Title: Hallowed
Author: Cynthia Hand
Genre: YA/Paranormal
Releases Jan 17, 2012

Summary:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11563110-hallowed
Sorry, normally I'd write a short blurb but I don't want to give anything away/not sure how much to give away so I just linked the GR summary.

Review:
*contains spoilers for Unearthly*
First off, I wasn't a fan of the first book, Unearthly. Hand's writing is excellent, but she poorly juggles two storylines, the primary being the MC's struggle over destiny/fate messing with her life, and a secondary good/evil battle between good part angels and evil angels. I really thought the secondary storyline felt forced into the novel just for the sake of the novel having a villain, as that villain didn't really do anything for the ending and the book probably wouldn't been the same or better without him.

That said, for me this book is a definite improvement over that one. Follows the same format with the MC getting a premonition and having to decide how to follow it, except this time it's much better plotted out. I really like how the reveals aren't all saved for the ending like in Unearthly - Hallowed has some nice plot twists even early on so it doesn't drag as much as Unearthly where the MC just focuses on/obesses over the one premonition. The villain is also used alot better in this one and doesn't just pop in to threaten the MC once or twice before he's smited as in Unearthly. Many of the side characters (but not all) also have more to do. Unfortunately, while the two plotlines aren't as glaringly discombobulated as before, they still don't mesh well-which was the biggest weakness of the first book. Hand puts in a lot of foreshadowing and hints about how dangerous the villain is and who might be evil, but there's no payoff. I don't expect a badass MC, there are plenty of series out there like that, but it bothers me that the author insists on spending so much time on that secondary storyline to the point where it feels like it's the primary storyline but leaving it so much weaker compared to the other one.

Bottom line, for fans of the first one, this one is excellent/even better, otherwise it's still an enjoyable read if you can overlook its flaws.

now after getting some sleep i'm finally ready to give my review on this wonderful sequel to the unearthly series. when i found out that it was available at net galley i requested for it ASAP but to my dismay i got declined a number of times, but heck i won't give up, i loved the first one and i can't wait to read what happens on this one so i requested again and again and finally I GOT IT!!! i read it in one sitting, though i wanted to savor it and not finished it immediately i can't help it, I'M GLUED TO IT (don't care if i feel numb around my ass and legs after....I JUST HAVE TO FINISH IT) and i definitely wasn't disappointed.

i would say this was way way better than the first one, well while unearthly revolved more on clara's purpose and her feelings for christian and later on on tucker, it only got exciting during the last few chapters (don't get me wrong i loved the first book....heck, i gave it five stars) but this was in my opinion deserved more than five stars. it was a good follow up for the first one. why? here are a few reasons:

1. the love triangle between tucker/clara/christian was finally explored. and while book one is more on tucker and clara, book two was for me the clara and christian "point of view." yes, tucker is still in the picture (still the funny and lovable one) but finally we see christians side and his feelings for clara (with kat out of the picture) and i can't help myself but like christian in this book....i find him endearing. i get clara, i don't blame her for her decision in the end (i don't wanna spoil it out by telling all of it....you got to read it to know) because if i were in her i would be really having a hard time deciding. and hey, whatever she choose someone's gonna get hurt.

2. it not only talks about clara's love life and the complexities of it, but in this book we get to see her family....and her angel family as well. and you'll have the roller coaster ride of your life with all the revelations. i felt more attached on this side of the story. i was crying at some point, especially the confrontation between clara, jeffrey and their mom. towards the end of the book....ONE BIG SECRET WILL BE REVEALED (as i said i don't wanna spoil it for those who havent read it) that would change clara's purpose and life.

3. angel talk! all the questions you have in book one will be answered in this book....well, it answered mine.

i totally adore this book. ms. hand can surely write an amazing story and a great follow up (having read lousy second books in numerous series) with more twist and turn you could imagine. THIS DEFINITELY IS A MUST READ!!!

but the thing i hate most right now? it would be a llllllllllooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnggggggggg wait for the third book!!! uggghhhh!!!! total sucker!!!

Woah did not expect the responses to this book to be all over the place. I'm glad you enjoyed this book, but I'm curious why you want to read the third book so badly. Apart from the angel stuff, did you think the plot moved along well? (talking about the villain and her mission here, I felt it was still too slow)

for one i wanted to know more on what happened to jeffrey.  and hey i love a good ole love triangle....=)

hey just wondering where can you read hallowed? thanks 

register through net galley you will find a lot of upcoming books there...=)