Parallel by Lauren Miller
Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Our purpose on this earth is not one single event, an accomplishment we can check off a list. There is no test. No passing or failing. There’s only us, each moment shaping who we are, into what we will become.
Sigh, what a beautiful novel. Hallowed is the 2nd installment of the Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand and follows Clara, a part angel on her journey to fulfill her purpose on earth. This isn’t a fast paced book, but the lack of intrigue and action is greatly made up by its solid characters and strong, well constructed relationships.
This book continues where Unearthly left off with Clara purposefully choosing to fail her purpose by choosing to save Tucker and now working out how to deal with Christian and the fact that he is also an angel blood. While dealing with that she also has her new relationship with Tucker and a majorly pissed off Black Wing who could return at anytime. The love triangle between Christian, Clara and Tucker is a very central part to this book but the triangle is done well – you can really understand and empathise with the wavering feelings Clara has throughout the book.
When I finished Unearthly I thought Tucker and Clara were absolutely perfect together, if you had told me that Christian was in anyway a contender I would have flat out laughed. Here I am now seriously wanting her to somehow magically get to have both guys because Christian didn’t just grow on me in this book I totally love him – he is so perfect in such a completely different way to Tucker. I have no idea how this triangle is going to pan out but I think I’m going to be sad one way or another!
Aside from show casing a strong love triangle, Hand also delves deep into the mother, daughter relationship and I’m not sure whether its because I quite recently lost my own mother, but I found this relationship beautifully depicted. I found out when reading the acknowledgments that Hand was pregnant with her baby daughter while writing this novel and I think all those pregancy hormones definitely kicked in and helped her deliver a wonderful, emotionally driven story. I sincerely hope she has as strong a relationship with her daughter as Clara and her mother have in this book – I loved reading every minute of it even though it was so incredibly sad.
This is not an easy book to read at times, infact the depth of emotion and sadness that I felt in parts made this in some ways a hard read even though I rated it so highly. I wouldn’t reccomend this to someone who is after something fun filled, this book definitely requires tissues though please don’t let it deter you from an phenomenal series!
Rating 
| Author | Cynthia Hand |
|---|---|
| Book series | Unearthly: Book #2 |
| Genre | Angels / Paranormal / Young Adult |
| Publisher | HarperTeen |
| Published | January 2012 |
| Source | Purchased for Kindle |
| More |
Hallowed by Cynthia Hand at Goodreads Hallowed by Cynthia Hand at Amazon Hallowed by Cynthia Hand at The Book Depository |
24 Comments:
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Rebecca Hipworth says:
From what everyone says, this book is amazing. I still haven’t read Unearthly yet though. Looks like I’m going to have to do something about that.
Philippa says:
It is a lovely series – I haven’t read that many angel books but these are wonderful I definitely recommend
Lili says:
I just finished Unearthly last week and I am absolutely dying to get my hands on this book!
Great review! You’re making me want it even more!
Lili says:
PS, for the giveaway, I told you I followed the wrong way. I followed on twitter! @LiliReflects
Philippa says:
No worries – I’ll updated the record
Philippa says:
It is wonderful – I personally think it was even better than Unearthly so I will be keen to hear what you think!
Christine Frencillo says:
Haven’t read this. I hear a lot of good reviews to this one. Im excited to read this.
btw nice review!
Philippa says:
It’s a lovely angel series with fantastic characters I definitely recommend it
Natalie Cleary says:
Great review. I loved Hallowed, its one of the best Angel books.
Philippa says:
completely agree – someone told me to read Hush Hush if I liked these books and well it just paled in comparison lol!
TayteH says:
So, from the last paragraph, the book is kinda like a contemporary novel, sad and happy and full of emotions? Well, sounds like my kind of book.
Thanks for the review. 
Philippa says:
Yes – there are some contemporary elements to the book in the fact that it plays strongly with emotions, issues and character development. That said though, there is definitely still a large paranormal quantity to the story too!
Catherine Siborutorop says:
I have read the first in the series, but I still haven’t read the second. But I’m really looking forward to read this
Great review btw!
Philippa says:
Ooooh read it – it’s so good!
Tanja - Tanychy says:
This is one of the most beautiful stories about angels!
I really love it. I’m glad you enjoyed!! 
Philippa says:
Completely agree
Courtney says:
I loved this book so much. I’m with you on being torn between Tucker and Christian. They’re both amazing in their own ways! But I kind of hope she ends up with Christian, because as great as Tucker is, he’s a small-town guy, and Clara has big-town girl dreams that she needs to follow, depending on how her purpose goes. It will be sad either way, though.
Oh, and I’m SO GLAD Tucker’s horse was okay.
Philippa says:
I’m kinda thinking Christian is the way to go too – which makes me happy and makes me sad! I don’t know how I’m going to handle reading book 3!!!
Enna P. says:
What a great review!!! I can’t wait to read it!
Philippa says:
Thank you – it’s a beautiful story!
Veronika says:
This book took my breath away! Incredible series! I loved your review! I agree with you so much. This book is full of emotions. I loved the first book as well.
Philippa says:
She did such a good job fitting so many emotions into this book – it was great – glad you liked it!
wni says:
I’ve just read this book. It’s so good. But Christian character didn’t grow to me. But then he is so nice. I want her to be with Tucker but is that possible since her destiny with Christian is so strong. Can’t wait for the next book to come out
Philippa says:
Awww Christian really grew on me in this book, but totally get where your coming from about Tucker, he is a wonderful guy too!