Boundless (Unearthly #3)
by Cynthia Hand
Release Date: January 22, 2013
From Harper Teen
Hardcover/e-book
448 pages
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 fulfil 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.
***ARC received by Harper Teen in exchange for review***
“He loves you. Not because of me. Or because God told him to. Because of you.”
It’s pretty much impossible to write a review of this without spoiling anything. (Don’t worry, I find a way) I’ve made it very clear in the past my love for Tucker and my intense feelings of hate towards Christian. So if I say: “OMG, I loved this book!” You will probably assume that I loved it because she ends up with Tucker. Or if I say: “I freaking HATED this book!” You will probably assume I hate it because she ends up with Christian. Or because Tucker dies. But what if I said that after reading Boundless, I no longer hate Christian? Or if I say that I loved the ending because she ended up with the person she belonged with, even if I agree with it or not. Both of these statements are true. Believe me; no one is more shocked than I am that Cynthia Hand made it possible for me to stop hating Christian so much (Because I did hate him. So much) But she somehow accomplished it beautifully.
I had a love/hate relationship with this book. Some parts I loved so much…and other parts I hated. Not because it was bad, because the whole book was beautiful, but because I was frustrated with some of the events. What I hated the most was how very little of Tucker we get to see. But, the parts we do see of him are amazing. It was very frustrating to me to have to sit through and read all the parts about Clara and Christian and their damn purposes and their visions. Especially when all I wanted for Christian to go away and for Tucker to come back. I felt a total case of déjà vu of when I was reading New Moon and I just wanted to skip all the Jacob parts and get to Edward and tell Jacob “She still loves Edward! Go away!” But then, a weird thing started happening and all of a sudden Christian wasn’t bothering me so much and I started thinking maybe he was a good person after all. Maybe he really loves Clara and they really do belong together. But then Cynthia Hand would give me one little glimpse of Tucker and I was a goner.
So, after reading Boundless am I still Team Tucker? Or did I cross over to the dark side and am I now Team Christian? Well, I’m not going to tell you because it would probably giveaway the ending. But I guess you can say that I am Team Clara. The book ended like it should have no matter who she ended up with. In the meantime, for those of you who just can’t wait to find out who Clara picks click HERE. This book drained me! It left me emotionally drained, speechless and a total sobbing mess. I swear my heart stopped several times and I may have screamed: “WHAT!!!!???” and “OMGOMGOMGOMG” more times than I can count. Cynthia Hand did a brilliant job which this ending. This is the end of a series so they may have been a few people that don’t make it to the end. There are also so many moments that completely shocked me and I never saw coming. I’ve never seen such a divide between teams and I think it’s safe to say that it doesn’t matter if you are Team Tucker or Team Christian or a little bit undecided, you will still love the ending to this amazing, captivating and epic series. The Unearthly series will always be one of my favorite series and I am eagerly anticipating what stories Cynthia Hand has for us next.
And just because I am curious (and maybe just a little bit mean) I want to know if any of you actually clicked the spoiler link…
5 out of 5 sparkly stars!
(Even though the ending frustrated and shocked me)
Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from Boundless:
-“Don’t do what?”
“I know you’re mad at me, and I understand why you would be, I get it, I do, but you don’t have to be like that. You’re like the kindest, sweetest, most decent guy that I know. Don’t be a jerk because of me.”
-There’s always this moment at the end of our times hanging out together, as we’re saying good-bye, when I know he wants to ask me out again. To try again. To woo me. Because he thinks that’s part of his purpose.
But he’s decided to let me make the first move, this time. The ball’s in my court.
-“ I should have fought for you, Clara, even if I would have had to fight you to fight for you. I should have never let you go.”
-His lips brush mine for an instant, and an emotion like victory tears though him, but then he pulls away and glances toward the front door. Groans.
Christian is standing in the doorway.
-I hang on to him for dear life, kissing him like the world’s about to end, and I guess in a way it is. I kiss him like I probably should be embarrassed to do it in a place like heaven, which feels like church, a place where God is looking at you, but I don’t stop. I give him my whole heart through my lips. I love him. I open up my mind and show him how much I love him.
