The Girl from Everywhere audiobook

Quick Review: Wow. Just wow! I'm absolutely floored by the brilliantly crafted story of The Girl From Everywhere. My favorite part of the novel is a three-way tie between the aesthetic setting, so perfectly captured in both feel and culture, the relationship between Nix and her father, and the premise of time travel in association with the maps.Overall this book is truly something special and should definitely be a book you check out. Full Review:Let me start by saying what a brilliant author Heidi is. Not only is her story engaging, but her meticulous planning and artful weaving of the plot leaves my mind blown with all expectations hit out of the proverbial park. "Paradise is a promise no god bothers to keep. There's only now, and tomorrow nothing will be the same, whether we like it or not."The majority of this book takes place in late 1800's Hawaii, and I love how well Heidi captures the vibes and feel of the paradisiacal island of Oahu. Her descriptions and tenderness towards the setting has me anxious to visit and feel and experience everything just as these characters did. I also really appreciated how Heidi captured the turning point where Hawaii lost more of its Hawaiian charm, culture, and authenticity and became overrun by foreign influence. It's a sad and tragic past, but someone has to tell it. So often it's written off as inconsequential, but Hawaii was annexed and diminished from its natural peacefulness in such a horrid way.The main character, Nix is really intuitive and easy to relate to. She struggles with her warring desires and her idea of home and family. Slate, her father, is quite an enigmatic and complex person. I loved his development in the book. Kashmir is dashing and the wittiest comic relief. The secondary characters were fleshed out and each had their own respective backstories. Mostly everyone was likable too. One of my favorite parts of the book was the evolving relationship between Nix and Slate. Slate's monomaniacal obsession with saving Nix's mother in the past really fractured any genuine father-daughter relationship. I loved seeing their relationship grow, and my favorite scene in the whole novel happens between these two.The romance in this book is kept to a minimum and although it looks like there might be a love triangle forming, it's hardly there at all and won't overshadow the plot or your love for the book. Also this is a duology, so everything will develop and sort itself out in the next book. I was hooked on this book immediately from the beginning. The idea of this story is so well developed and explained. It was fascinating learning about the time travel and the importance of maps. I love how Heidi mixed various fantasy/myth and historical elements into her story. We get to read of places and elements we're familiar with and other creatures and destinations that are innovative creations. Some parts were a bit confusing at times with the time travel, but everything happens for a reason, and all is revealed by the end. There are so many unexpected events in this novel; the unpredictability of this adventure novel was a definite hit for me. I also love the incorporation of diverse cultures placed in the novel.This book could read as a standalone, but there's one more book to give us another amazing adventure with this great cast of characters and a phenomenal author. I can't recommend this book enough!

OHHH. YOU GUYS. This book. My review cannot express how magical it is. The words are beautiful, the settings so lush and real, I felt deeply rooted no matter their time and place. And as someone who loves myths and legends, I am so thrilled by how they're weaved into this story. The Girl from Everywhere is unlike any book I've read, and I'm very ready to spend more time with these characters! GET EXCITED ABOUT IT.Also, you should know that Kashmir is my new book crush. Maybe more. I don't know. It's pretty serious!

This review was originally posted on It Starts at Midnight Oh, where to begin? This book was everything I loved all mushed into one glorious debut. Time travel is usually fun for me, because I like the idea, as a rule. But sometimes it can confuse me. And then I don't like it. But in this case? It was perfect! It was explained well, without being info-dumpy (totally a word, yes?) and worked quite well- save for one tiny instance toward the end that I was a bit lost on, but that's okay. One thing out of a whole 464 page book, yes, I can live with it.Nix, our main character, is fabulous. I mean, she's smart, and she's strong, but she's also so confused and vulnerable- because yes, you can be all those things. Like, she is awesome at figuring things out. But that also means that she knows that she could very well cease to exist if her father succeeds in going back in time. She'd played along because she didn't think it would ever be possible, but when there's a chance that it could happen? Well, can you even imagine? Especially when your father is barking about how the only thing he wants in the world is his true love. Harsh.Speaking of Dear Old Dad, he was a real ass for a large majority of the time, and I wanted to basically punch him. He had this amazing, loving daughter, good friends, and he was willing to sacrifice it all. That said, he was still very well developed. It was clear what his motivations were, and why he was making certain choices. The other characters were pretty amazing too. Kashmir... I adore. We will be needing more Kash, please and thank you. He's just that charming type of character that you can't help but love. It was almost like he wanted to be seen as a "bad boy", but in his heart, he so wasn't. The other characters we meet along the way are really great too, but I certainly don't want to spoil anything, so we'll leave it at that.Now. There is one character I could have lived without. Blake. He needed to go away so that Nix and Kash could just start falling in love. I was really over him. Leave, Blake.So yeah, there is kind of a love triangle. Although not a lot of one because there isn't a ton of romance at all anyway. Just like, little pockets here and there, but nothing serious. Which is good, because I don't want any romance between Nix and Blake. Zero. See, there are two reasons: First, I love Kash and I think he and Nix are a good pair. Second, I don't like Blake. In fact, I thought he was boring and dull and boring. So that's where I stand. Let's talk about other great things!  Hawaii! Yes, people, there is Hawaii involved, as you'd likely have figured out. And any book that even mentions Hawaii has to be a win, right? All the history. It's very clear that the author did a huge amount of research for this book. The history is amazing. There are politics, myths, legends, maps, and all kinds of fun things involved. I kind of live for this stuff, so I loved every minute. I do see how some people who aren't as excited about that type of thing would perhaps feel less enthusiastic. But I am not those people. Dragons. SMALL dragons. See, I would not want a dragon. Because they're big and scary. But. A little dragon and I could absolutely be best friends. I know I already touched on this, but I loooooved everyone aboard the ship. Except when Slate (Nix's father) made me want to throw him overboard. But yeah, like, if I had to live on a ship? This would be the one. Bottom Line: I need the sequel so, so badly. Like, now. While there may have been a few small things that I didn't completely love, the book as a whole blew me away. I am in love with the characters, the settings, the history, and I have definitely found a new favorite book! In summation?

4.5 stars rounding to 5! You guys this book. I loved loved it. If you’re looking for a new fantasy series to fall in love with you definitely are going to want to give this one a read. Nix is sixteen and was born in Honolulu in 1868… But when her father brings her aboard his ship The Temptation her entire life changed. She’s been to places we can only imagine… both the past and the future, real and imaginary. As long as they have a map, her father can sail them where they need to go. He’s been on a mission to acquire a map that will take him to the one place he can’t forget… 1868 Honolulu… before Nix’s mother gave birth to her and died. The very idea of this raises so many questions for Nix and they have no idea what will happen if they can make it happen. How can Nix help her father with this task when it could possibly erase her existence… her hopes and her dreams? I like that this story wasn’t so much about the time travel… sure they go to some incredible places, but ultimately this book is about the relationships between the characters and the consequences of the traveling and the sort of life that it leaves these characters with. The relationships between father and daughter… friend and lover… they are all explored in depth here and I loved it. The relationship Nix has with her father is complicated to say the least. The only good thing he’s done for her was bring her aboard the ship. She’s built a family with the crew and has decided how she’d like to see her future. She just needs her father to teach her how to travel, but the only time he’s capable is when they have a map in their hands a plan in place to get him back to 1868 Honolulu. I totally understood Nix’s frustration with her father… and sadness. The idea that he was so stuck in the past that he was willing to give her up just to have her mother back is heartbreaking.Nix has bonded with her friend Kash… he’s her best friend, even though it’s obvious he would love to have more from her. From his very first appearance on the page I fell for him. He’s just enough scoundrel and just enough swoon and sweet to make you fall in love and I couldn’t figure out why Nix was ignoring what was going on between them. But then I realized that it’s hard to make that leap from friend to lover when the person is basically the only person you can count on in life. I thought the evolution of their relationship was lovely and I’m excited to see what happens next.There is a bit of a triangle here. I’m just going to get it out of the way. In my opinion, it doesn’t last quite long enough to make a huge impact and even though the end maybe hints at something different, in my heart and head I don’t think it’s going where it seems like it might. At least I hope. I’ll be honest. I thought the relationship that started between Blake and Nix felt forced and I just never really felt like it was genuine. I guess maybe that’s why I’m not all that worried about the next book and where this one left off. I don’t know… I guess if triangles aren’t your thing, maybe wait, but like I said, I’m not worried and I don’t feel like the romance is the main story here… there’s so much more going on. While there are some definite slow parts, I thought the pacing was well done and there was definitely a lot of action to make this a page turner. I loved that Heilig quite obviously researched and spent a lot of time making me as a reader feel like I could imagine each and every place Nix and her crew were. From the lush unexplored forests of Hawaii to the imaginary and mythic lands that are explored each was described in a way that I couldn’t help but picture as I read. I think what many will love is that this can be read as a standalone. There is definitely room to expand and I for one am excited to see what the future might hold for Nix and her motley crew, but if you aren’t in the mood for a series, you can read this and get a full and complete story and not have to commit to anything more… though why wouldn’t you in my opinion. For me, if Heidi Heilig is writing it, I’m going to be reading it. Fans of historical fiction, fantasy and time travel will definitely want to pick this one up upon release. Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

well, dang. that was a perfect mix of fantasy and historical. and set in Hawaii!! I loved Nix, and all the little magical details thrown into this book. so good!! THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE is like that perfect dream book that executes a great balance of magic and history and fantasy and pirates and heists and exploration and...yeah, I know, it's a lot. But it's done so well. I absolutely loved this concept: a time-traveling ship that can go to any time or place (even fantastical places) as long as it has a map to lead it there. The main character, Nix, is a strong, clever heroine that girls can really relate to. Side characters are great and unique. The "bad guy" is one in shades of grey, which I've always adored and admired when authors can pull that off right, and yes, I know I'm rambling, but I'm just PROUD of Heidi Heilig's debut. She nailed it!

An exciting, immersive adventure through time.Heidi Helig’s The Girl From Everywhere is a spellbinding combination of myth and magic, history and fantasy. From present-day New York City to nineteenth-century Hawaii, Heilig takes us on an unforgettable adventure through time as one man desperately reaches into his past to fill the thrumming ache of a loved one lost.I loved the writing, how it so vividly drew us into a world where with longing and vision you could pierce the veil of time. Enlivened by a multicultural cast of characters, the narrative felt immersive and visceral, as details plucked from history made Slate and Nix’s story feel so real. The story weaves themes of love and loss, destiny and choice, as this adventure sets sail across unchartered waters.We meet almost sixteen-year-old Nix, aboard the ship The Temptation—the only home she’s ever really known. Along with her father (the Captain), her best friend Kashmir, and a small crew, they have spent the years sailing through time, more specifically, across maps, leaping from the edge of one to another. It’s during these trips that they procure new maps to help them navigate eras, but a certain map has proved elusive.Her father seeks one which would allow them to return to 1868 Honolulu, to save the love of his life—her mother—who died during childbirth. “They say love makes fools of us all.” But if Slate saved Nix’s mother, would Nix cease to exist? Her father seems to neglect even the possibility. Nix longs to get away, wanting to learn the art of Navigation so that she can one day be free of her father’s obsession and Opium addiction. “I couldn’t spend my life stuck on my father’s ship, tossed by his tempestuous moods, waiting for the day when he managed to steer us directly onto the rocky shore where his siren sang. I wanted my freedom.” As they sail from place to place, complication becomes the name of the game. They run into trouble every step of the way as her father falls deeper into an obsessive vacuum. When they arrive in 1884 Honolulu (years too late), a plan percolates but not without non-stop action and trouble. “I had promised myself years ago I’d never make my father’s mistake. I was not mean to drop anchor or seek harbor.” Meanwhile, Nix’s emotions for her friend Kashi intensify, all the while meeting new people with truths about her own past, present and future.Heilig’s story is so much fun to read. This spellbinding brew of fantasy, history and myth has definitely been one of my favorite reads this year!✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Follow Vilma's Book Blog: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Damn good book. I loved all the historical elements and myths used. These really gave the story heft and realism in a fantastical story-line. I'm not sure I'd classify as fantasy-more historical magical realism. I could have used more romance and there is a touch of the triangle. It didn't bother me at all but I much, much preferred one of the guys. Honestly, romance is very very little of the plot and even if you aren't s fan of triangles I think the story is worth the read. I really enjoyed the father-daughter relationship in this book. The secondary cast was well developed and I really liked most of the characters. This can be read as a standalone but there is room for another adventure for sure. I'll be reading it of course. I'll be pre-ordering and adding this book to my collection. These are my initial thoughts. I'll write a review closer to release.

