Book review: Unearthly Cynthia Hand

My summary:
A few years ago Clara's mother told Clara that she is an angel-blood, Clara thought her mother had lost it; but her mother had proof, she had a pair of beautiful white wings. Clara’s life changed and in many ways and she was told that when the time was right she would receive a purpose. Visions comes to Clara when she least expects it and it seems as if her purpose here on earth might be saving a boy from a forest fire. A discovery about Clara’s purpose makes her entire family yank up their roots in California and start a new life in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 

Will Clara figure out what her destiny is and most important of all is she capable of fulfilling her purpose?

My thoughts:
I've had some varied experiences with angel novels but Cynthia Hand's debut novel Unearthly has been a great read. Cynthia has her own original take on angel lore and has written a fresh story, so if you haven’t fallen for the angels yet (good one, right?) than you should definitely give this book a go.

Clara has a purpose here on earth and that is a bit of a mystery, it will be reveled bit by bit throughout the novel. Some of you might worry that this means there will be a cliffhanger ending to Unearthly but I can reassure you and tell you that there isn't one.

There's action in Unearthly but it's not jam packed with it, the author gives the reader time to get to know the characters and I must say that I enjoy the relationships being built without it seeming to go unnaturally fast which it tend to do in some YA novels. I loved Cynthia for daring to give her characters time because that made it possible for me to connect with them.

The characters were well crafted and felt believable, they were friendly, interesting, made some stupid decisions (which is perfectly normal) and had a great sense of humor. I wanted to know all there was to each and every one of the characters Cynthia Hand has created. Have to mention a character that for me was one of the biggest mysteries(#2 was Clara’s own mother, she hides so much about being an angel-blood from Clara) in this first installment, one of Clara's best friends, Angela, there was just something fishy about her. One of the characters I enjoyed the most was a guy named Tucker, his and Clara’s bantering was entertaining and he was just such a great guy! *Swoon*

There is a love triangle in Unearthly but I won't say all that much about it, but it is good and it will have you on the edge of your seat cheering for your favorite guy. I can honestly say that I've found my latest literary crush in Unearthly, the boy is down to earth and the bantering between him and Clara was so much fun. Might be because that is a way that I've always liked to flirt?

The second installment is expected published in 2012, I'm pining for it already!

Book trailer:

The cover:
Is beautiful but I do think the Australian one is more fitting:

My rating of this book:

4.35 stars out of 5

Want a second opinion? Check out these reviews written by some of my book blogging friends:
Parajunkee's View 
Wicked Walker
Pure Imagination
The Story Siren
Sophistikatied Reviews

Want to know more?
Add Unearthly to your Goodreads wish list.
Visit Cynthia Hand's homepage 
Read Cindy's blog 
Follow Cynthia on Twitter

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Published: January 4th 2011
Pages(hardcover): 435
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 0061996165 (ISBN13: 9780061996160)
Full disclosure: ARC received from HarperTeen via NetGalley.  

This book can be purchased from a number of local retailers and on-line book stores such as Amazon or The Book Depository (I'm not an affiliate of either). The latter store does by the way have free shipping to about 100 countries.