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writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read many paranormal books about angels and haven't felt really drawn to them. I enjoyed Unearthly though and liked it, but didn't love it. I liked that there was no insta-love (Yay!). I like that she chooses the person she loves instead of it being some fixed destiny. The boy she falls for had a great personality once we got to know him and I thought their romance was really sweet. I liked the hints that something more is to come. There are definitely mysteries surrounding both her mom and brother and also her whole purpose thing and how it relates to Christian. The not so good things were: nothing much really happens in the book (I'm assuming more will happen in the next one); I pretty much figured out way early on in the book the thing that happens at the end when she goes to save Christian; I really didn't care for her friend Angela too much because I thought she was a bit too controlling. I considered reading the next book in the series, but after looking at the reviews decided I wasn't interested in continuing on.
Spoiler
Mainly because it drifts into unnecessary love triangle territory.lynseyisreading's review against another edition
4.0
A YA paranormal that gets my official stamp of approval.
This was a charming read with some truly wonderful endearing teenaged characters. I was delighted both the main character, Clara, and the two boys in her life.
And, yes, sadly that does mean there is a love triangle of sorts in this story (I know - groan. I feel your pain, too). However, it's not quite a simple as all that. I can't really explain why without giving too much away, but suffice it to say, the way it's written is unlike any other love triangle set up I've experienced before, and it left me rather flummoxed. You see, normally, with these love triangles I will simply pick my favourite team and the other one can go jump off a cliff for all I care. But here, with the clever way Hand steered me one way, then all of a sudden threw in a game-changer until I was totally facing the other way, I was left kind of dazed and confused and a little bit in love with both of them. They're just so... nice! You know? Why couldn't one of them be a butthead just to help a girl out, hmm?
Aside from boy troubles, I also really enjoyed the angel mythology aspect. The fact that each angel is taxed with his or her own Purpose (with a capital P) that comes to them through visions somewhere between 14 to 20 years of age. They don't always know what the visions mean right away, as they tend to come to them (rather conveniently) in little short snippets and bursts of images which they have to slowly decipher. It's these visions of a boy and a forest fire that cause our protagonist, Clara, to move with her family from California to Wyoming. She finds the boy but still has no idea how or when she is supposed to fulfil her Purpose, so she sets about trying to settle into the new school and make friends and hopefully, get to know her quarry in the process while she figures it out.
The pacing of this settling in process was quite gentle, and life in Wyoming was portrayed as very peaceful and laid-back, and I enjoyed the imagery Hand provided. As someone who usually enjoys faster-paced novels, I found it surprising how much I enjoyed the pacing and style. It was quite relaxing and the characters personalities were able to slowly emerge, and I really enjoyed getting to know them all.
At the ending we were left with a few loose ends, and I cannot wait to read the next one, Hallowed, to see how everything pans out from here
4 Stars! ★★★★
This was a charming read with some truly wonderful endearing teenaged characters. I was delighted both the main character, Clara, and the two boys in her life.
And, yes, sadly that does mean there is a love triangle of sorts in this story (I know - groan. I feel your pain, too). However, it's not quite a simple as all that. I can't really explain why without giving too much away, but suffice it to say, the way it's written is unlike any other love triangle set up I've experienced before, and it left me rather flummoxed. You see, normally, with these love triangles I will simply pick my favourite team and the other one can go jump off a cliff for all I care. But here, with the clever way Hand steered me one way, then all of a sudden threw in a game-changer until I was totally facing the other way, I was left kind of dazed and confused and a little bit in love with both of them. They're just so... nice! You know? Why couldn't one of them be a butthead just to help a girl out, hmm?
Aside from boy troubles, I also really enjoyed the angel mythology aspect. The fact that each angel is taxed with his or her own Purpose (with a capital P) that comes to them through visions somewhere between 14 to 20 years of age. They don't always know what the visions mean right away, as they tend to come to them (rather conveniently) in little short snippets and bursts of images which they have to slowly decipher. It's these visions of a boy and a forest fire that cause our protagonist, Clara, to move with her family from California to Wyoming. She finds the boy but still has no idea how or when she is supposed to fulfil her Purpose, so she sets about trying to settle into the new school and make friends and hopefully, get to know her quarry in the process while she figures it out.
The pacing of this settling in process was quite gentle, and life in Wyoming was portrayed as very peaceful and laid-back, and I enjoyed the imagery Hand provided. As someone who usually enjoys faster-paced novels, I found it surprising how much I enjoyed the pacing and style. It was quite relaxing and the characters personalities were able to slowly emerge, and I really enjoyed getting to know them all.
At the ending we were left with a few loose ends, and I cannot wait to read the next one, Hallowed, to see how everything pans out from here
4 Stars! ★★★★
ellaca's review against another edition
5.0
This was a unique book. I’ve never read another book about angles like this. But, I liked it!
It was kind of cheesy at times, but cute and enjoyable anyway!
