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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
4/5:
Decidedly better than the last book but I feel like it was almost a filler.. you know when you watch TV shows and something majorly dramatic happens but the episode ends at a cliff hanger and then you spend the entire week waiting for the next episode but then when it comes you don't really learn anything that you didn't already know? Yeah that's what this book felt like to me. It confirmed all of my predictions from the last book including Clara's brother going AWOL, her true paternity, and her mom's death. So I mean it was good but very predictable. Though I'm starting to really feel for this Samjeeza character. I want to learn more about him in the next book for sure especially his history with her mother because it's pretty obvious that he loved her which I think is really sweet. So I want to learn about what all went down for their love to go catastrophically crooked. Also, I am so relieved Clara and Tucker are over their relationship was so unbearable to me for some reason. Maybe it was the rodeos and fishing and cowboy boots + hats; I don't really know but I detested him. Really interested in seeing what the next book holds! Hopefully they start fighting the Dark Wings! This series has been fatally lacking in the "kick-butt" criteria I usually hold for books. I mean sure she got into that one fight with Samjeeza and she falls a lot plus that one scene where guys literally fight over her *rolls eyes* that was super cliche but I need serious hand-to-hand combat like what her teacher did with his glory and that arrow. If the next book doesn't have that then I can't give it five stars.
Decidedly better than the last book but I feel like it was almost a filler.. you know when you watch TV shows and something majorly dramatic happens but the episode ends at a cliff hanger and then you spend the entire week waiting for the next episode but then when it comes you don't really learn anything that you didn't already know? Yeah that's what this book felt like to me. It confirmed all of my predictions from the last book including Clara's brother going AWOL, her true paternity, and her mom's death. So I mean it was good but very predictable. Though I'm starting to really feel for this Samjeeza character. I want to learn more about him in the next book for sure especially his history with her mother because it's pretty obvious that he loved her which I think is really sweet. So I want to learn about what all went down for their love to go catastrophically crooked. Also, I am so relieved Clara and Tucker are over their relationship was so unbearable to me for some reason. Maybe it was the rodeos and fishing and cowboy boots + hats; I don't really know but I detested him. Really interested in seeing what the next book holds! Hopefully they start fighting the Dark Wings! This series has been fatally lacking in the "kick-butt" criteria I usually hold for books. I mean sure she got into that one fight with Samjeeza and she falls a lot plus that one scene where guys literally fight over her *rolls eyes* that was super cliche but I need serious hand-to-hand combat like what her teacher did with his glory and that arrow. If the next book doesn't have that then I can't give it five stars.
3.5
Este libro fue como 95% Christian. Y Tucker? Quiero asesinar a todos, pero me gustó.
Este libro fue como 95% Christian. Y Tucker? Quiero asesinar a todos, pero me gustó.
REVIEW: http://www.theliteraturelion.blogspot.com/2012/06/series-selection-ft-city-of-lost-souls.html
This was part of the Series Selection post in which I do mini-reviews for books that are a part of a series.
I really really liked Unearthly, so I was kind of expecting a lot from this one, but I didn't really get much. I mean, it was still good but it felt more like a dramatic TV show than a good angel book. I know a lot of people really liked this one, but I can't say that I liked it as much as I thought I would. I'll still probably end up reading the third one, just because I love Tucker so much! :)
This was part of the Series Selection post in which I do mini-reviews for books that are a part of a series.
I really really liked Unearthly, so I was kind of expecting a lot from this one, but I didn't really get much. I mean, it was still good but it felt more like a dramatic TV show than a good angel book. I know a lot of people really liked this one, but I can't say that I liked it as much as I thought I would. I'll still probably end up reading the third one, just because I love Tucker so much! :)
I received this ARC from NetGalley, and I'm so grateful that I did. This review will also be posted at Mostly Reading YA. Also, for the record, I will keep this spoiler-free, save for a few very vague references.
-
Ah, the dreaded second novel in a trilogy. Make or break territory, the doldrums, if an author isn’t careful…
Or, if excellently crafted, a second novel can give a real sense of resolution and, at the same time, excite the reader for what will hopefully be the wonderful denouement of a series.
This book falls into that second category.
With HALLOWED, Cynthia Hand has crafted a novel that is true to the original book in its series, but also moves the plot forward and develops the characters in ways that are believable… and, I can’t lie, swoony as all get out. (For the record, you can read my review of UNEARTHLY, the initial book in this trilogy here. It’s brief.)
HALLOWED picks up just after the end of the first book. Clara and her brother are still trying to deal with their lot in life, and Clara has a rather shocking realization about her purpose, one that drastically changes the way she views her life – and everything that can possibly happen next. And with revelations about her mother, her brother, and Christian, as well as the appearance of a Black Wing that won’t leave her be (and a few very key, less frightening angels), all while attempting to make plans for college and the like, Clara is overwhelmed.
