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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Clara's summer ends, the school year starts, and her belief that her purpose is behind her are blurred by a persistent dream. Like the first book she struggles to understand the meaning behind the short clip of events. Someone she loves will die, but who, and can she stop it?
While this novel has few action events, it's steady pace and the authors eloquent writing style kept me reading. The last two chapters are worth the sometimes slow pace. This author gives us a natural story, an empathy and deep understanding of each decision, with believable consequences. I simply cannot wait for the next book.
This 2nd book was as fantastic as the first. Much more emotional, drawing the reader into the situations of good vs. evil, Tucker vs. Christian, purpose vs. want. I can NOT wait until the 3rd book comes out! This is my newest favorite trilogy.
Okay. It was great, but there were a few predictable things. For example: Jeffery starting the fire and Clara’s mother being the one from the vision- the one destined to die.
One things that annoyed me: when Clara almost slept with Tucker and was “caught”. It added nothing to the story and wasn’t mentioned again after a chapter. It was totally unesscesqary.
But, wow. I had a feeling Clara wasn’t only a quarter angel.
Not to mention her father was an angel, but he was Michael, the archangel.
Naturally, Christian’s father also had to be an angel because Clara and Christian are meant for each other. He is her destiny and she is his.
One things that annoyed me: when Clara almost slept with Tucker and was “caught”. It added nothing to the story and wasn’t mentioned again after a chapter. It was totally unesscesqary.
But, wow. I had a feeling Clara wasn’t only a quarter angel.
Not to mention her father was an angel, but he was Michael, the archangel.
Naturally, Christian’s father also had to be an angel because Clara and Christian are meant for each other. He is her destiny and she is his.
I hate romances where you are supposedly destined to be with someone so you are forced into them out of necessity instead of choosing who you really love (cough cough stefan elena and damon) if clara doesn't choose love instead of letting the heavens tell her what to do I WILL BE PISSED. end this series right cynthia or I will hate you forever.
After the wonderful surprise that Unearthly gave me in Hand's debut, Hallowed takes the series to the next level. It's very different from the first book in the series, but it was SO good.
Where Unearthly mainly focused on Clara's visions of the forest fire and Christian, this book centers around Clara getting more involved in the angel world and the new vision that she's been having. I'm having a difficult time to put my thoughts into words without spoiling the story, since everything mostly surrounds one event, so this review will be short.
What I will say is that Hand proves that she can write an emotional story. I was completely sucked into the book, and got quite emotional at times. There's one particular scene that made me cry because it was so beautifully written, but there were several scenes that were simply making me experience it as if I was actually there.
While I was firmly on Tucker's side in the first book, things have shifted now that I've read Hallowed. Christian was so much more likable in this book than Tucker was, even though Tucker is going through some crazy stuff with his supernatural girlfriend and it's totally understandable that he's struggling to cope.
Since this book was so different from its prequel, I can't say if it's better. I can say that it was awesome and if you haven't read the first book in the series yet, I suggest you go do that this year. You won't regret it.
My overall rating: 4.5/5
Four and a half stars for Hallowed and me going crazy while waiting for the final installment! Need it now!
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Review was published on Loving Books.
Where Unearthly mainly focused on Clara's visions of the forest fire and Christian, this book centers around Clara getting more involved in the angel world and the new vision that she's been having. I'm having a difficult time to put my thoughts into words without spoiling the story, since everything mostly surrounds one event, so this review will be short.
What I will say is that Hand proves that she can write an emotional story. I was completely sucked into the book, and got quite emotional at times. There's one particular scene that made me cry because it was so beautifully written, but there were several scenes that were simply making me experience it as if I was actually there.
While I was firmly on Tucker's side in the first book, things have shifted now that I've read Hallowed. Christian was so much more likable in this book than Tucker was, even though Tucker is going through some crazy stuff with his supernatural girlfriend and it's totally understandable that he's struggling to cope.
Since this book was so different from its prequel, I can't say if it's better. I can say that it was awesome and if you haven't read the first book in the series yet, I suggest you go do that this year. You won't regret it.
