Saturday, March 22, 2014

The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle (review)

The Hallowed Ones (The Hallowed Ones, #1) 
 
The Hallowed Ones (1)
By Laura Bickle
 
 
Genre: Horror, Young Adult, Paranormal
Published: Sept 2012
Pages: 320
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
 
 
 
Summary:  Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her in this dystopian tale with a philosophical bent. Rumors of massive unrest on the “Outside” abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man, she can’t leave him to die. She smuggles him into her family’s barn—at what cost to her community? The suspense of this vividly told, truly horrific thriller will keep the pages turning.
 
 
 
Review:  Creepy! I was not expecting to be wigged out with this book. That does not happen very often. Especially for a 'young adult' book!

Kate is a young Amish woman who was ready to branch out and see the world with her friend Elijah. She is so very excited for her Rumspringa and dreams of going to the movies, fun clothes, etc. But the world is rapidly changing in ways no one expected. When a couple of young men don't return home one night, the community begins to learn of something very...wrong and bloody. Fearful of what is happening the Amish community closes their gates to the outside world in self preservation. After saving and hiding a young man, Alex, Katie has broken the Elders ruling. She is determined to learn the truth. But it comes with some high risks.

Kate learns that what is happening is that people are turning into 'vampires.' These are very different from vampires I am used to. And with how they operate and do rapid town turning, it reminds me of zombies. So in my mind they are a scary hybrid.

The story is fast paced and wonderful. It doesn't let go for an instant! The connecting toward Kate is strong and easy to step into her shoes and experience all the terrors she goes through. And to think, this is the beginning! The is a sequel to go read next!

Read this at night, alone. If you can do that and are not spooked. A harden horror fan might not be granted but I have always enjoyed a good scare and that is so hard to find in books. This is decent there. And being a young adult novel, more appropriate. If you scare easy, read during the day, when someone else is home. Regardless, read this! 
 
 
 
 

17 comments:

  1. I've heard such good things about this book and it's great that it creeped you out - it's awesome when a book can do that!

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    1. I didn't expect that and it is VERY rare in a young adult novel.

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  2. What an unusual combination---the Amish and vampires! Sounds like an intriguing book. Thanks for sharing the great review.

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    1. That was my thought. I would never have thought to put those two together but this book does a good job.

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  3. It's funny, this is the second Amish vampire book I've heard about this week! It does seem very intriguing, but I guess I should read it in the daytime...

    Trix, vitajex(At)Aol(Dot)com

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    1. Was the first other books The Outside? If so, that is the sequel. I haven't heard of any others but if you remember the title, I would love to know.

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  4. This book creped me out sooooo much, I couldn't manage to finish it :)) I am glad to see that it was well written till the end

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    1. Ahh, no fun when it creeps you out that bad. Sorry you didn't get to finish.

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  5. I have read many positive reviews. I definitely want to read this- It is not everyday that you see an Amish and vampire story :) Glad it's actually creepy lol.

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  6. I've heard good things about this book and I'm really looking forward to reading ti. I've never read an Amish book and it sounds like it'll give a few chills as well. Great cover and loved the review. And thanks for the tip for reading it alone at night. :D I might do that when I get the book.

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    1. This was my first Amish novel read in a long time. I read a few years ago but don't remember much. But quite different and mellow compared to this one!

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  7. Great review! I love anything paranormal. <3

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  8. I now want to read this I love known when things can creep other people out gives me hope ty for your review!

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  9. I waited for a long time to read this series, until the final book had been out for a while. I am not sure why, but in the end I am glad that I waited until I could read them all at once. I truly enjoyed this series. I think it was incredibly well written. Definitely some creepy, even for me. And the characters were wonderful! I can't wait to see what else this author writes!

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  10. I just requested this book at the library to read, thank you for the review!

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