Warning: Contains Spoilers For Unearthly. Enter at your own peril aka don’t be stupid.
I’m not sure why I get nervous before reading a Cynthia Hand book. I was stupidly apprehensive about committing to Hallowed because it’s 400 pages, even though I was out of my mind excited. Y’all need to put me in a dunce cap for not reading Hallowed as soon as it entered my mailbox.
Hallowed
First, I should stop reading angel books that aren’t by Cynthia Hand because they kind of blow in comparison. Hand basically proved to me that Unearthly wasn’t a fluke and she is truly talented in her sequel Hallowed. Seriously Hallowed is worthy. There are also no holds barred in this book.
The plot! Ah! Ah! Ah! Yeah, bro, that’s my outdoor voice reaction to the plot. FIRST, Hallowed picks up where Unearthly left off. For me to properly review, I’m putting Unearthly spoilers out there. So, Clara bombed her purpose by choosing to save Tucker instead of Christian who is actually also an angel, I know WHAT?! But she hasn’t been punished by God or anything. SO we open Hallowed with Clara being mopey about not finishing her purpose and Christian trying to get up on her EVEN THOUGH she is with Tucker. What a douche. Anyways, Clara gets a new vision where someone she loves dies. Holy balls Hallowed is SOOO sad!! Like buckets of sorrow sad! And yes, the person dying is basically the backbone of the plot.
I liked that Hallowed by Cynthia Hand is chock full of cool new reveals. And there are new characters! And yes, the sads of course. I mean not only does a character die, but there turns out to be some trouble in paradise.  Yet, throughout it all Cynthia Hand remains consistent in her writing and characterization. I never said to myself, yeah this shiz is weak. Because it wasn’t at all. Holla! Although, I’m going to channel my inner Regina George and say ‘stop trying to make Christian and Clara happen! It isn’t going to happen!’ much like fetch. ALSO there is potential foreshadowing, at least I hope, because she daydreams this bit about her and Tucker and a horse and ahhh. It’s very very brief and very minor, but I hope it’s foreshadowing.
I was immensely satisfied with Hallowed by Cynthia Hand. She does emotional tugging very well. And let me tell you, my spirits were LOW during parts of Hallowed. Yet, Hand also continues the magic, so to speak, and keeps my faith (lol) in her angel books. I’m now CLAMORING for my next fix of Clara and Tucker and the others– when is book 3 out again? Y’all seriously need to preorder Hallowed by Cynthia Hand if you loved Unearthly because it truly is JUST as good.
Disclosure: Received for review.
Other reviews of Hallowed by Cynthia Hand:
Latest posts by April (Books&Wine) (see all)
- 5 Contemporary YA Books With Interesting Premises - April 21, 2024
- Wreck The Halls by Tessa Bailey | Book Review - December 26, 2023
- Along Came Holly by Codi Hall | Book Review - December 23, 2023
I’m so dying to read this book! And I totally agree with you about angel books – Unearthly is by far the best.Your review has me nervous about the character that is dying, and also do I sense trouble for Clara and Tucker?
I’m even more excited to read Hallowed now, if that’s possible. Glad to hear it’s just as good as Unearthly!
I won’t tell you the character just be prepared! You do find out pretty early in the book though!
I really, really hope it’s foreshadowing too! Cause I’m completely Team Tucker and while I get the logic of Clara & Christian being together, it would not make me happy.
This book had me feeling all kinds of sadness and it was amazing! And yeah, book 3 WHERE ARE YOU??
Okay, good I saw that bit — where she is day dreaming during her English essay about the future to hopefully be foreshadowing!
I could not agree more with your review! When the one character dies in Hallowed, I was freaking in tears – so damn sad! I need book three in my hands stat!
YES YES YES. The tears OMG. THE TEARS. Like, I was shocked! Because it wasn’t the character I had expected.
Dude, I reckon the door’s closed on Tucker and Clara – at least, that’s what I got by the end of the novel. That was the saving point of the novel to me. I was just going to put up my review for this, hur. I’m still thinking the best friend is evil. I just need someone to make it happen. Maybe book three will show me for the prophet that I am (I am!). But duuude, the brother needs his own book. A spinoff maybe? I’m totally down for it.
I would be down for a spinoff with Jeffery! Although to be honest, I keep thinking he will end up evil or that he is consorting with the Black Wings, it’s just a niggling suspicion.
OH MY GOD! I THOUGHT THAT ABOUT ANGELA TOO!
And okay, I refuse to believe the door has closed on Tucker and Clara. Absolutely refuse it.
I agree. I think Clara and Tucker are just going in complete different directions, and they just do not fit together any longer.
I want Clara/Christian. I have always wanted them to be honest, lol
And I think by the end of the novel.. you can see a change happening, and I am not sure if Tucker fits in with that picture.
I don’t believe her daydream was anything but that. A daydream.
I’m going to shake my head NO at that, mainly because I am firmly Team Tucker all the way!
I see your point about the change happening, but I can still see her with Tucker. I feel like it boils down to fate versus free will and since Clara is gifted with Free Will, I think she’ll end up with Tucker.
That said, who knows how book three is going to end up.
Yes. This ^ the free will vs fate and all
I loved Hallowed so, so much! I think it’s a testament to Hand’s writing that I (we) still loved it so much even though…SPOILERS Tucker wasn’t in it much at all! The romance aspect didn’t go at all like I wanted it to, but I still loved it. I can’t wait for the next book and more TUCKER!
EXACTLY! It did not go at all the way I wanted but I am still excited for book three and I honestly think there’s still room for Tucker.
I’m just wondering how Tucker can be much in the book when only the first few chapters are spent on summer, and then.. she , Christian and Angela are going off to college.
I guess we’ll see.
And she did mention she wanted to do a 4th book.
When I eventually read this book, I’m so linking up to this review. You successfully managed to make me THIS much more excited for the book. And I’m a little scared about what I’m going to find in this one. But I’m glad that at least Hand doesn’t disappoint. And your Inner Regina is my new bff because I totally frigging agree. I hope Christian trips in the woods and falls into the Pit of Despair.
Love your reviews, as always, April <33
– Asher (from Paranormal Indulgence)
YES! A thousand times YES. This series is, by far, the best angle themed out. Not only that but this book was even better than the first and I adored that one. I love me some angst. Some really good, realatively realistic (given the whole angel part), meaty angst. Egads did this book have that ten fold. Like you I’m anxious to get a look at the next!
I keep thinking that her brother is turning into a blackwing. its driving me crazy and i want her and christian together! i cant wait to see what they do in college.
Christian vs. Tucker poll
vote for your team! 🙂