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lizbethandthelifeinbetween's review against another edition
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It's a book. I don't have strong feeling either way, read it between lessons at work and I didn't actively hate it. I think this book had enough going on to fight off middle book syndrome but that didn't stop it from being boring and slow in some areas. Didn't really pick it up much until I had no other option because I was at work and I made myself bring it to read. Also, the author made skiing boring. I don't know how you do that, but I'm not sure if it was bad scene writing or if she's never skiied before.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
4.0
This continues to be a sweet love story cushioned among a larger story of a teen girl coming into her own. This 2nd book moved a little slower; her took most of the book and I guess that builds emotion but I kept thinking “move on already.” It is still intriguing enough though that I eagerly await the trilogy’s conclusion (I’m on hold for the book at the library - hurry up and return it already!).
I had the thought that Clara’s father, Michael, is like the right-hand-of-God angel Michael. He obviously is charged with And, being that we learn that Clara is leads me to believe that her purpose is going to be much greater than saving another angel (Christian) from a forest fire.
Spoiler
mother’s deathI had the thought that Clara’s father, Michael, is like the right-hand-of-God angel Michael. He obviously is charged with
Spoiler
ushering people from death to heaven – I had figured this out and had it confirmed when he vanished from Clara’s mom’s bedside right after she died.Spoiler
actually a ¾ angel not a ¼ angelkari_roo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
angelreads's review against another edition
4.0
Hallowed:
Things are getting intense now. After the ending of book one, I didn't know where this was going to go. But not long in and wow. Everything jumps to another level in this one and I didn't know what to make of it. There were some parts that were predictable, however, it didn't stop me from loving the book. It drove me to find out more.
Again, I really enjoyed Clara in Hallowed. She not only became more independent but there was a lot more she had to consider. And I really think that made her more likable. Clara had to make some decisions that were questionable but also drove her in a way that moved the story along.
The love triangle was much more intense in this one. And will I still didn’t love it, I think that Cynthia Hand wrote it in a way that really worked. In saying that I really didn’t like Christian in this one, the way that he pushed to be with Clara, really put me off. I adored Tucker. He was thrown into a world that he knew nothing about. Into a world he didn’t think was real. And he tried, he tried to understand what he could for Clara.
Friendship was a really big theme throughout Hallowed and I really enjoyed it. At first, we see Clara struggle with keeping her human and Angel friends separate and even harder keeping them together.
Overall, Hallowed was a really good addition to the Unearthly series. The tension between Clara and the Angel world is intensifying and that just adds to the novel so well. A really good middle book to a series.
novelsbycaitlin's review against another edition
4.0
Love triangles are tedious, annoying things when done wrong. Lately, it feels like every series has one and every series fails to serve, but Hand does an efficient job at giving her protagonist two boys while having Clara keep her spine and juggle the many griefs she has to deal with throughout Hallowed. My main fear though lies within the concept. Hallowed expanded the myth of the series, yet it didn't advance it (very much). As the series continues, I hope it kicks into a different gear, leaving the love struggle behind and more into the angel struggles.
Where as Unearthly was about new beginnings, Hallowed is around death. Not as in everyone is dying but as in the death of innocence, the death of naivety, loved ones, etc. In Unearthly I could have cared less about the "new beginnings", Hallowed I really appreciated the transition of death. Clara faced many choices and decisions in this book, some that aren't even choices. She struggles to do things her way, to fight "destiny" but slowly comes to accept to accept that what is meant to happen, will happen. All she can do is live in the moment. I mean, the motto of the book is "live in the moment. JUST BE" and it came across very nicely. When i turned that last page I felt satisfied.
The love triangle, well, it wasn't so bad. It didn't feel very one sided, though I am leaning toward Christian more so because a real future with Tucker is just impossible for Clara. Save yourself the pain. Clara never really doubted her love for Tucker. It was her purpose that drove her nuts, and as she sort of gave into the purpose, she started to see Christian. So, it's not a Bella Swan, I LOVE BOTH BOYS. Clara has a reason for two guys following her around (which can also be a metaphor for accepting her future as an angel rather than fighting in but that is going a bit far).
My only worry for this book series is how slow paced the plot is. Where is this going? For two books the slow and steady pace might have worked, but for the third and fourth, I feel like it can get stale. Next book I expect advancement in the angel-blood plot story. Something other than myth building, but actual like, turn of events. Plus, if Christian, Angela and Clara really end up in Standford next book, I hope they get to face and meet more people like them.
