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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Comparing aspects of your novel to Twilight as some sort of excuse for them is getting really old. Most of the twists were not surprising at all, and although I don't mind love triangles in general, this one grates. Still, I'm interested to find out what happens next.
Hallowed by Cynthia Hand is the second book in the Unearthly trilogy. This series follows Clara a teenage angel who is destined to perform her purpose. This book focuses on a new purpose that Clara has been dreaming of that will take place at the funeral of a loved one and the dark angel who is stalking her. Clara also struggles choosing between two boys, the human Tucker and fellow Angel Christian.
I enjoyed this book but found it suffered from a bit of slowness that often is found in the middle book of the series. This book focused heavily on the love triangle with the heroine letting things happen to her instead of making strong and confident decisions. I did enjoy the bits and pieces of mythology that were revealed and the information that was revealed about Clara's father. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoyed the first book (however if you didn't love the first book you'll want to skip it).
Appropriateness: Aside from a little heavy petting there is no adult content in this book. I would recommend it to readers 14+ (however it is not inappropriate for younger teen readers).
I enjoyed this book but found it suffered from a bit of slowness that often is found in the middle book of the series. This book focused heavily on the love triangle with the heroine letting things happen to her instead of making strong and confident decisions. I did enjoy the bits and pieces of mythology that were revealed and the information that was revealed about Clara's father. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoyed the first book (however if you didn't love the first book you'll want to skip it).
Appropriateness: Aside from a little heavy petting there is no adult content in this book. I would recommend it to readers 14+ (however it is not inappropriate for younger teen readers).
I liked it even better than the first. I love that, for the most part, people communicated and weren't afraid to say sorry. I had my suspicions about some of the revelations, but still managed to be surprised. Very excited to read the final book and see how it all comes together.
THE BLURB:
For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.
THE REVIEW:
I read the first book in Ms Hand's angel-lore based trilogy last October (you can see my review here) and I really, really liked it. I was surprised by how much, since the set-up, on the face of it, seemed to be that basic paranormal romance stable of a new girl coming to town and then getting involved with two boys, and various supernatural shenanigans.
The difference with UNEARTHLY was that the author had a beautiful knack of characterisation which immediately drew me into the story. With a cast of such endearing, human (even if not actually human) people on the pages, the outcome truly mattered to me. And once she'd drawn me in, the author set about creating a really convincing (and in places quite dark) mythology for her angels and angelbloods. I gave the book four stars because I felt it ended on an unsatisfying cliff-hanger, but I was desperate to get my hands on the next one.
I'm very happy to say that HALLOWED lived up to and exceeded my expectations. I loved it. The problem is...I can't say all that much about it! Pretty much anything I tell you is going to be a huge spoiler. Let me borrow a phrase from Mark (of Mark Reads Harry Potter fame) and say: You are not prepared.
This story carries on almost directly from the first one and the developments within are exciting and shocking and, despite being pretty much the opposite of what I expected, the book grabbed me by the heart and didn't let go.
The author takes the hints of darkness from the previous one and runs with them, creating a world for Clara which is much less certain and far more frightening. There's still the trademark humour which I enjoyed so much in the first story, but now there's a more bittersweet flavour to everything, because Clara, at the end of UNEARTHLY, chose to ignore her 'Purpose' (that is, the task that was set before her by way of celestial visions) and to save the 'wrong' person. She did it for all the right reasons. She did it for love. But in the wake of that choice, the world goes from black and white to shades of grey for Clara, and her mother and brother. Quite literally.
When you read HALLOWED you're going to find that a lot of the things you were absolutely, positively certain of in the first book will dissolve. Certain facts you took for granted turn out to be major plot twists in disguise. Your suspicions will turn out to be cleverly planted red herrings (although I still have some ideas which I think will play out in the final book). Characters change, or come to see the world in such a transformed way that their motivations flip - or maybe it's your understanding of them that flips. I don't even know how to describe it, except to say that it rocked.
If the first book made me tear up a few times, this one made me flat-out weep on at least two occasions. It's brutal. But it's also beautiful. I felt as if Ms Hand's confidence and skill were literally unfolding before my eyes here. All the promise that gleamed in UNEARTHLY burst into blazing life.
That's not to say, however, that this book was perfect. I felt that certain plot threads and certain characters got short shrift (Jeffrey, for example - at the end of the book he seemed to disappear, and this didn't make as much impact on Clara's life and decisions as I felt it should have, given how close they once were). And I also wonder...if the first book's message was about free will...what was the theme of this story? That fighting against destiny/fate/God's plan causes only suffering and pain? While I can see how that sort of of underlying assumption would be of comfort to a religious person who puts their faith in a higher power, I found it a little bit discomforting at times because I believe that it's our choices that define us, and that we all have to take responsibility for them, rather than expecting anyone (or anything) else to fix our lives.
Despite these niggling qualms, I can honestly say that HALLOWED is a moving, well-written and gorgeous follow-up to UNEARTHLY and that, as soon as it becomes available in the UK, I'll be snapping up a copy for my own. Recommended.
For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.
THE REVIEW:
I read the first book in Ms Hand's angel-lore based trilogy last October (you can see my review here) and I really, really liked it. I was surprised by how much, since the set-up, on the face of it, seemed to be that basic paranormal romance stable of a new girl coming to town and then getting involved with two boys, and various supernatural shenanigans.
The difference with UNEARTHLY was that the author had a beautiful knack of characterisation which immediately drew me into the story. With a cast of such endearing, human (even if not actually human) people on the pages, the outcome truly mattered to me. And once she'd drawn me in, the author set about creating a really convincing (and in places quite dark) mythology for her angels and angelbloods. I gave the book four stars because I felt it ended on an unsatisfying cliff-hanger, but I was desperate to get my hands on the next one.
I'm very happy to say that HALLOWED lived up to and exceeded my expectations. I loved it. The problem is...I can't say all that much about it! Pretty much anything I tell you is going to be a huge spoiler. Let me borrow a phrase from Mark (of Mark Reads Harry Potter fame) and say: You are not prepared.
This story carries on almost directly from the first one and the developments within are exciting and shocking and, despite being pretty much the opposite of what I expected, the book grabbed me by the heart and didn't let go.
The author takes the hints of darkness from the previous one and runs with them, creating a world for Clara which is much less certain and far more frightening. There's still the trademark humour which I enjoyed so much in the first story, but now there's a more bittersweet flavour to everything, because Clara, at the end of UNEARTHLY, chose to ignore her 'Purpose' (that is, the task that was set before her by way of celestial visions) and to save the 'wrong' person. She did it for all the right reasons. She did it for love. But in the wake of that choice, the world goes from black and white to shades of grey for Clara, and her mother and brother. Quite literally.
When you read HALLOWED you're going to find that a lot of the things you were absolutely, positively certain of in the first book will dissolve. Certain facts you took for granted turn out to be major plot twists in disguise. Your suspicions will turn out to be cleverly planted red herrings (although I still have some ideas which I think will play out in the final book). Characters change, or come to see the world in such a transformed way that their motivations flip - or maybe it's your understanding of them that flips. I don't even know how to describe it, except to say that it rocked.
If the first book made me tear up a few times, this one made me flat-out weep on at least two occasions. It's brutal. But it's also beautiful. I felt as if Ms Hand's confidence and skill were literally unfolding before my eyes here. All the promise that gleamed in UNEARTHLY burst into blazing life.
That's not to say, however, that this book was perfect. I felt that certain plot threads and certain characters got short shrift (Jeffrey, for example - at the end of the book he seemed to disappear, and this didn't make as much impact on Clara's life and decisions as I felt it should have, given how close they once were). And I also wonder...if the first book's message was about free will...what was the theme of this story? That fighting against destiny/fate/God's plan causes only suffering and pain? While I can see how that sort of of underlying assumption would be of comfort to a religious person who puts their faith in a higher power, I found it a little bit discomforting at times because I believe that it's our choices that define us, and that we all have to take responsibility for them, rather than expecting anyone (or anything) else to fix our lives.
Despite these niggling qualms, I can honestly say that HALLOWED is a moving, well-written and gorgeous follow-up to UNEARTHLY and that, as soon as it becomes available in the UK, I'll be snapping up a copy for my own. Recommended.
1. Why do authors introduce something grandiose only to trivialize it?
2. Why shoot for deep and complicated concepts if all you are going to do is focus on teenage romance?
3. Why is everyone so obsessed with destiny and meant-to-be? Is free will and responsibility for your own actions such a burden you need a scapegoat?
4. Why love triangles? Why? Are women that vain and shallow that, that’s all they seem to be able to write about?
5. Why do young-adult characters have to be defined by their uniqueness? Their stretched-out, absurd, there-is-no one-in-the-world-as-special-as-they-are specialness? Don’t ordinary people have a story to tell or is it worth listening only if it comes from a snowflake character?
