Book Nerds Across America

"In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees."

(I just love this first line.)

Unearthly is the story of Clara, a Quartarius (quarter angel). Clara's mother (a half angel, Dimidius) has explained to her that all angels are on the earth to fulfill a specific purpose. When we enter the story, Clara is just starting to see bits and pieces of her purpose in a repeated vision that gets richer with detail each time she experiences it. There's a boy. He's in the woods. There's a fire. She's supposed to save the boy?

As soon as Clara sees enough in her vision for her and her mother to figure out that it will happen in Wyoming, they (along with Clara's brother Jeffrey) make the move. It doesn't take long for Clara to meet the boy she is supposed to save along with several other surprising and interesting friends as she continues to unravel her purpose.

One of the best things about this book is that even though the main character is half-angelic, she is also very much a teenage girl just trying to fit in at school and figure out why she's here on this earth. On one hand, she is getting teased at school and shopping for prom dresses. On one hand, she is practicing flying in her backyard. Hand's way of making everything almost equally important to Clara makes her very relatable as a character, even when her struggles are out of this world.

I really enjoyed all the characters in this book, and the elements they added to the story. Was NOT expecting the ending! I have to admit, I was a little confused and dissatisfied until I realized that this is just the first part of the story. I am assuming the consequences and effects of Clara's actions will be explained in the next volume, so I am looking forward to that.

Overall, a wonderful read with a refreshing spin on the typical angel story.

~Flo~

This Advance Reader's E-Proof was provided to me by HarperCollins and netGalley.