This is a fast-paced and thrilling adventure novel.

M, is the daughter of an archeologist who has been living with her guardians since she was informed her dad had passed away. Ash enters the picture, young and well-built and just happens to inform M that her dad is actually alive. From that moment on, both will travel around the world in a race against time, visiting ancient places, finding clues to will help save M’s father.

The novel is told in alternating perspectives and is set in places all over the globe. I like how M gives a historic and archeological background to the places mentioned in the book, it makes the story interesting. There is also a playful dynamic and humorous banter between the main characters.

Overall, I liked it and recommend it those who enjoy adventure thrillers and YA with some supernatural elements.

Received ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

I had high expectations regarding this book, as you might have guessed. Being an Egypt fanatic, any book that features Egyptian mythology and culture, such as I DO NOT TRUST YOU, is very appealing to me.

When I first started reading it, I was very excited, and I continued to be until about 60% of the way in. From that point on, my excitement started to fade a little – purely because I felt as though the story was dragging on for a bit too long.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the characters. I absolutely loved reading about M and Ash, learning about their upbringing, their painful past, everything. I think they would work very well as a couple too, so that’s definitely a plus!

The other aspect I really loved is, obviously, the mythology, as well as the way the authors present it to the reader. Most of the book consists of our main characters traveling the world in order to accomplish their mission. In doing so, the authors present to the reader a whole lot of cultural aspects from the different places the characters travel to, from the food to the history and religion. That is a very positive aspect of this reading experience. This book is, essentially, a very fun scavenger hunt.

Comparisons to Rick Riordan’s books are pretty much inevitable, so let’s talk about that for a second. I read part of THE RED PYRAMID, which is a series based on Egyptian mythology, but could not finish it. I simply wasn’t enjoying it, so there was no point in forcing myself to keep reading. I DO NOT TRUST YOU, however, I enjoyed way more, although it didn’t blow me away either. I am slowly coming to the conclusion that it is because they are a bit juvenile. So I’ve learned my lesson: YA and middle-grade books such as these are, sadly, not suited for me. That does not mean, however, that I will give up on mythology books. I will just try to pick up adult ones next time and see how it goes!

Regarding the writing, I thought the authors worked very well together. Everything flowed nicely and I kept (virtually) turning the pages without even noticing – next thing I knew, I was over halfway through!

Overall, I DO NOT TRUST YOU is a fun, action-packed story that features innumerous cultural aspects of various locations around the globe. Unfortunately, it didn’t blow me away because of its juvenile tone.

Don’t forget to check out the author Q&A by reading my blog post!

Top Reasons You Should Give I Do Not Trust You a Try:


1. Fast paced YA mystery that will keep you entertained.
2. Chocked full of mythology and lore.
3. Amazing settings that are drool worthy.
4. A sassy and smart heroine that will be sure to capture your attention.
5. A story rich in history and in depth culture from the Egyptians, to the Romans, to the Greeks.

Having read Sanctuary Bay, I knew this book would be different from your usual YA, but I didn't think it would be this different.

3.5.

Memphis has just lost her father, with whom she had a very deep connection, and now she has to stand still at one place instead of having archeological adventures around the world as well as deal with her guardians, the most normal and boring couple she's ever met. That's when Ash turns up saying her father is actually prisoner to a millenary cult who wants his help to bring back the Egyptian god Seth, consequentially destroying the world. For that, they need the map M's father left her, and she's not about to trust anyone with the treasure, unless she goes with Ash find the treasures from the map herself.

To be honest, this wasn't my thing, but I don't think this is the problem I had with this book. The authors imagined this long story, filled with twists and mythology. But they either didn't condense it all the best way or they didn't have the space they needed for that. I keep thinking it's the latter—this would have been better sprayed through a trilogy or something. The way it was, a lot of it wound up rushed and sometimes silly, when you can see there was serious research and thought toward the making.

The second problem is that it focused too much on how M didn't trust Ash, even the title is about it. I don't think that was the point of the book at all, and it made the non-action scenes a little too repetitive.

Even though this book surely needed more working, it still got a lot of great elements. If you're a fan of mythology, you'll probably feel excited about how well the authors managed to connect everything. From religions to folklore to ancient gods, there was so many interesting facts, and in a fun way—there wasn't a single time I felt I was reading for class. I can't evaluate how accurate it all was but the fact that it didn't make the book drag, on the contrary, it made it all feel very interesting isn't to be overlooked.

I recommend this to those looking for a nice YA adventure with the plus of supernatural, reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code.


Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

I got huge Indian Jones and Tomb Raider vibes from reading this book from the beginning! And trust me, that is not a bad thing!  M is funny and sarcastic at times, but super smart!  I've always been interested in mythologies, but wow, her knowledge is unbelievable!  Ash, from the start, I wasn't too sure about.  He was mysterious and we are lead to believe he wasn't to be trusted.

On M and Ash's adventures, we travel the world!  So many interesting places and the number of theologies and mythologies that are linked to those areas are just interesting.  There were many times where I would read something and then open up a browser to search more about that myth!  In the beginning, there was more time dedicated to the area.  The story took its time developing where we were and covered more mythology (or at least that's how it felt).  Closer to the end, let's say the last quarter of the book, it felt like we were rushing through the areas, which only left me wanting to know more.  The rushing makes complete sense in the context of the story, but there were still times where I thought "no wait, go back! I want to know more!"

This story is written in third person, but still goes back and forth between perspectives of M and Ash.  It took some getting used to, when they switched perspectives, but it was possible.  If I could change it, I would have a heading indicating who's perspective we were reading from.  It would have saved me attempting to get my barrings.  There were moments where I thought I was reading from M's perspective, only to be a page or so into the chapter and realized it was actually Ash's - which of course changes the attitude of who the story is read.  This wasn't breaking, but it did tend to throw me off at times.

Another element of the story that I wasn't fond of was the magic.  Without going into spoilers, there was a magical element that I didn't feel fit into the story.  Well, I guess that's not true.  It fit, in context.  I just didn't feel like it was necessary.  I would have liked the story more if there hadn't been that added element.  Like, imagine you're watching Indiana Jones and out of nowhere we learn that Marion Ravenwood can talk to animals.  That's not what happened in this story, but the magical element felt out of place, just as that would have.

Those negative aspects did not take away from the book enough to make it unenjoyable.  I had fun going on the adventure with M and Ash.  I enjoyed learning more about Ash's history and learning about all the different mythologies.  At no point did I want to put the book down out of frustration, which lately is an achievement.  I actually had a hard time putting the book down, at points fighting sleep just to get to the next chapter.

Overall, I highly suggest I Do Not Trust You.  Especially to those who enjoyed the Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider movies, and really even the Mummy (Brendan Fraser's version not Tom Cruise's).  The characters were enjoyable and you'll find yourself learning throughout the book.

3.5/5 Stars

Wow was this a fun book! It's like Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones meets The Mummy. I was riveted from start to finish reading this book and I was not expecting it! It's not typically something I'd pick up because I tend to think history can be a bit dull (sorry!) but this made history SO fun, and following the clues made me want to know more about all these cultures and gods and myths... or are they myths really?????

Memphis ("M") is one really cool worldy chick. Although she's still in high school, she's been around the world numerous times, speaks multiple languages, and has a beyond vast knowledge of many of these gods and cultures. She's led an incredible early life of adventure because of her parents jobs, but it has unfortunately come to an abrupt halt. Her mother had passed years ago, and just recently her father, an archaeologist, was killed in a plane crash on assignment.

But there is a map. This map, which belonged to M's father, is coveted by a LOT of opposing groups of people, and M has it. It's believed the map holds the locations of an ancient relic that when pieced together could resurrect a god that will end the world. Clearly M is not just going to hand over this map. But Ash, although handsome, and rich and pretty knowledgeable himself on these ancient beliefs, wants the map. Reluctantly M "teams" up with him to travel all around the world in search of clues, markers, and hopefully, eventually the pieces of this relic - M wants to keep them safe, but she's really not sure what Ash has in mind. There are several people following them, and M clearly can't trust Ash, but she can't find the pieces alone.

This was a really fun journey. I loved following all the clues around 'a la National Treasure' (the Nick Cage movie) and M is a super awesome character. Really Bada$$ and chock full of Girl Power! This would make such an amazing movie! The plot is fast paced and heartpounding and there's never a lull or slow part throughout. There are some super clever twists and turns and the history connection is fun and exciting. I'm a big fan, and highly recommend. A really fun read!

Memphis “M” Engel is stubborn to a fault, graced with an almost absurd knowledge of long lost languages and cultures, and a heck of an opponent in a fight.  Ashwin “Ash” Sood is a little too posh for M’s tastes, a little too good looking, and has way too many secrets. He desperately wants the ancient map M inherited from her archeologist father, believing it will lead him to a relic with the power to destroy the world. Together they criss-cross the globe from the catacombs of Paris, to a sacred forest in Norway, to the ruins of a submerged temple in Egypt in their search for elusive relic. But through it all, M can never be sure: Is she traveling with a friend or enemy?

I Do Not Trust You is an adventure tale that will conjure up comparisons to Lara Croft and Indiana Jones in their younger days. “M” and Ash are on a mission to find a secret Egyptian relic before a zealous group who believe the relic can bring about power for their cause. Both “M” and Ash have their own reasons for wanting the relic. M’s father, whom she has believed to be dead for over a year, is allegedly being held captive while he translates the ancient text on a hieroglyphic map. Ash, a member of the “Eye.” an Egyptian religious order sworn to protect the relic, must find it before the zealots. While this sounds a bit confusing, all is explained beautifully in I Do Not Trust You, along with some amazing historical, geographical and mythological facts.

The story is simply told and I was never quite sure if this book was meant for younger readers, young adult or adult. It was entertaining regardless of the intended audience. As a history and literature grad, this book was exactly what I enjoy reading. Unfortunately it is being sold as an “adventure” novel and there wasn’t quite enough action for that to ring true. It is, however, a great mystery based on some incredible Egyptian myths. I also felt that the character development is what drove the book, rather than the suspense. I say this because there are those who expect their “thriller” novels to be very tense with a lot of fast paced action. You won’t find that here. Instead, it is a great, steady read with conversational wit and humor. I truly enjoyed reading it. Four Mythological Stars for I Do Not Trust You.

I forgot about the blurb when I started reading I Do Not Trust You by Laura J Burns. How do I describe this book, it’s like the latest of the mummy’s movies “The Mummy” that got released in 2017, written in a Rick Riordan adventure style format.

We are thrown in a continent-crossing battle, with a race against time feel as our main leads, search the world for hidden pieces of a statue, that if reunited will be the death of the universe.

Says Ash our male protagonist, who Memphis can’t believe because he’s crazy and believes in ancient Gods.

M which is our female main character’s nickname stands for Memphis. Memphis is like YA version of Lara Croft, from the latest movie in the franchise, Tomb Raider 2018 I see some major similarities once again. She can kickass and defend herself in a fight, rarely did she ever get beat.

Ash, on the other hand, is the calm to M’s storm, he’s levelheaded about from his apparent lunacy. He’s been through a lot we can tell, but he’s on the path of being healed and I loved that about him.

Ash and M struggle to trust each other as the journey continues, and it really highlights why trust is good. The way the book ended is like there might be a book two but I’m not putting my hopes up. There are a few twists here and there, that didn’t really surprise me or made me go oh wow! and I found this book to be a bit too long because I was waiting for the action to hit a lot, but what we get are very good characters development and an enjoyable read.

3 1/2

I have some mixed feeling about this book. I really loved the Indian jones like feel and both characters but there were a few things that I wished would have happened that didn’t happen and at times I was a little board.

It took me awhile to figure out how to write this review but I finally decided to split it between what I loved and what I didn’t love.

What I loved.

I loved both Memphis and ash and their character development.

Memphis is cleaver and strong and a force to be recon with. She has spent most of her life traveling the world with her archaeologist father and has learned several Language and martial arts because of that as well as a vast knowledge of the ancient cultures.

Ash is just as clever (though maybe he doesn’t know as many Language as Memphis dose or her vast knowledge of the world, but they can match wits which I loved.) and he might be a little bit broken because of his past but he doesn’t show it or talk about it too much. he is also completely dedicated to the cult of hours a cult opposite of set’s cult.

I also really loved all of the travel in this book and all the mythology.

What I didn’t love.

This might just be me but I really wished that the characters had kissed. There are some really sweet moments between them as they start to learn how to trust and rely on each other and by the end you can tell that they had both developed feeling for each other. I’m a little frustrated that it didn’t happen.

The magic system and world building around the cult’s. as someone who really loves magic systems it kinda felt thrown together and the world building around the cults wasn’t really explained at all. I have a lot of questions about both of these things.

This book also has a very sudden ending and I really wish that there had been more to the ending then there was. I finished it and I kept swiping at my kindle hoping there would be more but there wasn’t. it does have a open ending which makes me hope that there might be another book with these two in it.

Overall it was a really fun book to read and I did enjoy it a lot. If there’s a sequel (which I kinda hope there is) I will be picking it up because I want to know what happens to these two characters.

I wanted to thank St. Martin's for gifting me a eARC of this book and inviting me to be part of the blog tour.

This is an interesting YA thriller that mixes up adventure, archeology, religion, travel, and just a little bit of fantasy. While reading, it felt like a typical Dan Brown book for teenagers. The story is interesting, the main characters are relatable (M. and Ash), and their adventures are breathtaking. Of course that sometimes things happen with no reasonable explanation (like traveling from Guatemala to New Orleans in a couple of hours), but if you let the story guide you, you will at least have fun reading it.

The Plot & Characters:

I Do Not Trust You completely surprised me in the best of ways. What I initially thought was going to be a YA thriller turned into a fast-paced urban fantasy with supernatural elements. I was loving the action, adventure, and non-stop globe-trotting. This book is seriously an archeology enthusiast’s dream, and would be perfect for fans of The Mummy, Indiana Jones, and the Robert Langdon novels (The Da Vinci Code, Inferno) by Dan Brown.

I Do Not Trust You follows Memphis (“M”), an 18 year-old student living in Boston with her new guardians. M’s father was tragically killed in an accident, and M is still coping with the aftermath of his death. M and her father had a very close relationship. As an archeologist, he and M traveled the world together ever since M could learn how to walk. She joined her father on several digs and expeditions, learning multiple languages and how to read ancient glyphs. M is basically a living and breathing encyclopedia who can tell you everything there is to know about world-wide mythology and cultures. She also knows a thing or two about self-defense.

Everything changes the day Ashwin (Ash) approaches M with some shocking news: Her father is still alive and he needs her help translating a map that could be the key to saving her dad (and, uh, the world.) Ash is part of a cult that worships Horus, the Egyptian god who seeks revenge on Set. But Ash is keeping several secrets of his own and he’s not willing to let M out of his sight.

M is obviously super sketched out by this but she wants nothing more than to get her father back. And so begins a whirl-wind journey of M and Ash traversing the globe to find ancient clues that could help them achieve their own goals (and possibly save the world from total destruction.)

My Thoughts:

Like I said, I was living for the world traveling. You get to read about so many different cultures and places! I won’t give away any of the locations since it would be a bit spoilery. But there were several times where I’d put the book down just so I could google and learn more about the different cities and gods mentioned. Every time M would start getting “in the zone” translating glyphs, my heart was like, “Yasss, girl!”

There are so many important and relevant themes I loved as well, such as family bonds (and found families), loyalty, trust, and science vs. religion. Both M and Ash have polar opposite viewpoints when it comes to faith, and I loved how they both learned and grew from each other’s experiences. I was also loving the Egyptian mythology, and how so many other cultures in the world have similar mythos that intertwine with others.

Overall I Do Not Trust You is a solid YA read with lots of action and a budding romance. I wish there was a bit more in-depth information about each location they visited, because at times I felt things got a little too fast-paced. But I love that this book is a standalone and everything was able to wrap up nicely without a crazy cliffhanger. And I’d be totally for reading a sequel if the authors ever decide to explore this world again!

2.5 failed to compel stars
Once again I was lured in by a flashy cover and an intriguing synopsis. Think Da Vinci Code meets Indiana Jones. But I just felt myself instantly bored because there wasn't a lot of action. A lot of talking though...so much talking. If this book had just had Memphis(M) that would have been fine. Searching the Paris catacombs? Oh so cool but I failed to feel committed to the story.

I Do Not Trust You
A Novel
by Laura J. Burns; Melinda Metz
St. Martin's Press
Wednesday Books
Teens & YA
Pub Date 11 Sep 2018
I am reviewing a copy of I Do Not Trust You through St Martin's Press and Netgalley:


Memphis is graced with an absurd knowledge of languages and cultures that have long sense died out, she's also quite stubborn. She can take others on in a fight!


Ash (Ashwin) Sood is posh, and a little to good looking, he also is a man of many secrets. He is in desperate desire to get the map M inherited from her Father, believing it will leave him to a relic that will allow him to destroy the world. Memphis knows he can't be trusted!


Despite not trusting him Memphis and Ash decide to partner together to find the relic. This book leads you on an adventure through the catacombs of Paris, a sacred Forest in Norway, and to temple ruins in Egypt, crisscrossing the globe in search of the relic. But the journey is made harder by Memphis not knowing whether Ash is a friend or an enemy!


I give I Do Not Trust You five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Even though this book wasn't one of my favourites, I did really enjoy it. It gave me Indiana Jones and National Treasure vibes and was refreshing in that there was a young, strong female lead. The pace was fast enough that it kept me going and it certainly wasn't boring. I'm thinking it wasn't for me just because of the age of the main characters. This book would be perfect for teens.

Noteworthy experiences while reading this book: This is like those movies Inferno and National Treasure but a book for teens!

Do I Recommend this book? Kind of you might want to try the library for this one first.

