Boundless Blog Tour: Interview with Cynthia Hand

As part of the Boundless blog tour (hosted by Mundie Moms), I have author Cynthia Hand stopping by today to answer a few questions about writing inspirations, the Unearthly trilogy, and her future writing plans.  Please join me in welcoming one of my favorite YA paranormal authors!

When you first started to write the Unearthly series, did you have the entire story mapped out in your head? Or did you let the characters take the story where it felt right to go?

I am not really a plotter. When I write a novel (or a series) I typically have a good ground situation, a sense of who the characters are, and a very vague sense of where they might end up. I like to follow my characters home, so to speak, and I feel like, if I create them well enough, they will almost write the story for me. That's part of the magic of writing for me, to see where my people take me.

Which authors and/or books do you pull inspiration from?

I read a lot, and any time I read a simply fantastic book I always feel a stab of jealousy (why couldn't I write THAT) and then a wave of inspiration to write something good, maybe not so good as THAT (Maggie Steifvater's The Scorpio Races made me feel this way, or Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall) but as good a story, with as good a language as I can possibly churn out. It's a good kind of jealousy.

Was this story meant to be a trilogy, or do you think you'll write more inside the world of Clara, Tucker and Christian?

I originally thought of the series as a a quartet? (4?), but sometime last year it shaped itself into 3 books and a novella. I do have other Unearthly-related stories inside my crowded brain (I have a whole, fully-formed, LARGE storyline for Maggie, for example, but whether I will ever get those down on paper, I honestly don't know.) I think it will be good to work on a new world and a different type of book for a while.

Even though your books focus on paranormal elements, your writing has a heavy sense of contemporary themes. For me personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series because of that. Do you have any interest in writing a standalone contemporary novel?

You're psychic. My next project is a stand-alone contemporary. With a tiny supernatural twist. And that is pretty much all I can tell you at this point.

The setting for this story is another aspect that really grabbed my attention. Do you have a personal connection to the mountains in Wyoming?

Yes, I grew up in Idaho, but very close to the Wyoming border. I've spent a lot of dreamy afternoons in that part of the world.

About the book:

By: Cynthia Hand 
Published by: Harper Teen 
To Be Released on: January 22nd, 2013 
Series: Unearthly #3 
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound 
Browse Inside

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. - quoted from Goodreads

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.

You can find Cynthia on: her Blog | Twitter | Facebook | 
HarperTeen | GoodReads




Be sure to check out the next stop on the blog tour at Fangirlish tomorrow.

Blog Tour: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

The wonderful book bloggers at Mundie Moms asked me to be a part of the blog tour for Cynthia Hand's novel, Hallowed.  This book is the follow-up to one of my favorite paranormal reads of 2011, Unearthly.  Just when I thought this story couldn't have captured me more, Cynthia Hand took this next one to a whole new level!  Thank you Mundie Moms for asking me to be a part of this blog tour and promote this fabulous book that every one needs to read!

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Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
(This review was originally posted on 11/28/11)

Cynthia Hand has done a superb job of taking the paranormal elements of angels and incorporating it with the every day life of a teenage girl.  What drew me to her writing was how easily I was able to forget that Clara was an angel, with a purpose to fulfill.  Her sarcastic, brave teenage self is what jumped off the pages at me.  That feeling carried over in to Hallowed, accompanied with so many emotional blows that I was NOT prepared for.

The story begins with the repercussions of Clara's decisions she made in the previous novel.  Though I was happy with the choice she made then, I was now starting to see the dangers of what it meant for her in the future.  We learn more about Clara, her brother Jeffery, and their mom in this bit of the story.  Small pieces start to form together, and the picture begins to take shape.  Underneath all the Angel-ness in Clara's world are two boys -- Tucker and Christian.  Strip the story down and you have yourself a basic love triangle.  What I love about this formation of who does she belong to, is that we know who we WANT her to be with, yet we also start to see who she is MEANT to be with.  So the angles on this triangle aren't quite clear.  I'll be honest, I was Team Tucker from the very start.  My emotions have always swayed towards his side.  Christian, though he has a purpose of his own, has never and will never get my vote.

In order to not spoil a big chunk of the book, I will just say that the "someone close to Clara will die" aspect of the story definitely brought the OMG WHERE ARE MY TISSUES?! I AM LOOKING LIKE A CRAZY PERSON SOBBING AT MY DESK!  So, be prepared.  It gets mighty rough.  And that is all I will say on that.

If you're a fan of paranormal with a heavy influence of contemporary in your stories, then I highly recommend this series.  Cynthia Hand has the ability to captivate readers with her dazzling picturesque landscapes set as the back drop to some pretty heavy, heart-tugging complications.  I was sold from the first book, and I've been won over again by the second.  TEAM TUCKER! Just saying.

To view the complete list of bloggers for this tour, please visit Mundie Moms.

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
Published: January 17, 2012 by HarperTeen
Received: ARC from the publisher - thank you!

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. {taken from goodreads.com}

I read Unearthly earlier this year and LOVED it.  So much that it's remained my favorite YA paranormal of the year.  So when I got my hands on an early copy of Hallowed, the second in the series, I was beyond excited to read more of this story.  Cynthia Hand has done a superb job of taking the paranormal elements of angels and incorporating it with the every day life of a teenage girl.  What drew me to her writing was how easily I was able to forget that Clara was an angel, with a purpose to fulfill.  Her sarcastic, brave teenage self is what jumped off the pages at me.  That feeling carried over in to Hallowed, accompanied with so many emotional blows that I was NOT prepared for.

The story begins with the repercussions of Clara's decisions she made in the previous novel.  Though I was happy with the choice she made then, I was now starting to see the dangers of what it meant for her in the future.  We learn more about Clara, her brother Jeffery, and their mom in this bit of the story.  Small pieces start to form together, and the picture begins to take shape.  Underneath all the Angel-ness in Clara's world are two boys -- Tucker and Christian.  Strip the story down and you have yourself a basic love triangle.  What I love about this formation of who does she belong to, is that we know who we WANT her to be with, yet we also start to see who she is MEANT to be with.  So the angles on this triangle aren't quite clear.  I'll be honest, I was Team Tucker from the very start.  My emotions have always swayed towards his side.  Christian, though he has a purpose of his own, has never and will never get my vote.

In order to not spoil a big chunk of the book, I will just say that the "someone close to Clara will die" aspect of the story definitely brought the OMG WHERE ARE MY TISSUES?! I AM LOOKING LIKE A CRAZY PERSON SOBBING AT MY DESK!  So, be prepared.  It gets mighty rough.  And that is all I will say on that.

If you're a fan of paranormal with a heavy influence of contemporary in your stories, then I highly recommend this series.  Cynthia Hand has the ability to captivate readers with her dazzling picturesque landscapes set as the back drop to some pretty heavy, heart-tugging complications.  I was sold from the first book, and I've been won over again by the second.  TEAM TUCKER! Just saying.

...To Be Continued in 2012!

photo by Elements of Persuasion

While browsing my "must-reads" for 2012, I realized there are quite a few books that happen to be follow ups to a new series that I started reading this year.  Below are a few of those, second in the series, must-reads that will be published in 2012.

This past year introduced me to a lot of new authors & genres in YA lit.  I found myself immersed in some of these stories and can not freaking wait to read what happens next for these characters.  Share your thoughts in the comments if you've read any of the books prior to these. Or, if you have not read any of them yet, then perhaps this post will entice you to do so.  2012 can not get here fast enough!!!!

*WARNING: some of these book descriptions may contain spoilers if you have not read the previous book.

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

January 24, 2012

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. {taken from goodreads.com}

Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver

March 6, 2012

Lauren Oliver captivated readers with Delirium, the first book in a thrilling dystopian trilogy in which Lena Haloway dared to fall in love with Alex and escape the cure, the government-mandated procedure that renders a person immune to the disease of love. Lena and Alex staked their lives on leaving their oppressive society, but only Lena broke free.

Pandemonium continues Lena’s gripping story. After escaping from Portland, Maine, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community, where she transforms herself into a warrior for the resistance. A future without Alex is unimaginable, but Lena pushes forward and fights, both for him and for a world in which love is no longer considered a disease. Swept up in a volatile mix of revolutionaries and counterinsurgents, Lena struggles to survive—and wonders if she may be falling in love again. {taken from goodreads.com}

Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

May 28, 2012

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. {taken from goodreads.com}

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead

June 19, 2012

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students—children of the wealthy and powerful—carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought. {taken from goodreads.com}

More sequels to be continued in 2012:

A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2) by Suzanne Young - July 2012
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer #2 by Michelle Hodkin - 2012
Shatter Me #2 by Tahereh Mafi - 2012
The Eve Trilogy #2 by Anna Carey - 2012
Shine (Shade #3) by Jeri Smith-Ready - May 1, 2012 (I know it's the 3rd in the series, but it's HIGHLY anticipated in my to-be-read pile for 2012 & I wanted to mention it!) 

A list has been created on goodreads of several more 2012 YA/MG Sequels.  Click here to view that list.

I receive a small commission from books purchased through the Amazon links provided.

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Published: January 4, 2011 by HarperTeen
Received: Bought from Barnes & Noble

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees...

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart. {taken from goodreads.com}

Wow. This book really grabbed me, & I was unable to put it down until I finished this chapter in this new series by Cynthia Hand.  If you're a fan of paranormal meets young adult contemporary, then this book is meant for you!  There were several moments while reading that I forgot angels were even involved because I was so swept up in the intensity of young teenage love & all the baggage (good & bad) it brings with it.

The story begins explaining Clara, who she is, & what her abilities are.  She's a quarter angel (or angel-blood as they like to call themselves) who has a purpose in life.  Her purpose slowly comes to her the closer she reaches her prime teenage years through visions.  With the help of her mother (who is also an angel-blood), & her reluctant younger brother, she begins to put the pieces together of her visions in order to find out what her purpose is.  And so they move to Wyoming, as a family, in order for Clara to fulfill her purpose in life as an angel-blood. 

Clara's visions are always of a young boy, Christian, & her saving him from a forest fire.  She finds him in Wyoming, and soon finds herself attending school with him & having an every day life as any normal teenager would.  She feels drawn to him & little by little the visions reveal to her that Christian is supposed to mean more to her than just a friendly acquaintance.  Clara is still young in learning her strengths & abilities as an angel-blood though.  One rule that her mother shares with her is that you never reveal yourself to a human.  This is one of the few rules that her mother is willing to share with Clara, though.  For whatever reason, Clara's mother likes to keep their abilities & their purposes in the dark.   A new face becomes a constant in Clara's world.  Tucker.  She first meets him at school, as the brother to one of her new friends she's made since moving to Wyoming.  He plays the typical role of a teenage boy picking on a girl, for whom he really has a crush on.  Tucker is the perfect gentleman to those he is respectful towards.  He is witty & charming when he wants to be.  His boyish grin, dimple and all, start to flood Clara's thoughts.  It's these thoughts that steer Clara away from her purpose, away from Christian.

Clara & Tucker's summer romance in the mountains & on the lake were a dream to read about.  The author, Cynthia Hand, beautifully choreographed the build up of what only was inevitable.  Clara & Tucker fall in love.  His gentleness & patience while teaching her how to fly fish, their shared kisses under the stars while laying in the bed of his truck.  These moments propelled the book & swept me away to what every girl wishes her first love should feel like.  You almost believe that it's just a girl & a boy, and start to forget that it's an angel with a purpose & a boy who has no idea that world even exists.  As time marches on, Clara is reminded she came to Wyoming for a reason.  She has choices to make, and lots of questions she needs answers to.

The last few chapters I was completely engulfed in.  I could not put the book down.  I had to know what happened next.  My heart was racing & I felt myself holding my breath.  Clara is being forced to choose between what her heart wants: Tucker, and what her purpose is meant for: Christian.  This being the first book in the series, I knew I would not get the answers all wrapped up at the end.  I was pleased with the conclusion that Cynthia Hand gives us though.  Just enough to satisfy me, but even more to keep me intrigued.  The dialogue that is being told through Clara's thoughts & words is right on when it comes to the teenage spirit.  I think that is why, as the reader, you forget it's a paranormal book & read it as just young adult fiction.  My first thought when I closed this book: I need more. NOW.  I am anxious, yet terrified to learn what lies ahead for Clara.  What challenges must she face based on the choices that she's made?  Unearthly is unbelievably & unconditionally brilliant.  I think angels are giving vampires a run for their money.. at least in the young adult world.

Side note: the cover for this book is GORGEOUS. I am seriously in love with it.  The pictures shown online do not do it's justice.  Even underneath the jacket, the hard bound cover is breathtaking.  This is by far one of the most dazzling book covers I've seen in a long, long time.  If anything - you must go to the bookstore & see it for yourself!  You'll want to touch it & stare at it like I have so many times :-)