Release Date: February 22, 2011 Title: A Touch Mortal Author: Leah Clifford
Pages: 432 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins/Greenwillow Books
Available: Barnes and Noble
From the Publisher: Eden didn’t expect Az.
Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.
Yeah.
So long happily-ever-after.
Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.
She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else’s game. Her heart is her own.
And that’s only the beginning of the end.
I have completely mixed feelings about this book.
First, let me say that I really want to read the sequel. Really. But it took almost the entire book to get me there.
Have you ever read a book where you felt like you were thrown in the middle of the story? Everything is confusing and nothing makes sense. That’s what this book felt like for about 2/3 of it. I kept waiting for that moment where everything clicked, and honestly- it never happened. There was a gradual understanding of what was going on, but the book ended before I got it all. And that never happens. I’m usually ahead of the curve.
But the confusion was enough to keep me reading. I was intrigued. I still am! This world is a fascinating one. I just want to know more about it than the bits and pieces that leaked out in this first book. I can’t think of another book like this one out there. Yes, there are angels- but it’s nothing at all like any other YA angel book I’ve read. That in itself is enough to keep me reading.
And let me just say- I love the covers in this trilogy. I want that hair! The next time I streak my hair (I did blue last year and MISS IT!) I’m going to take these covers as a reference.
From the Publisher:For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn’t prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.
Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.
In this compelling sequel to Unearthly, Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.
416 pages, HarperTeen
When does the next one come out?
I think I may have a love/hate relationship with this one. Don’t get me wrong – I loved it and can’t wait to read the next one. But parts of it frustrated me to no end.
I still love this world of angel-bloods that Hand has created. Even though many of my questions from the first book were answered, I still have a million questions that need to be answered. But the love triangle business was really distracting me from everything else that was going on. I can’t say too much, since I prefer to keep spoilers out of my reviews, but there were times where I wanted to throw my hands in the air and shout enough is enough! And really, that’s why I only give it 4.5 stars instead of 5.
Overall, I did love the book. I was on pins and needles with Clara as she struggled to understand her vision and make the choices that would define her. I’m dying to know more Angela – I’m hoping we get some insight into her in the next book. I keep wondering if she’s trustworthy, though nothing in the story would indicate she isn’t. It’s just a niggling feeling I have in the back of my head. And Jeffrey. When will we get to see more of what’s happening inside his head? I have an idea… but I am truly hoping I am wrong.
If you loved Unearthly, you will absolutely not be disappointed with Hallowed.
From the Publisher: 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 apurpose, 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.
267 pages, HarperTeen
How did I miss this book last year? It was incredible! It was quite refreshing to read a supernatural book that wasn’t about vampires, werewolves, witches, or gods. The mythology of angels and angel-bloods was fascinating, and I quite honestly can’t wait to read the next in the series.
I feel like an entire world has opened up to me, but Hand has only shown us the teensiest glimmer inside. I want more! I’m left with so many questions (don’t worry, this is a spoiler free review so I won’t ask them), but I’m half hoping that the next book will leave me with even more so that I can stay in this world longer. The ending was perfectly amazing and free of the tired cliched stereotypes that we so often get when it comes to YA paranormal fiction.
Bottom line: Read this book. You won’t regret it, I promise.
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The majority of the books I review are obtained as advanced copies via Net Galley, through ARC tours, or they are finished books I have purchased myself.
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