Book: Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand
Recommended Reading Age: 14 and up
Synopsis:
Clara has known she was part-angel ever since she turned fourteen two years ago, but only now is her Purpose - the crucial rite of passage for every part-angel - becoming clear to her. Clara′s Purpose leads her family to Wyoming, where, amidst terrifying scenes of a bush inferno, she finds the boy of her visions, Christian. He is everything she could wish for - so why does she also have feelings for her enigmatic classmate Tucker?
Clara discovers that her Purpose is only a small part of a titanic struggle between angels and their destructive counterparts, the Black Wings. And when the fire of her visions erupts and both Christian and Tucker are in danger, who will she choose to save?
From debut novelist Cynthia Hand comes a riveting tale full of supernatural powers, forbidden romance, and the choice between fulfilling your destiny or following your heart.
Review:
I was intrigued by a book recommended by one of my favorite YA authors, Richelle Mead of the Vampire Academy Series. However, after finishing this novel in a matter of days I did not find it as riveting. Yes, the expectation was high to begin with and I was on a roll on choosing really good reads after the first three books of Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series. But Unearthly lacks several factors that would make author Cynthia Hand's debut novel as astounding as Stephenie Meyer, Cassandra Clare, Claudia Gray, the two aforementioned, and many other YA supernatural authors.
Foremost, there is the lack of a compelling love triangle. The author explains that the protagonist feels a connection to Christian, yet from the very beginning she fails to show chemistry between the two. Instead she focuses on building up the tension and attraction between Clara and Tucker. It then becomes too predictable who our heroine will choose.
Also the importance of fulfilling one's angelic mission is unconvincing. Clara and her family uproots from sunny California to Wyoming so she can complete the quest in her premonitions. This displacement upsets her younger brother and Clara herself. Yet, there are several situations that make it so easy for Clara to disregard her purpose for being there. Her mom, who should be helping her keep focus on her mission, is unresponsive to many interesting inquiries on Clara's disposition. Thus, the author fails to create a striking conflict, wherein the heroine truly comprehends the ramifications if she decides to leave her purpose unfulfilled. Clara's lack of understanding (and the reader's) leave an ending that becomes predictable.
When Clara does choose her path, there is a continuing confusion as questions are left unanswered. Did Clara fulfill her purpose? If Christian did not die, then she must have, right? Or is her purpose different from what she thought it should be? Should she not to save him but instead be with him as her partner? The story culminates with both characters contemplating their fate, but leaves one a bit bewildered as to what is this story really about. Perhaps a lot will be answered in the sequel. But I have yet to decide if I am intrigued enough to find out.
