The Hallowed Ones - Laura Bickle

by 12:30 AM 4 comments

The Hallowed Ones - 
Laura Bickle
Released: September 25, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Synopsis: 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.


What it's about: An Amish community that is protected from the "Outside" and the contagion of illness that is spreading fast, causing the infected to turn into vampire-like monsters. Katie is an Amish girl looking forward to her Rumspringa - the time that she gets to experience the outside world. She is looking forward to seeing movies, wearing jeans and drinking as much Coca-Cola as she likes. However things on the outside are starting to look a bit pear-shaped and there are monsters coming out of the closets. What's worse, is the Elders don't believe the stories and assure that everyone is safe. But Katie knows better.


What I thought: To be perfectly honest, when I heard about this one, I wasn't one hundred percent sold on the synopsis, but curiosity won out and I had to read it - and I am so glad that I did. This book absolutely blew me away! I know I have been saying that a lot about many books, but this one really did. I didn't have overly high expectations to begin with and of course, they were completely blown out of the water.  Laura Bickle has taken this small Amish world and shaken it up with a Dystopian twist. When I first read that these monsters were supposed to be 'vampires', all I could think of was a whole bunch of Edward Cullen's running around draining people, but it is NOTHING like that. The amazing descriptions that Bickle gives, not only of the monsters and the danger that lies on the Outside, but also of the Amish community really paint a vivid picture for the reader. While this story might not be exactly original, the Amish twist definitely gives the 'vampire' story a refreshing and interesting boost.


the good: The fact that Bickle has made this so realistic, really adds something to the story.


the bad: When I think of something bad, I'll let you know.


Rating:



  5 bookstacks


buy links:

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4 comments:

  1. I'm am so excited for this one! Of course, I'll read just about anything featuring vampires, but the Amish twist is definitely what draws me to this one. :D

    Angie @ Pinkindle Reads & Reviews

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  2. I've seen this around but didn't pay it much attention, the blurb didn't sell me (and I I shouldn't judge but...) or the cover. But...now? I am TOTALLY considering this.

    When I think of something bad, I'll let you know. - Ha, love it! I am so so glad this surprised you (in a good way) and that you enjoyed this as much as you did! Yay! ♥

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  3. This one sounds really interesting! I love the little twist it has going on, vampires and the Amish are two things I never thought to see featured in the same book. Awesome review!

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  4. I'm with you and everyone else who almost passed over this book because of well...the cover and the premise. I've heard such great reviews about this book that I'm going to pick up a copy too.

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