3/15/2020 reread: Real rating is 3.5 stars. There were a couple things that didn't hold up as well for me (I forgot how insta-lovey this is!) but I st3/15/2020 reread: Real rating is 3.5 stars. There were a couple things that didn't hold up as well for me (I forgot how insta-lovey this is!) but I still find the world and lore so fascinating which is why I'll round up to 4. 3/4/2014 First read: 4 stars...more
The good: Anna's father is part of a secret government project which requires them to live on a secluded farm aOriginally posted on hello, chelly.
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The good: Anna's father is part of a secret government project which requires them to live on a secluded farm and.. house four hot guys in their basement (!). Not a bad deal for Anna right? All joking aside though - this was exactly the kind of book I was in the mood for. Fast-paced and entertaining with characters I was immediately intrigued by and twists I didn't see coming. The four guys - Sam, Trev, Cas and Nick - they're not just living with them. They're all genetically altered to become super soldiers and Anna's father runs tests and experiments on them every day. Because of this, Anna has never had a normal life. Her days consist of helping her father and befriending the guys despite the fact that they "live" in glass rooms in her basement. There is a literal wall between them but that doesn't stop her from getting to know them, attempting to become their friend and crushing on Sam.
I thought Anna was a great protagonist. Her character goes through a rollercoaster of emotions from beginning to end and her voice was clear throughout. She's vulnerable and scared when her life gets turned upside down by the government but somehow she manages to stay strong. She's a fighter and while I loved the moments she stood up to people, I also loved her girly moments of giving into her feelings for Sam. Sam is easily my favorite of the four guys. Maybe it's because we see him through Anna's eyes but I got his appeal. He's quiet and guarded but he's someone you can always count on. My other favorite is probably Cas because he brings some some much-needed laughter to the drama. Trev is the best guy friend who provides Anna with a hug (or quote) when she needs it. And Nick is kind of an ass but he's got a heart underneath all his moodiness. Together the five of them formed this unconventional unit/team/family and I enjoyed reading about their interactions. Even when it involved showdowns with the government.
(Super minor) reservations: This is the first book in a series, so I should expect some unanswered questions. But I did want a little bit more about the characters' pasts. The guys don't remember anything about their lives before the lab and with all the running away and digging (literally) that they do, I was hoping we'd get more answers. For our sake and theirs! I'm hoping we learn more in the next book. And that we find out how old everyone is. Strange thing to say, I know, but there was this moment in the book where I found myself pausing and trying to figure out how old they all were.
Do I recommend?: If you like action-packed fast reads with likable characters, this is a great series to check out. I thoroughly enjoyed it!...more
Posted and wrote review for the first two books in this series HERE.
I've heard a lot of people say that they're sick of dystopians but personally, I'vPosted and wrote review for the first two books in this series HERE.
I've heard a lot of people say that they're sick of dystopians but personally, I've been feeling pretty wary of the paranormal. I mean, how many times can you read about vampires, werewolves, fairies and angels and still feel like it's new? That was my fear going into this series. But Unearthly completely took me by surprise. Because as much as it focused on angels, there was also an emphasis on Clara as a girl struggling to figure out who she is and what she wants. I think that balance between the two sides of Clara's world was what made it stand out for me.
Clara is part angel and aside from having supernatural powers (ability to feel people's emotions, can speak any language and oh yeah, wings that allow her to fly!), it also means she has a purpose. A reason for why she's on earth and the only clues to that purpose come in the form of visions. It's up to her to piece it all together and fulfill her destiny. But what if.. she doesn't want to accept her destiny. That's one of the major (and my favorite) themes throughout the series. Clara, who is a strong-willed and kind protagonist, is constantly struggling with questions about her life and the person she wants to be. Angel or not, I think that's something we can all relate to. She follows her heart, even when it sometimes led to some painful decisions. What I loved about her character was that as much as she wanted to follow "the rules", she also wanted to make her own choices. Which leads me to the other important aspect of the book...