Best book I have read ALL YEAR! If I could give it more than 5 stars, I totally would. I wish I could. True story. So much so, I'm not even sure of where to start my review. So first I'll start by thanking Spencer Hill Press for providing me with an early copy (uncorrected proof) of this book at BEA. This was the one I was most excited to get, so I got on line right away! Receiving this book for free has in no way influenced my opinion or review.

Blurb from Goodreads:
Welcome to the war.
The Tesla Institute is a premier academy that trains young time travelers called Rifters. Created by Nicola Tesla, the Institute seeks special individuals who can help preserve the time stream against those who try to alter it.
The Hollows is a rogue band of Rifters who tear through time with little care for the consequences. Armed with their own group of lost teens--their only desire to find Tesla and put an end to his corruption of the time stream.
Torn between them are Lex and Ember, two Rifters with no memories of their life before joining the time war.
When Lex’s girlfriend dies during a mission, the only way he can save her is to retrieve the Dox, a piece of tech which allows Rifters to re-enter their own timeline without collapsing the time stream. But the Dox is hidden deep within the Telsa Institute, which means Lex must go into the enemy camp. It’s there he meets Ember, and the past that was stolen from them both comes flooding back.
Now armed with the truth of who they are, Lex and Ember must work together to save the future before the battle for time destroys them both…again.

So, in all honesty, I am not really sure where to start with this review. And it's taken me a long time to even formulate just a bit to put down on paper because I have so many feelings that I want to share. If you like time traveling, if you like science function, if you like kick butt main characters, then this book will draw you in and never let you go.

Let me start with the cover. If anyone knows me, they know I am a HUGE fan of Lisa Amowitz and her designs. This cover is NO exception. It is absolutely gorgeous. I love the color scheme, how it totally incorporates that Steampunk feel to it, plus the male model is quite handsome. And the lightening is quite an interesting touch, seeing as this book revolves around Tesla. I have nothing negative to say about this cover in any way. It's my favorite cover of any book in 2013. The cover completely suits this book, I beg you to tell me otherwise!

The characters, oh, so many feelings are evoked when I think about them. I'm always concerned with books that are told in two points of view. I'm afraid I won't be able to tell the characters apart, or I'll get too confused with who is speaking and what's going on. Not so with this book because the characters are so well defined in their personalities that you can't possibly mistake one for the other when reading their chapters. Ficklin and Jolley have done a masterful job in fleshing out each character's quirks and traits, making them relatable and realistic, and lovable all at the same time!
Let's start with Ember. She is TOUGH. It's so great to see a heroine who is not lolly-gagging after a guy and pouting the entire time as she tries to get him. She's all about doing the job and keeping her team safe. She knows who her family and friends are even if she can't remember her past. It's amazing to watch her grow and change as she finds out who she is and what has happened to her. Of course, her romance is a great part of this book. What I liked most about it is that it was not the central part of what was going on. She knew she had to take care of things, even if she also knew that she couldn't live without the one she loved. And she's funny and quirky and just all around amazing.
Lex, well, he is up there with swoon worthy book boyfriends in my opinion. Not only is he good looking, but he's sweet and honest and pure. And he is completely and totally loyal, to a fault (which you'll understand when you read the book, no spoilers from me). He, like Ember, is not afraid to go after what he wants. And he is also funny. I love his connection to Ember and how they share the fact that they have both lost memories but are slowly getting them back.
And there is so much to say about all the secondary characters in this book. Stein is certainly strong, smart and stubborn. And I love how Ethan is so cocky, yet it doesn't seem to bother Ember. Their banter is phenomenal and you can totally see that they get each other. Kara is an amazing best friend, although she did get me mad at one point in the book and I wanted to throttle her a bit. But in the end she redeemed herself. As for Nobel, he is a true best friend to Lex for sure. Super supportive and just downright probably one of the smartest out of the whole crew! Both Teslas and Claymore are equally creepy in their own way. And Gloves, well, you'll have to go ahead and get to know him because you will for sure find him to be one of the most interesting characters you have ever met.

One of the most amazing things about this book being in two POV is how seamlessly Ficklin and Jolley's writing come together. If there weren't two authors listed on the front, I would never have guessed that it was written by two people. Every chapter plays out right in your mind. You can actually see what is going on, as if you're watching a movie in wide screen. There are no breaks in continuity, no missing plot pieces. It's as if Ficklin and Jolley are the same person, but believe me, I've met them, they are not. And, since I have met them, I can totally see each of their personalities in the characters they have written. It's amazing!

And the plot, how the authors kept things straight in their minds, I will never know! Just think, these characters are constantly traveling back in time, but trying not to alter things, and definitely trying not to meet themselves in the process. It's a fine line that they walk. And when they do return to the same timeline, they take a chance of ripping a hole in the seam of the time continuum. Yup, it's not easy to get all that straight. But Sherry and Tyler totally managed it and there are no holes, there are no inconsistencies. The flow continues on and on and you're amazed at how well it all comes together. It's fast paced and fun, with some heart stopping moments where you are sure to catch your breath. I could not help but turn page after page once I started. There's nothing boring, nothing slow about this book in the least. It's completely original and unlike any other time travel story I have read. Plus, it incorporates elements of Steampunk which are just amazing from gadgets that terrorize the Rifters, to things that help keep them grounded and give them the ability to get back to their own time line. It is ingenious, creative and inventive.

Honestly, there's not much more I can say without delving into the story and giving away all the plot secrets. This is a must read of this year. By far my favorite book I have picked up and read. I'm sorry it took me so long after BEA to get to it (I wanted to start it once it was in my hand but other commitments didn't allow that to happen!). One thing I can tell you is that the book does not end on a cliff hanger, there is certainly an opening for the next one in the series, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it and see what adventures Ember and Lex will go on next.

5/5 hard fist bumps from me for sure (or an A+++++++++++!)