Hallowed (Unearthly book #2) by Cynthia Hand

    Title: Hallowed

                                                        Author: Cynthia Hand

                                                        Pages: 403

                                                        Published: January, 2012 by HarperTeen

                                                        Series: Unearthly book 2

                                                        Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy 

                                                        Stars: 4/5

                                                        

For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn't prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves 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.

In this compelling sequel to "Unearthly," Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.

Hallowed is the sequel to Unearthly (click here for the review for Unearthly), a paranormal, urban fantasy romance by Cynthia Hand. Although I said the romance in Unearthly was just delicious.....boy oh boy....the romantic department in Hallowed goes up a few notches.  In Hallowed, Clara uncovers more about her powers and what it means to be an angel blood.  She keeps trying to understand what happened at the day of the fire. There are a lot of things she is not certain with, including the many secrets her mother is still hiding from her.

As far as the love triangle goes between Clara, Tucker and Christian, I pretty much have my mind made up. Although I’ve heard a lot of people saying that after reading Hallowed, they were torn between the two guys. I wasn’t! Although I do adore Christian and his sweet personality and although I did get all tingly whenever he appears he wants Clara for all the intimate reasons, I still felt that Clara and Tucker are meant to be! They suit soo much, something natural not forced! 

However, I found myself gripping the pages whenever there were any tensions between the two dashing boys, especially the fight over Clara!!!

I sympathised with Tucker in most aspects of this book. He felt so left out with the whole angel business!

I did like the sarcastic humour that Cynthia developed in this book, especially when she mentions the little ‘Twilight’ clip and how love triangles are always supposed to include a nice golden boy vs a moody dark haired boy. 

What I also liked about this book is that we learn a bit more about Jeffrey. At first, I thought his moody attitude could due to a bit of teenage hormones (but come onnnn, we are after all talking about a paranormal YA book and no bad moods are caused due to hormones!) but towards the end of the book we find out his real reason. I dare say I really hope he doesn’t turn towards the darker side, what with his black feathers showing!

Sadly, there wasn’t much that could add to my suspicions on Angela however, there were occasions where Clara did confess to her and argue what were the things she was hiding from her. Who knows.....(again) there might be something in the third book that might aid my suspicions!

Again, not a lot of things happen in this book, there isn’t a big anti climax but I feel maybe Cynthia’s building us up to this big finale or something....who knows? However, I like the fact that she introduced a lot more angel-blood in this book and feels nice that Clara has other people that she could rely on. Aside from  the big shock that this book delivers (all I’m saying is that it has got to do with something with her dad, but spoilers) this book does deliver a very sad element...again no spoilers. When I read that part I literally felt my heart tug a big, especially for Clara. There was so much she needed to know, but there just so little time!

Notable quotes/passages: 
Chapter 10-'I stop. We're both breathing heavy, snow clinging to our hair, melting on our clothes. I stare down at him. Snow floats around us. His eyes are flooded with golden warmth. He's letting me do this. He's as strong as I am, or event stronger, but he's stopped fighting me. 

He sucks in his bottom lip for a second, the quickest, tiniest motion, to moisten it. 
All I would have to do is close my eyes and let go.
Try is, he says without words, so softly it's like the brush of a feather in my mind. Let's find out what's next.'

Book Trailer: