Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Boundless by Cynthia Hand [REVIEW]

TITLE: Boundless (Unearthly #3)
AUTHOR: Cynthia Hand
PUBLISHER: HarperTeen
PUB DATE: Jan 22 2013
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."

Rating:

Just so you know, I do not read book reviews not until I read the book myself. Even though reviewers pointed out that they don’t give out spoilers, I still stay away. I don’t want to be influenced in any way over what I’ll feel about the book before I even begin. It’s also fun to discover that, when I finally read the reviews, I find common presumptions and opinions, or varying likes and dislikes with fellow readers.

From the moment reviews of Boundless blasted the blogosphere, I hated the Internet! I wanted to smite thee and smite thee more! My Goodreads friends have been gushing and all about what happened in Boundless. Since I haven’t read it then, the temptation to find out what they were talking about was killing me. Oh, the torture!

Finally, the day arrived that I managed to snag a copy from one of my favorite bookstores. I did a thousand cartwheels in my head for being incredibly happy about it. In fact, the moment my hands held Boundless, I texted Maria @ Bookchilla to let her know – and the buddy reading began!

I was barely into the story yet but I’ve already felt strongly annoyed with Angela. I even wanted her out of the picture because I really couldn’t stand her. She was incredibly infuriating. To think I already started disliking her in the novella, Radiant, but her attitude her made me feel much worse. 

I was kind of hoping to see a mellow dramatic reunion between Tucker and Clara after what happened in Hallowed. But instead, I got a huge dose of Christian in majority of the time I spent reading this book. At first I was pissed off. Then over time, I kind of understood why it was set that way.

Even though I am all for Tucker to be with Clara, I have to admit that Christian did prove himself truly worthy of Clara. I felt sorry for him over the fact that Clara’s still clinging to the love she feels for Tucker. Alas, my dear Christian, it is not enough to sway me to your side. My heart and loyalty belongs to Tucker just the same, sorry. Haha!

I am rather fascinated over the twist and involvement of Samjeeza in all of this. Wow! Truly there is good and bad in everyone… even with angels. I was also surprised over how Clara’s glory can be used vastly, in many forms and in different ways. How awesome is that glory sword, huh?

Only Cynthia Hand, and probably just a handful of other authors, can make me sit down and savor each page of a YA Paranormal Romance book. After all, I don’t like sitting still and being kept waiting. But the magic of this book was something I appreciated.

As expected, I cried… like buckets of tears. For a moment there I thought I was going to die! Damn that climax! I felt like my heart was being shredded to pieces. Heck, my boyfriend [who was surfing the net a few feet away from me] was shocked about my little outburst. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t exactly little… I did kind of scream like I was in pain, and I had black lines dripping down my face because my tears kept ruining and smudging my mascara. What? I can’t help it. I was having an emotional breakdown.

Even though I know this is the ending. I feel like there’s more to be told. Then again, maybe I just don’t want this to end. I always feel that way when a good series reaches its finale.