June 5, 2012

Hourglass by Myra McEntire



Title: Hourglass
Author: Myra McEntire
 Ships launched: 723
Pages: 400
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Year published: 2011
Genre: Pararomance
 Synopsis: 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?

     Most paranormal teen novels have similar ideas. The plot for Hourglass, however, is not one I've seen before. The book opens with a seemingly average teenage girl who sees ghosts and has been institutionalized for her gift. The idea doesn't seem fresh but it turns out that the ghosts Emerson sees are actually ripples of the past. Living with her brother Thomas and his wife has not been easy for her since the couple restores old homes where ripples like to lurk. Then she meets Michael, who is hired to help her out with her "problems." As they get to know each other, Em and Michael struggle to fight the attraction between them. Later, Michael asks Em for help in preventing a murder by traveling to the past. 

         Though the book is paranormal, there is a lot of science fiction involved which spruces up the plot. Em is an extremely likable character who is sarcastic yet sweet. Michael seems like the perfect guy except for his tendency to push Em away. The chemistry between the two bounces off the page and only intensifies when a love triangle develops with Michael's friend Kaleb. Usually I hate love triangles, but I can't blame Em for being torn between two awesome guys. 

   One thing I didn't like is the unnecessary drama and how every girl in the book is characterized  by long legs and a pretty face. Overall the book was fresh and a page-turner.

+15- spunky main character
+9- intriguing plot
-1- unnecessary drama


 


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