Author: Cynthia Hand
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Category: Young Adult
Page Count: 329
Release Date: January 2011
Source: Bought
Challenge: 2011 DAC
Quick Rating: 5/5
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.
Another angel book? Yeah. That’s exactly what I thought at first. I was initially drawn in by that oh-so-pretty cover (internet pictures really don’t do it justice), but it became so much more than a beautiful face. It’s been hard trying to collect my thoughts for a review, because all I want to do is just gush!
First, like I said, that cover just blew me away when I finally saw it in real life. Design counts a lot with me, and Unearthly hit the nail on the head. Not only is the jacket lovely, but the hard cover underneath is beautiful, and the graphic at the beginning of each chapter is so pretty! I have a total weakness for swirls.
Beyond the superficial though, a lot of things really impressed me about Unearthly. Number one being the strong presence of secondary characters, specially her mom. How many times in YA fiction is the parental figure almost totally absent? I was almost as intrigued by Clara’s mom as Clara herself. Clara’s obvious adoration of her mother is a relief from the typical resentful teen. Not that Clara doesn’t have her moments, but you can just tell what a loving family she has. I cannot wait to find out more about the mystery of her mother’s purpose, as well as her brother, Jeffrey’s.
Follow the jump for more!
