Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole sees things. Since before her parent's death, she has been seeing the phantoms of people from the past. All Emerson wants is for those phantoms to leave her alone so she can lead a normal life.

When Emerson's brother finds a representative from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, she's skeptical. But Michael believes everything she tells him and says he can help, in exchange for her assistance.

Emerson is immersed in a world full of things she doesn't understand. Why does a jolt of energy pass through her when she touches Michael? And why does Michael need her to help him undo a death that should have never occurred?

When I first heard about Hourglass I was skeptical. The premise intrigued me to no end, the cover was absolutely breathtaking, but there was so much hype around the book I didn't believe it could possibly be as good as everyone made it out to be. Boy, was I mistaken. Hourglass was every bit as awesome as the cover and synopsis elude to it being.

First, I loved the setting. Being from Mississippi, I read so many books that take place in northern areas, New York especially, and many times that leads to a lack of a connection for me. Tennessee is good and southern and wonderful! It's hard to explain, but the book feels more real.

Second, I loved the characters. Emerson is broken, but still strong. As a result of all that she's gone through, she doesn't care about things most of us care about at seventeen. She's got so much strength hidden inside of her that I doubt we've seen even the beginning of it. Michael is sensitive, yet hard. Like Emerson, he's gone through a lot to make him who he is and doesn't let others in without a struggle. There's one moment close to the end of the novel where I clutched my heart, literally, at him. That has actually never happened before. I loved Lily, and hope she has a larger part in the next book, especially given the introduction of her ability and yet nothing was done with it.

I also must give credit to Ms. McEntire for giving me a twist I didn't expect! I had absolutely no clue one twist was coming, and when it did it blew my mind, yet it made sense. Normally, I'm pretty good at predicting such things, but no dice this time.

I now cannot keep myself in my seat in anticipation for the next book. If you find me hopping around some random place one day, you'll know why.


Hourglass is a captivating and twisty debut that you don't want to miss for your life. Time travel even makes sense!

Risk a paper cut? Hourglass is at least worth your favorite pair of pants. It's more than worth a few thousand paper cuts.

To buy: Amazon
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