Review on: 10/09/2011There's been a lot of buzz surrounding "Tempest". After the film rights were nabbed by Summit Entertainment, I decided to check out what "Tempest" was about. Shortly after I went ahead and pre-ordered the book. This has been one of my most anticipated releases for 2012, so imagine my surprise when I was informed it was up on NetGalley. Needless to say, once I was approved I started reading right away...and I'm glad that I did.
"Tempest" is about Jackson Meyer, a nineteen year old time traveler. He spends a lot of time conducting experiments with his friend Adam, oblivious to the fact that certain people are watching him - and they know what he can do. He's never been able to jump back more than a few years, but when strangers hunt him down and kill Holly, his girlfriend, Jackson jumps back to 2007 - two years earlier - unable to find his way back into the present.
What's really interesting about "Tempest" is that we get to meet the characters more than once. In a way, you kind of get to see them grow up - which I know may sound strange. But take Jackson's last visit with Courtney. It's that visit in which he's finally able to see what he has to do. It's that moment in which he finds the strength to let go.
We get to meet Holly and Adam in 2009, before meeting them again in 2007, before going back to 2009. I loved that we got to see how the characters changed in time. Instead of learning more about the characters through flashback scenes, we actually get to see what the characters were like (before becoming the characters we meet in the beginning of the story).
The ending is sad, yet perfect at the same time. He has to let go, even if he doesn't want to. I'm eager to see what will happen next. What is it that Thomas has in store? What was Emily trying to show Jackson. And how is Jackson's decision affecting him?
Honestly, I'm not sure I can express just how much I enjoyed this book. "Tempest" is the perfect beginning to a trilogy. You'll fall in love with the characters, well, most of them. And there are plenty of twists in the story to keep you constantly guessing.