side, control their life, and talk about being "fated to be their only one", and talk cryptically without giving all the information -- were a dying breed. I don't find any of that attractive. More like harassment??

However I do love the premise of Travelers who can flit through dimensions! I love how Jessa was a writer and constantly thinking up ideas in her head. It was really nice to see some Autism secondary character representation too (although I thought it relied too heavily on stereotypes). And that cover is GORGEOUS.