(Is this a Christian or Tucker quote? You’ll have to wait and find out when you read the book)
PS-The spoiler link is a joke. Of course I’m not gonna tell you who she ends up with!
About the Author
Cynthia Hand grew up in southeast Idaho (very near the Wyoming border). Currently she lives in southern California with her husband and two small children. She teaches courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Unearthly series with HarperTeen: UNEARTHLY, published in 2011, HALLOWED published January 17, 2012, and BOUNDLESS, due out in January 2013.
Giselle
Eep I can’t wait to find out which team I ultimately decide on! I am so excited for this book I loved the other two and it sounds like it has a great balance of emotions. So happy you loved it! *flails*
Hannah
Holy cow. All these reviews are killing me. NEED this book. I stand pretty where you did before you read it, and I will admit, that I’m pretty scared to read the ending.But I’m so glad you loves it!!! *anticipation builds*
xoxo, Inky
Judith-Pamela Ayimma
You are a horrible, horrible person! I clicked on the spoiler link and literally groaned at the dead-end XD Argh, I hate not knowing.
Amy
Eeep!! Love your review. I totally loved this book too!! I have always been team Tucker, but Christian sure does make me love him in this book. It made it that much better and that much more emotional though. Gah! I’m just dying!! When I meet her at the Dark Days event I am going to go all spazzy fan girl, I know it lol!!
Debbie @ I Heart YA Books
Nereyda I love so much Tucker in the first book!I haven’t read this last book yet, but I already started liking Christian in the second book! I mean come on, the guy sits outside her window all day in the rain ( I think it was the rain) just to be there for her. Anyway Christian had my heart for him in Hallowed and Tucker had me a little piss off with him! And NO! I didn’t look at the spoiler to see who Clara ends up with LOL!
Taherah
Awww! I totally clicked on the link….that was mean Nereyda! I was looking forward to knowing who…*sigh* no matter how much I try to avoid spoilers I got to them. CANT WAIT TO READ IT!!!
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
I wonder how I will feel because I do like Christian (still Team Tucker though). I like how you called yourself Team Clara.
I called my bookstore today just in case they put them out early and apparently they can’t because it is a strict sale. That’s what I expected but hey, at least I tried, right? LOL Only 2.5 days left!
Jennifer Messerschmidt
*EVIL LAUGH* Well I already know who she ends up with!!!!! You know I wouldn’t be able to read it it until I knew. I read the first 90 pages preview so far and I have to say I agree. The whole time I’m just gagging and wanting Christian to go away!!!!!!!!! He is so annoying!!!! I’m wondering when he becomes better because I am not seeing it yet. Barely one little glimpse of Tucker so far and it is killing me. I need more Tucker!!!!!!!
Andrea @The Bookish Babes
Ack! I haven’t even started this series. It sounds great, and everyone loves it. For some reason, I guess the intense reactions, I’m scared. So happy you loved Boundless. Fun review!
Eileen
OMG AMAZING REVIEW!
SERIOUSLY I TOTALLY GET WHAT YOU’RE SAYING!
And I’m so glad you loved it! I clicked the link…DON’T KILL ME AHHH *dives under rock* *hides*
Now I’m even more hyped up for this book!
Henrietta @ Leisure Reads
Nereyda, your review made me feel I must get this book when it’s released on 01/22!! I’m team Clara all the way
Ellen
Great review! Okay, I have got to start this series soon. I have the first book, but your review has me wanting to read them all. At least I’ll have them all when I do.
Karen Maldonado
I clicked.
I totally did. I am more of a Christian fan, but I really won’t mind either of them. Because honestly, they are BOTH wonderful. I never got the Christian hate, just because Tucker was full of awesome, if anything it made things actually interesting.
Jennifer Messerschmidt
Okay I had to come back after I finished reading. My Christian hate lifted a tiny smidgen but not much. I never thought he was a bad guy but he just annoys me. He took the purpose all wrong and was so pushy towards Clara that it drove me nuts. But I think Clara knew her heart all along and just had to find the strength to truly know what her purpose was and what choice she could make.
Belle of the Literati
LOVED your review!! I agree with a lot of the same points you have and totally gave you a shout out in my review! I’ll let you know when I post it