Hourglass by Myra McEntire
June 14th, 2011 by Egmont USA
From the Publisher:
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?
Review:
When this book came in the mail, I literally yelped. The teenagers looked at me like I was nuts, and I tried to explain what I had in my hands, but they just didn't get it. Huh, teenagers. I have been pretty good about not reading a books synopsis (new years resolution), so I really didn't know what the book was about. (I am an idiot for not connecting the term "hourglass") If I didn't know the premise, why would I be so excited to read? I'll fill you in on a little story. The sole reason I wanted this book was because of the lovely author, Myra McEntire. She doesn't know this, but I was first drawn to her because my birth mothers name is Myra. When I stumble across the name, I pay attention and my ears perk up. I decided to
After losing her parents, Emerson was shipped off to boarding school only to return her senior her and move in with her brother. Her boarding school life was quiet and...sedated. But recently, Emerson has ditched the meds and deals with the unwanted guests on her own. I love the opening scene where tells a woman dressed in a hoop skirt, "You know Scarlett, Rhett didn't give a damn, and frankly, I don't either." Early on, we learn that Emerson's brother has done anything and everything to help Emerson with her visions. He has hired every crook and kook, but when he hires Michael Weaver - insert drool and stuttering - she finds herself involved in a whole lot more than ghosts in outdated clothing.
This book is easy to love. We have a story that is original, fast paced, and filled with snarkalicious come backs. Throw in some secrets, lies, mystery, and major crushin', then you have a hit on your hands. Myra nails the teenage voice and we take an emotional ride with Emerson. She is a multidimensional character with more sides than a hexadecagon. Smart, witty, determined, and realistic...I could go on and on. Her relationship with Michael is electric. Like, literally. Something in that connection clues you in to the possibilities between the two. Just when people and things fall nicely into, we meet Kaleb. Kaleb doesn't beat around the bush and he let's Emerson know how he feels about her. Like, feeeeel about her. Whew, this threw me for a loop! I was a teensy bit angry*ish that Emerson rode that itsy bitsy line between friends and maybe-we-could-be-more-than-friends-if-I-lean-over-this-cutting-board-of-onions-and-peppers-just-a-little-bit-further.... You know what I mean. Her teeter-tottering added to the realness of the book. In the end, I support her decision.
The adventure is as high as the sexual tension. There is a whole lot of back story the boys fill Emerson on, and when it is her time to commit to the events that have fallen in her lap, we are as pumped up as she is! Not everything is predictable due to the overwhelming number of lies and secrets, and soon this story is upside down just like Emerson on the cover. Hmmmm, love!!
Rockin' debut and hope you guys pick this one up.
4.5 Stars
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