Title: Hourglass (Hourglass #1)
Author: Myra McEntire
Release date: June 14, 2011
Publisher: Egmont
Pages: 387
Source: Gifted
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?
Hourglass has gotten a ton of rave reviews since before it even came out. I was afraid it wouldn’t live up to the hype but it turns out I had no reason to worry. Hourglass is an amazing debut from Myra McEntire and I can see why everyone loved it!
Emerson is impossible not to love. She’s broken, sad, and scared yet totally feisty and sarcastic. She very clearly loves her brother and his wife, as well as her only friend, Lily. Being alone has made her appreciate them even more. She’s also so compassionate and willing to put herself at risk to help others. She’s a great heroine. Her brother, Thomas, and his wife, Dru, are the parents in this story and they surprisingly play a big role. It’s a nice change for YA. As for Lily, she was hilarious. She was also a great friend to Emerson (even though she liked to torture her.) And oh, the boys! Michael and Kaleb are fabulous guys and honestly I can’t pick which one I like better. Michael is the good guy: sweet, funny, willing to risk everything for Emerson. Kaleb is the bad boy: player, sarcastic, and oh so tempting. I love them both!
The plot is so unique. I have never read another book like Hourglass. Time travel, murder mystery, suspense: it’s all there. This book is seriously one surprise after another. I could not put it down and not once did I guess what was coming next. I don’t think any reader will be disappointed with this awesome story.
Myra McEntire’s writing is fantastic. It makes it so easy to be drawn into the story. It’s not overly detailed but you learn everything you need to know to understand what is going on. Also, Myra McEntire really made readers connect to Emerson. She succeeded in getting into her head and showing readers why she is the way she is. I can’t wait to see her do the same to Kaleb in Timepiece.
Overall, Hourglass is a must-read! I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy if you haven’t yet!
Looking for more reviews of Hourglass?
Reading Angel’s review
Series:
Hourglass (Hourglass #1)
Timepiece (Hourglass #2)
Infinityglass (Hourglass #3) – 2013
This sounds like it’s right up my alley!
I’ve never really been interested in this book but because of your review I want to read it!
OOoh. I Like books that put interesting twists on time travel. I might have to look this one up!
I recently (2 days ago) put a hold on this book at my library, but I hadn’t really read any reviews for it. I was just going to try it because of the cool cover 😛 But now I can’t wait to get it! Sierra
Keep Growing Beautiful♥ (Because You Are!) Philippians 4:8
Loved this book! I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as I did and I can’t wait for Timepiece.
This is an amazing book. I’m happy you decided to read it and like it too… Great review.
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
I’ve been planning to read Hourglass for a long time, but have yet to get my hands on it. Thank you for this review. With all of the descriptions of the characters, Hourglass is now top on my to-read list.
I agree this is a perfect review after reading which I just have to read this book 🙂
I’m so glad someone else noticed that the “parental figures” actually had a role in a YA novel for a change! It’s a pretty big deal and I love the way that Myra McEntire wrote in Thomas and Dru, they were really a part of Emerson’s life. :]
Hourglass was pretty amazing and it only gets better with Timepiece. <3
I’m glad you liked this one! I requested the sequel on NetGalley before I realised that it had a…predecessor! Therefore I clearly need to read and love this one first because it sounds amazing. And that cover. THAT COVER x
I just read this last month and fell in love! You are right about not being able to decide between Micahel and Kaleb. Both boys are swoon-worthy. Great review! 🙂
I loved Hourglass. I think Time-traveling is my favorite. And I agree, I can’t decide if I like Michael or Kaleb more.
One surprise after another, an uniqueplot, count me in! I think I’ll need to get this one in my hands soon indeed 😀 It’s always great when a book lives up to the high expectations.
She’s such a wonderful girl, isn’t she? I loved reading about the world through her eyes, and I loved how she dealt with the ghosts from the past. The world introduced in this one, with everyone having their own talent, and the whole adventure at the end was amazing. The twist!! The big reveal!! That was perfect!
Lovely review 🙂 Your love for this series shines through 🙂