Review: Vortex (Tempest, #2)

Author: Julie Cross
Series: Tempest, #2
Release date: January 3rd 2013
Publisher: Macmillan Children's
Hardcover, 435 pages
Source: Publisher for review
Buy: The Book Depository

Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, allthat changes when Holly—the girl he altered history to save—re-enters his life. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents find themselves under attack and on the run.

Vortex is an excellent book for people like me who occasionally suffer from book ADD. It is an attention-grabber that will pull you in with its prologue and refuse to let go. Cross has no trouble securing reader interest and I’m pretty sure she just grins wickedly when we beg for more. And make no mistake, I am begging. More, please!

In Vortex, Jackson struggles to reorganize his life and find a way to live without two people who mean the most to him. He begins training with the Tempest unit of the CIA, desperate to fight the Enemies of Time and keep Holly safe. Although talented and intelligent, Jackson doesn’t have it easy and being the boss’s son doesn’t help him gain the confidence of his peers.

Even with all the action and CIA training, Vortex was a much more contemplative book than its predecessor. Its focus was Jackson’s growth and his relationships, be it with his father, his colleagues or Holly. That’s not to say it wasn’t exciting – Cross kept throwing Jackson in impossible situations from which he had to dig himself out. The Enemies of Time were never more dangerous, but even more dangerous were the enemies Jackson didn’t see coming.

Readers who considered Holly plain and unworthy of Jackson’s attention will be relieved by her absence in Vortex. I was, too, but for very different reasons. Away from Holly, but with her safety at the forefront of his mind, Jackson was able to grow tremendously, to become a responsible adult, one worthy of both admiration and affection. It was amazing to watch Jackson become the man he is now. The second he decided to put someone else’s life above his own, he became more mature and collected, far more focused than he ever was. The other Tempest operatives kept misjudging him because of his father and he endured it all with patience and grace.

Adam’s absence was a bit harder to endure. He was my favorite in Tempest (I always fall for the geeky best friend) and without his humorous input, Jackson’s adventures simply weren’t the same. I’m not sure when (or even if) he’ll be back, but I’ll keep my fingers tightly crossed.

Vortex is a read rich with jaw dropping surprises, and the game is always changing. I tend to struggle with the concept of time travel and that proved true here as well. Cross doesn’t really do recaps and since I’d forgotten most of the details from Tempest, I was more than a little lost at the beginning. The truth is, this book will punish you severely if your mind strays to your lunch plans, shoe shopping or bills, but if you give it your full attention, you will be rewarded.