Wednesday 18 January 2012

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand


Pages - 403
Published by Egmont in the UK, and Harper Teen in the US.

In the dream, there's sorrow. I feel it over everything else, a terrible grief that chokes me, blurs my sight, weighs down my feet as I move through the tall grass. I walk among pine trees up a gentle slope. It's not the hillside from my vision, not the forest fire, not anyplace I've seen before. This is something new. Overhed the sky is pure, cloudless blue. Sun shining. Birds singing. A warm breeze stirring the trees. 

Goodreads Summary
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. 

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I can't help it - this is going to be a gusher! Cynthia Hand's angel series is definitely at the top of my list of the best angel fiction around. I just can't get enough of this series. It may have something to do with Tucker, who is probably one of the most droolworthy male characters I have come across (next to Alex from Hunting Lila of course) but it is also to do with the original slant on angel fiction. 

This is the second book in the series and I felt it should be retitled 'Revelations' because all the secrets come spilling out in this one. Seriously - a can of worms writhing all over the floor! All the reasons for the way Clara's mother behaves come stumbling out.  I am going to be really careful here as I don't want to give away any spoilers, but if you haven't read Unearthly ( first book in the series) then you might want to stop here.

The book is quite self explanatory at the beginning, so I do feel that this book could easily be read as a standalone. The author gives us enough information to be able to slot right back into the story. 

Suddenly there seems to be a love triangle going on, as Clara feels that she is meant to be with Christian. How upsetting was this! Tucker is just amazing, but appears to be a little too human for Clara and she can't stand to cause him pain. I am hoping she clears the angel dust out of her eyes soon so that she realises she might be making a mistake.  The poor girl is in complete confusion over which route her love life should take. I feel I need to intrude and direct her in the right way. 

The first couple of scenes mention Midas, Tucker's beloved horse, and as I drew my first tissue of the book, I knew I was in trouble. I felt like my guts were being wrenched out at the very thought of what might have happened to the horse. 

The last quarter of the book had me in tears. There I was again, with my Kleenex mansize tissues, blubbering away. The story line took an unexpected direction which left me feeling really sad by the end of the book. Life is really cruel! I felt sorry for Jeffrey as revelations concerning his purpose come to light. I even felt sorry for  Samjeeza, the Black Wing angel from the first book, and I can't believe I am saying that. But it was sooo sad!

This isn't a fast paced book at all, so don't expect a thrilling, intense ride. This book is slow in pace which is definitely necessary as the truth comes flowing out. The ending is poignant and yet enlightening as Clara knows so much more about herself now. 

If you love angels, then this series is a must read!

4 comments:

  1. I haven't read any books about angels but you've made this sound intriguing. Great review.

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  2. I just do not know, the whole triangle.. especially in teen books will most of the time annoy me. Depending on

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  3. This book was SO good! I love the UK covers for the books, they are so gorgeous! Great pick!

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  4. i completely agree that this is THE best Angel series. I was worried about Hallowed after loving Unearthly. I didn't need to be.

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