Hourglass
User reviews
13 reviews
Overall rating
4.8
Plot
4.8(13)
Characters
4.9(13)
Writing Style
4.8(13)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A(0)
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A Fabulous Debut
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0
Characters
5.0
Writing Style
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
What a fabulous debut! I absolutely love this mix of southern hospitality, snark, romance, plot twists, and mystery. Hourglass's fresh paranormal voice adds something new to the YA genre and left me wanting more.
I enjoyed getting to know each of Hourglass's characters, especially the main character Emerson. She's broken, but in a different way. Having dwelt with tragedy before and having an awesome paranormal ability has taught her to be a fighter. She's strong and isn't afraid to say what she's thinking and will go after anything she sets her mind to. Not to mention she's a relatable teenage girl and one of things I admire about her is how honest she is with herself. Plus anyone who says buttered biscuits and honey gets props in my book. I loved getting to meet Michael and Kaleb, and can I just say how much I loved the way Myra wrote the chemistry between Emerson and these two, especially with Michael. I'm a sucker for a well written love triangle, though this really isn't a love triangle per se.
One of the things I really liked about the romance in the story is that it's not a love at first site kind, but one with an undeniable connection. I felt that made the love story much more relatable and realistic. My inner teenage self had a few nice laughs at the way Emerson describes the two hotties, Michael and Kaleb. My favorite of the two is of course the broken boy Kaleb. There's so much more to him than what he wants people to see, and I loved how careful and sweet he is with Emerson. Plus these two provided the right amount of humor to the story. What I enjoyed the most about the characters is how Myra allowed me to get to know them, but didn't overly revealing everything about them, which makes me even more drawn to them.
I absolutely loved the way in which Myra combined paranormal and history into her story. I'm a huge paranormal fan and I love the different paranormal abilities characters have and the way Myra created the ability for some of them to time travel. I'm also a huge history fan and I really enjoyed the way in which Myra ties the ghosts Emerson can see into some of the more historical places in the story's TN setting, that Emerson's brother Thomas restores. Hourglass is a captivating story and I loved how every detail, big or small all ties into the story, either with the characters, the setting or the plot itself.
Hourglass is a fabulous debut that not only has a fresh voice, but it's an engaging, fast paced, fun read. It's one of those books that no matter how many times I read (3 times so far) I fall in love with it all over again. If you're looking for a unique paranormal mixed with time travel, ghosts, betrayal, lots of romance, engaging mystery, exciting plot twists, wonderful characters and a great setting, than I highly recommend picking up Hourglass. It's one of those books that you'll sit down to read and before you're know you'll be sucked into into the story. I'm really looking forward to what happens next and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel when it's released next year.
I enjoyed getting to know each of Hourglass's characters, especially the main character Emerson. She's broken, but in a different way. Having dwelt with tragedy before and having an awesome paranormal ability has taught her to be a fighter. She's strong and isn't afraid to say what she's thinking and will go after anything she sets her mind to. Not to mention she's a relatable teenage girl and one of things I admire about her is how honest she is with herself. Plus anyone who says buttered biscuits and honey gets props in my book. I loved getting to meet Michael and Kaleb, and can I just say how much I loved the way Myra wrote the chemistry between Emerson and these two, especially with Michael. I'm a sucker for a well written love triangle, though this really isn't a love triangle per se.
One of the things I really liked about the romance in the story is that it's not a love at first site kind, but one with an undeniable connection. I felt that made the love story much more relatable and realistic. My inner teenage self had a few nice laughs at the way Emerson describes the two hotties, Michael and Kaleb. My favorite of the two is of course the broken boy Kaleb. There's so much more to him than what he wants people to see, and I loved how careful and sweet he is with Emerson. Plus these two provided the right amount of humor to the story. What I enjoyed the most about the characters is how Myra allowed me to get to know them, but didn't overly revealing everything about them, which makes me even more drawn to them.
I absolutely loved the way in which Myra combined paranormal and history into her story. I'm a huge paranormal fan and I love the different paranormal abilities characters have and the way Myra created the ability for some of them to time travel. I'm also a huge history fan and I really enjoyed the way in which Myra ties the ghosts Emerson can see into some of the more historical places in the story's TN setting, that Emerson's brother Thomas restores. Hourglass is a captivating story and I loved how every detail, big or small all ties into the story, either with the characters, the setting or the plot itself.
Hourglass is a fabulous debut that not only has a fresh voice, but it's an engaging, fast paced, fun read. It's one of those books that no matter how many times I read (3 times so far) I fall in love with it all over again. If you're looking for a unique paranormal mixed with time travel, ghosts, betrayal, lots of romance, engaging mystery, exciting plot twists, wonderful characters and a great setting, than I highly recommend picking up Hourglass. It's one of those books that you'll sit down to read and before you're know you'll be sucked into into the story. I'm really looking forward to what happens next and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel when it's released next year.
Sizzling Southern Sci-Fi
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0
Characters
5.0
Writing Style
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
I highly recommend this book. You'll be hooked!
Good Points
So many things to love about this book. First, the narrator, Em, is sassy, hopeful, and broken inside. I adored being in her head, and so wanted to see her triumph and get her happily ever after! Also? The romance is HAWT. Like maybe I wanted to steal Em's boyfriend hawt. But there there was this OTHER boy I wanted to steal more, so ... I did. He's mine. DIBS on Kaleb. :)
Beyond the romance and the characters, though, I loved the plot. It's such a unique take on time travel. I love that the sci-fi elements are based in science and that McEntire delivers them in a way that doesn't distract from the plot. And what a plot!! Twists like you wouldn't believe. Gut-wrenching, spine-tingling, edge of your seat twists. You won't want to put this book down!
Beyond the romance and the characters, though, I loved the plot. It's such a unique take on time travel. I love that the sci-fi elements are based in science and that McEntire delivers them in a way that doesn't distract from the plot. And what a plot!! Twists like you wouldn't believe. Gut-wrenching, spine-tingling, edge of your seat twists. You won't want to put this book down!
I will read it again, and again, and again...
(Updated: July 13, 2011)
Overall rating
4.3
Plot
4.0
Characters
5.0
Writing Style
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
** SPOILERS **
MAIN CHARACTERS:
Emerson. I love her. She's just so witty, and stubborn, and sarcastic. My kind of girl! I love her with all my heart! And then there's Michael, her love object. Michael is fiercely protective of Emerson. He would do absolutely anything for her. The thing is, he keeps hiding things from Emerson saying that he just wants to protect her. Much like Edward. I hate it.
WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:
Time travel. Various gifted individuals. School for gifted individuals. One character is so similar to Professor X. The book is about acceptance of oneself and literally correcting past mistakes.
FAVORITE CHARACTER:
Emerson. So snarky! I think I see myself in her.
FAVORITE LINE:
"I am sorry." Kaleb grinned at me. "Sorry I didn't meet you first."
MUSINGS:
Like the others would say, this book is about time travelling, correcting mistakes in the past. But the romance in this book, oh! the romance! Swoon. The tension between Michael and Emerson is amazing. I wanted to possess Emerson, and jump on Michael for her. I like these kinds of books, where you think you already have someone when you don't. So close, yet so far. Rubberband-ish. I couldn't stop reading. Once I stopped, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
CONTENT REVIEW:
profanity: moderate
violence: moderate (There was Arson, by a character like Pyro from the X-Men.)
sexual content: moderate
mature themes: mild to moderate
age recommendation: 14+
RATING:
Cover: 3.5
Plot: 3.5
Writing: 3.0
Characters: 3.5
Ending: 3.0
Overall Rating: 3.5 - Superior (93% - 96%)
MAIN CHARACTERS:
Emerson. I love her. She's just so witty, and stubborn, and sarcastic. My kind of girl! I love her with all my heart! And then there's Michael, her love object. Michael is fiercely protective of Emerson. He would do absolutely anything for her. The thing is, he keeps hiding things from Emerson saying that he just wants to protect her. Much like Edward. I hate it.
WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:
Time travel. Various gifted individuals. School for gifted individuals. One character is so similar to Professor X. The book is about acceptance of oneself and literally correcting past mistakes.
FAVORITE CHARACTER:
Emerson. So snarky! I think I see myself in her.
FAVORITE LINE:
"I am sorry." Kaleb grinned at me. "Sorry I didn't meet you first."
MUSINGS:
Like the others would say, this book is about time travelling, correcting mistakes in the past. But the romance in this book, oh! the romance! Swoon. The tension between Michael and Emerson is amazing. I wanted to possess Emerson, and jump on Michael for her. I like these kinds of books, where you think you already have someone when you don't. So close, yet so far. Rubberband-ish. I couldn't stop reading. Once I stopped, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
CONTENT REVIEW:
profanity: moderate
violence: moderate (There was Arson, by a character like Pyro from the X-Men.)
sexual content: moderate
mature themes: mild to moderate
age recommendation: 14+
RATING:
Cover: 3.5
Plot: 3.5
Writing: 3.0
Characters: 3.5
Ending: 3.0
Overall Rating: 3.5 - Superior (93% - 96%)
Good Points
---content removed due to major spoilers---
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