It was kind of cheesy at times, but cute and enjoyable anyway!
hazelaudyy's review against another edition
3.0
Clara Gardner adalah seorang gadis 16 tahun yang 2 tahun lalu baru mengetahui bahwa dirinya seorang Nephilim (keturunan malaikat). Di suatu malam, Clara mendapat penglihatan tentang sebuah kebakaran hutan dan pemuda asing. Awalnya, Clara tidak mengerti maksud penglihatan tersebut. Setelah menceritakannya pada Ibunya tentang penglihatannya malam itu, Clara mengetahui bahwa penglihatannya adalah tujuannya. Bagi malaikat, tujuan adalah salah satu alasan mereka hidup di dunia. Untuk menyelesaikan tujuan Clara, ia dan keluarganya pindah ke Wyoming.
Di Wyoming Clara bersekolah di Jackson Hole High. Langsung memiliki teman dekat bernama Wendy Avery yang memiliki saudara kembar bernama Tucker Avery. Di sekolah tersebut, Clara juga menemukan pemuda yang berada di penglihatannya bernama Christian Prescott. Awal bertemu, Clara langsung mengagumi Christian. Clara kemudian belajar ski dan mengajaknya ke prom agar bisa bertemu dan lebih dekat lagi dengan Christian.
Untuk menyelesaikan tugas Sejarah Inggris, Clara yang dipasangkan dengan Angela harus menyempatkan waktu di luar sekolah untuk berdiskusi. Betapa terkejutnya Clara, bahwa ternyata Angela juga seorang keturunan malaikat seperti dirinya. Bedanya, Angela adalah seorang Dimidius (setengah malaikat) seperti ibunya sedangkan Clara adalah Quartarius (seperempat malaikat). Dari Angela pula, Clara tahu bahwa ternyata ada malaikat jahat yang bernama Sayap Hitam yang saat ini sedang membangun pasukan untuk perang.
selengkapnya di http://handifi-library.blogspot.com/2014/02/unearthly-unearthly-1-chynthia-hand.html
Di Wyoming Clara bersekolah di Jackson Hole High. Langsung memiliki teman dekat bernama Wendy Avery yang memiliki saudara kembar bernama Tucker Avery. Di sekolah tersebut, Clara juga menemukan pemuda yang berada di penglihatannya bernama Christian Prescott. Awal bertemu, Clara langsung mengagumi Christian. Clara kemudian belajar ski dan mengajaknya ke prom agar bisa bertemu dan lebih dekat lagi dengan Christian.
Untuk menyelesaikan tugas Sejarah Inggris, Clara yang dipasangkan dengan Angela harus menyempatkan waktu di luar sekolah untuk berdiskusi. Betapa terkejutnya Clara, bahwa ternyata Angela juga seorang keturunan malaikat seperti dirinya. Bedanya, Angela adalah seorang Dimidius (setengah malaikat) seperti ibunya sedangkan Clara adalah Quartarius (seperempat malaikat). Dari Angela pula, Clara tahu bahwa ternyata ada malaikat jahat yang bernama Sayap Hitam yang saat ini sedang membangun pasukan untuk perang.
selengkapnya di http://handifi-library.blogspot.com/2014/02/unearthly-unearthly-1-chynthia-hand.html
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Why I read it: netgalley review copy
The Plot: This is a really refreshing change from other YA paranormals I've read. There's still a girl who finds out she has paranormal powers, but as the story opens, she already knows she has them. No mysterious hot boy has to give her the news. Does that mean this book is without a mysterious hot boy? Of course not--that'd be asking a little too much, I think. Clara, our main character is an angel-blood. She has recurring dreams about the previously mentioned boy, a forest fire, and that she needs to save him. Her mother explains to her (her mother is also an angel) that this dream is her purpose. So, as details of the dream reveal themselves, they figure out the boy is in Wyoming and move their little family (she also has a brother who is an angel) there. There she begins high school life, trying to fit in, meeting the boy from her dreams, a couple of good friends, and another boy, Tucker, who shows her the beauties of Wyoming (they're in Jackson Hole). So, yes, another thing that would be too much to ask would be no love triangle. We can't have everything. This one is different though, and you'll just have to take my word for it and read it to see why.
The Characters: Clara is actually really likable. She's not bland and boring, all the while attracting the eye of every boy in the story. She just seems to be a fairly normal girl who happens to be an angel. But the real draw, for me, was the love interest. Normally when I read YA paranormals, the minute the love interest is introduced (and throughout the story) I think the guy is such a tool. Only attractive in that the author is telling me so, and not in anything I read in the story. But this time, what's left over of my teenager heart was really crushing on Tucker. Oh how I would have loved an attractive cowboy to show me around beautiful country. Cynthia Hand really does it right here. I'm finally reading a love interest that I can root for.
The Setting: I've already mentioned that most of the story takes place in Jackson, Wyoming. The author does a wonderful job of describing the beauty of the place and making the reader want to be there. I've never actually been there, so I can't say how accurate it is, but if it is anything like how it is in the book, I want to live there.
Who Should Read This? Every fan of YA, especially those who are burned out on the crap (yes, I said crap) that's out there right now.
