You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
I have really enjoyed these books. I'm excited for the next one to come out, and see where the story ends. I feel the characters have been well developed, the story is getting more personal, and I find myself confused on who I want her to be with.
There are certain things that I find frustrating in the book, but I had to remind myself that the characters are in high school. Most of them, at least. So when I get annoyed with something that they're doing, I would think about what age they are, and it makes more sense.
I definitely would recommend these books to anyone looking for a fun and easier read!
There are certain things that I find frustrating in the book, but I had to remind myself that the characters are in high school. Most of them, at least. So when I get annoyed with something that they're doing, I would think about what age they are, and it makes more sense.
I definitely would recommend these books to anyone looking for a fun and easier read!
Like Unearthly, Hallowed is mostly about interpersonal relationships but with plenty of engaging plot twists and turns that-- whether predictable or not-- always felt like a natural progression of the story. The most striking difference between Unearthly and Hallowed, is that Hallowed places a lot more of it's focus on world building. I personally liked that the world of angel-bloods became a lot more fleshed out and complex, however, it did come at the expense of some of the fun school plots that were in Unearthly. Most noticeably, Wendy is barely in Hallowed. She does have a great "Think about your future" scene with Clara, but that's about it. I might not have notice so much if Wendy's place as best friend wasn't primarily taken by Angela. Merely irritating bordering on annoying in Unearthly, she is flat out obnoxious in Hallowed. I don't understand why everyone seems to trust her-- I didn't trust her in Unearthly or in Hallowed. Well intentioned, maybe, but she loves a good boast, loves gathering information, and loves her angel powers a little too much. The boom may never fall, and I may be off on this character, but I just don't find her admirable. Her bossing everyone around was just too much. No wonder Clara's her only friend!
Overall, Hallowed seemed like it was primarily about Clara realizing she needs to grow up (not actually growing up mind you... hopefully that will happen in the third book). Unfortunately, I think Clara spent a lot of Hallowed acting like a petulant child. While Clara is still an interesting and admirable character, the extreme annoyance I felt with her at the end of Unearthly when she seemingly messes up her purpose is pretty much how I felt toward her the entire book. And, by the end of Hallowed the true impact that Clara's choices in Unearthly had on other characters begins to become clear.
Okay, here's the part where I weigh in on the love triangle-- since it's kind of the focus of the book. If my annoyance towards Clara is any hint, as of now I'm totally Team Christian. Though I like Tucker, and in a lot of ways like him better than Christian, I think that Christian is the better match for Clara. Honestly, I can't shake the feeling that Tucker is just in the way of Clara and Christian getting together-- the Kay of Hallowed. Really for as much of the book that Tucker and Clara spend drooling over each other, there are just as many signs pointing to them not being happy together in the long run. Christian and Clara's "We belong together" aside (which I'll get to), Tucker and Clara are not right for each other. For one, they want totally different things out of life. It's fine that Tucker wants to live and die in Jackson Hole, (I have similar aspirations about my own hometown), but can anyone seriously picture Clara-- who will live and be young and beautiful for well over 100 years-- wanting the same thing? She's meant for something bigger than what Tucker can offer. For another thing, Clara can't ever truly be who she is around Tucker. She has to suppress her glory and her other angel powers just to be around him romantically. Neither of these points she would have to worry about with Christian. In all seriousness, after you have read the book, think about Clara's glory scene with Tucker versus her glory scene with Christian. Big. Difference. Clara's glory is part of who she is, she shouldn't have to hide it, at least not from her significant other.
Also, Clara and Christian's whole "we belong together" feeling. Usually, I get annoyed at this idea being used as a way to force a romantic connection between two otherwise unconnected characters (Twilight, Starcrossed), but in Hallowed, it works. It was the same in Unearthly, Clara and Christian really do feel like they belong together when they interact. Their chemistry is off the charts. I have to credit this otherworldly connection to Hand's lovely writing style. She turned something I hate in other stories into something I love in Hallowed. Christian certainly isn't perfect-- he's very detached from other people and he's a touch arrogant and condescending, but ultimately I think he is the better choice for Clara. He can understand her in a way that Tucker just can't, and frankly, shouldn't have too. I think by the end of Hallowed, Clara has started to realize this. I think her mother's story, which we finally get to hear, will have a big impact on Clara going forward.
Here's the thing though...I'm really not sure who Clara is going to end up with. Personally, I think the signs point to Christian, but I wouldn't put anything past Hand and her skillful plotting. And I love that about Hallowed. How many series are there, where by the end of the second book it wasn't incredibly obvious who the heroine would choose in the love triangle? But I just don't know, I still think it could go either way. In other words, I can't wait for that third book to come out!
