Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

June 14, 2011
Egmont

Received from Publisher for Review

From Goodreads:
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?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.


My Review:
I have been looking forward to reading Hourglass ever since I heard all the buzz. I had requested this a few months back and wasn't at all expecting it when it showed up on my doorstep a couple of days ago. Much screaming and dancing occurred when I open up the pretty package from Egmont and saw Hourglass! I wasted no time in delving into Emerson's world and even though I was a bit distracted by the events of the weekend, I found time here and there to sneak peeks. Hourglass is a phenomenal debut from McEntire that has a snarky and sassy heroine, unique paranormal aspects, and plenty of hot boys to keep you panting!

Emerson has had a rough time of her life. Her parents died in a terrible accident and she is being raised by her brother Thomas and her sister-in-law Dru. On top of that, a few months before her parents died, she started seeing people that weren't exactly from her time period. Whenever she touches them, they disappear as if they were never there. Oh yeah, and she is the only one who can see them. This causes a lot of problems for Emerson because she is made out to be crazy. She doesn't always know if the person is really there or not so when she engages in conversation with what appears to be thin air to others, she looks like a loon. Em just wants to figure out why she sees these things and wants to know that she isn't crazy. When Michael, a really hot and mysterious guy, is hired by Thomas to help Em, she feels an instant connection to him. While he is really frustrating and unwilling to disclose too much information about her, she can't help but feel drawn to him.

Emerson has just enough snark and sass to keep me laughing and rooting for her! She doesn't take crap from anyone and even though she is a bit of a shorty, she can sure handle herself. I loved all the witty comments she came up with when she was frustrated or angry! I loved how she could hold her own and didn't let anyone step over her. While she is a very strong and independent character, she does have a soft side and the sarcasm is a mask for her to hide behind. Michael brings out the best in Em and their chemistry lit up the pages! I could feel the sparks coming from them when they touched and it gave me butterflies! Even though she isn't supposed to have a personal relationship with Michael, Emerson can't help herself! I would find myself in the same predicament as Em if I met someone like Micheal.

Michael had me swooning throughout much of the story! While he is sizzling hot, he also has a sweet side to him and he truly cares for everyone around him. His interactions with Em gave me butterflies and I found myself fanning myself with all the tension between them! Michael has his fair share of secrets and while he is reluctant to share them, Em's relentless determination to get to the bottom of everything forces the confessions out of him. There is much that Emerson doesn't know about her ability and he helps her come to terms with it and feel like less of a freak. I fell really hard for Michael! While Kaleb came in a little later in Hourglass, he sure gave Michael a run for his money. He is such a bad boy and is smokin' hot!! He puts on the playboy act but you can really see his inner turmoil. He has had to go through some really tough experiences like Emerson so I really felt for him.

Hourglass is an enchanting debut that hooked me from the very first line. I enjoyed getting to know Emerson, Michael and Kaleb. The plot line was not at all predictable and I was shocked by some of the things revealed at the end. I have to say, I had no idea how Em would choose between Michael and Kaleb but when she did figure it out, I felt at peace with her choice. While the story ends on a good note, there are a few loose ends left hanging so I will be anticipating the sequel to Hourglass!

My Rating: