Book Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: May, 2009

Author Web Page:

Abby’s senior year of high school is going according to plan: good friends, cute boyfriend, and college applications in the mail. But when Dante Alexander, foreign-exchange student from Italy, steps into her life, he turns it upside down. He’s mysterious, and interesting, and unlike anyone she’s ever met before. Abby can’t deny the growing attraction she feels for him. Nor can she deny the unusual things that seem to happen when Dante is around. Soon Abby finds herself drawn into a mystery whose roots reach into sixteenth-century Florence, and she uncovers a dangerous truth that threatens not only her future but the lives of those she loves.

When I read the synopsis of this book I just knew that I wanted to have it. The premise sounds unique and captivating. After reading the story I knew for sure that it is all of this and more. I would say that aside the pretty well done romantic story, I was hooked by the major theme of the story: “time traveling”. The way the author manages to create the world in present time with the complicated themes that surrounded the story is just exquisite. The mayor compliments I can give to Mangum is how she introduces a real historical character that is “part” of the story without carrying away the main story itself. All the rules related to spiritual themes are magnificent. I liked Abby as a character. She is one those characters that is simply genuine. The way the story is related between the characters is surprisingly good and interesting. The ending was just like: “I want the sequel NOW”. The Hourglass Door is a story with an unique premise that has something about everything: romance, time traveling and spiritual themes. The Hourglass Door is the first of a three book series.