I received this book for free from Netgalley 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: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: ARC
Source: Netgalley
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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’m so very happy to have another book and series from this stellar writing duo! They worked magic with the Starbound series and now we are off on another epic adventure through space with Unearthed!
The story takes place on a planet called Gaia where an alien race called the Undying left advanced technology before disappearing, technology that may be the answer to saving a dying Earth. Mia sneaks onto the planet to scavenge for anything she may be able to sell to save her sister when she runs unto Jules, a British scholar who is determine to research a temple for answers about this race and why they left technology behind for Earth. They find themselves working together inside the temple solving clues and puzzles to unlock the secrets of the Undying while running from those who are hunting them down. It had a very Indiana Jones vibe going on and as a big fan of that franchise, I was ecstatic about it!
There’s all sorts of danger to run into around every corner and in so many different ways, and though they each held their own secrets and motives from each other, they had to develop some real trust to make it out alive. Both characters had such personality – Mia with her drive and badassness and Jules with his incredible book smarts but slight lack of ‘street’ smarts that made him utterly adorable in some of the situations they found themselves in. They were quite smitten with each other from the beginning and I adored all of their little flirting moments and how it progressed as the story went on.
Sci-fi is one of those genres that can sometimes get me all twisted as I try to follow along with the technology (I can barely keep up with our own if I’m being honest) and the intricate settings, but the authors did a wonderful job building up this world in a way I had no problems following along with. I did feel at times the middle was a little slow as some of the puzzle solving felt a bit repetitive, but I don’t even care about all that because the ending of this novel was everything! Unearthed really sets us up for what I can only image will be an epic series because the ending was fantastic with a huge reveal that has me so excited for where the series may be heading! This is definitely one worth picking up!
About Amie Kaufman
I’m a young adult author from Melbourne, Australia, represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary. I write fantasy, science fiction and all things speculative.
My favourite procrastination techniques involve chocolate, baking, sailing, my dog Jack, gardening, plotting and executing overseas travel, napping, my music collection and reading. Also my husband.
About Meagan Spooner
Meagan Spooner grew up reading and writing every spare moment of the day, while dreaming about life as an archaeologist, a marine biologist, an astronaut. She graduated from Hamilton College in New York with a degree in playwriting, and has spent several years since then living in Australia. She’s traveled with her family all over the world to places like Egypt, South Africa, the Arctic, Greece, Antarctica, and the Galapagos, and there’s a bit of every trip in every story she writes.
She currently lives and writes in Northern Virginia, but the siren call of travel is hard to resist, and there’s no telling how long she’ll stay there.
In her spare time she plays guitar, plays video games, plays with her cat, and reads.
Aimee (Aimee, Always)
GAH, I JUST ADORE THE WAY YOU DESCRIBED JULES! There aren’t any (that I’ve read of) heroes who have “incredible book smarts but slight lack of ‘street’ smarts”–that sounds SO CUTE and I cannot wait to read this one now!!! <3 Awesome review, Sara!
Aimee (Aimee, Always) recently posted…Book Review: The Bone Witch (The Bone Witch, #1) by Rin Chupeco
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
Jules was so adorkable! I hope you love him too when you get a chance to read it. 🙂
Kelly @ Here's to Happy Endings
Yay! I actually forgot this book was releasing this month so now I’m super excited to get my hands on a copy! I’m really glad to hear that you enjoyed it!
Kelly @ Here’s to Happy Endings recently posted…Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
Thanks! I hope you get to read it soon!
George
Hi Sara,
Thank your for this great book review. I love Unearthed by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner. The book it’s amazing! Everyone should read it. After i found your review i start searching for the book and finally found it on http://justreadbook.com . ( i don’t know if i can leave this link here but i think it will help others). I apologize if i’ve done something wrong. Have mercy! If it wasn’t your book review …oh dear Thank you again for your work. You should keep making more book reviews because i like your style of writing ❤