Unearthly (Unearthly, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Dec 20, 2011 D.G. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: re-read, reviewed, young-adult, paranormal

Re-Read: August 2017 - 4.5 stars
I read this book almost 5-years ago and even though I totally loved it, never continued the series. Now that I decided to finish the series, I decided to re-read this one and I'm glad to say that it stood the test of time. I loved as much as the first time around.

I still feel that this is the first love triangle in YA that actually makes sense and I can totally understand why Clara might be conflicted. Not because she's wishy washy or because she doesn't know her Re-Read: August 2017 - 4.5 stars
I read this book almost 5-years ago and even though I totally loved it, never continued the series. Now that I decided to finish the series, I decided to re-read this one and I'm glad to say that it stood the test of time. I loved as much as the first time around.

I still feel that this is the first love triangle in YA that actually makes sense and I can totally understand why Clara might be conflicted. Not because she's wishy washy or because she doesn't know her own feelings - she's really in love with one of them and she knows it - but this whole business of her purpose is throwing her for a loop. Which begs the question...are these angel blood so different from normal humans? Do we ever get to know our purpose in this earth?

I admire Clara for doing the right thing even if this conflicted with what she thought was her purpose. Of course, like her, I'm very wary of the consequences - after all, God doesn't seem to like angels who go against his wishes. At the same time, did Clara even know what she supposed to do?

Unlike most YA books, there are adults who are important parts of the story! Case in point, Clara's mom. You know she's hiding a lot from Clara in an attempt to protect her so you understand Clara's frustration.

Read: August 2012 - 4.5 stars
This is the third YA book with angels I've read this year that I completely loved. It just seems to me that authors are coming up with more exciting, intriguing and profound stories in this sub-genre which they manage to make uniquely their own even if they use some of the same plot points.

Clara is a very good character, the right combination of normal teenager that worries about her peers think and supernatural being with a purpose.

Like you would expect with YA, there are two interesting boys circling our girl - I don't know that I would call it a love triangle though - but the way those relationships progress serves a purpose that really advances the story. When I read about two love interests in books, I usually pick one and stick with him to the end but even I was conflicted by how things developed.

I loved the Wyoming setting - don't remember a book set there - and the descriptions of the outdoors activities were simply wonderful. It made me want to go there.

All in all, I already got book 2 in the series and will be reading it soon! ...more

14 likes · Like · see review

Dec 13, 2010 Logan rated it liked it

Shelves: paranormal, young-adult

First impressions: Clara is immediately likable. I loved her from the start. Her voice is easygoing, unpretentious, funny and believable. The first few pages really set up the strong relationship with her mother and her insecurities with her purpose, which kept me reading.

Lasting impressions: I was slightly annoyed that the book so obviously leads into a sequel. I love cliffhangers, but only with established series where I am totally invested in continuing to read. Here, it feels like a gimmick First impressions: Clara is immediately likable. I loved her from the start. Her voice is easygoing, unpretentious, funny and believable. The first few pages really set up the strong relationship with her mother and her insecurities with her purpose, which kept me reading.

Lasting impressions: I was slightly annoyed that the book so obviously leads into a sequel. I love cliffhangers, but only with established series where I am totally invested in continuing to read. Here, it feels like a gimmick to get me to buy the next book, which based on this story, I probably won't do.

Negative impressions: Yet another love triangle. Yet another female protagonist who underestimates her own beauty. I don't usually mind familiar tropes, but here I felt there wasn't much new being offered. I also felt there wasn't enough urgency for Clara to discover her purpose. The summer she spends with Tucker was captivating, but it seemed like a detour from the main story that didn't slide seamlessly into the action.

Overall impressions: I think there's a good book hidden in here somewhere. Sort of like with comedians who don't quite nail the right joke, I think Hand has good material that didn't quite get executed to its fullest potential. Clara is such a great MC that I really wanted to love the book, but in the end, I just kind of liked it. Something about Christian irritated me, and by the time the relationship with Tucker started to develop, I didn't really care about either of them anymore. I just wanted her to get around to doing something.

I think there were one or two superfluous characters that distracted from the plot more than they added to it. I didn't feel Wendy or Jeffrey added much to the action or character development. They may be Chekhov's guns. Perhaps they add something more to the sequel, due out in 2012. Personally, I feel that all characters should either advance the MC or advance the story, and if they do neither then why spend time with them?

Overall, the story was interesting and I loved Clara. Despite a few issues I had with suspending my disbelief when it came to the angel concept, I found the book engaging. In the end, I think this turned out to be a nice debut and a good book, although with some tighter editing I think it could have been great. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 11, 2011 Samantha rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011, ya

Clara is part angel, or as they like to be called angel-blood. Her mother decides to move Clara and her brother to Wyoming after Clara receives a vision that leads them to believe she has to be there to save someone's life.
Clara was an interesting character and I appreciated her level-headedness, especially with all of the curveballs thrown her way. I didn't expect to like a story based on angels as much as I did and the author found ways to tap more into spirituality than preachiness, which is ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 05, 2010 Melissa-The Book Addict rated it it was amazing

I feel like I just got off a roller coaster. This book hit all my emotions. I really enjoyed all the characters in this book, None of them seemed to be filler characters, they all added something here or there. One of the things I liked the most about the book was Clara knew from page 1 what she was. You don't see that all that often. I also really liked her family dynamic, Usually YA book have teens running around all hours doing crazy things that leave you sitting there going "Wow, where the h ...more

Like · see review

Jan 20, 2012 Christal rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: female-lead, paranormal-romance, angels, ya-and-na

As I was reading this book, I couldn't help but compare it to Angelfall. They are both YA books about angels, but I think overall Angelfall is the stronger book. I did enjoy this one as well and consider it a good read.

The story starts out slow and fairly disjointed. I didn't really connect with the characters until they moved to Wyoming and the story started to actually begin. I think a standout aspect of this book is the angelic descriptions. The wings and their coloring, "glory," and the glow As I was reading this book, I couldn't help but compare it to Angelfall. They are both YA books about angels, but I think overall Angelfall is the stronger book. I did enjoy this one as well and consider it a good read.

The story starts out slow and fairly disjointed. I didn't really connect with the characters until they moved to Wyoming and the story started to actually begin. I think a standout aspect of this book is the angelic descriptions. The wings and their coloring, "glory," and the glowing nimbus of their hair are beautifully described and easily imagined.

Clara is a 17 year old, 1/4 angel-blood, trying to figure out her "purpose." Ms. Hand has created a character that believably alternates between awkward teenager and fledgling angel. She is, at times, self-centered, loving and supportive, awkward and clumsy, confident, and throws the occasional temper tantrum. All in all, she's a real teenager. Clara really shines in the moments where she is dealing with her angelic side and the inherent complications it brings to her human life.

Clara's two best friends, Wendy and Angela, are supportive in their own ways. These relationships are good examples of how female friendship should be written and presented for teenage girls. Clara's family, mom Maggie and brother Jeffrey, are a realistic representation as well. They fight and bicker and then make up just like any other family; they just happen to have to deal with their angelic sides as well. The romance, between both Tucker and Christian, is slowly and appropriately built. I liked the way this book ended, but I hope they don't go "Twilight Love Triangle of Death" in the next book.

My only disappointment with this book was with how slowly the story developed. A lot of questions arise about Clara's purpose, her mom's history, and the angel world. None of these questions are answered and we, instead, spend most of the book with Clara doing ordinary things like shopping, chatting with friends, crushing on boys, and going to school. I do intend to pick up Hallowed to see if my questions are answered, and I guess that is the only thing that really matters. :) ...more

Like · see review

Mar 19, 2011 Deyara rated it really liked it

Great. I liked Clara and her family, and both Tucker and Christian. Also liked the way her "purpose" fitted in with and shaped her ordinary life. Want to know what is going on with her mother though! Awesome cover too. ...more

Like · see review