Hourglass Review

Author: Myra McEntire
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Pages: 397 (ARC)
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: From publisher for honest review

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.

Time-travel has always given me a headache from confusion. Hourglass didn't change that (I'm not sure if anything could, unless I was the one doing the--no, no, that makes it worse), but that didn't stop me from enjoying this book.

With so many paranormal romances taking up space on the YA shelves these days, Hourglass is a breath of fresh air that will still appear to lovers of the paranormal genre. It still has a lot of aspects that some people find in popular paranormals have: suspense, sexy-times, and that un-put-down-able-ness.

My favorite thing about this book, without a doubt, was Emerson. She was such a funny, well-developed main character and I completely loved reading about her. Though, sadly, I felt slightly detached from most of the other characters--most noticeably Michael, the love interest. While I was appreciated his swooniness, I just never really loved him, and parts of their romance didn't feel quite right to me. Also, Some of the side characters (Dean, Nate) were very under-developed. I did like Kaleb, though. Kaleb was...yeah.

In a nutshell, Hourglass was good. It didn't really blow me away like it has some readers, but I enjoyed it and I'll be looking out for more of Emerson's adventures.

Plot: Fast, unique, and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Characters: Emerson was a fantastic main character, but the side characters could've been better.

Writing: Pretty good.

Ending: Wrapped things up nicely, but left room for a sequel.

Kid friendly? There's some mild swearing and implications of sex, but nothing really serious.
Should I read it? If it sounds like something you'd like, go for it.

Overall:

 

Hourglass Review

(INCLUDES SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT READ EVERNIGHT AND STARGAZER.)

Author: Claudia Gray

Release Date: March 9, 2010

Pages: 338 (ARC)

Publisher: HarperTeen

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from Around The World Tours

After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas seek refuge with Black Cross, an elite group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at their hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend--the vampire Balthazar--all her secrets threaten to come out.

Soon, Bianca and Lucas have orchestrated Balthazar's escape and are on the run, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they run, Bianca can't escape her destiny.

Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything--but can it survive what's to come?

---------------------------------------------------------

I swear, this series gets better and better with each book.

Claudia Gray is the master of twists and turns, I can never guess where she's taking the series next. The plot is original, exciting, and full of fast paced action. And I loved the setting(s) for the book.

In Hourglass, you get to see how much Bianca and Lucas' relationship has grown. And grown it has. It's become a healthy, beautiful relationship and one that will stick out from all of the other teen romance books in my mind. Bianca is a strong character who stuck by her decisions, even if it did cost her, and I loved that. Lucas seems to like to throw himself a pity party once in a while, but with what he's faced in his short life, I can understand why, and for the most part he's strong as well. The side characters are all amusing and easy to love, too.

The writing was easy to read and fast paced. The writing isn't amazing, but Claudia Gray can tell a great story.

I am still in shock from the ending, I need the next book NOW! Definitely what would be described as a cliff-hanger...what other things can you do on a cliff? Fall? Okay, it was a cliff-faller, I guess. Overall, a great installment to the series. If you're a fan of paranormal romance with lots of action and you haven't read this series yet, then you're missing out.

Teaser Tuesday (3/23/10)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should

Be Reading.

Anyone can play along, do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's mine:
"She wasn't playing fair. The thought of my parents waiting back at Evernight, hoping that I would come in the door, tugged at me, so hard that it felt like a sob was being torn from my body, "I won't. I can't.""-Page 92 of Hourglass by Claudia Gray.

Books I'll Pule For! (2)

These are all unreleased books that I would pule to get. Dictionay.com describes pule as: "to cry in a thin voice; whine; whimper."



*SPOILERS FOR THOSE THAT HAVEN'T READ THE HUNGER GAMES*
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.
















For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.







(No description yet. Evernight and Stargazer were great, so I can't wait to read Hourglass!)



























For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

There’s something about the new guy at Crossroads High . . .
Most sixteen-year-olds have friends. Aden Stone has four human souls living inside him:
• One can time-travel.
• One can raise the dead.
• One can tell the future.
• And one can possess another human.
With no other family and a life spent in and out of institutions, Aden and the souls have become friends. But now, they’re causing him all kinds of trouble. Like, he’ll blink and suddenly he’s a younger Aden, reliving the past. One wrong move, and he’ll change the future. Or, he’ll walk past a total stranger and know how and when she’s going to die. He’s so over it. All he wants is peace. And then he meets a girl who quiets the voices. Well, for as long as he’s with her. Why? Mary Ann Gray is his total opposite. He’s a loner; she has friends. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks; she tries to make everyone happy. And while he attracts the paranormal, she repels it. For her sake, he should stay away. But it’s too late. . .

Somehow, they share an inexplicable bond of friendship. A bond about to be tested by a werewolf shape-shifter who wants Mary Ann for his own and a vampire princess Aden can’t resist. Two romances, both forbidden. . . doomed. Still, the four will enter a dark underworld of intrigue and danger. . . but not everyone will come out alive. . .



All of these books look fantastic, don't they? For a complete list, check out my wishlist on my sidebar.