Unearthly
Unearthly #1
📖 Summary
Cynthia Hand's 2011 young adult novel Unearthly introduces readers to Clara Gardner, a teenager whose life is far more complicated than that of an average high school student. Clara is part angel, carrying a celestial heritage that she does not fully understand, though she knows it comes with a specific, yet mysterious, purpose. The story begins as Clara and her family undergo a major household-moving event, relocating from California to a small, quiet town in Wyoming. This move is driven by a vision Clara experienced, and her mother insists that the family must follow where the supernatural vision leads. Transitioning to a new high school and adjusting to a different family life in a new state sets the stage for Clara's journey of self-discovery and the unfolding of her destiny. In her new school, Clara tries to blend in with normal teenagers, navigating the usual trials of high-schools, friendships, and teenage romance. However, her angelic nature complicates everything. She experiences vivid, sometimes overwhelming premonitions regarding a specific, life-altering event she is meant to prevent. Adding to the emotional turbulence of her new high school life, Clara finds herself drawn to two very different boys. One is Christian, a handsome and enigmatic student who also appears in her visions, seemingly tied to her grand purpose. The other is Tucker, a down-to-earth local boy who grounds Clara and offers a glimpse into a genuinely normal, human teenage existence. As Clara balances her everyday family life, school obligations, and her blooming romantic feelings, the deadline for her vision approaches. Throughout the fiction narrative, Clara grapples with the weight of predestination versus free will. She wonders whether her actions are truly her own or if she is merely a puppet following a script written by heaven. The book explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the challenges of growing up when you are different from everyone around you. The Wyoming setting provides a stark, beautiful backdrop for the supernatural elements, contrasting the vast, open landscapes with the internal claustrophobia Clara feels as she tries to figure out what her angelic purpose actually entails. Ultimately, Unearthly captures the universal feelings of teenage alienation and first love while weaving in a fantastical mythology about part-angelic beings living quietly among humans. Clara must make difficult choices that will alter not only her own life but also the lives of those she has come to care about in her new home, proving that even those with celestial blood must learn what it truly means to be human.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Engaging supernatural mythology blended seamlessly with contemporary high school life.
Relatable themes of teenage romance, identity crises, and family dynamics.
An intriguing setting in rural Wyoming that contrasts nicely with the angelic elements.
Strong focus on the moral dilemma between predestined duty and free will.
⚠️ Cons
Some classic young adult love triangle tropes may feel familiar to genre veterans.
The initial pacing spends a lot of time establishing the new household and school environment.
❓ FAQ
What is the main premise of Unearthly? +
The story follows Clara Gardner, a teenager who discovers she is part angel and must move to Wyoming to fulfill a mysterious divine purpose.
Who wrote Unearthly? +
The book was written by Cynthia Hand and published in 2011.
What genres does the book belong to? +
It encompasses household moving, family life, fiction, supernatural elements, and high school settings.
Does Clara face romantic choices in the novel? +
Yes, Clara finds herself caught between Christian, who is tied to her visions, and Tucker, a normal local boy.
Why does Clara's family move in the book? +
The family relocates to Wyoming because of a supernatural vision Clara experienced that dictates where they need to be.
