Radiant (Unearthly, #2.5)

by Cynthia Hand

From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand comes a riveting original novella (available only as an ebook) set in the world of the Unearthly series.

Clara is desperate to get away—from the memories that haunt her in Wyoming and the visions of a future she isn't ready to face—and spending the summer in Italy with her best friend, Angela, should be the perfect escape. . . .

For as long as she can remember, Angela has been told that love is dangerous, that she must always guard her heart. But when she met a mysterious guy in Italy two years ago she was determined to be with him, no matter the costs. Now she must decide whether she can trust Clara with her secret, or if telling her the truth will risk everything she cares about.

Alternating between Angela and Clara's perspectives, Radiant chronicles the unforgettable summer that will test the bounds of their friendship and change their lives forever.

• ISBN10: 0062258575
• ISBN13: 9780062258571
• Publish Date: 4 December 2012
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Collins
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 94
• Language: English

Reviews

[Vicki]

3.5 stars

[Kim Deister]

Radiant is a quick read, a short novella chronologically set between Hallowed and Boundless, the next book in the series. The majority of this one is centered on Angela, a character that I have been wanting more of. She has more angel blood than Clara, but often seems to be less of an angel. It didn't really progress the main story line of Clara, but it definitely explained a lot about Angela and why she is the way she is.

There has always been a bit of an oddness about Angela, something that just seemed suspicious. This novella didn't change that feeling for me, but instead deepened it. I am not quite sure on which side she falls and she keeps me guessing! I am betting that is frustrating a lot of fans, but I like the mystery it provides the story as a series.

I think you could probably read Boundless without having read this and not miss anything essential. But there is one pivotal scene in Radiant that is later referenced in Boundless. But it is explained and described well enough in the book that it is completely understandable, even if you hadn't read this novella.

Things to love about Radiant...

--The focus on Angela. We learn a lot about her. She may still be mysterious, but she also seems a lot more human in this novella. Ironic, I know, since she is an angel!

My recommendation: Not absolutely essential to the series, but worth the read!

[kimbacaffeinate]

review to post soon :)

[Angie]

I did read this one before I picked up Boundless, but I decided to review it after I read it, so I could comment on their tie-in. Well, it's not essential to read this first, but I do still think it would be good to do it anyway. Radiant follows Clara and Angela during their Summer in Italy. Secrets come out, intentionally and by accident. I had already figured out Angela's secret, involving her mysterious Italian boyfriend, but I was shocked when she let one of Clara's secrets slip. I had a feeling that was going to play a pivotal role in the final book, and it kind of did.

My favorite part of this novella was getting into Angela's head. She's always been a little mysterious, so it was interesting to see things from her perspective. She's been preaching "No secrets in Angel Club," and yet she's harboring the biggest secret of all, and it has some major consequences which we get in Boundless. Angela plays a much larger role than she has in the past, and this trip to Italy is only the beginning.

There's references to this Summer early on in Boundless, but it's nothing that will have you scratching your head in confusion. Details are revealed as necessary, so you could get away with skipping this novella. However, I liked knowing exactly what happened and seeing how it affects Clara and Angela's first year at Stanford as well as the rest of their lives. It's definitely a worthy read for all Unearthly fans.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Linda]

This and other reviews can be found on my blog: (un)Conventional Bookviews.

Radiant is a quick novella in the Unearthly series. Clara and Angela are in Rome for the summer, visiting with Angela's family. And Phen - the mysterious guy who taught Angela all she knows about angels and nephilims - suddenly show up in the metro and draws Angela to him once more.

[ladygrey]

It's interesting to read a book so clearly linking books 2 and 3. Mostly when I read short stories they alternate points of view on an existing scene or side stories.