Review: Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published June 12th 2012 by EgmontUSA
Source: ARC, NetGalley

Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.

Revisiting McEntire's world with Emerson was as eventful as always. However, this time we get to see it from Kaleb's point of view. Fortunately, there is a lot personality background work done this time around and it illuminates the inner workings of the characters. This is especially true for Kaleb and helped me understand what exactly made him the playboy that he is. It also means that there is more Lily this time around and you are in for a ride with her! I loved having more interactions with her this time. Em and Michael are back with their plights and sarcasm, but with everything coming from Kaleb's view they have whole new dimensions as well.
There is so much additional information in this installment. I believe McEntire must have waived holy water over the plot to keep it from completely bogging down. Whatever she did, it worked pretty well. Rips and secrets are deeply dug into and lays a definite path for the next book. I loved the details and thought-provoking aspects of the rips this time. I do wish that the book could have picked up the pace a little more though. It still carries a great steady pace, but it feels like it was just a notch below that of Hourglass. Regardless, the book is still a solid folllow-up and journey that you won't want to miss.

Review: 4/5 for Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Hardcover, 397 pages

Published June 14th 2011 by EgmontUSA
Source: Purchased, Signed by Author
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

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.

Ok, if it has time travel in it I try my best to read it. I love the theory of being able to see past and future events. This book puts a spin on it that is very intriguing. Mix in apparitions, a really hot guy, and a really sinister villain and you have this book in a nutshell. It offers a great perspective and story for time travel that will leave you wanting more.
The characters shine throughout this book. McEntire's writing illuminates them through snarks, quips, and situations that made me giggle many times over. If you read this book for nothing else, it should be this. The personalities of the main and secondary characters mesh so well together because of it. Emerson is a very interesting character. She knows something is different about her and she runs with it. I believe you could put her in any situation and she would be able to adapt to ride it out regardless of what it is. Her sarcasm is how she deals with the difficult situations that she has to experience. While not so great for her, it does wonders for a reader! Oh yeah, that "dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy", he has to be one of the most chivalric persons I've ever read about. He is definitely an intriguing compliment to Emerson and they create a plot that keeps you turning the page.
There's many layers to paths taken by Emerson and her comrades. She first has to deal with the issues within herself, but then that opens up a whole new set of scenarios. The books shifts easily between situations in which you learn more about the characters and situations that make you hold on to the edge of your seat. I do like how the book turned out and the way in which it gets there, but it felt like it just lagged at little in some spots. This was especially true for the ending for me. It had a great action sequence and then the book wrapped up nice and tidy. I was expecting just a little more "umph" in it I think. I really do look forward to seeing where this story goes, it has endless potential for making your toes tingle.