Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Add it: Goodreads
Source: Won
Publisher: Egmont USA
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 400 pages

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.

A delicious blend of romance and intrigue, Hourglass was a book I enjoyed the whole way through - a one-sit read!

Emerson's life hasn't been going exactly as planned. Her parents are dead after a tragic accident and she sees ghosts from the past. Despite the wonderful support system she has in her brother and his wife, she still can't help but feel lost at times. I loved Emerson from the start - she has snark and toughness in spades and there is something just so endearing about her.

The concept of time travel has fascinated me for so long. I am loving the trend in YA right now and it's so interesting to see the different spins on it. Myra managed to write a scientific (very kindly explained to non-science people like me, but still) story without losing my interest. The ghosts from the past and the other elements of the time travel are very well described and were one of my favourite parts of the book.

Speaking of favourites.... Micheal and Kaleb! While I think I'm personally more for Kaleb, both of these guys were awesome. The connection between Emerson and Micheal is electric, yet feels natural, and I can't wait to see where their relationship goes. At this point, we don't know too much about Kaleb but I already like him! Fingers crossed that he gets more time to shine in Timepiece.

With a sizzling romance and likeable characters, Hourglass is a novel that stands out in its genre.

Cover Comments: It's just... so cool. There's a floor and there's Emerson but Emerson is not on the floor. It blows my mind, it does.

Plus, the cover is kind of shimmery in person.

Sonia + Glitter = <3
(Leave me alone, guys)

4.5 stars

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Source: Library
Publisher: Egmont
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 418

Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?

Raised by Wolves was a truly excellent novel that kept me flipping pages until the very end.

The main character, Bryn, was a wonderful protagonist. She is sassy and clever, brave and fierce. Honestly, I found myself forgetting multiple times that she was fifteen - the same age as me. Bryn, like any other person, is shaped and sculpted because of her experiences. In this case, Bryn has, as the title reveals, been raised by wolves. She is constantly surrounded by them and she fights hard not to fall into the typical hierarchy and submit to her superiors.

Raised by Wolves is a novel where I can say that I genuinely liked most, if not all, of the supporting characters a lot. Plus, since most of the characters were wolves, I loved that they actually acted like wolves. I mean, I'm all for creative license with mythical creatures but it was nice to just see the wolf dynamic shine through in this book. The characters were protective, possessive and just generally wolfish.

To be honest, the reason I liked this book isn't because of the romance. Don't get me wrong, I thought Chase was a very decent guy and I like him so far, it just didn't dominate for me. I loved that. There was enough going on with Bryn's search for independance and growth as a person, not to mention the mysterious threat looming over their heads, that I didn't want the romance to overshadow anything. I was much more interested in the relationship between Bryn and Callum, who fascinates me. The way he balanced between a father figure and a pack alpha never ceased to intrigue me.

Overall, Raised by Wolves is definitely a book I think you should read. I could go on about it a lot more but I'll leave you with the little that I have mentioned. Happy reading!

Cover Comments: I like it! It has the feel of a werewolf book with the dark tones and full moon and the font is pretty. Plus, there are trees! As you might know, I'm a little obsessed with pictures of trees.