The Hallowed Ones

Interesting spin on vampire contagion

This story is very different to anything I've ever read before. I was just fascinated by it right from page one. Although I feel that it could have had a lot more action and a lot more vampires, it definitely made up for it in terms of how much blood and gore there was.

The Hallowed Ones has a very interesting concept and I think Laura Bickle's writing is just amazing. There was a lot of background information on the Amish lifestyle and I've read a few reviews by people saying that there was too much of it. Having knowing nothing or extremely little about the Amish life, I liked finding out about how they live and why they live the way they do. I also think that the story needed it to progress. There is a reason the Elders act the way they do. But I loved that Katie was a little bit rebellious and although she believed in the rules that are set, she didn't always follow them.

I'm not religious at all and don't believe in organised religion so I was quite surprised that this story didn't make me feel more uncomfortable reading it because there is a lot of preaching that happens in the story. But I think Katie's belief that Gods word is the right way but she also believes that in order to help others, sometimes you must break those rules.

I really enjoyed reading this story and I'm definitely going to carry on and read The Outside to find out how Katie, Alex and Ginger get on in Vampire territory.

this is a super fun story. while vampires are totally over done there was enough freshness with the whole Amish thing to lure me in.

more importantly, it is surprisingly well written. i don't say that to be snotty, i have just grown to resent YA writers and their editors for not holding a high enough standard, but Bickle really puts the bar where I think it should be for young readers. I am very appreciative of that.

a bit irritated that it's a series, but I suppose no one will by a well written one off story anymore. sigh