Series: The Hallowed Ones #1
Author: Laura Bickle
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Pages: 320
Source: eBook
Summary from Goodreads:
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.
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
The Hallowed Ones came highly recommended from my blogging bestie Kay, and I have to say that it did not disappoint. This is the first book that I have read about the Amish community and I admit that I was a little enraptured by it. Their way of life is obviously very different from my own so I loved reading about it. Throw in a vampire apocalypse and you’ve got one pretty un-put-down-able book.
I really liked Katie and I was glad that she wasn’t afraid to question things and find her own path. She was different than the others in her Amish community - more free-thinking, less obedient, and unafraid of change. When people start disappearing from the local town, she is not so quick to follow the guidance of her Elders. And when a boy shows up injured at their fence, she is unwilling to let him die. Then when she learns of the true horrors stalking the night, she can no longer go back to her peaceful life. Katie’s secrets grow bigger and she grows more distant from her community. Worse, she sees the truth her Elders won’t admit to. This is what this book is really about – Katie’s journey and the growing threat of the vampires.
Just to be clear, the vampires are not the main event of this story; more so a constant threat. But make no mistake, their presence is definitely felt. There are some seriously bone chilling moments in this book, especially toward the end. And I think they play a bigger role in the sequel (but I haven’t read the synopsis yet – surprise, surprise).
I really liked Katie and I was glad that she wasn’t afraid to question things and find her own path. She was different than the others in her Amish community - more free-thinking, less obedient, and unafraid of change. When people start disappearing from the local town, she is not so quick to follow the guidance of her Elders. And when a boy shows up injured at their fence, she is unwilling to let him die. Then when she learns of the true horrors stalking the night, she can no longer go back to her peaceful life. Katie’s secrets grow bigger and she grows more distant from her community. Worse, she sees the truth her Elders won’t admit to. This is what this book is really about – Katie’s journey and the growing threat of the vampires.
Just to be clear, the vampires are not the main event of this story; more so a constant threat. But make no mistake, their presence is definitely felt. There are some seriously bone chilling moments in this book, especially toward the end. And I think they play a bigger role in the sequel (but I haven’t read the synopsis yet – surprise, surprise).
Bottom Line
The Hallowed Ones already stands out from the YA pack by taking place in an Amish community but I think Laura Bickle wrote the perfect story to go along with the setting. It was suspenseful and ominous. And I really enjoyed following Katie's personal journey and am looking forward to reading The Outside. I definitely recommend this one!
