Review: Vortex by Julie Cross

Julie Cross's Vortex is the thrilling second installment of the Tempest series, in which the world hangs in the balance as a lovelorn Jackson must choose who to saveJackson 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, after an accidental run in with Holly—the girl he altered history to save—Jackson is once again reminded of what he's lost. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents not only find themselves under attack, but Jackson begins to discover that the world around him has changed and someone knows about his erased relationship with Holly, putting both their lives at risk all over again.

My Review:

Vortex is a great sequel to Tempest, a book that I loved.  There is some crazy time-travel stuff happening in this one, with half jumps, Thomas jumps, and alternate universes.  Some new characters are introduced and they are quite interesting.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD

After reading this book, I am now rooting for a romance that is probably never going to happen since both the people are hung up on someone else.  A new character named Lily Kendrick is introduced.  She is a member of the CIA, and she is partnered with Jackson for missions.  The friendship that develops between Kendrick, as everyone calls her, and Jackson, is sweet, and I was really hoping that it would lead to more than friendship.  I was upset when Jackson found out she had a fiancé because I figured then that there was probably no hope for a Kendrick-Jackson romance.  Also, Kendrick was probably my favorite character in this book, aside from Jackson.

Another character that I loved was Jenni Stewart, a member of the CIA who was mentioned a few times in Tempest (the first book).  Stewart puts up walls around herself and makes herself always seem tough, but she still has her moments of weakness.  There were some moments between her and Jackson that made me think they would make a great couple.  So, while I'm still rooting for a Jackson-Kendrick romance, I'd also be happy with a Jackson-Stewart romance.

Holly has changed a lot since the first book.  Somehow, in making sure his path didn't cross with Holly's, Jackson managed to change her future.  She is involved with some crazy CIA stuff involving Eyewall, which basically makes her Jackson's enemy, since Eyewall is an opposing division to Tempest.  At this point, I don't really want Jackson to end up with Holly.  If she somehow turns back into the girl he loved in the first book, I would probably be fine with them together.  But at this point, I would like him to end up with one of the two other girls I mentioned in the review.

If you like YA sci-fi, read this book.

Katie