Vortex by Julie Cross

Vortex by Julie Cross
Tempest #2
Release Date: January 6, 2013
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Source: Publisher
Goodreads Stars: 4
Rating: Essential
Buy the Book: Amazon UK

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. - Goodreads

I have no idea how to start this review, which seems to happen often with me. What am I even going to write about? Sometimes I think that book reviewing is the wrong hobby for me to have!

First thing's first, Tempest was an awesome debut. Most people I know loved it when they read it last year. I was nervous about how Vortex would hold up, because the possibilities for what could have happened were basically endless, considering the main character can travel through time and there are a bunch of people chasing after him. 

I'm happy to announce that Vortex was just as good as Tempest. It was fast paced, and held my attention all the way through. There wasn't one boring moment, which is excellent considering that this is a big book (my copy is ~430 pages). 

In Vortex we got to know a little more about the time travelling stuff. Honestly, I found myself reading over the explanations a couple of times. I wish I had read the book more slowly to give all the new information time to sink in before continuing. But instead I read this in just two days because I simply could not put it down. 

I loved reading about Jackson as he trained with the Tempest group. Jackson is one of my favourite male protagonists, since he's just so intelligent, brave, strong, etc. He met a couple of new characters who I LOVE, and also became closer to a couple of others. My favourite new character has to be Lily Kendrick, who becomes Jackson's partner in the CIA.

In addition to the new characters, we also got to see more of Holly. I'm not usually one for cheesy romances, but Jackson had me tearing up when it came to his love for her. It's just so... timeless. Was that cheesy? It totally was. Holly and Jackson have turned me into a cheesy romantic. Oh gawd.

The ending was amazing. I knew something like that was going to go down, but I didn't know exactly what. It was so exciting! Lots of fighting, lots of running around, and lots of time travel! There's also a kind-of cliffhanger. I say kind of, because it's pretty obvious that Jackson isn't going to die, but it was still distressing!

I can't wait to read the third book to see where all this leads up to. How are they going to get out of the situation they're in right now? And what are they going to do about Eyewall? What's happened to various other characters? What's gonna happen with the timelines? It's all too much to think about. The fact that Julie Cross managed to pack all of this stuff into one book is unbelievable. I guess that is why there were no boring moments! 

I do recommend rereading Tempest - or at least reading an in-depth summary of the novel - before reading Vortex. There are just so many mind-blowing things that happen, it was difficult to keep track of them in your head. Once Jackson thinks he knows what's going on with his time travelling abilities, something else pops up and knocks everyone for six. 

Anyway, there is my disorganised review. I tried! *gold star*