Unbound

All Good Things #1

by Georgia Bell

After her father dies, Rachel realizes she is scared and stuck. Scared of heights, of cars, of disasters harming the people she loves. Stuck in a life that is getting smaller by the minute. Stuck with a secret she has kept all her life: Someone has been watching over her since birth. Someone who tends to show up when she needs him the most. Someone she believes is her guardian angel.

Eaden is a 1,500-year-old immortal who wants to die. Drained by a life stretched too thin, he has requested his final reward – a mortal sacrifice bred specifically to bring him death. But something went wrong. Rachel’s ability to grant death has mutated in ways that threaten to upset the uneasy alliance between mortals and immortals. And utterly beguiled, Eaden discovers that although Rachel is the key to his death, because of her, he no longer wants to die. And he will do anything to protect her.

Swept into a world of legends, caught between the warring political factions of immortals, and carrying the future of mortal kind in her flesh and bone, Rachel must risk everything to save her world and the man she loves.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Ebooks, Contemporary

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 2, 2013

About the author

Georgia Bell was raised on a steady diet of science fiction and fantasy, courtesy of her father, a man who loved his family, fishing, scotch, and science (although not necessarily in that order). Georgia is an avid reader of young adult fiction, and a lover of good wine, music, children, and cats (although not necessarily in that order).

Reviews

[Amrutha Ram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'M CRYING. This was so phenomenal, literally stop whatever you're doing right now and get to this book.

This book is about a young girl named Rachel after her father dies - seems normal enough right? Not at all. Rachel is impossibly scared,but not to worry - she has a guardian angel. The hunky, kind, and oh so mysteriously damaged Eaden.

Eaden, who is immortal, has only one chance to finally die, a chance which can only be given to him by Rachel. However, he soon finds that after meeting Rachel, he doesn't want to die.

Enter a whirlwind romance.

Although I usually feel that whirlwind romances are rushed and never written well, I loved this one. Georgia Bell wrote about two insanely poignant characters that transformed into strong, confident people. The personal growth shown by Rachel and Eaden was tremendous and honestly really inspiring. It's so rare that characters are shown to grow as people in such a short period of time. Bell is a really great author, and I can't wait to see what comes next from her.

The reason this book didn't get 5/5 (I gave it a 4.5 on my blog) stars was because there were a few slow parts and one part of the book that seemed a tad unnecessary; however, this book was honestly one of the best I've read in 2013.

The romance between Rachel and Eaden is sparkling, and I ship it ultra hard. Go Raden? Eadchel? I'm still working on their amalgamation.

Enough about their romance. The idea of the book is one of the most creative paranormal ones I've read: I'm not usually a huge fan of this kind of literature, but Bell took my breath away with Rachel's power and her 1500 year old immortal guardian and even the internal power politics of the immortals. Even though this sounds a bit Twilight, I promise this is x19337282 better than that. This book is filled with plot twists and turns that I just cannot bear to give away.

CHRISTMAS EVE WORD OF ADVICE: DROP EVERYTHING. READ THIS. GO. YOU WILL BE GRATEFUL OK I PROMISE. WE CAN AWAIT THE RELEASE OF THE NEXT ONE.

[Georgia Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll take care of the first review so the rest of you aren't too shy to post your own. There. Carry on. Happy reading and reviewing.

[Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel is caught up in her fears and her grief, keeping her from living her life to the fullest. Rachel barely goes anywhere but work and home and she only has one good friend. Yet she knows someone has been watching over her entire life and for the longest time she was unsure he was real…but he is real and she is more connected to him than she knows. Eaden is an immortal searching for the key to ending his life and it’s Rachel. He’s been watching over Rachel since her birth, but as she’s grown he’s also protected her without her knowledge. When he reveals himself to Rachel a whole new world opens up, but it may prove more dangerous than they’d ever imagined. Will they be prepared? I loved ‘Unbound’! I adored the characters, the unique story, the intrigue, the action, and the rollercoaster of emotions (for the characters and readers, alike!). I don’t want to give much away - ‘Unbound’ is a definite must read!

[Mollydee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Racheal Leah Dawes is a girl just trying to make it through the day. She lost her father years ago and she has not been alright since. Her mother has not been able to deal with the death of her husband or Rachel's twin brother who was stillborn. Rachel works in a safe job (library) and does things like checks locks lots of times, goes the same way to work, does not go out on the weekend, does not take chances. She may go out occasionally with the only person she trusts - her best friend Lacey. But she mostly feels unsafe in the world.

From the time she was little, she always felt like there was someone watching her. A guardian angel if you will. In fact she knows she has seen him. He has shown up when Rachel was in trouble a few times but no one ever could seem to identify him. They just knew someone saved her. This man is following her again and his is present to her strongly. She decided to go see a therapist who assures her this is normal and a coping mechanism to deal with the loss of her dad. But one day she feels he is walking behind her and turns to confront him and that is where her crazy journey begins.

Enter Eaden. He is an immortal. He is not a warewolf or a vampire, he is just someone who cannot die. He has been around since the days of King Arthur. And he is drawn to Rachel because of a certain trait she has. Eaden had been on earth long enough and wants to die. He has been protecting Rachel because she is his Mafteach or key to a final death. Immortals, the longer they live, tend to start to go crazy. Eaden has had enough and it is time to die. But he has watched over Rachel for so long, since she was a baby, that he cannot bring himself to use her as his key or Mafteach. Not to mention when Rachel turns to talk to him that fateful day, there is a connection. And as their relationship grows, he falls in love with her. And she with him.

The problem is this. There was never a female Mafteach before in the history of mortals so Rachel is genetic abnormality. And she turns out to be not only Eaden's key, but the key for many other immortals. So it is Eaden's job to keep her safe because there are people like Amun and Sabas who wish to use her for his own selfish purposes. Rachel holds the key to a world of mortals and immortals and the whole balance between them.

Since she has this genetic abnormality and can bring about big changes in the immortal world,as well as the mortal world. But they are not necessarily all good. Eaden is very protective of Rachel and their adventure starts as they set out to go before The Counsel to explain why Rachel should stay alive and not be used for what they are intending to use her for.

The have help from another immortal Amerlyn who turns out to be a famous character is history. And they are helped on their mission also by some of the Sisters of Caillech, mainly Elora, Mara, and Sita. They have powers that can help Rachel and Eaden on their way to the Counsel.

This was a great fantasy with some mystery and a great love story. It shows just how far someone will go to be with who they love and what they will sacrifice for someone they love. And it is on Rachel's and Eaden's side that the love and the self-sacrifice exists.

If you want to read a good book and go on a great journey with a love that transcends time, this is the book for you.

[Mikky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Originally posted at:



My Almost Review:

* I was provided a free eCopy by the author in exchange of an honest review.

I wouldn't call what I'm about to write up a review pre se, but I couldn't help getting emotionally involved with this novel. I'll admit I couldn't stomach more than half of this novel. I was going absolutely crazy over the heroine's actions and I just need to vent. So the following rating is for the half of the book that I read.
________________________

Before you say ANYTHING about this review, please just read what I have to say.

Right off the bat I started this book thinking that it was going to be an awesome read. Why, you ask? Well who doesn't want to read about an immortal who had a girl be born to be the death of him, but then ended up loving her and NOT wanting to die. Crazy, right?

Well, not so much. The heroine (whose name I can't even recall) had a lonely almost depressive life. It was the same routines everyday. She went to work, said no to going out with friends and some times saw a stranger following her and never said anything to anyone. Normal, right?

It was like she had stolkhome sindrome. She felt 'safe' when she was being stalked. She considered this creeper her 'guardian angel'. May I also mention that this immortal has been following her around since she was a BABY.

After they officially met, she then started to obsess over when she'd see him again. She'd also state that she was in love with him. Really, hun? You haven't even said 3 words to him and your in love with him? More like lust, if you ask me.

At the point where stopped in the story, I didn't even get to know Mr. Immortal (whose name I also forget). From the little I read about him he seemed creepy, secretive and like he was holding a part of him back or something.

Things I'd Like To Know More About (In This Novel):
* How a Century old being would fall in 'love' with a teenager?
* Why the heroine seemed like she had OCD and kept doing and redoing the same things more then 5 times?

If you have the answer to my questions please feel free to comment below!!

[CasPerfitz~SLiTsReaD · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!

The story line is very interesting.... it talks about immortals who'll eventually want to die and the only way they could is when they find their Mafte’ach (meaning "the key"), these are mortals who carry genetic material that allows them to die.

Then there is definitely character growth... 18 years old Rachel, our lead character, started off shy and scared (with an OCD symptom that she tries to overcome and seeks help with)... turned brave and spirited. Rachel has always felt that she's being watched and protected by, what she calls, her guardian angel. And this would be Eaden.

Eaden is a 1,500 years old immortal and is tired of living, until Rachel. Eaden is protective and sweet, a bit old fashion.... and is full of surprises as you'd get to know him more further along the story.

Their connection together is quite compelling and refreshing... I can feel their pull and how perfect they are for each other.

There are other characters in this book that I find interesting too... like Amerlyn, who supposedly is Merlin, the magician, and all the other witches introduced.

Now on the BUT side.... I do find the pacing slow. Though I love hearing about a characters background but when it sometimes felt like it goes on and on, I just loose my interest. Then on the peak of the story, I was sorta, kinda, expecting it... so it wasn't that surprising for me... but it is definitely interesting.

It ended with a very promising note. I would certainly want to know what is next for Rachel and Eaden, that is if their story continues.... specially with Rachel's new found gift.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, wow!
This was a gripping story with very real, believable characters. I really loved getting to know these people. The adventure is awesome, but I feel like even if they'd just meandered through life doing nothing much, I'd've been okay with that, because they really started to matter to me.

Unbound is also deliciously hard to pigeon-hole: The romance lets you fall in love alongside the narrator, and can almost feel your cheeks flush when she's embarrassed [which happens a lot, at least in the beginning]. The adventure keeps your pulse racing in synch with hers, your skin crawling when hers does.

The story hit the sweet spot for me when it came to tension -- enough to keep me riveted and a bit agonized about whether it would work out, but not to the point where I was too upset to function.

Rachel is -- on the surface -- a nervy kind of girl. With a handsome, charming stalker who happens to be immortal. Only she turns out to be a pretty cool adventure-story heroine when the chips are down, and he turns out to be not as invulnerable as all that. They're simultaneously on the run from danger while running straight into it. Throw in lots of witty supporting characters and an exciting buildup to a thumping good finale, and there you have it! Read it, people. Then tell other people to read it while you wait for the sequel.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

My desperate screams fade into the fog. Because I know what's coming. It's death, of course. And it's looking for me.

Eighteen year old Rachel is a shy and timid girl. She is often overcome with fears and insecurities. With only one real friend to speak of, her social life consists of not much more than going to work in the local library. Since she was a very young girl, she has been convinced that she has a guardian angel watching over her. She feels protected by him from afar. But after a series of events Rachel vows to get to the bottom of her protectors appearances and what she learns about Eaden and herself will change her life in ways she never could have imagined.

I found Unbound to be quite a unique and original story. I hadn't read this concept of mortals and immortals being so intricately connected before. I loved learning the back story to the immortals and the consequences of living so long, and where Rachel fits into it all.

For the most part the story flowed quite smoothly, but there were occasions when I found things to be a little stilted. I think it may have in some part been to how formal Eaden came across at times. I suppose that comes down to Eaden being 1500 years old.

"For the last five years I've been so afraid, all the time." I looked at her through my tears and shook my head. "But I'm not afraid of him. Never him. He's the safest thing I know."

I really found myself enjoying the uncovering of the mysterious Eaden. I found him to be quite a multilayered character. At first he comes across as quite solitary, and that's really how he lives his life. But once Eaden and Rachel begin their journey, we get to know Eaden on a much greater level and he is quite a respected and admired member of his community.

Rachel was at times much older than her age. And then at others she seemed so very young. But above all else she is strong when she needs to be. Forced to grow up much quicker than most girls due to the death of her father and her mothers subsequent inability to be a consistent parent.

The best part of the story for me was the last third as the action and suspense picked up. This was when I really felt most connected to the characters and was really convinced of the feelings that Rachel and Eaden shared.

Unbound started out incredibly promising. I was loving the mystery of being watched over by someone your whole life. Always feeling protected even though you don't really have any great physical contact. Then the story became a little lost in the middle section and I did find my mind straying a bit during that period, but then the pacing and excitement level picked up again in the last third and I was on board again. A nice read, just not one that blew my mind.

3/5 Intriguing Stars

[Feminista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

A lovely début novel, Georgia Bell introduces us to a world where a small segment of the population is immortal. Their long lives breeds a kind of madness in them. As a result, with the help of Merlin they devise a way for immortals to end their lives. They bred a line of humans who will specifically result in a particular immortal's death. Rachel was meant to be Eaden's special one. Except he falls for her. And as the story continues, they soon realise that Rachel is not like the others. Her uniqueness soon attracts the attention of other immortals.

The story between Eaden and Rachel was sweet and slow. I enjoyed that. It is not something you see very often in the current Young Adult or New Adult genres. I liked the idea of immortals and humans being specifically bred to end them. It's hard to find stories with truly unique fantasy plots, this novel definitely got that right without being outlandish.

I thought the relationship between Rachel and her deceased twin brother could have been explained better. I also didn't enjoy the insertion of Eaden's ex. I rarely do. But this one stood out more because his ex was in a whole different league to Rachel; age, knowledge, experience and power wise. It also made stark the differences between Eaden and Rachel; in their age, knowledge and experience and that was something I did not enjoy contemplating.

That aside, it was a well put together novel. I definitely looking forward to reading this author's next novel!

Copy courtesy of Georgia Bell through BookLikes Giveaways.

[Elnora Romness · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review, which follows:

Have you ever felt as though someone were watching you? Not a malevolent someone, just someone who seems to show up at odd times and help you out? Someone you generally see in times of trouble? Someone who helps quell the anxieties that make you double check everything? What if that someone isn't an angel?

LONG STORY SHORT...
Boy meets girl. Girls meets boy. Boy is 1500+ years old. Girl is 18. Boy has been drawn to girl her entire life. Girl has noticed boy here and there, always seeming to be around when her life is in danger or something scary is about to happen. Boy is plagued with...something behind his eyes that to hint to an immense sadness. Girl is plagued with near-crippling anxiety and a desperate need for structure, order, routine. Boy flips girl's world upside down. Is it for the best?

This is a marvelous book about immortals and other supernatural beings which is expertly written in an engaging, frank style that is just as endearing as the main character - Rachel. Bell brings readers on a roller coaster ride where we are never quite sure what happens next, endings are merely beginnings, the unexpected delights in popping up all over the place, and people and other beings are not quite what they seem. Unbound is a delightful, surprising read that is sure to please your imagination with vivid settings, endearing characters, gut-wrenching drama, and a timeless love story....or is it?

I've said before on this blog that I consider the mark of a good book to be that I continue to think about it when not reading....I thought about this book quite a bit between page-turning episodes.

Just to warn you - this book is a bit of a tease. :)

Overall, on an ascending scale of 1 to 5, I give this book a 4.

LONG STORY
The Good
I've been reading voraciously ever since I was knee-high to a very short cricket. I know what makes a good book and what makes a stinker. This is a very good book.

Rachel is a young lady who intentionally leads a very ordered, structured life. After enduring the physical loss of her father through death and the emotional loss of her mother through detachment, Rachel has become an expert at avoiding people...they'll just leave her with hurt anyways. She also avoids frightening situations...kind of (spending mornings reading the world news is not exactly shielding oneself from the frightening situations in the world). Mom pressures her to apply for university and to give a particular boy a shot at happiness. A friend pressures her to get out an do stuff. She pressures herself to stay safe.

