Jan 13, 2012

Review: Tempest by Julie Cross


Title: Tempest
Author: Julie Cross
Publisher:  St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication Date: 1.17.2012
Pages: 352
Genre: Paranormal, Time-Travel, Romance
Series: Yes (Tempest #1)
Source: ARC from publisher

Rating: A-

Summary (from Goodreads):
The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

Review:
I had a feeling I would love this book as soon as I read the synopsis. My only initial hesitation about it was because it was a male POV telling the tale. Let’s face it: Most girls want to read books about, well, girls. It can be difficult to get into the mind of a guy, and most of us would rather avoid thinking like a guy (you know it’s true!).

I can thankfully say that I was completely wrong about this book, and I adored Jackson by the end of chapter one.

I’m a romance junkie—I live for that magical connection between two characters that just sends sparks flying off the pages, and that is exactly what I got with Jackson and Holly. Julie Cross made me fall in love with these two almost right away. The way she writes them, and their love story, was nothing short of delicious. I loved every second of it.

I was a bit off-put by the fact that nothing Jackson did in the past would change the future. While that was later explained, I still felt somewhat disgruntled by it. Maybe I’ve watched The Butterfly Effect too many times, but I thought that somehow cheapened the story. I wanted Jackson to be able to fix the past so everything would turn out pretty in the present/future.

Cross couldn’t have asked for a better debut; she gave me action, romance, drama, and mystery in one fantastic package. Her writing is breathtaking and I’m sure she’ll be around for a long time to come. I highly recommend you get your own copy ASAP!

Buy: Amazon

25 comments:

  1. SO I want to read this book BECAUSE it's from a male POV. I love that. Glad you liked reading from Jackson't POV. Just got this book and so excited to get it started.

    Valerie
    StuckInBooks.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been hearing so many good things about this book lately, and it's awesome because it's one of my most anticipated reads of 2012!

    ReplyDelete
  3. want to read this book BECAUSE it's from a male POV. and i'm a dude ^_^

    tnx 4 reviewing

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great review! Am starting to hear good things about this one, so looking forward to picking up a copy of my very own!

    ReplyDelete
  5. When I read what this book was about, I was thinking about THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT. That sucks that nothing Jackson does can change the future :(. I do like the idea that this book is in a male POV. It's a change from the usual female POV. Romance. Ooh, I do love a romance!

    I have an audiobook of this book, so it'll be interesting to listen to the book!

    Chen Chang

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ohhh.. I cannot wait to read this. It's just sitting there on my bookshelf, mocking me.

    PS - I LOVE the Butterfly Effect.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the story and cover of Tempest. And for me my only initial hesitation about it was because it was a male POV telling the tale but I loved your review and I'm going to read it for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great review! I wasn't sure whether to read this or not but your review has made up my mind! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow the synopsis of this book almost sounds like that movie Jumper, which I loved. I know you were hesitant about reading a book from the male POV, but this one sound really good!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This looks like a good book. Thanks for reviewing it, I will definitely pick it up.

    ReplyDelete
  11. thanks for the review!
    I haven't read the book yet, but it is on my TBR list for 2012. :)

    inga from www.ingasilbergbooks.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm so glad that you recommend this one since it is one of the debut books this year that I am really looking forward to reading. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm always hesitant when it comes to books from a male POV but it sounds like Tempest is still worth checking out. I think I'd like it better if Jackson could change the past though--not being able to do so makes it all so much less dangerous/exciting.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I had no clue it was in the male POV - that just makes me want to read it more! I love reading in the male POV. Guess I'm a weirdo :P

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for this great review. I haven't read that many books with the make POV. I like the girls better too but is nice to switch it up once in awhile. This book is in my TBR. Can't wait to read.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've been wanting to read this one for awhile! Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I also enjoyed the relationship between Jackson and Holly..and also his friend Alex(thinking this may be the wrong name) but I loved the book.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Another great series with a male POV is Caster Chronicles :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've heard some mixed reviews about this one, but I think I'll enjoy it like you did. I'll just have to read it soon. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is definitely going on my TBR. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've been hearing both good and bad things about this one. Glad to see you enjoyed it :)

    Diana

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have this book on my wishlist and I'm glad to see it getting a positive review from you.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've heard such great things about this book!! I have it on my TBR list, but I might have to splurge and buy a copy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Fantastic review! I like to read books from both male and female POVs- but I like the fact that you were hesitant, but changed your mind after starting the book. That says a lot! This book sounds amazing and I really want to read it.

    ~Jess
    http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  25. I was looking forward to this book so much earlier this year...but I ended up being disappointed. I LOVED the world-building and mystery, but I hated the relationship with Holly. I just couldn't buy it for some reason. I still plan on reading the sequel, but I was just sad that I wasn't into it more. Glad you loved it though! :) Great review!

    ReplyDelete

I hope you know that every time you comment, an angel gets its wings.

OK, not really, but thanks for popping by!