Monday, January 20, 2014

Review: Timestorm by Julie Cross

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I received this book for free from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Timestorm by Julie CrossTimestorm by Julie Cross
Series: Tempest #3
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on January 28th 2014
Genres: Sci-Fi, YA
Source: Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
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The battle between the Tempest division and Eyewall comes to a shocking conclusion in this final installment of the Tempest trilogy, where the need for survival stretches the boundaries of history, both past and future, and the world Jackson once knew is a place forever marked by the detrimental effects of time travel.

As Jackson recovers from his brush with death, he’s surrounded not only by the people he loves most—his dad, Courtney, and Holly—he’s also amongst a few of the original time travelers. As he learns more about their life and how this world began, it becomes apparent that they need to put a stop to Thomas and Doctor Ludwig’s experimenting at Eyewall Headquarters. What starts out as an escape plan becomes a war between time and humanity, between freewill and peace. It’s the battle Jackson was born to fight and he’s not about to back down. Not for anything. Not for anyone.

*Spoiler free for the series*

While I enjoyed Tempest and Vortex, this one was explosive to a whole new level!

I can count on two hands the number of times I was entirely surprised by an ending. I usually catch on, at least to some extent, to what direction it’s going to spin (mostly because I think up SO many theories that one of them has to be close to being right), but Timestorm is a freaking masterpiece of an ending that caught me completely off guard. It also left me in a puddle of emotional goo. It’s tragic, beautiful, and perfect for this story, but still, there is a part of me that is so torn! I guess we’ll call it bittersweet. The ending was not the only great part – though it is what turned it from a 4 to a 5 star – it’s a perfectly paced wild ride from start to finish.

We start immediately where book 2 left off – which was a monster of a cliffhanger – but we’re now in a new setting, one that is very survivalist-like in a place where they need to escape or they may never get out. This part is not the most fast paced in the novel as far as action, but it’s filled with a lot of important information about the history of time-travel that riveted me just as much. The time travel science is one of the most satisfying I have yet to read. It’s extremely well executed to the very end. However it’s also particularly intricate (as it should be, imo). You need to be mentally there at all times to fully grasp the meaning of the different time-travel jumps, their consequences on past and present, and how both worlds are connected. It does become hefty especially in book 2, but it works. It completely works! And honestly if I’d stumble upon a time travel novel that glazes over the details or lacks in complexity, it’s likely to be thrown in the pile of absurd time travel attempts full of contradictory nonsense.

Even with all the time travel flurry, the character development is not pushed aside. We end up with a fairly large cast that makes up this series, and every single one of them is three dimensional, opinionated, and just simply interesting. They all have a distinct part to play in this series, weaving and interlocking their lives and stories with Jackson’s. The time travel aspect also allows a lot of play with each character, where we get to see them at different times in their lives. This is carried out with excellence, bringing in a lot of emotional consequences as a result. The romance is also incredible and so unique. Imagine being in love with someone who has not met you in this timeline! I loved this angle from the very first book, and it continues to tug at my heart in this finale.

Like I said. The end was a major surprise. I had tons of theories on how it could end, and honestly they were all messy as heck. I mean there’s only so much that can be done with such chaos – or so I thought. I may be torn and emotionally drained, but I never expected to be so… satisfied with the conclusion. If you’re not a fan of this series yet, do yourself a favor and binge-read it stat!

five-stars
5 Hot Espressos


Find my review of Tempest (Book 1), here!


Find my review of Vortex (Book 2), here!


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Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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21 Responses to “Review: Timestorm by Julie Cross”

  1. Emily

    It seems like whenever I come here, Giselle, I’m always struck by the number of books I’ve not read yet! xD This one sounds like an exceptional series, and it’s awesome to hear that the ending was totally unexpected, and in a good way! 🙂
    Awesome review, Giselle! <33

  2. Savannah

    The second book felt the same as the first. I’m glad that this book pick up in the plot area. Thanks for the review! I’ll be sure to add it to my tbr pile.

  3. Nick @ Nick's Book Blog

    I haven’t read any books in this series yet, but I’ve heard good things. I definitely need to check it out if the ending managed to blow you away. I love when that happens, especially if it’s not something you expected.
    Lovely review, Giselle.

  4. Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain

    This series seems so perfect. I still have to read Tempest, and I got it from my library only I never kept reading and finished it. However, I’m really glad that Timestorm lived up to every one of your expectations. I love when an ending is so powerful that it just knocks your rating from a four star to a five star because it’s just that awesome. Also, the plot sounds so tense and full of intricacies of time travel. I feel like this is one of the only young adult books I know that really explains time travel fully and in detail. I’m glad that you loved this one, Giselle, fantastic review! <33

  5. Candace

    I’m glad I held off on reading the second book. Now I can go back and skim the first and then read the next two. It definitely sounds like it’s worth continuing!

  6. Aman

    Wow! I didn’t even knew there was a third book, I just bought the first one this week. I’m so glad that it was a satisfying ending and 5 stars speaks for itself. Great review, Giselle!

  7. Ivy

    Great Review!! you said so much without giving anything away! I will definitely be looking to add these books to my reading list very soon!

    Happy Monday!

  8. Melliane

    It’s great to see book 3 is that much good. I didn’t know there was a book 3. I remember reviews about book 1 and 2 but I’m more and more curious. And well now I want to discover the end you made me curious. thank you!

  9. Stephanie

    I am glad that you have liked this series, I really enjoyed book 2 but book 1 was not my cup of tea. This is one series that I really feel the books improve as you get through them. I am interested to see how book 3 goes. It sounds like a good one 🙂

  10. Millie Dixon

    AHHH! You have reawakened all the emotions that I had kept hidden deep down in a hidden vault in my mind! This series has just freakin’ amazed my because it is not very often when the author really grasps the concept of time travel in an original way without confusing things terribly. YOU HAVE JUST MADE ME SO EXCITED! I can’t wait to get my hands on Timestorm. Beautiful review.
    Cheers!

  11. Jenni

    I really really need to start this series, it seems like it just got better and better for you. I think I bought Tempest forever ago and I still haven’t picked it up… I fail.

  12. Tina

    Well based on this review I’m now going to have to go back and read Tempest and make my way to this book because you’re review really makes this series sound amazing. Any time you give 5 stars I’m excited!!!! Great review!!!

  13. Chel

    It’s book 3 already? I haven’t even read book 1 yet. I’ve been meaning to read it but I get put off by the mixed reviews everytime. It’s so great to know that you enjoyed this, Giselle! I’m bumping up Tempest in my TBR. 😉

  14. Charlotte @ Thoughts and Pens

    I’ve never heard about this series nor of the author. But the way you gush about it, I am compelled to add the trilogy into my TBR ASAP. I really love explosive endings because admit it or not, it’s really rare to find awesome last installments these days. The prequel may come very strong but as the story developed in the next sequels, they would lose their firepower.

    I am so glad that this one exceeded expectations. As always, great review, Giselle!

  15. Kerry

    We are going to have to fight over being Julie’s #1 fan. I’m ecstatic that it has an unpredictable ending. Actually, I would expect nothing less from this talented author!! 🙂

  16. Amy @ Book Loving Mom

    Eeep!! I can’t wait to read this one!! I need to read Vortex first lol!! I loved Tempest and I know that I will love Vortex. I hadn’t gotten to it yet because I want to listen to the audio like with the first book, and my iPod had broke. I did get a new one though so I will get to it soon. I love when a series ends really awesome!!!