{Review} Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

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?

Title: Unearthly {Unearthly, book 1}

Author: Cynthia Hand

Publication: 4th January 2011

Publisher:  HarperTeen

435 pages

This book is the first novel of a trilogy (there may be a book 4)

My review

I loved Unearthly, it was one of the best books I've read so far this year. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the story is awesome. I know what you're thinking: "Oh dear, another story about angels! Boooring!" But you really shouldn't. This book is a refreshing, unique, compelling and original story.

I was hooked from the first line to the last and now my only thought is: I so want the sequel. I totally can't wait for it and it will be a really long wait. The plot is utterly fantastic and it was a delightful read. It was sweet, funny but also action-packed and fast-paced. It contains everything you could look for in a book. A bit of romance, a bit of mystery, a bit of action, everyone will be able to find one or several aspects appealing for him.

Cynthia Hand's writing is smooth, compelling and really funny. The dialogues are witty, sarcastic and I frequently laughed. The descriptions are very well-written, the scenery looks vivid and alive. I have to warn you, after reading this book, you are so going to want to pack and move to Jackson, Wyoming.

The characters are really endearing. Clara is a strong, smart and determined character. She has a lot to cope with but she is never weak or shallow. It was really easy for me to relate to her. As for the boys *swoon, do I even need to develop?* Christian and Tucker really couldn't be more different but they are both very interesting. At the beginning, Christian seems more gorgeous and mysterious but we also learn to know Tucker and he is irresistible. Both of them are really charming and it was captivating to watch the relationship between Clara, Christian and Tucker develops.

Usually I really don't like love triangles, because I never pick the same boy as the heroine and it annoys me, I find it very frustrating. But here everything feels right and it's so well-described that it's never boring. I don't quite know how to explain it but it's different from other love triangles and it really didn't bother me. In fact, I even think that it's necessary to the story line. The feelings are full of truth, they seem real and everything grows naturally, as it could happen in life.

The ending is intense and gripping. The last 50 pages are action-packed and fast-paced. I was often biting my nails and clenching my teeth. Unearthly also deals with sacrifices and in the next novel Clara will have to choose between her heart and her duty. When I was reading it, I thought Unearthly was predictable but in fact all my predictions were totally and completely wrong. I was often really surprised by the twists, it's full of discoveries, often shocking and unpredictable, and full of tension especially near the end.

To sum up, Unearthly is an awesome and brilliant debut. The story line is compelling, the plot is fast-paced, the dialogues are funny and the characters are really pleasant. And also, the love triangle is unique and original - which was really unexpected for me as I don't usually like love triangles-. As I totally and utterly loved Unearthly, I can't praise it enough. I'm really looking forward to reading Hallowed, the sequel, and 2012 won't come fast enough.