Vortex by Julie Cross – a Review

Vortex is the 2^nd book in Julie Cross’s Tempest series.  I liked the first book Tempest, but Vortex is so much better.  Julie Cross has upped the level in Vortex, and it was a wonderful read.  Below is the official description, followed by my review.

Description:
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, 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.

Review:

When we last left off in Tempest, Jackson decided he wanted to become a CIA agent, and work with his dad, and other agents from Tempest.  This agency handles only time related events, as well as dealing with the EOT (enemies of time). Jackson had also changed the timeline, so that his love, Holly would no longer know him, and thereby be safe from those enemies who would threaten her life.

This was an exciting story from the start, as Jackson becomes involved as a trainee for the CIA.  Jackson begins to learn more about how far he can go with his time travel jumps, and that he a major player in this plot between the two sides.  We meet many other trainees, who will become a major part of the story.  Julie Cross does a great job creating some of these wonderful characters.  I loved Lily, Jenni, especially when they learned all about Jackson, and his abilities, as well as what happened with Holly.  Other great characters in this series are Emily, Courtney, Mason, just to name a few.  Cross also creates characters that you do not know if they are good or bad, such as Marshall, Dr Melvin, Jackson’s Dad, Senator Healy, Freeman, Thomas, Cassidy.

There are a number of interesting twists along the way, which will include the return of Holly, as an agent for the Enemies of Time, and the strange reactions of Jackson, when he sees she does not know him.  The story was fun, and exciting, as the trainees find themselves in dangerous situations that they have to defend themselves against the enemy.  We get to understand a lot more of the time traveling, and how far back it does go, as well as how far in the future the EOT faction comes from.   Jackson knows that time travel is no longer t just simple fun, as he delves deeper into learning more.  The dangers of changing time becomes apparent, and the two factions fighting each other, opens more questions as to who is really the enemy.

The last third of the book was non stop excitement.  Near the end there was a major twist that was surprising, and confusing at the same time.  On top of that, Cross leaves us hanging to wait for the third book.  There are so many questions still to be discovered; Will Holly and Jackson ever get together again?   What will happen to two of my favorites in the series, Lily and Jenni?  How far will Jackson be able to go with his abilities, and what will be the ramifications.  Vortex was a wonderful edition to Julie Cross’s Tempest series, and I am looking forward to reading the third book, even if it’s a year away.  Well done.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher