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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
REVIEW: http://www.transitiveverve.com/2018/01/unearthed-by-amie-kaufman-and-meagan.html
3.5 Stars
[a:Amie Kaufman|5360335|Amie Kaufman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1478659853p2/5360335.jpg] and [a:Meagan Spooner|4615776|Meagan Spooner|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1313645069p2/4615776.jpg] team back up for the first time since their Starbound series. Taking place on a distant planet, this story follows Jules and Mia as the navigate the ‘temples’ of an extinct alien species whoironically were called the ‘Undying.’ (Basically it started out Indiana Jones in space and somehow turned into Doctor Who.)
The plot itself is fun. These are the sort of zany, broad spectrum adventures that make me love sci-fi. And the interesting take on exploring a new planet with archaeology really is suppppeeeer fun. All the comparisons to Indiana Jones or Lara Croft or The Mummy (the fun one with Brendan Fraiser, not the one where Tom Cruise looks upset the whole time) are well deserved, as this exists as an exciting adventure story that happens to include: futuristic grave robbers, ancient booby traps and alien technology.
While fun, I think the plot was too narrow. This is a huge setting where earth is overpopulated and humanity was dying until this new undiscovered planet. But most of our time is spent in a very, very, small space following Jules and Mia work through puzzles. While the plot gets to the big stuff eventually, I wish it’d been the primary focus. Odd enough, I also felt this story could have benefited being in graphic novel format-- as all the puzzles are so visual and we’re left soley with lengthy descriptions.
Our main characters weren’t anything revolutionary-- a self proclaimed scholar and scavenger who both have trust issues, but they are solid with fun interactions. My main problem was the kinda-quick romance that distracts from the plot. Again, their interactions were fun, but there was so much focus on ‘wow-they’re-hot’ and ‘oh-no-should-I-trust-them’ in the worst places. Like you’re both on a time-crunch in a dangerous, unknown location… is now really the best time to have this conversation? Should you really make out with explosions so near? It’s not totally instalove-- but it happens fast and took up a large portion of the book.(I just wanted more interesting technology and deep ethical sci-fi stuff, because I’m a nerd.)
I did love that the character’s rely on non-traditional strengths. Jules and Mia solve things using math and linguistics, instead of being the most agile or strong. I love smart characters, and this felt refreshing rather than a school lesson.
Overall:
This not only features an interesting world and entertaining characters, but the plot twist-and-turns quite a bit. I had my theories, but wasn’t ever certain what was about to happen. Definitely engrossing, and something I’d have flown through if life allowed.
I received an ARC of this through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, thanks to Disney-Hyperion for the opportunity!
[a:Amie Kaufman|5360335|Amie Kaufman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1478659853p2/5360335.jpg] and [a:Meagan Spooner|4615776|Meagan Spooner|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1313645069p2/4615776.jpg] team back up for the first time since their Starbound series. Taking place on a distant planet, this story follows Jules and Mia as the navigate the ‘temples’ of an extinct alien species who
The plot itself is fun. These are the sort of zany, broad spectrum adventures that make me love sci-fi. And the interesting take on exploring a new planet with archaeology really is suppppeeeer fun. All the comparisons to Indiana Jones or Lara Croft or The Mummy (the fun one with Brendan Fraiser, not the one where Tom Cruise looks upset the whole time) are well deserved, as this exists as an exciting adventure story that happens to include: futuristic grave robbers, ancient booby traps and alien technology.
While fun, I think the plot was too narrow. This is a huge setting where earth is overpopulated and humanity was dying until this new undiscovered planet. But most of our time is spent in a very, very, small space following Jules and Mia work through puzzles. While the plot gets to the big stuff eventually, I wish it’d been the primary focus. Odd enough, I also felt this story could have benefited being in graphic novel format-- as all the puzzles are so visual and we’re left soley with lengthy descriptions.
Our main characters weren’t anything revolutionary-- a self proclaimed scholar and scavenger who both have trust issues, but they are solid with fun interactions. My main problem was the kinda-quick romance that distracts from the plot. Again, their interactions were fun, but there was so much focus on ‘wow-they’re-hot’ and ‘oh-no-should-I-trust-them’ in the worst places. Like you’re both on a time-crunch in a dangerous, unknown location… is now really the best time to have this conversation? Should you really make out with explosions so near? It’s not totally instalove-- but it happens fast and took up a large portion of the book.
I did love that the character’s rely on non-traditional strengths. Jules and Mia solve things using math and linguistics, instead of being the most agile or strong. I love smart characters, and this felt refreshing rather than a school lesson.