Safe? What is safe when one is plagued by anxiety that is near crippling, prompting one to double check the lock on the door at least half a dozen times? To take a job that is utterly predictable and routine? To prefer to live in a world of books rather than the real world, because the ending is already determined in a book and is the same each time one reads the same book?

To know that you've been followed your entire life by a dashing fellow with gray eyes who always seems to show up when your life is in danger? A number of months after Rachel turns 18, she decides to see a therapist about her....issues. Shortly after this, she decides to confront the imaginary figment that seems to always rescue her at the right moment.

Little does she know that Eaden is not imaginary, and he carries issues of his own....1500+ years of them. He is drawn to Rachel like a fly to a light, though his attraction to her is not merely physical in a visual sense but also rather, um, genetic due to a certain major literary/historical figure who shall remain nameless here because your jaw needs to drop like mine did when his/her identity was revealed. Eaden has followed Rachel since the day he watched her family playing in a park when she was a tiny tot.

The problem is that others who are not quite as chivalrous as he are also drawn to her. The problem is that immortality and the monumental task of remembering a world's history (the writers of history are generally those on top of the social structure, after all, and their world is barely 90% trustworthy) as it actually happened is too much even for the mind of a special human who cannot die.

So a special breed of human was created, where they could end the life of an immortal human...but their life would end at the same time. Each special human is only supposed to be aligned to one immortal. Each special human is supposed to be male. Then along came Rachel.

Okay, that's enough plot synthesis for you. If I go too much further, you are going to have no reason to read this really very superb book. First, I give Bell kudos for taking a vastly overdone trope (boy meets girl, girl meets boy, kisses ensue) and giving it a rather unique twist. Several unique twists, in fact. I find many books to be utterly predictable - this charge can never be leveled at Unbound. Bell kept me guessing in every chapter. Just when I thought I had things figured out....whamo - something would come along and not go quite the way I thought it would.

Second, Bell uses a Hebrew word in this book to refer to the special individuals who are able to be used to end the life of an immortal being. That word is mafte'ach and Bell claims that it means "key" in Hebrew. I sound very skeptical here because I have an inherent distrust of so-called translations of Hebrew words (I'm a Biblical scholar type person, after all, who has studied the translation difficulties of the Christian Bible and know what can be done to the Hebrew language (for example: the word in Hebrew that is often translated as "feet" in English is not always our physical feet upon which we walk....sometimes it is used colloquially as was common in the days when the Old Testament was written. "Feet" in Hebrew can also mean "penis". Now go back and read the story of Ruth....sounds a little different (and in my opinion makes a bit more sense) when you know this!)). However, Bell has correctly translate this word - YAY!!!!!!! Maybe I'm making a bigger deal of this than necessary, but you have no idea how much it means to me when Hebrew words are translated properly!! (NOTE: The root of the word mafte'ach is the word for doorway ("more or less", according to my husband - who is the one between us that actually reads/writes ancient Hebrew)....which also works in this story.)

Third, I absolutely adore the strong characters here...especially Rachel. Now, when you read the beginning of the book, it definitely does not sound like she is super strong. She does, however, come into her own and discover her inner strength through the course of the book...but it isn't something that is just gifted to her, it is developed - which I frankly appreciate more in a character because that is more true to life and infinitely more relateable. Eaden was kind of the same guy through most of the book (save the last couple of chapters), though I liked him for different reasons.

Fourth, settings and descriptions in this work are super colorful and vivid. Bell leaves just the right amount of work to the reader to figure out how to set a scene. She describes things through Rachel's eyes (the entire book is Rachel's POV) and in a way that is just as endearing as Rachel herself. I absolutely loved Bell's writing style. : )

Fifth, you should know there are a lot more good things about this book, but you need to read it yourself.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention this - it can stand alone on its own merit and be a complete story line. I say this because it appears to me that Bell is writing a sequel. Unbound ended in a way that definitely provides fodder for a wonderful sequel (not gonna tell you how - read the darn book yourself!), but not in a cliffhanger way that makes you go "really?!" in frustration. I adored the ending. : ) For one thing, it is the perfect blend of unpredictable and predictable.

The Bugly (bad/ugly)
There are a few reasons why this book is a 4 instead of a straight 5:

1) I found multiple typos: upset punctuation, missing words, etc. Now, I nitpick on this a lot - but a book that is ready to print should have as few typos as possible. That being said, I understand that looking at the same text (and a LOT of it!) again and again means that writers - and editors - miss things. My fresh eyes just caught a few too many things to not be annoyed.

2) Have you ever seen the television show "Highlander"? If not, you should check it out - it's pretty good. If you have, you'll understand this next phrase: this book felt like "Highlander" fan fic. For some inexplicable reason (I really like "Highlander") this really, really bugged me. Maybe it is because that made parts of the book just a smidge too predictable for my taste....I'm not sure. I just know that once I realized this, Eaden began to resemble the immortal main character in "Highlander" in my head as I read.

3) There are words in other languages that are not freaking translated!! It bugs me to high Heaven when there are words I'm reading that I can't understand - it's the reason I rarely listen to songs in other languages, and the reason I hit Google instantly when a song in English has indistinguishable lines. If there are going to be lots of words in other languages that are not explained/translated in the text itself, there needs to be a glossary at the end of the book. :P

FOR MORE, CHECK OUT MY BLOG: onlygodwritestrees.blogspot.com

[starryeyedjen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free as an Amazon Prime member.

This review, and others like it, can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.

I think I was pitched this book, either through a Goodreads friend request or email or something, but I'm being lazy and don't feel like looking it up.  Either way, I didn't acknowledge the request because that summary wasn't the best and I already had enough on my plate.  But I saw an excerpt on another blog that caught my attention, and so I thought I'd give it a go anyway.  I noticed that the book was available in the Kindle Lending Library for Amazon Prime members, so rather than requesting from the author after however long it had been, I went ahead and borrowed it.  Also, if I'm being honest, it's easier for me to honestly review a book -- no holds barred -- when I didn't receive it directly from the author.

Fair or not, I instinctually picture another sparkly immortal whenever mention is made of a really old young guy who falls for a girl who's pretty much shut herself away from the world.  Eaden does tend to lurk and follows Rachel around for the first quarter of the novel, but it's not so bad as all that in this story.  Though it still kind of squicks me out to think of a guy with all of this worldly experience and hundreds of years under his belt falling for -- and potentially bedding -- a virgin girl who can't possibly fathom what she's just gotten herself into.  The romance suffers from a severe case of insta-love, at least on Rachel's side; he's been watching her since she was in the womb.  There's a reason for that, and when it all comes out, it's less creepy than it sounds, but until I figured out what was going on, I still found it all a little squicky.

Honestly, when I started this one, I thought it was going to focus on angels, but that is far from what Eaden actually is. He may have acted as Rachel's guardian angel more than once, but that's because he has a vested interest in her well-being.  Of course, she doesn't discover exactly why until a ways down the road, and even then, she easily forgives him his well-intentioned deception.  Rachel's character is kind of par for the course for a paranormal romance, but she didn't irritate me entirely like others have in the past.  Through constant encouragement from Eaden, she grows some lady balls and actually starts to live a little.  Because of that, I can overlook some of her other transgressions.

“There was something about the possession of a book that was important to me. Owning it gave me proprietary rights on the story. It meant that I could read as quickly or as slowly as I liked. No expectations, no deadlines, no proscriptions on bent spines or crumpled pages. I was not gentle on my books. I read while I ate, I read in the bathtub. At night, I rolled over on top of my books that had fallen between the covers as I dozed. For me, the worn pages and tattered covers were a sign of devotion. Like the Velveteen Rabbit, the books I read were only real when they were loved. And I understood that love was not always gentle.”

I was actually a little impressed with the writing, though the book could have used another round of editing. (There was nothing major that impeded my comprehension of the story, but there were just some general errors that needed tidying up.)  Still, considering the supposed subject matter and the insta-love, this book surprised me.  As did the decidedly unexpected turn the second half of the book took.  One second I was reading a paranormal romance focused on an immortal record keeper, and the next, they're gallivanting off to Scotland, meeting up with witches and a secret council, and suddenly all of history has been rewritten. Honestly, it almost felt like I was reading a different book for the second half of Unbound.

I was definitely entertained by this book, if not always for the right reasons.  I liked the theme of sacrifice that ran throughout the novel and how it was incorporated into the ending and especially the fact that it wasn't the lovelorn immortal who had to pay the ultimate price, as per usual.  And although this is the first book in a planned series, I'm iffy as to whether I'll continue it simply because I like the way things were tied up at the end of this first book and I already have enough series to keep track of.  But who's to say I won't see another excerpt from the sequel that convinces me yet again that I need to read it?

GIF it to me straight:

It wasn't great but it also wasn't terrible, which is okay in my book. :)

[Echo · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

I love books that step outside of the "typical" paranormal themes. You know, werewolves, vampires, demons, angels (as much as I love them, there are getting to be quite a few).

Unbound isn't your typical paranormal romance.

For starters, Rachel isn't a doting 18-year-old. She's anxious, sometimes to the point of OCD. And more than anything else, she's lonely. She lost her father, whom she was close to. He made her feel loved and safe. Once he was gone, so was that feeling. Rachel realizes that she'll never get the chance to be close to her mother because her mother has never quite moved past losing Rachel's twin in birth. Rachel feels as if she's living in the shadow of someone who's never even been there.

Then there's Eaden (I'm not sure if that's pronounced 'Eden' or 'Aiden', and that bugged me, so I stuck with 'Eden'.). He's been watching Rachel since she was little, always in the shadows, protecting her, and saving her. Rachel trusts him, which, at first (at least for me) seems a little creepy because Eaden comes off as more of a "caring stalker" in the beginning. He's always there, watching her, never approaching her unless she's hurt or in danger. Sometimes, it's not so much as she sees him, as much as it is that she can feel when he's near. He makes her feel safe, which is why she's not concerned.

Rachel finds out that Eaden's immortal and the reason she can feel him is because she's the genetic "key" that was supposed to help him die (killing her in turn). Her genes being engineered by the immortals long ago as an end to their time on Earth before becoming insane. However, Eaden renounced his intention of dying when he fell in love with her, launching them into an unforeseen predicament with the immortal council.

Rather than become an experiment for the council, Rachel takes matters into her own hands.

One of the reasons I like this book is that Rachel's not a dopey, love-struck teenager. She doesn't worship Eaden, she loves him. And that comes with doing whatever she has to to protect him the way he's always protected her. I like that, aside from her fear and anxiety, Rachel stands on her own feet, even though she sometimes needs encouragement and reminders of how strong she really is. She doesn't do everything Eaden says, and most often, battles against him, his will, and his wishes. It's nice to see a character whose brain doesn't turn to mush (aside from that whole 'being okay with a stalker' thing) at the sight or mention of a male.

I kind of had to trudge through the first 25% of Unbound, because it moved a bit slower than my attention span appreciated. But once Rachel and Eaden met, like actually met, it picked up and was easier to stay with. However, there was a part, where Rachel, Eaden, Amerlyn and Mara are traveling through the Scottish Highlands (I know, right?!) on horseback that seemed terribly drawn out. I admit, I skimmed most of the trip.

The dialogue in Unbound is a little formal, but seeing as how Rachel studies history and Eaden's 1,500 years old, I suppose it's fitting. I'm pretty sure he's supposed to appear as if he's Rachel's age, because at one point she kind of mentions it while watching him sleep, but Bell did a great job of portraying his real age in his wisdom and speech.

That's another thing, throughout the book, you're never really given more than minimal physical descriptions. Aside from some hair and eye color references (Mara's hair's black with a streak of purple, Stuart's hair is red), and an ethnic remark (Sita's Indian), you don't really get a feel for the looks of the characters which makes them hard to see.

Other than that, I actually really enjoyed this book. Once I got past the beginning, I couldn't put it down. The characters and their traits (especially the witches) are unique and easy to feel for. The story isn't one you've read a hundred times.

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

Thanks to author Georgia Bell for sending me an e-copy of Unbound.

There were definitely things I enjoyed about Unbound, and a few other things that didn't quite match my taste as a reader.

The author's writing style is smooth and easy to read, and the e-book was well-edited and formatted. As is typical when I read an e-book, I'd completely forgotten what Unbound was about and just started reading it cold. As a result, Unbound felt a little slow at the beginning as I tried to figure out what was going on. The book's heroine, Rachel, works in the historical archives of the local library. She's eighteen, but still living with her widowed mother, so she's not quite YA age, but not quite NA. Since Rachel was a child, she's believed that a mysterious man -- a guardian angel, or so she thinks -- has been following her around.

When this mystery man finally reveals himself, at first I thought he was a father figure to Rachel, not a love interest. (I think this was due to the fact at the beginning of the book, Rachel also spends a lot of time dreaming about her dead father.) Once I figured out that the mystery guy was intended as a love interest, I began to get a strong Twilight-y vibe, which will be a plus for some readers and a negative for others. Eaden is protective and mysterious and handsome and immortal and rich. He follows Rachel around, and then begins to spend time with her. She's drawn to him, but he remains elusive.

Eaden finally explains who he is and what his connection is to Rachel. Much of this is set out in the book's synopsis, but I won't elaborate in case you want to be surprised. This part of the book was definitely my favorite. The connection between Rachel and Eaden and also between humans and immortals was both interesting and not something I'd read before. Not only does the book's mythology incorporate science and raise interesting philosophical questions about immortality, I also enjoyed the way that different historical figures and events (Lancelot and Guinevere, the Holy Grail, Shakespeare) were woven into the plot. I also loved the fact that many of the chapter titles were also song titles. (They may all have been; I didn't recognize every one.) I did have one technical question about Eaden's relationship with Rachel: since she is his Mafte'ach, and their genetic code is similar, doesn't that make an intimate relationship between them a little ... genetically unwise, not to mention odd? If the book addressed this, I missed it.

While I loved the fact that the book whisks the reader off to both Scotland and London, that did also feel like a Twilight parallel, with Eaden isolating Rachel from her friends and family because he's the only one who really understands her. (Yes, that was somewhat necessary to the plot, but it still bothered me a little.)

The book's ending was interesting and unexpected. Rather than the typical supernatural smackdown, the climactic scenes of Unbound felt more like an intellectual showdown than a physical brawl, and I liked that. Rachel is an intellectual person, not a brawler, and I was happy that the book let her stay in character. Not only that, she really grows from a very insecure person to a very strong one.

All in all, I think Georgia Bell is a talented writer with interesting ideas. I would have liked this book to be a little tighter, both plot-wise and conceptually, and the pace to be evened out a little more. But if Georgia wrote something outside the paranormal romance genre (which, admittedly, is not my very favorite) I would definitely give it a try.

Readalikes: The Carrier of the Mark books by Leigh Fallon or Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey. If you enjoyed these, you might be the perfect reader for Unbound!

[Anna McC · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word…. Amazing! This book blew me away. There were a couple of rough patches where the pace of the book slowed a little bit but the reader barely notices this as they are so wrapped up in this phenomenal novel. Georgia Bell is a brilliant author who has created a unique story which captivates the reader from beginning to end. This book did a great job of keeping its reader constantly on their toes. I didn’t know what to expect from this book but I was pleasantly surprised. Unbound is an emotional rollercoaster which leaves you desperate for more. The author has written a fantastic novel with a great plot which keeps you reading.

Rachel is a quiet girl who is wrapped up in the grief she is suffering. She may a simple life, with a simple job and only a few friends but that is all about to change. When she notices she is being stalked she should be terrified so why does she feel the safest that she has ever felt in her whole life? Eaden is immortal who has been unknowingly been searching for Rachel to end his long existence but what he didn’t expect was to fall desperately in love with her. Now he must choose between ending his long torturous life and finally finding piece or continuing to live a life with the women he loves. When Rachel becomes more valuable than anyone could ever imagine, her life is put in danger and Eaden will stop at nothing to protect her. This book is packed full of raw emotions that will rip the readers heart out. As the reader you will find it extremely easy to become emotionally connected to the characters due to Georgia Bell’s sensational writing. The author has created an original novel which fills a gap in this genre we didn’t even know existed. Although the characters seem more mature in this book it does have a young adult feel to it. The tough decisions the characters had to make during the book and the brilliant ending combined lead to the making of a great book.

On top of her fantastic plot Georgia Bell has also managed to add well developed characters to her novel. You are very quickly able to form a strong bond with the characters within this book. The author allows this to happen because of the brilliant development of her characters. By showing flashbacks of Rachel’s childhood the reader is able to connect and feel the loss she is feeling because of her dads death right along with her. Also by describing little pieces of the characters personalities, by slowly building their characteristics and by showing little quirks throughout the book the reader is able to understand the characters more. The hard choices both Eaden and Rachel had to make during the course of the novel made the reader deeply sympathise with them. Despite the fact these were overall great characters the thing that was most likeable about them was the strong love and connection they felt for each other. The romance was believable throughout the whole book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Eaden would do anything to keep Rachel safe which made him an extremely good leading male. The love they shared during the book was very deep they were both willing to risk everything to save each other and they both instantly knew what the other was thinking. Georgia Bell has allowed the reader to connect with her book through her great characters and the heart breaking conclusion to this novel.

Overall this book was an emotional rollercoaster which had me hooked from the start. The author has written a beautiful book and I can’t wait to see what happens next for these characters. I would highly recommend people read this book as soon as possible.

[a_tiffyfit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eternity is what Eaden has to live; that's forever to us. Wouldn't any of us want that? To go on living, to know the future and all that you've ever wondered about even though nothing as you know it is around; your loved ones, everything you know, gone. It is what Eaden contends with. It is this that our 18 year old protagonist, Rachel, discovers about the love of her life. Not only that, she can be, and is, his salvation.

Salvation from further continuing to live. She is what she learns is his "key" - a genetically matched, one in a billion and more odds match to Eaden, the only one who can end it for him.

Of course, as it is a love story, upon meeting Rachel after watching her for her entire life, this isn't what Eaden now wishes. In fact, he renounces his option. He wants to be with Rachel for whatever short time he can be; short in the scheme of eternity. Eaden cannot bear the thought of living without her, nor does he wish her life to end along with his, not after he's finally found a reason to live after more than a thousand years. By some freak of nature, Rachel is not only the key for Eaden but for the whole of immortals. Thus, the trouble ensues to their happiness as the other immortals have no discovered the truth...she is their key, too. Her essence calls to them, they are all drawn to her. "All" who wish to end their existence which has become a curse ot them, not a gift as it first seemed. Many of the immortals desire the end before they become afflicted with the insanity that is inevitable to them. Many are tired of the existence and fervently seek to end it. It would be all right if it was that they are the only one to die when coming in contact with "the key" but in their end also lies the key's own death.

So Eaden takes his love, Rachel, and is on the run. Along their run, Rachel comes in contact with a number of extremely interesting people whom she's only been aware of in the fantasy books and stories, Who could have ever thought it possible that they are REAL and exist?!

Unbound is an interesting tale, one that takes what all of us at one time or another have wondered the great "what if." What you come away from this book is the caution, the old idiom, be careful what you wish for! It's a wonderfully woven tale that at times made me envious and other times made me glad that it was not happening to me, but mostly this was a great adventure and love story. You root for them, Eaden and Rachel, to succeed. Who wouldn't? It is a love story! No one wishes for the end of a love story.

The only thing that is amiss and bothered me is the maturity level of Rachel. She's only 18 years old and even being a well-read, contemplative, introspective person, her cognitive analysis of a lot would be a bit unbelievable. Her thought process, her philosophical beliefs, and her view of the world are more for a woman of many years older than she is. She just doesn't fit with the 18 year old mindset. To go from the average high schooler's activities and associations to the deeply thinking cognitive, mature adult woman seems ... off or unfitting. At many passages, it was just a bit too awkward and off balance that didn't ring true.

Overall, however, Unbound is a fantastic book. Filled with fantasy, romance, love, detriment, adventure, and more. I would recommend it easily for those looking for a few hours of a lovely, fantasy story.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this book for an honest review, I must say that at a time of reading, becomes somewhat addictive and many others had many doubts in the beginning and yet I loved it!
Although you start reading the synopsis of this book and see his beautiful cover, you see this cute part of the love story, not the fantasy and supernatural beings, do not worry are present and personally loved it, is a fresh air in this type of genre and different from what we are accustomed.
Ok, stung me curious to read this book, the content is interesting and in some parts with surprising twists and turns than you might want to find a story where mortals and immortals living together and in the midst of this the romance.
At first we met Rachel and part of what happened with his father (he dies), she is afraid of many things, She lives by live, until someone than was hidden in the shadows is presents formally in your life. Maybe I had my pros and cons with her at first, we had a shock I like you but sometimes I despair. Still I’ll be on the lookout for the second installment as it is an important point in history and I think we will get to surprise us of your evolution , since about half of the book begins to become aware of many things.
We also have to Eaden is a 1,500-year-old immortal who wants to die. WHAT? If it is something that surprised me, and I think is a favorable point in the story, I know, we have seen that there are immoral they want to die even when they are just beginning to be it, but never havia deepened and so started a book, suddenly that one of the protagonists would like that, But of course! the Love saves even an immortal soul to commit sucidio, or perhaps have to change your idea and He wants to risk your life for someone else, in this case Rachel.
The story is very romantic, but has some tints of sadness, You get to see the love in every page, is the meeting of two people who could be living by live, just because they are alive, mortal and immortal, that when finally found them formally, find a way to live for. But nothing is easy in this life and will have to face a lot of things if they want that new meaning to life reality.
When it starts to get fancy and other supernatural creatures, including witches, excites me a lot! They are people who never go out of style and always that are present have several floors where you can pull ropes to continue to carry the story, also the world of the immortals, is a very cool change, the way that is leading the author attracts me, because it shows what we know about the supernatural beings but she added things I did not think that could be combined, but yet she achieved it!
His writing is clear and calm, maybe at some points it lacks a little boost but when they arrive the moments of unexpected twists knows how to defend and highlight them greatly. I want to see the evolution of these characters to towards where here to guide them. And show us worlds coming.
This start is a great window to the author Start with a good road, has enough potential to be a good series, and to talk about for a long time, divide the taste for these stories and others, will be to pendiende his second delivery, and you can be discovering this book with a good evening with your favorite food or your favorite place to read.

REVIEW BLOG: ALL THINGS IN THE CLOUD SWEET

[Sorcha O'Dowd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a Psychology graduate, the mention of emotional, psychological issues in the blurbs of a book always draws me in. I love real characters with real emotions and feelings, and I need them to have these basic human traits to connect with them as real people rather than as a character I’m just following for the sake of the story.

Rachel’s character was one that I connected with immediately. Her deep desire to face her demons, yet the debilitating fear that makes it more difficult to do showed her to be just like any other young girl who was struggling with psychological disorders, or overwhelming emotion. I adored her for the strength she drew from sources very different to many other young people. All too often I read about young people turning to alcohol and sex to dull their emotions and feel safe, but I really admired her for the more healthy way that she dealt with her issues. Even though her ‘angel’ (the yummy Eaden) did actually exist, I really liked how her therapist explains to her that her vision of this guardian angel was not crazy, but a natural and healthy way to feel safe in a world that she struggled with. I think that’s why I loved so much when she met Eaden and listened to his story, and his explanation of what he was, with an open and honest mind.

The way that the relationship between Eaden and Rachel developed was done beautifully. I loved seeing her flashbacks to how he had helped her in the past, which had me thinking back to my own past and of the people who helped me when I was in need. Throughout ‘Unbound’ Georgia Bell has this breathtaking ability to make you question what is actually possible in life. I was thinking about whether or not I would have somebody watching over me as I grew up to make sure I was safe, and I enjoyed this wonderful sense of peace, both Rachel’s and my own.

The mystical scenes were written to perfection. I adored the way that myths and legends were entwined so closely with the real world and how we saw some familiar legendary faces only in different forms, which brings the realisation that myths and legends have been tweaked so much through the years that even famous people and places are very different to what they would have originally been.

Unbound just blew me away with its absolutely stunning storyline. I was expecting a Vampire Story from the blurb, but what I actually got was so much more original and exciting than any Vampire book I have read in a very long time. Unbound was unique in its vision of immortality and with its intriguing explanation of the genetics involved in immortality, I just jumped up and down in delight at the realistic explanation to how somebody could live forever. I need this realism in fantasy to stay grounded and to find the story relatable, and my word does Georgia Bell deliver a cracker of a story that had me drawn in until the last page. I had no idea how the story would end with all the twists and turns the characters took, and just had to get to the end to know what happened.

‘Unbound’ was a real stunning emotional rollercoaster of a journey that had me gripped throughout. 5 Stars and a definite recommended read!

ARC kindly provided by the author through Xpresso Book Tours.

[Lori Palle · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I think I have a guardian angel.”—Rachel

Rachel is nothing more than an ordinary girl who has seen her share of death in her eighteen years. She wants safe; she doesn’t want to feel afraid anymore. So, ordinary is good. Except, when she finally confronts her guardian angel—the man haunting her dreams, stealing her heart, and keeping her safe in the real world—she’ll learn there are far more frightening things than dying. Her guardian angel turns out not to be a guardian angel; she’s being hunted by immortals; and the key to enslavement of humanity is in her DNA…

“All things must come to an end…or else, they are no longer good.”—Sabas

This was a very interesting book with the ethical and moral questions brought up: if you could live forever, what would happen? The mythology and background for the immortals in the book were fascinating and well thought out, and I enjoyed how the author made immortality walk the line between curse and blessing. We then have to wonder what sacrifices people are willing to make: do you choose the one you love, yourself, or all of humanity?

The book starts off slowly as we get to know Rachel with great characterization as to why she’s a cautious individual. We don’t actually get to see her present interactions with her love interest Eaden for most of the first quarter. Instead, we get to see snippets of the past presented like small short stories, which is nice for short reading bursts. As a result, we get to see how the two of them are so intertwined before they finally ‘meet’ each other in the present.

I loved how the two of them are so into each other! The first half moves slowly as they fall deeper in love in a very sweet low heat relationship. Instead of insta-lust, their relationship seems more based on emotion and a life-time (well, Rachel’s life-time) of security and love so it was very, very easy to see why the two of them fought so hard for each other when put to the test.

And what a test! The book picks up half-way as danger and suspense get introduced, and this is where I got really into the story as we learn more about the paranormal elements. Rachel is in extreme danger, and it’s up to her non-guardian angel…umm…knight-in-fashionable-clothes to keep her safe. He has to enlist friends and play politics to make sure the woman who makes him actually *want* to live stays alive.

There isn’t much humor in the book, and with the flashbacks and plenty of introspection, the book has a more emotional/dramatic/literary/character-building vibe to it as opposed to action/plot-driven/shock value. Since Rachel is mortal and Eaden isn’t (my mind kept drifting to the Observer characters in the TV show Fringe), I was worried about the ending since the mythology isn’t like vampire/werewolf paranormal where it’s obvious the mate can be turned. However, I absolutely loved the ending and thought it fit perfectly with the author’s world. Best of all, it looks like this is a series, and even though there is enough resolution to be standalone, I can see how this could be the start of a fascinating series! Overall, this is a 4 out of 5 for me!

(Originally posted on my blog; I received a review copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow burner with a surprising ending:

I have to admit, I struggled getting into ‘Unbound’ and found it difficult to connect with the characters. However, as the plot developed, I found myself drawn into this unknown world of immortals and about halfway through started to get into this book and enjoy it. By the time I reached the final chapters, the unexpected conclusion was a pleasant surprise and left me wondering what the next book brings. This, I think, redeemed ‘Unbound’ for me.

‘Unbound’ is very character driven and there is a lot of focus on how Rachel feels towards her life and losses, her insecurities, and finally her relationship with Eaden. Bell really hammers the point of living your life rather than standing back and watching others have a good time and this made me feel really sorry for Rachel and what she has clearly missed out on. Being so isolated from others and doubting herself because of her sightings of an unusual man throughout her life, Rachel comes across as a social outsider and someone who yearns for the love and friendship that was lost when her dad died. She has even resorted to counselling and the awkwardness Rachel feels when trying to explain Eaden to her counsellor without her sounding delusional, is really reflected onto the reader; I found myself desperately hoping her counsellor would understand Rachel and not make judgements!

Sympathy for Rachel aside, the transformation she undergoes after meeting Eaden is a fresh of breath air and she shows an interest in life once more. Bell transforms Rachel’s character from being a wallflower to a a determined and brave young woman. The journey she goes on with Eaden takes readers into the realms of witches and magic. The witches go with Rachel to London for a final show-down and I was hoping that they featured more in the plot development, so I wonder if this will be the case in the next book.

I found this novel a bit of a “plodder” and slow to start enjoying. As I have already mentioned, the conclusion was a surprise and one that left me really curious about what will happen in the next story. Personally I feel that the start of the book could have been shorter and the ending expanded upon. Adding to the concluding plot twist, this would have given more action to the plot and what I think would make this more of an enjoyable read. As such, I feel that ‘Unbound’ is more like a prequel to the following stories as characters and events have now been set up.

I don’t think I would necessarily read this book again but would be interested to see what happens next to the characters. The story is quite unique and I like the hints that are suggested for the next book. Don’t be put off by the slow start, as you might find you really start to enjoy this read and can’t put it down.

This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to author Georgia Bell for allowing me to read this in exchange for a honest review

Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!

Georgia Bell’s debut novel Unbound is a sensationally well written tale of mystery, romance and danger.

In all honesty I’m at a very mixed mind about this book. To begin with, Georgia Bell blew me away with her detailed and lyrical writing. As a storyteller, this woman knows how to how to write, but unfortunately, I wasn’t as equally impressed with the characters in Unbound as I was Bell’s style of writing.

Brilliant writing aside, Unbound had so much potential. The storyline was intriguing and it was obvious that Bell has put a lot of thought and effort into creating her world and back story; everything wove together beautifully. However there we times during reading Unbound where my mind wandered and I found the story didn’t keep my attention as much as I would have liked. Despite its nature, or perhaps because of it, Unbound seemed like a very long book, and rather than get caught up in the mystery and uncertainty surrounding the goings on in Rachel’s life, I felt as though I was going through the motions.

As our heroine, Rachel was mostly likable, but I wasn’t blown away by her character. I felt like she hid from the world unnecessarily and while there was a reason for this within the story, I found it hard to move past this fact. I liked that she grew in strength towards the end of the story but though.

Rachel’s love interest and leading man Eaden was a real disappointment for me. He was a bit too long lived, too tortured and I felt as though I had seen his and Rachel’s relationship too many times before. As hard as it is to say, I found Rachel and Eaden’s romance to be lacking chemistry and as though their "connection" was forced. Even though they shared a history, I felt as though their feelings for one another came on too fast too soon and as such, I was never completely invested in their relationship.

Although Unbound started off slow, the story did pick up quite some about half way through with Rachel and Eaden travelling to his native Scotland and I found myself glad I had persisted with the story. Bell introduces a number of minor characters who, compared to the main two characters, I actually liked. They added colour and flair to what could have been very dull moments.

In saying all this, Unbound wasn’t necessary a bad book; it just wasn’t as captivating as I’d hoped. If you enjoy your romance with a dash of hopelessness and like seeing characters journey to lands afar than Unbound may just be for you!

[Babel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beguiling premise is my number one reason to start reading a book. Immediately following is romance, I admit it.
Unbound mixes both. It's quite slow paced and introspective, but the interaction between the main characters is worth it. And the danger lurking behind the immortals existence among humans touches every step of the way adding tension and mystery.
I'm quite fond of this idea of immortal journalists that document History without getting involved so as not to be biased due to beliefs or politics. The whole thing of an immortal race that act as chroniclers is very exciting. They wander in the shadows with all the time in the world to contemplate it and relish in its wonders. Though I was a bit confused when it was remarked how off the scene they were, not interacting in order to avoid interference, but then they started claiming how the human race would be derailing if not for their positive meddling.
The author has come up with a creative twist that binds science and legend in a fascinating way. As Rachel gets to know her angel in disguise much better, she discovers his ancient heritage. The story starts to unfold in very interesting ways. It builds up on danger, James Bond-type escapes, top luxury and Arthurian legends. I loved how modern resources go hand by hand with highland castles, witchcraft and a dystopian future where mankind's life as we know it is in jeopardy.
The first part of the book is mostly devoted to the couple's relationship and how Rachel copes with her father's loss. Rachel is plagued with fears but when she faces a world-shattering danger, everything that used to scare her takes second place. It's a brave new world, and she's a brave new spirit. I like that evolution in her. Also, Eaden and Rachel transform each other through their love. It changes how thtey see life and how they react to it.

There are other characters too. Sita's story moved me with her way with hearts. And I'd love to read Sabas' story, he's another immortal who's reached his limit with unending life and I felt sorry for him.
I like the different locations and the way past and present are linked in the plot. The most dramatic moment is also a bit of a disappointment to me. Something terrible and exciting is going on when it comes to an abrupt stop. It's followed by a change of scene that breaks the flow of the story, robbing it of all the well-earned strength. I understand the author's intention of resorting to a narrative trick. It works, it's good, but it's also lacking in the power of climax. I think I 'd have left that final chapter as the beginning of the second book.

[J. Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbound captivates from the very first chapter, engaging readers in a breathtaking romance and suspenseful plot. I could not put down the novel until I finished reading the last page and - even now - I cannot wait for more.
This is not your average romance. In many ways, it's better. It does have everything you look for in a romance: awesome female, swoon-worthy male, heartwarming dialogue, steamy makeouts, but it also has so much more, like a strong plot that incorporates elements of other genres, excellent pacing, and a downright addictive quality.
I can't, however, allow myself to simply mention how much I loved the characters in passing. I can relate to Rachel. She's strong, even if she doesn't quite realize it all the time. She's brave, even if she's still afraid. She's suffered, but that doesn't stop her from hoping. Plus, she's a mild introvert who loves reading and I can definitely respect that. (Is it just be or do bookworm characters give you a warm, fuzzy feeling?) It's really unfortunate when I get annoyed with the female protagonist, and it was refreshing to find the exact opposite.
Eaden is so much more than a cool name. Not only does he prove that chivalry is not dead (I mean, he was practically around when it started) but any guy who takes a girl to a Shakespeare play for a first date is a complete gem in my book. Not to mention, he has some lines that make the romantic in me faint a few times over. In a good way.
The romance (at least, on one side) does happen a bit quickly, but I really didn't mind it. It's fiction, if I want to believe that falling quickly in love can happen, I'm going to do so. Besides, it gives a sense of magic and urgency, almost the kind of Romeo and Juliet addictive romance. (I'm just comparing the actual feel of the romance here, not the characters, plot, or anything like that.)
Speaking of the plot, it will keep readers turning pages until they happen to glance at the clock and realize they should have gone to bed three hours ago (and then proceed to finish). Some of the twists really took me by surprise, and even if there wasn't a whole lot of action in one sense, the action in the other sense, suspenseful discoveries and brilliant writing kept the story moving alone.
I highly enjoyed Unbound and can't wait to see what's next for Rachel and Eaden.

[Crina | booktwist_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for a honest review! Thanks!:) Original post on http://nervidetoamna.blogspot.ro/

I wanted to read this book because it sounded different, to me, and kind of a original idea. But! Even if I enjoyed there were some things that for me dragged off the story and made me dislike the book. This things make me non sympathize with the characters, anymore, made me feel indiferent from what happened; I felt that the book was flat. And complicated, and boring, and long, and... But let me explain.

The first half of the book was good, really good, it made me curious, I wanted to know more about Eaden and his life, how and why he protected Rachel, how she would react, how they would figure out the whole situation that for me appeared as very complex and like a spiderweb. But the other half made the book for me long, and complicately *is that a word* boring, and I felt that the story dragged of, and my intererest was lost, in the middle of the story.

Yes, I understand that this is not a stand-alone, I understand that the plot is bigger, that it was need to explain many things, and decisions and the whole stuff, but not with so many details, and bla bla bla bla, because it made me confused. I lost interest in the story, the suspense evaporated, the action was not as action. It happened so many things that for me not the whole of them were important, some of them may not happened and I think that it wouldn't have been a tragedy. In my opinion the story was longer that it should have been. If it were shorter maybe I would've enjoyed much and the last few, lot, pages I didn't wanted so bad to end.

I won't read the next book or books, because I don't want to force myself, anymore, on this story. I really tried but I can't. And I'm kind of sorry because, as I said, the first half was very good and interesting, but then with so many details and characters and moving around and cities... it gone lost for me. Overall I still enjoyed the story and the characters were cute and well shaped.

If you like this kind of book, if you like the plot, and for you are not so many details and things to happen then read it. If I didn't like it doesn't mean you won't. Maybe we have different tastes.

[Mollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All good things must come to an end."

Rachel & Eaden

I found it easy to immerse myself in Unbound. The writing was strong; really carried out the scenes wonderfully for me, and the pace was in tune. I've never read this type of paranormal romance and I usually read outside of the YA genre, but I really enjoyed this. It's a fascinating story and there's no question whether I'll read the next installment, especially since I am having a bit of trouble leaving the characters. Georgia Bell is definitely an author to watch.


I have questions. I need answers and I need more story. ✰✰✰✰

I want to know what else Rachel has reign or power over.
I want to know what Eaden had been found guilty of to be cursed as an immortal.
I want to know more about why she became the Mafte'ach.
What name Rachael was repeating over and over in the prologue. Was it Jacob?
I want to know about the connection her family has to Scotland.
I want to know who Eaden once loved before Rachael.
What will Rachel will do with her abilities. Will she use them for good or bad?
I want to know how they will spend Rachael's lifetime.
I want to get to know the playful, carefree Eaden. Will they have children?
What bigger threats are there for Rachel? Is Sannah still a threat?
I want to more celebrations. I want more tragedy.
Will they die together? Will there be an afterlife?
I need answers and I need more story.


**received in exchange for your honest review from the author**

[Hannah (Hannah, Fully) · Rating 3 out of 5]

In short, let's just say that I thought for a good part of the book I might have to give another not-so-stellar review (which I really hate doing).

Personally, as the story progressed on, I thought it was going to be a very Romeo & Juliet ending, and if it hasn't been mentioned quite clearly yet, I did NOT like that book. Oh, a boy mistakes his love for dead, apparently kills himself, and we all know what happens after that. Very ironic if you know what I mean. *gives Shakespeare a very bored look and wonders how to say "I am not very impressed" in Old English* Tis not a story for me.

But I'm not exactly one who gives up a book that easily – unless it's seriously that boring that I find Algebra II much more interesting – and I was probably doing cartwheels – I'm that type of weird girl – when things finally took a turn for the interesting.

I was also hoping by then that Unbound was one of those types in which everything builds slowly and exits very well.

By that I mean it ends surprising, shocking, exciting, cliffhangery – anything that doesn't fall into bad, confusing, out of place, etc.

