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The Hallowed Ones

(The Hallowed Ones #1)

Laura Bickle (Goodreads Author)

3.85 · Rating details · 3,827 ratings · 791 reviews

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 ...more

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Paperback, 311 pages

Published September 25th 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

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September 2012 YA Fiction

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Sep 24, 2012 Stacia (the 2010 club) rated it really liked it

Shelves: hybrid-multiple-genre, paranormal-romance, extremely-unique, new-adult-college, horror, favorites, vampires

"Plain folk are taught that evil is spiritual. The absence of God."
Mrs. Parsall bit back a sob. "Well it seems as if God's left the building, and we're left to our own devices."

4.5 stars. When I first saw that there was a book featuring both Amish and Vampires, I'm pretty sure that I had a GTFO reaction, but in a good way.

I mean, it's a book about the Amish.

I was a fast hooker.
Well, at least, that's what my mother said about my crochet skills.

And Vampires. The Scary Kind. ...more

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Apr 02, 2013 Navessa rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopian, horror, vampires

When I first started reading this book I was struck by a ~~moronic~~ genius idea. Remembering all the ~~sheer terror~~ fun I had as a teenager staying up late and watching scary movies I decided to try to bring back that youthful ~~stupidity~~ excitement and prove to myself how ~~dumb~~ tough I still am. You see, I decided to only read this book at night.

Gah. I was totally right, I’m such a ~~weakling~~ bad ass. This was definitely NOT me after the very first night of attempting my ~~stupid fucking~~ plan.

The next mo ...more

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Jun 05, 2013 Jamie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: vampires-werewolves, horror-suspense

Creepy! I was not expecting to be wigged out with this book. That does not happen very often. Especially for a 'young adult' book! This has just enough edge and I think the more innocent, naive Amish aspect plays heavily into that. And I loved the freshness of that.

Kate is a young Amish woman who was ready to branch out and see the world with her friend Elijah. She is so very excited for her Rumspringa and dreams of going to the movies, fun clothes, etc. But the world is rapidly changing in ways ...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Wendy Darling rated it really liked it

Shelves: hmh, september, pn-vampires, 2012-favorites, young-adult, 2012-publication, deliciously-creepy, read-2012, mature-ya

Strong 4 stars. Vampires among the Amish--plus tips on birthing puppies!

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Aug 27, 2013 Karina Halle rated it it was amazing

Don't read this if you expect/need a lot of sex in your books.

Don't read this if you have trouble reading about people's faith (even if their faith is forgotten or challenged and isn't preachy, just informative and compelling).

DO NOT read this if you hate to be scared and you can't handle a little gore.

A little gore? If you're okay with spider vampire people with red eyes, crawling slowly down the walls preparing to rip your head off so only a bloody vertebrae remains, then you'll be okay.

I've h ...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies rated it liked it

Shelves: amish, apocalypse, ya, religious-spiritual, horror, high-school, vampires, dystopian, action

Interesting book with a storyline one doesn't encounter too often. The heroine is a spirited Amish girl about to go off on her Rumspringa trip with her childhood friend Elijah, a boy she might one day marry. Their little community is isolated, obviously, but they do have contact with the outside world including a woman who visits fairly regularly. Suddenly, strange things start happening, a plane crashes, and the outside world doesn't respond. When several members of the community who has been v Interesting book with a storyline one doesn't encounter too often. The heroine is a spirited Amish girl about to go off on her Rumspringa trip with her childhood friend Elijah, a boy she might one day marry. Their little community is isolated, obviously, but they do have contact with the outside world including a woman who visits fairly regularly. Suddenly, strange things start happening, a plane crashes, and the outside world doesn't respond. When several members of the community who has been visiting town go missing, Katie and Elijah go investigating and find that the entire town is empty. The elders of the village then decide to completely cut the community off from the outside world, even refusing to save Alex, a young man who is injured and who has stumbled onto their land. Despite their warning, Katie takes it upon herself to help Alex survive.

Within their community, the elders are creating a little witch hunt and keeping the majority of the community in blessed ignorance, but Katie and Alex knows that there is a vampire invasion going on outside. It might be up to them to save the day, since everyone else is in denial or ignorance.

Amish. Vampire apocalypse. Never did I think these would go together. I have to admit I expected a zombie apocalypse, so it shocked me more than a little when I found out that the bad guys were vampires. The protagonist was likeable, strong without being bitchy, sheltered but not TSTL. She has the common sense to hide her tracks and avoid getting into trouble, and is brave enough to stand up against the elders and do what she knows is right. Her religious upbringing gives her faith, but she is never preachy, just truly curious about the nature of religion when it seems that it is the power of faith, not a specific faith, that repels these vampires. As an agnostic reader, I appreciate the non-preachiness of a book whose heroine's culture is so steeped in tradition and religion.

