“Time isn’t a river. It’s a vast ocean, and we’re just tiny boats, sometimes caught in currents, sometimes becalmed.”
— Jackson's father explains the nature of time travel.
Archivist's Choice
Tempest
Julie Cross (2012)
Genre
Fantasy / Mystery / Science Fiction / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
7 hours 30 min
Key Themes
See below
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Stuck two years in the past, a heartbroken time-traveler races against shadowy 'Enemies of Time' to master his powers and rewrite a tragic future, all while trying to save the girl he loves and possibly the world.
Synopsis
Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer lives a normal life in 2009, with one secret: he can travel back in time, though his jumps never change the present. This changes when armed strangers burst into his apartment, and his girlfriend, Holly, is fatally shot. In a desperate attempt to escape, Jackson jumps two years into the past, landing in 2007, but finds he cannot return. He cannot save Holly.
Trapped in the past, Jackson must adapt to a new life while dealing with Holly's death and the mystery of his inability to return. He soon discovers the same 'Enemies of Time' who attacked him in 2009 are now hunting him in 2007, seeking to recruit or eliminate him. As Jackson learns more about his abilities, his absent father, and the organization pursuing him, he realizes his quest to save Holly might be part of a larger conflict that could decide the fate of time itself. He must master his powers and confront the Enemies of Time, making difficult choices and sacrifices in his bid to reunite with Holly and prevent a catastrophic future.
Reading time
7 hours 30 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Suspenseful, Romantic, Mysterious, Hopeful
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy time-travel stories with a strong romantic element and a touch of mystery.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer hard science fiction time travel with strict rules and minimal paradoxes.
Plot Summary
The Fatal Jump
In 2009, nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a college student with a secret: he can spontaneously jump short distances through time, usually to the past, observing events without changing his present. He lives with his girlfriend, Holly, and his best friend, Adam. One night, their apartment is invaded by armed strangers. During the struggle, Holly is shot and killed. Overwhelmed by grief and panic, Jackson involuntarily jumps back two years, landing in 2007. This jump is different; he is physically stuck in the past, unable to return to his own time, and 2007 is now his present. He is devastated by Holly's death and desperate to find a way back to save her.
Stuck in the Past
Jackson, now in 2007, tries to understand his situation. He realizes he cannot simply jump back to 2009 to prevent Holly's death, as his abilities seem to have changed. He visits his younger self and Holly in 2007, watching them from a distance, which only increases his pain and resolve. He struggles with the paradox of his presence, knowing that any interaction could change the timeline, possibly creating a worse future or erasing his own existence. He is haunted by Holly's death and the knowledge he cannot prevent it from his current position in time, leading to deep frustration and isolation.
A New Life and a New Threat
Forced to adapt to 2007, Jackson enrolls in college under a new identity, using his knowledge of future events to get money and establish a life. He meets Dr. Love, a history professor who seems interested in him, and a mysterious girl named Penelope. He also meets other time travelers, including the dangerous Adam, who is not the friend Jackson knew from 2009 but an older, more sinister version. These encounters confirm his suspicion that he is not alone in his abilities and that organizations know about time travel, some with bad intentions. Jackson realizes he is being watched and hunted.
The Enemies of Time
Jackson discovers two main groups of time travelers: the Enemies of Time (EoT), who seek to control time for their own gain, and the Tempest, who aim to protect the timeline. The people who killed Holly in 2009 are revealed to be EoT members, and they are now hunting Jackson in 2007, trying to recruit him due to his powerful, uncontrolled time-traveling ability. Jackson learns his father, whom he believed dead, was also a time traveler and a significant figure in these conflicts, further complicating his understanding of his past and powers.
Training with Penelope
Penelope, a member of the Tempest, takes Jackson under her wing. She explains that Jackson's ability to jump into the past and *stay* there, becoming part of that timeline, is rare and powerful. She teaches him how to better control his jumps, to aim for specific times and locations, and to understand the limits and dangers of his power. Penelope stresses the importance of not changing the past, even subtly, to preserve the future. Through their training, Jackson begins to understand his gift, which is unlike any other known time traveler's.
The Truth About Adam
Jackson is horrified to learn that Adam, his best friend from 2009, is a high-ranking member of the Enemies of Time. This Adam is an older, more ruthless version who has been manipulating events across timelines. Adam reveals he was responsible for the 2009 attack that led to Holly's death, orchestrating it to force Jackson's powerful jump into the past. Adam's goal is to recruit Jackson, believing his unique abilities are crucial to the EoT's plan to reshape history. This betrayal shatters Jackson's view of friendship and trust.
