I received this book for free from Disney-Hyperion in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Unearthed by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner Published by Disney Hyperion on January 9th, 2018
Genres: Adventure, Sci-Fi, YA
Source: Disney-Hyperion
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When Earth intercepts a message from a long-extinct alien race, it seems like the solution the planet has been waiting for. The Undying's advanced technology has the potential to undo environmental damage and turn lives around, and Gaia, their former home planet, is a treasure trove waiting to be uncovered.
For Jules Addison and his fellow scholars, the discovery of an alien culture offers unprecedented opportunity for study... as long as scavengers like Amelia Radcliffe don't loot everything first. Mia and Jules' different reasons for smuggling themselves onto Gaia put them immediately at odds, but after escaping a dangerous confrontation with other scavvers, they form a fragile alliance.
In order to penetrate the Undying temple and reach the tech and information hidden within, the two must decode the ancient race's secrets and survive their traps. But the more they learn about the Undying, the more their presence in the temple seems to be part of a grand design that could spell the end of the human race...
I am behind on the times because this is my first time reading a book by this dynamic duo. To be fair, These Broken Stars has been on my tbr since 2012 and we’re just going to ignore the fact that 5 years later (or 4 years since it came out,) I still haven’t read it. BUT, I WASN’T GOING TO LET THAT HAPPEN WITH Unearthed. If I remember correctly, at some point it was pitched as Indiana Jones in space. I also got serious National Treasure vibes from the synopsis and I am garbage for anything that involves a treasure hunt and secrets.
For those wondering, yes Unearthed 110% lives up to those comparisons. Unearthed is a fantastically written book that you WILL gobble up because it is addicting and exciting. There are very few books I say this for (because I am a picky fuck) but, I would NOT be upset to see Unearthed on the big screen.
It did take me a while to really get into the book but I think there is a small chance that might just be a me thing. I cannot even pinpoint what made it slow. It starts off in the midst of action and the action/adventure keeps building like an avalanche until you’re hit in the face by that masterpiece of an ending.
If you are a commercial reader like me, Unearthed is the next best thing and you’d be making a huge huge mistake by not adding it to your tbr. It’s been such a long time since I’ve been truly swept up on an adventure like this (re-reads of favs don’t count) and I cannot believe that we’re going to have to wait for a sequel. THATS THE PROBLEM WITH NOT READING BACKLIST, YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THINGS LIKE SEQUELS.
UGH.
Anyway, anyone who says commercial fiction is so shallow can bite me because Unearthed on top of having great characters, also explores socioeconomic privilege and how that shapes Amelia and Jules’ childhood experiences.
I’d, like, talk about the characters and the romance in Unearthed but tbh, there really isn’t much I can say. They are both great characters, their romance starts on a relationship of convenience, with some hate-love vibes and blossoms into something more. We also have great secondary characters and that’s all you gotta know.
There is a good chance most of you already have this on your to-read lists but if not, seriously, like, what other convincing do you need? DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO DELIVER UNICORNS TO YOUR HOUSE? Can someone deliver unicorns to my house?
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Valerie
Um I’ll only read this if you deliver unicorns to my house. But yay this sounds like an amazing read! And tbh I don’t think I was that interested UNTIL you mentioned how awesome you found it to be! So I’m glad 😀 I guess I’ll have to see if this is at the library. Or I could wait until the sequels come out, which sounds like a better idea LOL.
Rashika
okay. I’ll deliver myself to your house and then you’ll have to read it. Wait until the sequel comes out. You’re gonna want to binge read the series.
Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!
I liked this, but I didn’t love it like I have other books by Kaufman and Spooner. I expected I would just fall in love with Unearthed, so I was a little disappointed when I didn’t. Like you, I also had a hard time getting into the book. I think that it was just slow for me. However, I also agree with you about this being adapted! There were some scenes that I could vividly picture in my head, and that had some great tension!
Rashika
I am sorry you didn’t love Unearthed, Genni 🙁 Also your comment made me feel so validated about the slowness. I thought I was making it up because I couldn’t really pinpoint why it was slow. I am ready to watch the movie adaptation on the big screen, LOL, and I don’t even know if rights were bought!