The Hallowed Ones: A Review

From Good Reads:

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 was just weeks away from her Rumspringa. The excitement of exploring the world that has always been denied to her is all most more than she can bear. And with Elijah by her side...nothing can stop them... until something does. 

I have always had what some might say is an unhealthy curiosity when it comes to the amish. I have read both fiction and non fiction books about them and their culture. That being said most books I have read have been from a Christian perspective so I went into this book thinking I would not like this book... because I knew that it would be totally different. I have never been more wrong..

Now onto the nitty gritty.

Characters: I found Katie's coming of age character to be totally believable. She wanted so much to please her people, but at the same time had to do what she believed was right. Alex was by far my most favorite Character in the book. He came into the book about half way through but I think out of all the characters in this book he is the one that made me want to keep reading. I found the hexenmeister to be interesting as well. As I said before the only Amish fiction I have read has been Christian based, and they never mentioned that part of the amish culture... I had to research it myself. Which in itself was interesting to read about. But he was brave... in every since of the word... at the end of the book he was an inspiration.

Plot: Now when this book first started I didn't think I was going to like this plot... and it was slow going at first. But after Elijah and Katie went to town in search of his brothers I was hooked. This was some scary stuff. There were several places where I had to put the book down and walk away because a scene in the book freaked me out... and I most definitely could not read this book in the dark by myself. 

I was pleasantly surprised with this book and it deserves all its four star. I personally can't wait for the next book in the series to come out!!!