Review of Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Release Date: Jan. 4, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 435 pages
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: I got the copy that I read from the Library, and I also won my own copy from Yani at Secret Life of an Avid Reader. Thanks Yani!

Goodreads Summary: 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?

Review:  I usually don’t read angel books, just not my thing. Lately, however, I have seen great reviews of Unearthly and I decided to give this one a try. I was not disappointed. While it looks like the typical YA paranormal romance, it is much more than that with foreboding elements of good versus evil.

I love that Clara is the paranormal in this story. She is the one responsible for the saving, as opposed to the girl just waiting to get saved. She is not perfect but her character is very likable and relatable. Both Tucker and Christian are swoon worthy and even though there is a bit of a love triangle, it’s only an issue because Clara is being pushed to date one guy over the other. The actual romance between Clara and the guy she chooses is so sweet! I just love this kind of relationship, no love at first sight, but a love that is built over time by getting to know each other.

Almost all the secondary characters have secrets and their own mysteries going on which adds more dimension to the story. There are many subplots running through this book that were unresolved, leaving lots of material for the second book which will be titled Hallowed.

Unearthly is a well written and exciting novel. What didn’t I love about it? Some of those issues that were left unresolved and especially the cliffhanger ending. It was very unsatisfying! That being said, I cannot wait for Hallowed to come out, I will be running to the store to get it!

Content: A character is incapacitated and almost raped (thankfully, it does not happen), demons and a brief trip to hell.