Review: Storm Siren by Mary Weber

Read (August 1-5, 2014)

Book: Storm Siren (Storm Siren #1) by Mary Weber
Publication Date: August 19, 2014
Publisher: Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins
Number of Pages: 320
Genre/s: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley

“I raise my chin as the buyers stare. Yes. Look. You don’t want me. Because, eventually, accidentally, I will destroy you.”

In a world at war, a slave girl’s lethal curse could become one kingdom’s weapon of salvation. If the curse—and the girl—can be controlled.

As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-year-old Nym isn’t merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and always killed at birth — meaning, she shouldn’t even exist.

Standing on the auction block beneath smoke-drenched mountains, Nym faces her fifteenth sell. But when her hood is removed and her storm-summoning killing curse revealed, Nym is snatched up by a court advisor and given a choice: be trained as the weapon Faelen needs to win the war, or be killed.

Choosing the former, Nym is unleashed into a world of politics, bizarre parties, and rumors of an evil more sinister than she’s being prepared to fight . . . not to mention the handsome trainer whose dark secrets lie behind a mysterious ability to calm every lightning strike she summons.

But what if she doesn’t want to be the weapon they’ve all been waiting for?

Set in a beautifully eclectic world of suspicion, super abilities, and monsters, Storm Siren is a story of power. And whoever controls that power will win. - (source)

You might want to see my initial animated review. I am told it's hilarious. *straight face* 

“I think some have to fight harder to choose good over evil because the evil's got it out for them. And maybe it's because those're the ones evil knows will become the strongest warriors, recognizing true wickedness when it rears its head ... Maybe the ones who've struggled with true evil are the ones meant to make the biggest difference against it, you know?” - taken from an uncorrected ARC 

In a nutshell, Storm Siren is about an orphan slave girl suddenly thrust in the middle of a long waged war between two kingdoms. She was bought by a batshit crazy slave owner as a pawn and a weapon to end this war once and for all. She must then prove her worth and learn to control her abilities or she would be hanged for the abomination that she is.

Nym is a lost, broken girl plagued by guilt, grief and self-loathing. She sees herself as nothing but a monster cursed at having an ability that could kill anyone that gets too close. Cheeky and cynical, it's equal parts exasperating and empowering to see her come to terms with what and who she is. Is she a monster that brings only havoc and destruction or is she the savior that will ultimately save her kingdom?

Eogan, her ability trainer, is mysterious and frustrating. Hot and cold, his attitude inconsistencies drove me crazy.  But it is not without good reason and glimpses of his true feelings showed that he cares and understands Nym more than he will ever let on. He makes her feel visible and safe, feelings that Nym tried to hide with indifference. I ship these two so hard. It was hard work and I totally have to beg Mary Weber to finally make my ship sail and when it did, it was unfrakingbelievable.

“I stare back, as if to defy him and whatever his problem has been. Except something hungry stirs behind his gaze, and the next thing I know he's taking my heart for a thirsty-leap into green depths, and I'm drinking him in as fast as I can, excruciatingly aware of how parched I am.”

— Goodness. *fans self*

But Eogan is not there merely to make us swoon because he is definitely a character in his own right and plays a bigger role than being Nym's love interest. And guys, Eogan is a person with color! I don't even want to make a big deal out of this because it shouldn't even be a deal in the first place, but he is, and my heart is so happy. And since we're talking about not your usual run-of-the-mill characters, we have here a bald, well-muscled flirty guy and a sassy blind friend. Even Nym has a mishappen hand.

Like I said, the romance was perfection for me. There were gazillion chances for Weber to go for the love triangle route but she didn't. The romance, while one of the best aspects of this novel, is just an excellent backdrop as it was supposed to be, because this story is most importantly about Nym's journey to self-discovery and self-redemption.

But what is a fantasy novel without a solid worldbuilding?

I am greatly delighted to say that the worldbuilding here was off the charts. It's bursting at the seams with its commitment to geography, language and social structure. The steampunk-esque details and magic system were interesting. But what I admire the most was how Weber handled the enslavement aspect. It was not swept aside and used simply as a means to make Nym's history colorful but it was treated as a real problem that needs resolution. I hope in the next installment Weber will give focus on the perverse nature of some men in this novel because they really irked me out.

“...But instead of my power exploding like a thunderstorm, it comes as a gentle tide. A heart surrender. Almost painful in its approach, beckoning tears to my eyes as it renders my defenses nonexistent. And suddenly I can't remember why I ever needed them anyway because the very power I've spent my life cowering from is, at its core, pure.”

The prose was simply lovely. No matter how eager I was to turn pages after pages, I had to pause once in a while so I can reread some passages that were just beautiful. This novel made me come alive with its electric magic and the come down from the high was pretty agonizing. There were plenty of WTF moments, swoon-worthy moments, hair pulling moments, awe-inspiring moments and gasp-inducing moments. The ending was all of these combined and it was brutal. In truth, Mary Weber has a dangerous persona that concerns me, yet I'm beyond excited to read the next installment.

Highly unpredictable, imaginative and vividly woven, this book is the reason why I am reading fantasy novels. Storm Siren rocked my world from the very beginning and left me reeling as I turned the last page. Mary Weber has truly written a wonderful, riveting debut novel and it's definitely one of my best reads this year.

Cupid's Verdict:

4.5 Cupids

A copy was provided by the publisher at no cost
in exchange for an honest review

Review: Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Read (January 4 - 24, 2012)

Book: Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Publication Date: January 2, 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins

Number of Pages: 400

Genre/s: Young Adult, Dystopia
Source: ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY. -  (source)

“She absorbed the terror and beauty of him and his world. Of every moment over the past days. All of it, filling her up like the first breath she'd ever taken. And never had she loved life more.” - taken from an uncorrected ARC 

You know what's the worst thing that could happen to me while reading? Feel disconnected. Everything is so sloooow. It did hold my interest and the writing was good but no wow-factor for me. And there's no denying the fact that it took me 20 days to finished it. Almost 3 weeks! 

Why Under the Never Sky didn't work for me: 

1. It was too quiet and some of the chapters dragged. I like page-turners and attention-grabbers. Under the Never Sky failed to do that.

2. Some of Aria and Peregrine moments just seemed off. Especially on the first few parts although it did  improve on the latter part of the book.

3. Under the Never Sky gave me a reading slump. I read I am Number Four and Shatter Me before I was able to finish it. I just couldn't get into it. I came very close to not finishing this at all.

4. When the big bang came, it sounded more like a squeak. It was almost too late to pick things up and turn everything around.

5. Why does it have to end the way it did? I think Rossi enjoys giving us mixed emotions.

But let's be fair. Under the Never Sky has a great story and will be thoroughly enjoyed, but that someone is not me. I think it's just a matter of preference. So let me share to you what I think you'd like in UtNS.

Why you should read Under the Never Sky:

1. The writing was great. Rossi has a talent with words. The narrations and dialogues are skillfully woven.

2. The world-building was splendidly done. Realms, pods, Tides. Original and interesting.

3. The concept was new. There are two distinct groups of people composed of Dwellers and Outsiders. Dwellers are considered Moles and Outsiders savages. 

4. No insta-love here.

5. The last part was full of twists and surprises and infinitely better than the first half.

6. Roar was made of win and he's awesome. Enough said.

Under the Never Sky has a slow start. Rossi invested a lot with the world-building which I think paid off because it made the book really original and unique. She didn't forget the readers all together as well because she gave a little shocker towards the last few chapters and ended the book on a slight disgruntling note.

All in all, great concept and world-building but like I said, I think this book is not for me. I am NOT persuading you not to read this instead I'm asking you to consider the Why You Should Read UtNS section so you wouldn't miss out and here's hoping you'd enjoy Under the Never Sky.

Cupid's Verdict:

3 Cupids

A copy was provided by the publisher at no cost via Netgalley
in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi

Read from January to 2012

Book: Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi

Publication Date: November 15, 2011

Publisher: HarperCollins

Number of Pages: 338

Genre/s: Young Adult, Dystopia

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. 

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. 

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. 

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. 

Excerpt: "I tried so hard to fix what I'd ruined. I tried every single day to be what they wanted. I tried all the time to be better but I never really knew how. 


I only know now that the scientists are wrong. 


The world is flat. 


I know because I was tossed right off the edge and I've been trying to hold on for 17 years. I've been trying to climb back up for 17 years but it's nearly impossible to beat gravity when no one is willing to give you a hand. 


When no one wants to risk touching you."

I know it's no use writing a review after reading this fantastic book. I'm still reeling with mixed emotions that I have finished it and will have no more pages to flipped. But I'm going to try my best to at least touched (no pun intended) some of the parts that had me loved this book so much. 

The setting

The setting was tight. Shatter Me used only few places for the plot to unfold. And it's really commendable how everything fit perfectly with each other. The cell alone could sell the book for me. 

