Review : Boundless by Cynthia Hand (Unearthly Series #3)

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: January 22, 2013
Pages: 438
Source: Own

The Story:

The past few years held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner ever could have anticipated. Now, with the fallen angel who attacked her watching her every move and the threat of Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny—a destiny that includes Christian Prescott by her side. But in order to complete her purpose, Clara must first find a way to give up the thing she wants most . . . a future with the boy she loves, Tucker Avery.

via Barnes & Noble

Rating: FOUR Gold Stars!!!!

My Review: One word: 

Talk about a finale! I was so sorry to see the Unearthly series end but boy was the final ride fun.

Plot:

In my reviews of Unearthly and Hallowed the plot left something to be desired - it was a little lackluster for me. But in Boundless, my wish was granted - the plot had a bit more spunk to it. There was action, bad events took place, the character's abilities were put to the test, there was suspense and more. However, there was one tidbit that drove me nuts. Clara's main conflict in Unearthly and Hallowed was miraculously resolved. Perhaps it would not have peeved me so much if the resolution was more dramatic but that wasn't the case. Instead, it sort of melted, uneventfully, off into the Wyoming sunset. I needed more. Alas, the main conflict in Boundless was more fleshed out. 

In this book, we see more of the love triangle. I am a Tucker Girl 100 percent but it was so much harder for me to ignore Christian. I had the feels for Christian. For all three of them. Clara had to literally fight destiny to choose who she wanted to love. Christian was in love with a girl whose heart was torn. And Tucker was not only human but was in love with a part-Angel girl and had to compete with another angelic being for her affection. 

Even more, Cynthia Hand practically ripped my soul out in Boundless. Yet another person dies in the Unearthly series. The death in Hallowed was hard but the deaths in book 3 had me blubbering like a baby. The scene was so well-written - it was strong, emotional, realistic. I thought I was in Boundless and the experience was happening to me. I nearly died! 

And get this, Bookies! There is an epilogue. An EPIC epilogue! The perfect bow to the present that is Boundless. 

*Side-note: You guys have no idea how hard it was to write this review without spoilers.*

If you have not finished the Unearthly series, what in the heck are you waiting for? Get on it! You will not be sorry that you did. Bookiedeeds' Promise. Boundless was a captivating, emotional ride that had me all chips in from the starting gate.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Boundless:

 Angela: She shrugs."Men"
"Men."
"If we can send one man to the moon, why can't we send them all there?” 


***Check out Cynthia Hand's website for more information about her and the Boundless: HERE

Happy Reading!

Review : Hallowed by Cynthia Hand (Unearthly Series #2)

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: January 17, 2012
Pages: 403
Source: Own

The Story:

For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn't prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

In this compelling sequel to Unearthly, Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.

via Barnes & Noble

Rating: FOUR Gold Stars!!!!

My Review: One word: COMPELLING

Yup, Cynthia Hand did it again! Sequels have a notorious reputation for sucking but not in this trilogy. I was sold from the start.  

Plot:

As I mentioned in my review of Unearthly, the plot of Hallowed wasn't exactly the most original or unique but it was well laid out and flows. However, I wish there was more  . . . BAM! to it. Clara was afraid of this fallen angel who threatened her and her friends and family's existence and yet  . . . he didn't do much of anything. So, that was a little disappointing but not to the point Hallowed's rating suffered.

As for the Dream plot-line, it was good. I could figure out what was going to happen next. It kept me on my toes wondering, who was going to be next, what God had planned for Clara and more. The person who dies . . . I was like whaaaa? So sad. But so good. Made me choke up a bit.

Overall, Hallowed is a good read. Tucker is still my main man but Christian, boy is he growing on me. The story is compelling and makes readers a part of Clara's world. Round of applause to Cynthia Hand.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Hallowed:

“Hi there," Tucker says brightly, like we're bumping into each other on the street. 
"Uh, hi."
"Nice night for stalking," he observes.
"No, I was---"
"Get your butt in here, Carrots.” 

***Check out Cynthia Hand's website for more information about her and the Hallowed: HERE

Happy Reading!

Review : Unearthly by Cythnia Hand

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: January 4, 2011
Pages: 435
Source: Own

The Story:

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

via Barnes & Noble

Rating: FOUR Gold Stars!!!!

My Review: One word: LUMINOUS

Yes! Simply, yes! I loved Unearthly so much that as soon as I finished reading it, I jumped on my computer and scoured the internet for Cynthia Hand's author event. In fact, that is how I learned about the existence of RT Booklovers Convention and ended up in Los Angeles (first time in California ever!) back in April 2011.

Character Breakdown:

Clara Gardner - Clara's character is nicely written. I may not be able to relate to her much (not being part-angel and all) but she is a likable and believable character. She is not annoying or docile. Clara is the right mixture of feminine, strong and teenage girl. I especially appreciate how adapt Cynthia Hand was at relaying Clara's emotional struggles to the readers. Clara's emotional scope is multifaceted and realistic.

Tucker Avery - *Swoon* Tucker is exactly my kind of guy. He is a cowboy, boy-next-door and fighter all wrapped in one. Tucker is wholesome, loving, funny and has just the right amount of attitude. I am Team Tucker all the way! Don't believe me? Look at the gadgets on The Tattered Page, I have a sticker that says so! :)

Christian Prescott - Christian . . . Oh, Christian. Hmm... Well,  have to admit, at the beginning I was not a big fan of the love-triangle contender, Christian. But . . . he does grow on you. I mean, he is the man of Clara's dreams and all. Literally. So, that at least grants Christian a second look. He is handsome, popular, athletic, rich and has particular affinities *cough cough* of his own.

Plot:

The plot . . . I think my love of the book is reliant on the characters more so than the plot. The plot isn't exactly the most original or unique but it is well laid out and flows. *I am not mentioning anymore details because I feel the blurb has given enough away* The angel lore and such aren't simply thrown into the mix but is stitched into the story seamlessly. I appreciate not having all the information dumped on me in one scene.

Overall, the writing of Unearthly is phenomenal. The storytelling sucks you into the world of angels and love triangles and divine plans. Unearthly deserves a 4-star rating without a doubt! If you haven't already picked up the Unearthly trilogy, I suggest you stop what you are doing and get on it!

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Unearthly:

Tucker: "I didn't ever think you were a freak. I think ... I thought you were magic or something. I thought that you were too perfect to be real." [Page 332]

Clara: "He loves me. Inside his head, his every thought and reaction was born of love, love inside and out, crazy, irrational (and sure, a bit lustful) love. He loves me, and that's also what terrified him when he saw me light up like a Christmas tree. He doesn't know what I am, but he loves me." [Page 340]

***Check out Cynthia Hand's website for more information about her and the Unearthly: HERE

Happy Reading!