The book is difficult to read in parts, because it gets a little bogged down, I find Alex a little annoying and patronizing, but he is from the outside world and I think I would find myself a little high-handed myself when dealing with what I consider a backwards community. It's an original book, and while not the best written or compelling, makes for an interesting read. ...more

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Oct 09, 2015 Bradley rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, ya, horror

The novel showed promise through the beginning. An Amish Story meeting non-sparkly vamps meets a coming of age story. Promise.

I enjoyed the expectations things going very wrong, and waited with baited breath. The immersion in Amish society was a pleasant diversion and I really didn't have any problems with the many references to godliness. It was what it was.

And then I became a bit annoyed with the rather one-dimensional reactions of the Bishop. The whole Amish became a caricature of itself inst The novel showed promise through the beginning. An Amish Story meeting non-sparkly vamps meets a coming of age story. Promise.

I enjoyed the expectations things going very wrong, and waited with baited breath. The immersion in Amish society was a pleasant diversion and I really didn't have any problems with the many references to godliness. It was what it was.

And then I became a bit annoyed with the rather one-dimensional reactions of the Bishop. The whole Amish became a caricature of itself instead of remaining human. Or, I should say, the only one who remained human was the main character. And that is so very typical for YA titles that it might as well change its title from trope to tripe.

There was, and is, still a ton of room to grow as characters while NOT falling into a Silent Hill trap. And even Silent Hill had character progression for its villains.

The vampires were all one-dimensional bogeymen. The Amish elders were pretty much the same. Which was rather sad, because, like I said, the novel showed a lot of promise in the beginning. We'd have enjoyed a thoroughly immersive look into a society-next-door who thinks very different from most of the readers who'd pick up this book, plus we'd have an adventure/survival horror so in tune with the modern bildungsroman surrounding zombiepunk.

Without zombies, of course, but the trope is part of the current zeitgeist, and I can roll with it. Still, along the same lines, I'd have preferred to roll out the man eating plants from Day of the Triffids or perhaps a plague of Hulks a-la what was implied at the end of 2008's Incredible Hulk. Alas. That would have been pretty cool surrounding an Amish community. *sigh*

The development of the novel was ultimately average and predictable. It wasn't bad, per-se, but it might be rather forgettable. I'll read its sequel out of a sense of duty, but at least the first wasn't boring.

Of course, this would have been an AWESOME book if we were dealing with a crossover-like story that used the Amish as established from TV's Banshee. Then we'd have some truly kick-ass and bloody over-the-top adventure that might just push back the vampire menace. *shiver* That would have been freaking awesome. :) ...more

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Dec 08, 2012 Brandi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I absolutely loved this book! I haven't felt a really good connection to anyone in a while, and not because I haven't read some good books recently (The 5th Wave, and Not a Drop to Drink come to mind), but even with those two I didn't get that instant pull I want. You know what I mean.

The story is about an Amish girl named Katie who witnesses the zombie apocalypse. Wait don't go!! Hear me out first. Now, I know you might be thinking that yet another zombie book isn't going to be special ...more

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Aug 15, 2012 ♥Rachel♥ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley-e-book

4.5 Stars

I was wowed by this story. Who would have thought the mix of Amish people, end-of-the-world, and vampires would make a bloody brilliant story?!! I was riveted, scared and on the edge of my seat in parts!

Katie is an Amish girl preparing for her Rumspringa, and she can hardly wait. Rumspringa literally means “running around,” and it’s a time when the Amish youth travel to the Outside and have a glimpse of life outside the walls of their community. That way, when they get baptized and com ...more

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Jan 28, 2014 Ellen Gail rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, horror, hidden-gems

"Faith is one thing. Survival is another."

Have you ever read an Amish vampire bio-terrorism spiritual crisis end of the world YA horror drama? Are you looking for one?

Look no further! The Hallowed Ones is here for you!

Y'all I'll be honest; the beginning of this left me lukewarm. I wanted a little less talk, a little more action. I fretted over which direction the story would go. I shouldn't have worried. Soon there was action aplenty, along with some pretty spectacular talk. My enjoyment of ...more

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May 29, 2012 Giselle rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook, arc

Whoa! Who knew a story set in an Amish community could be so spine-chillingly gory! The Hallowed Ones is for every post-apocalyptic fan out there. It offers originality in its setting and a freakish paranormal aspect. It offered a lot more than I expected.

