Book Shelf: Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand

The past few years held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner ever could have anticipated. Yet through the dizzying high of first love to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she could no longer deny was that she was never meant to have 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 seemed 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.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must choose her fate once and for all.

More info on Goodreads......


Review: (Warning: Contains some spoilers!)

Boundless is the highly anticipated conclusion to Cynthia Hand’s thrilling Unearthly Trilogy!

Honestly, I’m not quite sure what to think of this book. In the majority of ways I loved it, but having looked forward to it for so long I don’t feel that it quite lived up to my expectations for how the series would end. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoyed this book immensely, but at the same time there was just a part of me that expected more.

As a whole, this series has been an absolute joy to read! As a debut novelist when Unearthly was released, Cynthia Hand jumped right into her series with all the talent and poise you’d expect of a seasoned writer. Her writing is beautiful and riveting and her storylines have gripped me from the very beginning.

As the finale in the series, Boundless was always going to be a roller coaster ride of emotion and danger. Going into it there were so many decisions and ultimate choices that Clara would face, and set over the course of almost a year, and in this retrospect Boundless doesn’t disappoint as it takes us from one issue to the next. I’m really sad to see all the characters I’ve come to love go. Obviously Clara, but also Angela, Tucker, Wendy, Christian and even Jeffery. Regardless of how big their role in the series was, they all have it such life.

It’s been quite incredible watching Clara grow in this series. As our heroine, she’s always been so grounded and easy to follow. She’s found love and lost it and struggled with her feelings for more than one boy as she faced who, and what she is, and the losses that can come with that. And yet even when she was at her most vulnerable or in the worst possible situation, there’s always been a strength to her that shone through. I have to applaud Hand for writing a main character that I’ve truly enjoyed reading about. I liked Clara, plain and simple. No matter what she faced, her heart and spirit always guaranteed that I’d follow her no matter what. It was that perfect blend of strength and fragility; innocence and power that made me enjoy being in her head so much.

In the end I’m ultimately glad with the decision Clara made on who she would be with, but at the same time, Boundless often left me wondering whether the other guy was the one for her. Cynthia Hand has done a fantastic job with the love triangle that was Clara-Tucker-Christian. In many series, the heroine has a strong relationship with one guy and is simply with the other to get over him or because she thinks she should give him a chance, etc. when all the while you know her heart belongs to guy number one completely. However, in the Unearthly series, this is not the case. The relationships Clara had with both Tucker and Christian could easily have stood on their own. Clara shared a deep, romantic, forbidden love with Tucker that was not only passionate and thrilling, but that felt real. It was consuming, but also real, despite the fact that it went against her destiny in a way. With Christian, the connection was strong and it was there, with neither able to deny it. He was her best friend who she turned to and cared about but in the end her heart belonged with Tucker a little bit more.

My biggest issue with this book is that I felt cheated in many ways. Cynthia Hand had this novel span months and months, and because of this I feel too much was glossed over. I would have liked to have explored things deeper and seen more happen. Oh, and the lack of Tucker may have gotten to me too. There wasn’t enough him and Wendy for my liking.

However, with so many unexpected discoveries and even a baby in the picture, Boundless brings about the end of the Unearthly Trilogy in a happy, and hopeful way. As I mentioned, I’m sad to see the series end, but I certainly expect big things from Cynthia Hand in the future!


Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Harper Collins Australia (Thank you guys!)
Format: Paperback.
Buy it: Booktopia | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
Recommendation: Considering this is one of the best angel series out there, this is one trilogy you do not want to miss!
Cover: Gorgeous--simply gorgeous! Then again, all of the covers in this series have been stunning!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Obviously, this is the end in the Unearthly Trilogy, but Cynthia Hand has easily guaranteed that I'll read more from her in the future...