Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

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.

This post was supposed to be up Tuesday, and it would have been, had Blogger cooperated, so I am sorry! Have any of you other bloggers having trouble with your sites this week, or it is just mine that's infuriatingly "special"?

Anyway, this was our book club pick for this month. (?? Or maybe it was last month?... We haven't met in a while because everyone in my book club is getting knocked up and becoming toilet huggers. Sorry ladies--I hope you get over the all-day-sickness soon!) I was, as I always am, a little leery to read another angel book--Hello? I've read about a million mediocre angel books-- but I was very pleasantly surprised with this one.

I suppose I shouldn't be so shocked that I liked it so much (even though parts of it were pretty cheesy) because quite a few friends have told me that this was a really fantastic book. Truthfully, I've owned it since before Christmas and just finally got around to reading it. I know, shame on me. It seems like that's always the case with books that I end up loving.

I think what set this book apart for me was the fact that, in a VERY overdone and unimpressive sea of angel-related books, this book was a mellowed down and better-thought-out-and-executed version of an "typical" angel book . It wasn't "in my face" which I really enjoyed. There is one character who is more hyperactive about all things ethereal and I sometimes wanted to slap her, but she's not in the book very much, and Clara- the main character- is exactly the opposite which was refreshing. 

The love interests in this book killed me. In a good way. I hate it (and by hate I mean love) when both guys in a literary love triangle are genuinely good guys. Who do you root for??? I can say that I am firmly planted in a specific corner and there is no way I'll budge. Truthfully, I am surprised which guy I want for Clara, but I can't help it! :)

Anyway, this is one that should be added to your "To Read" list, if you haven't read it already. And for those of you that hate to wait for a sequel, have no fear! The second book in this series, Hallowed was released in mid-January of this year. That means- no wait! Until you finish it and have to wait all year for the third that is... Bummer. Anyway...

Happy Reading!