One of my favorite things about Hand’s writing is that everything about this book – Clara’s reactions, Clara’s interactions, other characters’ actions, and even Clara’s motives – are so very genuine. Never once did I find myself truly frustrated with her. And never once did she seem like a 3rd grader trapped in a senior’s body… or a 25 year old trapped in a senior’s body, for that matter. She remained true to herself all the way through to the final words of the book, and for that, I wish I could find Cynthia Hand and hug her or buy her coffee or something.
My favorite things about this book, though, all have to do with the ending.
First, Clara deals with the Tucker/Christian dilemma. I have to believe that regardless of which side of the line a reader stands, Clara’s thought process on this matter, as well as the way Hand wrote the final determination here, is beautiful. It’s just gorgeous. And then, Clara deals with something sad, nearly impossible. But her reactions are relatable. She grows. She becomes more real in this book, more believable, and stronger than she’s ever been previously.
And if that’s not a happy ending – character growth - I’m not sure what is.
HALLOWED ended on a note that left me content, and I will surely pick up book 3 on its release date.
HALLOWED will be published on January 17, 2012.
---
September 2015: rereading in preparation to (finally) read Boundless. I did buy it when it was released.... Just heard not awesome things about the end and never read it. ;)
Update: yep - #TeamChristian. Ugh. Probably gonna hate book 3, but here I go...
-
Ah, the dreaded second novel in a trilogy. Make or break territory, the doldrums, if an author isn’t careful…
Or, if excellently crafted, a second novel can give a real sense of resolution and, at the same time, excite the reader for what will hopefully be the wonderful denouement of a series.
This book falls into that second category.
With HALLOWED, Cynthia Hand has crafted a novel that is true to the original book in its series, but also moves the plot forward and develops the characters in ways that are believable… and, I can’t lie, swoony as all get out. (For the record, you can read my review of UNEARTHLY, the initial book in this trilogy here. It’s brief.)
HALLOWED picks up just after the end of the first book. Clara and her brother are still trying to deal with their lot in life, and Clara has a rather shocking realization about her purpose, one that drastically changes the way she views her life – and everything that can possibly happen next. And with revelations about her mother, her brother, and Christian, as well as the appearance of a Black Wing that won’t leave her be (and a few very key, less frightening angels), all while attempting to make plans for college and the like, Clara is overwhelmed.
One of my favorite things about Hand’s writing is that everything about this book – Clara’s reactions, Clara’s interactions, other characters’ actions, and even Clara’s motives – are so very genuine. Never once did I find myself truly frustrated with her. And never once did she seem like a 3rd grader trapped in a senior’s body… or a 25 year old trapped in a senior’s body, for that matter. She remained true to herself all the way through to the final words of the book, and for that, I wish I could find Cynthia Hand and hug her or buy her coffee or something.
My favorite things about this book, though, all have to do with the ending.
First, Clara deals with the Tucker/Christian dilemma. I have to believe that regardless of which side of the line a reader stands, Clara’s thought process on this matter, as well as the way Hand wrote the final determination here, is beautiful. It’s just gorgeous. And then, Clara deals with something sad, nearly impossible. But her reactions are relatable. She grows. She becomes more real in this book, more believable, and stronger than she’s ever been previously.
And if that’s not a happy ending – character growth - I’m not sure what is.
HALLOWED ended on a note that left me content, and I will surely pick up book 3 on its release date.
HALLOWED will be published on January 17, 2012.
---
September 2015: rereading in preparation to (finally) read Boundless. I did buy it when it was released.... Just heard not awesome things about the end and never read it. ;)
Update: yep - #TeamChristian. Ugh. Probably gonna hate book 3, but here I go...
This was a good book. I read the entire book in less than 1/2 a day. However, in this book, though tucker is still so nice and sweet, I found me to be leaning more towards Christian and I am excited to see how it goes with Christian and her both at Stanford together.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I didn't quite liked this book as much as the first one, although I still enjoyed the reading experience.
The fact that Clara got more embroiled in the whole angel mythology was engaging. It wasn't as action-packed as the previous book, but there were enough surprises to keep me engrossed; this was a positive thing as it counteracted with the slower pacing of the story.
I was surprised and disappointed that the love triangle element was continued in this book. I thought it was a done deal in the first book and it seemed pretty pointless in this book. Christian still annoyed me. For someone who is supposed to play an important role, he doesn't seem to do anything except be a support system for Clara and confuse her even more when it comes to her lovelife.
Overall not quite as gripping as the first book, but still a worthwhile addition to the series.
The fact that Clara got more embroiled in the whole angel mythology was engaging. It wasn't as action-packed as the previous book, but there were enough surprises to keep me engrossed; this was a positive thing as it counteracted with the slower pacing of the story.
I was surprised and disappointed that the love triangle element was continued in this book. I thought it was a done deal in the first book and it seemed pretty pointless in this book. Christian still annoyed me. For someone who is supposed to play an important role, he doesn't seem to do anything except be a support system for Clara and confuse her even more when it comes to her lovelife.
Overall not quite as gripping as the first book, but still a worthwhile addition to the series.
Gosh how much I loved this book..! I couldn't leave it...! The first it was OK but this one... There are no words..! Loved the title,loved the cover, loved the plot, loved everything..! ¡sigue así! Waitin for the 3r book....;)
Full Review on Brianna's Bookish Confessions.
Holy cow guys! I was a little nervous for a while that this wasn’t going to be as good as Unearthly, but I was totally wrong!! Literally the only thing that kept me from bawling my eyes out last night while finishing the book was that I was at my boyfriend’s house. It would have been a little awkward if I started crying while reading a book, well at least it is for me. I’m a VERY emotional person and I get teary eyed very quickly. I did however, get teary eyed, but I forced myself not to cry. Trust me, if I was at my house I would have been crying my eyes out.
This book was so much more fantastic than Unearthly! I can’t get over how much I really enjoyed this book. I’m a little nervous to read Boundless after what happened in the end. I promise I won’t spoil anything. :) But, I did order the book and when it comes, I will be reading it ASAP.
I adore every single character in this trilogy. I love each character for a different reason. I’ll go over a couple. :)
I love Clara because she’s SO strong despite what’s going on throughout Hallowed! She holds her head up and continues on without just stopping and completely giving up on herself! She’s not like normal YA characters in a love triangle. She is fighting her feelings for Christian– which I’m Team Tucker BTW–.
I love Tucker because he’s Tucker. I don’t need anymore explanation. I LOVE Tucker so so much. I love the whole southern country boy thing. I love how he’s a COMPLETE sweetheart and a ladies man! I. JUST. LOVE. TUCKER!
I love Angela and Wendy because they are such great friends to Clara. Angela is there for Clara more because she knows exactly what Clara is going through,–SPOILER FROM UNEARTHLY– because she’s an angel also. — Not a spoiler if you’ve read Unearthly–.
I love Christian because he’s waiting for Clara! He broke up with Kay to be with Clara! I’m still Team Tucker, but I do love Christian… Just not as much as Tucker. ;) He’s so sweet and has always been there for her, no matter what. That’s what I love about him.
I’m so beyond excited to pick up Boundless and I don’t want to have to wait until Monday– possibly Tuesday– to read it. But I guess I don’t have a choice.
Holy cow guys! I was a little nervous for a while that this wasn’t going to be as good as Unearthly, but I was totally wrong!! Literally the only thing that kept me from bawling my eyes out last night while finishing the book was that I was at my boyfriend’s house. It would have been a little awkward if I started crying while reading a book, well at least it is for me. I’m a VERY emotional person and I get teary eyed very quickly. I did however, get teary eyed, but I forced myself not to cry. Trust me, if I was at my house I would have been crying my eyes out.
This book was so much more fantastic than Unearthly! I can’t get over how much I really enjoyed this book. I’m a little nervous to read Boundless after what happened in the end. I promise I won’t spoil anything. :) But, I did order the book and when it comes, I will be reading it ASAP.
I adore every single character in this trilogy. I love each character for a different reason. I’ll go over a couple. :)
I love Clara because she’s SO strong despite what’s going on throughout Hallowed! She holds her head up and continues on without just stopping and completely giving up on herself! She’s not like normal YA characters in a love triangle. She is fighting her feelings for Christian– which I’m Team Tucker BTW–.
I love Tucker because he’s Tucker. I don’t need anymore explanation. I LOVE Tucker so so much. I love the whole southern country boy thing. I love how he’s a COMPLETE sweetheart and a ladies man! I. JUST. LOVE. TUCKER!
I love Angela and Wendy because they are such great friends to Clara. Angela is there for Clara more because she knows exactly what Clara is going through,–SPOILER FROM UNEARTHLY– because she’s an angel also. — Not a spoiler if you’ve read Unearthly–.
I love Christian because he’s waiting for Clara! He broke up with Kay to be with Clara! I’m still Team Tucker, but I do love Christian… Just not as much as Tucker. ;) He’s so sweet and has always been there for her, no matter what. That’s what I love about him.
I’m so beyond excited to pick up Boundless and I don’t want to have to wait until Monday– possibly Tuesday– to read it. But I guess I don’t have a choice.
The only word I can describe this book is 'bland.' It was anti-climatic, very very predicable, and I still don't truly love any of the characters. Especially the main one, which is never a good sign. I don't know if I'll be reading the next one.