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Print Length: 403 pages
Format: E-Arc
Source: Purchased from Amazon.com
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Series: Yes, Book 2 of 3
Completed: December 2012
Challenges: 2012 Outdo Yourself, 2012 2nd Challenge, 2012 YA/MG Fantasy Challenge, 2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge, 2012 E-book Challenge
REVIEW of BOOK #1 - UNEARTHLY
REVIEW of BOOK #1 - UNEARTHLY
SUMMARY
When Clara begins to have visions of a funeral, she worries it may be Tucker who is going to be found in the coffin. She envisions him being killed by the vicious dark wing. However, she couldn't be farther from the truth. Being so wrapped up in her own little world, Clara totally misses some big clues on who the real victim will be. When she finally does figure it all out, her world comes crashing down all around her. Will she be able to gather up the pieces and decide on what path she should take for her future?
BACKGROUND
From Goodreads Profile: " Cynthia Hand grew up in southeast Idaho (very near the Wyoming border). Currently she lives in southern California with her husband and two small children. She teaches courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Unearthly series with HarperTeen: UNEARTHLY, published in 2011, HALLOWED published January 17, 2012, and BOUNDLESS, due out in January 2013. "
SETTING PACE AND STYLE
The setting for this one is the same as in Unearthly, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Hallowed basically picks up where book one concluded. Pacing is moderate, remaining constant throughout the story. Writing is expressive, captivating, but not as revealing as I had hoped. The story is told in a first person narrative, once again through the eyes of our heroine, Clara.
CHARACTERS AND PLOT
This book's main focus is on Clara and what her future may hold and the choices she must make to shape it. The characters we grew to know and love in Unearthly are not really explored to the greater depths I was craving in this second book. Christian is also pulled back into the story line, once again becoming a tantalizing, distraction for Clara. Angela is present in little bits of the story and Jeffry when mentioned is very despondent, angry and distant. At least towards the conclusion of this book we do get to find out why he's been acting in this manner.
RECOMMENDATION
PERSONAL NOTE
This one is so different than book one. The first book focused on romance, purposes and the discovery of angel mythology. Its fun, about falling in love and free will. Book two is far more series, will a sallow, downer mood. Its about death, dying and uncertain futures. Clara is faced once again with rethinking her decision to be with Tucker. With so many questions left unanswered after book one, I can say for sure, some of them are answered, but many still are not. The side characters: Angela, Tucker's sister and Jeffry are not explored to greater depths or even present in as much of the story as I would have liked them to be. The majority of the story is about Clara and her battle to uncover her true purpose. She is now having new visions. Jeffry in this novel, is brooding, stand-offish and mostly absent. Some of what's he's been up to is revealed at the end of the book, but there is still plenty of story left to tell.
I almost think I may have enjoyed reading Unearthly better because its a happier, lighter story. Hallowed is full of frustration, sadness and grief. It also keeps revisiting the love triangle between Christian, Clara and Tucker. Its a good story, certainly not fluff or filler, its moving the plot forward. I'm getting tidbits of my questions answered, just not all of them. Its main focus is on Clara, though. I wish it had also brought more depth and insight into some of the other side characters
RATING
I'm pretty sure I liked book Unearthly better than Hallowed. That's not to say book two was bad. It was just different, sad and not what I was expecting. So, I'm going to have to deduct one ring for all of that I just mentioned above.
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| 4 out of 5 Rings (CAPTIVATING - LOOKED FORWARD TO READING) |
Sorry you didn't like this as much-I think I liked it more because I wasn't interested in Clara falling in love with Tucker which seemed to take up so much of book 1. The many conflicts of this book were so intriguing to me.
ReplyDeleteI just was hoping to get more of my questions answered, especially pertaining to the some of the secondary characters. When I didn't I was a bit let down.
DeleteGreat review. I've been considering this one. I've gotten so bad at finishing series.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya, it seems like EVERY book I start now-a-days is part of a series! I don't think I'll ever get through them all.
DeleteIt makes me a bit sad to know Angela isn't in this one as much. I was really looking forward to seeing where her story went. I may give this one a try after the series is complete.
ReplyDeleteShe's definitely in the story, but just not as much a player as I would have liked. I think the next book should feature her a lot more, because they are going away to Stanford together.
DeleteStill have not read Unearthly yet, but this review was very helpful for giving me an idea for what to expect with this series. I guess it could be both a good thing and a bad thing that the tone of this one is so much more serious than the first - it wouldn't be as fun a read, but it may have been necessary for moving the plot along, as you say.
ReplyDelete