Overall:
This not only features an interesting world and entertaining characters, but the plot twist-and-turns quite a bit. I had my theories, but wasn’t ever certain what was about to happen. Definitely engrossing, and something I’d have flown through if life allowed.
I received an ARC of this through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, thanks to Disney-Hyperion for the opportunity!
Second time around I'd probably call it more of a 3.5 star rating. It's still good and I am definitely going to pick up the sequel but I found things a bit more annoying and what not during the second read.
Indiana Jones in space? Yes please!
Definitely better than their Starbound series (although the covers for those books are admittedly insanely beautiful), Kaufman and Spooner pleasantly surprised me with Unearthed. I loved the incorporation of archeology in this novel, as the characters "[put] together stories from what's left behind" (116).
In this novel, Kaufman and Spooner expertly create a tension between academia and underground economy as Jules and Mia try to reach their individual goals. Jules the scholar travels to Gaia in order to obtain the knowledge to prove his father was right and save his reputation; Mia the scavenger lands on Gaia in search of enough tech to save her sister. The two characters grapple with what the other's purpose is (knowledge versus money) but ultimately come together to embark on a journey much bigger than themselves: to save Earth.
Definitely better than their Starbound series (although the covers for those books are admittedly insanely beautiful), Kaufman and Spooner pleasantly surprised me with Unearthed. I loved the incorporation of archeology in this novel, as the characters "[put] together stories from what's left behind" (116).
"Humans exceed themselves when they open their minds to discovery...when we immerse ourselves in the wonders of curiosity, rather than moving straight toward the goal we've chosen. Toward the goal we imagine is most important, because it's the one we can see. When we allow ourselves to explore, we discover destinations that were never on our map."
In this novel, Kaufman and Spooner expertly create a tension between academia and underground economy as Jules and Mia try to reach their individual goals. Jules the scholar travels to Gaia in order to obtain the knowledge to prove his father was right and save his reputation; Mia the scavenger lands on Gaia in search of enough tech to save her sister. The two characters grapple with what the other's purpose is (knowledge versus money) but ultimately come together to embark on a journey much bigger than themselves: to save Earth.
Actual rating 3.75 stars.
Space archaeology and scavenging for alien technology – sounds like a fantastic adventure to me! That’s exactly what ‘Unearthed’ is, an action packed quest with highly motivated teen protagonists.
There is so much to love about ‘Unearthed,’ it delighted the child inside me, and reads like any movie sci-fi adventure. The action picks up in the first chapter and does not let up until the last word. With alternating chapters between our protagonists; Jules, daring to travel to an alien planet and prove his father’s life’s work is not the makings of a crazy zealot… and in the process save all life on Earth; and then there’s the witty Mia, a scavver (scavenger) who’s grown up in the slums and had to fight and work hard for everything she’s got. And she’s snuck her way onto the alien planet in hopes to strike it rich with finding some alien technology to sell and rescue her (illegal) sister from a nefarious work contract. They both are compelling characters and clash repeatedly bringing joy and interest to me as a reader. In the first chapter Mia saves Jules from other scavvers with her sassy attitude and street smarts, and it just gets better from there.
The pacing is steady all the way through, and I did not want to put the book down, but I do feel the pacing could have been a touch faster – especially for YA sci-fi – because we get a lot of detail, some flashbacks that could have been more succinct to really drive the plot forward at a cracking pace. But that is just me being a nit-picker, ‘Unearthed’ was such a compelling read.
The plot felt predictable, I guessed the twist at the end in chapter two. I think there were too many obvious conversations between Jules and Mia that gave it away far too early on. Besides that, the pair are always scrambling, running, desperate to get out of danger… which had me investing in their plight, because they were not always entirely successful.
I loved the writing style of Kaufman and Spooner. It’s embellished enough to create tone and ambience without being pretentious or moving ‘Unearthed’ away from its target demographic. Reading this book was effortless. But that is no surprise to those who have followed my reviews – I’ve felt the same from any other novels I’ve read penned by these authors.
This is a great family-friendly space adventure with high stakes that I would happily recommend to those searching for a light-hearted romp on an alien planet. Hardcore sci-fi fans may find this a little simplistic, but this is YA, so you need to take ‘Unearthed’ in the context in which it is written. For me this is a winner!
Space archaeology and scavenging for alien technology – sounds like a fantastic adventure to me! That’s exactly what ‘Unearthed’ is, an action packed quest with highly motivated teen protagonists.
