Jackson Meyer is in college, with a hot girlfriend and has recently discovered he has a new ability. He can jump time. He doesn't know why he can do this or what the purpose is because if he does something different in the past, the future doesn't change. But it's still a cool ability and he's been working on improving his power by practicing and gradually how far back he can go has increased.
One afternoon, Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, are making up from an argument when a couple of thugs break into the apartment. Among the confusion, Holly is fatally shot. Jackson sees her bleeding out on the kitchen floor before he finds himself pulled away through time. When he wakes up, he is two years into the past, only this time he can't seem to jump back to help Holly.
He isn't sure what to do but to hang tight, so he settles into his old life, trying to meet Holly in her past. He also gets to spend some time with his sister, who passed away in his own real time. Perplexing is his father. His father has a secret and Jackson isn't quite sure what to make of his old man. CIA maybe? All he knows is he has to figure out how to get back to his own time, in the future, so he can save Holly. But when the thugs from the future find him in the past, Jackson has no choice but to join them or forfeit his life.
TEMPEST is a action-packed young adult novel that has a great plot concept. What if we could go back to the past to visit with lost loved ones or see how people we love grew up? Author Julie Cross does a remarkable job of keeping the reader aware of the timeline as Jackson jumps back and forth through time. The romance is understated, but obviously there as Jackson will do anything to save his girlfriend. TEMPEST is the first installment of a trilogy and does a fantastic job of world-building and setting up the tone for the rest of the series. With lots of nail-biting action, a strong plot and compelling characters, I can't wait to read the next one! Definitely pick this one up this summer!
One afternoon, Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, are making up from an argument when a couple of thugs break into the apartment. Among the confusion, Holly is fatally shot. Jackson sees her bleeding out on the kitchen floor before he finds himself pulled away through time. When he wakes up, he is two years into the past, only this time he can't seem to jump back to help Holly.
He isn't sure what to do but to hang tight, so he settles into his old life, trying to meet Holly in her past. He also gets to spend some time with his sister, who passed away in his own real time. Perplexing is his father. His father has a secret and Jackson isn't quite sure what to make of his old man. CIA maybe? All he knows is he has to figure out how to get back to his own time, in the future, so he can save Holly. But when the thugs from the future find him in the past, Jackson has no choice but to join them or forfeit his life.
TEMPEST is a action-packed young adult novel that has a great plot concept. What if we could go back to the past to visit with lost loved ones or see how people we love grew up? Author Julie Cross does a remarkable job of keeping the reader aware of the timeline as Jackson jumps back and forth through time. The romance is understated, but obviously there as Jackson will do anything to save his girlfriend. TEMPEST is the first installment of a trilogy and does a fantastic job of world-building and setting up the tone for the rest of the series. With lots of nail-biting action, a strong plot and compelling characters, I can't wait to read the next one! Definitely pick this one up this summer!
I loved the movie Jumper, but unlike the movie, the author gives a detailed story that I stayed up all night to read. This is not a movie review, so I'll only add this: I wanted to know so much more about the main character, know why, where, how he got this power, etc, and the movie answered none of these. (BUT Twilight movie fans--Kristen Stewart is the daughter who answers the door when he goes to meet his mother!)
You'll know from the synopsis that this is a story concerning time travel--specifically, being able to go back in time (but not forward.) The book is wonderfully written, with an engaging storyline and a complete story by itself, but is also the first book in a trilogy. (That's my favorite kind of the first in a trilogy books--I hate the ones that seem like the editors just took a large book and cut it in half.)
The characters are unforgettable, and have great personalities that defy generic titles such as "loving father" and "good guys vs. bad guys." The story also made me think about my own life and wonder if there are things I'd like to go back in time to experience again or to make right what I did wrong. But all choices have consequences, and that's another of the major themes of Tempest.
I received this book as an ARC from the Early Reviewers group on LibraryThing, and I'll be keeping my copy, as well as buying the next book when it's released.
5 stars
You'll know from the synopsis that this is a story concerning time travel--specifically, being able to go back in time (but not forward.) The book is wonderfully written, with an engaging storyline and a complete story by itself, but is also the first book in a trilogy. (That's my favorite kind of the first in a trilogy books--I hate the ones that seem like the editors just took a large book and cut it in half.)
The characters are unforgettable, and have great personalities that defy generic titles such as "loving father" and "good guys vs. bad guys." The story also made me think about my own life and wonder if there are things I'd like to go back in time to experience again or to make right what I did wrong. But all choices have consequences, and that's another of the major themes of Tempest.
I received this book as an ARC from the Early Reviewers group on LibraryThing, and I'll be keeping my copy, as well as buying the next book when it's released.
5 stars
This is a really good time travel book. Great if you're a fan of Doctor Who as it goes into what if events are changed and what if they're not "fixed points in time". The love story also plays a huge part into this. All the little twists and turns were rather interesting and not all were explained. I'm eager to find out what happens in the next two books!
Jackson Meyer is a 19-year-old Upper East Sider with a loving and loyal girlfriend, a brilliant and funny best friend and an unexpected and exciting new talent.
Inexplicably, Jackson can suddenly "jump" back and forth in time. Exploring his gift for time travel begins as harmless fun but quickly turns into a bona fide race against time as Jackson journeys two years into the past to save the girl he loves in the present. Using a combination of Jackson's journal entries and his own first-person narration, debut author Cross takes readers on a thrilling ride as Jackson struggles to harness his abilities in a desperate attempt to learn the truth about who he is and, even more importantly, who he can trust. Though plenty complicated, the logistics of time travel are woven into the story in a way that makes them accessible to readers yet still feel organic. The characters are equally well crafted. Complex and distinct, they will work their way into readers' hearts and stay with them long after the book is finished.
An interesting take on time travel, and great characters. I'm usually not a big science fiction fan, but this book had me hooked from the beginning. It was entertaining to read how Jackson was able to win over his girlfriend once again and what lengths he would take to get there, and how one person can change in the span of two years. I loved the whole CIA aspect of the book which made me even more intrigued. It was fun trying to figure out who Jackson could trust, and who were the bad guys. The only thing that bugged me was the part about Emily, and how she knew so much about Jackson and the future, but wasn't willing to tell. I usually don't like how most book series end, but this one was pretty satisfying, and I can't wait to read what comes next.
Inexplicably, Jackson can suddenly "jump" back and forth in time. Exploring his gift for time travel begins as harmless fun but quickly turns into a bona fide race against time as Jackson journeys two years into the past to save the girl he loves in the present. Using a combination of Jackson's journal entries and his own first-person narration, debut author Cross takes readers on a thrilling ride as Jackson struggles to harness his abilities in a desperate attempt to learn the truth about who he is and, even more importantly, who he can trust. Though plenty complicated, the logistics of time travel are woven into the story in a way that makes them accessible to readers yet still feel organic. The characters are equally well crafted. Complex and distinct, they will work their way into readers' hearts and stay with them long after the book is finished.
An interesting take on time travel, and great characters. I'm usually not a big science fiction fan, but this book had me hooked from the beginning. It was entertaining to read how Jackson was able to win over his girlfriend once again and what lengths he would take to get there, and how one person can change in the span of two years. I loved the whole CIA aspect of the book which made me even more intrigued. It was fun trying to figure out who Jackson could trust, and who were the bad guys. The only thing that bugged me was the part about Emily, and how she knew so much about Jackson and the future, but wasn't willing to tell. I usually don't like how most book series end, but this one was pretty satisfying, and I can't wait to read what comes next.
3.5/5
The quick and dirty:
-A reasonably fun read that stays entertaining from beginning to end
-Some things in the book make it feel very childish and dragged it down
-Has potential, this is supposed to be the start to a series so there is hope for the next installment.
The long and wordy:
Use this link to read the rest of my review,
http://ramplosreviews.tumblr.com/post/13994775830/tempest-julie-cross-january-2012
The quick and dirty:
-A reasonably fun read that stays entertaining from beginning to end
-Some things in the book make it feel very childish and dragged it down
-Has potential, this is supposed to be the start to a series so there is hope for the next installment.
The long and wordy:
Use this link to read the rest of my review,
http://ramplosreviews.tumblr.com/post/13994775830/tempest-julie-cross-january-2012
This was a very exciting page-turner! Lots of action with twists and turns and a fascinating story! So much fun!
