*This title will be released on January 4, 2011*
|
 | Title: Unearthly Reading level: Young Adult
Source: NetGalley |
Here’s the cover for the AU version—so much better! 
Book Description
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 it 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?
Review
UNEARTHLY is the story I was hoping for when I saw the cover of HALO (there’s even a scene in the book where the couple embraces at sunrise). It’s sweet and lovely, with a wonderful new heroine and a deeply romantic story.
Angel stories are all the rage in Paranormal YA fiction right now. Personally, I’ve been growing a little weary of them lately (especially after reading HALO), but UNEARTHLY has made angels so enchanting, so new that I’m back on the bandwagon.
UNEARTHLY reminded me a lot of WINGS and THE BODY FINDER in terms of tone, the pure loveliness of the romance, and wise yet in no way pretentious heroine. Clara is one of the best YA heroines I’ve read in a long time. She is witty, kind, and determined all while being a believable seventeen year old with all the insecurities and hang-ups common to all teenagers, except heightened because of her angel heritage.
Speaking of angels, the mythology in UNEARTHLY is pretty straightforward and nicely sidesteps the religious connotations that can get a bit messy when dealing with angels. Clara is a quarter angel. She gets wings and a few other divine perks, but she’s pretty low on the power scale and is still learning to master her abilities (like failing to diminish her angelic appearance and having to dye her glowing hair a hideous shade of orange right before starting a new school). Yeah, imagine that first impression.
Easily my favorite part of UNEARTHLY was the romance. It’s not at all what I expected, but it’s the surprising direction it takes that makes it so memorable. There’s a genuine tenderness that grows between Clara and her love interest that is still resonating with me. Really beautiful. I’m thrilled this is the start of a new series and I’m already looking forward to the sequel.
Sexual Content: Kissing. References to rape
My Rating:
4/5
Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & pre-order the sequel.
Previous books in the series:
- N/A
Also reviewed by:
It is amazing the difference a cover makes. I would never look at the first cover, but the second looks interesting...and your review just makes it more tempting.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I agree with Katie. I wouldn't have given the first cover a second glance but the second is gorgeous. And now I've gone and added this to my wishlist just based on your review. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this one a lot. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteThis second one isn't the paperback cover. It's the Australian cover.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying this book right now. So far, we are in agreement. :) Great review. Although... shouldn't the paperback cover have a blue dress? ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Abigail - Yep, I agree all the way. This was such a superior example compared to Halo, and I'm so glad I read it. The love story was genuine and true, and it doesn't get much better than that. A good paranormal YA for us romance fans, that's for sure.
ReplyDeletethose covers are lovely! I think I will give them a try.
ReplyDeleteKatie - Sad how much we're influenced by the visual, isn't it? I would not have picked this up based on the cover & I should NOT have picked up Halo based on it's cover ;)
ReplyDeleteKelly - The second cover is so striking. Such a shame we don't get it. But the story more than makes up for its ho-hum cover.
brandieleigh - Oh good. Me too!
Anonymous - You're right. On Goodreads it looked the paperback. That's a bummer.
Melissa - I thought the same thing! Maybe they made it red in the AU story?
Rebecca - I'm so glad because I was ready to be done with angels for awhile after Halo. Unearthly has really breathed fresh air into them.
Sharon - Excellent. Let me know what you think of the story.
Sounds like a lovely story, I can't wait to pick it up!
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to this novel. Thanks for the great review. Do you know when the paperback version is releasing? I like both covers... Can't decide which one I like more.
ReplyDeleteJulia - It's on Netgalley if you want to grab it :)
ReplyDeleteSara - I goofed on that. It's the AU version.
I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book. I am amazed it is the authors first novel, she did a great job! There was depth to the characters, they were likable and the story is completely original and enjoyable. I hope the next book comes out soon though because i want answers to the ending!
ReplyDelete