Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

GoodReads Description:
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?

My Review:

I LOVED Unearthly! I am so mad at myself for waiting until I absolutely HAD to turn it back into the library to read it! It was one of those books that make you have a hangover...i.e. you stay up so late reading it that when you get up you are tired, cranky, and basically feel like you had a rough night.

Right from the beginning I loved the angel lore that was incorporated into the story. There was a lot of well thought out details that really added to the story and made it very complete.  I love how despite the whole plot revolving around angels, there isn't a huge religious tone to it. God is referenced, but it isn't in an intense way. L.A. Banks has interesting books, but for me, they were too heavy on the religion side. I think I managed to make it 3 books into her Dimali Richards series before I couldn't take the religion any more.

When Clara's purpose took her to Wyoming, I was excited. Currently, a lot of YA books take place either in populous cities, or in boarding schools. Having the book take place in the boonies was a kind of nice change. Of course, the first thing that happens in Wyoming is that Clara gets on the wrong side of the resident pretty, popular, mean girl. Then when Clara finds Christian, the guy she's been having visions of, I was all prepared to love him. His description is so amazing you can't help but fall in love with his messy brown hair and blue eyes. But then he's just...cold...and impassive. He's not mean...he just doesn't care. He doesn't want to get to know Clara, and his friends are douche bags that make fun of her...the scene in the Pizza Hut was SO mortifying. Of course, to be a foil to this inattentive, polite, good looking god, Tucker Avery comes along with his wildly perceptive, kind of rude, and fantastically good looking self. Though Tucker's attentions typically stray toward the irreverent and annoying barbs he throws at Clara, he is funny and at least he's paying attention to her.

Later on when things develop a little more, I love Love LOVE Tucker and Clara together...screw the fact that her "purpose" says that  she's supposed to be with Christian...Tucker is fabulous! He's got that rugged outdoorsy hotness that is hard to find in city boys. Now me, I hate country boys...it has been my experience that they are all brawn and no brains, but there is no denying that all that muscle that they pack on from hard manual labor isn't totally 100% swoonworthy. Plus, Tucker isn't just biceps...he is witty and clever, and nice. I love the scenes where he shows Clara all the cool outdoorsy stuff that you can do. The imagery was great; you could almost picture a sunrise coming up over the Grand Tetons or the way the sunlight glints off the rivers and lakes. There was a TOTAL twist at the end that I couldn't see coming at all and it made the book that much more interesting and deep. Loved it!

Rating: Since I haven't read any angel/nephillium books this story was super original and interesting to me. Idk if it was truly that original or if every other angel book is similar, but to me, it was awesome. I loved the writing, the imagery, the characters, everything. I give Unearthly a solid 9/10. I Really enjoyed it, and look forward to reading the sequel.