Notes and Opinions: This one started out really good it was a wild ride like the movies Tomb Raider and National treasure where you search for the clues and artifacts to get to the end. But after a while, this one just got a little old. I wish that amazingness of this one would have gone throughout the book but then it just got really boring and nothing of note really happened. I really wanted to be at the edge of my seat but it just didn't happen.

The characters and world that the author created were fine. I didn't dislike anyone. This one all came down to the story itself and the lack of the edge of your seat action that I was looking for.

Go Into This One Knowing: Great Characters, No Action in this action story

This is an adventure filled book in the same vein as Indiana Jones. I loved the dynamic between M and Ash and some of the twists that I did not see coming. Thr last adventure frll a little flat but overall this is a great page turner.

I wish I could rate this book 5 stars but sadly I can not. There were points in the book where the history of the gods were drawn out. Slightly boring and intriguing at the same time.

When I first started reading it I was immediately taken in with the story. I was confused to be honest. I didn’t what the heck was going on until I think the 3rd or 4th chapter.

M really loves her dad and will do anything for him. So much so that she decides to find the hidden Set pieces so the Eye can rescue him. She also takes Ash with her. A boy she doesn’t know and literally could be anyone. We find out much later that everything is as it seems or anyone also.

Once I got around the confusing, boring parts I thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters. M is fierce. She’s a force to be reckoned with and I love how she didn’t depend on Ash. Ash was something else entirely. He has hidden motives which made me not like him at first but as his true self came out I really liked him.

I’ve been asking myself if I would recommend this book to my friends or followers. I will especially if they like mythology. I will say that I know more about sacred temples, Set, Horus, and other gods that I never knew before. I’ve even surprised my husband doting out facts. Lol

I Don’t Believe You is a really great book and I’ll be looking up the authors other works. The research they put into this book is astounding and they do a great job of making you feel like you’re there with Ash and M.

Thank you Wednesday Books for gifting me an E-ARC and for inviting me onto the blog tour. All opinions are my own.

I rate this book a 3 out of 5 Stars.

To be fair, this is not my typical read. I am not a huge fan of Action/Adventure books, unless of course it's books that I am reading to my little boys. However, this was a fun book to read, and I found the storyline to be fairly impressive. I've never read any other book by this co-writing duo, so this one I think was a good introduction. I feel like fans of the Tomb Raider series, and those type of books and movies would really enjoy this one. Also the cover is so eye-catching, and stunning, you cannot help but be drawn to it. 

I thought this was a pretty creative, and clever book, something new and fresh on the market for YA readers. I loved the fact that both main characters were mixed race, and they had substance to them, I've never read a book where the main character was into archaeology, and this book also appealed to the mythology lovers. I kind of got Indiana Jones vibes, which was cool and played to my years as a kid when those movies were super popular! Overall, I was impressed with this book, and I think if you are look for a fun adventure read, you should pick this one up. I also think it's a good read for any age.

“I Do Not Trust You” by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz was my first read by this duo of authors. I love young adult and I love mythology. This novel involves both of those things, so I was super excited to read it! Let me first say that I love the diversity among the cast of characters! Memphis ( M or short) and Ash are on an adventure to locate pieces of an ancient relic.

For some reason, possibly the title, I was expecting this book to be more mystery less adventure. It reminded me of one of my favorite movies “ National Treasure ( still waiting on part three by the way.) It took a little while to really get going. The characters were developed. At times, things were a little unrealistic and the discoveries started off great but kind of dwindled as the book went on. Overall, this was a fun read!

** I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

I Do Not Trust You by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz is a young adult action and adventure fantasy that is based off of mythology. Think of this one as sort of a female teenage Indiana Jones type of character trotting around the globe to save the day from ancient gods.

Memphis “M” Engle was raised by globetrotting parents and was speaking multiple languages and exploring ancient ruins right after she learned to walk and talk. Trained in martial arts and smarter than her teachers M should have been following in her parents footsteps but after losing her mother first and then her father in an accident M is being raised by guardians that just want her to be a “normal” high school student.

However, one night when leaving a party M feels she’s being followed and before she knows it she finds herself confronting Ashwin Sood. Equipped with a note written in a language only M and her father know Ash convinces M that her father is alive and the only way to rescue him is to track down the pieces of an ancient statue.

I Do Not Trust You is the second book I’ve read by this author duo and one thing I definitely can say is they certainly do get creative. I loved that this one was based on mythology with the dueling cults looking to acquire the missing artifacts and our teen duo set off on an adventure. I think for me though what led me to give this one 3.5 stars was after the first couple of stops the story seemed to just level out and lost a little of the wow factor. Overall though it was certainly a fun read that I enjoyed.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.