Debut Author Challenge 2011 Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

This is my first review for Debut Author Challenge 2011, made by The Story Siren. This challenge is made to promote authors, who are debuting with their YA or MG novels in 2011. This review is for Off the Shelf Challenge and for Outdo Yourself Challenge. So the review is:

Unearthly

Title: Unearthly

Author: Cynthia Hand

Series: Unearthly - Book 1

Genre: Young Adult, Romance

Publisher: HarperTeen (Hardcover - 448 Pages)

Source: E-ARC received from Net Galley 

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 it 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?

In the beginning of the book, we're in a middle of a forest, which is catching fire. So, we see a boy in the middle of the trees, but he start to turn, we see that was just a dream. This is how we're presented to Clara, a quarter-angel, who lives with her mother and brother, in California.

We can see that this history starts a little different than the usual. In this history the protagonist already knows that she's a part angel, instead of discover that she's not totally human during the book. And instead of other books, this books don't focus only in Clara's powers and their development. Cynthia Hand knew how to mix Clara's development as a angel and her relationship with her family, friends and love interests. Clara has two love interests during the book: Christian, who is the same boy who appears in her visions and Tucker, her friend cowboy brother (I even wrote a "My Book Boyfriend" about him! Read here). When you get the book, you can think that you know the end, but the author knew how to make surprises.

Clara was annoying and selfish sometimes, but we can forgive her, because at least she knows when she needs to apologize.  

Another thing that I liked in this book was Cynthia writing. I really could feel Clara's emotions. I could feel when she was sad, happy, worried or in love. I don't like books in first person, that i really enjoyed this one.

The only that I would change was the appearance of her family and friends. Some of them appeared so little that, I couldn't decide if I like them or not. Clara's brother was one of them.

This is Unearthly Australian Cover. I really loved the U.S cover, but this one was beautiful too. I don't know which one of them I would get!

So, in the end, this is a book which i'll buy when i get the chance, because this book I'll read a lot of times more! So I give: 

I really enjoyed this book!

My Book Boyfriend (2)

Another week, another My Book Boyfriend! This meme is hosted by The Unread Reader, in which we show to our readers, characters that we're drooling for! This week, I'll talk about my new love of the week: 

TUCKER AVERY

• Books he's in: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand.
• Appearance: 

Her brother resembles her in nearly every way: same hazy blue eyes, same tan, same golden brown hair, except his hair is short and spiky and he’s about a foot taller. He is definitely part of the cowboy group, although toned down from some of the others, wearing a simple gray tee, jeans, and cowboy boots. Also hot, but in a completely different way than Christian, less refined, more tan and muscle and the hint of stubble along his jaw.

He looks like he’s been working under the sun his whole life.

•  He's in the rodeo club.
• He's Wendy's twin brother.
• Why he's my book boyfriend: I loved Tucker since the first moment that I read about him, and not just because he's a cowboy (I really love cowboys :9), but Tucker is sweet, funny and caring, and besides that he has a body and a face to die for! hahaha
• Who would be a perfect Tucker in a movie: I don't know why, but in my mind I pictured Lucas Till (the cowboy from Hannah Montana movie and he appeared in Taylor Swift's clips) for the role. I think he could be a interesting choice for a future movie (and he looks good with a cowboy hat :P)
• Scene that make me swoon: 

With that he whisks me out of the house to the safety of the barn. The horse comes to the front of his stall the moment we go in, ears cocked forward expectantly. He’s a beautiful, shiny chestnut color with large, knowing brown eyes. Tucker strokes under his chin. Then he puts on the new bridle his parents gave him.

“You should have told me it was your birthday,” I say.

“I was going to. But then we were almost eaten by a grizzly.”

“Oh, right. What about Wendy?” I ask.

“What about her?”

“It’s her birthday, too. I’m the worst friend ever. I should have sent her something. Did you exchange gifts?”

“Not yet.” He turns toward me. “But she gave me the perfect gift.”

The way he’s looking at me sends butterflies into my stomach. “What?”

“You.”

 So, who is your Book Boyfriend of the week? :)

P.S: This week we'll have a Unearthly review :D