The Search for Answers
Convinced his father holds the key to understanding his powers and possibly returning to 2009, Jackson searches for him in 2007. He pieces together clues left by his father and information from Penelope, learning his father was a prominent figure among the Tempest and had developed theories about Jackson's unique time travel. The journey is dangerous, as both the Tempest and the EoT know his movements, each hoping to reach his father first to gain an advantage in their war over time.
Reunion and Revelation
Jackson finally locates his father, Dr. Meyer, who is alive and well in 2007. Dr. Meyer explains that Jackson is a 'Tempest' – a unique time traveler who replaces his past self, becoming a physical part of that timeline. He reveals the Enemies of Time are trying to control these rare abilities to rewrite history for their own benefit, potentially unraveling time itself. Dr. Meyer also shares that Jackson's jumps are tied to intense emotional trauma, explaining the circumstances of his jump to 2007.
The Plan to Save Holly
Armed with new knowledge, Jackson believes he can return to 2009 and save Holly. His father warns him about the extreme dangers and unknown results of changing such a significant event. However, Jackson's love for Holly outweighs his fears. He works with his father and Penelope to make a plan, understanding he needs to trigger another powerful, controlled jump, which will require immense emotional focus and a precise understanding of time mechanics. The plan is dangerous and uncertain, with the risk of being trapped in another time or worse.
Confrontation and Sacrifice
As Jackson prepares for his jump, Adam and the Enemies of Time launch a full-scale assault, determined to capture or eliminate Jackson. A fierce battle follows, with Jackson, his father, and Penelope fighting against the EoT. During the confrontation, Jackson must make difficult choices and witness further sacrifices. He must use all his training and newly understood abilities to evade capture and create the necessary emotional trigger to initiate his jump back to 2009. The stakes are high, not just for Holly, but for the stability of time itself.
The Leap of Faith
Under immense pressure and emotional distress, Jackson focuses on his desire to save Holly and makes the jump. The experience is disorienting and terrifying, a chaotic plunge through time. He is unsure if he will land precisely in 2009, or if he will be able to change the events of that night. The story ends with him mid-jump, showing the uncertainty and the immense gamble he has taken. His destiny, and Holly's, depend on the success of this unprecedented temporal leap and his ability to navigate the complex web of time.
Principal Figures
Jackson Meyer
The Protagonist
Jackson transforms from an oblivious time-hopper to a skilled and responsible temporal agent, willing to risk everything to protect those he loves and the integrity of time itself.
Holly
The Supporting
Though her physical presence is limited, Holly's character arc is defined by her role as the ultimate motivation for Jackson's transformation.
Adam
The Antagonist
Adam's arc reveals his true nature as a calculating villain, using his knowledge of the future to manipulate events and individuals, including his 'best friend'.
Penelope
The Supporting
Penelope guides Jackson, helping him harness his powers and providing a moral compass, evolving from a detached observer to a committed ally.
Dr. Meyer
The Supporting
Dr. Meyer's arc involves his re-emergence to guide his son, providing the necessary knowledge and support for Jackson's mission.
Dr. Love
The Supporting
Dr. Love's arc shows him as a mysterious figure who, through his subtle guidance, helps Jackson on his path.
Themes & Insights
The Burden of Choice and Consequence
Jackson's journey is defined by the choices he must make and the far-reaching results of those decisions, especially concerning time travel. He constantly deals with the ethical problem of changing the past, even to save Holly. The novel shows how even small actions in one timeline can have catastrophic ripple effects across others. His choice to save Holly, despite the warnings, highlights the weight of personal desire against cosmic responsibility.
““Every choice you make, Jackson, sends ripples. In time, those ripples can become tidal waves.””
Love and Sacrifice
At its core, the novel is driven by Jackson's unwavering love for Holly and his willingness to sacrifice everything – his present, his safety, and potentially the stability of time itself – to save her. This theme explores the depths of human affection and the extreme lengths one might go to protect a loved one. It also touches upon the sacrifices made by others, like Penelope and Dr. Meyer, who risk their lives and their places in time to protect the greater good.
““I would burn the world to save you, Holly. Every single timeline.””
