Hallowed

(Review originally posted at Fictionally Inclined.)I like that the opening of Hallowed mirrored that of [b:Unearthly 7488244 Unearthly (Unearthly, #1) Cynthia Hand http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1324782984s/7488244.jpg 9621771]. It provided a nice symmetry, yet there were sufficient changes to compel you to read further. Like the first, this book was a quick, thoroughly addicting read.In Hallowed, Hand took the opportunity to reveal more about the angel history as it appears in the Unearthly world. I became less confused on the front of Watchers vs. Black Wings and things like that. I truly enjoy reading Hand's version of the history and reality of angels. It never feels like an infodump, yet I came out of the scenes more knowledgeable than I was when I started them. This is quite a feat, because I have a severe dislike of the infodump and tend to barely skim them unless absolutely necessary. Anyway, it is nice that we got some more answers in this book, although I still have more. Which is the point, I suppose; it would hardly be an effective series if I had no lingering questions to be answered in the next book (or the one after that, etc.).Hee! I loved the small reference to the cherry Jolly Ranchers, which threw me back to Unearthly.Oh, Christian. I still loved Tucker, but I actually connected with Christian in this one. In the first book, he wasn't quite cookie cutter, but he really had nothing in particular to compel me toward him. In Hallowed, however, I started to really get to know Christian and truly like him. I very much enjoyed his interactions with Clara.I won't spoil it, but there is a surprise guest who appears in the book who is completely and thoroughly intriguing and awesome. I want to know more! Alas, it is still a long time until the next book. Ten months is so long... I still get a weird vibe from Angela and harbor an inherent, if irrational, distrust of her. I actually discussed it with my friend Lynne, and she does, too. I really wonder if it is intentional on Hand's part, whether as foreshadowing or to be misleading. Or maybe it is all in our imaginations - Lynne and I tend to be extremely similar in our reactions and opinions, so it is not a particular surprise that we both feel the same way.Quotes Time!❝Yeah, somehow I have the feeling that my first visit to a therapist would end with me in a straitjacket getting comfy in my new padded cell.❞❝I'm having an argument with myself. And I'm losing. So not a good sign.❞❝This was dumb and admittedly creepy in an Edward Cullen kind of way, but it was the only thing I could think to do.❞❝It's not stalking if you're happy to see me?❞❝I keep showering and I brush my teeth and I carry on.❞There were several plot twists in Hallowed. I saw a couple of them coming a mile away, but others caught me completely unawares. I appreciate an author who can do that. There were definitely heavy moments in Hallowed; it was not all sunshine and rainbows. Regardless, it was a great read. I am fascinated by Hand's world, I love both Tucker and Christian, at the end of the day, I am completely addicted to this series. The next installment cannot come out fast enough! I recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Unearthly or who simply enjoys YA paranormal fiction.

The second book of the Unearthly series was a bit of a let down for me, not going to lie. And don't get me wrong, it was still a great book and I had no problem getting through it, it just didn't mesmerize me like the first one did. With that being said, I would still recommend this book and I enjoyed reading the continuation of Clara Gardner's life. And what a life it is.

I actually think it would have been close to impossible to make a more compelling book then the first one was. In the first one, there was just so much defiance and surprises from Clara and the book didn't end at all how I was expecting. As I've mentioned in my previous review, it went from zero to one hundred in a matter of seconds. Now, this one was much more predictable and there weren't a lot of moments that stood out to me. It's almost as though the book slowed down a bit, again. It actually reminds me of the pace that the first one started off with before picking up.

I guess, what I'm really trying to say is that the plot didn't keep me on the edge of my seat and even though it wasn't bad, it also wasn't particularly good and unique. And on top of that, nothing that exciting really happened. I was yearning for more excitement and was a bit disappointed that it didn't really feel as though there was a real climax in this one. The book just steadily progressed and focused more on the character's relationships with each other than on any huge events. For me, there needs to be a good mix of the two in order to make it into my favorites list and this book failed to do that.

With that being said, the characterization remained superb and even progressed somewhat, with the characters changing right along with the circumstances surrounding them and the events as they unfolded in the story. However, while before I was mesmerized by Clara, in this book I simply wasn't. I understand that her relationship with Tucker has changed and just because he was her first love doesn't mean he is her true love, I still felt a little betrayed when Tucker was pushed to the back in this whole story. I would have liked to see a more gradual transition from their relationship at its peak to the way it was left at the end of this book.

However, the writing and grammar in this book were just as impressive and top-notch as in the previous one. I enjoy reading her writing style because it's direct and to the point without being too simplistic.

All in all, the sequel to Unearthly failed to live up to the first book's standards but it did stand up as a good book all on its own. I would still recommend it to anyone who read the first book, because even though it pails in comparison, it still has a lot to offer. I just hope the third book picks up a little because I need some more adventure from this series to end with a bang.

Review too long. On blog instead: http://textnjava.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-hallowed-by-hand.html