Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Published: HarperTeen (January 17, 2012)
Pages: 416
Format: Hardcover
Series: Book 2 of 3?
Source: ARC from publisher
GoodReads Summary: For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her 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.

My Thoughts: I loved Unearthly earlier this year, as evidenced by this. I had high expectations for Hallowed, but OH SWEET LORD, I was not expecting all this.

It was better than Unearthly, but in a very emotional, difficult way. If you've ever read any of my reviews, you know I have a deep appreciation for the realistic depiction of difficult issues. For fear of a massive spoiler, I shall not share the basis of Clara's (AND MY) pain & suffering. Just know that you need to have the tissues handy, because it's about to get real runny around here.

CLARA. Girlfriend. Please hang out with me and make funny jokes about life and people and everything. I love this girl. Cynthia Hand has a sparkling diamond of a main character and I love everything about her. She's faced with some shizz in this book. ALL SORTS OF IT. And she handles it the best way she knows how: by being human. Even though she's a fraction of a heavenly being, she's an ordinary girl.

Most importantly: the love interest(s?). WOW. I'm always afraid that the love triangles will go horribly awry. Nope. But it's heavy. There are so many layers to the Tucker-Clara-Christian saga. I can't say much. You must see for yourself. OH, THE COMPLICATIONS. I am forever Team Tucker, but Hand doesn't hesitate to lay on the intrigue of The Other Side.

I cried countless times. Hand's descriptions of sorrow and sadness and confusion are heart-twisting. I believe everything she writes as if it's carved in stone. It all feels so real. You guys, this series is a diamond in the rough. In the recent flurry of angel books that try much too hard, Cynthia Hand's series is one that you'll find yourself thinking about long after you finish. Please do yourself a kindness and pick up this one.

PS. And just try and tell me that the girl on the cover doesn't bear a striking resemblance to Alicia Silverstone circa Clueless.
PPS. THIS IS GONNA BE A TV SHOW ON THE CW, YOU GUYS.