Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: January 4, 2011
Pages: 435
Series: Unearthly, book one
Source: E-galley requested via NetGalley
About the Book: In the beginning, there’s a boy standing in the trees . . . .
My Thoughts: I fail. I read this book some time ago and wrote up my review. My internet wasn’t working so I saved it in a text document and promptly forgot all about it. I guess since I remembered writing it I thought I posted it. Either way, I didn’t. Now that computer is dead, dead, dead and the review is long gone. None of this really matters except to say that I am sure the original review was witty and genius and way better than this one written months later without notes 😉
So, Unearthly. I loved it. I wasn’t so sure about it before reading. Another angel book? They are pretty hit or miss for me. This one was for sure a hit. I felt like the angel aspect was different from the ones I’ve read before. Clara’s mom is half angel and her dad human (making Clara one quarter angel.) She is not a fallen angel. She isn’t totally in the dark about being an angel, though she only recently learned of her angel status. Her mom is there to guide her and show her what it means to be part angel. They are not fallen angels and, for the most part, are fairly “normal” people. Well, aside from the flying and all that 😉 At her core Clara is a high school girl trying to make friends and figure out where she fits in her world.
I also loved the idea that all angel borns have a purpose (not just a purpose, a purpose!) It brought up the whole destiny/fate versus free will/choices issue. That is something I am always interested in reading about. As if high school isn’t confusing enough Clara has to figure out how the things she wants (which may or may not be in opposition to her purpose) fit with what she was put on earth to do. Talk about pressure!
I cannot end this review without talking about the characters. I so enjoyed them…. even the ones I didn’t really care for! Hand has written authentic teens. They talk like teens. They deal with real issues. They make mistakes. It’s glorious! Also, Tucker. I love him. He is the boy teenaged me would have secretly crushed on but never actually talked to.
The characters, the setting, the execution of the story… they all work together to create a beautiful and addicting read! I cannot wait to dive in to Hallowed!
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