Alice's Review: Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Released: 1st February 2013
Paperback: 448 pages
Price: $7.99
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
Source: Bought
Genre: Young adult, romance, paranormal
Series: Unearthly
Series Order:
1. Unearthly (my review)
2. Hallowed (my review)
3. Boundless
Summary:

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.

My Rating:

My Opinion: I really liked the first two books in the series and I couldn't wait to read the last book in this trilogy. I was let down though and whilst I liked the book it wasn't as amazing as the previous two were. I didn't find myself as invested in it or its characters overly much.

I was disappointed with Boundless because there were so many elements that I disliked. First of all, there was that weird love triangle between Clara, Christian and Tucker which made very little sense. To me it felt like it was put in just to give extra drama but it contributed absolutely nothing to further the plot.

Another element is the fact that the first half of the book was just about Clara going to college and learning angel stuff with her dad and trying to get over Tucker. Nothing really happened and it was only during the middle that I really got into the book because that was when heaps of things started happening. Of course, I really did love reading about Clara's college experience because I'm starting uni next week and am obsessed with books set in universities.

Because pretty much nothing happened in the first half, the second half (especially the last third) was so chock full of big events that I almost got whiplash. This and that happened, Clara and Christian have to get here and do that, where's Jeffrey, Angela being in major trouble, oh whoops, look at Tucker all helpless and human caught up in angel business. I just really don't like big events happening one after the other in books when they could be more evenly spread out so the readers have time for their racing hearts to slow down.

Now onto something I loved: Clara's dad, Michael. As in the big archangel with the flaming sword. In this entire trilogy, he has to be my favourite character. I mean, him turning up at Clara's door in the 2nd book was just surprising and awesome and seeing more of him and seeing him and Clara bond was an absolutely joy to read about. I just can't get enough of him! I want MORE. I'm also glad that he can be together with Clara's mum now, though it's really sad that Clara lost her.

My verdict: Whilst I was a bit disappointed in it, Boundless does a good job of tying up all the loose ends and giving Clara a happy ending.