Review - Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand

Title: Boundless

Author: Cynthia Hand

Series: 3rd (Unearthly, Hallowed)
Pages: 438

Published:  January 22nd 2013 by HarperTeen 

ISBN: 9780061996207

Source: Personal Copy

Description:The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life. Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place. As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.  

I Give This ...

I wasn't sure were this story might go at the end of the second book.   There were a lot of open questions about relationships and what Clara's destiny might truly be.   I was hoping that the final installment of the series might answer those and end the story.

I think it's interesting how hard Clara tries when it comes to Christian.  She readily admits that he is probably suppose to be a part of her life.  But, no matter how hard she tries, she can't get Tucker out of her head.  So were does that leave Christian when it comes to the question of her "destiny?"  In so many of her visions, Christian is right by her side.  How do you explain that to the one who so obviously believes that destiny means something else as well.   I admired Clara for trying to make it known to all parties how she really feels.

I really enjoyed how the story progressed through this one.   From the slow progression of Clara's and Tucker's relationship to Angela's desperate attempt to hide what's really happening to her.  Even Samjeeze pulled me in.   He's still scary as can be, but it s turns out he has a soft spot.  And, he's not the scariest thing out there.   Love, or even the slightest indication of it, is the downfall of so many.   And in this case Angela and Jeffery are in way to deep.  But, Clara's there to rescue them all.

I found what happened in the end to be extreme interesting.  I think the author did a great job balancing the idea of destiny and choice.  It's always and interesting thought to me.  Plus, there was a lot of crazy things that happened in the end that left me guessing right up until the end.

I was pleased with the way the story worked out.  The author managed to surprise me with how we got to the end.  But, I think it was wrapped in a really great way!

  

Waiting on Wednesday - Boundless by Cynthia Hand

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

 

Title: Boundless 

Author: Cynthia Hand

Publication Date:  January 22nd 2013 by HarperTeen 

 

 

Description: The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place. 

 

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfil her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

 

 

 

I think anybody who has read this series is looking forward to this final book.  I just got back from Jackson Hole, Wyoming were most of this series takes places (and drove through many other areas mentioned), so I'm particularly looking forward to diving back into this series! 

 

 

 

 

 

Review - Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

Title: Hallowed

Author: Cynthia Hand

Series: 2nd (Unearthly)

Pages: 403

Published: January 17th 2012 by HarperTeen 

ISBN: 9780061996184

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.   Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her 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. 

I Give This ...

 

I've decided that angel book are hard to do right.  It's just a delicate balance to make believable without being cheesy.  After several bad ones (and some ok), I was pleased to come across the first in this series, Unearthly.  Hallowed had a lot to leave up to after just an awesome opening.

I have to be honest when I say that Hallowed  is not at all what I thought it would be.  It honestly had that perfect second book feel, but without being a complete drag.   It fills in most of those details that I thought might have been lacking in the first book.  There's not a lot of action.  It's more about those little moments, and piecing together that whole picture.  I think I've have a clearer idea of were this story might be heading.  I liked the overall bigger picture we get from this book.  The world of angel decedents is much bigger than we though. 

I really loved the battle Clara goes through in this book.  She struggles with new feelings she has for Christian.  I liked that she questioned whether it was genuine or the prophecy.  I love that she doesn't want to give up Tucker, her first love.  Because, as much as I hate love triangles, it can happen in real life.  She struggles with the truth her mom has been hiding (protecting) from her.  And she gets the whopped of all news concerning her father.  

It was really a wonderful addition to the series, even if it doesn't carry the same punch that the first one did.  It's sweet, subtle and might even make you tear up a little.  I can't wait for the next one!  

 

Unearthly (Unearthly #1) by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly

Author: Cynthia Hand

Series: 1st in Unearthly

Pages: 435

Published: Available now from Harper Teen

ISBN: 9780061996160

Source: publisher sent via Netgalley

Description: 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?
 
I Give This ...

 

It's funny sometimes what will draw you to a book.  I'm sure most people are reading this book because of the awesome cover or that fact that it deals with angels.  While, those are part of the reasons I wanted to read it, I was most drawn to the fact that it's set in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  

I liked Clara from the start.  She already knows she's an angel, which was appealing and different than the usual aspect of the main character discovering what she is through the course of the book.  I like the fact that angels have a purpose and that they will move heaven and earth (and it this case to a remote location) to accomplish this.  I like that Clara and trying to do all the things that should make her purpose easier, all while trying to discover who she truly is.  I also really enjoyed Clara's different relationships, from the dynamics in her own family to her relationship with Wendy.  Each of them is unique and add to the overall story. 

Christian was interesting.  I never quite understood his change of heart when it came to Clara (until the end).  Some will see this as a love triangle, but I never did.  I always saw Christian as the purpose and not someone Clara was really interested in.  She was attracted to him, but I felt she was trying to put herself in a better position to fulfill what she was expected to do.  Now, Tucker on the other hand, was great.  I loved the relationship and how they slowly opened up to each other.  It was real and none of this instant connection stuff.

I was not surprised by the ending for some reason.  I was suspicious of it from about half way though.  It explained a lot of what was happening.  I'm also not sure about Angela.  I kept expecting something bad to happen because of her, so we will see what plays out in future books.

Note: I want to say that the locations and some of the events throughout this book are very personal to me.  I actually live on the Snake River (although a couple hours farther west from the locations in this book).  I spend my summers on my parents land with a view of the Tetons in the distance.  I've been to the Palisades reservoir, Idaho Falls, etc.  The whole forest fire scenes were hard for me to read, because I personally know the devastation that they can cause in the hot summer months.  My family runs livestock (sheep to be exact) and in the summer of 1988 we lost over thousand of them in a forest fire.  The herder barely made it out alive with his horse.  I was almost in tears during that whole part with the memories it brought back. For those of you who might remember this was the year of the devastating fire in Yellowstone National Park as well.  So I commend Cynthia Hand for the descriptions of the area she has written.  From someone who knows...they're accurate!