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Unearthly (Unearthly #1)

by Cynthia Hand (Goodreads Author)

4.16 of 5 stars 4.16 · rating details · 43,369 ratings · 4,953 reviews

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 i...more

Paperback, 435 pages

Published May 1st 2011 by Egmont Books (UK) (first published January 4th 2011)

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Nov 04, 2011 Tatiana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of teen paranormal romance

Shelves: romancelandia, ya, 2010, series-in-progress-still-like, urban-fantasy, 2011

Honestly, after reading at least one of the following books - Hush, Hush, Halo, Fallen - do you really believe there is a good paranormal YA romance about angels out there? A book about proms, love triangles, hawt boys, that doesn't make you want to hurl? No? Neither did I before reading Unearthly.

I was very much impressed by this novel. I was cautious and not trusting of positive reviews of it, and it ended up exceeding my expectations. The book never even once made me roll my eyes - something...more Honestly, after reading at least one of the following books - Hush, Hush, Halo, Fallen - do you really believe there is a good paranormal YA romance about angels out there? A book about proms, love triangles, hawt boys, that doesn't make you want to hurl? No? Neither did I before reading Unearthly.

I was very much impressed by this novel. I was cautious and not trusting of positive reviews of it, and it ended up exceeding my expectations. The book never even once made me roll my eyes - something that I always expect to do when I open any teen romance. It is not driven by the main character's stupidity, like many paranormal romances are. It is not focused on some girl's obsession over a guy who treats her like crap. It is pretty much a breath of fresh air.

Clara is an angel-blood (1/4th angel, 3/4th human). She just received her purpose - a task that all angel-bloods have to fulfill in their lives. This purpose has something to do with a boy Clara sees in her visions and she thinks it is her duty to save his life. She moves closer to him, tries to get to know him and has a bit of a crush on him. Only it seems her purpose in regards to Christian is not quite clear and neither are her feelings towards him.

Apparently, it is possible to write a paranormal romance which employs all standard elements of the genre, and make something good out of it. Cynthia Hand proves with this novel that you can write a teen girl with supernatural abilities and not make her a complete Mary Sue. That there can be a romance between a supernatural and a human, and neither is obsessed with another and ready to die of despair if they break up. That nobody in the relationship has to be a stalker or a doormat. That teens can fall in love with each other not because one of them is inhumanly hawt or sparkly, but because, you know, they spend time together and TALK first.

The story is well paced and never gets boring. The mystery of Clara's purpose is sufficiently mysterious and creates a nice tension. The romantic story line is sweet and, oh my, HEALTHY! Can you believe it?

The angel mythology unfolds at a good pace as well. Whenever you write something about angels, there is always this question of God, how to place him in the story. Hand does a great job of not mucking the concept of angel by making angels in her novel some sexy beasts who are allowed to do whatever and still remain angels. And God's place in the story is also carefully written, avoiding being preachy (for non-believers) or blasphemous (for those who believe).

Unearthly might not be one of the books that I recommend to anyone who would listen (like I do with Lips Touch: Three Times or Melina Marchetta's novels) and that I am in awe of. But I can guarantee you will at least not want to bang this book against the wall. It is not morally reprehensible, misguided or poorly written. As far as teen paranormal romance fluff goes, Unearthly belongs in the top tier IMO. I am even impressed enough to read the sequel, many plot lines remain open and I am curious!(less)

329 likes · like · see review

Nov 04, 2011 Steph Sinclair rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone losing faith in Angel PNR

Recommended to Steph by: Myself

Shelves: angels, 2011-reads, i-didn-t-see-that-coming, i-loved-it, i-need-to-buy-this-book, original-and-creative, oh-yeah-baby, awesome, i-need-it-like-a-fat-kid-needs-cake, gimme-gimme-gimme, 2-am-or-later, surprised-me, best-relationships, best-characters, deserves-every-one-of-those-stars, all-time-favorites, i-need-the-next-book-like-yesterday, mind-blowing-good, omg-that-ending, pure-win, smart-heroine, so-glad-i-read-this, strong-heroine, to-buy-soon, young-adult

It's been a few months since I finished this book and I'm still swooning. You shall be read again soon my precioussssss...

Actual rating: Teetering on 4.5 stars

Hush, Hush, who? Halo, what? Fallen, huh?

