Thursday, December 13, 2012

Cynthia Hand's Unearthly Series:
Why I think you should read it.

A review that is really more of a selfish plea than a review. Also spoiler free. 


Unearthly
by Cynthia Hand
Read: August 2011
Published: January 4, 2011 by HarperTeen
Source: Library book (later purchase)
Category: YA Paranormal Romance, Angels
Series: BOOK 1

Hallowed
by Cynthia Hand 
Read: February 2012
Published: January 17, 2012 by HarperTeen
Source: Library book (future purchase)
Category: YA Paranormal Romance, Angels
Series: BOOK 2

Book Description for Unearthly
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 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?
Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart. (From Goodreads)
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I keep wanting to transfer my Goodreads reviews of Unearthly and its sequel Hallowed by Cynthia Hand to my blog. However, every time I go back to edit what I've written, I realize that what I really want to say about these books is a spoiler, and I'd rather discuss them than write individual reviews. In light of that, I'm going to try to tell you why I love these books so much - without giving anything away about them. Although I'm going to talk very generally about the series, I've included the book description from Unearthly above.  

Clara Gardner is part angel and every angel blood is born with a purpose on earth that they must fulfill. Although she's not told exactly what he purpose is, she gets glimpses of it from a reoccurring vision. What she sees leads her to move with her family, which consists of her mom and brother (also part angels), from California to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. But nothing is ever as easy - or clear - as it seems. As she works to discover her purpose, she also questions how much freedom she has to choose. Can she follow her purpose blindly? What if her heart takes her in another direction? 

These books are extremely discussable. They feature some large life themes, including a very interesting free will vs. destiny (predestination) debate that carries through the series. I actually found the way this question is approached in this series to be very relatable. Part of that is the two guys that enter Clara's life - the one from her visions and the other one who is not part of The Plan. Yes, this series contains a love triangle, but it is one that I actually like. 

There is no broody bad boy or insta-love in this series, and the love story develops slowly. While I read these books I kept wondering who is the better choice for Clara, not just who is the best guy. And I think in life, that is a very real question that we all ask ourselves about our relationships. This is also one of the few series where after two books, I'm not exactly sure what is going to happen with her love interests, although I do have hopes.

Despite the paranormal element and talk of purposes, the Unearthly series has a very contemporary feel to it. I connected to a lot of Clara's struggles and decisions in this story. She's trying to figure out what she's supposed to be doing with her life - and who she wants to be. Some of that has to do with the guys she meets. But some of that doesn't. These questions about identity also morph the series into having a New Adult vibe, especially in the second book as Clara nears the end of high school. Clara's family is also a big part of her journey through this series, and I love their relationships with each other. 

Cynthia Hand takes the standard paranormal romance themes - supernatural beings, love triangles, high school etc. - and creates something new and exciting out of them. Clara even comments directly on some of these often recycled themes. I also love that Clara already knows she's part angel when Unearthly begins, saving the reader chapters of waiting for her to figure it all out. The first book does start of a bit slowly, but I was completely hooked by the end, and I think that Hallowed was even better. I have really enjoyed watching Clara grow up throughout this series - it has been an emotional journey so far, and I cannot wait to see her shine in the final book Boundless

Please do yourself me a favor and read these books so that we can talk about them. 



Boundless, the conclusion to the series, comes out January 22, 2012, so it's the perfect time to start reading these books. A novella called Radiant that takes place between books two and three has also just been released. 

18 comments:

  1. I totally agree. This series is amazing and should be read by all! One of my favorite things is the whole 'Clara knows she's part angel' bit, so we don't have to agonize through endless chapters waiting for her to find out.

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    1. Yes! That made me very happy as well. I can't wait to read Boundless when it comes out next month. I have no idea what's going to happen!!

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  2. Wonderful post, Lauren! Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy Unearthly all that much. Nearly ALL my most trusted reviewers did, but I think I was underwhelmed after angel novels like Angelfall and Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Shadows. *sigh* Still, I'm so glad you've enjoyed it and I hope the conclusion is satisfying! :D

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    1. I'm sad you didn't like this one, but I completely understand that sometimes the order in which you read a book can affect how you feel about it.

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  3. This series, and The Infernal Devices books, contain the only love triangles I can tolerate. We're brain-twins on that! :) I loved Unearthly and have tried repeatedly to bullly people into reading it so we could discuss it. So far: no luck! I started Hallowed but I put it on hold because I was getting depressed AND I heard it ends on a cliffhanges. I wanted to wait until Boundless was out. Unearthly just came out on Audible. I love listening to books while I drive or do housework!

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    1. YES! Those are the two series that I always highlight when people ask me which love triangle books I like. We ARE brain-twins :). I hope you're able to get through Hallowed. Thankfully, Boundless is coming soon so you don't have long to wait for that one.

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  4. This is why I keep visiting your blog, Lauren. For posts like this. Keep up the good work!

    Now, back to Unearthly series. I hate to admit that I really didn't enjoy Hallowed at all. It felt like I was reading a different book from everyone else's. :(

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    1. Thanks dear! I'm sorry you didn't like Hallowed. I know it's gotten mixed reviews. But I actually LOVE the direction that the story has taken. I feel like she's writing for me.

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  5. Unearthly was great. I loved it. Hallowed not as much but it definitely left me curious to see what is in store next. Can't wait for Boundless!

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    1. We'll have to read and discuss together! Love doing that with you.

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  6. I know that I want to read this because you recommended it and I trust your recommendations. Note: I have never read anything about these books before. I only knew they were angel stories.

    You had me at free will vs. destiny. And then when you said they are discussable. I was already sold but these are some of my favorite kinds of books. Also it looks like Boundless will complete this series? So that's another plus for me.

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    1. I cannot wait to talk about this book with you! And YES the book will be completed at the end of this month. GOOD TIME TO START READING!

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  7. Honestly, so many people have already told me that I need to read this - and your post has just convinced me that I really do. I'm definitely going to be reading this (and hopefully soon!) I already own the first one, after all...

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  8. Love this post. Love this series!

    Back in September I did a post called Love Triangles That Work and I picked both this series and the Clockwork Angel series ;)

    Love Triangles That Work

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    1. Ok those are the exact two that I would have picked as well! I'm heading to check out your post now.

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  9. I had to read this post after I commented on you enjoying the series despite your blog title.

    I completely agree with every point you made in this post! I do think Cynthia Hand has tried to craft her book in a different way than other paranormal romances and this series has a different feel (more mature?) because of it. I absolutely LOVED how her relationship with Tucker grew and evolved in a very realistic, slow way. And I love that she kinda rejects Christian's perfection and mysterious ways a little bit.

    Anyhow, I'm a big fan of these books. And I'm definitely going to watch for your review so I can discuss the trilogy when it's complete. Fingers crossed it's good!

    Lauren @ Hughes Reviews

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    1. I agree with all of this! It does feel more mature, and I love the themes she develops. Though (don't hate me!) I actually prefer Christian for Clara - at this point at least. We'll see how I feel about the last book. BUT I will definitely be reviewing this series.

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