There is so much to love about ‘Unearthed,’ it delighted the child inside me, and reads like any movie sci-fi adventure. The action picks up in the first chapter and does not let up until the last word. With alternating chapters between our protagonists; Jules, daring to travel to an alien planet and prove his father’s life’s work is not the makings of a crazy zealot… and in the process save all life on Earth; and then there’s the witty Mia, a scavver (scavenger) who’s grown up in the slums and had to fight and work hard for everything she’s got. And she’s snuck her way onto the alien planet in hopes to strike it rich with finding some alien technology to sell and rescue her (illegal) sister from a nefarious work contract. They both are compelling characters and clash repeatedly bringing joy and interest to me as a reader. In the first chapter Mia saves Jules from other scavvers with her sassy attitude and street smarts, and it just gets better from there.
The pacing is steady all the way through, and I did not want to put the book down, but I do feel the pacing could have been a touch faster – especially for YA sci-fi – because we get a lot of detail, some flashbacks that could have been more succinct to really drive the plot forward at a cracking pace. But that is just me being a nit-picker, ‘Unearthed’ was such a compelling read.
The plot felt predictable, I guessed the twist at the end in chapter two. I think there were too many obvious conversations between Jules and Mia that gave it away far too early on. Besides that, the pair are always scrambling, running, desperate to get out of danger… which had me investing in their plight, because they were not always entirely successful.
I loved the writing style of Kaufman and Spooner. It’s embellished enough to create tone and ambience without being pretentious or moving ‘Unearthed’ away from its target demographic. Reading this book was effortless. But that is no surprise to those who have followed my reviews – I’ve felt the same from any other novels I’ve read penned by these authors.
This is a great family-friendly space adventure with high stakes that I would happily recommend to those searching for a light-hearted romp on an alien planet. Hardcore sci-fi fans may find this a little simplistic, but this is YA, so you need to take ‘Unearthed’ in the context in which it is written. For me this is a winner!
This book started well. We had an androgynous looking main character who alluded to a past of robin hood-esque badassery. And a POC love interested with intelligence beyond compare and a familial bond so strong it took him to another planet just to prove his father right.
We also had this new, alien planet. Littered with reminders of earth but at the same time surrounded by foreign landscapes. We had futuristic technologies and corporations set to save the world.
And then the characters met an the whole thing turned to shit.
Not just with Mia but Jules as well. Both were presented as such capable characters, with determinate goals and independent thoughts. But once Mia comes on the scene suddenly this 17 year old boy can't keep it in his pants and he can't concentrate and he can't do everything he used to and so basically he just walks around following his boner. And Mia, god, SHE HAD SUCH PROMISE. But nah, this badass chick who has been a scavenger of modern ruins for who knows how long, sleeping alongside some of the worlds nastiest criminals will not pick a fight for two unreasonable reasons.
1. Too small. Her inner monologue killed me when her fighting skills were tested. While I didn't need her to be strong, I needed her to be able to fight. So much talk about her speed and her quick thinking only to read her simply give up without even trying because she's TOO FREAKING SMALL. She didn't have to be good, or even win, but her character spoke that she would've at least tried.
2. idk man she's some kind of pacifist? She holds this war torn, fend for yourself type of past of Jules as though he'd never understand her deep complexities. But when push comes to shove she's the one spewing and unnerved. She's the one who can't hurt a fly because then her precious image would be ruined? Only, it's ruined by her not doing anything morally ambiguous as someone described in detail as a person who does what needs to be done for her sister. UGH.
Speaking of her deep complexities. THE LOVE SUBPLOT TOOK OVER THE ENTIRE STORYLINE. Did you start reading this book because you thought the world sound awesome and the characters, on their own seemed very goal driven? Well, oops! No dice. You get to read about them thinking about some surprise kiss and talk in some weird telepathy about drawings and shit. Now, I'm only angry because I despise romance books, they make me cringe and ugh. I can't jell man. Maybe someone else could but I never saw anything in the blurb or the library sorting that said this was a romance. It is, in space. That's all. Fuck the cool alien planet and its dead not dead inhabitants, fuck the whole portal thing, fuck the fact that these teenage kids are running away from full mercenaries paid to kill them. We're just gonna see what Jules has to say about the light freckles on Mia's face lit by a lantern and alien stars. Bleh.
The characters themselves are victim to insta-love/loyalty. They constantly circuit back to the fact they've only known each other a day or two but 'gawd it feels like forever'. I hate that shit.
