Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Published: Harper Teen (Jan 4, 2011)
Source: Bought


Summary from Goodreads: 

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?

My Thoughts: I thought Unearthly was an outstanding book and one that I really enjoyed reading. The angel lore was interesting and different from the other angels books I have read. Granted, that would only include The Mortal Instruments series--so for all I know it's the same as a million other books. :)

I did love the fact that there was no big reveal about the fact that Clara is an angel--she knows, she lets the reader know... there's no "OMG I'M AN ANGEL, now I have to cry and be angsty for several chapters" moment. It was quite refreshing. It let the book glide into the real plot--should Clara follow her heart or her purpose?

Speaking of heart, Tucker is an absolute doll and one of my favorite male leads this year. I want to spend the entire summer fishing, swimming and living on a boat. Love him.

Unearthly was a great opening for what I believe will be an amazing trilogy--I'm really interested in seeing the development of the story line!

review: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan
Published: Levine Books (June 1, 2010)
Pages: 272
Source: Borrowed from library

Short Summary: Bronwen Oliver has never felt like she belongs in her family. She's nothing like her petite blonde mother and perfect brother. So Bronwen and her best friend create a new life for her--she's Phoebe Lilywhite, the daughter of a prominent family who was switched at birth with the Oliver's child. As time goes by, what was once a childhood dream becomes an inside joke and Bronwen has adjusted into a normal high school student. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and is currently dealing with drama from her (now ex-) boyfriend.

But when Jared Sondervan walks into her life everything changes. Jared is sweet and kind and sexy... everything Bronwen wants in a guy. And the Sondervans are funny and close-knit... everything Bronwen wants in a family. When Jared proposes after just a few months of dating and plans for a summer wedding emerge, Bronwen seems destined for the life and family she has always craved. But with Jared's big questions comes another. What if she is making a mistake?

My Thoughts: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else is a fun book that really go me thinking. The cute cover and darling romance lead me to believe it would just be a mushy read, but I was proved wrong. The relationship between Bronwen and Jared, while endearing, brings out some serious questions. Is Bronwen ready to be married? What will married life be like for two college students? What is she going going to miss out on? What if she can't do this?

Just a few generations back and Bronwen's decision to marry young would have been the norm. But culture has evolved and marriage right out of high school has become almost a taboo in our society. McCahan creates a dilemma for her readers--Bronwen and Jared are in love and I wanted them to be together, but I always wanted Bronwen to explore college and all the fun that goes with it. I married my own high school sweetheart after I finished college and I feel that I can relate to Bronwen and Jared's feelings. The book made me reflect on the times that I thought I was ready to be married at such a young age. The book covers a topic which seemed almost out of place in today's contemporary YA genre.

At the end, I was happy with Bronwen's decision and I love the way McCahan left the ending. It's so full of possibilities.

Rating: A great read. 4 stars!

review: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Published: Simon & Schuster (May 4, 2010)
Pages: 344
Source: Borrowed from the library

Short Summary: Amy's life is a mess. Her father is dead, her brother is in rehab and she's pretty sure her mother blames her for everything. Which is why she's left her across the country in California while she goes and starts a new life for them in Connecticut. Amy is finishing up her junior year of high school and living in the empty shell of her childhood home, dealing with the emotions and consequences that have fallen upon her in the last few months. When her mother calls to inform Amy that she's going to drive the car across the country with Roger, a friend's son, Amy's not sure what to expect.

What began as a quick trip to Connecticut ends up being an amazing road trip in which both Roger and Amy deal with past decisions and events, while learning more about themselves and each other.

My thoughts: I loved this book. Both Amy and Roger were great characters--very real and very funny. Matson really worked on making them believable characters. Amy could have quickly become a whiny character and Roger might have been too perfect--but that's not the case. Each have their own set of problems to deal with, but the friendship they create helps both of them grow throughout the story. The cast of supporting character was quirky and cute and I would love to hear more about each one of them.  On a side note, Bronwyn is a an awesome name.

The setting was awesome--a trip across America? I'm in. I was excited to see some places I have actually visited, like Colorado Springs and Wichita. In fact, my best friend is from Wichita and I called her to confirm some details :) There are also journal-type entries, like Roger's playlists and Amy's trip diary. I thought it was done tastefully, as it adds to the story without being childish. I also love that Amy loves Broadway show tunes... we could probably be best friends.

At the end of the book I felt satisfied. There were questions left, but life is never tied up in a nice neat bow, so why should Amy and Roger's story end that way?

I think the cover is great, and really captures the spirit of the story. It also kind of gives away the end :(

Rating: 4 stars

review: Matched

You know what I love about reading? Almost everyone reads SOMETHING. Magazines, newspapers, blogs, books, comics (or the funnies, as my grandma calls them). And everyone who reads something has an opinion on what is good and are willing to share that gem of info.

Such is the case with my new favorite book series, Matched, by Ally Condie. When I went to return Revolution (by Jennifer Donnelly) I took it by my favorite reference librarian to recommended to her teenage daughter. She, in turn, told me about Matched, and how said teenage daughter thought I might like it.



I read it.
I loved it.
I had to buy it.
I need to return the other copy to the library.

Cassia lives in a perfect world-- the Society runs it's citizens lives so each can live it to "optimal results." Everything is perfectly planned. Culture and arts have been streamlined-- there are a Hundred Poems, a Hundred Paintings, a Hundred Songs-- with less there is more time to enjoy it. And at seventeen you are "matched" to the person whom you will enter a Marriage Contract with. Cassia has waiting for this moment her whole life. It's wonderful. It's magical. Until something goes horribly wrong.

I'm not going to give any more of the book away, but it brought up so many good questions. What if you were in charge of choosing one hundred things and all the rest would be done away with? Could you? What songs, poems, books or paintings would you hope to see make the list?

And the "Matched" concept--do you think you could choose to Matched(All citizens may chose to be Matched or be Single)? Could you have enough faith to allow someone to make such an important decision? Would you be Matched with the person you are with today? (Oh no. On paper, my husband and I are about as compatible as lightning and an above-ground swimming pool)

The second book in the Matched trilogy, Crossed, comes out in November of 2011, and I'm sad about the long wait.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

See more reviews of Matched at Goodreads. Or be my friend.