6. Last but not least: “What a strange illusion it is to suppose that beauty is goodness.” Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)
2. Why shoot for deep and complicated concepts if all you are going to do is focus on teenage romance?
3. Why is everyone so obsessed with destiny and meant-to-be? Is free will and responsibility for your own actions such a burden you need a scapegoat?
4. Why love triangles? Why? Are women that vain and shallow that, that’s all they seem to be able to write about?
5. Why do young-adult characters have to be defined by their uniqueness? Their stretched-out, absurd, there-is-no one-in-the-world-as-special-as-they-are specialness? Don’t ordinary people have a story to tell or is it worth listening only if it comes from a snowflake character?
6. Last but not least: “What a strange illusion it is to suppose that beauty is goodness.” Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)
This book reveal to many mystery about Clara! About her vision and her anxiety that Tucker will die. How she must be help him and so on. But the most interesting part when i know who is Clara's dad and what is Jeffrey's purpose.
I kind of sad with everything happen with Clara and Tucker. I love Tucker so much, but it's kind of hard for him to understand everything from Clara's purpose. Well, it's a sad ending with everything that lost and gone.
I kind of sad with everything happen with Clara and Tucker. I love Tucker so much, but it's kind of hard for him to understand everything from Clara's purpose. Well, it's a sad ending with everything that lost and gone.
I had a whole bunch of worried speculations going into this book: a whole bunch of thoughts like, “if this happens…then I’m out.” And they basically all came true. But she made me like it.
How did she do that?
I’m still not quite sure. Even now, I can think of several problems that I have with this book, and yet; my major feeling upon reaching the last page was, “that was pretty good.”
And I find myself right back here, in the place where I am filled with worried speculation…this time for book three. I’m chiefly worried because, even after two complete books, I have no idea what she’s trying to say. There’s something here about faith and free will vs. destiny, but I’ll be damned if I know what it is. Even after two books, I’m still almost completely in the dark about the mythology, the rules, the world I’m inhabiting. I don’t know which way is up or which side is evil or what the hell a purpose is truly all about.
The main character is not helpful in this regard, either. She’s for the most part placid, unquestioning, and even seems in denial. When she finally starts to uncover the right questions, she seems to forget them before they’ve even been asked. It’s frustrating. And I think that I would be okay with her placidity if I felt that it was a true representation of her character, but unfortunately, it feels more like a device to stall the progression of the story. I hate feeling manipulated like that.
Jeffrey’s whole story line just doesn’t make any sense to me at all. For all that Clara’s mom seems to be present, attentive, and strict with Clara, she seems to be completely oblivious when it comes to Jeffrey.
The romance surprised me. I didn’t roll my eyes or cringe. So many of my YA romance pet peeves are here, but she writes it in such an honest way; it’s hard not to feel for everyone involved. I’ve never been one of those people who get really invested in team A or team B though. In fact, and this will be shocking to the literary nerd-girls out there (ie, all of you), I really was not that upset when Jo rejected Laurie and then married middle-aged Professor Bhaer. I know. Settle down, ladies. If it feels right, I can go with it.
However, I am so caught up in the free will vs. destiny aspect of the romance. This next part will be a completely random tangent so feel free to skip it.
Once, one of my more blunt friends asked me, “Do you love your kids more than your husband?”
And I didn’t even have to think about that for a second before saying, “Yes.” The love that I have for my children is so completely ingrained and uncontrollable and primal. I know without a doubt that I would commit violence or sacrifice myself just to keep them safe. I have no choice in this, and I don’t want one.
But the love that I have for my husband is something that I choose. It’s something that I have to keep choosing every single day. I have to work to keep it burning, to keep it new. And I think that’s what makes it so powerful and so wonderful. I could let it fade and stagnate, could let it grow stale, but I don’t. Because it’s something that I choose. It’s something that I want.
So when these destined, soul mate romances come up in fiction, I always have a hard time. I will always root for the love that’s chosen, because I think that part of what makes romantic love real is the fighting for it.
I will probably read book three, because I still want to know how everything is explained. Here are my crazy predictions for book three:
1) Angela and Christian are half-siblings.
2) Angela’s “boyfriend” is a dark wing, who she tried to lure and question (Possibly her own father? Ick.).
3) Some of the other 75%-ers will show up.
4) Angela will majorly over-think her mission and will learn a valuable lesson about her ability to choose.
Perfect Musical Pairing
Michelle Branch – Goodbye to You
Because the romance in this book is so angsty and teenagery but somehow I still liked it. This one is for Clara :(
How did she do that?
I’m still not quite sure. Even now, I can think of several problems that I have with this book, and yet; my major feeling upon reaching the last page was, “that was pretty good.”
And I find myself right back here, in the place where I am filled with worried speculation…this time for book three. I’m chiefly worried because, even after two complete books, I have no idea what she’s trying to say. There’s something here about faith and free will vs. destiny, but I’ll be damned if I know what it is.
Spoiler
So…they have free will? But apparently when they choose to use it, and not follow the visions/dreams, bad shit happens. Her mom tried to exercise her free will and look what happened! It felt like years of punishment! Until she finally gave in. As a free-will loving human, that kind of makes me recoil, more than a little bit.The main character is not helpful in this regard, either. She’s for the most part placid, unquestioning, and even seems in denial. When she finally starts to uncover the right questions, she seems to forget them before they’ve even been asked. It’s frustrating. And I think that I would be okay with her placidity if I felt that it was a true representation of her character, but unfortunately, it feels more like a device to stall the progression of the story. I hate feeling manipulated like that.
Jeffrey’s whole story line just doesn’t make any sense to me at all. For all that Clara’s mom seems to be present, attentive, and strict with Clara, she seems to be completely oblivious when it comes to Jeffrey.
Spoiler
And then he runs away just in time for Clara to go off to college. Problem solved! Also, why wouldn’t Jeffrey tell anyone about his purpose? He seems to have absolutely no reason to keep it a secret.The romance surprised me. I didn’t roll my eyes or cringe. So many of my YA romance pet peeves are here, but she writes it in such an honest way; it’s hard not to feel for everyone involved. I’ve never been one of those people who get really invested in team A or team B though. In fact, and this will be shocking to the literary nerd-girls out there (ie, all of you), I really was not that upset when Jo rejected Laurie and then married middle-aged Professor Bhaer. I know. Settle down, ladies. If it feels right, I can go with it.
However, I am so caught up in the free will vs. destiny aspect of the romance. This next part will be a completely random tangent so feel free to skip it.
Once, one of my more blunt friends asked me, “Do you love your kids more than your husband?”
And I didn’t even have to think about that for a second before saying, “Yes.” The love that I have for my children is so completely ingrained and uncontrollable and primal. I know without a doubt that I would commit violence or sacrifice myself just to keep them safe. I have no choice in this, and I don’t want one.
But the love that I have for my husband is something that I choose. It’s something that I have to keep choosing every single day. I have to work to keep it burning, to keep it new. And I think that’s what makes it so powerful and so wonderful. I could let it fade and stagnate, could let it grow stale, but I don’t. Because it’s something that I choose. It’s something that I want.
So when these destined, soul mate romances come up in fiction, I always have a hard time. I will always root for the love that’s chosen, because I think that part of what makes romantic love real is the fighting for it.
I will probably read book three, because I still want to know how everything is explained. Here are my crazy predictions for book three:
Spoiler
1) Angela and Christian are half-siblings.
2) Angela’s “boyfriend” is a dark wing, who she tried to lure and question (Possibly her own father? Ick.).
3) Some of the other 75%-ers will show up.
4) Angela will majorly over-think her mission and will learn a valuable lesson about her ability to choose.
Perfect Musical Pairing
Michelle Branch – Goodbye to You
Because the romance in this book is so angsty and teenagery but somehow I still liked it. This one is for Clara :(
So to speak, reading this book was quite an emotional ride for me. Hallowed was one of those not so many sequels that had such effect on me.
There was a lot of unexpected things happening in this book, so much going on, secrets revealed, yet the story wasn't stretched out or anything. It was consistent from beginning to end. Like I said before, everything was in the right amount, as if everything was calculated and planned out perfectly before, so that nothing negligible found in the book.
It was so well-written and the plot was amazing, too.
Now, I'm just itching to quickly finish off the series by reading the final book!
There was a lot of unexpected things happening in this book, so much going on, secrets revealed, yet the story wasn't stretched out or anything. It was consistent from beginning to end. Like I said before, everything was in the right amount, as if everything was calculated and planned out perfectly before, so that nothing negligible found in the book.
It was so well-written and the plot was amazing, too.
Now, I'm just itching to quickly finish off the series by reading the final book!
4.5 stars.
Wow so much better than Unearthly! I see why people love this series so much.
Wow so much better than Unearthly! I see why people love this series so much.