Hallowed (Unearthly, #2)

by Cynthia Hand

[Kim Deister]

If it's possible, I loved Hallowed even more than Unearthly! Like the first, this one is a beautiful story, very tender and sweet at times. But there is also a somewhat darker feel to it as Clara struggles with the choices she has made and still has to make, and the consequences of those choices. There are more twists and turns and a lot less predictability.
The characters grew over the course of the last book and I felt like they were even more explored in this one. We learn so much more about Clara's mom and she becomes a bit of a tragic figure. In Unearthly, she often irritated me, keeping secrets that I thought she needed to share with Clara. It was the same at the beginning of Hallowed, but with this book comes a great deal of understanding. However, with the answers come more questions!

The love triangle is still going strong and is just as engrossing. I had fears that it, after having been drawn out through two books, would be tired and predictable, but it wasn't at all. I still can't decide if I am Team Tucker or Team Christian yet, as I flip back and forth constantly! I love that we get to know both of the guys as their own people, separate from Clara.

But the best thing about this book? Clara's story throughout the book and especially at the end. Clara had a rough time throughout this book, one thing right after another. There was no easy tying up of loose ends, "everything is better now" ending for her. No one swooped in and solved her problems. I liked that because it is real. There was a lot of heart break in this installment, sadness that had me shedding ugly tears at times!

The only thing I really didn't get was the appearance of Clara's dad. He just reappeared in her life and there was no real conflict or angst about it. I know they are angels, but it seemed a little out of touch to not have even a moment of anger or confusion or belligerence.

Things to love about Hallowed...

--Clara's mom and dad. Their story was sweet and romantic and more than a little tragic.
--Hand's writing. The story is beautifully written, sweeping you along without weighing you down with lengthy descriptive sentences.
--Clara's friends. I love Angela, the token emo girl, and Wendy, the bubbly other BFF. They are great friends and interesting characters in their own rights.

My recommendation: Better than the first so READ!