Timepiece

May 1, 2012
Bad boy Kaleb Ballard struggles with his empathic powers and complicated relationships in this sequel to Hourglass (2011). Though Emerson Cole brought her boyfriend, Michael, and Kaleb's dad, Liam, back from the dead, time is still out of joint for the super-powered teens at the Institute. Jack Landers, murderer and saboteur, is still on the loose and wreaking havoc on the time continuum. Each teen has many reasons to find him, but fewer methods as now only Jack possesses enough "exotic matter" to travel through time. Stronger temporal rips and unwanted attention from the Chronos group also complicate their pursuit of Jack. Kaleb replaces Emerson as the narrator, and, accordingly, his motivations are clearest of the characters': He seeks to revenge Liam's (temporary) death, to restore his comatose mother's lost memories and to protect Emerson. Kaleb's bad-boy persona and habits hinder his quest--he deadens his empathic powers with alcohol, tattoos, piercings and casual hook-ups--but he reveals a sensitive side in his evolving interactions with the hot-tempered Lily Garcia, Emerson's friend and the newest, informal addition to the team. Action scenes sometimes seem intrusive or arbitrarily placed, and the mysterious Infinityglass feels contrived, as relationships rather than plot drive the story. Clearly a sequel but still makes time fly by. (Paranormal thriller. 14 & up)

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July 1, 2012

Gr 8 Up-Kaleb Ballard is part of Hourglass, an organization of people who have special abilities; however, when he is able to see time ripples, or people from the past, for the first time he gets nervous. What does this mean? Are his powers growing or changing? In addition, the Hourglass organization is given a strange ultimatum from a stranger. It must find the man who tried to kill Kaleb's father, and it has to find him quickly or somehow time itself will be altered. Emerson, Michael, and Kaleb are back in this thrilling sequel to Hourglass (Egmont USA, 2011); however, instead of Emerson, this time it is flirtatious and irresistible Kaleb's point of view that will capture readers' attention and imagination. The switch of perspective works well as it keep the series fresh, and Kaleb's character is well developed and interesting. The pacing of the plot will keep teens engaged from cover to cover as will Kaleb's brash charm and vulnerability.-Elizabeth C. Johnson, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

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