Katie is about to get her first taste of the outside world when all of a sudden that world gets dark and creepy. First there's a helicopter crash where Katie glimpses at something quite eerie. Then she finds the town desolate and empty when sh Whoa! Who knew a story set in an Amish community could be so spine-chillingly gory! The Hallowed Ones is for every post-apocalyptic fan out there. It offers originality in its setting and a freakish paranormal aspect. It offered a lot more than I expected.

Katie is about to get her first taste of the outside world when all of a sudden that world gets dark and creepy. First there's a helicopter crash where Katie glimpses at something quite eerie. Then she finds the town desolate and empty when she goes to try to find two of their own who never came home. Something is definitely not right. The creep factor makes itself present very early on in this novel, showering each page with this tense uncertainty. Even though things start happening quickly, The Hallowed Ones is a very character oriented thriller that advances at a brisk, but unhurried pace. We get to learn a lot about this Amish community; how they live, the laws that guide their lives and decisions, and how they have been kept safe from the end of the world so far. While it obviously has to have religious undertones, it never goes beyond the necessary. Don't let this scare you off either, I'm the kind of reader who would rather stay away from anything religious in books and I was nothing but fascinated with the role that the Amish culture plays in this story.

The apocalypse arrives quickly and suddenly, as it would. Since it's told through Katie's point-of-view, we don't quite know what's going on right away. As we slowly learn the conditions of Outside, we're filled with anxiety and fear of what we'll come across next. Murderous, blood thirsty creatures is not what you ever expect to find on an errand run, that's for sure. The suspense is never ending, the threat is omnipresent, and the terror is very real. There is no sugar coating the massacres we come upon either, made considerably real due to the Amish culture who take care of their own dead - from the clean up to the burial. The creatures causing this are part science, part paranormal - at least that's what's theorized by our knowledge of them so far. It borrows greatly from classic tales, but the author sticks to the most primitive, vicious side of their lore. There is still much more to learn about them, including where they came from, in the following installments, at least that's what I'm assuming.

In my opinion, the creatures were not the only aspects of horror in The Hallowed Ones. I was quite horrified by how the elders reacted in parts. This is the end of the world, yet they refuse to consider the realities of what's happening, even though it means certain death to the whole community as well as the person they ban for trying to keep everyone safe and alive. It makes you question a lot of things in terms of belief and values, whether you agree with it or not.

Well researched, atmospheric, and surprisingly horrific, The Hallowed Ones is one suspenseful novel you will not want to put down!

--
A copy was provided by the publisher for review.

For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Keertana rated it really liked it

Shelves: kick-ass-heroines

The Hallowed Ones was one of those novels I remained skeptical about until I was a good half-way through the book. It had come recommended to me by all my most trust bloggers, so of course, I knew it had to be good, but I was still skeptical. You see, my mom went through a phase where she was enamored with the Amish culture and lifestyle and as such, we'd have novels with Amish women on the front cover and I'd often find her watching movies featuring men with long beards making butter. As her da ...more

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Nov 21, 2015 Simona B rated it liked it

Shelves: 2000, in-english, fantastic-lit-and-co

“For me, that was love. Tangible. Love was what was in front of me, not a distant fantasy.”

That's why you literally threw yourself in the arms of a man you'd met barely a week before, I guess?

This book will not be easy to review. I'll probably touch a bunch of thorny issues, therefore I state beforehand that in anything I'll say is not in any way implied any kind of judgement on my part. On the other hand, I will probably express some of my personal (personal, people. If you don't know what this ...more

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Sep 14, 2012 Jill rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy-pnr-sci-fi-romance

Three weeks before Katie is due for her Rumspringa, when Amish youth go Outside and taste the real world, news filters into their isolated community that strange things are happening Outside. When a young man is found injured near the border of their property, the elders decide to leave him to die, fearing he may be a carrier of a contagion that's affecting the outside population. But Katie's never been too fond of following the rules, so she hides him in a barn and cares for him.

Alexander Green ...more

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Dec 20, 2012 Regina rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, post-apocalyptic, urban-fantasy-uf, will-continue-series, first-in-series

To read a guest blog post by this author and more reviews like this check out: Laura Bickle's Guest Blog Post @ Badass

It is unusual to read to read a different take on two of the most popular genres — vampires and the apocalypse. But that is exactly what the Hallowed Ones is — a completely different telling of vampires and the end of the world. I am partial to survival stories, whether they are non fiction, written by Laura Ingalls or a modern apocalyptic tale. And having glutted myself on u To read a guest blog post by this author and more reviews like this check out: Laura Bickle's Guest Blog Post @ Badass

It is unusual to read to read a different take on two of the most popular genres — vampires and the apocalypse. But that is exactly what the Hallowed Ones is — a completely different telling of vampires and the end of the world. I am partial to survival stories, whether they are non fiction, written by Laura Ingalls or a modern apocalyptic tale. And having glutted myself on urban fantasy and vampire stories, any author that writes vampires in a different way and adds in the apocalypse starts off as a winner for me.

