ARC Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Title: Hourglass
Series: Debut
Author: Myra McEntire | Author Website
Available: Now
Genre: Sci-Fi(ish)/Time Travel
Reading Level: Young Adult










Description via Goodreads:


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?

Favorite quotes:

"He took my face into his hands, using them to control the intensity and depth of our kiss, which quickly moved from sweet to reckless. It was the most lovely of assaults.” 

"My heart stumbled a little, but the tenderness in his voice kept me from falling.” 

My thoughts:

Emerson Cole began to see people that weren't actually there right before her parents passed away. Relying heavily on the ghostly visitors attire to discern if they were real or an unwelcome "blast from the past". Emerson's condition caused numerous embarrassing situations, as well as her eventual admittance to a mental hospital.

The Emerson we meet in Hourglass has come a long way since she was a ghost seeing patient at the local loony bin. She seems like any other teen girl, but really she has just learned to keep her visitors a secret from her family and friends. She lives with her brother and his wife who both seem to easily accept Emerson's affliction. Even going so far as to recruit people claiming they can help her, but most are just frauds. Then Em's brother hires Michael who works for the secretive organization called The Hourglass. Emerson feels like she finally found someone who can truly understand and help her. What Michael eventually reveals Em never saw coming.

I have to start by saying this is NOT a ghost story. I've seen it referred to as a "time slip" novel. Call it what you want, but what this book should be called is full of awesome! I was craving something unique and different. Hourglass fit the bill perfectly. Having had bad luck with other time travel novels I was worried I wouldn't be able to get into this one. Not the case at all. I grieved for this book when I finished the last page. It was that good!

What debut author, Myra McEntire, brings to the YA genre is truly refreshing. Protag Emerson is just amazing. She is 100% smart ass with some of the best dialogue I've ever seen grace the pages of a book. I loved her moxie, and her ability to kick some serious ass. Em is just the beginning of what I loved about Hourglass. This book starred such an array of well-developed characters and relationships. Even though I loved all the amazing characters, the aspect I appreciated most about this book was the dialogue. This author has a writing style that is uniquely her own. I can't even think of an author who is similar. It gives her a definite edge that makes her writing stand out among other authors in this genre. AND it isn't dumb downed! I can definitely see this series appealing to teen and adult readers alike.

Now I can't review this book without talking boys. There are two serious hotties in Em's world. Michael and Kaleb. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I don't even know where to begin. They both bring something special to the table. I'd be hard pressed to choose a favorite. For the reader who is anti love triangle, please don't let the mention of two boys scare you off. This book doesn't go the expected route when it comes to the romantic relationships. Yet another reason I love this book! The angst was practically nonexistent.

Hourglass is a delicious mix of romantic and sci-fi elements. The plot was fast paced and packed with twists and turns. The dialogue was witty and smart. Talk about a page-turner! I am madly in love with everything this author has created. I don't think a series, let alone author debut, has ever impressed me more. Only complaint is the next book in this series won't be out for an entire year :( I will be anxiously awaiting more of Emerson's story!

My Rating:

Source: Amazon Vine