Book Review
Title: Unearthed
Author: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Genre: YA/Sci-Fi/Romance
Rating: *****
Review: I didn’t know much going into Unearthed, but I have heard a lot of good things about it and the sequel. The opening was interesting as we are introduced to Amelia on the planet Gaia, when she comes across some unsavoury characters called Raiders. We learn through her that Earth is dying and the only other inhabitable planet is Centauri but the mission to get there went bad and all hope was lost until a coded message from an alien race called the Undying led them to Gaia. Amelia is a scavenger sent to raid the planet of its treasures, but she isn’t the only one on the planet, but running into other raiders means she is being robbed of vital equipment. That is until Jules stumbles upon them after getting separated from his scientific expedition group.
Together the pair manage to escape the Raiders but for the time being, they are stuck together as they are both alone on the barren planet. Jules also hints really early on that he likes Amelia which may be the set up for a romance later on. Just as Amelia suspected Jules is furious when he learns that she too is a scavenger sent to raid the planet, but she has the street smarts and he needs her to get to one of the temples and she needs money to save her sister. They decide that Jules will guide them to the temple where Mia can earn the money, she needs but to do that she needs to keep them alive and on schedule.
Both Jules and Mia have their own reasons for being on Gaia, but Jules is lying to Mia about what is at the temple and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her with him for the next three weeks when Mia is due to be picked up by her backer Mink. The off-site make their way across Gaia’s harsh and unforgiving landscape as we learn more about their motivations and see a thin bond of trust form between them. Each is fighting desperately to reclaim something extremely precious to them but when they reach the temple the real test is about to begin. As they step into the Undying’s territory we learn the temple is a series of rooms each containing a test that has to be passed to move forward and failure means death. Together they are going to have to use all their intellect, cunning and skill in order to survive and make it home. I was also enjoying the way Jules and Amelia’s relationship was developing especially since they are supposed to be rivals in their endeavours. I can’t wait to see the romance blossom between these two some danger seems to bring YA couples together.
As they face their first test in the temple of the Undying, we see that Jules is completely out of his depth when faced with the realities of their situation. He is lucky to have Amelia as it’s her useful skills and mathematical brain that keeps them alive. Jules just proves that you can have all the intellect you want but without practical skills, you’ll never survive. When Amelia finally figured out who Jules really is, she isn’t mad at him but surprised that he is there for altruistic reasons like her, however, he is still lying about what he is really looking for within the temple despite his growing attraction to Amelia. Things are too good to be true when Mink send Liz and her team to follow Jules to the mysterious temple. When Liz learns that Amelia is with Jules, they jump the pair and take them, hostage, forcing them to act as guides through the temple to the Undying’s treasure. Things between Amelia and Jules change when he confesses to lying to her about the temple, but she chooses to stay regardless because it means so much to him. However, when Mia betrays his identity to Liz to buy them some time, he feels so betrayed. Miss makes Liz believe that she is willing to double cross Jules when she is actually planning to escape from them. Mia doesn’t want to hurt Jules, but she knows Liz won’t hesitate to kill her if she serves no purpose which means Mia is on borrowed time. Jules serves a purpose as he can read the glyphs and decipher the instructions needed to survive but as they are angry with each other there is no to communicate, and they resolve to get through this and then go their separate ways. I have a feeling though that it isn’t going to be that simple for considering what they know.
After weaving a web of lies to get Liz to trust her Mia tries to find a way to communicate her plan to Jules but he isn’t willing to listen thinking that she is working against him. However, when they face their next major test it presents an opportunity to escape but the trust between them has been damaged so they aren’t sure how to act around each other, but they know they can’t go back. Their only hope of survival is moving forward towards the heart of the temple, all the while Jules is trying to unravel the Undying’s greatest puzzle along with his feelings for Amelia. By the time they manage to escape from Liz and her henchmen they have to take a leap into the unknown which results in them finding the final room, but Liz is hot on their heels so they have no choice.
In the final room, Mia and Jules figure out that they like each other especially since they spend the night in each other’s arms sharing the remaining food and oxygen. We know Mia was given a strict ration of oxygen by Mink and she has to share with Jules as his equipment was taken by Liz shortening their time to get off Gaia to less than a week. The final room has no puzzle only a huge black stone inscribed with the message; Onward, if you dare and they have no choice but to continue and pray. When they finally figure out the final test rather than riches or knowledge they are gifted with a portal. Mia is up for going through the portal as jumping into the unknown is better than being shot in the face for her but for Jules, that temple holds all the keys, he needs to free his father and is reluctant to leave. Mia convinces him with a kiss I have been waiting for since chapter 2 but he obviously follows Mia through the portal.
The portal ends up spitting them somewhere a little more incurable, but they aren’t sure where they are exactly. Liz and her goons are only minutes behind them, so they try to find shelter and a point of safety. Escaping into the frozen wasteland they realise they are near Gaia’s south pole and there is no way for them to contact their ride off the planet. Still being pursued and their supplies running out they fear the worst when they accidentally find the secret the Undying and the Nautilus has been hiding. As we cross into the final 100 pages a lot of things happen at one. First, the IA arrive, and they are basically the black ops of the government. This team intimately end up killing Liz and one of her men but the remaining to Javier and Hensen end up banging together as they are all in the same camp now as discovery means death for them. None of them have enough supplies or oxygen to get within satellite range but I have a feeling that everyone is underestimating Mia and Jules who have already survived all much.
Mia and Jules’ skills paired with Javier’s means that they might have a fighting chance of getting into the IA camp and stealing a shuttle which Hensen can pilot. Just when they felt they are coming to the end of their journey they end up having to about the IA set up before getting into the camp. However, this doesn’t go to plan when they are discovered and taken prisoner, once again it is Mia’s quick thinking and Jules’ name that keep them alive. When the mastermind behind everything is revealed we learn that Mia, Jules and everyone else have been pawns in a huge game to profit from the Undying’s demise. Jules ends up taking a leaf out of Mia’s book and attempts to stale for time to get them out of this situation once and for all. I had a bad feeling about this from the second they wetter captured but protective Jules was absolutely adorable. Despite stalling for time the IA have had enough and threaten Mia’s life in order to get July res up comply with their demands.
The ending of Unearthed was brilliant all the mysteries comes together in one dramatic climax that leaves us hanging on for the sequel which I will definitely be picking up. I loved both these authors and they’d never lead me astray and that is still true today. If you looking for a great YA space sci-fi novel with likable characters and engaging romance and a kick-ass plot, then I 100% recommend Unearthed.
Buy it here:
Paperback/Hardcover: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
Also see: Hunted by Megan Spooner
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