The vampires in the Hallowed Ones may lure their victims, but they aren’t sexy and they are not romantic. These vamps are true monsters and something to fear after sundown. But while vamps and the end of the world are the general themes of the novel, the main character Katie faces other challenges. Katie engages in normal rebellion, or what appears normal to me. However, her questioning of the elders in her community and her questioning of religious and social belief structures sets other scarier monsters after her — i.e. leaders of the community who are power hungry.

What happens when a community already closed off from the world is one of the last remaining communities in the world? What happens when a community already imbued with religious superiority sees itself as the sole survivors according to god’s will? I really enjoyed the religious focus of this story. As the story begins, religious belief is just a part of Katie’s life. Yet as the horror of what is happening begins to be known to Katie she begins to question her community’s religious belief. How could a witch’s coven in New Jersey hold off the vampires if they do not believe as her community did? How could Buddhist monks survive the vampires when they do not believe (according to Katie’s community) in the one true god and the correct path? Is it Katie’s destiny to submit to the will of the elders and a husband? Having said that, the religious element in the Hallowed Ones is not offensively done and is not overwhelming.

The Hallowed Ones is not a complex story and it is told simply. But it is engaging and hard to put down. The characters are interesting and Katie, the main character, is one that grows, changes but definitely has her flaws. Katie is by definition a “young adult”, she is considering marriage, committing herself to the church as an adult and has a love interest. But the romance and the teen concerns are not the main focus of this story. Which I appreciated. I like a tad bit of romance thrown in, but I enjoy my post-apocalypse stories more when the struggle the characters go through is something separate from the romance story line. If you enjoy post-apoc and urban fantasy stories, I think this is a story you would enjoy. ...more

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Aug 28, 2012 Tracey rated it liked it

Shelves: 3-star, fantasy, blood-sucking-fiends, amish

I wonder how someone who hasn't been around the fictional block a few times would read the beginning of this novel. I wonder if someone who hasn't seen a few horror movies (okay, in my case, mostly commercials for horror movies) and read a few scary books (and who didn't take in the synopsis of this book) would see the first couple of chapters.

Me? I can apply Mary Richards's quote to my relationship with horror: "I'm an experienced woman. I've been around... Well, all right, I might not've been ...more

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May 21, 2013 Ami rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-or-new-adult, urban-fantasy-paranormal-futuristic, 4-and-half-stars_rating

4.5 stars

My experience with Laura Bickle was with two of her adult stories (I didn't read those under the names of Alayna Williams though). I loved those and was a bit bummed when she didn't continue. Then I stumbled into this title (thank you GR!) and I thought the blurb was fresh and intriguing. Amish. Vampires. Horror? Yep, I was sold.

I loved it!! This was the kind of urban fantasy story that I enjoyed -- something refreshing; where the heroine wasn't portrayed as too strong she became unrela 4.5 stars

My experience with Laura Bickle was with two of her adult stories (I didn't read those under the names of Alayna Williams though). I loved those and was a bit bummed when she didn't continue. Then I stumbled into this title (thank you GR!) and I thought the blurb was fresh and intriguing. Amish. Vampires. Horror? Yep, I was sold.

I loved it!! This was the kind of urban fantasy story that I enjoyed -- something refreshing; where the heroine wasn't portrayed as too strong she became unrelatable to readers -- like she didn't need anyone else. Katie was a young Amish girl who was on the verge of her Rumspringa when suddenly the Outside world was falling apart. People was turned into vampires -- viscious, blood-hunting vampires. And the evil was finding their way into the Plain community.

The Amish life was pretty heavy here -- and it was something I would like to give my thumbs up for. I didn't know whether it was accurate; I had no experience (or knowledge) about Amish life, but this was made the story different. I also didn't know how people would get annoyed with the religious issue here -- there was the Plain folk vs. English mentality among the Amish elders; also how they should leave their fate to God, and how the Bishop refused to acknowledge the possibility of evil coming inside the community... but for me, it didn't matter. It gave a very good conflict when Katie was questioning about the blind belief and her instinct to survive. I found her questioning the rules (and earlier in the story, her determination to get the taste of Coca Cola and comic books) made her a believable young girl.

Since the story was written inside the community, there was the isolated sense to it and it was deliciously haunting ... especially when the vampires found their way in. The murders were pretty gory -- the first time Katie encountered the victims of the vampires, when she ventured Outside, was really, REALLY CREEPY!! I could sense Katie's desperation and fear and I admired her bravery; that when push comes to shove, she would not give up without a fight, even if she ended up breaking the rules.

The only complaint I had would probably had to do with her relationship with Alex, the English young man that she saved after finding him unconscious outside the community ...(view spoiler). Having said this, it didn't bogged down the book enough for me to dislike it. I still thought it was really smooth writing all the way.

Now I can't wait until the sequel in September.

Because?

Katie was going to the Outside! *shudders* ...more

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Oct 01, 2015 Sarah rated it it was ok

Shelves: abandoned

I decided to DNF. I was expecting the Amish portion of the story to be more accurate to their faith and beliefs. It's really bothering me and I don't want to continue. ...more

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Aug 02, 2013 Sheri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed

Growing up in an Amish community, Katie is looking forward to Rumspringa for a real taste of the Outside world. Her and childhood friend Elijah have everything planned out that they want to do before going back to the Plain community to give up their childhood ways and get married. But a series of strange events send Katie's life into an uncontrolled spiral. Strange things are happening, people are disappearing, and Katie must decide if she should trust herself and do what is right or listen to Growing up in an Amish community, Katie is looking forward to Rumspringa for a real taste of the Outside world. Her and childhood friend Elijah have everything planned out that they want to do before going back to the Plain community to give up their childhood ways and get married. But a series of strange events send Katie's life into an uncontrolled spiral. Strange things are happening, people are disappearing, and Katie must decide if she should trust herself and do what is right or listen to the Elders and ignore everything, hoping it will go away.

As you can see from my five-star rating, I really, really liked this book. Katie is not fearless, but despite her fear she does what she believes is right. Throughout the story she is constantly searching for something to justify or confirm her community's faith. She realizes that she is not perfect, which makes her feel guilty, but she can't help but question how God's will fits into the horrific events taking over her life. She is young and innocent and has an appealing quality to her that made me want her to keep fighting against the Elders even though she would eventually get caught. I loved her sweet, innocent relationship with Elijah and was rooting for them from the beginning, but then later was hoping something more would come of Alex. I look forward to finding out more about him in the next book.

Not having ever read a book set in the Amish world, I was not really sure what to expect. But I thought the author did such a wonderful job of building up the world the story was set in. Katie's day to day life and the activity within the community was so eloquently described, I felt I could literally step into the pages of the book, and the writing was alluring and descriptive.

I guess I should mention at some point that this is a horror story, and at times a bit gory. However, the horror aspect did not overshadow the rest of the storytelling. I felt there was a good balance in the story and am looking forward to the next one to find out what happens. ...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Dark Faerie Tales rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed-by-kristie

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A dark and intense read about the Amish, vampires and the end of the known world.

Opening Sentence: After the end of the Outside world, the Plain folk survived.

The Review:

Amish, vampires and the end of the known world? This was one premise that had me intrigued when I read the synopsis. Katie is a young Amish woman. She has about a month to go until she goes on Rumspringa. Katie has saved up money and even knows the first few adventures that s ...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Misty Baker rated it really liked it

It’s not all that often that I pick up a book based solely on a single word. I read the synopsis, I lapse into a rather heated argument with my inner self about it’s possible worth and then I make a decision. This was not the case with Laura Bickle’s “The Hallowed Ones.”

The word that hooked me? AMISH.

“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. R ...more

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Sep 17, 2012 Allison (The Allure of Books) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2012, ya-paranormal

You guys. I had DOUBTS about The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle. Amish people and vampires? *snort* Sounds like a half-baked plot for a cheesy porno. But…I wasn’t even that far into the story before hopping onto gchat to talk to April (who was also reading it). We were both like “Whoa! This doesn’t suck after all!” I know that sounds like faint praise, but it isn’t. Because guys? This book was good.

So, when The Hallowed Ones begins, we meet Katie. She is looking forward to her upcoming Rumspringa You guys. I had DOUBTS about The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle. Amish people and vampires? *snort* Sounds like a half-baked plot for a cheesy porno. But…I wasn’t even that far into the story before hopping onto gchat to talk to April (who was also reading it). We were both like “Whoa! This doesn’t suck after all!” I know that sounds like faint praise, but it isn’t. Because guys? This book was good.

So, when The Hallowed Ones begins, we meet Katie. She is looking forward to her upcoming Rumspringa, a chance to experience the “English” life before deciding whether or not to commit to being Amish and marrying childhood pal Elijah. Before this has a chance to occur, some pretty bad stuff goes down in the real world. It doesn’t take long to also make a huge impact on Katie’s Amish community. When she disobeys her Elders to do what she thinks is right by saving an outsider? Hello hot mess. (And hello eventual sexytimes.)

