Unearthly (Unearthly, Book 2) by Cynthia Hand
Genre: Paranormal YA
Edition Reviewed: ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
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.
Review:
Young Adult books with Angel themes have not been my best friends lately. Whether because the plot is so predictable, the characters are soulless, the worlds un-inventive, and many other flaws—most of them all in one read. So Unearthly was at the bottom of my reading list, and when I finally started it the start was a bit bumpy. Not only was it slow, but the author did something I hate when writing in first person too many Is and Mes. After the first, or so, pages I realized that the author had a new take on Angels and within a few chapters the bad first person eased up and I could sink into the book.
One of the main flaws is that this book kept a great pace and gave us just enough details to stay captivated, but it still managed to feel like a slow read. The book enthralled my mind and I was eager to read, but then after a bit of time I got tired of the sluggishness. With that said, this book was wonderful.
Hands knows how to write characters. Many times before I felt like I was reading about soulless beings that are just going through actions in a book without any rhyme or reason, especially the main characters. Hands has a talent with words that not only made the characters of her books real, but they soon became beloved friends that readers can be totally invested in. Every plot turn and twist had me holding my breath waiting for the characters deliverance.
There is clearly a love triangle here, and before readers completely dismiss this book it has to be said that this is a WELL done love triangle. I’ll admit that I loathe love triangles in young adults and it’s because they’re never well done or realistic. When I find a good love triangle, now that’s where the true magic begins. Unearthly has plenty of that magic. Clara is a great leading lady to be an Angel she has self doubts that we can all relate to, but can shore up her courage and resolve when she needs too. The author understands that people just don’t boom fall in love, it has to grown. Tucker reminds me of Wade from Hart of Dixie, loud and rude to his crush, but so sweet and thoughtful and one of the most beloved people around. Christian is the aloof and mysterious type that Clara is destined to save as her Purpose and thinks that maybe he might be her soul mate. Things don’t go how Clara expects.
With this first book Hands creates a breathtaking new angle on Angels and their purposes on earth. With such remarkable characters and beautiful attention to details the writing will captivate readers and transport them into the beauty of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. (As someone who’s spent quite a bit of their life in the area I know the author has done a wonderful job.) Slow it may be, but your heart will beat with adrenaline, love, pain, and heartache. Unearthly hints at the unending battle between good and evil and tantalizes readers with a taste of angelic mystery.
Sexual Content: Kissing and making out, there’s contemplation of going further. The dirty talk is pretty clean as well.
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.
| Book(s) in series: | ||
| Reviewed on BW: | Amazon: | Goodreads: |
| Hallowed (2) Untitled (3) | Hallowed Untitled | |