The pacing

Incredible. Fast-paced. Intense. This is exactly why I love reading dystopian. While other dystopian novels seems to bore a lot on information and details on its first parts, Shatter Me did not shy away from picking up the pace earlier in the book. And it worked splendidly to keep readers gripped from the time they opened the book and started reading it.

The writing

Different. Amazing. Mafi's an incredibly talented writer. It somehow reminded me of Lisa McMann's Wake Trilogy. They both write in their own style and it really made their book stand out from the rest. The description of Mafi's, and being inside Juliette's head is one incredible treat. 

The characters

Incredible. Interesting. Incredible. I love seeing Juliette grow. She was insecure, sad, alone, rejected and she has all the reason to rebel against those that ridiculed her but she didn't. She's a kind, compassionate person despite what people think of her. She's strong, loyal and loving. 

Adam. (fangirl mode) OMG. Adam was incredibly sumptuous. From the moment I heard of his deep blue eyes, I know I have a new literature crush. He is one hot man. (fan girl mode over) I feel for what he went through. He is a good brother and his devotion for Juliette was really touching and believable. 

Warner. A pyscho-villain. He creeps me out. His undeniable attraction to Juliette is unnerving and entirely foul. He's obsessed with her and I think we all know how obsessed persons deal with their objects of intense interest. I said it already. OBJECTS.

James. Kenji. They deserved a special mention. I'll be okay with a whole lot of swooning but the laughs they got out of me was unexpected and totally welcomed.

The love story

The swoon-factor of this book is outrageous. This book is extremely addictive and by that I mean you can't drop the book down and wait for a downtime to be able to read it. I read at class, at a thesis conference, at lunch. And you know what? The silly grin creeping up across my face uncontrollably and the squeals turned into a not-so successful cough and snorts is enough evidence that Juliette + Adam is unstoppable. 

Their chemistry and hunger for each other is palpable. It's like I'm standing in front of them, watching the exact same thing. It would be awkward, if I'm not so mesmerized by it.  

***

Will you please help me out? I'm running out of adjectives to describe how awesome this book is. Saying incredible again and again does not even give Shatter Me the justice it rightfully deserves. 

This book is my first dystopian read this year and I am so happy I picked this up. This is one of the few books I begged to have because I heard positive things about it. So expectations were high and thankfully, it was reached if not exceeded. I find myself stalling on the last few chapters because I don't want it to end.

Tahereh Mafi is as of now sitting at my best author lists and is enjoying a cup of coffee amongst my other beloved authors. So do yourself a favor and grab a copy now. If there's one thing I regret is I only picked Shatter Me now when I should have done it months ago. And shoot me now because the next installment has no estimated release-day yet.

Cupid's Verdict:

5 Cupids

Review: I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1) by Pittacus Lore

Read from January 6 to
January 8, 2012

Book: I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1) by Pittacus Lore

Publication Date: August 3, 2010

Publisher: HarperCollins

Number of Pages: 480

Genre/s: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They killed them all.

I am Number Four.

I am next. - From Goodreads

Excerpt: "It's the last thing to go,"Henri says. "When you have lost hope, you have lost everything. And when you think all is lost, when all is dire and bleak, there is always hope."

John and his Cepan(guardian) has always been on the run since they arrived from Earth after their planet, Lorien had been destroyed. They are aliens and they were being hunted by the Mogadorians, the same enemies that destroyed their planet. There are nine of them and they can't be killed out of order. Three are dead and John is next that is why they decided to travel again to another small town. Stakes are even higher this time so John has to do everything to conceal his true identity and protect his secret. But John did the unthinkable. He had drawn attention to himself. He even made a friend, Sam and got himself a girlfriend, Sarah. Also, John is getting stronger and with that comes the bigger risk of exposing his true self. In the inevitable battle between the Mogadorians and the remaining Loriens, John must make his last stand and he will come to know the true meaning of loss and the bittersweet power of sacrifice. 

I Am Number Four has never been high up on my TBR list. I am not fond of alien stories and I've already watched the movie. It was decent but not enough to really get me to pick up the book. But one fateful day, a classmate of mine lend me this book and I found myself highly entertained.

There was something about this book that was enjoyable and it was really interesting to know about 9 Loriens traveling to Earth to regroup and learn all their Legacies so they could defeat the Mogadorians and claim back their planet. One thing that also struck me was, I Am Number Four characters were one of those characters that would have bored me to death. They were not exactly the most flat characters out there but they came close. Maybe it was because I have seen the movie and I know what was about to happen that kept me really gripped by the story but honestly, I never found myself bored. Shocking, right? I even got a little teary eyed on the quite sad turn out in the story. I knew then that the characters had somehow managed to get under my skin and had me invested on them.

I could not really account the entertainment of I Am Number Four to it being exceptionally written either. It was pretty straightforward. He did this, he did that. He reacted, he retaliated. It was simple yet there was magic between those unassuming ventures. I was interested about John discovering his Legacies and how he handled his huge crush on his soon to become girlfriend. He's loyal and brave. He would disregard everything for the people he holds dear. Even for his dog, Bernie Kosar. Sam is a good friend. Sarah is pretty but I was afraid at first that that'd be her only asset. But she redeemed herself on the later half and showed me why John really felt that intense connection with her. Henry for me was a perfect guardian for John as well.  

If there's something that could be taken from I Am Number Four it is the underlying message about war and the devastation it could bring. That the never ending quest for superiority and power would bring destruction to Earth like what happened to the planet of the Mogadorians, what the Mogadorians did to Lorien and what they're trying to do again, this time to Earth. And that there's hope even at our darkest hours. 

I Am Number Four did not really make me shriek my head-off chanting "Best Book Ever" over and over like a raving lunatic. But it was packed-full of adventures, thrill and entertainment. I am certain that if the rest of the books in the series would give the same amount of likeability or even more, Lorien Legacies series would definitely sit on my well-beloved series shelf. And with that I am awarding my first half-rating ever for this book. Something I've never thought of doing. 

Cupid's Verdict:

3 1/2 Cupids

PS. If you have watched the movie and decided to skip this book altogether, I dissuade you to do so. There was a lot of minor and some major discrepancies between the movie and the book. And honestly after much reflecting, I actually liked the book better than the movie.

Review: Incarnate (Newsouls #1) by Jodi Meadows

Read from November 30, 2011
to December 16, 2011

Book: Incarnate (Newsouls #1) by Jodi Meadows

Publication Date:  January 31, 2012

Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Book

Number of Pages: 384 

Genre/s: Young Adult, Dystopia, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

NEWSOUL 

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why. 

NOSOUL 

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame? 

HEART 

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all? - From Goodreads 

Excerpt: “There was no telling if I'd be reborn when I died, but the waltz began and ended with my four notes. He'd built the music around things that reminded him of me. And now this name. My name. A hundred or a thousand years after I died, someone could play my waltz,...and they would remember me. Thanks to Sam I was immortal.”

In times when everyone is reincarnated, Ana is the sole exception. She's a newsoul/nosoul. No memories and experiences to remember from a past life. A glitch in the system of rebirth. She was left by her father, Menehem, at birth and was led to believe by her mother, Li, that she was good for nothing. A thief of someone else's life---Ciana. And that her stolen lifetime will soon be forgotten and things will return to the way they were after her passing . But is she meant to live only a single lifetime or is she just the beginning of the change in the process of reincarnation?

I have great expectations for this book.  The first few chapters had me hooked. A new creature, the sylph was introduced and it provided action and the adventure I was craving for. Ana is a smart, brave, resourceful young woman. She taught herself to read and discovered music on her own.

She was on her way to Heart, the great city where she could get all the answers about her purpose, when she encountered the sylph and met Sam who seemed guarded and aloof but nevertheless saved her from a certain death. Everything seemed to slow down when they have reached Heart. Ana was seen as a threat in the cycle of reincarnation and was not really welcomed in the city but she was allowed to stay if she would submit to the requests of the Council. Then as soon as Ana knew who Sam really is, she was sidetracked from all the plans she had when she reached the city.

And boy was I sidetracked, too. The story never seemed to pick up from there. Ana was overwhelmed with the idea of people living many lives, with different bodies, faces, and genders but I did not feel it. What I felt was awkwardness knowing that Sam, her love interest has been a female before. Also, she let everything passed if it concerns Sam. You see, Sam is sneaking in the middle of the night, talking obscurely on the phone and has a serious case of commitment issues but instead of confronting Sam, she just lets him and makes excuses for him.

There was not enough background about the other characters as well. Li was told to be extremely hateful of Ana because she stole Ciana’s life but I don’t think that’s enough reason to hate someone. Disdain, maybe but spite? There should be more to it, but it was never fully explained. Likewise, Ciana is a mystery. I do not know anything about her. Meuric, the faithful believer; I did not get his devotion to Janan at all. How about Sarit, Orrin and Whit, don’t they deserve a little exposure, too? And don’t get me started on Menehem because, I thought he was a key character but he was just suddenly there and then he disappeared. Like he was put on the spot to tell things he have done and then the author blows out the candle and then poof, he's gone. Again.

