Must Read Monday is a weekly feature hosted by Jen from What's on the Bookshelf to showcase a book or series (old or new) that we recommend.
This week I’m choosing The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle.
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.
If you had ever told me that a book that combines dystopia, the Amish, romance, philosophical discussions about religion and creepy ass vampires would have me riveted and going through a stack of post-it tabs, I would have called you crazy! But The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle did just that.As with any book I truly love - I suck at reviewing it. I'll keep this short and sweet.
The Hallowed Ones is original, thought provoking, and hauntingly creepy.
A sampling of my favorite quotes:
"I should have listened.
But that was not my nature. I always questioned."
*****
"If he's looking for . . . a mouse, I'm sure that there are plenty of them about. But you're not a mouse. You're intelligent, brave as hell, and you're cute."
*****
"Just a little levity. Though . . . not every guy gets to go play firebug with a wizard and Bonnet the Vampire Slayer."
*****
"I did not believe much of anything that anyone else told me anymore.
But I believed him."
*****
“God smiles upon those who quietly do His dirty work.”
Rating: 4 out of 4 The Hallowed Ones has just made it to my Top 10 list for 2012. I can't remember reading anything this fresh, original and challenging in a very long time. Katie is a heroine you can root for. Intelligent but very realistic in what is essentially a coming of age story wrapped up in an incredibly dark and scary horror package.
*Not for the squeamish* There are a few (awesome!!) graphic scenes depicting violence. These are NOT sparkly, romantic, vampires.
Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Source: Purchased
Reading it right now and its AMAZING
ReplyDeleteIt is! I'm so happy you're enjoying it too. I get nervous when I recommend things lol
DeleteI do want to since I liked her other books :D
ReplyDeleteWhat have you read by her? I'm interested in checking out her other books after reading this.
DeleteThis looks great! I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteAway to add this to my wish list now.
ReplyDeleteI know we don't usually have the same reading tastes but I think you might like this one.
DeleteAt first I had no idea about this book but since you loved it so much now I'm really curious, and added to my list ;) "These are NOT sparkly, romantic, vampires." LOL awesome!
ReplyDeleteI have a book written by her under a different pen name but couldn't get into it :( The only book in my life that I DNF.
I read this over the weekend and I agree -- an original and gripping book. Glad you liked it too :)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant pick! I loved this book too, for the reasons you mentioned. The Amish culture mixed with a vampire apocalypse isn't something we see all too often. I loved how original is was. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds great. I've been following your tweets about the Hsllowed Ones. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh geez, this really does sound original! I don't know if I can handle the violence but I'm glad you loved it so much. :D
ReplyDeleteDarling, is that your book all tagged up with tabs for quotes! I just adore it!
ReplyDeleteMad Scientist @ Steampunkery & Book Reviews
Wow, this is actually the first review I've read for this one, I believe. It was not at all on my radar before. But how awesome does this sound?! Talk about original! Adding to my tbr now, thanks!
ReplyDeleteAmish AND vampire-violent? Wow. She's appealing to two separate, yet rocking, demographics, there.
ReplyDeleteThought provoking and creepy? I'm so for this one! I think it's hard to ramble on the things you love :P had a fair share of those ha!
ReplyDelete~Jay
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