After reading the first book, Evernight and then reading the second one in rapid succession, Stargazer, I was hoping that Bianca and Lucas got a break from their tragic love story lives in Hourlgass. The allusion to Romeo and Juliet is apt for their romance though I tend to think the feud between the vampires and humans won't end with their deaths. At the end of Stargazer we saw Bianca with Lucas' family, more or less under the assumed guise of being human. Hourglass picks up there, starting with chapter 1, with the group teaching Bianca how to fight.

Though I worried over their relationship, they're put in so many life or death situations I wonder how their relationship would fare under normal circumstances, I was more intrigued by Charity, Balthazar's younger sister. And Balthazar, but he tried my patience towards the end of the novel with the blindspot he seemed to have. There was a sort of innocence to her. Unlike many of the other vampires at the Evernight Boarding School she's been apart from her family, namely Balthazar, for so long. She has little interest in getting along in a human world and more interest in making sure she isn't alone.

Throughout much of the first half of the book we see Bianca trying to fight who she is and what she can become. This isn't a new struggle for her, she's been struggling with the change from the beginning, but for the first time she is away from her parents. Their influence and their love have supported her throughout the first two novels, even when she did reckless things. The relationship between Lucas and his mother is a much different dynamic. There is certainly love in their relationship, but Lucas' mother wants him to be strong. She reminded me a lot of Sarah Connor (from the Terminator movies). She'll do anything for Lucas, but at the end of the day she expects him to turn to her for help only as a last resort.

The world of the Evernight series is very black or white. Whether its the vampires or Black Cross (the vampire hunting organization), both sides view the other as the ultimate in evil. There is no 'good vampire' or 'good Black Cross member'. Sometimes it irked me, especially in the case of Balthazar as he is a decent guy by any standards. He is cool with the co-existance idea and is even friendly with Lucas, except when Balthazar tries to make a move on Bianca. The love triangle is skewed, its obvious that Bianca loves Lucas and vice versa, but Bianca still admires and treasures Balthazar's friendship and guidance.

The end of Hourglass is a real game changer and makes me eager for when the fourth book is coming out. Overall a great addition to a stunning YA series. ( )

After escaping Evernight Academy, Lucas and Bianca seek refuge with the Black Cross, a group of powerful vampire hunters of which Lucas is a part of.
Bianca and Lucas work desperately to keep her secret. in this company, being a vampire is a death sentence and the two of them live and train alongside the hunters without anyone noticing her increasing need for blood.
even though she's with the boy she loves, Bianca can't help worrying about the family and friends she left behind. caught between three feuding worlds, it's starting to feel as though she'll never be at peace again.
when another betrayal puts the lovers in mortal danger again, they realise that all they truly have is each other. but with the secret of Bianca's frightening birth taking hold, not even Lucas can help her win her toughest fight yet.

Claudia Gray's Hourglass, third installment in the Evernight series, is a exciting and heart pounding adventure about betrayal, love, friendship, hardships, forgiving, and the fear of death. this book was so hard to put down as i couldn't wait to see what happened next. i was immediately upset when it finished as i wanted it to continue of desperately. this series started like most other teenage romance novels yet with so many shocking and unexpected twists and turns that it has a life of it's own. this masterpiece is sure to be read over and over until it's pages are too worn to read. ( )

4 out of 5 stars! This is a great sequel to "Stargazer"! It had me laughing and crying when I least expected it. Bianca and Lucas are the epitome of Romeo and Juliet, and that made all the scenes that more enchanting to read. In addition, the novel has a great balance of the humor and serious sides of the storyline that make you want to keep reading. I just couldn't get enough...

Read more of this review and the book trailer here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2010/03/romeo-take-me-somewhere-we-can... ( )

Hourglass reaches Bianca after she has already been accepted into the Black Cross. Even though things may feel weird at that moment, the changes are about to come three-fold, and Bianca is almost powerless. Hourglass will make you laugh, jump for joy, and most of all, cry. It is an outstanding novel. Give Claudia Gray yet another pat on the back.

Hourglass reaches Bianca after she has already been accepted into the Black Cross. Even though things may feel weird at that moment, the changes are about to come three-fold, and Bianca is almost powerless. Hourglass will make you laugh, jump for joy, and most of all, cry. It is an outstanding novel. Give Claudia Gray yet another pat on the back.