Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Publication Date: 6/14/2011

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Pages: 400

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

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Goodreads Summary:

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.

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Emerson Cole is finding out a lot about her life in a short period of time.  She meets Michael who is supposed to be another "consultant" who will help her with her problem.  This problem just happens to be that she sees dead people or really, people from the past.

Michael Weaver keeps a lot of secrets from Emerson and tends to treat her like a child.  However, Emerson is a strong-willed individual who doesn't take crap from anybody.  She is all about doing things on her own and doing things her way.  Eventually she'll have to learn to listen to those around her and let them guide the way so she can figure out what all of this is about and what Michael is up to.

Let me start by saying that this book had me from the first few pages.  It was filled with mystery that kept going on and on.  You learned more about Emerson, Michael, and the place he works (Hourglass) than you ever thought possible.  I love Emerson as the main character.  She is full of life and has an awesome personality.  She is rough around the edges and does things her own way.  She doesn't take know for an answer and reminds me of a very typical young teenage girl who things she knows everything about the world.  Emerson has been through more tough times than one person should go through, and she can't wait to find out more about Michael and why he happens to see the same things she does.

Although the book started out great and the climax was there, the ending was a little disappointing.  I don't want to get into it if you haven't read the book, but the ending of this book was definitely a let down.  I felt like we didn't really find out what we needed to know and there wasn't a nice wrap-up.  Then I found out that this isn't the only book.  There is going to be a sequel.  Now the ending makes a little bit more sense, but I'm still mad about it.  I want to know what happened to everyone involved and where this is all going to end up.  I guess I'll have to wait for book #2!  

Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit.  The writing is spectacular and McEntire does a great job telling the story of Emerson.  All the elements are there for a great novel!  It was just the ending that made me mad, but I'll get over it when book #2 comes out.