Released: June 14, 2011
Series: Hourglass [Book One]
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pages: 397
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Book Depository (free shipping) | Amazon
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 was a fantastic and unique read. I have never read anything quite like it. It is filled with so many twists and turns that you could never predict would happen. This helped to keep the story going at a nice pace. You would just be cruising along then BAM a twist here and BAM a turn there. Maybe not so dramatic, aside from an occasion or two. What really surprised my was the fact that it was a Sci-Fi novel. The synopsis is very deceiving and tricky, but it surely helps with that surprise factor. You go into the story with the same mindset as Emerson, and you figure out the real story along with her.
I love Emerson. She was a brilliant protagonist for this story, and McEntire has put along of essence into her. She has so much substance and is a well thought out character. Emerson has been through a hell of her own, and the experiences have left her fragile in a way, but so much stronger as well. You need to read the book to really understand what I mean there, she has learnt how to deal in difficult situations but there are the times when she breaks just a little. But Emerson's wit and sarcasm added so much humour to the story, and you will definitely find yourself laughing throughout the entire story.
I truly admire the relationship that Emerson and her brother, Thomas, share. It is evident that they really love and care for each other, and to be honest it makes me a little jealous of the relationship I have with my brother! It is inspiring how much they care for each other and do whatever it takes to look after each other. You could definitely see that Thomas is stuck between the role of brother and father, as he has ben responsible for her since their parents death. This just made their relationship more realistic and believable. I also loved Dru, Thomas' wife. She was so understanding and kind and a lovely personality that Emerson really needed in her life.
When it comes to Emerson's love interest, I got a bit annoyed. I will admit, Michael is gorgeous and lovable, and they had such strong chemistry. Michael has been hired by Emerson's brother to help her out with her 'problem' which means that their relationship must be kept as strictly professional *sigh*. This is what frustrating, as there was so much tension but nothing could be done about it.
McEntire did a magnificent job when it came down to the technical and sci-fi areas in the novel. They were executed with perfection, leaving no room for confusion for the reader. I won't spoil all of the good bits, but the truth behind Emerson's abilities were so unexpected and a great twist.
If you haven't read Hourglass, please do. The book was a breath of fresh air - I haven't read a book with so many surprises in a long time. A really wonderful read.