Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Book: Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand
# of Pages: 435 (Hardcover)
Rating: 5 stars
                                                                           Goodreads Summary:
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 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?
                                                                                                                     Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.                         
                                                                                                                             My Thoughts: Wow, this book was amazing! I read Halo by Alexandra Adornetto last year and could not bring myself to read another angel book until now. Hand's descriptions of Wyoming are so beautiful and vivid. I would really like to go see it for myself. I love Tucker. His and Clara's relationship is sweet and believable. I could not help but root for them to be together. As for Clara, I like how her character grows as the story progresses. When she first moves to Wyoming, she seems to be focused on her popularity status. She grows to accept her new surroundings and turns her attention to the purpose she was meant to fulfill. If you like paranormals and angels, then you will definitely like this book. Highly recommended.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Book: Unraveling

Author: Elizabeth Norris

Release Date: April 24

Goodreads Summary: Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she’s opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, Janelle knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life. 

But her reincarnation, and Ben’s possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI-agent father’s files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what’s right in front of her: Everything that’s happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben’s sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process. 

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl’s fight to save herself, her world, and the one boy she never saw coming.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Top Ten Books On My TBR List For Winter

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

In My Mailbox

IMM is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.     

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo

Must Read Monday

Must Read Monday is a new meme created by Jenna from Fans of Fiction. This is a fun way to recommend books to other bloggers by using an acrostic puzzle based on the week's theme. It helps bloggers learn more about the book. This week's theme is fantasy (any book with fantastical elements).

                                          senT to a new school every year
                                     with adHd and dyslexia
                                              pErcy just can't fit in
                              
                               a class fieLd trip goes awry
                                and in an Instant
                            his life chanGes
               he is taken to camp Half blood
                where he learns thaT gods and goddesses
                                          do iNdeed exist
               and there are other kIds just like him
                  zeus's master lightNing bolt is missing
                     and percy is deleGated to find it
                      
                      and must return iT by the summer solstice
he is accompanied by annabetH, daughter of athena,
               and grover, his best frIend
                they emark on the quEst hoping they'll find the bolt
                                              beFore it's too late
                                                                                                                       The book is so much better than the movie.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Book: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
# of Pages: 374 (Paperback)
Rating: 3.5 stars

Goodreads Summary:
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. 

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

My Thoughts: I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked how Thomas was quick-thinking when he was faced with danger and never let panic take over. I  liked the interesting scenes within the Maze, and I thought the Grievers, part animal-part machine covered in needles and other lethal instruments, were pretty creepy.

On the other hand, I felt that the first half of the book dragged. For the longest time all Thomas did was ask questions. Yes, I know that would be the logical thing to do if put in a situation like him, but he never tries to find anything out on his own. I also thought Thomas was a bit too trusting. When Teresa arrives, he feels a "connection," and is sure he knew her before coming to the Maze. He almost instantly accepts her, unlike the other boys who find her presence very suspicious. I do hope that more of Thomas and Teresa's history is revealed in the sequel.

In My Mailbox

IMM is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.     

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker