Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly
(Unearthly #1)
by Cynthia Hand
Publication Date: January 4th, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 435
ISBN: 9780061996160

Where to Buy:
B&N | Amazon | The Book Depository
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.(Goodreads)
I didn’t really know what to expect when I started reading Unearthly. The book has gotten pretty rave reviews, and I had wanted to read it for a really long time. Well, I’m super glad I finally gave the book a shot! Definitely an awesome read.

The main character in the story is Clara Gardner. Clara has just recently discovered that she is part angel, and that she has a ‘purpose’ in her life that she has to fulfill. She has no idea what this purpose is, but she does have visions about it, which helps her figure what the future holds for her.

I thought Clara was a very likeable character. I definitely enjoyed watching her grow throughout the book. I have to say, she was a lot different than I expected her to be. I liked that she turned into such a strong young woman.

There is a love triangle in the story, consisting between two boys, Christian and Tucker. Christian is the perfect boy, and I had a hard time not liking him, but I didn’t exactly love him. Tucker, on the other hand, was definitely swoon-worthy. I love the relationship between him and Clara, it is definitely intense. However, I really want to know more about Christian, and I am really looking forward to seeing what the relationship between he and Clara will be like in the next book.

The secondary characters were well written. I really enjoyed Clara’s best friends, Angela and Wendy. I do wish that Clara’s mom had been a little less secretive about everything, but that just adds on the suspense for the rest of the series.

The storyline in this book is very well paced, and it thoroughly held my attention. I also thought the settings were very well described. I could see the scenery perfectly in my head as I read along with the descriptions.

Overall, I found Unearthly to be an absolutely fantastic novel by this debut author. I am dying to get started on the next book in the series, Hallowed, and am hoping to get started on it soon!

Happy Reading!


19 comments:

  1. Awesome review hun. I just read Hallowed and you certainly find out more about Christian. Honestly, it's hard to choice between Tucker and Christian. Lol ~ Donna

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  2. I've heard a lot of good things about this book and I'm glad it doesn't disappoint. This one is waiting for me on my bookshelf, getting dusty lol. Nice review :)

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  3. I just managed to get the second one of this on Net Galley. I can't wait to read it.

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  4. Oh, I'm soooo glad you enjoyed this, too. It's definitely one of my favorite books of 2011 and I can't wait to start reading my eGalley of Hallowed (this is one of those times when I wish I had less to read :D ).
    I never really liked Christian during Unearthly (a Tucker-girl all the way), so I hope that this might change during the sequel.

    Great review!
    Carina

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  5. Wasn't it fantastic!? :D I just finished Hallowed and it's a great sequel! Wonderful review!

    Giselle
    Xpresso Reads

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  6. Loved it. It definitely wasn't what I expected. Can't wait to see how it develops, but I'm afraid Tucker's heart is going to broken.

    Amy @ www.bookgoonie.com

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  7. I loved this one! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed it. I'm hoping to get Hallowed asap.

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  8. Tucker was my favorite too:) I can't wait for the second book to come out. Great review!
    -Danna

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  9. Yay! So glad you enjoyed this one Christy, I absolutely loved it. Tucker was just too adorable for words:) I wish her mom hadn't been so secretive either, and I'm hoping we get a little more background on her in Hallowed. Can't wait!

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  10. Woohoo! That's good news because I just got this. :)

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  11. Oooh! I have this one on reserve at the library and have heard so many great things about it! I am glad to read yet another great review of it and it really, really makes me want to read it so whoever is reading it at the moment better hurry up! :D

    Great review!

    Faye
    A Daydreamer's Thoughts

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  12. Hallowed Book Trailer! Awesome!!!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7emBtHS3o4

    :)

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  13. I loved this book! Glad to see that you enjoyed it as well. Great review!

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  14. I think the majority of reviews I've read for Unearthly all mention not knowing what to expect, even mine haha. It was so hard not to love! And I recently finished Hallowed--so good! Hope you get a chance to read it too!

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  15. I didn't read this series but it seems that I really need to ! Thanks for this great review, I'll add it to my wishlist

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  16. Yay! So happy you've finally read and loved this. I thought it was such a refreshing and awesome new take on angel mythology. Plus... you know, a smexy cowboy love interest and all. Hehe. Team Tucker FTW! Although I am intrigued to learn more about Christian. Awesome review!

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  17. I really need to read this book, so many people, including you, have expressed how great it is. I'm not a huge fan of angel books but everyone tells me to give this one a shot. I will have to read this in December.

    Thank you for the great review. :)

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  18. YAY, you loved it! I have to somehow get my hands on Hallowed, because the wait is killing me.

    - Asher (from Paranormal Indulgence)

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  19. I LOVED this book so, so much and I hate angel books. :) Hallowed is fantastic too!

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