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Unfinished
Cyrus is a ghost and moving on is becoming a problem. All he wants to do is complete his unfinished business, but he has started to realize that making his friends and family realize he is okay isn't as simple as he thought. Enter Mia, a girl with a lust for life without a life to give. When Cyrus witnesses Mia die his world gets turned upside down. Although maybe fate has intervened on his behalf and brought him exactly what he needed.
212 pages, Paperback
Published March 28, 2016
3 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 30, 2017
A story about ghosts that isn't a ghost story. The very first paragraph immediately drew me in with it's easy, informal style. Written in first person present and told from the perspective of a 20 year old deceased male, Unfinished is a fascinating and enchanting read that will leave you wanting more.
Throughout the story there are parts that seem inessential at first. The two main characters set out to enjoy their death more than they were able to enjoy their lives, traveling all over the world in the blink of an eye, while also taking care of their unfinished business.
More than anything, this story is about two amazing protagonists and their journeys to move on. The characterization of the two is astounding, really. If you ever wanted to know what a round character looked like, read this book! I feel like their personalities, their past experiences, the places they visit, all of it HAD to be based on real life people/experiences because it all felt incredibly real.
I'm a historian, and even the history bits were spot on, realistic, and great. Normally I cringe at history stuff when it's added into books like Unfinished. But Vaughn really knows about the stuff he describes, and what's better, he makes his main character, Cyrus, completely believable when it comes to knowing the nerdy historical info that he knows too.
Pretty early on, the book had me in tears. No joke. I cried; it was incredibly moving. Don't worry, the book isn't a downer. It had my smiling and laughing too. But the END. Oh my gosh, the END. It turned straight up Hallmark movie, and I mean that in the best way. It wasn't cheesy or dumb. It just leaves you with this incredible warm fuzzy joy that you never want to end. I could reread the ending over, and over, and over again (insert all the heart emojis here).
The ending was perfect. PERFECT. And it really made me want to slap a five star rating on this book! The only reason I'm not is because there are some long, unwieldy sentences throughout the book and quite a few missing commas. If it was more polished and had a better cover (because this book deserves something more lively :P haha) I'd HAVE to give it five stars.
Omg that ending though...I'm going to be thinking about it for a while. It's unexpected, I'll say that much. And the very last chapter had me all mushy and gushy and smiling like a mad woman. I never wanted it to end. But it totally ends on the most perfect note imaginable. Perfection, I'm telling you.
Anyway, it's not the type of book I'd normally read, but I HIGHLY recommend it. It'll surprise you and enchant you!
Throughout the story there are parts that seem inessential at first. The two main characters set out to enjoy their death more than they were able to enjoy their lives, traveling all over the world in the blink of an eye, while also taking care of their unfinished business.
More than anything, this story is about two amazing protagonists and their journeys to move on. The characterization of the two is astounding, really. If you ever wanted to know what a round character looked like, read this book! I feel like their personalities, their past experiences, the places they visit, all of it HAD to be based on real life people/experiences because it all felt incredibly real.
I'm a historian, and even the history bits were spot on, realistic, and great. Normally I cringe at history stuff when it's added into books like Unfinished. But Vaughn really knows about the stuff he describes, and what's better, he makes his main character, Cyrus, completely believable when it comes to knowing the nerdy historical info that he knows too.
Pretty early on, the book had me in tears. No joke. I cried; it was incredibly moving. Don't worry, the book isn't a downer. It had my smiling and laughing too. But the END. Oh my gosh, the END. It turned straight up Hallmark movie, and I mean that in the best way. It wasn't cheesy or dumb. It just leaves you with this incredible warm fuzzy joy that you never want to end. I could reread the ending over, and over, and over again (insert all the heart emojis here).
The ending was perfect. PERFECT. And it really made me want to slap a five star rating on this book! The only reason I'm not is because there are some long, unwieldy sentences throughout the book and quite a few missing commas. If it was more polished and had a better cover (because this book deserves something more lively :P haha) I'd HAVE to give it five stars.
Omg that ending though...I'm going to be thinking about it for a while. It's unexpected, I'll say that much. And the very last chapter had me all mushy and gushy and smiling like a mad woman. I never wanted it to end. But it totally ends on the most perfect note imaginable. Perfection, I'm telling you.
Anyway, it's not the type of book I'd normally read, but I HIGHLY recommend it. It'll surprise you and enchant you!