Katie is such an awesome character, I could fangirl about her all day. Instead of the Amish thing being thrown into the novel just to give her something to rebel against, or as a tool to allow her to come off as brainwashed, it just gave her something to question as she tries to decide who she really wants to be. She wants to be respectful of the beliefs she was raised to respect, but she also has a personal code of honor she can’t quite make herself turn against.

If you’re worried about the book pushing religious propaganda or being too preachy – don’t be. There is no “CONVERT THEE TO AMISH, OR PERISH IN A HOLY FIRE!” talk. There is spiritual reflection and details about the Amish life – but it all fits in nicely with the story, and it never becomes too much. Pinkie swear.

As for the vampires? Whoa mama, y’all. Laura Bickle ain’t messin’ around. We are talking pee-your-pants-in-fear-straight-up-Stephen-King-style vampires. No sparkling or sexaholic prototypes need apply. So, if you’re hesitating to pick up The Hallowed Ones because you are sick and tired of the regular vampire novel? Don’t be.

Basically, The Hallowed Ones impressed the hell out of me (ha, pun intended). Flawlessly weaving Amish culture and the horror of old-school vampire lore together, Laura Bickle has written a book I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

To Sum It Up:

-If you’re worried that the whole Amish + vampires premise sounds too hokey, don’t be! It is very well crafted, and you will be impressed.

-The characterization is also a home run. Katie is such a fantastic MC!

-This book has vampires that are actually frightening. Imagine that, y’all. Just in time for Halloween. ...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Lottie Eve rated it really liked it

I read The Hallowed Ones for one reason: I was promised Amish vampires. I did indeed get Amish vampires but I also got a well written story, a great female protagonist, a great male protagonist, a good look into how the Amish live, classic vampires, gore, and a whole lot of suspense.

I don’t have much knowledge about the Plain Folk and their way of life but the good amount of information this novel contains seems very accurate. I at first thought that book would be a bit overly preachy but I foun I read The Hallowed Ones for one reason: I was promised Amish vampires. I did indeed get Amish vampires but I also got a well written story, a great female protagonist, a great male protagonist, a good look into how the Amish live, classic vampires, gore, and a whole lot of suspense.

I don’t have much knowledge about the Plain Folk and their way of life but the good amount of information this novel contains seems very accurate. I at first thought that book would be a bit overly preachy but I found that the religious tone in this book is anything but that. It was very interesting to learn more about the Plain Folk’s religion. I think that the creepy atmosphere mostly comes from how the book mixes a supposedly very peaceful and conservative way of life with something as dangerous and ugly as vampires.

I loved the vampires. The vampires in The Hallowed Ones are the classic vampires. They have fangs, a thirst for blood, a weakness to garlic, and glowing red eyes. You will find no Edwards in this book. Although the first half of the book is pretty peaceful with almost no gore the second half has a lot of it: torn up dead bodies, staking through the heart, and decapitation. The horror, gore, and classic vampires were able to scare me and that was really refreshing.

Katie was my favorite part of the book.I was completely emotionally invested in her. She is not at all weak and submissive but rather courageous, fearless, strong, kind, and kick butt. She has her flaws and struggles with the problems many teenagers go through but she perseveres. Katie is able to question other people and do what she thinks is right even if it means standing up to the Elders and going against what her family wishes. She is simply an inspiring character. Alex was also able to win my heart. His slow developing romance with Katie was unexpected but they were very well suited for each other. I liked how the romance only plays a small part of the story letting the vampires take the stage.

The story was very well written and gripping. The Hallowed Ones was suspenseful and I was constantly on the edge of my seat. This book was clearly written by an experienced writer. The ending wrapped up the story nicely but also leaves a promise of future books which I am very, very excited for. ...more

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Aug 07, 2018 Emma rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, post-apocalypse, fantasy, vampires

3.5 stars rounded up. This was quite good. The Amish community made this pretty interesting, but I am a fantasy lover and felt there wasn't enough of the whole Vampire storyline, which was well done. I've seen a crime novel recently set in Amish country and I may well read it now my interest is sparked. For this to have been truly successful by my standards, the vampires needed to be more central to the story. I understand this is the first book in a 2 book story so presumably there will be more ...more

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Aug 26, 2013 La Coccinelle rated it it was ok

Shelves: young-adult

This one had so much potential. Why? It's a post-apocalyptic novel involving the Amish and vampires! How could that not be great?

