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 predicting 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/
Fire and Ice is giving away one copy of Unearthly to our followers as part of Best I’ve Read 2011. To enter to win click here and fill out the form. Good luck! Be sure to check the BIR home site and blog list for additional giveaways!
Unknown
You had me at “boy standing in the trees” – no seriously, lol – the cover is beautiful! And anything with angels is a big draw!
I would love to read this book!
Thank you for yet another wonderful book suggestion and giveaway chance!
Happy Holidays!
Gena Robertson
robertsongena@hotmail.com
Tressa
I own this one and LOVE it! Thanks for all the giveaways this week! Have a merry Christmas!
Jay
The cover is gorgeous!!! me want!
thanks for the giveaway!
Jay
jazzy_jay673 at hotmail dot com
Nicole@The More the Merrier
Another book I have yet to read. Thanks for highlighting so many great books and the great giveaways!
VanillaOrchids
Thank you for the awesome books being offered in your BIR2011 giveaways!
Pam
latishajean
Thank you very much for this great giveaway!
SacredmOOn
Thank you for the great review! I will most definitively add to my read list. Cheers! DeAnna Schultz
Ελλάδα
I picked “Unearthly” up from the shelf initially because it had a beautiful cover. When I read the synopsis and saw Richelle Mead’s blurb on the cover, I was sold since Mead’s Vampire Academy series is one of my favorites and I have enjoyed other angel stories I’ve read. Once I got a few chapters into “Unearthly,” I could hardly make myself put it down even to take care of regular real-life necessities.