Book Nerds Across America

Book Summary
On Christmas Eve five years ago, Holly was visited by three ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she'd become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways.

She didn't.

And then she died.

Now she's stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge--as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past.

Every year, they save another miserly grouch. Every year, Holly stays frozen at seventeen while her family and friends go on living without her. So far, Holly's afterlife has been miserable.

But this year, everything is about to change. . . .

Flo's Review
I don't want to say too much about this book, because I went in knowing next to nothing about what to expect -- and I think that's one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. Every time a new aspect was presented I kept thinking, "How creative! How clever!" I really enjoyed the Project Scrooge storyline. It was just so interesting to me to see how the whole operation unfolded.

This was also a delightfully easy and addictive read. I literally read it in two sessions. Usually I don't do well with unlikeable protagonists, but I was just so intrigued with the story that I didn't really mind Holly. I just took her as she came. And, of course, her attitude was in line with the story.

The Unearthly trilogy by Cynthia Hand was one I really enjoyed (Team Tucker! Who's with me?!??), so I was definitely happy to pick up another one of this author's works. I checked this book out from the library, but I just might have to buy myself a copy. This is one I could possibly see myself enjoying in my Christmas To Come.

Throwback to my review of Unearthly: http://www.booknerdsacrossamerica.com/2011/02/in-beginning-theres-boy-standing-in.html.

The end of another trilogy. There was Unearthly. There was Hallowed. And now Boundless. Clara's world of visions and fierce devotion to the humans and angels she loves will be missed by me. This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be, honestly. I guess with it being the last book and all the talk about a war coming, I guess I thought there would be a war in it? There's not. And unfortunately, I felt it dragged on a little too long. Around the middle I was kind of in a spot where I didn't want to abandon the end of this story I've followed through three books, but at the same time there wasn't that much going on. I felt it could have been tightened a bit. However, the end did pick up and I did like the way it ended.

Can I just say: Christian Prescott and Tucker Avery. I mean...both of these guys are amazing. My favorite Christian line ever is in this book: "It doesn't matter," he says into my mind. "I don't mind you seeing what's inside of me." Christian, I love you. But even with that, my heart has belonged to Tucker Avery since Unearthly. Cynthia Hand really did a great job writing both of these men with such depth, conflict and devotion that I loved to see them every time they made an appearance.

And guess what, y'all?! This is a #ChallengeOf3 book! Woop woop!

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

(I just love this first line.)

Unearthly is the story of Clara, a Quartarius (quarter angel). Clara's mother (a half angel, Dimidius) has explained to her that all angels are on the earth to fulfill a specific purpose. When we enter the story, Clara is just starting to see bits and pieces of her purpose in a repeated vision that gets richer with detail each time she experiences it. There's a boy. He's in the woods. There's a fire. She's supposed to save the boy?

As soon as Clara sees enough in her vision for her and her mother to figure out that it will happen in Wyoming, they (along with Clara's brother Jeffrey) make the move. It doesn't take long for Clara to meet the boy she is supposed to save along with several other surprising and interesting friends as she continues to unravel her purpose.