SERIES. Unearthly, Book One
RELEASE DATE. January 1, 2011
PUBLISHER. HarperTeen
PAGES. 435
FORMAT. Hardcover
AGE GROUP. Young Adult
GENRE/S. Paranormal, Romance
PURCHASE. AMAZON
SYNOPSIS. 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.
THOUGHTS. I never expected this book to be that good. I have quite read a few novels whose concept were angels but nothing is so well-thought out and excellent than this book. It was indeed riveting. I had to admit that I was really captured by the stunning cover. Honestly, I was in hesitation at first because I thought that it would just be the cover I would love and the story would not meet my expectations. But Cynthia Hand proved me wrong. It was more than just a good read. What made me love the book was the different take on angels and the well-written romance. The mythology of the book was different that it came out new and mesmerizing. I just want more of the mysterious Black Wings and more history of the Angel-bloods. The romance, indeed, was one of a kind. Hand proved to be a great romantic writer. The love triangle of this book was the most riveting of all. The characters also had me in too many emotions. They were well-developed and their dialogues really showed me who they are. One is Clara. I really did admire her. She was lovable at the same time a refreshing character. She was strong, and radiantly beautiful inside and out. She was just your typical teenage girl, sweet, loving, cute but with that paranormal aspect. But some characters were a little bit bland for me too, like Christian, the boy from Clara’s visions. Hand made me not think of him when he went to New York, and focus more on Clara and Tucker’s summer romances. Perhaps, Hand made Christian quite not knowing so she could write more of him in the next books. I hate to say this but I admired her for giving me cliffhangers because she left me wanting for more. In total, the story was very unpredictable. Clara moved from California to Wyoming to get to fulfill her Purpose of saving a guy from a forest fire but I just never thought that she will end up with Tucker. I thought that she would end up saving Christian, and live happily ever after; but it became different after the last three chapters. How I love twists and turns! There are still so many questions that need quick answers. And I can’t wait for the next book. Unearthly is the book you can’t really put down. It is the book you would really admire in your book shelf. It is an outstanding, unpredictable read. Cynthia Hand really is a natural Angel-blood. I was held captive by her book.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Cynthia Hand grew up in southeast Idaho (very near the Wyoming border). Currently she lives in southern California with her husband and two small children. She teaches courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University.
