Title: UnearthlyAuthor: Cynthia Hand
Release Date: January
Publisher: HarperTeen (HarperCollins imprint)
Pages: 435 (Hardcover)
I bought this on a whim about a month ago when I spotted it in a bookstore. It was another case of books that come out in the US but don't really end up in Canadian bookstores for another month. *sigh*
Unearthly was one of the sweeter YA angel books I've read in the past while. It didn't feel overly dark and mysterious like Hush, Hush or Crescendo, it wasn't full of action and fight scenes like Angelfire. It was more relaxed, more journey of an angel to a new place so she could help people kind of book. Which I didn't mind. Not every book has to be like a Buffy episode.
Clara was sweet as the heroine. Not overly strong or powerful, perhaps a little meek and curious, but that's how I found her character and enjoyed her. She wasn't one to totally run in and beat everyone up, but she isn't supposed to be. She's an angel blood, a quarter angel, and after learning what she does from her mother, sees angels as benevolent and helpful, going out into the world to protect people. It wasn't until further into the book that the hint of danger comes into play.
Now, when I say sweet, I don't mean sugary and syrupy and overwhelmingly girly. It was such an easy-going book, such a quick read. I felt eased into the story, almost like I was gliding through it, coming across the twists and surprises like I was riding rapids down a river before hitting another calm spot.
The Wyoming setting was really nice. Not urban and with so much natural beauty highlighted by the author in her descriptions of the setting.
The vague love triangle, while getting tired and overdone in YA, didn't totally bother me. Clara is drawn to Christian, of course, but then there's Tucker. And even with the connection to Christian, there's no chemistry there like there is with Tucker. The second he became one of those needling getting on her nerves rubbing her the wrong way kind of guys, I just knew there was going to be something between him and Clara. It was obvious.
This book was almost devoid of pressure, apart from Clara's task to determine what her vision means and who she has to save, and so I enjoyed reading it. So peaceful to read, so gentle and easy. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
wait, this book is set in Wyoming? That may be the thing to get me to pick up this book. I actually haven't been wanting to read this book, mostly because it doesn't seem like a type of book I'd like, but I live in WY and like to see how authors depict my state. It's also why I pick up books about NYC, although there's a lot of them about NYC!
ReplyDeleteoh, and good review. I like that you said not every book has to be a Buffy episode. Too true. Sometimes you need to read the "quieter" books.