My overall rating: 4.5/5
Four and a half stars for Hallowed and me going crazy while waiting for the final installment! Need it now!
-------
Review was published on Loving Books.
"Don't be sorry. It's part of who you are. You shouldn't have to apologize for who you are"
Clara saved Tucker from the fire in [b:Unearthly|7488244|Unearthly (Unearthly, #1)|Cynthia Hand|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1324782984s/7488244.jpg|9621771] and helped her mother fight Samjeeza, but there are other problems. Clara didn't fulfill her vision. And now she's seeing visions of a funeral, feeling the presence of Samjeeza, and learning some startling facts about her own angelic heritage. What will happen now that Clara has disobeyed her purpose? Who will die and can she prevent it? And what will she do about Christian?
NOTE: Possible spoilers! I will try my absolute hardest not to spoil the major revelations, but the teeny ones may escape me.
As soon as I finished [b:Unearthly|7488244|Unearthly (Unearthly, #1)|Cynthia Hand|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1324782984s/7488244.jpg|9621771], about a year ago, I've been eager to read the sequel. Unearthly was a rare YA angel book: great characters, interesting mythos, and a romance that actually involved the couple knowing and falling in love with each other. So pretty much as soon as I could get my hands on it, I bought Hallowed and dived in.
The results? A very pleased girl, eager for Book 3.
Hallowed picks right up where Unearthly left off. Hand does a bit of recapping, but just enough to remind us what we read a year ago. Immediately, things start happening. Clara gets visions of a new future, a future where someone dies. But there is also the strange activities of her brother, Jeffrey, the behavior of her mother, Angela's investigation into the history of angels. And of course, Samjeeza is always a threat on the horizon.
Our characters haven't changed from book 1. Clara is still an awesome girl, Tucker is charming and adorable, Clara's mom proves to have a fascinating history and still be a solid presence in Clara's life, Christian really evolved before my eyes, and Angela remains a good friend for Clara. I was upset at how infrequently Wendy appeared. Samjeeza could be pretty corny at times, but even he had some developments that elevated him from stereotypical baddie. Some new characters crop up. Billie, Clara's Mom's friend, was pretty cool (though it was odd that the kids hadn't met her sooner.
What is probably going to be most predominant, and the dealbreaker for many a reader, will be the love triangle. While Unearthly teased with the concept, this book definitely dives headfirst, going so far as to hang a lampshade to the plot device:
In this book's defense, the Love Triangle is handled better than I've seen in most other media (books, movies, etc.). Clara and Christian remain friends, but as Clara is with Christian, she realizes not all of her thoughts to him are "just friends". Meanwhile, Clara pulls back from Tucker, believing he will die. This is the most realistic portrayal of "moving on" in a relationship. Most other YA books would just throw up two guys--sometimes not even that much different from each other--and say, "OH NO, how can our super speshul girl choooooose?"
That said...must we rely on the Love Triangle plot line at all? Why can't Clara just struggle with the vision and Samjeeza? Why does her purpose have to rely on a boy at all?
The next point that I kinda have some problems with concerns some revelations Clara finds out about her history and her mom's history.
Finding out who was going to die and actually going through the person's death was truly heart-breaking. Hand doesn't pick some random person; the astute can probably already guess who it is. But that doesn't soften the blow. And Clara's reaction to that death is completely understandable and relatable.
Hallowed is an amazing follow-up to Unearthly, one that didn't disappoint me in the slightest. The characters are great, we finally get some answers to the questions that have been burning (and somehow, the purpose problem I had with Unearthly was cleared up here--either that, or it didn't bug me anymore), and important stuff happens. The only reason I held back the final star (actually probably half star) is because of some of the later revelations and definitely the Love Triange (though, like I said above, it is very well-done). If you loved Unearthly and don't mind testing out the Love Triangle, you will not be disappointed in Hallowed.
Clara saved Tucker from the fire in [b:Unearthly|7488244|Unearthly (Unearthly, #1)|Cynthia Hand|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1324782984s/7488244.jpg|9621771] and helped her mother fight Samjeeza, but there are other problems. Clara didn't fulfill her vision. And now she's seeing visions of a funeral, feeling the presence of Samjeeza, and learning some startling facts about her own angelic heritage. What will happen now that Clara has disobeyed her purpose? Who will die and can she prevent it? And what will she do about Christian?
NOTE: Possible spoilers! I will try my absolute hardest not to spoil the major revelations, but the teeny ones may escape me.
As soon as I finished [b:Unearthly|7488244|Unearthly (Unearthly, #1)|Cynthia Hand|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1324782984s/7488244.jpg|9621771], about a year ago, I've been eager to read the sequel. Unearthly was a rare YA angel book: great characters, interesting mythos, and a romance that actually involved the couple knowing and falling in love with each other. So pretty much as soon as I could get my hands on it, I bought Hallowed and dived in.
The results? A very pleased girl, eager for Book 3.
Hallowed picks right up where Unearthly left off. Hand does a bit of recapping, but just enough to remind us what we read a year ago. Immediately, things start happening. Clara gets visions of a new future, a future where someone dies. But there is also the strange activities of her brother, Jeffrey, the behavior of her mother, Angela's investigation into the history of angels. And of course, Samjeeza is always a threat on the horizon.
Our characters haven't changed from book 1. Clara is still an awesome girl, Tucker is charming and adorable, Clara's mom proves to have a fascinating history and still be a solid presence in Clara's life, Christian really evolved before my eyes, and Angela remains a good friend for Clara. I was upset at how infrequently Wendy appeared. Samjeeza could be pretty corny at times, but even he had some developments that elevated him from stereotypical baddie. Some new characters crop up. Billie, Clara's Mom's friend, was pretty cool (though it was odd that the kids hadn't met her sooner.
Spoiler
We also meet Clara's dad and find out he isn't human, but an Intangere. Interesting development, one that had been hinted at in the previous book...but I have some comments on this that will come later.What is probably going to be most predominant, and the dealbreaker for many a reader, will be the love triangle. While Unearthly teased with the concept, this book definitely dives headfirst, going so far as to hang a lampshade to the plot device:
"Before I moved here, I never got the whole love-triangle thing. You know, in movies or romance novels or whatnot, where there’s one chick that all the guys are drooling over, even though you can’t see anything particularly special about her. But oh, no, they both must have her. And she’s like, oh dear, however will I choose? William is so sensitive, he understands me, he swept me off my feet, oh misery, blubber, blubber, but how can I go on living without Rafe and his devil-may-care ways and his dark and only-a-little-abusive love? Upchuck."
In this book's defense, the Love Triangle is handled better than I've seen in most other media (books, movies, etc.). Clara and Christian remain friends, but as Clara is with Christian, she realizes not all of her thoughts to him are "just friends". Meanwhile, Clara pulls back from Tucker, believing he will die. This is the most realistic portrayal of "moving on" in a relationship. Most other YA books would just throw up two guys--sometimes not even that much different from each other--and say, "OH NO, how can our super speshul girl choooooose?"
That said...must we rely on the Love Triangle plot line at all? Why can't Clara just struggle with the vision and Samjeeza? Why does her purpose have to rely on a boy at all?
The next point that I kinda have some problems with concerns some revelations Clara finds out about her history and her mom's history.
Spoiler
Turns out, Clara isn't a Quartarius; she's Triplare. Add to the specialness that already comes with being angel-blood, Triplares are super-rare, super-speshul angels that have the ability to exert free-will. I don't have a problem with her being a Triplare, but I can't help rolling my eyes how she is now "super rare and super speshul", even more than an "ordinary" angel blood.Finding out who was going to die and actually going through the person's death was truly heart-breaking. Hand doesn't pick some random person; the astute can probably already guess who it is. But that doesn't soften the blow. And Clara's reaction to that death is completely understandable and relatable.
