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The Watchers of Men #2

Holy and the Fallen

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With the Northern City under construction, Micah and Eden's lives are about to change again, when Micah is given new directions. It's time for the Watchers, the fallen angels buried in the earth, to make their final choice—serve the captain or choose to remain loyal to Semjaza, the dark leader who led them to their downfall. Micah soon learns, however, that Eden is the one thing Semjaza wants more than anything, and he will go to great lengths to obtain her.

Torn between fulfilling his mission and not wanting to leave the ones he cares about, Micah must learn what it truly means to be the captain's seer. Eden's friends will be tested as they try to protect her, while each one of them discover there may be more to their gifts than they'd thought. In the war between angels and demons, gifts will be discovered and truths uncovered. All the while, one moment of weakness can prove to be the undoing of them all.

Holy and the Fallen is the exciting squeal to The Awakener by Amanda Strong.

294 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2015

9 people are currently reading
139 people want to read

About the author

Amanda Strong

7 books243 followers
Born in Dekalb, Illinois, Amanda Strong has called Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, Virginia and now New Mexico home. Amanda has been spinning tales since she was a child. Her family still remembers finding young Amanda with her bright pink glasses, hiding in random corners of the house while scribbling away in one of her many spiral-bound notebooks. You could say that some things never change since Amanda is still writing today. Amanda began her writing career when she uploaded The Awakener, her first full-length novel, on Wattpad where it received over 430,000 reads in four weeks. She was blown away and humbled by the reader support and feedback she received. Because of The Awakener's success as a non-published book, she was asked to talk on 1400 KSTAR about her story.

In September 2013 Amanda Strong signed with Clean Teen Publishing for publication of The Awakener, which is scheduled to release in late October of this year. The Awakener is the first book in an all-new young adult paranormal romance series called: The Watchers of Men.

When Amanda isn't writing, you can find her chasing her three rambunctious children around the house and spending time with her wonderful and supportive husband. On some occasions you can still find Amanda with her not-so-pink glasses, hiding in a corner reading her favorite young adult fantasy novels or working out only to blow her diet by eating ice cream.

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Maxx.
91 reviews22 followers
May 17, 2015
Also posted on my blog: flyingbookpages.wordpress.com

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

One word, people: AWESOME!

I don't know about you guys but this series is so good! Who says second books are boring? Wait til you read this.

I really really love this series because it's light and quick and it's action packed! I read this book really fast because I didn't want to put it down. Yes, I sacrificed sleep because who needs sleep when I got Holy and the Fallen? It's action packed because there are no dull moments. Every scene is important and you need to keep an eye to the details too! It will keep you wanting to turn the pages until you realize you're reading too much! You know the feeling when you wanted to read one last chapter but ended up reading until the last page? Well, yeah, that happened to me.

I read the first book of this series last October 2014 and I have read a lot of books since then. The good thing here is that I felt like I just read The Awakener right before reading this one even though I didn't. It picked up where it left off. The feels were there the moment I started reading. There was this certain ambiance that the book gives you that makes it really good and creepy.

I love the character development here too. You can feel the characters as if they were real. I felt like watching my friends here. And even though it's in the third POV, you can clearly feel the characters and relate to them. My favorite here is Caitlyn. I can relate to her the most. I'm shy and reserved (sometimes), and I saw those in her. I loved her gift the most too. It was simple but deep and meaningful. I also love how Amanda explained the importance of each gift they possessed. I loved how she made the scenes very useful in terms of showing how each gift worked and how they should use it.

There was one particular scene that I loved but was way too scary. I got really scared because it happened to Caitlyn. And because I could relate the most to her, I could feel the creepiness and the wrongness of it all. Haha! I was so afraid that it could happen to me too. And boy did I not want to! Phew! I learned so much from her experience.

There are so many good things in this book to talk about (for those who read it already) and to watch out for. This is absolutely one of my favorite series. It would be so great if it had more people noticing it because it deserves to be known!

Also, if I already fell in love with Gabriel in the first book, I fell in love with him here more! Also, I dare you to resist Sage. I dare you.

Can't wait for book 3! :D

5/5 Stars!
82 reviews3 followers
April 3, 2022
Love, Love, Love Gabriel

Whoo hoo this was intense!! The entire team is back again, learning more about their gifts and getting promising additions to the team. Gabriel is often used as a character in books, but never as respectfully as this..and it's about time!! Too often people seem to think that the angels did 1 or 2 jobs, then kind of faded into the ether. Not so in this series. Don't want to give away any spoilers...just read it, it's worth the time!
Profile Image for Mandy Boerma.
Author 9 books56 followers
August 26, 2020
Throughly enjoyed

This was a new genre for me. The first book had me from the First pages and I had to jump into the second.

Although the story kept me engaged, the POV shift from third to first was hard to always follow. But that said, this story was engaging.

As a warning, this has a solid end but not all the loose ends get tied up.
Profile Image for Ethan Gregory.
223 reviews8 followers
July 17, 2015
Full review and more available at: http://oneguysguidetogoodreads.blogsp...

*****
My Thoughts

Last week I posted my review of The Awakener, book one in this series, and raved all about how much I loved the read. Honestly, when it comes down to the bottom line, what really appealed to me about this series was just how unique and different it was. Sure the concept isn't completely unheard of, but Amanda Strong's delivery sure is. I have never seen an author tie in so many literary elements together into one genre and make it work. It truly was a beautiful story. Flash forward a week later and I absolutely devoured the sequel, Holy and the Fallen. If I thought I loved Awakener, there just aren't words to describe this one!

Holy and the Fallen picks up pretty much right where we left our character in Awakener so I can't say much there in an effort to avoid spoilers. When it comes to the plot, Strong really took it a step farther with this second installment. The stakes are much higher and, now that the foundation has been laid, the plot is gripping and non-stop from cover to cover. Action, suspense, and intrigue await you at every turn. I could not have been more pleased with the plot if I tried. I'll admit I was a bit hesitant to see how Strong was going to handle the increased stakes while keeping her story at a clean YA level, but she pulled it off incredibly.

Strong's writing is truly a labor of love. It's clear in each word how much research and thought she has put into this series. Each little nuance and character trait is important and no detail is too small to be overlooked. Remember everything you read, there are clues everywhere. And just when you think you've got it figured out? BAM! She throws a wrench in your plan. I love the constant state of surprise, it had my itching for more!

As with Awakwner, HatF has a huge cast of characters, and with each passing novel, it's only getting larger. While some of these characters are merely mentioned in passing, each is of vital importance to the plot. Don't worry, it's nothing an attentive reader cannot handle, but just a warning. Unlike Awakener, this story isn't just told from Micah and Eden's stories, we get chapters devoted to all of our MCs. With such a huge cast it's really interesting to see so many things going on at the same time.

Strong really ups the ante with her settings in HatF. The entire story has turned into a worldwide journey to build the Golden Cities and save civilization. From America to Europe and more-to-come, Strong puts such great description in her setting that I merely had to close my eyes and I was there in the vineyards of central Europe, grazing through the cornfields of DeKalb County, Illinois. Each setting is beautifully written to set the tone for the storyline with great accuracy.

This series deals with a huge plethora of themes, but the primary one that is reoccurring is spirituality. As you can read in the synopses for this series, these novel rely heavily on religious retellings, themes, and stories from Christianity. While this may be a turnoff for some readers, I was blown away. Strong was able to take a vast amount of inspiration from religious texts and transform them into a young adult, supernatural tale for the ages. It's by no means a church sermon, but readers will find themselves immersed in the history of the sources she quotes and may send you on an adventure of your own. I love how Strong is able to influence such thoughts with her words.

If you read my review of Awakener, you'll remember that I noted how 'clean' it was. That was my largest complaint of the story. I was really blown away to read how much more 'mature' HatF was. The stakes are higher, the romance element is more true-to-life, there is a bit of language, the tone is darker, it's definitely on-par with what I would expect from a story in this genre designation.

With all this being said, Strong has already gone on to say that there will be at least two more novels in this series. I have no knowledge as to when we can expect more from The Watchers of Men series, but I do know I'll be first in line to see what Strong has in store next for Micah, Eden, and the gang!

Another grand-slam from Strong, Holy and the Fallen will leave you on your knees, begging for more! A gripping sequel full of emotion from cover to cover: you won't be able to set this one down! All-in-all, I loved this novel and it should come as no surprise that I am granting this one another near-perfect 5-star review. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to shake up their TBR with something a bit different. Fans of YA, supernatural, and uplifting stories will find Holy and the Fallen to be right up their alley!


*****
Profile Image for Kristy Hamilton.
111 reviews5 followers
May 18, 2015
I revived a copy from the author for an honest review...
Holy and the Fallen is the second book in the The Watchers of Men series. The Awakener was a great first book in the series, but Holy and the Fallen completely blew me away.
This book is based on the Christian religion, but it is also written in a way that any religion can follow it. It is not pushy or prechy or anything other then a great story that is based very loosely off the bible. It is the authors writing that took it away. I normally do not read anything that is ranked in Christian religion or any other religion because I feel that a person's religion is a private thing.
Eden and Micah are part of a special group that was brought together in the Awakener to help people. They overcome much in the Awakener but now have to deal with the Holy and the Fallen from the Captain and overcome what is put in their way both evil and good. Each member of their group is vital to the mission, but under all of it, most of them are high school students that just want to finish out high school.
Reading this book just made me think about many things. I love the extra shot of faith that I got from this book, but it really is just an amazing YA paranormal book that can be taken in anyway the reader wants it to go. Amanda Strong wrote this in the way honoring her faith, but was able to continue on her series without pushing religion onto her readers.
*even though this book is faith based, it is just an amazing book. very sweet and touching and has several scenes that can touch the reader. I actually was crying during one such scene. if you (the reader) do not follow the Christian religion, this book can be based on any religion that is followed*
Profile Image for Lindsey Faire.
49 reviews9 followers
June 21, 2016
Engrossing. If you like angels, YA coming of age themes, and a clean story this is for you.

Great story with fun characters that all grow naturally and believably. I find myself really enjoying Strong's literary worlds. The series are clean with no sex or over the top violence but still dig into all of the emotions a person can and does experience. Especially the uncertainty venturing into unknown relationships, adventures and skills. It is a refreshing change of pace, because sometimes less really is more. I enjoy being able to get lost in the incredible story without wading through drawn out, too detailed intimacy. This series is based in Christian biblical lore, erring on the side of the mystical aspects. Gnostic even. I am not a Christian and I stilled this series! There is no heavy underlying push of doctrine either!! However, I do need to mention the one drawback with this particular book in the series: book 2 is rife with editing issues no one seemed to catch pre-release. And I am not someone who usually cares a great deal over these things, as they're pretty easy to overlook and usually not an interference to the plot. But they did get so numerous at about halfway through, that they began to detract from the book overall. Having to re-read to make sense of mixed up pov narration-flipping from first to third, internal character dialogue mixed in with the narrative voice, typos... all of that said, I am still looking forward to book 3!
Profile Image for Brittany | BookRamblings.
292 reviews36 followers
July 3, 2015
Okay, so I have to admit that I went head first into reading this book whilst not even remembering what happened in the first book. oops! So, it took me a while to get back into the plot and the characters but once I got into book two after a few chapters, I was hooked!

Why sleep when the ending of this book is more important?... if only the ending gave me closure and didn't leave me hanging and desperately waiting for book three!

The themes of the series moved more into religion and an evil that I don't remembering being as prominent in book one. This made me get onto the edge of my seat more and feel more for all of the characters.

I only marked it down because I found a few scenes within the book that lost the momentum for me so I found myself having to put the book down for a while every now and then.

However, after finishing the book I can only remember the tension, fights, magic and romance that Amanda has brought to a whole new level! Happy reading :)

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for a honest review.**
Profile Image for Eccentric  Editions.
492 reviews16 followers
January 2, 2016
Wow! I'm in love with this series!! After re-reading The Awakener, I was excited to know what new I'd learn and what was going to happen. To tell in short words A Def Must Read!!
Love to know more about every character and then there was Trent>> my bbf AAh!I loved the multiple POV's getting to know each characters, their thinking and feelings. I loved getting to know more about Eden, after re-reading The Awakener, I had missed many things about Eden in the first read but got to know her and in Holly and the Fallens as well. Then their whole adventures--> Amazing!! And so many secrets got revealed. WoaW Gabriel great grandson of Enoch 0.0 When he told that to Eden, I was like OMG he is N not going to spoil you will find out.
I can't wait till next year for the next book! This going to be torture!!
I was given the book in exchange of an honest review.
322 reviews42 followers
February 13, 2016
If you thought the first book was good, you are about to be seriously impressed. Amanda Strong brings you the sequel in this series as the perfect balance of picking up a story as foundation and then building and building upon it. We really get to see the characters in the open in this book, with all their vulnerabilities that keep them grounded in our hearts. The story progresses naturally while giving you the never ending feeling of building more and more each trial, each struggle feels real, never forced and you can't help but turn the pages so that you can stay in this world as long as possible. I can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Michelle.
266 reviews10 followers
February 12, 2016
I loved this story! Fabulous book #2. I didn't want to put it down. I am so impressed with how much info Mrs Strong puts into her stories. This one was no different. I always feel satisfied at the end of her books, even though they are part of a series. What a fantastic continuation - no boring middle book for this series. I think this is just as good, if not better, than the first book. I love where the story is headed and can't wait for book #3. I'm biting my nails about those marks. No spoilers but I will say that I do not trust Semjaza at all!
14 reviews
May 13, 2015
In the war between angels and demons, gifts will be discovered and truths uncovered. All the while, one moment of weakness can prove to be the undoing of them all. -- I don't want to give any of the story away, but these two lines sum it up nicely as to what this book is about. Micah and Eden's journey continues and choices must be made. Amanda Strong weaves the reader through the Watchers and who they will choose - the Captain or the Samjaza, and why the Samjaza want Eden so badly. Amanda Strong writes strong, fast paced stories that will keep you reading.
Profile Image for Roxanna.
27 reviews3 followers
September 4, 2015
I loved this book even more than the first (if that is even possible). My very good friend is the author of this series, I started reading it to support her and pleasantly found myself addicted! I absolutely love her writing style! Trying to be as unbiased as possible, There are many books I find too wordy, I am not a patient reader, I tend to skim over stuff that doesn't bring me interest or doesn't seem important to know. I can't do this with these books, every word pulls me in, there is never a mundane moment. I can't wait to read what she comes up with next!
Author 4 books8 followers
October 13, 2015
I LOVED this book! It's so similar to my Immortal Memory trilogy with the angels fighting the evil in a mortal world in the midst of romance! The book is clean with an amazing Christian theme, paranormal elements, well-developed characters, beautiful settings, and excellent grammar. There is constant tension throughout the book, which left me on edge. Most of all, I enjoyed reading about the biblical knowledge of the angels. Amanda, please continue writing books in this genre. These are my favorite!
Profile Image for PreePree.
226 reviews9 followers
October 30, 2016
***Possible Spoilers***

So, this wasn't a bad book. It was quite interesting. I also love the religious history lesson it provides. The information is presented in an interesting way to keep you captivatef. I have always been intrigued about the book of Enoch.

I'm soooo glad Caitlyn had someone possessing her because she was getting on my nerves with all that self pity/doubt crap. Andrew healing people was a bit risky if you ask me but everyone seemed to think it was cool. I'm also excited to see what Jessies gift will be. I do hope the author is planning on writing another book....
Profile Image for Lisa Swanepoel.
413 reviews1 follower
October 31, 2015
I wish there were more stars because three stars is not enough but four is too many. This is a 3.5 star book in my opinion. I enjoyed the book, it is well written and refreshing to have a more innocent version of fantasy. I did find I was not as gripped by the story in this book hence the slightly lower rating. Still a good read
55 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2015
Great Book!! an excellent part two to The Awakener! But wait there's more.....and I can't wait to read it and find out how it all turns out! :)
Profile Image for Dimpu.
178 reviews15 followers
December 6, 2015
OMG LOVED IT.
Will review later!

Finally!! I have waited for this book for so long!! Oh my god. I could cry right now. Cannot wait to read this!!
Profile Image for Haileigh Sanchez.
1 review
August 22, 2015
LOVED IT

It was hard for me to take breaks while reading this. I was absolutely glued to my kindle. Can't wait for the next book to come out.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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