Review and Giveaway: Unbound by Jim C. Hines

Series: Magic Ex Libris #3
340 p.
Publisher: DAW
Published: 1/6/15
Source: TBR pile

For five hundred years, the Porters have concealed the existence of magic from the world. Now, old enemies have revealed the Porters’ secrets, and an even greater threat lurks in the shadows. The would-be queen Meridiana, banished for a thousand years, has returned in the body of a girl named Jeneta Aboderin. She seeks an artifact created by Pope Sylvester II, a bronze prison that would grant her the power to command an army of the dead. 

Michigan librarian Isaac Vainio is powerless to stop her, having been stripped of his power and his place among the Porters by Johannes Gutenberg himself. But Isaac is determined to regain his magic and to rescue his former student Jeneta. With no magic of his own, Isaac’s must delve into the darker side of black-market magic, where he will confront beings better left undisturbed, including the sorcerer Juan Ponce de Leon. 

With his loyal fire-spider Smudge, dryad warrior Lena Greenwood, and psychiatrist Nidhi Shah, Isaac races to unravel a mystery more than a thousand years old as competing magical powers battle to shape the future of the world. He will be hunted by enemies and former allies alike, and it will take all his knowledge and resourcefulness to survive as magical war threatens to spread across the globe. 

Isaac’s choices will determine the fate of his friends, the Porters, the students of Bi Sheng, and the world. Only one thing is certain: even if he finds a way to restore his magic, he can’t save them all…

My thoughts:
I think that this one was the most harrowing and the darkest book of the 3 that I've read. This is also a series I think should be read in order. If for no other reason than to be fully introduced to the characters. You really should read the second book to prepare yourself for this one.

I think that this one also feels more complete. Not just with the storyline, but with the characters as well. They fully feel family-like and are learning exactly who they can count on. You also will get some unexpected violence in this book and no character is completely safe. Isaac is both headstrong, impulsive and intelligent as he is in the other books. Smudge is still a loyal and cute pet (still can't get over how much I like that spider). Lena and Nidhi both are much intertwined with Isaac and they make a great family unit (if not odd). You also get some other great secondary characters in ones you both know and are introduced into this book. Yes, those that like good character building should really enjoy this book.

The ending of this book is quite complete. I wasn't sure if it was a trilogy or if it was just part of the series. In fact, it is part of a series with Revisionary (book 4) set to be published in Feb. 2016. Yes, I will read it. Just because the story has a good ending doesn't mean it actually ends... or that the questions end. I have several I'd like to see if they get answered in the next book. You know I'll be reading it. :)

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. It completes the story arc as well as solidifies the characters. I recommend it to those that enjoy fantasy and adventure as well as reading! :)

Giveaway!

I actually received 2 HC books of Unbound. So, I'm giving the second one away! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below. US only since I'm sending this myself.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway