Book Review- Unearthly

13 Jan, 2011 by in unearthly 3 comments

Unearthly
by Cynthia Hand
Hardcover, 435 pages
Published January 4th 2011
by HarperTeen
ISBN 0061996165
series Unearthly #1
5 stars

In the beginning, there’s a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she’s part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn’t easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there’s another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara’s less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she’d have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

Okay so it’s no secret by now that I am an angel lover. The mythology, the biblical references, the source of the nephilum. This book though…WOW. It’s refreshing, mesmerizing. I picked it up I will unabashedly admit, based on the cover that called to me from the shelves at Barnes and Noble and was not disappointed.

Unearthly is slower paced and took a while for me to get into, but once I clicked, watch out. Locked, loaded, and eyes transfixed until the very end. Easily five stars to this one.

Cynthia Hand emphasizes functional family relationships and I loved that Clara’s mother tries her best to protect her children and keep them innocent. Despite the fact that she is a single mom, she holds her family tight and encourages them to follow their purpose. The idea that each of us has a unique role to fulfill in life and that we have the power to change the course of history is a powerful theme that rang through.

Clara, the main heroine is quirky and awkward so there’s quite a few places to chuckle. What I love is that while she’s half angel, she’s also very human, a believable teen. Tucker, one of the main men is a rodeo cowboy with wicked blue eyes and a fun easy personality. It’s cute how much he looks up to Clara and adores her. I have to say though- I am team Christian and was from the very start. He appears to Clara in her visions, is there to catch her when she falls. Granted he’s also popular and acts unaffected by Clara’s preparatory swooning, but near the end I really hoped Clara would accept his reciprocal interest. I was frustrated when their relationship was left hanging by a thread.

There were a few things that I wondered about. Like why does her hair turn orange? Can’t they take her some where professional and get it done right? And if her dad lives in New York, why didn’t she follow Christian there over the summer to be closer to him? I’m hoping book 2 has a lot more back story and Clara/Christian time! I’m redicting something not so good is up with Clara’s brother.

Unearthly is so far the best book I’ve read in 2011. I would recommend it to all as a clean, fun paranormal read. This book lives up to its hype and when you get to the last page you’ll be craving more.

Visit Cynthia’s website to learn more about the series. http://www.cynthiahand.blogspot.com/

3 Responses to “Book Review- Unearthly”

  1. A Backwards Story

    Unearthly is my best book of the year so far, too. And I so wasn’t anticipating liking it much (not a big angel person). The characterization was so spot on. I reviewed it recently on my blog, too, and just gushed and gushed. I had an ARC and seriously bought the book at B&N the day after reading it!

    I can’t decide what team I’m on, but you’re right–there will be teams. I really love Tucker–he’s so adorable and I want one! But there’s something about Christian…

    You’re right, her brother is SO up to no good. I can’t wait to see what happens. I want to know more about her mom, too, and see more Angela… Oh, just everything. SUCH a good book!!

    Reply
  2. Mia

    Great review! I’m so glad to find a Team Christian in you. Tucker is fine, he’s nice and all but I really, really like Christian over him. Let’s just hope there’s more part about Christian on the second book 😉

    Reply

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