The Best Reader:
cynthia hand

  • The End is HERE: Interview & Giveaway — BOUNDLESS by Cynthia Hand

    The End is HERE: Interview & Giveaway — BOUNDLESS by Cynthia Hand

    Yes, it's true. The End is HERE! Don't be afraid. We have prepared for this and have all the necessary tools for survival. Want to know more about THE END? Check out this link to Epic Reads. I am the blogger for the UNEARTHLY series by Cynthia Hand. It's no secret that I am a huge fan of the series. I even wrote my very first letter to a character in my review of HALLOWED. HALLOWED and UNEARTHLY were both amazing books and I was super excited to get my hands on BOUNDLESS. Even though it is the end *tear!* I will never forget this series!
    Today I have an interview with the lovely Cynthia Hand. Be sure to check out the giveaway below for a chance to win UNEARTHLY and HALLOWED!

    1. What originally inspired you to write about mythology?

    Actua lly, it was a single verse I remember puzzling over in the Bible, years and years ago, something about the Nephilim, the children of angels and men, and how they were the “heroes of old, men of renown.” I was like, whoa, that’d be a lot of pressure, to know that you’re part ANGEL. So when I was writing about Clara, and I knew that she was something supernatural, that verse came to mind, and angels seemed perfect for the story I wanted to tell about destiny and free will.

    2. What has been the most surprising thing a fan has done for you?
    I am always so thrilled when a fan has come a long way just to meet me. There was also a fan who made me a necklace with little charms for each of my book covers, which was so wonderful and sweet.

    3. How do you feel now that the series is wrapping up?
    A little nostalgic and teary, truth be told. It’s hard to be at the end. But I’m also excited for the big wide world that’s opened up in front of me, and all that I could write.

    4. Clara is such a strong character. When you first started writing this series, what were the most important qualities you wanted her to have?

    Well, first of all, I wanted Clara to be flawed. I wanted her to have a lot of room for growth over the course of the series. And I wanted her to have doubts, about herself, about her purpose, about everything. She wonders if she’s a coward, but when push comes to shove, she can be incredibly brave—that sort of thing. I wanted her to love the people around her—her mother, her brother, her friends, deeply and truly, but also for her to struggle sometimes with being selfish, and having to overcome that selfishness. And, maybe most of all, I wanted her to have a good sense of humor, so that we could laugh as we went down the hard roads together.

    5. Readers have strong feelings of either being Team Tucker or Team Christian. I know this is difficult, but if you were Clara and had these two hot guys after you, who do you think you would choose?
    Hmm, if I was Clara.. I think I’d go with Christian, because I would believe him if he looked at me with those gold-flecked eyes and said we belonged together! Seriously, though, I think I would probably do the good-old pros and cons list, and go with Christian, because his pros list would convince me over the cons. And then I’d throw out the list and ride off into the sunset with Tucker. But then I might like to FLY off into the sunset with Christian. ACK! I don’t know!!!!! Poor Clara!!!!!

    Boundless by Cynthia Hand
    Publisher: HarperTeen (January 22nd, 201 3) Re ading Le vel: Young Adult
    Hardback: 438 pages
    Series: Un earthly #3
    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.

    Prize:

    1 winner will get a Hardcover copy of UNEARTHLY and HALLOWED by Cynthia Hand.

    Rules:

    • You must be at least 13 to enter.
    • Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
    • Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
    • Contest is US Only and ends February 6th.
    • Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
    • The form must be filled out to enter.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

    Amazon | Barnes & Noble
    REMEMBER: Check out EPI C READS for more fun s tuff about 'The End is HERE' books.

  • Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

    Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

    Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
    Publisher: HarperCollins (January 17th, 2011)
    Reading Level: Young Adult
    Hardcover: 416 pages
    Source: ARC from publisher
    Series: Unearthly, book #2
    Rating: 5 of 5 stars
    For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her 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.
    Review: For the first time, I feel the need to start my review with a letter.

    My letter to Christian:

    Dear Christian,
    How can you do this to me? I have always liked you but my heart belonged to Tucker. Then there you go, flapping your beautiful wings in front of my face and POOF, you fly away with my heart. It's not fair to play with my emotions like this Christian! Maybe it's your eyes, or your protective nature that makes you so irresistible. Either way, you have me flustered and questioning my feelings for Tucker. Tucker, who's rugged hotness and farm-boy ways made me swoon. Don't give me that look! You know exactly what you're doing. You haven't made this easy for me.

    Sincerely,
    Jessica

    What can I really say about Hallowed that will do it justice (besides my heartfelt letter to Christian). Hallowed picks up where Unearthly leaves off and if you are worried that it won't live up to Unearthly's awesomeness, don't be! In Hallowed, Clara is struggling to figure out her purpose after the fire. There are still big mysteries surrounding what really happened and what it could mean to Clara.

    Hallowed brings even more obstacles for Clara when she is faced with something devastating. I felt this was a turning point for her. She seemed to grow and mature in a way I didn't expect. During this time she wants to depend on Tucker but sometimes it's hard for him to understand her world. For this reason, it seemed inevitable that she will be linked to Christian. I must say that the tension this brings was strong for all characters involved. I admit, I enjoyed the.friction. between Tucker and Christian. It brought a lot of"typical teenage drama" to the story, which was a nice touch and helped ease some of the paranormal drama. If that makes sense: )

    Christian grew on me during Hallowed. He has complicated my feelings! I have been 100% Team Tucker since the first time he annoyed Clara but now, I just don't know. If you are a fan of love triangles (raises hand!) then you will love this book!

    Another thing I liked about Hallowed is that we get a chance to meet the community Clara is now part of. She learns a lot about her past and what could be ahead of her. I think this was another thing that really made her change and mature. She is getting a better grasp of what she may have to deal with later on.

    While Unearthly may have introduced us to a world of White Wings and Black Wings, Hallowed explores more of the connection between the characters and the conflicts that come from a battle that may be impossible to win. Cynthia Hand has created a magical world with intriguing characters you can't help but love.

    Recommended: For freakin' EVERYONE!

    Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

    Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Random for life: