Book Review: Boundless by Cynthia Hand.

Product details:
Publisher: HarperTeen.
Hardcover, 438 pages.
Release date: January 22rd 2013.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ages: 13+
Series: Unearthly  #3.
Other Books in Series: Unearthly, Hallowed, Radiant.
Overall Series Rating: 4 out of 5.
Source: Purchased.

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.

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

 Please note: This is a review of a next-in-a-series book. There may be spoilers for the previous book in the series in this review.


Ah, Boundless.  You made me smile, and then you almost made me cry.

Saying goodbye to an absolute favourite series is always a little bittersweet.  Bitter because it’s always sad to leave characters you’ve grown to love, but sweet because you generally leave them in a better place than when you first met them. I say generally, because that’s what usually happens, but not always.  And in order to avoid spoilers in this review all I’ll say is that a certain somebody from the Unearthly series really needs their own spin-off alá Adrian Ivashkov from Vampire Academy. Because my heart broke a little bit for that someone at the end of this book. Please, please, please make that spin-off happen.

Boundless begins with Clara packing up her old life in Jackson Hole and moving back to California where she’ll attend Stanford University.   While Unearthly was all about fulfilling her purpose, and Hallowed tested Clara’s resolve with heart-wrenching loss, Boundless is all about new beginnings and letting go of the past.   That’s easier said than done, though, especially when the past is the place your heart calls home.  Clara may have said goodbye to Tucker in Hallowed, but even though he’s no longer in her life, she often thinks of him, and the good times they shared.  That’s not to say that Clara doesn’t have other distractions though – namely University and all that entails, old enemies that continue to taunt her, and of course, a boy called Christian.

Ah, Christian Prescott.  Love him. I’ve loved him since day one. 

Let me take a minute:

“Hot is really not an adequate enough word for this guy. He is crazy beautiful. And it’s more than his looks—the intentionally messy waves of his dark hair; the strong eyebrows that make his expression a bit serious, even when he smiles; his eyes, which I notice can look emerald in one light and hazel in another; the sweetly sculpted angles of his face; the curve of his full lips.”  -

Cynthia Hand.

Le sigh. Christian is my Jay Heaton, he’s my Adrian Ivashkov, he’s my Noah Shaw, he’s my Cole St. Clair. In short, he’s one of my all time favourite book boys.

But can Christian win Clara’s heart? I mean, I don’t want to make this review all about Christian, but you know….Also, in the battle of the boys he pretty much dominates this book. Christian is a huge part of Clara’s every day life, while the cowboy, for the most part, is out of the picture.   I’m not sure how Team Tucker fans will feel about that, but that’s just how it is. However, rest assured that while Tucker isn’t physically present like before, he’ll always have a special place in Clara’s heart.   Then again, after all Christian’s been through – especially what he goes though in this book – doesn’t he deserve a little happiness? I mean, this guy would go to hell and back for Clara.

And Clara kind of knows that, which is why, having been a big Clara fan throughout the series, she infuriated me at times in this book.  Then again, Clara’s treatment of the people around her rings very true.  She has great qualities – she’s loyal, loving and caring.  But on the other hand she can be terribly stubborn and selfish.  I guess she’s very real. And that’s what makes her a great character.

As the final book in a series, Boundless features an epic showdown where good versus evil, lives are lost and all kinds of revelations come to light.  The thing about Boundless (as with Hallowed) is that is starts off a little slow, but that’s okay, because Cynthia Hand writes so, so, so beautifully. Beautiful words that become beautiful sentences, paragraphs, and pages. Then Boom!  Everything kicks off.  There are lots of surprises involving Angela (an actual OMFG moment!) and Christian – I so didn’t see that coming, although I’m thinking now that I totally should have.  What can I say? His face is a distraction.

Overall, Boundless is a great conclusion to a wonderful series that was just a joy to read from start to finish.  I miss Clara and co. already and I wish there was still more to come.  So, about that spin-off? Yeah?

*****

Radiant – Unearthly #2.5

Seriously one of the best novellas I’ve read.  Radiant depicts a hot summer in Rome with Clara and Angela that takes places between graduation (the end of Hallowed) and Stanford (the beginning of Boundless).  I loved this one because I’ve always been so intrigued by the character of Angela – I knew that girl had some major secrets! What happens in Rome stays in Rome, but that summer also has major consequences for Angela and Clara too, in Boundless.