Vortex by Julie Cross Review

"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 save
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."

I had pleasant memories of Tempest, the previous novel. I remember reading to about page one hundred and something, before putting it down for about five months because I didn't had my library card (Yeah, I check out books from the library and they are pretty hot ;D). Yes, I have a memory of an elephant. No, I do not have photographic memory, but you can consider me pretty close depending on how interested I am in the subject. 

Anyway, after reading the lovely book, Risked by Ms. Haddix, I decided to take a little trip into the genre of time traveling. I wanted more, especially being slightly disappointed by Risked's performance. Now I end up here, reading Vortex by Julie Cross. I didn't write a review for the first book of the series, but I can tell you this: I was pretty neutral about the book. I neither hated it or loved it. 

After reading Vortex, I have a bit more feelings towards it. And it's not good because it's leaning toward the negative side of the notch. Why?

Now that's an excellent question. Why? A brilliant question that lead scientists to conclusions and unfortunately, science classes like Biology and Chemistry. It's what got Mr. Bacon to create the Scientific Method. At least, I think it was Mr. Bacon. Well, I believe you go the point. Questions leads to explanation, which leads to more questions. But why am I talking about this? Because I love talking about how much I remember science crap. Yes, I said. I love telling the world how nerdy I truly am. Then again, you guys are nerds too because you read. Right? 

Vortex is annoying (yep, I'm definitely overusing that word) because of Time Traveling. Julie Cross went overboard with time traveling. It's quite difficult telling the difference from 2007 Holly, 2007 Jackson's Dad, 1946 Jackson's Dad, Jackson's Three Year Old Self, Courtney's Old Self, Courtney's New Self, and all those alternate personalities. Apparently, there's also two timelines which is the equivalent of two parallel universe as how you nerds would say. And can it get anymore confusing? Yes, yes, it can. Then there's genetics going in too with the book, so Vortex just had a computer crash that overwhelmed itself so much. I have no idea what was going on in the book. These little dates in the left-hand side of the corner of each page may be a tiny bit helpful, but it's not good enough. Jackson may not jump a lot, but he does it way too much towards the end of Vortex.  

The writing of Vortex is unfortunately addicting, with a hint of suspense. Let's not talk about the crazy plot/timeline. There's too many jumps back into time. 

Oh, should I mention good old gf Holly? Yeah, she's working for Eyewall, the enemy of CIA and Jackson Meyer. Go figure, Jackson's in an alternate world, affected by time traveling. And she's a freaking Eyewall agent. Every time she says something like "Call me Agent...", I roll my eyes. This girl really wants to be James Bond II. And Jackson? What about him? He's screwing up the entire series, like many main characters

Rating: Two out of Five

Vortex by S.J. Kincaid Review

"The impossible was just the beginning. Now in their second year as superhuman government weapons-in-training at the Pentagonal Spire, Tom Raines and his friends are mid-level cadets in the elite combat corps known as the Intrasolar Forces. But as training intensifies and a moment arrives that could make or break his entire career, Tom’s loyalties are again put to the test.

Encouraged to betray his ideals and friendships for the sake of his country, Tom is convinced there must be another way. And the more aware he becomes of the corruption surrounding him, the more determined he becomes to fight it, even if he sabotages his own future in the process.

Drawn into a power struggle more dramatic than he has ever faced before, Tom stays a hyperintelligent step ahead of everyone, like the exceptional gamer he is—or so he believes. But when he learns that he and his friends have unwittingly made the most grievous error imaginable, Tom must find a way to outwit an enemy so nefarious that victory seems hopeless. Will his idealism and bravado cost him everything—and everyone that matters to him?

Filled with action and intelligence, camaraderie and humor, the second book in S.J. Kincaid’s futuristic World War III Insignia trilogy continues to explore fascinating and timely questions about power, politics, technology, loyalty, and friendship."

*Facepalm* Oh my goodness, Vortex is a nightmare. It's an utter disaster with me slamming the book into the ground and the book...Well, it has a better fate compared to me (I'm mentally scarred forever until a good book in this series arrives).

After highly anticipating the sequel of Insignia, I am sorely disappointed by the oh-so-whatever performance by Vortex. As the second book of Insignia, Vortex is expected to be better than Insignia (and there's a small chance that that is possible, although not very likely. Insignia is a great kick). No, Vortex has all the symptoms of a whiny middle child. The third child or the third book in the Insignia series better be kicking butts. Vortex is not even close to being on my top ten list of books I've read this year. No, it's closer to the middle. That's how bad Vortex performed.

Part of the problem is the characters (which I will explain later, especially Tom Raines). Another part is the plot and writing style of the author. And there's a third problem that is not so big. The ending. (And I'll explain all of these, of course.)

Okay, remember when we were kids, we used to do timelines in school because, well, we had to and our grades were going to die if we didn't do it. Do you remember that kid who doesn't care what he gets for a grade? That kid who throw random events in a random sequence? Yeah, that kid is the author, as the timeline is to the plot. Vortex is basically a story with a randomly placed plot. I mean, I don't understand why half of these characters appear at the oddest times. And sometimes Vortex seems so slow (it's about four hundred pages and it seems slow!).

Vortex starts off well, but then the writing style of the author is so disorganized. I feel like the author rushed everything (even though the plot is kind of slow) and didn't really edit/revise Vortex before sending it off to the publishers. What is the author working on that causes him to make some errors in Vortex? The next book in the Insignia series? It better me; and he better do the third book better. (Wow, all theses "better"s is going crazy.)

The ending is well...ruined too. Goodness cow! (LOL. COW, of all things?) I hate Tom. I hate Medusa. I hate Wyatt. I hate Blackburn. I hate Yuri. I hate Heather. Vik's cool...wait...that thing he said...actually no. Ya, I hate nearly everyone in this book except Elliot. He's awesome, like NPH (Neil Patrick Harris/Barney Stinson awesome). Mostly, the reason why the ending is ruined is because of Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom, and Tom. Yeah, Tom, I don't like you very much.

Now the characters, starting with the troublemaker. Tom, you are the stupidest person who ever lived. I don't like you very much. Tom reminds me of a soldier with a gun (in this case, his interface power), who has too much swagger. He thinks the world is going to stop for him. He thinks the world center around him. He thinks the world owes him something. (Well, guess what Tom? The world was here first, not your ungrateful pig butt!)

Now, there's the other characters. Blackburn, I thought he would be more of a father figure to Tom until I realize that there's no good left in him. Only darkness, anger, a computer, and revenge is all there's left. He is an abyss of darkness. Wyatt is a complete idiot; although her feelings are more revealed in Vortex, hinting a slightly more complicated character. She, apparently, has an okay EQ score after all. Then there's Vik, who is the biggest idiot in the world. That's all I need to say. Moving on, there's Yuri, who is well Yuri except mind controlled by the most powerful man in the world. (Oops, spoiler.)

The more major characters are Medusa and Elliot. Medusa, you are a true damsel in distress. And your appearances in the book are odd; but there's the idiotic problem. Here some free advice girl: Once a boy betrays you, he will betray you again. I guarantee it. Now on to book version NPH. (I wish it was NPH.) Elliot Ramirez (I may have misspelled his name, but I don't care) may not be good with computers, but he is good at handing out free advice. He's totally drool worthy until you realize...well, there's already someone in his life.

Rating: Two out of Five