Also remember the POC love interest? No? That's okay, literally no one else does either. I live for the day when POC can be left to exist in books without being described by hair type and skin shade every two sentences but, it's a known fact most readers have been programmed to white wash casts as a result of writers doing exactly that for so long. So when there are, and I counted, only THREE sentences describing this POC character, with no allusion to culture or anything, I didn't view this as progressive. It felt like an after thought. Like, shit, we don't have anything different or diverse about our love story in space, THROW SOMETHING BROWN IN THERE. Like ?? This boy and all brown boys deserve so much better than this. I mean come on, he was so intelligent. I don't read very many POC cast in the intelligent spot unless their 'Asian' especially not brown boys. And seeing his heritage referred to one or twice in the book hurt, we can't afford this type of subtlety yet.
Their feelings for each other are messy, and honestly I can't get into it man, I'M HEATED.
The relationship itself is unhealthy, founded in distrust and lies. Just because they have superficial inner turmoil about doing bad things to each other doesn't make this relationship '#goals". They're constantly making the reader aware of the lack of time lapsed between them meeting and their now unbreakable bond. It's a gimmick and not a likeable one.
The reading was easy in terms of language, but the pacing was almost unbearable. It was dragged down by so much telling and no showing. Every little thought and action was spelled out with the utmost exaggeration. Nothing was left to interpretation.
The only reason this book got two stars rather than one was because, I managed to finish it so it wasn't completely unforgivable and because it read as a romance and seeing as though I don't like that genre I can't be too harsh considering it's probably good romance writing.
Don't think I'll be picking up the next books though.
We also had this new, alien planet. Littered with reminders of earth but at the same time surrounded by foreign landscapes. We had futuristic technologies and corporations set to save the world.
And then the characters met an the whole thing turned to shit.
Not just with Mia but Jules as well. Both were presented as such capable characters, with determinate goals and independent thoughts. But once Mia comes on the scene suddenly this 17 year old boy can't keep it in his pants and he can't concentrate and he can't do everything he used to and so basically he just walks around following his boner. And Mia, god, SHE HAD SUCH PROMISE. But nah, this badass chick who has been a scavenger of modern ruins for who knows how long, sleeping alongside some of the worlds nastiest criminals will not pick a fight for two unreasonable reasons.
1. Too small. Her inner monologue killed me when her fighting skills were tested. While I didn't need her to be strong, I needed her to be able to fight. So much talk about her speed and her quick thinking only to read her simply give up without even trying because she's TOO FREAKING SMALL. She didn't have to be good, or even win, but her character spoke that she would've at least tried.
2. idk man she's some kind of pacifist? She holds this war torn, fend for yourself type of past of Jules as though he'd never understand her deep complexities. But when push comes to shove she's the one spewing and unnerved. She's the one who can't hurt a fly because then her precious image would be ruined? Only, it's ruined by her not doing anything morally ambiguous as someone described in detail as a person who does what needs to be done for her sister. UGH.
Speaking of her deep complexities. THE LOVE SUBPLOT TOOK OVER THE ENTIRE STORYLINE. Did you start reading this book because you thought the world sound awesome and the characters, on their own seemed very goal driven? Well, oops! No dice. You get to read about them thinking about some surprise kiss and talk in some weird telepathy about drawings and shit. Now, I'm only angry because I despise romance books, they make me cringe and ugh. I can't jell man. Maybe someone else could but I never saw anything in the blurb or the library sorting that said this was a romance. It is, in space. That's all. Fuck the cool alien planet and its dead not dead inhabitants, fuck the whole portal thing, fuck the fact that these teenage kids are running away from full mercenaries paid to kill them. We're just gonna see what Jules has to say about the light freckles on Mia's face lit by a lantern and alien stars. Bleh.
The characters themselves are victim to insta-love/loyalty. They constantly circuit back to the fact they've only known each other a day or two but 'gawd it feels like forever'. I hate that shit.
Also remember the POC love interest? No? That's okay, literally no one else does either. I live for the day when POC can be left to exist in books without being described by hair type and skin shade every two sentences but, it's a known fact most readers have been programmed to white wash casts as a result of writers doing exactly that for so long. So when there are, and I counted, only THREE sentences describing this POC character, with no allusion to culture or anything, I didn't view this as progressive. It felt like an after thought. Like, shit, we don't have anything different or diverse about our love story in space, THROW SOMETHING BROWN IN THERE. Like ?? This boy and all brown boys deserve so much better than this. I mean come on, he was so intelligent. I don't read very many POC cast in the intelligent spot unless their 'Asian' especially not brown boys. And seeing his heritage referred to one or twice in the book hurt, we can't afford this type of subtlety yet.
