Monday, August 29, 2011

Hourglass by Myra McEntire: A Review


Photo taken from Goodreads for review purposes only (http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1304810997l/9182478.jpg). I do not own this picture.


Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Source: Library
Publisher: Egmont USA
Publication Date: June 14, 2011

Blurb from Goodreads (I do not own this blurb. Used for review purposes only)

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?

Genre: YA paranormal, no vamps, werewolves, or demons. It's a YA Time Travel novel. I've never read a time travel novel, YA or otherwise, so this smacked of originality. I'm semi-resistant to a lot of fantasy sounding books, but this wasn't anything like I expected.

The Cover: Really intriguing. I don't know if I would have been dying to read it based on the cover alone, but it does have an "Hmm, let's see what that's about" element. The girl's hair on the cover makes you know something will be off about the book, in a good way. I do like simplistic covers with a new element, and this book cover definitely applies.

The Plot: Emerson (love the name) is going through a lot, namely her parents' deaths and her unwelcome ability to see people from other time periods at inopportune moments. She's fed up with dealing with them, and her brother decides to help by bringing in Michael to give her ways to deal with what she's seeing. The plot was original to me. I hadn't read anything like it. It had enough plot movement to keep you from being bored with the sciency bits and to keep the pages moving almost by themselves. When one thing may have gotten burned out, something new happened between Emerson and Michael, or to them, rather, and that kept things really interesting. I love when a book can keep my attention.

The Romantic Element: Huge props to McEntire for her romantic prowess. She manages to make an awesome MMC (main male character), while having, you guessed it, a love triangle. Color me pleased. The love triangle really didn't feel contrived at all like some novels fall in danger of having, and she even had a gut-wrenching tension-y moment. I live for them, almost literally, when I read YA. I re-read that section like three times. Not going to lie about that.

Carry-on Factor: Hourglass will stick with you. Emerson was perfect-y enough to make you want to be like her but real enough to make you not hate her while you're reading about her. You get invested in her story, and Michael, and another character who will remain nameless but makes it worth looking forward to read Hourglass #2…

Overall: McEntire's spin on making YA paranormal romances new again is definitely appreciated by me. I'm looking forward to reading the next one as she did leave some things undone in the typical YA fashion. BUT, don't be afraid to start this book for fear of a cliff-hanger. McEntire did not leave us saying WTH, I promise. She just left some things to be resolved. That's all.

Have you read this book? If you did, what'd you think? If you haven't, do you want to? Let me know below! :)

Now to leave you with a song to write by, "Who Knew " by Pink. I was hooked on this song something crazy when it came out, still am. I <3 Pink.


Final Note: Huge congratulations are in order for Marlena Cassidy who won a copy of my book Glittering Ashes from The Character Depot interview and giveaway by J.L.Campbell! Thank you to everyone who entered, and I hope you check out my book anyways :)



Note: I did not receive any compensation in exchange for this review. However, I do have several Amazon affiliate links in this blog post.

25 comments:

  1. I can't wait for Hourglass #2! And I totally agree--the love triangle was well written, and it had me hooked! Also, love Pink. :)

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  2. nice review, Kelley. The cover of the book is just mind-blowing! Love it!

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  3. Great review, and very much like my own thoughts! The cliff hangers at the end weren't enough to turn me off. I want to read the next one, but I'm not upset about the wait. It struck a good balance.

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  4. Thanks for the review. I've been debating on picking this up. If it's still at Borders when I go again, perhaps I will.

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  5. Super review. Very well done. It sounds like a book I just have to read now. :-)

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  6. I love the cover for this one! Really makes me think :)

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  7. Oh! I finally see what people are talking about regarding the cover. D'oh.

    I'm looking forward to this one.

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  8. why is her hair in the cover heading toward the door? Interesting.

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  9. My daughter is very interested in the book, and since I read everything before she does (she's only 10) - I'll be picking this up from our library to read soon!

    Thanks for the review, but can you tell me if there is a heavy sexual element to the romance? If not, perhaps I won't need to read this first!

    This fellow Campaigner appreciates your help!

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  10. Ever since I read the Wrinkle in Time series, I've enjoyed a well-written time-travel book. I'm so glad you let us know about Hourglass, Kelley. And congratulations to Marlena for winning Glittering Ashes. The title alone has me hooked. :)

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  11. Hmmm... intriguing! I don't think I've even read a time travel book. Wouldn't be top of my list, but this sounds like it would be worthwhile. I find the cover intriguing too. Like you said... makes you want to see more. Good review.

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  12. Thanks for this review. I read it earlier this year and my views kinda mirror yours.

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  13. this was a solid, thoughtful review. glad to meecha and be a follower here:)

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  14. Ooh, I've had this on my TBR list for a while, but haven't gotten around to buying it yet. So glad you've written a positive review of it :-) I've been totally fascinated by the cover ever since it was revealed...

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  15. I actually really like the cover. And it sounds like a great read! I'll totally give it a look.

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  16. Great breakdown as usual... I have not read it, but intend to now.

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  17. Great review. My daughter just finished this book. I love, love, love the cover!

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  18. Sounds like a great read! I'll have to add it to my list!

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  19. I so want to read this novel because I've heard much about it!

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  20. Wow! This was such a well organized review. I totally want to read the book now. Great post, Kelley! :D

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  21. I've been wanting to read this for a while now. I may have to pick it up.

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  22. Meredith: That's it; it's decided--you have good taste :)

    Claire Lachance: I liked it :)

    DEZMOND: TY much! The cover is really interesting.

    E.R.King: Good points, well said :)

    Alicia Gregoire: Sigh, Borders makes me sad, but it's worth picking up at 40% off

    Robyn Campbell: TY! Glad to add to your TBR pile :)

    J.A.Bennett: It caught my attention :)

    Sarah Pearson: lol. You should :)

    Michael Offutt: Time-travel-y reasons, of course :)

    Heather: Nice talking to you, Heather. Let me know if she likes it!

    Michelle Fayard: Aw, thanks! This was my first time travel read

    Abby: Very true :) Thanks for the review <3

    Movies on my mind: I like when that happens

    Ed Piolla: Nice to meet you too :)

    Rachel Morgan: it is an intriguing one :)

    Marlena Cassidy: Let me know if you like it!

    Jeff King: Aw, ty, Jeff!

    inluvwithwords: Did she like it?

    Susanna Leonard Hill: Glad to make your TBR list longer :)

    Alleged Author: I know@ I had heard a ton about it before too

    Carrie Butler: Aw, TY, Carrie! You're sweet to say that.

    Miranda Hardy: I hope you like it!

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  23. @ Michael Offutt - if you take another look at the cover you'll see she is actually walking down the wall (hence her dress and hair are just following gravity).

    Thanks for the review Kelley. This is a book I've been thinking about getting and your review might have tipped the balance further towards purchase.

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