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Thursday, January 12, 2012

Book Review: Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

Title: Hallowed

Author: Cynthia Hand

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: January 2012

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Series or Stand Alone: Series, Book Two


Synopsis can be found here.

Netgalley review.

Review:
The only reason I put this book down is because I had to go to work. And you know, eat.

Otherwise, Hallowed is a wonderful sequel to Cynthia Hand's first novel Unearthly.

We pick up where we left off and so if you haven't read Unearthly, I suggest you stop reading this review and start from the beginning of book one. I don't think you'll enjoy this nearly as much as you could if you haven't read book one.

Clara and Christian are continuing on, not sure where to go after that faithful day. Her best friend Angela is trying her best to uncover the mysteries of White and Black Wings, and her brother Jeffrey is... well... Something isn't right.

I don't want to give away anything, but it is a stunning sequel. Immediately, I fell back into Clara, Christian, Angela and Jeffrey's lives, struggles and heartbreak. Many question from book one were answered in book two, and many new ones arose. Yes, there is a love triangle. But it isn't as one dimensional as you may think. Hand does a fantastic job at making all parties vulnerable, the characters moving past a simple want or need and asking themselves more challenging questions. By the end, I'm not sure who I want Clara to end up with and that's amazing considering I had a very good idea before I started the book!

Clara's character really blooms in this sequel. I like her in the first one, but I feel like she really develops more in this book, especially when tragedy strikes. (There may have been a tear, or two.) Tucker is there, and I wish he has more scenes, but really this is Christian's book. His transformation from mysterious hunk from book one into best friend, steady shoulder in book two is a thing to behold. And what is going on with Jeffrey?! Uncertainty and danger looms over the angels, but what happens is much more heartbreaking than I thought it was going to be.

Hallowed also makes it clear that not only is Hand a gifted writer, but this series is a strong and emotionally mature story. I love how every character has to make tough choices and deal with the circumstances. This is no second story slump!

I can't wait to see how this series turns out.


Rating 10 One of The Best

4 comments:

  1. this review reminds me that i really need to read the first book. they both sound awesome!

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  2. I really enjoyed Unearthly, and am excited now to read Hallowed! Just a little disappointed that there won't be more Tucker...

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  3. I haven't read the first one is on my TBR list I'll put this one on the list too. Thanks for the review

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  4. This book is on my TBR list. I loved the first book and can't wait for this one. Thanks for this great review.

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