Their feelings for each other are messy, and honestly I can't get into it man, I'M HEATED.
The relationship itself is unhealthy, founded in distrust and lies. Just because they have superficial inner turmoil about doing bad things to each other doesn't make this relationship '#goals". They're constantly making the reader aware of the lack of time lapsed between them meeting and their now unbreakable bond. It's a gimmick and not a likeable one.
The reading was easy in terms of language, but the pacing was almost unbearable. It was dragged down by so much telling and no showing. Every little thought and action was spelled out with the utmost exaggeration. Nothing was left to interpretation.
The only reason this book got two stars rather than one was because, I managed to finish it so it wasn't completely unforgivable and because it read as a romance and seeing as though I don't like that genre I can't be too harsh considering it's probably good romance writing.
Don't think I'll be picking up the next books though.
I liked the plot more than I liked the characters, but the vibe overall seemed pretty similar to the vibe of the Starbound Trilogy by the same authors. It felt like I was reading the same characters and story all over again. However, I will say that I did like the Indiana Jones-ness and I did like the ending, so I will be listening to the sequel to finish out the duology. It's a quick easy listen, but nothing to write home about.
SO….. It took me a while to read this book because I was in the middle of a move. But that didn’t take away from how good the book was. And that cliffhanger??!!!! I want to slap the authors for that but in a good way. The book is awesome. I love the ancient trails and sophisticated planning and plotting on the part of the Undying. This book is a wild ride. I enjoyed and could relate to Mia’s character and Jules’ in many ways. This was a very exciting read. Now I have to have book two!!!! Immediately!!!
3.75/5 stars.
Wow, well. I have some very complicated feelings about this book.
First of all, I love the concept. It’s this very cool mashup of Indiana Jones, Temple Run, and Lara Croft. We have two teens, on an alien planet, trying to navigate temples, looking for treasure. It 100% should have facilitated action-movie level suspense and adventure. Unfortunately, I really was bored for the first half of this book. It took me 2 months to read the first 150 pages, but less than a week to read the second 150. I kept putting it down in favor of other things. Maybe, I was just too distracted to really get into it. But that second half man, that was good.
I am so stumped and confused by the ending, in a good way. A revelation is made that makes no sense with what we know about this world, and our main characters are just as flabbergasted by what they learn. I am dying (haha that’s a pun) to find out the secrets of the Undying in book 2 because it just doesn’t seem to make sense. That was such a mighty impressive cliffhanger.
I would have liked to see more of the trials and boobytraps in the temple. We all know I love a good clue, scavenger hunt, puzzle to figure out. I felt like we could spent a little more time there. But the whole vibe of those scenes reminded me so much of final scenes of National Treasure, and I was living for it.
Which brings me to my final point, this would make a fantastic movie. If this adaptation is done right, this would be an EPIC action-adventure movie. It would be Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft, and how can you not want that?
Thus, my biggest complaint was the pacing. I felt the beginning portion moved just too slowly for something that hinged on so much action. I wanted to be held in suspense more and longer than I was. I still CANNOT wait for the sequel/conclusion though.
Wow, well. I have some very complicated feelings about this book.
First of all, I love the concept. It’s this very cool mashup of Indiana Jones, Temple Run, and Lara Croft. We have two teens, on an alien planet, trying to navigate temples, looking for treasure. It 100% should have facilitated action-movie level suspense and adventure. Unfortunately, I really was bored for the first half of this book. It took me 2 months to read the first 150 pages, but less than a week to read the second 150. I kept putting it down in favor of other things. Maybe, I was just too distracted to really get into it. But that second half man, that was good.
I am so stumped and confused by the ending, in a good way. A revelation is made that makes no sense with what we know about this world, and our main characters are just as flabbergasted by what they learn. I am dying (haha that’s a pun) to find out the secrets of the Undying in book 2 because it just doesn’t seem to make sense. That was such a mighty impressive cliffhanger.
I would have liked to see more of the trials and boobytraps in the temple. We all know I love a good clue, scavenger hunt, puzzle to figure out. I felt like we could spent a little more time there. But the whole vibe of those scenes reminded me so much of final scenes of National Treasure, and I was living for it.
Which brings me to my final point, this would make a fantastic movie. If this adaptation is done right, this would be an EPIC action-adventure movie. It would be Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft, and how can you not want that?
Thus, my biggest complaint was the pacing. I felt the beginning portion moved just too slowly for something that hinged on so much action. I wanted to be held in suspense more and longer than I was. I still CANNOT wait for the sequel/conclusion though.
