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

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.

More info: Goodreads.


Review:

Hallowed, for me is proof that it is possible to adore a book.....while also wanting to throw it against a wall! The first book in this series, Unearthly by Cynthia Hand is one of, if not the best angel themed book I’ve ever read and it’s suffice to say I had high hopes when going into the book. Unfortunately, I found myself a tad disappointed and undeniably frustrated throughout Hallowed.

Hallowed is a beautifully told story. Hand is an incredibly talented storyteller who weaves together a stunning story of mystery and excitement with heart-wrenching romance and deep emotions. Her writing is rich and detailed and depicts a stunning picture throughout the novel. In Hallowed, our heroine Clara is dealing with new revelations about herself and the shocking consequences of her decision at the last book. I found I enjoyed how Hand continued to evolve her storyline, but I’m conflicted over the direction she appears to be taking her characters and series in.

I truly loved Clara in the last book but in Hallowed I was frustrated by some of her actions and choices. I love how Hand writes her; she’s very real and I easily understand how an individual could act how she did, but I’m annoyed about how tossed up she is. She fights what is expected of her, but she still finds herself drawn in that direction. And by going against it, people get hurt by her indecision. Perhaps it’s human nature, but as a reader it’s frustrating when your heroine seems to be making poor choices and yet brilliant ones at other times. Clara is a fantastic character, but with all the pain and uncertainty she deals with in Hallowed I feel like she looses herself a little bit. However, I’m looking forward to seeing her find herself again in the next book.

I also find myself so annoyed by the Clara and Tucker relationship and conflicted by the Clara and Christian one. Cynthia Hand wrote such a beautiful romance between Clara and Tucker in the first book. It was sweet and endearing and it felt realistic, but here she completely trashes it. I wanted to scream over Clara’s indecision and her desire to constantly be around with Christian. He’s not her boyfriend, she shouldn’t be thinking of him the way she was. With some revelations about her parents relationship, I can see similarities between Clara and Christian and them, and I’m peeved, because I simply adore Tucker. In a genre where there are so many “Christians” it’s fantastic to find a love interest like Tucker. He breaks the mould and he stole my heart.

And here’s why I’m so conflicted. If there was no Tucker, and honestly I’d hate no Tucker, I’d say Christian and Clare are meant to be together. There’s some kind of connection between the two of them, something that Clara fights, but becomes more apparent in this book. I generally like Christian. When he’s not moving in on Tucker’s girl that is! He seems like a good guy and he’s truly been there for Clara, but I want Tucker to be there. I want Tucker to be the one who comforts Clara and makes her smile, as he was in the first book. I missed him throughout this book and wanted that incredible relationship Tucker and Clara developed in the first book back!

I was saddened over the loss of one of the characters in the book. Hand managed to create such a fantastic family dynamic in the first book and I was disheartened to see it ripped apart the way it was in this book. It may have been necessary to the story, but it was hard none-the-less. Hand puts her characters through the wringer and plays with their emotions, in turn tugging as yours as you read their story.

While I’m not exactly pleased with some of the events of this book and I’m not thrilled with where it’s going I am eager for the next instalment! The killer ending Hallowed ends with will have some fans heartbroken and others cheering, depending on your “Team” I suppose, but one thing that’s for sure is that the next book is sure to be an emotional rollercoaster as the events of this one become apparent.

Rating:
Source: Sent by Harper Collins Australia for review (Thank-you Lara!)
Format: Paperback
AU Release Date: Available now!
Expected AU Price: $24.99
Buy it: Booktopia // The Nile
Reccomendation: Fans of a good supernatural read will eat this up--definitely one of the best angel saga's out there!
Cover: Incredibly ethereal and absolutely beautiful. I just wish I could see the models face.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Of course!