Overall, Hallowed seemed like it was primarily about Clara realizing she needs to grow up (not actually growing up mind you... hopefully that will happen in the third book). Unfortunately, I think Clara spent a lot of Hallowed acting like a petulant child. While Clara is still an interesting and admirable character, the extreme annoyance I felt with her at the end of Unearthly when she seemingly messes up her purpose is pretty much how I felt toward her the entire book. And, by the end of Hallowed the true impact that Clara's choices in Unearthly had on other characters begins to become clear.
Okay, here's the part where I weigh in on the love triangle-- since it's kind of the focus of the book. If my annoyance towards Clara is any hint, as of now I'm totally Team Christian. Though I like Tucker, and in a lot of ways like him better than Christian, I think that Christian is the better match for Clara. Honestly, I can't shake the feeling that Tucker is just in the way of Clara and Christian getting together-- the Kay of Hallowed. Really for as much of the book that Tucker and Clara spend drooling over each other, there are just as many signs pointing to them not being happy together in the long run. Christian and Clara's "We belong together" aside (which I'll get to), Tucker and Clara are not right for each other. For one, they want totally different things out of life. It's fine that Tucker wants to live and die in Jackson Hole, (I have similar aspirations about my own hometown), but can anyone seriously picture Clara-- who will live and be young and beautiful for well over 100 years-- wanting the same thing? She's meant for something bigger than what Tucker can offer. For another thing, Clara can't ever truly be who she is around Tucker. She has to suppress her glory and her other angel powers just to be around him romantically. Neither of these points she would have to worry about with Christian. In all seriousness, after you have read the book, think about Clara's glory scene with Tucker versus her glory scene with Christian. Big. Difference. Clara's glory is part of who she is, she shouldn't have to hide it, at least not from her significant other.
Also, Clara and Christian's whole "we belong together" feeling. Usually, I get annoyed at this idea being used as a way to force a romantic connection between two otherwise unconnected characters (Twilight, Starcrossed), but in Hallowed, it works. It was the same in Unearthly, Clara and Christian really do feel like they belong together when they interact. Their chemistry is off the charts. I have to credit this otherworldly connection to Hand's lovely writing style. She turned something I hate in other stories into something I love in Hallowed. Christian certainly isn't perfect-- he's very detached from other people and he's a touch arrogant and condescending, but ultimately I think he is the better choice for Clara. He can understand her in a way that Tucker just can't, and frankly, shouldn't have too. I think by the end of Hallowed, Clara has started to realize this. I think her mother's story, which we finally get to hear, will have a big impact on Clara going forward.
Here's the thing though...I'm really not sure who Clara is going to end up with. Personally, I think the signs point to Christian, but I wouldn't put anything past Hand and her skillful plotting. And I love that about Hallowed. How many series are there, where by the end of the second book it wasn't incredibly obvious who the heroine would choose in the love triangle? But I just don't know, I still think it could go either way. In other words, I can't wait for that third book to come out!
Still a great series, there were a few slow points for me in this book but overall, it was great. I loved the romance between Clara & Tucker, it was a slow burn romance. I’m so happy that Clara finally gave that boy a chance and found her own happiness. In this book you will read about a teenage romance, teen drama, friendships, heartache, and action.
I did find that I was getting sick of the same drama with Clara’s mom, and how she felt that it was necessary to have a pity party about it. I was so over that part but I really did enjoy this teenage love/drama with angels in it.
I did find that I was getting sick of the same drama with Clara’s mom, and how she felt that it was necessary to have a pity party about it. I was so over that part but I really did enjoy this teenage love/drama with angels in it.
So. Destiny. How do you all feel about it? Because I think it's probably a pretty good barometer of how much you'll like this book.
Hallowed does a couple of things I liked. Meta commentary on YA romance tropes: fun! Depictions of death and grief: well done! Faith: no worse than mainstream discourse on faith usually is and occasionally had moments that rung really true!
However, it very much follows the destiny set in stone tradition. Clara does try to fight what she believes to be her fate but her efforts seemed half-hearted at best. Characters constantly make decisions based on their visions, the entire love triangle exists because of destiny, and for all Clara's fighting the book seems to come out saying that no matter what angel-bloods do they'll only find happiness once they accept their purposes.
Idk y'all. Just not a huge fan of destiny. 3 stars
Hallowed does a couple of things I liked. Meta commentary on YA romance tropes: fun! Depictions of death and grief: well done! Faith: no worse than mainstream discourse on faith usually is and occasionally had moments that rung really true!
However, it very much follows the destiny set in stone tradition. Clara does try to fight what she believes to be her fate but her efforts seemed half-hearted at best. Characters constantly make decisions based on their visions, the entire love triangle exists because of destiny, and for all Clara's fighting the book seems to come out saying that no matter what angel-bloods do they'll only find happiness once they accept their purposes.
Idk y'all. Just not a huge fan of destiny. 3 stars
The second book in the Unearthly Series....was unbelievably sad! And full of so much angst! When I found out Clara's mom was going to die, I cried! How awful that Clara and Jeffrey had to go through that, knowing that your mom was going to die and nothing you could do about it. I'm sorry, but I don't want Christian and Clara to be together, even if they are meant to be. It's all about Tucker! Tucker is just so sweet, and their relationship is just so natural. Gah! With Christian, it just feels too forced! There is still so many unanswered questions I'm sure will be answered in the last book. I wanna know what's going on with Jeffrey, what that creeper Samjeeza is up to, what Clara's purpose is, and who will she choose in the end. I hope Tucker and Clara is endgame.
So.... So beautiful. And conflicting. And just.... *sigh* The ending to was honestly beautiful, I can't even express how calm that made me feel... Weird huh? Lol. Anyways!
I freakin' love this series! I sobbed so many times man smh. Lol. What really annoyed me was Jeffrey. Listen you little angst teenager, you should have TOLD your mother and sister what your damn purpose was instead of hiding it smh. I honestly am scared for him the most. Gaaahhhh! :( Please, Cynthia, do not let my fears come true :/ I have NO words -NONE- for Clara's situation. Honestly, it hurt so much. I just.... I cried. :'( I'm going to ready myself for Boundless. I was so upset when *blank* died! WHY?! Stupid rules.
I love this series, it mixes with my emotions well. 5+.
I freakin' love this series! I sobbed so many times man smh. Lol. What really annoyed me was Jeffrey. Listen you little angst teenager, you should have TOLD your mother and sister what your damn purpose was instead of hiding it smh. I honestly am scared for him the most. Gaaahhhh! :( Please, Cynthia, do not let my fears come true :/ I have NO words -NONE- for Clara's situation. Honestly, it hurt so much. I just.... I cried. :'( I'm going to ready myself for Boundless. I was so upset when *blank* died! WHY?! Stupid rules.
I love this series, it mixes with my emotions well. 5+.
I hate Christian! I also found myself disliking Clara just a bit too often. Oh, and I’m still in love with Tucker, like totally!
In all fairness to Hand, I applaud her for creating such humane characters who really made me feel empathy for every one of them. However, since her plot seemed character-driven, there were times when I just wanted to strangle Clara for all her fucked up decisions. It was pretty frustrating, to say the least, because I sure as hell thought Tucker was more of an interesting love interest than the brooding Christian, but the fucking “purpose” just fucking messed up with my head throughout the fucking book. Yup, that’s a hell of a lot of fuck-ups, which pretty much sums up how I feel.
If I could write an ode or a eulogy for Tucker, I would. But since I don’t even know how to properly write one, I want to prove my loyalty by saying that Christian will NEVER EVER HAVE MY APPROVAL FOR CLARA’S HAND. And if they do end up together, well I hope they get run over by Tucker’s rodeo entourage or whatever straight into hell. Then Tucker will, by some miracle, turn into an Intangere and those two adulterous sorry-excuses-for-an-angel will turn into those lowly Black Wings forever. Then I’ll live happily ever after! Bitter much?
Oh, btw, can Christian please stop being another Edward-Cullen-wannabe with his broodiness and by watching over Clara outside her bedroom window? Creepy much? Though on second thought, I guess it’s all fine because I never did like Twilight and all its supposed epicness; I already want to balk just thinking about my harrowing experience with that book. So that just proves my point why Christian is a big no-no and why Tucker FOREVER GETS MY VOTE!
In all fairness to Hand, I applaud her for creating such humane characters who really made me feel empathy for every one of them. However, since her plot seemed character-driven, there were times when I just wanted to strangle Clara for all her fucked up decisions. It was pretty frustrating, to say the least, because I sure as hell thought Tucker was more of an interesting love interest than the brooding Christian, but the fucking “purpose” just fucking messed up with my head throughout the fucking book. Yup, that’s a hell of a lot of fuck-ups, which pretty much sums up how I feel.
If I could write an ode or a eulogy for Tucker, I would. But since I don’t even know how to properly write one, I want to prove my loyalty by saying that Christian will NEVER EVER HAVE MY APPROVAL FOR CLARA’S HAND. And if they do end up together, well I hope they get run over by Tucker’s rodeo entourage or whatever straight into hell. Then Tucker will, by some miracle, turn into an Intangere and those two adulterous sorry-excuses-for-an-angel will turn into those lowly Black Wings forever. Then I’ll live happily ever after! Bitter much?
Oh, btw, can Christian please stop being another Edward-Cullen-wannabe with his broodiness and by watching over Clara outside her bedroom window? Creepy much? Though on second thought, I guess it’s all fine because I never did like Twilight and all its supposed epicness; I already want to balk just thinking about my harrowing experience with that book. So that just proves my point why Christian is a big no-no and why Tucker FOREVER GETS MY VOTE!