Unfortunately, it fell really flat for me. While I appreciated the attempt at world-building, I thought it took up far too much of the book. The book either needed to be longer (to include more action), or some of the everyday Amish stuff needed to be cut back. After reading this, I feel disappointed. It seemed that there was so much build-up and not enough payoff. The This one had so much potential. Why? It's a post-apocalyptic novel involving the Amish and vampires! How could that not be great?

Unfortunately, it fell really flat for me. While I appreciated the attempt at world-building, I thought it took up far too much of the book. The book either needed to be longer (to include more action), or some of the everyday Amish stuff needed to be cut back. After reading this, I feel disappointed. It seemed that there was so much build-up and not enough payoff. The final showdown was little more than a few pages, and we were left with an ending that did little more than usher in a sequel.

I also wasn't taken with the characters. Katie, the narrator, came across as way too non-Amish at times (granted, I'm not sure how real Amish would speak... but she seemed awfully worldly for someone who had grown up in such a community). Alex, the young man she finds injured in a field, was obviously the love interest from the moment he stepped onto the page... and yet, I sensed no real chemistry between the two of them. Perhaps that was because he was kind of a mixed-up character, not quite sure if he wanted to be flirty and teasing or serious and philosophical. I honestly never got a feel for him, even though there were plenty of opportunities to develop his character. (His ex-girlfriend was presumably torn apart by the vampires... and we really don't know how he feels about it!) I thought that Katie had more chemistry with Elijah, her childhood friend, before he went through a sudden (and rather unbelievable) change in character, for no apparent reason. The Elders and the Bishop were also problematic for me; they seemed to exist only to provide some much-needed conflict. They were overly proud and dictatorial, and I question whether some of their actions would even be contemplated by true Amish folks.

The vampire aspect was interesting and suitably gory (and I mean really gory; those with weak stomachs should give this one a pass). It was probably the most well thought-out part of the whole book. The reveal at the end, when some things are explained, made sense. However, that scene was just too short and easily resolved, which made me feel cheated, and like I had just read 300+ pages for nothing. Aside from getting a few answers, readers are just shunted off to the next book, hoping that something more exciting will happen there.

http://theladybugreads.blogspot.ca/20... ...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Ivie dan Glokta rated it really liked it

Shelves: beloved-by-others, brave-new-world, fanged-ones, heebie-jeebies, paranormal, apocalypto, approved-by-likeminded-souls, behold-the-future, kick-ass-hero, uberville

This was something different, definitely not your normal paranormal.

It was a darker version of the end of the world, where demons don't look cute, devils don't walk around with gorgeous hair pining for snarky, well manicured girls.

Katie is an Amish girl a few weeks shy away from her Rumspringa, a time for young men and women to leave the Amish community and have a taste of the real world. The experience of the two lifestyles is vital for it will provide enough insight in the character of a per ...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Michelle Stockard Miller rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2012, horror-have-read, owned, fantasy-sci-fi

Simply put, this book is amazing! As a true lover of horror and the like, I think I love the end of the world, dystopian zombie/vampire tales the most. It has been done many times...probably not much better than Matheson's I AM LEGEND, but let me tell you...THE HALLOWED ONES ranks pretty high, in my opinion. What made it so good was introducing the phenomenon from the Amish community's point of view. Bickle has done a terrific job introducing the reader to the Amish world and then illustrating h ...more

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Oct 08, 2014 ♥♡¢σσкιє♥♡ (Krystle) marked it as to-read

Shelves: dnf

I stopped reading at page 139 because I couldn't take it anymore. When this book wasn't being boring, and focusing on the minutia of the main characters day (I mean every tiny detail) it was pointing out all the faults of Amish people. I get it already! They are deeply religious and have a lot of rules. Blah! Blah! Blah!

...more

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Nov 13, 2011 Julie (Manga Maniac Cafe) rated it really liked it

Updated with full review:

This book had me extremely freaked out at several points during the story, and I could not put it down. Well, I did have to put it down once, because everyone else had wandered off to bed, it was dark, and I was FREAKED OUT. I just could not sit in the living room by myself and continue to read, damn my easily frightened heart. So I carefully marked my place, set the book down, and waddled off to bed, already counting down the hours until I would be home from work and ab
Updated with full review:

This book had me extremely freaked out at several points during the story, and I could not put it down. Well, I did have to put it down once, because everyone else had wandered off to bed, it was dark, and I was FREAKED OUT. I just could not sit in the living room by myself and continue to read, damn my easily frightened heart. So I carefully marked my place, set the book down, and waddled off to bed, already counting down the hours until I would be home from work and able to read again. It was probably for the best; it was a work night anyway, and the weekend beckoned just a few hours away.

