Book Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly
Unearthly #1
Author: Cynthia Hand
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Paranormal/Angels
Released: January 4th 2011
Review Source: HarperTeen
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from 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.

Wow!! This book was amazing!! I really didn’t want to put it down. I loved the characters, the plot was amazing, and it made me want to visit Wyoming to see the beautiful scenery. You can just picture the beauty of the vast mountains. Oh, and let’s not forget the love story!! Cynthia Hand is now one of my new favorite authors.

The story starts in California with Clara Gardener having her very first vision of a raging fire. Clara is part angel and her visions are a way of giving clues as to what her purpose is. Like life isn’t hard enough!! Humans ponder their whole lives without knowing their purpose, having clues would be a nice thing, right?? Clara’s visions come to her at the most inconvenient times. Usually her visions are just pieces and she really doesn’t make out much to go forward with what it is that she is destined to do. One day she finally makes out a major clue that leads her mother to uproot herself, Clary and her brother Jeffrey to Wyoming in hopes Clary can fulfill her purpose. That means a new high school and new friends. Upon getting to Wyoming Clara’s visions get stronger and clearer. It takes a while to for Clara to feel at home and fit in. Being part angel, Clara does things a little bit better than the average human. She learns very fast and her athletic abilities are better just to name a few. A couple of people pick up on this and it may put her in danger. Clara does end up making some good friends and falls in love with one of her best friend’s brother. But will this love work out with her purpose?

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I am anticipating reading the next in the series. I would definitely suggest this to anyone that likes angles and if not then I would suggest it for the love story. It’s one of those that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy at the end.