It had a pretty interesting storyline, so it was worth continuing and giving the author a chance. *shrugs in a "What can I say? I'm that type." way*

It ended surprisingly well.

Not too shabby if you ask me, but it felt like a stand alone.
It’s not just about the instrument. It’s the act of creation. The need to be so fully present and focused, so conscious and yet unconscious.
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Original Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Owls
Formatting has been removed due to copy and paste
Review copy provided by the author through Xpresso Book Tours
This review and more can be found at Bookwyrming Thoughts

[Shey.strides · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rachel is a shy, quiet, obsessive-compulsive young woman who lost her father at a young age and has a mother who's barely there for her. She always had irrational fears while growing up and thinking that she had a guardian angel who protected her since she was a little girl. This made her feel like she's crazy or continually losing her mind.

Eaden is an immortal who's drawn to Rachel since she is supposed to be his Mafte'ach or key to end his life when he chooses to. A Mafte'ach is a mortal bred to match an immortal who's ready to give up eternity and escape the madness of being alive for so long.

For me, this book was a slow read. I wanted the progression of the story to be faster than it was. It focused mostly on Rachel and Eaden's love story. Nothing much really happened except on the last chapters of the story. Eaden who looks like a nineteen-year old guy, finally revealed himself to Rachel as an immortal who's been following/ protecting her since she was little. Rachel felt safe around him and then instantly discovered she's totally in love with him. Who wouldn't when he was good-looking, very rich and such a gentleman? A valiant knight rescuing a damsel in distress, a man that every woman dreams of.

I guess this story is mostly geared towards younger readers since I was mostly rolling my eyes as I continued reading about their dates. I was also wondering when she was going to grow a backbone and stop being a simpering little girl who needs shielding and protection at every move. I was ready to move on to another book but curiosity propelled me to continue reading. I would have easily rated this a 2 if not for the last 30 pages of the book. The writing is not by any means bad but the slow- moving pace became too tedious for me. The redeeming factor started on the last 30 pages of the book when Rachel finally grew a backbone and made a bold decision. I thought the story had a good ending that gave a sense of relief that my time wasn't totally wasted after all.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating 3.5

Unbound is a book where immortals have watched and guided the human race since the beginning. At some point immortals began to suffer physiologically for their long existence. One particularly intelligent immortal developed a way for immortals to die via specifically bred human, unbenounced to the mortal causing both their deaths. All mortals bred for immortal death have been males, until now. Rachel survived birth but her twin brother did not. Because of this tragedy she is a first yet still selected as the merchant of death for one immortal. This particular immortal has watched over her from birth until she decides to confront him after her awareness of his presence has caused her to question her sanity. After their meeting something changes, her immortal cannot continue with his desire to end his life for a very important reason. What follows is a story with ups and downs and rather intriguing twists although fictional twists of history.

While overall I enjoyed this book there it was a little slow in some areas and in the beginning I was under the impression that the main immortal was much older than the author intended the reader to know. Perhaps in my interest in the story and haste to move from chapter to chapter, I missed any small details that would have painted a more definitive picture of what this man should look like. There was one particular situation towards the end I did not like and left me questioning why on earth this was even part of the story. Adding to that disappointment, the story ended a little too abruptly for me. While I liked the character development and the love that evolved between them, I would have liked to see a little more closure to the story and a more obvious hint at where they were headed as a couple. As I try to say in any review I post, these are only my humble opinions. I typically read for the simple joy of it and tend not to be too analytical. If you were unsure about this book or have it on your to read list, by all means pick it up and see for yourself.

[Eugenia (Genie In A Book) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

Unbound was a great example of a debut YA paranormal novel with a faultless writing style and intriguing plot that has more to it than you may first expect. It is more than a story of the bond between a hot immortal guy and normal girl, but a tale of how the bonds we create with others can run deeper than we could ever imagine and the sacrifices some are willing to make for those they love.

I thought this book was going to be another angel-themed paranormal story but was pleasantly surprised when it took a slightly different turn. That being said, of course the immortal love interest was smoking hot and irresistible (as expected), but as the story progressed it was good to see that there was more to Eaden than his good looks and charm. Rachel, the mortal, was also well developed throughout the story and did mature from a nervous, nerdy girl to a strong woman who knows what she wants and will fight for it. Although the romance was quite quick to develop (with a bit of insta-love going on), in the circumstances of him basically following her around her whole life to protect her might sort of excuse that one.

The plot itself was well-paced for the majority of the time, and although it was a little slow in places, I still found it enjoyable on the whole. I liked how the Georgia Bell used Eaden's character to allude to some well known myths and legends, and the new characters introduced also added some more interesting elements to the story. It was good to have all the magical/paranormal elements explained towards the end, and pretty much everything began to make sense so that you understand how the immortals work and the nature of their society. The ending wasn't rushed, and the chemistry between the two main characters was undeniable.

*CONCLUSION*

In conclusion, Unbound was definitely an enjoyable paranormal read. I can't wait to see what happens now in the sequel Unknown.

[El · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review and more on So Bookalicious

I got some very mixed feelings about Unbound. Some parts I loved others I didn’t love. Some part made perfect sense other ones didn’t make sense at all to me. Especially at the beginning of the book I had many doubts. Rachel had a stalker guy since she was a little girl and she always thought that she imagined him or that he was her guardian angel. I would freak out if that would ever happen to me, but Rachel did found is all normal. And when she finally got to meet her stalker guy, Eaden, she almost immediately falls in love with him without even knowing him or without questioning him why he followed her all those years. She just accepts it all! Also she takes care of her mother since her father died, she makes sure that the bill are paid and there is food on the table every day but at the same time she needs others who take care of her. A bit weird that’s all I’m saying.

But once I read one third of the book everything changed. Rachel was threatened and she and Eaden moved away to find help. Finally we got to meet some other characters than Eaden and Rachel like Amerlyn and Mara. I just loved those two Mara didn’t held her tongue and Amerlyn had so many wisdom. A very comic duo. And Rachel became stronger, she stood up for herself and she expected some explanations. At the end of the book Rachel was not the same Rachel we first met at the beginning of the book. She was strong, independent and lastly she finally dared to live again.

Because of the beginning of this book I was contemplating between three or four stars, but since I liked Georgia’s writing style and the ending was promising I decided to rate it four stars. I will definitely read the next book in the series when it comes out. I would recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a young adult romance, fantasy read.

Note I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Shayna Varadeaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story I have to say.

There is so much going wrong for Rachel, anxiety is a huge part of her life and she feels like she's losing her mind until she gets brave and confronts her shadowy guardian angel. Eaden is so much more than she thought and much to her relief he is every bit as real as she is. But there's a crazy and quite unfair twist to this story, Eaden is immortal and 1500 years old, but that's not the big kicker. The fact that Rachel is the catalyst to his long tortured existence however is. When you live for so long and have no way to die it becomes necessary for there to be a way for you to end your ancient journey, especially when there are some "ancients" who lose their minds from the thousand plus year life spans.

The only thing is she is a different "key" than most, things get complicated but not before Eaden and Rachel make some headway in their relationship thank God because I thought it was going to turn into unrequited love!. Rachel is so uncertain of Eaden's feelings for her and I loved watching their relationship develop. When everything comes to a head Eaden realizes he needs to whisk Rachel away for her own safety. They go to Scotland to enlist help for their cause. Things begin to unravel rather quickly and the plot is quite unique.

I loved and I mean loved their first date and the trip to Scotland was amazing and descriptive too. The characters were absolutely great and the storyline had a great pace to it as well. I was intrigued the entire read and loved the mixture of history and books in this read. I highly recommend this book!
It is a very good read, swoon worthy read and my sixteen year old cannot wait to get her hands on a copy! I shared a bit about with her and she already has a crush on Eaden but I called dibs! LOL! Oh and the whole guitar thing, loved that! Loved it!

Not a dull moment and filled with depth, mystery, suspense, romance and action. It was a pleasant surprise!