Nix is a time-travelling pirate, she's a crucial member of her father: Captain Slate’s crew. Together they magically travel through maps all over the world and to different times. However their adventures are coming to a close, Nix’s father is finally closing in on the one map he needs, a map that will take him back to Honolulu 1868; the year his wife died giving birth to Nix. The Captain is fueled by his love and loss of his wife, but Nix is worried about her own fate, if the Captain manages to save her mother, just what will happen to her? Nix, her father and the crew embark on a impossible adventure in order to retrieve this magical map, they must travel through time, steal a royal treasury and quite possibly irrevocably change the future of Hawaii. Nix was a nice protagonist but I felt she was outshone by so many extraordinary character's, especially the incredible Kashmir, however this didn’t ruin my reading experience it only made my love for Kash grow and look forward to his and Nix’s interactions more and more.There’s a wonderful and thrilling sense of adventure with this debut, I could have followed these pirates around the world and back again, they’re such a unique crew and I loved getting to know them and their backgrounds and how they came aboard The Temptation. Nix has a strained relationship with her father, which was interesting to read about, I could really see why they clashed but I also understood why they had such strong convictions. Romance only plays a very small part in TGFE, there was a love triangle and I didn’t really care for it, partly because I am already in love with Kashmir but also because I felt no chemistry with the other love interest and Nix. Furthermore the love triangle wasn’t resolved in this book so I can only hope it doesn’t drag too much into the sequel. Let’s just hope that said love interest disappears….Overall I really enjoyed this book although the last 25% confused the hell out of me, I had little-to-no idea what was going on or what happened but regardless of this, TGFE was fantastic debut. This book was beautifully written and the slow introduction of myths and magic only heightened my interest and enjoyment. Ultimately time-travelling pirates just sound all types of awesome and badass right?Literary-ly Obsessed (Blog) | Twitter | Instagram

Oh, how I loved this. Review to come! :)*I temporarily received an ARC to read and decided to review it because it was awesome.* REVIEW: So 2016 seems to be a relatively big year for pirates in YA, which is lucky for us all because pirates are awesome, but this is the first time I've seen a story about pirates who travel through time and I loved it. Nix is Hapa (like the author) which was really cool to see, and she was also a really fun, spunky, and still sensitive protagonist. I connected with her quickly and really empathized with the way she tried to handle her complicated, messy situation. The dynamic she had with her dad, a drug addict obsessed with a single mission that could lead to Nix's not existing anymore, was real, raw and layered. Add Kash to the mix—the Persian, thief love interest—who very quickly jumped onto my favorite book boyfriends list, and an adorable dragon named Swag along with other quirky and memorable characters, and the cast alone made The Girl from Everywhere incredibly enjoyable. Then we get to the plot. While the timeline was a bit confusing at times (this is the kind of book, I suspect, you'll want to read more than once), the complicated magic and lush world building made it all worth it. I really enjoyed how the crew's travels wasn't limited to to just real places—they're able to travel to made up worlds as long as they have a map—and yet the rules to the magic system involved really made the whole system feel authentic and unique. As a bonus, the ARC I read had soooo many spots for maps to come—half of my excitement for the hard copy alone is just to see the gorgeous maps in all their splendor. All in all, The Girl from Everywhere hit it out of the park. If time travel stories and pirates are your thing, I really couldn't recommend this one enough. And even better—you won't have to wait very long because it releases February 16th.Diversity note: The protagonist, Nix, is Hapa, one of the love interests, Kash, is Persian, and one of the crew members is lesbian.

I had a chance to read an ARC of THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE. This book is absolutely delightful! It's pure adventure, all built around one of the coolest magical premises I've encountered in a very long time. The maps! The maps are so awesome! Why can't I have a time-traveling ship and a collection of maps like that? Nix is a great main character, clever and resourceful, and the characters around her are wonderful too--I just love the idea of a ship's crew of people from all different times and places, some of which shouldn't even be possible, all living and working together as a found family. I also adore the historical Hawaiian setting.Once I started reading I ended up spending an entire day at the beach ignoring the ocean and the palm trees and the blue skies in favor of keeping my nose stuck in the book because I didn't want to put it down. I hope there's going to be a sequel because I want to read more about this magical world and these characters and their travels.

REALLY INVENTIVE BOOK, HOLY COW. Time travel but with MAPS, and everyone knows how much I love maps (if you don't know...I love them a lot). Real-world maps, maps of mythological places, modern maps, ancient maps, maps, maps, maps. Can't wait to get my hands on a finished copy of this so I can see all the maps shown within the book. I also really loved the attention to the value of trade goods in different places and inflation over time, etc, when the Nix and the rest of the crew are trying to put together certain amounts of money. (Example: taking regular white salt from modern-era New York and selling it in ancient Carthage, where it's worth a fortune. SWEET!)Nix was great, her dad/captain was a tragic mess, and Kash and the rest of the ship's crew were amazing as well. Loved the author's notes in the back and all the little nods to mythology and history throughout. *Also, not counting a Royal Diaries book, I think this is the first YA book I've seen honestly address the U.S. involvement in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

I am deeply in love with this book.