I loved Embers, also by Laura Bickle, for both the heroine and for her cuddle-worthy elemental, Sparky. I read a lot of books, and if I can remember most of the plot and even character names months after I have finished, it was a great reading experience. When I saw that she had a YA title coming out, I was beside myself with excitement. Would I enjoy it? The Hallowed Ones intrigued me for another reason, too. Katie is Amish, and she is about to set off on her Rumspringa, the time that young Amish are permitted to live with the English away from their communities, in order to determine whether or not they wanted to return and be baptized, and fully accepted as adults in their society. Being baptized also meant putting aside non-Amish things, and having additional pressures to conform to accepted behavior. I wondered if I would find Katie an interesting person. She is supposed to be humble and agreeable, and not make waves. Guess what? She is a fascinating heroine, strong, brave, and more than willing to make waves when she thought that an injustice was being committed. This got her into a lot of hot water with the Elders, but Katie just could not step aside when she thought that someone needed her help. Unfortunately for her people, everybody needed help after a devastating catastrophe befalls the Outside.

I can’t remember having read another book with an Amish protagonist, so I don’t know how authentic Katie is, but I liked her a lot. She never backed down when she was needed, regardless of how unpleasant, and in several instances, how downright horrifying, the task was. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, because I want you to be as freaked out as I was. Let me just say that there are evil, awful monsters Outside, and they are ravenous. They are scary. They are strong. And worse of all, they are smart. With the Elders denying that a darkness has descended and threatens to survival of the human race, things are looking particularly grim. An Amish community, with its wooden houses and lack of technology, isn’t the first place I would choose to make my last stand with the world ending around me. There are no radios, TV, or internet for the news, and cell phones? Forget it! You aren’t going to be able to send urgent, terrified text messages to your friends and family because they don’t have those there! Several times I was struck by how difficult communication would be even without the end of days. Heck, if I wanted to talk to my neighbors on the other end of the community, I would have to walk there. Or hitch up my horse and drive there. Thank goodness I know how to drive a buggy.

I thought the beginning of the story was a little slow, but now that I have finished the book, I don’t think that anymore. We needed that calm before the storm, to establish both Katie and Elijah’s personalities, their role in their society, and what their hopes were for the future. Katie firmly believed that she and Elijah would go on Rumspringa together, and after kicking up their heels, they would both be baptized, and then eventually they would be married and start a family of their own. Everything was laid out in a simple path, and all she had to do was follow it. But then the unthinkable happens, and there is no Outside anymore. When the Elders, in an abundance of caution, closed off their community, Katie begins to question everything that she once accepted without a qualm. She disobeys the Elders, and soon she has first hand knowledge of the evil they are up against. Things don’t look good, and Katie thinks that it is just a matter of time before everyone in her knows and loves suffers an unspeakable end.

While I liked Katie, I think that the Hexenmeister is my favorite character. There is just something about a crazy old guy who turns out to be a magical bad-ass that appeals to me. While he lived on the fringes of his society because he was quite odd during times of peace and contentment, during the end of the world he was just the guy to have on your side. He, too, was strong and unwavering, even when confronted with the corruption that seethed within their community.

The Hallowed Ones is an exciting, and at times, terrifying read, with a strong heroine ready to do whatever is necessary to save the lives of her family. Without technology on her side, Katie has to rely on something many of us have forgotten how to use; her own cunning and common sense. I enjoyed this book very much, and can hardly wait for follow-up.

Grade: B+

Previous review:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! You can't be over!! I want to read more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a roller coaster read, despite the slow beginning. Lots of tense, scary moments, great characters, and even a little bit of romance sprinkled in as Katie tries to keep her community safe from the outside evil that threatens it. I hope there will be more adventures with Katie and her friends.

Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com ...more

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Jun 19, 2017 Sesana rated it liked it

Shelves: horror

The first half or so of the book is really, really strong. Setting an end-of-the-world story in an Amish community is an interesting choice, and the part of the book that focuses on how a relatively isolated community would react is by far the best part. I particularly liked how long it took for the full story of what was happening to actually reach them. But that doesn't last. At a certain point, nearly everybody but the main character becomes a caricature. The Bishop and the Elders become ever ...more

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About Laura Bickle

Laura Bickle

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Laura Bickle grew up in rural Ohio, reading entirely too many comic books out loud to her favorite Wonder Woman doll. After graduating with an MA in Sociology – Criminology from Ohio State University and an MLIS in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she patrolled the stacks at the public library and worked with data systems in criminal justice. She now dreams up stories ab ...more

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“Men are essentially useless for the difficult things in life. For births and deaths, one clearheaded woman is more useful than a half-dozen men.” — 12 likes

“I was a hypocrite. When the roof came down, it was going to fall on me first.” — 11 likes

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