Unearthly by Cynthia Hand 448 pages, HarperTeen, (2011-01-04) $10.27 (Amazon.com)

Procurement

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

My Grade

Plot: 4

Setting: 5

Writing: 4

Originality: 5

Characters: 4

Romance: 4

Overall: 26/30 = 86% B

Cover/Title Bonus: 4

Overall

An adventurous new spin on angels and a cute love story with mystery elements.

Summary (Goodreads)

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.

First Line (Chapter 1, not the prologue)

The first time, November 6 to be exact, I wake up at two a.m. with a tingling in my head like tiny fireflies dancing behind my eyes.

 

Most Memorable Scene

Any scene with Tucker. 😉

Plot

I was instantly sucked into this angel world. They are portrayed as saviors, people with a calling to do or be somewhere to save a human’s life. The mystery element to this story was also something that kept my interest. I was slightly frustrated by this though too because I just didn’t understand where the story was going but I was pleasantly surprised at the end.

Setting

I remember that this is set in the wooded area of California and there are forest fires abundant. A lot of the story takes place in the high school, the woods and Clara’s house.

Writing

As stated I was hooked. I had to know what was going on and how it all came together.

Originality

I’ve read quite a few angel books recently but I found this one refreshing and not over played. There are new elements to this book that I hadn’t seen before and I enjoyed them very much.

Characters

I had no issues with any of the characters. They are all likeable. Clara and Tucker make an awesome duo.

Romance

The romance isn’t heavy in this book. It’s more of a mystery of what’s going to happen when and to whom and how will Clara be able to keep that person safe. I liked that the romance came towards the end. I’m also a big fan of who the romance is with.

Cover/Title Bonus

The cover to this book is just gorgeous! I’m not too excited about the title but it works just fine.

Series

Hallowed (Unearthly, #2) will release sometime in 2012.