Review: "Unblemished" by Sara Ella

I've wanted to read Sara Ella's Unblemished ever since I first heard about it. I always had great intentions of reading it, but other novels took precedence ... even when I got book two, I still wasn't ready to give it a go.

Flash forward to last Saturday, when I received the third and final book from the Fiction Guild. Suddenly, it was time. I picked up the book Saturday evening, decided to skip the new Hallmark movie in favor of reading (this is practically unheard of for me 🤣), and finished the book Sunday night. I've had pressing review books to read this week, but I can't wait until I can continue Eliyana's story!

---

Eliyana has always recoiled from her own reflection in the mirror. But what if that were only one Reflection—one world? What if another world existed where her blemish could become her strength?

Eliyana is used to the shadows. With a hideous birthmark covering half her face, she just hopes to graduate high school unscathed. That is, until Joshua hops a fence and changes her perspective. No one, aside from her mother, has ever treated her as normal. Maybe even beautiful. Because of Joshua, Eliyana finally begins to believe she could be loved.

But one night her mother doesn’t come home, and that’s when everything gets weird.

Now Joshua is her new, and rather reluctant, legal Guardian. Add a hooded stalker and a Central Park battle to the mix and you’ve gone from weird to otherworldly.

Eliyana soon finds herself in a world much larger and more complicated than she’s ever known. A world enslaved by a powerful and vile man. And Eliyana holds the answer to defeating him. How can an ordinary girl, a blemished girl, become a savior when she can’t even save herself?

---

Not since Peeta vs Gale have I been so conflicted about which "team" I'm on. (Ultimately Team Peeta, by the way.) At the beginning of Unblemished, I was firmly on one team; I was conflicted and went back and forth throughout the middle; by the end, I was fairly certain I wanted El to be with the other guy.

Now, I'm not saying that "which guy will Eliyana be with?" is the thrust of this novel. Far from it, in fact. But I do appreciate a good love triangle when it's done well—the key being when it's done well—and, at least in book one, it's done well.

Author Sara Ella does a great job of world building; I loved the touch with the maps at the beginning which showed how things in the Second and Third Reflections corresponded with each other. She also brings in lots of pop culture references, and I always eat that kind of thing up. The plot is pretty intricate, and I did struggle just a bit to keep everything straight, especially concerning the Callings (special giftings that may or may not manifest themselves in children). I feel like not much more can be said; as this is a fantasy novel, I could go into great detail explaining all the things, but I think you should just read it for yourself 😉.

I absolutely flew through this novel, and there were multiple twists I never saw coming. I'm glad that I already have books two and three waiting for me! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.

---

Once upon a time, Sara Ella dreamed she would marry a prince (just call her Mrs. Charming) and live in a castle (aka The Plaza Hotel). Though her fairy tale didn’t quite turn out as planned, she did work for Disney—that was an enchanted moment of its own. Now she spends her days throwing living room dance parties for her two princesses and conquering realms of her own imaginings. She believes “Happily Ever After is Never Far Away” for those who put their faith in the King of kings.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Fiction Guild. I was not required to write a positive review. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."