Review: Hallowed

Book: Hallowed
Author: Cynthia Hand
Release Date: January 17, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Pages: 416
Source: author (Thanks so much, Cynthia!!)
Stars: 5/5

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.

Described by Richelle Mead as “utterly captivating,” Unearthly received outstanding reviews, garnered accolades from New York Times bestselling authors, and was named an Indie Next Pick. In this heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming joy of first love—and the agony of loss. This beautifully woven tale will appeal to fans of Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Aprilynne Pike.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:

MY MIND IS BLOWN. Even though Unearthly was one of the best angel books I've ever read, I never expected Hallowed to top that... but it DID, and it only took gallons of tears, several goofy grins, and a consistently aching chest for me to figure that out!

I don't think I know a single person who won't cry at least once while reading this book! Hallowed is one huge emotional roller coaster with Clara finding out that someone close to her is going to die. It was beautiful and heartbreaking in the most realistic way, and I'm both in awe and heartbroken with how Cynthia Hand handled everything.

I love Clara! Not only is she one of the most emotionally strong characters I've ever read about, but she's also so realistically flawed and easy to understand. The whole cast in this book was perfectly crafted, because not once did I think anyone was too perfect and that's exactly the way I like it.

And as for the romance... I don't even want to call this a love triangle. It's too honestly beautiful to be that! ♥ Not many books that can make me switch teams (especially when I loved someone like Tucker first!), but Hallowed managed to do that without making either boy a jerk. Cynthia Hand knows how to write a book that makes you want to tear your heart out and read it over again at the same time.

Beautiful, heartbreaking, and about a gazillion other positive & melancholic adjectives, Hallowed is a MUST-read for anyone who read Unearthly, just like this series is a must-read for anyone who likes to read in general! The wait for book 3 feels eons away!  

BUY or BORROW?: Buy buy buy buy buy buy buy this book! Despite having an ARC, I already pre-ordered a finished copy because I loved it that much! :)

-Mimi