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swirlnswing 's review for:
Hallowed
by Cynthia Hand
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.
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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.
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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...
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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...