And when I said it slowed down and didn’t pick up, I meant it. I was on the last few pages and I was still wondering when the climax would hit. You know, the one that would keep you gasping and make your heart go thump, thump. It never came. Alas, the almighty dragons did not give the tension and adventure the sylph did.

Incarnate has a great premise and lot of potential but I’m afraid it just didn’t live up to it. Unquestionably, Meadows has provided a fresh and unique addition in the concept of reincarnation that makes for a good read but it just lacks the oomph and the special twinkle that I was expecting. It was not bad, but it failed to captivate and engrossed me the way I thought it would. Honestly, the cover is the only thing memorable about this novel (and I say that with a broken heart, really). And the sylph (Yes, I do love them). But the more pertinent question is: Will I read the next installment in this series? Yes I would because even though Incarnate has misses and disappointments, the world Meadows created is undoubtedly different and interesting so I am still keen on knowing what will happen next in the upcoming books in this series.

Cupid's Verdict:

3 Cupids

An advanced copy was provided by the publisher at no cost via Netgalley

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Read (November 16 - 18, 2011)

Book: Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

Publication Date: January 17, 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins

Number of Pages: 416

Genre/s: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley

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. - (source)

“Our purpose on this earth is not a 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. So I say forget about future. Pay attention to now. This moment right now. Let go of expectations. Just be. Then you are free to become something great.” - taken from an uncorrected ARC 

Hallowed started right after where Unearthly ended, in the forest wherein Clara must fulfill her purpose and the fire that has left everything on its path destroyed and charred. Clara failed at her purpose because she followed her heart and by doing that, she had changed everything.

Everything starts to unfold. We’re introduced to the world of White Wings and Black Wings and the eternal war between them, the congregation where all angel-bloods gather and to new angels. Secrets kept were laid out in the open. Clara learned about what she really is, how she and her brother are special even amongst the angel-bloods. And although everything was planned out for her, she still has her free will and she must make the ultimate decision between the guy she loves without any imposition from the boss up above and the guy she is destined to be with. She also knew with another dream that someone she loves dearly will die. And it was all Clara could do to keep herself together and everything else from falling apart. 

What is most commendable about Hallowed was the growth in Clara’s character. Not only did her hair color change (sorry, I just have to say that) but she had shown exceptional strength of character and will beyond all the drama and the big bombs being thrown at her relentlessly. Acceptance and sacrifice were needed and she gave just that.

Then there’s Christian, the great constant in Clara’s exceedingly wobbly life. Oh, I really feel for him! I feel his pain and disappointment every time Clara pushed him away. But still he’s there, not to woo Clara or keep telling her that they belong together but because he wants to let her understand that he will never leave her. Honestly speaking, Christian has more of a presence here than Tucker which I think is Hand’s intention to shed more light into Christian’s side. I just wish that he didn’t left Tucker out of the picture. Tucker does not have much exposure except in Clara’s thought as the super-hot-manly-sweet-guy, which I think did not give him justice because he was more than that. For starters, I seriously think that he’s more virtuous than Clara. For me, he came off in this book as a hormonal, uncomprehending, shallow person who easily gets disoriented and queasy with Clara’s glorious self.  

But with all grumbling aside, deep down I believe, too, that this was all part of Hand’s subtle plan of setting up the distinction between Christian, the boy equivalent of Clara, who compliments her and Tucker, the mere human, who completes her. 

Hallowed is not what I was expecting. Do I mean that in good way? By some means, yes, because Hallowed is in a whole different level than Unearthly. It was darker and more emotional and confined. Like all was happening in a single time frame and the bleak and suffocating atmosphere to it made Hallowed totally realistic and convincing. Also, the concept about God was superbly handled.

But I have to say that I liked Unearthly more. This book is a wonderful read, it was hard to put down, but I still can’t figure out why but there was something about this book that made me read it in a distant, impassive sort of manner. Maybe because even though I find Clara’s resilience admirable and her demeanor immensely different from other clichéd heroines in the YA world, there were times I would love to smack her right in the head and pull her marvelous hair so she can’t stop whining about how unfair her life is. 

All the same, I could still say Hand deliver yet again a strong and remarkable story about angel lore. She again ended Hallowed much like its predecessor Unearthly, with tons of possibilities about where the next book would lean into. It could be about anything: someone’s journey to heaven, or it could be somewhere in Stanford or Italy or Wyoming. Hallowed is greatly recommended and I for one surely can’t wait for the next installment in this captivating series.

Cupid's Verdict:

4 Cupids

A copy was provided by the publisher at no cost via Netgalley
in exchange for an honest review.