Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date:  October 11, 2016

Sara Ella has one very imaginative mind! Her debut novel, Unblemished was romantic and mysterious. It's like you're in a dream, and I guess you can say it is kind of like one in this alternate realm in the book.  I'm amazed with what authors can come up with when it comes to world building. I love to read books where the setting is so different. It's a creation that came straight from the author, and when it's complete, it really is a whole new world.  And the plus side is being set in NYC, my hometown. That always adds some points in my book!


In Unblemished, we see urban fantasy with similarities to the hit TV series, Once Upon A Time, adding in fairy tale vibes of good versus evil.  And the thing is, sometimes things may not be what they seem. In the real world, Eliyana (love that name!), in short, El, has a birthmark on her face, leading to a lifetime of ridicule and dismissal by others. Yet, in the alternate worlds of Reflections, her blemished may very well be a saving grace.  I like the premise and I like what the author created, especially the imagery she written. It's both lyrical and mystical. Her descriptive prose gave way to a visual that matches the beauty of Unblemished's cover.  What I do find needs a little more is the completeness of how. There are several areas that I find lacking in how things were done.  From one setting to the next, it was hard to follow, but it wasn't a big factor, since the plot and the characters intrigued us enough to keep moving.

Speaking of characters, boy o boy! When it comes to two boys and one girl, do we always tend to pick the bad boy? Yes! Especially if said bad boy is Hook, I mean like Hook (from Once Upon a Time), with brooding good looks and a mysterious/traumatic past. Plus, he really does look out for our girl, El.  And El. Hmmm. Sometimes I'm not so sure how I feel about her. She annoys me at times with her self-consciousness and her obsessiveness of Joshua. Even from the first couple of chapters, her mentioned of Joshua and what he's doing was a tad over board.  Yet, I can't blame her, because I understand. I understand how kids can be cruel when you have a mark on your face or how loving someone can become all consuming.

A world where you're most unlikely feature to be the reason you are special. A world that beauty may not be just what we see. That being said, Unblemished is one good start to a trilogy with Christian connotations, serious pop culture references, realistic characters, and a dreamy world that lives up to the gorgeous cover!



Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.