Emerson is not a normal 17-year-old girl. She may appear to be on the outside, but everything about her, including her daily routine, is off. A few months before her parents’ tragic deaths, Emerson began seeing people. These people were out of place, out of time and, more importantly, out of their physical bodies. They were similar to ghosts, except that when she touched them, they would disintegrate rapidly. Some of them would even speak with her, which proved to be hazardous as she would get into yelling matches in public with an entity that no one else could see.
Due to these “hallucinations,” Emerson spent time in a psych ward and was forced to take pill, after pill, after pill. Now she is living with her brother and sister-in-law in a historic part of town. She has gone off of her medications because she felt numb and lifeless while on them. But living in a historical area has proven tricky as there are more and more ghosts popping up every day.
Her brother wants to help, so he hires Michael, an employee from the Hourglass, a business that focuses on the paranormal, to work with Emerson. What her brother doesn’t realize is that Emerson has a gift, a gift that Michael has been waiting a very long time to discover.
Emerson is immediately attracted to Michael, but she quickly discovers that there is something frighteningly strong between them. Their physical touch is electrifying . . . literally. While working with Michael, Emerson discovers things about herself, the world, and her reason for being alive that could destroy her. Now, Emerson will have the chance to change time and history, and possibly save a few lives. But the consequences could be vast, devastating, and deadly.
Hourglass by Myra McEntire is an intricately woven paranormal book that delves into a world of strange abilities, ghosts, murder, deceit, love, and destruction. Unlike many of the other young adult paranormal novels that focus on vampires, angels, werewolves, and fearies, this story depicts a world of empaths, time-travelers, creationists, and people with other interesting abilities.
This novel was a fabulous read that kept me coming back for more. While it was “slow” at first, it picks up in the most delicious ways near the end. I am excited to say that I will continue this series with the second book, Timepiece.