After reading the catastrophe Hush, Hush, I had pretty much given up on reading any more books involving angels. As far as I was concerned it would be my first and last angel book. I resisted the urge (mostly thanks to my dear Goodreads friend's reviews) to pick up Halo and Fallen, even though they...more

154 likes · like · see review

Jun 28, 2011 Lora rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone looking for a GOOD YA paranormal series

Shelves: g-ya-angels, series-still-follow

Clara Gardner is a Quartarious angel-blood. This means that one quarter of her blood is that of an angel's. This gives her wings that she's not yet learned how to use and abilities that are still developing. Lately strange visions of a mysterious boy and fire have been plaguing her, and that's just one aspect in the myriad of things she's yet to understand about her place on this earth. Believing that these visions are tied to her "purpose"---the one thing all angel-bloods are charged with accom...more

46 likes · like · see review

Mar 14, 2011 Wendy Darling rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-ya, pn-angels, young-adult, read-2011, crush-worthy-boys, 2011-favorites, snowy, 2011-publication, read-2012

4.5 out of 5 stars Finally, a well-written angel series! Clara's physical appearance, the wings, the flying, the "glory"--make angels sound impossibly beautiful. The descriptions are so well done that you can really picture and feel what it would like to be in the presence of one. The supernatural aspects are well-balanced by a solid grounding in Clara's day to day life as a teenager with excellent descriptions of school projects, relationships with her friends and her brother, and especially he...more

86 likes · like · see review

Feb 24, 2011 Penny rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Lovers of YA paranormal romance/anyone who's lost interest in the genre

Recommended to Penny by: Tatiana

Shelves: paranormal-romance, penny-s-favorite-books, reviewed-books, angels-demons

When I saw that one of my favorite goodreaders, Tatiana, gave this book four stars I thought she'd gone insane. I mean, it's a YA book featuring angels for crying out loud! Surely it can't be good let alone worthy of four whole stars from Tatiana, so clearly she lost her mind. But I purchased the audiobook anyway because it was January 13th and I was anxiously awaiting the release of Shadowfever which was still five days away at the time. Plus it didn't hurt that this audiobook was reasonably pr...more

57 likes · like · see review

Jul 01, 2011 Elle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-of-series, 2011-read, heart-fluttering, own-read, fantasy-and-paranormal, elles-reviews

I feel it only fair to warn you guys that I am involved in a one-sided fictional relationship with Cynthia Hand. In which we spend our evenings sipping martinis and laughing hysterically at the craptasticness of all the recent angel novels, while Jericho Barrons kneels at my side sporting a Galactica flight suit and feeding me chocolate-dipped cherries.

(Apparently, my fantasies have a knack for getting out of control at times. Just roll with it).

Anyhoodle, Unearthly is a delicious cheese-filled...more

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Jan 04, 2012 Kira rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: angels-and-demons, ya, awesome-heroine, not-amazing-but-not-shit, will-read-the-next-one

Well, well, well. It's angels again.

Angelology is back-breaking work. I have a trunked angel work that I will one day revisit. I've worked too hard to drop it. And I mean that sincerely. I began writing it two years ago, and I am still not finished with the research. I still have stacks and stacks of angel-related references lying around, from fiction to dictionary-format archives, from endless websites to spin-off scripture, from links to Renaissance artwork to holy books. I've read both the To...more

53 likes · like · see review

Jan 02, 2011 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own-arc, books-i-own, favorites, signed-books

I read this book back in October.... and I've been dying for it to be released to other people could bask in it's fabulousness!! I have to say that in the midst of all the 'angel' themed book hitting the YA market right now. This one is my favorite! (of the ones I've read so far....)

Let's talk about how wonderful this book is, shall we?

I was so glad that Clara knew she was angel. This isn't a story of a girl discovering an she's part angel... even though I initially thought it was because the sy...more I read this book back in October.... and I've been dying for it to be released to other people could bask in it's fabulousness!! I have to say that in the midst of all the 'angel' themed book hitting the YA market right now. This one is my favorite! (of the ones I've read so far....)

Let's talk about how wonderful this book is, shall we?

I was so glad that Clara knew she was angel. This isn't a story of a girl discovering an she's part angel... even though I initially thought it was because the synopsis I read said "When Clara Gardner leans she's part angel...." at least the one above says she "recently learned"... but I think both of them are a little misleading. Yes, she's recently discovered she's an angel, but I think the novel is about much more than that. I mean you could totally take out the angel part and it could easily be a novel about a girl choosing between her heart and her duty. Except the angel aspect makes it so much more awesome!

Hand's writing is so very easy to read, it seemed like I had just turned a few pages, when actually I was a few hundred pages in. And if her descriptions of Wyoming do not make you want to pack a bag and jet-set to this beautiful area, I think you might be a little bit crazy.

Clara is a character you are going to like. Despite her angel-i-ness she is very much a normal teen girl. Insecure, smart.... she underestimates herself, but I think that is what made me like her. She's the type of character that you'd want to be friends with. And the boys. I can' fail to mention the boys. Totally DID NOT see some of that coming, I don't really want to give to much away... but whew. Watching the relationships develop between Clara and Tucker and Christian was probably my favorite part of the novel, especially the slow, sweet relationship between Tucker and Clara. Awwww. I probably shouldn't have said that! These boys couldn't be more different..... and I'm very interested to see how it's going to play out with all the developments at the end.

Speaking of developments at the end.... there are quite a few. There is some resolution, but we also get an open can of worms.... a big can. There is definitely more to this angel business than what Clara is privy to, and I'm interested in finding out what exactly it is.

Unearthly is a perfect blend of realism with a supernatural twist, not to mention a unpredictable plot line and a beautiful love story. Everything that I want in a story and more. Can't wait to be captivated by the rest of this series.(less)

38 likes · like · see review

Nov 05, 2011 Vinaya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-liked, ya-fantasy

Is this a revolutionary, earth-shattering book that will change the face of YA fantasy? No. Is this a book that will forever change the way people look at angels? No. Is this a riveting, un-put-downable read that will make it to the top of the bestseller lists? No. Should people read this book? Absolutely. Now, I know you're thinking I'm bonkers, but let me tell you why 'Unearthly', despite it's girl-next-door appearance, should be winning Miss America.

But before I begin, may I just say how str...more Is this a revolutionary, earth-shattering book that will change the face of YA fantasy? No. Is this a book that will forever change the way people look at angels? No. Is this a riveting, un-put-downable read that will make it to the top of the bestseller lists? No. Should people read this book? Absolutely. Now, I know you're thinking I'm bonkers, but let me tell you why 'Unearthly', despite it's girl-next-door appearance, should be winning Miss America.

But before I begin, may I just say how strongly I feel that whoever wrote the blurb for this book ought to be fired. And when s/he's walking out of the building, throw a ten-ton stone from the twelfth floor on his/her head. Seriously. Read this blurb.

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.

Now, if you're like me, and have read too many terrible YA PNRs to count, this blurb pretty much represents your worst nightmare. It's got all the ingredients necessary for a horrible cliched story that reminds you of every other story of this sort you have ever read. Love triangle, check. Boy of your dreams (literally!), check. Small town school with dark mysterious beings in the woods, check. And so on. So you read the blurb, and you shudder at the prospect of reading this book, and you move on (like I did). Then someone whose taste you trust writes a review and says, this is a fabulous book, you should read it. And you read it, and like it, and then you get to the point I started out from, which is, the death of the blurb-writer.

Unearthly is a book that is absolutely worth reading. When I first started it, I was like, why are people recommending this book to me?! There were prophetic dreams of hot boys and now Clara (what a horrible name, btw) was moving across the country to get to said hot boy. Obviously she was going to meet him, and he was going to fall for her super-specialness, that he managed to divine by glancing at her boobs and she was going to fall for his pretty face, since fate had decreed it so. Welcome to the Twilight Zone (pun intended). But I was SO wrong. Cynthia Hand twists her story very, very cleverly. SO much so that you're feeling all smug and superior for more than half of the book because all your expectations of shitty YA fantasy have come true. And then, halfway through, all your expectations are shattered and you're no longer reading about some stereotypical names-on-a-page, They have actually become real people with real problems, and everyday emotions.

So Clara ends up falling not for some guy she's only seen in her dreams, but for an actual person with whom she has spent time, someone with flaws, someone who gets her, and whom she gets. And more importantly, once they have fallen in love, it is not all smooth sailing. It's not like "Oh, you're angel, that's great, I have no issues with the fact that you start going out with me without giving me some pertinent details about your life." Because, you know, real people aren't really like that. If you lie to them, they get angry, and they want you to go away. (Becca Fitzpatrick, take note!)

I also like that all the other female characters in this book aren't bitchy wanna-bes who pale in comparison to the heroine. Even Dream Boy's bitchy-seeming girlfriend has a core of humanity; Clara's best friend is not some milk-and-water miss but a dark girl with bite and an actual personality. Clara's mom is a little annoying, but Hand does a good job with making her convincingly secretive. Clara has a believable love-hate relationship with her brother.

There are a lot of open-ended plotlines in the book that I am looking forward to exploring in the next book. I actually like Clara and Christian and Tucker, none of whom are too good to be true, and I'm looking forward to seeing what their story is going to be. Unearthly does a great job stirring up interest for the series, and it is a relief to read about teens with healthy relationships who can be counted on to behave like normal people. Glory be !

