"UNBLEMISHED," by Sara Ella, Thomas Nelson, $15.99, 352 pages (f) (ages 14 and up)
For as long as she could remember, Eliyana Ember, or El, has been the ugly girl at school in “Unblemished.” With half her face covered in a birthmark, she’s used to people either ignoring or making fun of her. The only kindness in her life comes from her mother and best friend, Joshua David. But then her mom dies in a horrendous accident, and El is left an orphan.
Overcome with grief, El now worries she’s being followed. Her suspicions prove correct when she’s kidnapped and taken to another world, a parallel universe very different from the one she’s familiar with.
El becomes acquainted with this new reality, and realizes her quiet life in New York City has actually been a hideaway orchestrated by her mom. As new people attempt to talk El into taking sides, she has to rely on newfound strengths and discern which individuals are friends and which are attempting to use her. As relationships morph, she worries if Joshua’s affections were ever what she thought, especially when a new acquaintance is more open regarding his feelings for her.
“Unblemished” is a splendid fantasy by debut author Sara Ella. The love triangle can keep readers guessing whose intents are honorable and which boy El should trust with her heart and life. It’s easy to get swept along in the story, and the few bumps in this novel are easily overlooked, thanks to the wonderful plot and Ella’s charismatic writing. The mystery surrounding why so many people value El's life, what the true meaning behind her birthmark is and the smoldering romance between El and her love interests makes this book a guaranteed page turner.
“Unblemished” has clean language and romance that doesn’t go beyond kissing. There are several fight scenes, but the violence portrayed isn’t gruesome or overly descriptive.
Ella lives in Sanpete County with her family. “Unblemished” is the first installment of her new Unblemished series.
If you go …
What: Sara Ella book signing
When: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.
Where: The King’s English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East
Web: kingsenglish.com, saraella.com
Note: The signing line is for those who buy a copy of the featured book from The King's English.
Elizabeth Reid has bachelor's degrees in economics and history. She has worked in retail, medical billing, catering, education and business fields. Her favorite occupation is that of wife and mother. She blogs at agoodreid.blogspot.com.