Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Release Date: June 12, 2012
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Age Group: Young Adult
Format: E-galley
Source: Publisher via NetgalleyPages: 336
Buy: Amazon / Book Depository / IndieBound
Description: Goodreads
A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results. 

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

Last year, I read a book I really enjoyed called Hourglass by Myra McEntire.  It had time travel and snarky best friends and one very electrifying romance.  Ever since I heard of its existence, I have been pretty excited to get my hands on the sequel, Timepiece.  There was just one minor problem.  My biggest issue with Hourglass was regarding one character: Kaleb.

Hold on, put those weapons down!  Let me finish!!

Kaleb himself is a fine character (in more ways than one).  He’s pretty and flirty and dangerous and broken- essentially, a perfect distraction and second option for Emerson instead of Michael.  However, I thought he came across as a bit one-note which never entices me.  I became a staunch Michael supporter, and with every review I read, it started to feel like I was out there on my own (besides Emerson, of course).  So you can imagine my surprise when I discovered (from Myra herself!) that Timepiece was Kaleb’s story, and it would be told in his voice.  This intrigued me immensely, as I hoped that gaining some insight in Kaleb’s mind would help me see what was so special about this guy.

One chapter in, I realized that asking me if I’m Team Michael or Team Kaleb is a question wrongly asked.  Spending time inside of Kaleb’s world firmly puts me on his side without taking me away from Michael’s.  I’m not jumping ship—I simply understand what all the fuss is about.

Kaleb’s story starts not long after Emerson’s.  Jack Landers is back to stir up trouble for the Hourglass team, but they’ve got bigger problems on their hands.  Turns out, even the ones without the power to travel through time have seen ripples, including visions of Landers himself, and no one, not even Kaleb’s father, can figure out why.  Then a new mysterious figure shows up to issue an ultimatum: find Jack Landers, or time resets itself without warning.  This sets Kaleb and company (including Em’s BFF Lilly) on a mission to save their timeline as they know it.

My favorite piece of Timepiece, hands down no contest, is Kaleb and Lilly.  Part of my issue with Kaleb from Hourglass was that his feelings for Emerson never really felt genuinely romantic to me.  I have no doubt that he cares about her, but I didn’t really buy it as true attraction rather than flirtation.  As soon as he interacts with Lilly, it’s clear that their chemistry is undeniable.  They’ve both share some serious demons in their past so they understand each other, and she’s also not afraid to call him out on any of his nonsense.  Lilly was my favorite character from the first book, so I was thrilled to see more of her.  Love a lady with true sass.

Because of the constant erupting rips, the plot could get a little confusing.  One minute you think you know what’s going on; the next, people who may be enemies appear out of open veils in time, and the time rips get stronger and more intense.  I had to read this one a bit more slowly than usual to make sure I didn’t miss a single twist.

All in all, Myra’s given me another reason to smile.  I’m already looking forward to the third book Infinityglass.  I need Em and Michael to help me jump into 2013 so I can read it now.