Review - Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

Title: Hallowed

Author: Cynthia Hand

Series: 2nd (Unearthly)

Pages: 403

Published: January 17th 2012 by HarperTeen 

ISBN: 9780061996184

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: 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. 

I Give This ...

 

I've decided that angel book are hard to do right.  It's just a delicate balance to make believable without being cheesy.  After several bad ones (and some ok), I was pleased to come across the first in this series, Unearthly.  Hallowed had a lot to leave up to after just an awesome opening.

I have to be honest when I say that Hallowed  is not at all what I thought it would be.  It honestly had that perfect second book feel, but without being a complete drag.   It fills in most of those details that I thought might have been lacking in the first book.  There's not a lot of action.  It's more about those little moments, and piecing together that whole picture.  I think I've have a clearer idea of were this story might be heading.  I liked the overall bigger picture we get from this book.  The world of angel decedents is much bigger than we though. 

I really loved the battle Clara goes through in this book.  She struggles with new feelings she has for Christian.  I liked that she questioned whether it was genuine or the prophecy.  I love that she doesn't want to give up Tucker, her first love.  Because, as much as I hate love triangles, it can happen in real life.  She struggles with the truth her mom has been hiding (protecting) from her.  And she gets the whopped of all news concerning her father.  

It was really a wonderful addition to the series, even if it doesn't carry the same punch that the first one did.  It's sweet, subtle and might even make you tear up a little.  I can't wait for the next one!