Hallowed is an amazing follow-up to Unearthly, one that didn't disappoint me in the slightest. The characters are great, we finally get some answers to the questions that have been burning (and somehow, the purpose problem I had with Unearthly was cleared up here--either that, or it didn't bug me anymore), and important stuff happens. The only reason I held back the final star (actually probably half star) is because of some of the later revelations and definitely the Love Triange (though, like I said above, it is very well-done). If you loved Unearthly and don't mind testing out the Love Triangle, you will not be disappointed in Hallowed.
after this book, i am not sure what tema i should be on. in this book, Clara's mom does bring up to a point. Tucker isn't going to last forever, so when he is gone, what will clara do? i hope we get some answers in the next book, i just can beleive that we have to wait a whole year before the next one comes out.
4.5!
So much better than the first! Besides some of the pointless talk and annoying and re-used plot twists the book really picked up around 1/3 through, etc blah blah I am not in a review mood but yeah.
And oh boy, Jeffrey!
He agrivates me. I sense an impending plot twist.
So much better than the first! Besides some of the pointless talk and annoying and re-used plot twists
Spoiler
ermergerd Clara is a Triplaire or whatever! Hey look, Christain is too!And oh boy, Jeffrey!
He agrivates me. I sense an impending plot twist.
I adored Unearthly, and couldn't wait to start reading Hallowed. The story picks up shortly after Unearthly's conclusion, with the characters dealing with some of the fallout and questions leftover from the fires. Clara is still a pretty great character. She's conflicted. She knows what she wants but is worried that she can't have it, or isn't meant to have it, or that it wouldn't be fair to others if she did have it. She is confused by everything that has happened. Christian kinda aggravated me in this one because I felt like he was taking advantage of Clara's confusion a little bit to suit his purposes, though he also is there for her as a friend when it's needed. I just question his motivations. Angela is still the same, curious and excitable and a little pushy. Jeffrey is angsty. Tucker is still amazing, but doesn't have quite the same presence that he did in Unearthly, which I missed. A lot. But I suppose it does help for Clara to spend more time with her thoughts and feelings in this one and less time fishing and kissing with Tucker.
The plot in this one is driven partially by Clara's new vision. She must figure out what it means, who it's about, how it could potentially relate to her purpose, and once she does figure it out, she has to deal with what that means for herself and her family. The other part of the plot is about Clara's internal struggles with her confusion and feelings regarding how she handled her previous vision and what her angel status means for the future of her relationship with Tucker vs. her lustful feelings toward Christian, who is like her and may be a large part of her purpose. There are a few revelations revealed in this installment as well - some that I saw coming, some that I didn't, and some that left my heart aching for these characters.
I definitely liked Hallowed, but I did miss the Clara + Tucker cuteness that took place in Unearthly. The way that this one ended left me anxious for the next book. There's not a cliffhanger, but it leaves so much for me to worry about for Clara that it's still enough to drive me a little bit crazy! I am excited to see how it all is taken care of in the future, and I hope that I won't have my heart broken. If you enjoyed Unearthly, then you'll probably love Hallowed as well.
The plot in this one is driven partially by Clara's new vision. She must figure out what it means, who it's about, how it could potentially relate to her purpose, and once she does figure it out, she has to deal with what that means for herself and her family. The other part of the plot is about Clara's internal struggles with her confusion and feelings regarding how she handled her previous vision and what her angel status means for the future of her relationship with Tucker vs. her lustful feelings toward Christian, who is like her and may be a large part of her purpose. There are a few revelations revealed in this installment as well - some that I saw coming, some that I didn't, and some that left my heart aching for these characters.
I definitely liked Hallowed, but I did miss the Clara + Tucker cuteness that took place in Unearthly. The way that this one ended left me anxious for the next book. There's not a cliffhanger, but it leaves so much for me to worry about for Clara that it's still enough to drive me a little bit crazy! I am excited to see how it all is taken care of in the future, and I hope that I won't have my heart broken. If you enjoyed Unearthly, then you'll probably love Hallowed as well.