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A review by stuckinafictionaluniverse
Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
3.0
3.5
Hallowed shouldn’t work for me but it does, and here’s why:
Expectation #1 90% of all PNR makes me want to set something on fire.
Reality: The mythology here is really refreshing and weaves in religion without being preachy, and the romance isn’t too annoying.
The only way you can convince me to read a story like this is to make it fun and self-aware. Mission completed!
’’This isn’t going to be one of those creepy situations where you show up at all hours of the night to watch me sleep, is it?’’ He asks playfully. ’’Every moment I’m away from you, I die a little,’’ I say in return.
’’So that’s a yes then.
Expectation #2: Doormat, TSTL heroine.
Reality: Clara is such a strong, genuine character who makes justified decisions. She is vulnerable, smart, kind, and surprisingly funny.
I used to find it mildly funny that I saw a Black Wing at the mall. I tried to picture him shopping, drifting through the bookshelves of Barnes & Noble with the latest Dan Brown novel, in Macy’s fingering the ties, perusing the underwear, because even angels need underwear if they’re going to walk among us, right?
Expectation #3:Love triangle of hell.
Reality: SURPRISE. Both of the love interests are truly good guys. The kind you want to bring home to your parents. I can’t believe Tucker was pitched as ’’someone who appeals to Clara’s less angelic side’’ in book 1, because he’s a puppy in human disguise.
I don’t take sides, and it doesn’t matter who she ends up with. I know that both of them treat her well, and I’m content either way.
Realistic husband material, guys.
Buy two now and get an angst-free romance!
Expectation #4: Too fluffy and silly. You know me, I’m all about them bad and complex characters with the tragic backstory. The sassy douchebags with motives, however dumb they are.
Every single character here is so sweet and nice, like they flew out of a kids’ movie and added realism.
But nice characters are no less complex than the bad ones, and I really appreciated our kind and sweet cast.
Expectation #5: No plot.
Reality: Well.. This is where the cons kick in. Hallowed is very much a character-driven novel and the plot is on the slower side. The book is too long and feels like a filler.
I felt disconnected to the characters. A book without a plot only works if it has stunning characters with lots of personality that make you keep reading, and if there aren't any potential storylines (Clara's purpose, her family's past etc.) begging to be explored. 400 pages of grieving half-interesting people normally wouldn't work, but Hand knows how to keep the reader interested. So ultimately, I enjoyed this enough to add the final book to my TBR.
Hallowed shouldn’t work for me but it does, and here’s why:
Expectation #1 90% of all PNR makes me want to set something on fire.
Reality: The mythology here is really refreshing and weaves in religion without being preachy, and the romance isn’t too annoying.
The only way you can convince me to read a story like this is to make it fun and self-aware. Mission completed!
’’This isn’t going to be one of those creepy situations where you show up at all hours of the night to watch me sleep, is it?’’ He asks playfully. ’’Every moment I’m away from you, I die a little,’’ I say in return.
’’So that’s a yes then.
Expectation #2: Doormat, TSTL heroine.
Reality: Clara is such a strong, genuine character who makes justified decisions. She is vulnerable, smart, kind, and surprisingly funny.
I used to find it mildly funny that I saw a Black Wing at the mall. I tried to picture him shopping, drifting through the bookshelves of Barnes & Noble with the latest Dan Brown novel, in Macy’s fingering the ties, perusing the underwear, because even angels need underwear if they’re going to walk among us, right?
Expectation #3:Love triangle of hell.
Reality: SURPRISE. Both of the love interests are truly good guys. The kind you want to bring home to your parents. I can’t believe Tucker was pitched as ’’someone who appeals to Clara’s less angelic side’’ in book 1, because he’s a puppy in human disguise.
I don’t take sides, and it doesn’t matter who she ends up with. I know that both of them treat her well, and I’m content either way.
Realistic husband material, guys.
Buy two now and get an angst-free romance!
Expectation #4: Too fluffy and silly. You know me, I’m all about them bad and complex characters with the tragic backstory. The sassy douchebags with motives, however dumb they are.
Every single character here is so sweet and nice, like they flew out of a kids’ movie and added realism.
But nice characters are no less complex than the bad ones, and I really appreciated our kind and sweet cast.
Expectation #5: No plot.
Reality: Well.. This is where the cons kick in. Hallowed is very much a character-driven novel and the plot is on the slower side. The book is too long and feels like a filler.
I felt disconnected to the characters. A book without a plot only works if it has stunning characters with lots of personality that make you keep reading, and if there aren't any potential storylines (Clara's purpose, her family's past etc.) begging to be explored. 400 pages of grieving half-interesting people normally wouldn't work, but Hand knows how to keep the reader interested. So ultimately, I enjoyed this enough to add the final book to my TBR.