Where as Unearthly was about new beginnings, Hallowed is around death. Not as in everyone is dying but as in the death of innocence, the death of naivety, loved ones, etc. In Unearthly I could have cared less about the "new beginnings", Hallowed I really appreciated the transition of death. Clara faced many choices and decisions in this book, some that aren't even choices. She struggles to do things her way, to fight "destiny" but slowly comes to accept to accept that what is meant to happen, will happen. All she can do is live in the moment. I mean, the motto of the book is "live in the moment. JUST BE" and it came across very nicely. When i turned that last page I felt satisfied.
The love triangle, well, it wasn't so bad. It didn't feel very one sided, though I am leaning toward Christian more so because a real future with Tucker is just impossible for Clara. Save yourself the pain. Clara never really doubted her love for Tucker. It was her purpose that drove her nuts, and as she sort of gave into the purpose, she started to see Christian. So, it's not a Bella Swan, I LOVE BOTH BOYS. Clara has a reason for two guys following her around (which can also be a metaphor for accepting her future as an angel rather than fighting in but that is going a bit far).
My only worry for this book series is how slow paced the plot is. Where is this going? For two books the slow and steady pace might have worked, but for the third and fourth, I feel like it can get stale. Next book I expect advancement in the angel-blood plot story. Something other than myth building, but actual like, turn of events. Plus, if Christian, Angela and Clara really end up in Standford next book, I hope they get to face and meet more people like them.
moonlightdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Seeing as though it only took me a few hours to read, it a sign I just couldn't put the book down (or shut the lap top as the case may be in this case).
I'm really torn on which camp to be, Christian or Tucker? both very different, but both appealing in their own ways.
There are still alot of unanswered questions that I am hoping will be answered in the next book... although having to wait until next year for it to be released is not nice... not nice at all.
If you enjoyed the first one, you will enjoy this one just as much, if not more.
I'm really torn on which camp to be, Christian or Tucker? both very different, but both appealing in their own ways.
There are still alot of unanswered questions that I am hoping will be answered in the next book... although having to wait until next year for it to be released is not nice... not nice at all.
If you enjoyed the first one, you will enjoy this one just as much, if not more.
triggerkat's review against another edition
4.0
I liked Christian a lot more, and Tucker just a little bit less. He seemed like a clingy boyfriend rather than the strong guy he was in Unearthly which is why this book got a four-star rating.
That, and the climax just wasn't there for me. It was quiet but unlike some other quiet climaxes (like in Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys) it just didn't hold it for me.
But still, it was an enjoyable read. Not as gripping as the first book, but I'll admit I read Hallowed in one day. And, thanks to Cynthia Hand, I am now torn between Christian and Tucker. At the end of the first book I was 100% Team Tucker, but now I'm torn. Like a piece of paper with a bad grade on it.
Hallowed had me laughing and smiling often, so much so that every time someone passed the chair I was sitting in I had to slacken my face so they wouldn't look at me like I was crazy for smiling at a book.
Anyway. Done rambling. Read it. That's all I have to say.
That, and the climax just wasn't there for me. It was quiet but unlike some other quiet climaxes (like in Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys) it just didn't hold it for me.
But still, it was an enjoyable read. Not as gripping as the first book, but I'll admit I read Hallowed in one day. And, thanks to Cynthia Hand, I am now torn between Christian and Tucker. At the end of the first book I was 100% Team Tucker, but now I'm torn. Like a piece of paper with a bad grade on it.
Hallowed had me laughing and smiling often, so much so that every time someone passed the chair I was sitting in I had to slacken my face so they wouldn't look at me like I was crazy for smiling at a book.
Anyway. Done rambling. Read it. That's all I have to say.
cheesehead_reader's review against another edition
4.0
Let me just say that I LOVE this series! Usually the second books fall a bit flat as they seem to be setting the stage for the final book in the trilogy. Not so with Hallowed! It is definitely a book that owns its story. We get to delve more in depth into each of the characters. Some questions are answered, others still left to be revealed and still new secrets exposed. We are introduced to new characters (one is my favorite but I can't reveal who but I loved him!) and receive new information on old ones. I was getting a bit frustrated with Clare's mom but in the end came to a better understanding of who she was and why she acted as she did.
I still remain unsure about the love triangle. I have my favorite for Clare and I'm not sure if he is the one who will end up with her. And if that doesn't happen not sure how I will feel about it. Although so far I have loved the way Cynthia Hand has set up and resolved issues so far so I'll just have to wait and see.
I can't wait for the third book.
I still remain unsure about the love triangle. I have my favorite for Clare and I'm not sure if he is the one who will end up with her. And if that doesn't happen not sure how I will feel about it. Although so far I have loved the way Cynthia Hand has set up and resolved issues so far so I'll just have to wait and see.
I can't wait for the third book.