Final Thoughts: Sometimes you want to read a book that doesn't require a lot of thought, and just sweeps you away in the adventure of the story. This is one of those books. I was charmed the whole way through the novel, and I absolutely adored it. It seems like this has to have a sequel, and I really hope it does. I want to read more by this talented author!
Grade: A
Cover Thoughts: The cover is pretty, but it's a little too pretty for the story. Clara goes hiking, rafting, fishing, flying--she's a girl who seems to love adventure and the outdoors, not an untouchable pretty girl, which is what this picture looks like to me. Still, it could be worse. I can kind of see what they were trying to do here with this cover.
The Plot: This is a really refreshing change from other YA paranormals I've read. There's still a girl who finds out she has paranormal powers, but as the story opens, she already knows she has them. No mysterious hot boy has to give her the news. Does that mean this book is without a mysterious hot boy? Of course not--that'd be asking a little too much, I think. Clara, our main character is an angel-blood. She has recurring dreams about the previously mentioned boy, a forest fire, and that she needs to save him. Her mother explains to her (her mother is also an angel) that this dream is her purpose. So, as details of the dream reveal themselves, they figure out the boy is in Wyoming and move their little family (she also has a brother who is an angel) there. There she begins high school life, trying to fit in, meeting the boy from her dreams, a couple of good friends, and another boy, Tucker, who shows her the beauties of Wyoming (they're in Jackson Hole). So, yes, another thing that would be too much to ask would be no love triangle. We can't have everything. This one is different though, and you'll just have to take my word for it and read it to see why.
The Characters: Clara is actually really likable. She's not bland and boring, all the while attracting the eye of every boy in the story. She just seems to be a fairly normal girl who happens to be an angel. But the real draw, for me, was the love interest. Normally when I read YA paranormals, the minute the love interest is introduced (and throughout the story) I think the guy is such a tool. Only attractive in that the author is telling me so, and not in anything I read in the story. But this time, what's left over of my teenager heart was really crushing on Tucker. Oh how I would have loved an attractive cowboy to show me around beautiful country. Cynthia Hand really does it right here. I'm finally reading a love interest that I can root for.
The Setting: I've already mentioned that most of the story takes place in Jackson, Wyoming. The author does a wonderful job of describing the beauty of the place and making the reader want to be there. I've never actually been there, so I can't say how accurate it is, but if it is anything like how it is in the book, I want to live there.
Who Should Read This? Every fan of YA, especially those who are burned out on the crap (yes, I said crap) that's out there right now.
Final Thoughts: Sometimes you want to read a book that doesn't require a lot of thought, and just sweeps you away in the adventure of the story. This is one of those books. I was charmed the whole way through the novel, and I absolutely adored it. It seems like this has to have a sequel, and I really hope it does. I want to read more by this talented author!
Grade: A
Cover Thoughts: The cover is pretty, but it's a little too pretty for the story. Clara goes hiking, rafting, fishing, flying--she's a girl who seems to love adventure and the outdoors, not an untouchable pretty girl, which is what this picture looks like to me. Still, it could be worse. I can kind of see what they were trying to do here with this cover.
emleemay's review against another edition
3.0
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 [b:Unearthly|7488244|Unearthly (Unearthly, #1)|Cynthia Hand|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1324782984s/7488244.jpg|9621771] 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 [b:Hallowed|11563110|Hallowed (Unearthly, #2)|Cynthia Hand|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1332883896s/11563110.jpg|14532305] 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.
sarahensor123's review against another edition
5.0
This book was SOOOO good! I literally read this in three days. It's one of those books that you can't put down! :)
nomomstayandread's review against another edition
5.0
CW/TW: Off page SA in the past resulting in a child
Clara gets a vision of a 17-ish year old boy standing near a forest fire and her whole life changes. She’s an angel-blood and finding their “purpose” is vitally important to who they are. Her mother packs the family up and away we go into the plot.
She’s trying to figure out more about the boy from the fire and accidentally falls in love for the first time. Tucker is an adorable match for Clara. He doesn’t like her at all at first and they end up spending the summer together and fall fast. I’m not a huge nickname girl but Carrots is wildly cute inside this story.
I’m not religious and I love this one. She’s just a half angel teenager trying to figure out her powers and get through high school at the same time.
Old Review: Why deal with fulfilling your “purpose” as an Angel when you can have summer loving with Tucker Avery?
Clara gets a vision of a 17-ish year old boy standing near a forest fire and her whole life changes. She’s an angel-blood and finding their “purpose” is vitally important to who they are. Her mother packs the family up and away we go into the plot.
She’s trying to figure out more about the boy from the fire and accidentally falls in love for the first time. Tucker is an adorable match for Clara. He doesn’t like her at all at first and they end up spending the summer together and fall fast. I’m not a huge nickname girl but Carrots is wildly cute inside this story.
I’m not religious and I love this one. She’s just a half angel teenager trying to figure out her powers and get through high school at the same time.
Old Review: Why deal with fulfilling your “purpose” as an Angel when you can have summer loving with Tucker Avery?