(less)

51 likes · like · see review

Feb 22, 2011 Nomes rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, lived-up-to-the-hype, paranormal-stuff, faves-of-2011, i-had-no-idea-i-would-love-this-so, i-own, love-triangle, rainy-day-comfort-reads, swoon-worthy-crushes

4.5 and a definite favourite of mine :)

My review: ...in which I RAVE about a paranormal YA (!)

Mate, how much did I LOVE this book?

So... when I read Unearthly ~ it was just the perfect book for the mood I was in:

seamless, well-written prose that's easy to sink into (the pages fly by ~ OKAY, so I got addicted and couldn't put it down...). A main character to love, a couple of fictional boys whom I was oh-so-delighted to be introduced to, and a story that kept me charmed the whole way through.

You...more 4.5 and a definite favourite of mine :)

My review: ...in which I RAVE about a paranormal YA (!)

Mate, how much did I LOVE this book?

So... when I read Unearthly ~ it was just the perfect book for the mood I was in:

seamless, well-written prose that's easy to sink into (the pages fly by ~ OKAY, so I got addicted and couldn't put it down...). A main character to love, a couple of fictional boys whom I was oh-so-delighted to be introduced to, and a story that kept me charmed the whole way through.

You know when you read a book and then later emerge from the pages and feel like you have literally been transported to another place and time? That was me and Unearthly ~ the setting was LOVELY ~ I just soaked it up. It was so easy to become immersed in it: the small town vibe, the high school halls and the forest ~ all beautiful.

The characters are REAL, man. Like contemp characters: fleshed out and interesting and Clara is an MC you will fall in love with. She's spunky and fun, and also a little unsure of herself. I LOVED her brother and her mum and the family dynamic. I liked the semi-complicated girl friendships, and I ADORED the two boys in Clara's life

I LOVE a convincing and anti-melodramatic love triangle. Hand has NAILED it in Unearthly. She has all the right components that make it a compelling, non-cliche, tangled-up swoon-y triangle. AND, the LOVE STORY that emerges in the second half of the book would rival some of your favourite YA couples ~ it has so many funny, fun, genuine, butterflies in your tummy moments. Sigh... I LOVE that feeling of swooning along with the MC and I would DARE you not to swoon in this book :) Young TUCKER has leapt on to my literary crush list ~ what a guy ;)

The whole VIBE of the book was just refreshing. It's a book you could happily pass on to younger YA readers (the angle lore was done really well, it felt good and clean and intriguing) ~ yet will also appeal to anyone who enjoys a GOOD coming-of age. There was nothing tacky or cringe-worthy about it.

Unearthly also features a pretty STUNNING kind-of twist in the climax ~ which has me SO hanging out for the sequel ~ yet it didn't leave me with a painful cliff-hanger. Perfectly done.

Recommended: why, yes, yes, yes. You know when Anna and the French Kiss came out ~ and non-contemp readers were falling all over it and in love? Unearthly is (for me) it's paranormal equivalent. I have fallen in love with it ~ I couldn't put it down. I swooned, I found it utterly compelling with gorgeous prose and charming characters. It's a definite favourite of mine. <3 <3 <3(less)

23 likes · like · see review

Mar 30, 2012 Emily May rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-na, pnr, 2011, angels, its-me-not-you, love-triangle

I always feel a little bad when I disagree with the majority about a book, like there must be something I'm missing or I obviously didn't 'get' it. I do understand why a lot of people enjoyed Unearthly and there were parts I liked too... but I still wasn't blown away. As far as young adult stories about angels go, this is probably one of the best - only, that's not really saying much. I found the book okay in many ways, I don't have a huge rant to make about girls who are obsessed with boys over everything else, or just plain annoying... but the most dominant emotion I felt through a lot of this novel was boredom.

It seems that my expectations are always going to be ripped apart and tossed aside. If I'd opened this book expecting to hate it, I'd probably have written a 5-star dazzling review. As it happens, I was hyped up on all the rave reviews, even from some of my hardest-to-please friends and I kept reading on and on and waiting for the plot or characters to grab me so I'd think "yes, I definitely see why everyone loves this!" but it never happened that way. It starts with a mysterious vision that sounded potentially very interesting, which then leads our protagonist (Clara) and her family to Wyoming in order to follow the call of her angelic purpose (she's part angel). From there the story simply seems to spiral off into another high school drama. Clara's angelic purpose all centres around the hottest and most popular boy in school and she then, of course, becomes immediate enemies with his equally gorgeous and popular girlfriend. Then we get to an array of proms, boy troubles, class projects and finally the realisation that maybe mr popular-angelic-purpose is not the one Clara truly wants to be with.

