Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand is an American author best known for writing young adult fiction, particularly in the paranormal, contemporary, and historical genres. Her breakout success came with The Unearthly trilogy, a supernatural series about angels that began with the novel Unearthly in 2011. Hand holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Boise State University and has taught writing at Pepperdine University. Beyond her work as a novelist, she has contributed to anthologies and co-authored several books in the Lady Janies series alongside fellow writers Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows. Her novels often blend elements of romance with deeper themes of loss, grief, and self-discovery. The Last Time We Say Goodbye (2015) marked her departure from paranormal fiction into contemporary realism, dealing with the aftermath of suicide, while My Lady Jane (2016) showcased her ability to reimagine historical events with elements of fantasy and humor. Hand's work has garnered multiple awards and recognition in the young adult literature community. Her books have appeared on various bestseller lists, and she continues to produce both solo works and collaborative projects that span multiple genres within the young adult category.

Readers praise Hand's handling of grief, loss and supernatural elements in her young adult novels. Her Unearthly series maintains 4.1/5 stars on Goodreads across 125,000+ ratings, with readers noting the realistic teen dialogue and fresh take on angel mythology. Common praise focuses on Hand's ability to balance emotional depth with lighter moments. Multiple reviews mention crying during The Last Time We Say Goodbye and The How & The Why, while appreciating the hopeful endings. Main criticisms include slow pacing in the middle of novels and predictable romantic plotlines. Some readers found the paranormal elements in the Unearthly series became repetitive by book three. Average ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (across all books) Amazon: 4.3/5 Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 Notable reader quotes: "Handles heavy topics with care and authenticity" - Goodreads reviewer "Character development feels natural, not forced" - Amazon review "The grief portrayed hit close to home" - Barnes & Noble review

Unearthly (2011) A supernatural romance following Clara Gardner, a part-angel teenager who must fulfill her divine purpose while navigating high school life in Wyoming.

Hallowed (2012) The second book in the Unearthly series delves deeper into Clara's angel mythology as she faces difficult choices between destiny and desire.

Boundless (2013) The conclusion to the Unearthly trilogy resolves Clara's struggles with her angel-blood heritage and her conflicting romantic relationships.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye (2015) A contemporary novel about a high school senior dealing with the aftermath of her younger brother's suicide.

My Lady Jane (2016, with Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows) A historical fantasy reimagining of Lady Jane Grey's story, incorporating magic and shapeshifting into Tudor England.

My Plain Jane (2018, with Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows) A supernatural retelling of Jane Eyre's story featuring ghost hunters and literary humor.

My Calamity Jane (2020, with Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows) A paranormal western featuring Calamity Jane as a werewolf hunter in the American frontier.

The How & the Why (2019) A contemporary story alternating between an adopted teen searching for her birth mother and letters written by her biological mother.

With You All the Way (2021) A contemporary young adult novel about a teenage girl navigating relationships, family dynamics, and self-discovery during a Hawaiian vacation.

The Christmas Carol Project (2023) A modern retelling of Dickens' classic story following a teenage girl who receives ghostly visits on Christmas Eve.

Maggie Stiefvater writes supernatural young adult fiction with romantic elements and complex character relationships. Her Raven Cycle series features psychics and mythological elements while maintaining focus on interpersonal dynamics and personal growth.

Gayle Forman combines contemporary realism with emotional depth in her young adult novels. Her works like If I Stay deal with grief and life-changing decisions while exploring family bonds and romance.

Lauren Oliver crafts stories that merge supernatural elements with coming-of-age narratives. Her Delirium series and standalone works explore themes of identity and transformation while balancing romance with broader social commentary.

Sarah Dessen focuses on contemporary young adult stories that examine relationships and personal growth. Her novels deal with family dynamics, romance, and self-discovery through realistic situations and character development.

Beth Revis writes science fiction and fantasy for young adults with elements of romance and mystery. Her Across the Universe series demonstrates her ability to blend genres while maintaining focus on character development and emotional storytelling.