January 14, 2019
I very much enjoyed writing this book. It was inspired after a friend of mine lost a friend in an accident and it made me think, what would a young person do if they were a ghost. Like many authors, first novels can be tricky as we find our own voices, but I was very pleased with how it went. Surprisingly the ending did change drastically from when I started writing the book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed giving these characters, Mia and Cyrus, life and adventures.
April 1, 2016
I enjoyed Unfinished quite a bit. I enjoyed the trips through history and mythology and I loved how they tied in with the modern-day lifestyle of the main characters. I also love the importance of human bonds that are created in the story, those of the living and the non-living. The story is heartwarming, funny, and a fantastic new twist on old tells. It is definitely worth the read!
January 6, 2018
This was a fun book to read. An interesting take on what happens when you're stuck in 'limbo', between this life and the next.
It has a sort of 'John Green' vibe: shy, nerdy boy likes larger-than-life girl. Both were interesting characters and very realistic. The romance between them doesn't dominate it all either, and I was glad that it wasn't a blind love. It's not 'oh a pretty girl, I like her blindly'. It was gradual and heartwarming. Mia has her flaws, and Cyrus is annoyed by them at times as you would be in real relationships, but he learns why she is flawed in that way.
The dialogue in this book, though it comes across as too formal at times (e.g 'I have' instead of 'I've'), is very witty and it made me laugh on numerous occasions. I didn't just laugh at this book though, I cried too. My eyes welled at certain touching moment, happy and sad tears.
The concept of legendary/mythical beings and creatures being real intrigued me. I liked the author's take on them, how they can only really be seen by those who have died.
The twists in this book were unexpected, and one of them made my jaw hit the floor. The ending was also not what I was expecting, but that's what made it perfect.
Overall, it was a good read. Definitely check it out if you're looking for something different and unusual to read.
It has a sort of 'John Green' vibe: shy, nerdy boy likes larger-than-life girl. Both were interesting characters and very realistic. The romance between them doesn't dominate it all either, and I was glad that it wasn't a blind love. It's not 'oh a pretty girl, I like her blindly'. It was gradual and heartwarming. Mia has her flaws, and Cyrus is annoyed by them at times as you would be in real relationships, but he learns why she is flawed in that way.
The dialogue in this book, though it comes across as too formal at times (e.g 'I have' instead of 'I've'), is very witty and it made me laugh on numerous occasions. I didn't just laugh at this book though, I cried too. My eyes welled at certain touching moment, happy and sad tears.
The concept of legendary/mythical beings and creatures being real intrigued me. I liked the author's take on them, how they can only really be seen by those who have died.
The twists in this book were unexpected, and one of them made my jaw hit the floor. The ending was also not what I was expecting, but that's what made it perfect.
Overall, it was a good read. Definitely check it out if you're looking for something different and unusual to read.
February 21, 2019
This is a heartwarming take on some classic ghost story tropes. The spirits of the dead linger in the world to make sure their loved ones have begun to heal before moving on. Cyrus, a young man who died in a tragic drowning accident, and Mia, a young woman who ended her own life rather than live with a terminal illness, travel the world together, invisible to most, interacting with both the living and the dead. They fall for one another along the way, navigating the difficulties of a relationship that started after both their hearts had stopped. The story is whimsical, at times sad, and the ending immensely satisfying. A fun, quick read for anyone who likes love stories and benign, rather than scary, hauntings.
August 15, 2022
Cute premise
I liked the idea of this book.
Unfortunately, the writing is terrible and first-draft quality. One of the characters changed names several times. I also didn't like the ending, but that could be just me.
The book did have a few moments that brought tears to my eyes, so an extra star for that.
I liked the idea of this book.
Unfortunately, the writing is terrible and first-draft quality. One of the characters changed names several times. I also didn't like the ending, but that could be just me.
The book did have a few moments that brought tears to my eyes, so an extra star for that.
January 23, 2019
This was such a sweet story, dealing with the subjects of death, suicide, and the afterlife. The journey that Cyrus and Mia embark on is both humour and touching, and the way they end up affecting other people’s lives for the better, even after death, was incredibly refreshing to read.
January 23, 2019
A ghost love story
Not the type of story I usually read. I was pursuaded to buy it from the glowing reviews. An interesting enough storyline, but not one which grabbed my attention.
Not the type of story I usually read. I was pursuaded to buy it from the glowing reviews. An interesting enough storyline, but not one which grabbed my attention.
January 21, 2019
I Read This Book When My Sister Was Dying
It helped me a lot to come to terms with it and be able to tell her what I was feeling. Which was a loneliness I've never felt before.
It helped me a lot to come to terms with it and be able to tell her what I was feeling. Which was a loneliness I've never felt before.
October 30, 2016
Cyrus is a ghost. All he wants is complete his unfinished business so he can move on to the next phase. But making his friends and family realize he is okay isn't as simple as he thought. Enter Mia, a girl with a lust for life without a life to give. When Cyrus witnesses Mia die, his world gets turned upside down. Although maybe fate has intervened on his behalf and brought him exactly what he needed.
Two ghosts roaming the Earth trying to move on could have gotten depressing after a while, but because Cyrus and Mia fully accept that their mortal lives have ended and another phase in their existence is waiting for them, they can take full advantage of their ghostly abilities and have a little fun. Their various “hauntings” are really good-natured pranks meant to help their loved ones to move on, as well. The author doesn’t ignore the pain of losing someone we love, though. The scenes between Cyrus and his sister are especially touching, exploring how we deal with grief, as well as regret and missed opportunities.
I really enjoyed Cyrus and Mia’s interactions with other spirits. Each ghost is given their own backstory and unfinished business which ties in with main character’s journey in a way that was both creative and natural. The stakes for Cyrus and Mia are kept very low—I never found myself worrying whether or not Cyrus will complete his mission—but by interweaving his goal with those of the other ghosts they meet, it gives the story more weight.
The heart of the story remains the relationship between Cyrus and Mia, though. The author manages to create a strong, believable connection between Cyrus and Mia quickly, without leaning on the crutch of insta-love. It would have been easy for Mia to fall into the Manic Pixel Girl trope and while she does play a large role in helping Cyrus on his journey, she has her own unfinished business and fears to deal with, giving her arc more significance.
While their ending wasn’t necessarily the one I was rooting for, it was a very sweet ending and fit the characters and theme of the story. All outstanding plotlines are resolved and the novel ends on a hopeful note. My only complaint is that there’s no plausible room for a sequel because I would love the opportunity to read more stories with Cyrus and Mia.
Two ghosts roaming the Earth trying to move on could have gotten depressing after a while, but because Cyrus and Mia fully accept that their mortal lives have ended and another phase in their existence is waiting for them, they can take full advantage of their ghostly abilities and have a little fun. Their various “hauntings” are really good-natured pranks meant to help their loved ones to move on, as well. The author doesn’t ignore the pain of losing someone we love, though. The scenes between Cyrus and his sister are especially touching, exploring how we deal with grief, as well as regret and missed opportunities.
I really enjoyed Cyrus and Mia’s interactions with other spirits. Each ghost is given their own backstory and unfinished business which ties in with main character’s journey in a way that was both creative and natural. The stakes for Cyrus and Mia are kept very low—I never found myself worrying whether or not Cyrus will complete his mission—but by interweaving his goal with those of the other ghosts they meet, it gives the story more weight.
The heart of the story remains the relationship between Cyrus and Mia, though. The author manages to create a strong, believable connection between Cyrus and Mia quickly, without leaning on the crutch of insta-love. It would have been easy for Mia to fall into the Manic Pixel Girl trope and while she does play a large role in helping Cyrus on his journey, she has her own unfinished business and fears to deal with, giving her arc more significance.
While their ending wasn’t necessarily the one I was rooting for, it was a very sweet ending and fit the characters and theme of the story. All outstanding plotlines are resolved and the novel ends on a hopeful note. My only complaint is that there’s no plausible room for a sequel because I would love the opportunity to read more stories with Cyrus and Mia.
August 31, 2016
Good book, interesting storyline
I actually loved this. I only say good because a few parts seem to just cut off. There's not always a smooth transition. Maybe it was meant to be written that way.
It definitely holds your attention wondering what Cyrus will do next.
I actually loved this. I only say good because a few parts seem to just cut off. There's not always a smooth transition. Maybe it was meant to be written that way.
It definitely holds your attention wondering what Cyrus will do next.
May 12, 2016
The story was interesting and unique!
October 6, 2016
Enjoyed this book...so sweet.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews