Saturday 18 June 2011

Review: Hourglass

Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Publisher: Egmont USA
Published: 14th June 2011


Goodreads description:



One hour to rewrite the past . . . 
 
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

My thoughts:

Perfect.









Ha, I bet you thought that was my whole review, right? To be honest though-it could be. That’s exactly what this book is. It is perfection.

Emerson is one of my all time favourite narrators. Her voice is the perfect mix of snarky humour and empathy inducing prose. She’s so strong despite the horrors in her past-she deals as well as she possibly can and it’s clear to see that.

For once, the protag of a YA novel has a supporting and loving family. Emerson’s brother Thomas and his wife are the loveliest people you could imagine. I loved them instantly.They raised Emerson since the death of her parents and it was so refreshing not to have a protag from a broken home, but one raised by people who, despite not asking for ward, had her best interests at heart and clearly cared a great deal for her.

I really liked Michael as well. He was obviously the goodie goodie love interest, which I usually dislike, but Michael really worked for me.  The tension between them was so obvious and so gripping. It wasn’t insta-love. Instant attraction sure, but there was a reason for it and also banter and relationship building going on between them which I really appreciated.  I liked Kaleb too, possibly slightly more than Michael if I’m honest. He had that whole careless exterior carefully shielding a soft interior thing going on. Like a smartie (the nestle chocolate). And Emerson was pretty good at cracking that shell and letting the smooth, chocolatey centre out. Okay, enough chocolate comparisons, let’s move on.

The plot was just outstanding. A lot of thought and research clearly went into this concept and I appreciated the hard work as much as I appreciated the plot itself. It was exciting and different and kinda geeky. Again, my Star Trek watching days really paid off whilst reading this. I’m a huge huge fan of time travelling novels, I love wrapping my head around the concepts they display and this book was no different. It was perfect. I genuinely didn’t see any of the plot twists coming which is rare for me and they knocked me for six. There was the perfect combination of mystery, romance, heartbreak and humour in this story which I don’t have to tell you is an exceedingly tough recipe to perfect.

The writing was almost my favourite part, it was just so good. The tete-a-tetes between Emerson and the other characters were hilarious-but realistic enough that each exchange fitted with the characters and not with the witty author giggling away at her pithy one liners.
This is one of those books I wish I could read for the first time all over again. One of those books where I desperately want to finish it and find out what happens, but dread every page turn that takes me nearer to the end.  You’ll be hard pressed to find a better book this year. I cannot do justice to this book in 500 words. 6/5

16 comments:

  1. Wow I love how enthusiastic you are about this book! I haven't really been compelled to buy it but with your review I might just have to :)

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  2. I've seen this one around and I have wanted to read it but your review really has me interested in it now! I love when you get a book that makes you want to rave and rant about how great it is.

    Excellent review and I am off to add this to my wishlist! :)

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  3. Eeeeee! Do you realise just how much more excited I am to read this after your brilliant review? This ----> <----- much x 1456789!

    I have a copy coming, thankfully, and cannot wait to dive into this amazing book! I love the whole time travel thing (although the only other time travel YA series I've read is Waterfall by Lisa Bergren, which I LOVE). I especially love that it surprised you. Unpredictability is a huge bonus. Snaky protagonist? I love her already. I'm super intrigued by Michael and Emerson too! What can I say, I'm a sucker for sexy YA guys :D

    Awesome review!

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  4. I'm so excited to get to this one. I've already bought it and have it ready. Now I'm even more excited!

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  5. Great review! This one sounds so good. I'll definitely have to pick it up soon :)

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  6. I didn't realize this story has some humor in it. I love when you get an unexpected laugh out loud moment in a novel.

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  7. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!! I'm so glad you loved it too. It was so perfect and Emerson was just amazing.

    As for the boys...they both seem so great!

    Wonderful Review!

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  8. Wow I had not heard of this book but it sounds REALLY interesting, and your review makes me want to read it!

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  9. Wow!!

    Don't you just love it when you fall in love with a book? That happened to me with Tighter this week.

    I've been hearing all good things about this one. I will definitely be buying a copy soon!

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  10. Ohh, love your review!! I've been looking forward to read Hourglass, heard a lot of great stuff about it! :)

    Em ~ Book Angel

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  11. Oh, yay! It really sounds like this one has the whole package with the snarky MC, great love interest, well done plot and writing. Can't wait to read this!

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  12. I'm glad you loved it. It really was a fantastic book!

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  13. Great review Cait! You can really tell you loved this book! I have been wanting to read it since I first heard of it, but it will probably be quite some time before I manage to get my hands on a copy. You've made me even more excited to read it now! Especially with you saying that it you didn't see the plot twists coming. I love it when that happens!

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  14. Wow. I wanted this so bad and now youve made me want it more! hmph. I think I will probably buy it next week once I've been paid! :(

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  15. LOL at 6/5! Now I really want to read this, like now! Unfortunately I have a few review books that have to come first. Well, it's not unfortunately, but you know what I mean :-D

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  16. This looks like an absolutely stunning novel - and your review makes me even more excited to pick it up! I think it will be refreshing to finally read a YA book where the family is supportive - all of the dysfunctional and damaging families I have been reading about lately are starting to wear on me! This sounds like a really unique book, and I can't wait to read it!!

    Bonnie @ HandsAndHome

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