Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly

Author: Cynthia Hand

Pages:  448

Genre: YA/ Paranormal

Source: NetGalley

Clara Gardner found out a few years ago that she's part Angel.  When she begins to have the same visions / dreams over and over, her mother (also of the angelic nature) explains that her "purpose" is becoming known to her.  Every time Clara's visions occur they become more and more involved until they are finally able to pinpoint the location of where it's going to occur.  She and her family pack up their bags and move away from sunny California to a small town surrounded by mountains. 

There she meets the boy in/of her dreams... Christian.  He's exactly how she thought he would be.  Handsome, friendly, popular - but he also has a girlfriend.  She knows he's her destiny and is determined to make him see that they belong together.  But while figuring out her angelblood abilities, making new friends and getting Christian to notice her - she ends up falling for another boy - placing herself and her purpose in jeopardy.

Oh but I loved this story!  Clara was a great heroine.  As an angel you'd think she'd be more secure of who she is and what she looks like, but instead she suffers the same insecurities any girl her age would.  I loved that she wasn't perfect.  It wasn't all harps and angelic voices when she walked into a room.  She was clumsy at times, her hair was bright orange so she stood out in a crowd, she was whiny and sometimes she was even selfish - yet it balanced out perfectly with all her other endearing qualities.  I loved how this other boy (the non-Christian boy who I refuse to name although I'm sure once you pick up the book you'll figure it out soon enough) comes into her life.  The love/hate relationship they have at first is great.  I loved how it slowly progressed and became a sigh-worthy romance. 

Aside from the romance and the great leading lady, there were some other aspects of the story that I really liked.  For one, I think Ms. Hand does a phenomenal job in getting across how important family is to Clara.  Her mother and younger brother, although they play smaller roles in this first book of the trilogy, will most likely have bigger roles in the upcoming storyline.  I also really enjoyed the friendships Clara forges with some of her classmates.  And then, of course, there was the mystery of it all.  Her Angel-ism (yes, I made that word up) is a big mystery.  I truly loved learning along with Clara.  You feel the joy and adrenaline when she first learns how to fly or the comfort and relaxation of a day spent lazying away on a river. 

All in all, I loved Unearthly.  I must admit Angels are not my forte, but this angel book is definitely one I cannot recommend enough.  It was a lovely story - one that although ends with some questions answered, leaves you with many new questions.  I cannot wait to see what happens next! 

My Rating:

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Title: Awaken
Author: Katie Kacvinsky
Pages:  352
Genre: YA/ Dystopian
Source: NetGalley

The world you'll find in the pages of Awaken is not as far fetched as you'd think.  Which, quite frankly, makes it a very scary world.  Imagine not having the need to leave your home.  You go to school online.  Talk to your friends online.  Watch favorite tv shows, the news, or even read books online.  You can even go on a virtual date online.  Why bother leaving your home - when you are doing all this in the safety and comfort of your home.  It doesn't matter what you're wearing or how you look.  You are an avatar.  You can do anything you want to do and be anyone you want to be.  It's the perfect world... or is it?

Maddie has been content living her life in the digital world.  After the incident a few years ago (when she was going through that rebellious phase that threatened to tear her family apart) she has been more than happy to lay low and live the way her father wants her to.  But then she meets Justin Solvi.  Justin who questions everything she believes in.  Who convinces her that living behind a computer is not living at all. 

I loved this book!  I especially loved that it seemed a very realistic fate for humankind.  My favorite type of dystopia, I might add.  The year is 2060, not so very far down the line, and I can definitely see a world where computers are at its forefront.  I mean 15 years ago who would have thought we would be where we are now when it comes to electronics and the world wide web.  Just think how much time we normally spend in front of our computers.  My job has me sitting in front of a computer 7 hours - plus at least 1 to 2 hours at home on week nights... and then there are the countless hours on our phones, iPads, etc.  I don't know about you, but I'm definitely hooked.  This book really gets you thinking.

Obviously, I am a fan of the world building.  Putting that aside, I also really enjoyed the characters.  The interactions between Maddie and Justin were enjoyable.   I loved how their relationship develops slowly throughout the story.  Even though I had a few moments where I didn't trust Justin (his interest in Maddie seemed too much about "the better good", as well as he had this terrorist vibe to him), but little by little he grew on me and I ended up really liking him.  I also really liked the push and pull between those who believed in being "digitalized" and those who wanted more human interaction.  As the reader, you are conflicted because both sides have some very interesting points.  It's not all good vs. evil or black vs. white.  I really found it thought provoking and it surely had me thinking about it long after I was done with it.
 

I'm not sure if this is a stand alone... I guess it can be, but I feel that we need more closure.  I truly hope that there is more to come.  Either way, Ms. Kacvinsky is definitely an author you'll want to keep an eye out for. All in all, I found Awaken to be a very powerful story, with three dimensional characters, action, suspense and romance.  A very worthy read and one that I highly recommend.

My Rating:

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Title:    Darkness Becomes Her

Author: Kelly Keaton

Pages:  288

Genre: YA/ Paranormal

Source: Simon & Schuster

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed. [via GoodReads]

This book completely took me by surprise.  I was not expecting  how awesome it would be.  There was a great mixture of paranormal characters - from vampires, shifters, witches, Goddess's and Gods, Demigods, and even a Voodoo Priestess (and these were just a few of them).  Aside from the very cool characters, the setting, New Orleans (post-hurricane destruction) was very neat.  You could feel the mystery and the magic of it all - since one moment you were in a dilapidated mansion and the next you were dancing in the splendor of a ball gown.  

There's not much more I can say without giving too much away, but I will say this, Ms. Keaton did a phenomenal job in her debut novel. Ari is a kick-ass heroine and her story is one full of adventure, mystery, magic and romance.   I cannot wait to see what happens next!  Oh, and did I mention it was awesome?  It was!  Do yourself a favor and don't miss out on this one.  I guarantee it's like nothing you've read before. 

My Rating:

Show Me the Free Reading Challenge

Here is how it works:

• Should you choose to participate in this challenge, your goal is to read at least twelve (12) legally obtained e-books which you got for FREE for your e-reading device. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit.
• Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States. 
• Any E-Reader will work for this challenge, including: iPad, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, enTourage. 
• Please Note: If you don't have an e-reading device, you can still join in with Amazon's Free Kindle Reading Apps which you can download for your iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Blackberry and more.
• The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. You can join at anytime.
• e-books in ANY genre count for this challenge as long as it was FREE at the time that you downloaded it.
• Every month in 2011, I will make a post for the Show Me The Free Reading Challenge so you can link your reviews. 
• Those that link their reviews will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a different prize each month, such as an Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card, a bookmark, or a GelaSkins for your E-Reader. Winners will be announced at the end of each month.

Challenge Guidelines:

• If you blog, create a post announcing your participation in the challenge. Please include a link back to this post.
• Non blogger must publish reviews on some type of public domain such as Goodreads, Shelfari, LibraryThing, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble to enter the monthly giveaway.
• When you post your book review, you MUST say how you obtained the free read. Please make your source clear.
• You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them.
• Crossovers to other reading challenges is acceptable, but galley e-books DO NOT count. Again, this is a Reading Challenge to read as many of the FREE e-books legally offered for your e-reader. To get started, check out the Top 100 Free books on Amazon, or the Free e-books on Barnes & Noble. 
• Any linked reviews that do not meet the guidelines will not be entered into the monthly drawing for the prize of the month. 

Levels:
Coupon Clipper: 12 Books
Penny Pincher: 24 Books
Super Saver: 30+ Books

I get tons of free books all year long so this should be quite simple for me.  I plan on going with the Super Saver level.  I love Missie and I just could not pass up on her great challenge.