It was all fine, I just never got a sense of "wow" or any particular need to stalk Amazon until Hallowed comes out. I wanted very much to like it, I don't know if my expectations were too high but I obviously missed what makes this book so special. That's why I'd still recommend this book to anyone who loves a bit of young adult paranormalness (not a word??) because I'm fairly sure that the problem was my own. Everyone I've talked to loved this book and I'm not entirely sure why I just couldn't get into it. The characters were varied and interesting, there were some parts I found quite funny, it just... I don't know. The best thing I can tell you in this review is to read it for yourself.

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40 likes · like · see review

Oct 04, 2011 Giselle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, paranormal

Lovely!! I really, really enjoyed this. It's a YA novel, but somehow it felt very different. For once, it wasn't just about the paranormal aspect, or the exciting new world the protagonist is thrown in. It was about finding oneself. Trying to fit in. Finding love. Life (with wings!)!! Everything I was hoping for while going into this.

Clara is part angel, and she has just received a hint of what her purpose on earth is. After finding out the location, they pack up and move there. It's quite a bi...more Lovely!! I really, really enjoyed this. It's a YA novel, but somehow it felt very different. For once, it wasn't just about the paranormal aspect, or the exciting new world the protagonist is thrown in. It was about finding oneself. Trying to fit in. Finding love. Life (with wings!)!! Everything I was hoping for while going into this.

Clara is part angel, and she has just received a hint of what her purpose on earth is. After finding out the location, they pack up and move there. It's quite a big change for Clara and her brother: California to the middle of nowhere, hick town. I loved the setting of this book. I loved the scenery descriptions. The country appeal. I'm a country girl myself - not as hardcore (I don't ride horses or fish) but it still had the small town charm that I grew up in. Everyone ~~is in everyone's business~~ knows everyone else, it's sweet!

The whole time I was reading I was completely into the story. I never once pondered where we were going with this and what the point of it all was. It just had a great flow that you could just breeze through the story and enjoy every minute of it. The plot of soft and sweet. It's not tedious, it's not a hit in the face, it builds up gently and manages to suck you in completely. You get a chance to care for the characters, for their lives and their relationships.

As for the characters. I adored them. Especially the way they were all present. They all had a purpose in the story and they all had distinct voices and personalities. I love when an author manages to do that. What really stood out for me was the fact that her mother was very present and motherly - which is often overlooked in YA. Likewise, her brother was also how I imagine having a brother would be like. Sometimes a pain in the butt, sometimes an accomplice. I imagine we haven't heard the end of him as well. But the protagonist - Clara - she's great! Finally a girl who does not see a guy and immediately yearns for him as though she can't live another second without him. Those often lack way too much chemistry. The romance in Unearthly was totally and completely sweet! It did NOT go at all in the direction I was sure Hand was going to go make it go in. It really took me by surprise that she took a much different route from other YA novels. I truly enjoyed how it all transpired.

The highlight of this book is definitely the character development with just a bit of world build up. The angel picture I have in my mind is absolutely stunning. I loved all the details we were given and how beautiful it all seems. as for the plot - there wasn't any big plot developments, but it's coming. I'm happy she didn't go all "Whoo apocalypse" right away. I love getting to know and care for the characters before the big story materializes. It builds up realism as well as charisma.

This novel was pure flowing beauty!(less)

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May 30, 2011 Nic rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, angels, favourites, swoon-worthy-read

Edit: This is how I imagine Tucker http://irresistiblereads.blogspot.com...

Favourite Quote: "He seems to gaze right into me, like he's seeing me for who I truly am. And in that moment, I want to tell him the truth. Crazy, I know. Stupid. Wrong. I try to take a step back, but my foot slips and I almost go headfirst into the river but he catches me."

Wow! Surprisingly I loved it! I have been having a bad run with angel books lately. But this is exactly what I have been looking for. Unearthly has an...more

31 likes · like · see review

Nov 08, 2011 Bonnie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Bonnie by: Wendy Darling

Shelves: pn-angels, ya, the-love-triangle-of-doom

4.5 stars

Interested in more of my reviews? Visit my blog!

Alright, yes, I admit… it’s November 2011 and I’m just now getting around to reading this. I was extremely skeptical about this one regardless of the glowing reviews. Honestly I wasn’t expecting much from a YA paranormal romance book about angels. I can’t even count how many issues this book could potentially have… but I decided to read this at the perfect time because I was totally in the mood for something exactly like this.

The Storyline...more

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May 29, 2011 Lisa O. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, ya-lit, swoooooon

3.5 stars.

It's been 2 days since I finished the book and I haven't written a review earlier because I couldn't make up my mine whether to give it 3 or 4 stars. So I settled for the half star.

Unearthly is the story of Clara, a 17 year old quarter-angel girl. That is, she is the daughter of a half-angel, a Nephilim, who then married a human and procreated an (actually two, Clara has a brother Jeffrey) offspring with one quarter angel blood. In this reality where angels exist, their scope in life i...more

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May 20, 2013 Komal Mikaelson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cover-lust, really-looking-forward-to-this, abnormal-behaviour, cliched, beyond-comprehnsion, confusing-ending, damn-cliffhanger, dragging, friendship, hilarious, huge-letdown, light-read, love-fucking-triangle, mehhh, swoon-worthy-hero, so-s-l-o-w, why-the-hype

Initial Reaction After Completion

This reaction is due to that what-the-fuck ending

This was a fun, enjoyable read. Among the disastrous Angel PNR novels out there, this one is much better.
And I liked it. No scratch that. I really, really liked it.
There are, undoubtedly, better books out there, but so are worse. I will confess, I won't remember the plot or the characters verbatim in the days to come, because it just wasn't that good. And I'm definitely not going to reread it.

But it was enterta...more

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Oct 11, 2011 Lissa added it

Shelves: kick-ass-heroine, love-this-boy, 2011

EDIT
I am jacking this up to 5 stars because I keep thinking about it, and how great it is, and how much I want to re-read it. I think the only reason I originally gave it 4.5 stars is because it's written in present tense, which I HATE WITH A PASSION. But I have come to realise that marking a book down half a star for a stylistic device that I hate but that actually works in the novel isn't really fair. It's still a great story with hardly any plot holes, a decent lead heroine who isn't shitty i...more

15 likes · like · see review

Oct 13, 2011 Trinity rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, lets-hear-it-for-the-boys, young-adult, sawoon, paranormal, awesome-sauce

Hello my name is Clara and I dye my hair with Clairol.

So um this book swept me away.

shut up.

Who here, put up your hand be honest, hears the words Angel fiction and has trouble keeping down their lunch. Nobody? Well I just feel like a ~~hard arse~~ cynic then. This book and me we had some words before we started. We had a good long sit down in which I informed said book that I am only reading it due to all the love and high fives its been getting from my booker friends (and cos Emily sent it to me an...more

15 likes · like · see review

Jul 21, 2012 Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-of-summer-12, ooh-pretty-cover, angels, young-adult, fantasy, paranormal, romance

This review is also featured on Tasty Books!

A typical conversation I have with my friends/family:

Me (Reading something): UGH I HATE THIS SHIT SO MUCH.
Friend/Family member: Then why don't you stop reading it?
Me: Because ... what if it spontaneously becomes awesome or something? I know, it never really happens, but WHAT IF.

And it's true. It hardly happens. It's very rare that I start off hating a book, and then end up really liking it. I can only think of a handful of times it has happened. ... We...more

26 likes · like · see review

Aug 19, 2012 Nina ♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: angels/mythology fans

Shelves: first-in-series, favorites, ridiculously-hot-guys

What a beautiful cover! ~~It's a shame I have the blue one.~~

“So often we only do what we think is expected of us, when we are capable of so much more.”

4.5 stars.

-Review-

Oh man, this was good. I never expected it to be so good. I was blown away by the sheer goodness of this book that I stayed up until 4:00 am to finish it, which I never do. The only reason I didn't read Unearthly when it first came out was because of all the hype--that is usually why I read or don't read a book. I didn't particularl...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Liz rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: why-the-hype

Just 3 stars.

And another angel-book.
Clara is partly an angel and she starts having visions of a boy in the woods during a fire. Her mother, also partly an angel, decides to move to closer to this forest to find the mysterious boy because each angel has a task he or she has to fulfill.
In the new school Clara soon meets Christian, the boy from her visions and is immediately drawn to him.
But at the same time she has to deal with her problem of not being human, because the angel blood inside her...more

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Nov 16, 2011 Jasprit rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: love-the-cover, literary-crushes, read-in-2011, paranormal, ya, romance

Lately it seems to be a habit of mine of jumping on a bandwagon after it’s long gone. Whereas most of my Goodreads friends were enthusiastically gushing over Hallowed I still had to pick up Unearthly, so finally after some not so subtle prodding in the right direction I finally caved and started my copy.

My previous reading experience regarding books with angel storylines hasn’t been so great; (Hush Hush and Crescendo) being some of the ones I’d read, I liked them but Unearthly was another kettl...more

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Dec 31, 2011 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Four stars: A wonderful debut book! I highly recommend this one!

This was my first book about angels and what a pleasant surprise it was! As intriguing as the whole angel aspect was, I admit I was more enamored with the setting, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It is the absolute best part of this novel. Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons, are an excellent backdrop, to this beautiful story about a young lady, plagued by visions of a forest fire and a handsome, young stranger. Clara is not your average girl....more

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Jan 18, 2012 Tanu rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I can not believe I am giving this book 3.5 star. I mean, for most of the first half of the book, I was hating it and wondering why so many people with such excellent taste liked this book. After going over their review again, I devised this hypothesis: All the YA sommeliers out there had endured books like Halo, and other bad pnr. Thus this book must have felt like heaven in comparison.

Hence to fully appreciate this book, I must read crap first.

Since I am not mad or anything, I wouldn't do th...more

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Jun 22, 2011 ♔ Leah. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reccomended-by-friends, heroines-i-love, fantastic-fantasy, koh-i-noor-of-young-adult, angels-and-demons

Many YA books leave me either— annoyed, frustrated and just goddamn enraged. Especially the mythology fail involved with it which leaves me banging my head against the wall. I've had my bad share of YA books based on angel mythology— like Hush, Hush and Halo, both of which infuriate me and I shall come to them later.

(Warning: spoilers ahead)

However, when I read Unearthly, I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't suck as a YA novel and one that is based on angels. First of all, let me just say...more

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Jan 06, 2011 Brittany rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Brittany by: Saw on Goodreads

Shelves: reviewed, favourites

WOW! What else can I say? This book is amazing! It was unlike other Angel books I have read and was completely new and unique.

Clara has know for since she was fourteen that she is part Angel. 1/4, to be precise. Now at the age of sixteen she begins to have visions of a boy in a forest fire - this is her 'Purpose'. (All part angels have a purpose that they must fulfill). Clara's mother is half Angel and is determined to help her daughter find out about her purpose. Once they find out where Clara...more WOW! What else can I say? This book is amazing! It was unlike other Angel books I have read and was completely new and unique.

Clara has know for since she was fourteen that she is part Angel. 1/4, to be precise. Now at the age of sixteen she begins to have visions of a boy in a forest fire - this is her 'Purpose'. (All part angels have a purpose that they must fulfill). Clara's mother is half Angel and is determined to help her daughter find out about her purpose. Once they find out where Clara's vision is occurring, She her mother and her brother all move to the place - Wyoming. Here she meets her vision boy and learns that his name is Christian and also an 'annoying' boy named Tucker her calls her carrots.

The characters in Unearthly were one of the main reasons I loved it so much other than the amazing story and plot. I liked Clara as a character. She thought for herself, followed her heart and was a brave character though she did have flaws. I thought this was good though it made me like her more. The two main guy characters were interesting too. I love Tucker though. He started started off portrayed as bit of a jerk but he turned out to be amazing and sweet. Christian was a good character too though and I can't wait to find out what happens with him in the next book.

I seriously expected Clara to end up with Christian. Because I usually I can predict books like these - WRONG. Unlike a lot of other YA novels these days there is a build up to the romance in this book. At first Clara and Tucker don't get on and she thinks she likes Christian. But when she starts to spend a lot of time with Tucker and gets to know him, she falls in love.

Cynthia Hand created an amazing world within this book. The plot was excellent and kept me interested right till the very end - and even after I finished! There were also plot twists that made the book more interesting with Angela, the black wings and the final one with Tuck and Christian - OMG.

Overall, I enjoyed Unearthly very very much and am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series! I'm really eager to know what happens after THAT ending. And also - more Tucker! (:

(less)

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Aug 04, 2012 Keertana rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: why-the-hype

Rating: 2.5 Stars

I just want to let you all know that while I'm writing this, I am also building a fort. Yes, a fort to protect me from all the boulders and bombs that will most likely be thrown my way for highly disliking this novel. It doesn't matter that my fort is made of pillows or that it contains highly flammable books inside it - the point is, I have a fort. Thus, I hope you won't attack me since...well...I have a fort!

Part 1: In Which I "Get It"

I get it. I seriously do. I get wh...more

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Jun 24, 2011 Ashleigh Paige rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: the-great-shelf-of-awesome, h-y-p-e-project

Also appears on The YA Kitten. Read and reviewed for the H.Y.P.E. Project

Clara Gardner is a quarter angel, properly called Quartarius, and she has a special purpose she was put on Earth to do. Disorienting visions of a fire and a dark-haired teenage boy it seems she's supposed to rescue take her from California to Jackson Hole, Wyoming after some investigation. The boy, Christian, barely takes notice of her at first and then there's that stupid Tucker, who has way too much fun teasing her. Clara...more

9 likes · like · see review

Aug 01, 2011 Dija rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, cover-heaven, ya, uf-or-pnr, authors-i-stalk, my-reviews, first-in-series

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Review: It's been a long time since a book has completely floored me. Unearthly managed to do just that, and then some. This book begins with a gorgeous cover and ends with one hell of a cliffhanger. Simply put, I LOVED this book!!

The first thing that impressed me about Unearthly ~~after the cover, that is~~ was the simple yet amazing writing style. I love Hand's writing, I can't believe how smoothly the story flows from one scene to another. I like how her writing manages to be eff...more

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Jan 04, 2012 Lina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: angel-fiction, awesome-female-lead, favorites, love-interest-had-a-personality, mother-daughter, please-read-and-educate-yourself, secondary-characters-ftw, sequel-bait-ending, teen-fiction-fantasy, ya

Angel fiction has been one of the most disappointing trends in young adult literature. I think only the Dystopian trend has exceeded its level of research-fails and poor world-building. Unearthly is without a doubt, one of the best angel-fiction books in the young-adult genre, and certainly one the most entertaining.

When you start Unearthly, it feels like you already know what is going to happen. The blurb for this book should be burnt because it does not give the book any credit at all--also t...more Angel fiction has been one of the most disappointing trends in young adult literature. I think only the Dystopian trend has exceeded its level of research-fails and poor world-building. Unearthly is without a doubt, one of the best angel-fiction books in the young-adult genre, and certainly one the most entertaining.

When you start Unearthly, it feels like you already know what is going to happen. The blurb for this book should be burnt because it does not give the book any credit at all--also the painfully annoying pretty girl in a prom dress cover does it no favors.

Unearthly is the story of Clara Gardner, a one-fourth angel, who has prophetic dreams about saving a young man from a fire. This is part of her "purpose" and family moves from California to Wyoming in order to fulfill this goal.

The story is engaging, it is nice to see an angel actually having a reason to exist in our world that isn't just "I'm going to angst and be sad and whine that I'm not special." Clara herself is a fun protagonist. She's smart and self-aware. While she has her moments of t.s.t.l she quickly realizes these things and isn't afraid to apologize. Her mother actually serves a role and her family feels like a family, not just cardboard backdrops to fill out characters. The love interest angle in this book was one of my favorites and I hope that the sequel handles this aspect as well as it played out here. I especially love the (view spoiler) shout out.

One of the things I really enjoyed in this book was the angel mythos. You can tell Hand went out of her way and really thought about the ideas she was putting down on paper. There is a lot of religious subtext and allusions in the story that are not ham-fisted down, but still work in order to develop the mythology. I especially enjoyed the Black Wings and how they were portrayed.

Of course there is always a downside. I wasn't happy with the slut-shaming way that the character of Kay was treated and the character herself seemed tacked on as if there had to be a conflict. I thought the pacing towards the ending was rushed and that the climax itself felt a little flat compared to the rest of the book.

For the faults this book has, it is well-written with most of the characters being fun and semi-fleshed out. The lead was great, the love interest was great, the family dynamic was great and I just found this book to be enjoyable all around.

4/5(less)

11 likes · like · see review

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Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Young Adult Book ...: Tucker and Christian (possible spoilers)	10	54	May 18, 2013 10:55am
If Unearthly became a movie who would play the characters? Espeacially Clara and Tucker!!	43	154	May 18, 2013 09:07am
Young Adult Reads: Unearthly vs. Hallowed vs. Boundless	8	75	May 08, 2013 03:27pm
YA/NA FANATICS: April BOTM Discussion for Unearthly	49	49	May 04, 2013 08:04pm
Word Game	12	21	May 01, 2013 12:59am
Young Adult Book ...: Angels & Purpose (possible spoilers)	18	43	Apr 29, 2013 02:17pm
Young Adult Book ...: Unearthly Series (possible spoilers)	14	44	Apr 25, 2013 10:33am

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About Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand grew up in southeast Idaho (very near the Wyoming border). Currently she lives in southern California with her husband and two small children. She teaches courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Unearthly series with HarperTeen: UNEARTHLY, published in 2011, HALLOWED published January 17, 2012, and BOUNDLESS, due out in...more

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Lost Scene from Hallowed (Unearthly, #2.1)

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Quotes from Unearthly

“Tucker: "But she gave me the perfect gift."
Clara: "What?"
Tucker: "You.” — 699 people liked it

“So often we only do what we think is expected of us, when we are capable of so much more.” — 663 people liked it

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