Lisa Reviews: Julie Cross's - "Tempest"

Published November 24, 2011
Category: Lisa's Reviews, Reviews

There’s nothing better than cuddling under a blanket, having a candle burning near you, and reading a good book, on a cold fall or winter night. Absolutely nothing better! Well … unless you have a good cup of tea or coffee in your other hand (sounds amazingly perfect!).

The book I’m reviewing today, is called Tempest by Julie Cross! I was sent this book through the mail by St. Martin’s Press, not really sure if it’s for my personnel blog, Turning Pages, or Burn Bright. But I had a great time reading it, so I’ll share my review on both sites 🙂

There is some sad news though, Tempest isn’t coming out til the beginning of next year (January 17), so not only are these my thoughts and opinions, but their also a huuuuge teaser, since you won’t be able to purchase the book for another two months! Sorry guys, but I really enjoyed it, and I would recommend going out, and getting it ASAP!

Has anyone ever asked you this question, “If you could have any super power, what would it be?” What was your answer? The power to hear what people are thinking, to be invisible, to be able to turn into a eagle, or have super strength? What if you had the ability to time travel, what would you do?

In Tempest, the main character Jackson, didn’t exactly have a choice. Not only was he born with the ability to travel time, but he was born as a time traveler. Even though, those two things might seem very similar, their actually totally different. In Tempest, there’s almost like another race of people, who have the same ability as Jackson. They’re not aliens, like in I Am Number Four, who come from a different planet. But they look and act like normal humans, the only difference is, they can go back in time, and change things to the way they want them to go.

After Jackson, tells his best friend, Adam, about his ability, they start running tests; seeing how far back he can go, and if people would remember him, when he time travelled.

Soon things start getting crazy, and Jackson’s whole life is turned around. His sister died years ago, he finds out his dad is not his real dad, and that he’s in the CIA, and his girlfriend, Holly is murdered. Now he has to go back in time, to save his girlfriend, and figure out who he really is, and where he’s really from.

To be honest, I don’t think I have one bad thing to say about this book! Since Tempest is only the first book in a trilogy, the ending was a bit open, but I really liked how everything played out. It had my attention in it’s firm grasp, from the first page, all the way to the last!

I loved Jackson and Holly’s relationship, even though the first time you meet Holly, they’re arguing and fighting. Holly was a blast, she made me laugh a few times throughout the book, the way she acted, and never fully trusted Jackson. She just really reminded me of a friend of mine. On the other hand, Jackson seems like the kind of guy who keeps his feelings to himself, and isn’t exactly the romantic. But he grows a lot by the end of the book. The things he says, and the way he treats Holly, is soo sweet!

If you know me well enough, you know I’m a sucker for sad movies! I cry at the Titanic, Toy Story 3, The Notebook, and any other sad book or movie, nomatter if I have read or watched it twenty times already! I just really enjoy stories, that touch my heart enough to make me feel sad.

When Jackson slips even farther into the past, he runs into his twin sister Courtney, who passed away a few years ago, due to cancer. This part made me cry so hard! He explained to her, that he was from the future, and that’s why he looks so much older. Then Courtney asks about her future self, but Jackson didn’t want to tell her what really happens. I just had to close the book. I could take it any more, I just need a breather.

I couldn’t even open the book, and read the next two lines, without my eyes getting watery again. Jackson was saying goodbye, and telling how much he loved her.

Tempest, made me feel every emotion possible. I was laughing a few times about Holly, cried about Courtney, and was mad at Jackson’s dad. I really enjoyed Tempest, and I can’t wait to finish the trilogy and see it in theatres! 🙂