The Outside (Hallowed One, #2)

by Laura Bickle

[kimbacaffeinate]

4.5 Last year I read The Hallowed Ones and love the tale Laura Bickle gave us, it was one of my favorite reads, so I was on pins and needles to begin The Outside. Bickle continued Katie’s journey and kept me on the edge of my seat, as we faced danger, death and a freaky solution in this dystopian world. Three word review: brilliant, captivating and a wonderful conclusion.

At the end of book one, Katie shunned from her Amish community leaves with Alex and Ginger. The decide to travel north towards Alex’s family in Canada and the tale that unfolds has them facing down vampires, enjoying a few romantic moments and discovering a possible solution against these dark beasts. I could not set this book down and read it in just two sittings.

Bickle did a wonderful job with character development as she allowed them to grow and evolve along with this world. Katie is so strong and brave. Her faith is sorely tested and watching her grow, accept and expand beyond her teachings was captivating. Some of my favorite scenes involve Katie holding firm to her beliefs and doing either the stupidest things I have ever seen or the bravest. They are always the right choice; but there aren’t many people brave enough to stand up like that. Alex was brave, protective and said some of the sweetest things to Katie. It is quite clear that he loves and respects her. He is a man of science and history and she holds to her faith. The relationship felt genuine and I enjoyed watching it progress. Ginger and other characters along the way added to this dark tale, sometimes bringing sadness, danger and even offering us hope, faith and understanding in this harsh new world. Along the way they make new friends both human and of the fur variety and I enjoyed these threads.
The Outside blended different faiths, myths and beliefs regarding the end of times, and I loved how Bickle shared them with us. Each offered a lesson, and hope. We never learn how the vampires developed but theories were made, some where outlandish and others made me shiver. Given the world they were in and the lack of communication this aspect was eerily surreal. The author shows mans unwillingness to change and our astounding fight to survive. As the group travel, they come to a town untouched by the vampires with strange humans dwelling within, I found the answers there fascinating, and I am not sure how scientific it was, but it was an interesting twist and completely unique. Katie’s transformation from mindful child to kick-ass woman was an incredible one. She remained true to her God, but lost some of the close-minded ways of her faith. Sadly, I think this is the last book in for the Hallowed Ones and the ending wrapped up nicely.

Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer