Book Review(s): Hallowed and Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed
Unearthly #2
Author: Cynthia HandReading Level: YA
Genre: Paranormal/Angels
Released: January 17th 2012
Review Source: HarperTeen
Available: Amazon


Summary: (from goodreads) 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.


Being a sequel I was kind of reluctant as to how good this book would be. Let me just say that Cynthia Hand did not disappoint. I loved Unearthly and thought there was no way Hallowed could live up to it. Though at times I had to have a box of Kleenex handy, I absolutely loved it. This book is very hard to review without spilling the beans so bear with me while I try my best to not spoil it for you.

As like in Unearthly, Clara is still having her visions. Except these visions take place in a cemetery so clearly Clara is on edge trying to find out who it is that she loves is going to die. As time goes on Clara is able to kind of decode certain things in her vision. Some key people are missing from the visions and as a result poor Clara is left confused. That’s not the only thing that Clara is confused about. Christian and Tucker are both still by Clara’s side and though Clara clearly loves her Tucker she has this sense of belonging with Christian. I absolutely love them both myself, but I can see where Clara is conflicted. Christian is part angel blood himself and will live a long life of 120 years and not age one bit while Tucker is a human and will age with every year he lives. Personally I would go for Christian just because it makes sense and he clearly has a fondness toward Clara, but her heart is saying something totally different than what her mind is telling her to do. There are some new characters added into this series that I find to like. One of them I can tell you about is Billy. She is Clara’s mother’s longtime friend. She is really cool and helps out the Gardner family through the rough times ahead.

This book was heart wrenching, beautiful, exciting, action packed and just downright AMAZING!! Cynthia Hand makes you feel as if you are Clara Gardener, when she is sad you are sad; when she is embarrassed you are embarrassed; and so on. There are not very many books I can say I've felt this way. I would recommend this series to all ages who like a good love story.


Boundless
Unearthly #3
Author: Cynthia HandReading Level: YA
Genre: Paranormal/Angels
Released: January 22nd 2013
Review Source: HarperTeen
Available: Amazon


Summary: (from goodreads) 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.


WOW, WOW, WOW!!! This book was AMAZING!! Boundless was by far my favorite of the three Unearthly books. Cynthia Hand sure knows how to keep a girl on the edge of her seat!!

Having lost her mother in the previous book Clara had went to Italy with her best friend Angela for the summer before starting college at Stanford in the fall. The book starts with Clara having another vision. Like in the other two books her vision is very vague but this time around it’s also dark and freighting. When she snaps out of her vision she is packing up some of her things to take to Stanford. Angela and Christian are both going to Stanford as well.

This pull to Christian that Clara has is still in full swing. But at the same time Clara’s heart is still with Tucker back in Wyoming. I just love a good love triangle. Keeps you on your toes but makes the heart yearn at the same time. Christian and Clara do have this closeness that Tucker doesn't have because he is not an angel blood. Tucker and Clara have a special bond on a normal human level. Only Clara isn't completely human. Wow, I would hate to be in Clara’s shoes!

The love triangle isn't the only action going on; the black wings keep finding their way into Clara’s life somehow. This time it gets pretty gruesome. Who will win the war, the black wings or the angel bloods?

This series is a MUST read!! I have to say I am pretty sad it’s over. I would love to know more like in any series you always have unanswered questions or thoughts. I hope I did the book justice with this review. There is just so much information and I don’t want to give anything away! I like to be surprised when I am reading a book and this one definitely surprised me! I did not get any sleep while reading this because I could not tear myself away. I HAD to know what was going to happen next.

Absolutely fabulous writing, Cynthia Hand is by far one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to read what she has in store for us in the future.


If you would like to read Heather's 4.5 Tree review of Unearthly, book one in the series CLICK HERE.

1 comment:

  1. I thought Boundless really had some great moments especially when they descend-whoa was there tension there!

    ReplyDelete

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