Monday, January 09, 2012

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

21 comments:

  1. Wow, great to hear that it's a must buy book I'm looking forward reading this book & at times I do love a good love triangle & this one sounds amazing! Great review.

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  2. Haha well I didn't cry but I've never cried while reading. I guess i'm weird haha. I loved this though and it does have strong emotions. I also agree the love triangle is wonderful and the best I've ever read! Beautiful review Mimi!

    Giselle
    Xpresso Reads

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  3. Oh, my....you've made me so excited for the book to be released! I loved Unearthly.

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  4. I was disappointed in this book. Just because I'm Team Tucker and well . . . you know. Great review anyway! :)

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  5. Switch teams? Wait, does Clara now like Christian rather than Tucker? This is not a problem for me since I wasn't super into Tucker but it is surprising!

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  6. Yay! I absolutely adored this one as well:) And you're so right about the love triangle, that's term doesn't really encompass the relationship between the three of them because it's so much more than that. And I loved how she didn't make either boy a jerk either, it was nice (and also painful) to have 2 really wonderful boys in Clara's life with the petty jealousies kept to a minimum. Can't wait for book three! Fantastic review Mimi!

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  7. lol I love your review. I haven't read any books of this author but I think I was wrong, it sounds like an amazing read. Great review!!!

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  8. I adored Unearthly and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Hallowed. I've read the first couple chapters online and loved it already so I can't wait to hopefully read the whole book soon. Great review!

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  9. Oh, you're scaring me... with the waterworks. I love emotional stories, and books that make me ugly face cry. I just have to make sure to do it in private because I don't want anyone to see my sloppy mess of a face.

    I just got Unearthly on my kindle for .99. I can't wait to read it. I'm not a big fan of angel books, but every review I've read for this series says the same as you. Mind. Blown!!!

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  10. I definitely LOVED this book!! It was so good! I cried like a baby, and I liked it way better than Unearthly! TEAM CHRISTIAN!

    Anna @ Literary Exploration

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  11. Oh Mimi I can't wait!! Great review!! :) :) <3 <3 Oh Mimi Mimi I called my Mum right now and she told me that my books arrived!! I CAN'T WAIT! I will have Hallowed in my hand in Wednesday!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I wonna scream for how happy I am!! :D :) :) <3

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  12. i have jet 2 read book1
    but will soon
    tnx 4 reviewing
    mimi

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  13. Oh, Mimi, whhhhhy? Why did you do this to me! It was already painful enough, waiting for this, but NOW I'm hurting hard. I waaaant! *wails*

    - Asher (from Paranormal Indulgence)

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  14. I bought the first book for .99 on Nook. You have now made me want to read it even MORE! But then again, your reviews always get me pepped up for whatever the book is. : )

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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  15. MIMI NO-MIDDLE-NAME VALENTINE. You are a review GODDESS! <33 How is it that you always know exactly the book I'm debating about buying without me even telling you about it?? I just pre-ordered this one because of youuuuuuu~~ LOL ILY like crazy & thank you for the UBER-AWESOME review, Mimi-Doll! (: <333333

    BTW: I was always Team Christian! Glad to know he's not the underdog anymore. ;)

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  16. I KNOW! Right?! I was shocked that I was okay with where things were going by the end. I totally LOVE Tucker! I was so surprised. But I agree, this is an amazing series and you definitely need some tissues for this one! LOVED it!

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  17. I haven't read Unearthly but sequels that top their predecessors are hard to find so I'm really happy that Hallowed made you smile and cry. Also, this one seems to have a love triangle that's done right. I'll be bumping Unearthly to near the top of my TBR pile and am looking forward to falling in love with it as much as you, Mimi!

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  18. I'm peeking at this review through my fingers because I don't want to spoil myself! I absolutely can't wait for Hallowed, I was surprised at how much I loved Unearthly. I'm so so excited to read it and your review is lovely! I'm not sure how I feel about heartbreaking though, eek.

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  19. EEhh so glad you enjoyed this book. I really do loved this series esp this book. I mean I did cried here too. *sighs* cant wait for the third installment. Great review mimi.<3

    ✿FICBOOKREVIEWS✿

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  20. Now that I've read it, I must say.. I TOTALLY LOVED IT! :) And I knew Christian would come around! :P And Tucker would go around lol :P Am I a bad person for not liking him, Mimi? Actually in the first third of the book I was so pissed! And tell me something, did you suspect that Jeffery was weirdly acting? I knew he was hiding something - and I was right! :P I've wrote also my review, if you want to read it Mimi :) ;) <3

    Hallowed ROCKS!! <3

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  21. I understand the need for the love triangle and its plot line. Hand's telling of one in this series is particularly one I enjoy. However, in Hallowed it goes over the top in several ways. Clara is growing up quickly, but it is a little too quickly in this area in my opinion. She is having to battle one of the ultimate forms of evil, but yet also deal with teenage problems in romance.

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