
Title: The Hallowed Ones
Author: Laura Bickle
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Published: September 25, 2012
Purchase: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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?

“Keep thine own
faith. Wear love around thee like a
shield,
and no harm shall come to thee, even when thou walk
in the valley of
darkness. God bless and protect thee,
and keep the road before thee straight and open.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Rumspringa is the
time for teenagers in the Amish community to experience life outside their
world before returning home to make the decision to join the Amish culture
forever. No one is as excited about this
as Katie is. She can hardly wait to see
what life outside the walls of her plainfolk community is like. She plans on seeing her first movie and
enjoying things she’s only heard of.
Elijah has been waiting for Katie; and after they return home, he wants
them to spend their lives together.
While Katie cares very much for Elijah and adores her own family, she
has feelings of unease and wonders why she isn’t the obedient, docile young
girl she is expected to be.
But before Katie and Elijah can make any more plans for Rumspringa, the whole world is plunged
into chaos. It begins with a helicopter
crash right outside the gates of their community. As Katie tries to help whoever is trapped in
that fiery crash, she sees something inside the helicopter. Something terrifying.
News spreads that there is a contagion affecting the world,
and no one is allowed in or out of the gates.
When Katie finds an injured stranger lying just outside of their border,
she is shocked when the Elders turn their back on him instead of helping
him. Katie is encouraged to join the
church officially amid all of the disorder and madness, but Katie just can’t
bring herself to do that – she simply can’t submit to the Elders when she
disagrees with them so strongly. Especially
when an injured stranger – an outsider – needs their help, and Katie is the
only one willing to risk everything to help him.
I LOVED reading about Katie and her Amish life. The beliefs and customs of the Amish are
fascinating and admittedly educational.
I was so intrigued by their prayers and the realization that
there were a few similarities to the religion that I was raised with. Katie’s faith -- and even the faith of her
family and the Elders -- was a beautiful thing to read about… especially when
that faith was tested. I love an author
who can get me so lost in the story that I can’t stop wondering, “What would I do?”
Katie has definitely become a favorite female heroine, but she goes to
the top of the bravery list. It takes such incredible courage to question the
beliefs and religious instruction that have been instilled in you since the day
you were born… and even more to not lose that faith when impossible things are
happening all around you. I thought
Katie’s attempt to make sense of the mayhem and her response to getting her
first glimpse of the terrifying monsters were heartbreaking, and I truly felt
for her:
“I am being
punished for my sins. That was my first thought.
Clearly, the gates of hell had burst open.”
****************
“My head hurt, my
heart ached, and I knew that there was
no hope of sleep tonight. I kept picturing those monsters I’d seen
today,
free to roam in the darkness. I
struggled with the concept that
an idea like faith could create a strong-enough
wall to keep them out.
My own faith felt
tenuous and weak… I couldn’t imagine it being powerful
enough to keep the
vampires at bay.”
Katie’s love and concern for the well-being of not only her
dogs but all the animals in her community made me adore her even more.
“I scooped all the cans of dog food that would
fit into the backpack.
I hesitated, then
went back for a second backpack and
filled that with dry food. I knew as well
as anyone else
that when food went short, the animals would suffer most.
Not if I could help it.”
Another character I favored was Herr Stolz, the Hexenmeister
of their plainfolk community. He was
responsible for painting the hex signs on the barns. Katie describes him as “mystical and not
living entirely within our strict rules.”
I knew immediately that there was more to Herr Stolz than met the eye
and felt he would be invaluable not only to the story but to the plight of the
community. He was very wise and an
extremely engrossing character.
I don’t want to say too much about Alex, the injured young
man that Katie secretly helps, for fear of giving anything away; but I will say
that he is a captivating character that I enjoyed immensely, and his
interactions with Katie were riveting.
Don’t shy away from this one based on the religious aspects –
it’s not that kind of book and it adds so much depth to the story. The Hallowed
Ones is absorbing, exciting, and terrifying.
I read it in one sitting and still haven’t stopped thinking about
it. If you’re looking for a thrilling
but uniquely refreshing tale, then this is one you don’t want to miss.
OKay I'll admit it, you have got me curious. I really want to know what the heck is going on now... Fabulous review!
ReplyDeleteYayyy! I think you'll enjoy this one! Thanks love! xo
DeleteLOVED it! Yeah, I hope people don't shy away from this because of the religious stuff. It was creepy good!
ReplyDeleteIt sure was!
DeleteI hadn't heard of this novel prior to your review but now I am really interested! I have never read a book about The Amish before but the religious practices have always fascinated me. Adding this to my TBR list now, great review!
ReplyDeleteEmily @ Falling For YA
Thank you, Emily! It is truly a fascinating and thrilling story! I hope you'll love it as much as I did :)
DeleteHappy dance..i loved this book and am so glad that you did too. This was so fresh and I loved the Amish history..i cannot wait to see what happens next!
ReplyDeleteYayyy!! Me either! I want the next book NOW! :)
DeleteI am always fascinated by the Amish culture and I loved your review of this book. I have added it to my list. So glad to hear that you enjoyed it so much. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
Thank you, Jess! So happy you added it - it's a perfectly 'creepy' read, too!
DeleteI have seen this book around and it really never caught my attention until now. I have added it to my TBR. Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenn! So excited you added it - hope you enjoy it as much as I did :)
Deletewhen you said you were reading this the last week, I honestly had no idea what it was. I didn't know it had Amish people. I am far from religious, I completely shy away from that shit, however, I live in Pennsylvania and I buy pies and fresh vedgies/Fruit from them! Their blueberries are the Mother F'ing bomb. They are so big and plump. (in the case of blueberries, size does matter) lol Amish people fascinate me. I'm going to have to check this one out.
ReplyDeleteApril! You must read this soon! So awesome and creepy! Well, I am religious and all that... erm... stuff, but I promise you will not be offended by it - it's not that kind of book. The Amish beliefs really add to the story! Blueberries - Bahahaha!! You crack me UP!
DeleteI think I want this book, like right now. LOVED the opening quote, and your tremendous insight on the topic of religious inquiry. You’ve inspired me to both question and keep my faith, and Katie sounds like a woman after your own heart! Excited to get to meet her!! :) xo
ReplyDeleteYou will LOVE this one!! Awwww, love - those are such sweet words. You give me a lot to live up to! I think you will adore Katie. Love you tons! xoxo
DeleteHonestly I am not a person that would shy away from a book because it has religious themes. This one sounds amazing and I would love to read about the Amish life.. I have been interested in it before but don't know much about it.
ReplyDeleteKatie sounds fantastic and I can't wait to pick it up,
- Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf