Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly was an interesting read. Cynthia Hand has taken the typical “angel” myth and transformed it into a magnificent coming of age novel. 

The book is centered around Clara, a teenager who has only recently found out she is half angel via her mother’s family. She is stronger, faster and smarter than the other students at her school - all this because she has a purpose to fill. In Clara's world, all angels are put on earth with a purpose - a rite of Passage that every angel must over come. They don't know who or where, but they get dreams or hints which point them into the right direction.

Clara's dreams sent her and her family to Wyoming, where she finds two boys who she is completely attracted to. Attempting not to get distracted by either boy, Clara finds she is dreaming about both boys amidst terrifying scenes of bush fires. Amongst all this, Clara discovers that her Purpose is only a small part of a massive struggle between angels and their destructive counterparts, the Black Wings. And when the fire of her visions erupts and forces Clara to make a decision- which boy does she save? 

Clara attempts to find her way in a confusing world where things aren’t the way she thought. She encounters dangers and choices she never thought existed and discovers the difference between good and evil, honesty and deceit and makes a choice between love and duty. 

I got through this novel in one night! The plot is a touch simplistic, but the beautiful writing makes up for it. Cynthia captures the beautiful scenery, with vivid descriptions and well developed characters to bring us a wonderful debut novel.

If you liked Vampire Academy, Evermore or the Fallen Series then Unearthly is for you.

A little bit about the Author:

I'm a debut YA writer who grew up in south east Idaho (very near the Wyoming border) and I still have a soft spot in my heart for that beautiful part of the country. I currently live in southern California with my husband and son. I also teach courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University.