The Everlasting Road

Walking in Two Worlds #2

by Wab Kinew

The boundaries between the virtual and the real world become dangerously blurred for a young Indigenous girl in the follow-up to the YA fantasy debut Walking in Two Worlds from bestselling Indigenous author Wab Kinew. Perfect for fans of Ready Player One and the Otherworld series.

Devastated by the loss of her older brother to cancer, Bugz returns to the place where she can always find solace and the Floraverse. Over the past year, she has regained her position of power in that virtual world, and while the remaining members still plot against her, she is easily able to overcome their attacks. Even better, she's been secretly working on a bot that will be both an incredible weapon and a source of Waawaate.
 
With the Waawaate bot looking exactly like the brother she misses so much — even acting like him — Bugz feels ready to show him off to Feng, who has become a constant companion in the 'Verse. She cannot wait to team up with both friend and bot to secure her dominance once and for all. But Feng has his own issues to deal with, especially when news that his parents are alive and want to contact him threatens to send his new life on the Rez into upheaval.
 
As they work through their complicated feelings of grief and loss, Feng and Bugz find themselves becoming ever closer. But disturbances in the Floraverse cannot be ignored, especially when Bugz realizes that her Waawaate bot is growing in powers beyond her control . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Indigenous, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Canada, Family

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 2023

About the author

Wab Kinew was named by Postmedia News as one of “9 Aboriginal movers and shakers you should know.” He is the leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party and the 25th premier of Manitoba. Before that, he was the Associate Vice-President for Indigenous Relations at The University of Winnipeg and a correspondent with Al-Jazeera America.

After successfully defending Joseph Boyden’s The Orenda on CBC’s Canada Reads literary competition, he was named the 2015 host. In 2012, he also hosted the acclaimed CBC-TV documentary series 8th Fire. His hip-hop music and journalism projects have won numerous awards. He is a member of the Midewiwin, the Anishinaabe society of healers and spiritual leaders. Wab was also an Honourary Witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

He lives in Winnipeg with his family.

Reviews

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty okay second book, this one was a smoother read/listen than the first one, but almost everything I said for that one still stands.

The Everlasting Road did a good job of wrapping some stuff up at the end, and explaining more about the world. The plot was also better developed.

The best part about both of these is learning more about Anishinaabe culture, so I'd recommend giving it a try just for that. But I do still think someone younger would enjoy it more.

3.5

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great follow up to Walking in two worlds, in which an Indigenous teen girl living on the Rez is grieving the death of her older brother to cancer and finds herself escaping into the virtual world of the Floraverse as the boundary between reality and fantasy start to blur in dangerous ways!

Great on audio narrated by Michelle Bardach, I thought the author did such a great job writing about important contemporary issues facing Indigenous youth today in a relatable way with a useful resource guide included at the end of the book.

Recommended for fans of fantasy series like Ready player one or David Alexander Robertson's The Misewa Saga.

[Lavender · Rating 4 out of 5]

The four stars is mostly due to stormys ending. Not saying she can't have a full life or love again but just feels off for me. Overall with Feng waawate pov bugs the support of the rez her parents and the grief reflected in her creation I think its a good ending. I feel more connected to the culture. I wish I got to know fengs fate. A real kiss is better than virtual. For the sequel it did okay. As usual honest about struggles of life even a futuristic one.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

“The Everlasting Road” By Wab Kinew

📕 Edition: Audiobook

This one didn't captivate me as much as the first book but the unexpected twist at the end (which I will not share) made the journey worthwhile.

Following Bugz's return to the Floraverse after her brother's tragic death, the narrative explores grief, friendship, and the blurred lines between the real and virtual worlds. Bugz's development as a character is intriguing as she navigates power struggles in the virtual realm and copes with loss.

Emotions are heightened by the creation of the Waawaate bot, resembling Bugz's deceased brother. This inventive plot element adds a layer of complexity to the story, intertwining themes of technology and humanity.

As Bugz and Feng grapple with their personal challenges, their evolving relationship becomes part of the narrative. However, the disruptions in the Floraverse hint at larger consequences that demand attention.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no ways changes my opinion and all the words below are my own.

(this review contains spoilers for book one in The Floraverse series that are not marked out as spoilers because they do not spoil this book)

Have to start this review off by saying that if you read the first book and are hesitant to read this one: do it! I enjoyed this a lot more than the first book. my main issue with the first book was that it felt like there were lots of good ideas, but none of them got to ne fully fledged out because the author was trying to cram too many things into a shorter book, without picking one to be the main plot line. In this sequel you can clearly feel how teh author's writing has improved and the plot is much more clear, as well as the entire AR/spirit world concept being better explained.

I too started reading this book with a little apprehension as I finished teh first book less than a week before and did not really feel that it needed a sequel, the way it ended was actually my favourite part of the book and felt fit for a standalone. So I was already going in with a not-so-open mind. I think the beginning of the book was a little weak but that was likely not helped by my mindset. Luckily teh flow picked up and I was happy to get to know more about how the Floraverse works and Bugz unique place within it. The characters were a big highlight of book one, and I am very glad they got to be more fleshed out in this sequel rather than being overwhelmed by too many plot points again.

Bugz is still very much a moody teenager who makes rash decisions, but being able to see her and Feng's character growth from being around each other was nice. I was especially happy that Feng got more humanity infused into him, a little less like a lifeless side character than book one. Waawaate's part in this book was also beautiful, I won't spoil it but I think it was a very special wat to help readers learn and appreciate certain parts of native cultural aspects in a way that blended well with the story rather than reading like an informative pamphlet the way some books can.

My only real complaint is chapter 46, if you know you know. If you don't know I'll just say it felt like it was tossed in to tie up a loose end between to wonderful, heartfelt chapters.

With all that said I would definitely be interested in delving into The Floraverse more, but I sort of hope this is the end of Bugz story for us. Would love a prequel explaining the game even more or a sequel the pov of another character later on.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Wab Kinew's 'The Everlasting Road' emerges as a captivating sequel within the Flora Verse series, delving into the profound themes of grief, identity, and the intersection of technology and tradition. In this installment, we follow Bugz, a remarkably talented gamer grappling with the loss of her brother, as she embarks on a quest within the Floraverse to resurrect him. However, her journey is fraught with unexpected challenges, particularly when her creation, the AI Waawaate, begins to exhibit dangerous autonomy. Kinew masterfully intertwines Anishinaabe symbols, traditions, and ceremonies throughout the narrative, enriching the story with cultural depth and significance. Combined with the novel's engaging gaming dynamics, this aspect uniquely appeals to readers, especially those interested in video games.
Despite the intriguing premise, I found myself somewhat distanced by the storyline involving the homicidal AI, Waawaate. Its eventual betrayal seemed predictable, dampening the suspense for me. Nevertheless, Kinew's exploration of broader themes, such as the parallels drawn between the historical traumas of residential schools and the contemporary cultural erasures faced by the Uighur community in China, adds a layer of meaningful commentary to the narrative. The Everlasting Road is a thought-provoking addition to contemporary Young Adult literature. It tackles the universal experience of grief and the search for belonging and ventures into the ethical quandaries surrounding artificial intelligence. Kinew's ability to weave such diverse elements into a cohesive story is commendable, offering readers a multifaceted look at the implications of technology, the importance of cultural heritage, and the enduring human capacity to find hope amidst loss.

[Lisa Noble · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the sequel to Wab Kinew's Red Maple-nominated Walking in Two Worlds, Bugz is dealing with the death of her beloved older brother, Waawaate. She's still dating Feng, but he's dealing with his own stuff, having discovered that his Uighur parents are alive, and want to see him. Bugz creates an AI replica of her brother to help her deal with her grief, but that quickly goes off the rails.....

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and know that students who enjoy gaming get caught up in the storyline quickly. This one was harder for me to buy into. The homicidal AI Waawaate was a little overwhelming for me, and it was fairly obvious, from its creation, that things weren't going to go well. I appreciated the connections that Kinew draws between residential schools and the attempts to eliminate Uighur culture in China, but sometimes found the transitions between the battle scenes of the Verse and the serious conversations in the real world jarring. Bugz struggle with the judgement of her community in terms of ways in which she approached her grief felt very real, but again, the AI plotline was over the top for this reader.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tundra Books for the e-arc.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bugz is rebuilding her virtual presence after the battle with clan:LESS in Walking in Two Worlds. She's also dealing with the grief of losing her brother. In doing so, she turns to the Floraverse, where she creates an AI simulation of him. But soon the AI is no longer in her control.

I enjoyed following Bugz again. Her relationship with Feng was really simple and sweet, which I feel like doesn't happen in YA much anymore. The Floraverse is still an incredible world. Kinew handled Bugz's grief well, dispelling the criticism other characters have of Bugz for doing things too soon.

One thing that I had forgotten and was slightly jarring when mentioned was the context. In the real world of this book there were many pandemics and this story occurs in the time after. But that doesn't feel important to the plot so the casual mentions threw me off.

I don't think the first book really needed a follow up; it was strong enough to stand on its' own. While I liked this, I think maybe it would've been fun to focus on another person using the Floraverse and maybe have Bugz make a cameo.

[Siobhan Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still a little shook that the author of this book is the Premier of Manitoba. Wild. It does make me a little worried that we won't get a third book in this series, which was very clearly set up in this book, because Kinew is too busy running a province. However, he seems to be doing really good things for Manitoba, so I guess I'll let it go.

This was a solid addition to the Floraverse. I forgot how much I loved the virtual world that Kinew has created, as well as his real-world setting. Learning about Anishnaabe culture through this lens is fascinating, and I especially loved learning about the Everlasting Road. This book was not quite as strong as the first, since it's clearly meant to be a middle book and set up a final book in the trilogy, but the characters are still great and I loved that there was more focus on Feng and his family this time. I really hope that continues in future books!

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having not read the first book, I struggled to get into this. The book is choppy and there's no segue between the floraverse and the real world, the characters are just there in the next chapter. I enjoyed learning about Anishnaabe culture and there are some clever concepts plot-wise but the writing is inconsistent, particularly Kinew's action scenes where there's a tendency to tell instead of show. I hope Wab keeps doing kids books because I'm quite sure he'll be turning out blockbusters with a little practice (and a more invested editor?) but this reads like the publisher put this out before it was ready because they knew the author's name would propel sales and I find myself disappointed by the result.

I received a free copy of this book for review.

[Bobi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Library Thing and Tundra Book Group for this ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this return to the Floraverse series by Wab Kinew. After the death of her older brother, Waawaate, Bugz secretly works on a bot within her virtual gaming world. The bot looks just like her brother and acts like him. However, the bot soon grows too powerful and Bugz has to deal with him before he takes over the entire Spirit World (within the game).

In the meantime, Feng and Bugz are still dating. Feng is dealing with new discoveries about his parents. Clan:LESS is still on the rampage. Bugz and Feng must take a stand against them.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series and the sequel was a great follow up. I really enjoy Wab Kinew's writing style and the worlds he creates in his books.

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prior to picking up the sequel, I had read a few disappointed reviews, so I went in without high or low expectations. I found this sequel a good ending to Bugz story, not making a strong comeback as in many other stories but at the pace that someone grieving would. Grief and the ways it shapes us, specially the coping mechanisms, are central to the story. Bugz went through many phases that look normal for a teenager, as well as slowly achieved emotional growth not only internally but also in the relationships with those around her. Beautiful story and compelling way to end her journey in the books. I recommend it.

[Tweller83 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending of the Floraverse was very good, a 4.5 rounded up for Goodreads. It is a good representation of grief and how that can make us do things that we wouldn't normally do. It also teaches about the Anishinaabe people and traditions without bogging down the story. I wish I got just a little more about Feng, but understand how it ended that way. I also liked the way Wab incorporated Waawaate's journey. The ending was kind of a "wrapped up in a neat bow" type of ending that isn't always necessary, but again I can see it for a YA novel. I didn't mind it at all and, as I said, really loved this series and this book in particular.

[Vincci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read the first book in this series, Walking in Two Worlds, and when I saw the sequel was coming out, I put it on hold at the library right away. I would say Kinew does an even better job of weaving Anishinaabe culture and symbolism throughout, and I appreciated that there was much less focus on Bugz's negative body image. The plot was a bit predictable and the ending was a bit cheesy but otherwise I loved this book and couldn't put it down! 

[Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought there was an opportunity to do more with the Waawaate AI which was squandered. I was more let down by what felt like wasted potential than anything the book actively did wrong. Bugz’s grief over the loss of her brother and the way she copes were a central point in the narrative. And I did appreciate the commentary on how people judge others grieving process as it was conveyed through members of Bugz’s community judging her for grieving “wrong” or appearing to move on too quickly. Bugz’s creation of an in-game bot that looks and was supposed to act like her brother seemed like another way to dig into Bugz’s experiences of grief and loss in a deep way. Instead, the Waawaate-AI has a very generic evil, rogue AI plot line that felt divorced from and shallow compared to the characters struggles in the real world.

[Linda Stopani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in this fantasy YA series. I have to say I did not read the 1st book, but this easily stands on its own. It is well-written and thought-provoking. The characters are well-developed and their emotional journeys feel real. I liked the story weaving back and forth between the game world and reality. The enrichment of the story with the Anishinaabe ways and mythical figures added to the story. I would very much recommend it.

[Shelly Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Everlasting Road Bugz is devasted by the passing of her brother, Waawaate. She creates an AI that is a replica of her brother to help her deal with her grief. But that quickly became trouble. I did like the growing friendship between her and Feng. I didn't read the first book of this series, but I enjoyed this book.
I had the honor of winning this book from LibraryThing. I've now donated it to my Little Free Library for everyone to enjoy.

[Ann Vogl · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Everlasting Road by Wab Kinew is a fast-paced listen. Follow Bugz, an Indigenous teenager who has recently lost her brother. She is a very successful gamer, who tries to save and recreate her brother in the Floraverse. Things do not go as planned. The story is woven throughout with Indigenous symbols and ceremonies. It's a great listen.”

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an incredibly quick read for me because the story and the characters were so engaging! I will say that it was hard to focus on Feng's side of the story with all that was happening with Bugz, but it wasn't too distracting. I really love the Anishinaabe traditions and religious elements incorporated in the story. It's awesome to see and to learn about.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great follow up to Walking in Two Worlds. I appreciate the exploration of grief and what it means to belong to a culture. There is also the exploration of AI and the consequences of it. A really enjoyable read.

[Scott Shjefte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps need to read a previous book, started this one and could not get enough of story lines and characters to finish.
libby audiobook

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

To me this reads younger than YA. I would recommend to tweens.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story. It wasn’t great. I did feel like one thing lacked closure at the end, but otherwise it was enjoyable.

[Mar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Continues where book one ends. I liked the first story better, although this one is fine in its own right. I had trouble getting into the story.

[Heather McLaughlin]

I like the first one better, but this was still good.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Definitely recommend!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

In all honestly my brain skimmed some of the description, but the story was fine.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars up to 4.

Full review to come

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Constantly traversing the game and reality can get a little confusing. But Bugz spends time in the game to cope with the loss of her brother to cancer.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good follow-up to the first book in this duolgy, but I think the ball was dropped a bit with Feng's plot though.