Identity and Self-Discovery
Jackson's journey is also one of self-discovery. He begins as a normal college student unaware of his powers. Being stranded in 2007 forces him to create a new identity, and learning about his father's past and his unique 'Tempest' abilities changes his understanding of who he is. He moves from a passive observer of time to an active participant, embracing his destiny and the responsibilities that come with his extraordinary gift, ultimately defining himself through his actions.
““You are not just a traveler, Jackson. You are a Tempest. A force of nature.””
Betrayal and Trust
Betrayal is central, particularly through Adam. Jackson's best friend turning out to be a manipulative antagonist shatters his view of trust and forces him to rethink his relationships. This betrayal highlights the dangers of misplaced trust and the difficulty of telling friend from foe in a world where identities and loyalties can shift across timelines. Conversely, the development of trust between Jackson, Penelope, and his father becomes crucial for his survival and mission.
““The hardest part about time, Jackson, is knowing who you can trust when everyone has a past… and a future.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Uncontrolled Time Jumps
Jackson's initial, spontaneous, and traumatic time travel.
This device establishes Jackson's unique ability. Initially, his jumps are involuntary and short, allowing him to observe the past without altering it. However, Holly's death triggers a powerful, uncontrolled jump to 2007, physically stranding him in the past. This serves as the inciting incident, propelling the plot forward and forcing Jackson to confront the true nature and dangers of his powers. It also sets up the central mystery of why his abilities changed and how he might return.
Temporal Paradoxes
The inherent contradictions and dangers of altering the past.
The novel frequently explores the concept of temporal paradoxes, particularly the 'grandfather paradox' or the idea that changing the past could erase one's own existence or create a fractured timeline. Jackson's father and Penelope constantly warn him about the dangers of altering events, even subtly. This device creates tension and raises the stakes, as Jackson's attempts to save Holly are fraught with the risk of unintended, catastrophic consequences, highlighting the delicate balance of time.
The Temporal War (Enemies of Time vs. Tempest)
The overarching conflict between factions vying for control over time.
This device provides the larger narrative framework and the primary source of external conflict. The existence of the Enemies of Time (EoT), who seek to manipulate history, and the Tempest, who strive to protect it, establishes a clear good-versus-evil dynamic. This war explains the attack on Jackson's apartment, Adam's betrayal, and the constant threat Jackson faces. It elevates the personal stakes of saving Holly into a battle for the very fabric of time, giving the story epic scope.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Every choice you make, no matter how small, creates a ripple. And sometimes, those ripples become tidal waves.”
— Jackson reflects on the consequences of his actions.
“The past isn't just something that happened. It's a living thing, always trying to pull you back.”
— Jackson struggles with his memories and the pull of his original timeline.
“Love isn't about finding someone perfect. It's about finding someone who makes your imperfections feel like they belong.”
— Jackson thinks about his relationship with Holly.
“Sometimes the greatest mysteries aren't in the stars, but in the spaces between people.”
— Jackson ponders the complexities of human connection and secrets.
“You can't outrun your own history. It follows you, even across timelines.”
— Jackson realizes that his past actions have consequences no matter where he goes.
“The hardest part of being a hero isn't the fight, it's choosing what to sacrifice.”
— Jackson faces a difficult decision to save his loved ones.
“Hope is a dangerous thing. It can keep you alive, but it can also blind you.”
— Jackson's internal monologue about his pursuit of a better future.
“Some truths are meant to stay buried. Digging them up only causes more pain.”
— A warning given to Jackson about uncovering secrets.
“The future isn't fixed. It's a thousand different possibilities, waiting for you to choose one.”
— Jackson is encouraged to believe he has agency over his destiny.
“Even when everything changes, some things stay the same. Like the way your heart beats for someone.”
— Jackson reflects on his enduring feelings for Holly despite timeline shifts.
“Memory is a tricky thing. It can be a comfort, or it can be a cage.”
— Jackson grapples with fragmented and altered memories.
“Sometimes you have to break things to put them back together the right way.”
— Jackson considers the radical actions needed to fix his timeline.
“The greatest power isn't the ability to travel through time, but the courage to live in the one you're given.”
— A profound realization Jackson has about accepting his reality.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Jackson Meyer possesses the ability to travel back in time, but initially, these jumps are perceived as harmless and don't alter his present. He can visit past moments, observe, and return without consequence, treating it as a curious personal phenomenon rather than a powerful gift.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
