The Antiquity Affair by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne. Pub Date: June 6, 2023. Rating: 3 stars. As a lover of the Indiana Jones movie franchise, I thought this book would be a great companion to my interests in all this archeology. Sadly, this book fell flat to me. The premise is great with a setting in 1907 Egypt with a plot that focuses on antiquities, villains and ancient Egyptian history but I felt the story was kind of all over the place and lacked structure. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. Thanks to #netgalley and #harpermuse for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

As children, Lila and Tess were the Fearless Fords. But time has strained their relationship. These days, Tess tries to complete her studies and Lila tries to secure the family's future. But when the girls are both kidnapped by separate entities, they realize they face a common enemy: a secretive organization filled with influential men intent on finding a lost artifact with legendary and dangerous power. Can the girls unite to protect their family, loved ones and world?
The adventure kept me reading. I enjoyed the action and can see this book as a movie!
The romance was also emotional but subtle and clean, which I appreciated.
The insights in 1907 Egyptology helped me realize the impacts of archaology on individuals and societies. While archaologists can broaden our understanding of past cultures, these scientists could also be unscrupulous, ruthless and dangerous.
I appreciated that the sisters shared a real relationship. They didn't reconcile and forgive immediately with fakery but instead navigated complex emotions, which is reality.

Archeology? riddles? ancient artifacts.? I love it. So much fun for a grown up Egypt/Indiana Jones kid!
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

#IFTHENNEXTREADBOOKS Showcase Series: THE ANTIQUITY AFFAIR by: Lee Kelly and Jenn Marie Thorne

IF you love the Indiana Jones movies…
…THEN you must plunge into THE ANTIQUITY AFFAIR!
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“WHEN YOU LIKE INDIANA JONES BUT YOU’RE TIRED OF DUDES HAVING ALL THE ADVENTURES” -Lee Kelly,author

“WHEN YOU LIKE INDIANA JONES BUT YOU’RE TIRED OF DUDES DOING ALL THE SAVING…MEET SISTERS LILA AND TESS”
-Lee Kelly, author
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As followers of The Erudite Bibliophile with Wanderlust you may have picked up along the way that historical fiction is my favorite genre to read, but I have discovered there are even subsets within this same genre! When exploring THE ANTIQUITY AFFAIR further, author Kelly called it a “historical adventure novel” or “literary adventure” and boy is it ever!!? For fans of Indiana Jones, this may become your new favorite novel and/or genre with an added bonus — it has female protagonist heroes! Sisters Lila and Tess couldn’t be more different in many ways (some by necessity and some due to societal roles), but both are equally brilliant and as a team they are almost unstoppable! The wit these two show in solving puzzles and working together to surmount obstacles as well as triumphing in adventure put me in mind of Sherlock Holmes and Watson as well. Not only do they have archaeology and Egyptology in their genes due to their archaeologist father, but also due to this association they become wrapped up and twisted in a quest to find the famed powerful Serpent’s Crown hidden in the Tomb of the Five Ladies before a corrupt society (The Fraternitas de Nodum) does first. Along their chaotic journey across the world from New York to Paris to Egypt, wild escapades and new love ensue. The authors capture not only the essence of these magnificently enchanting settings, but also the exciting search for the relic that will have readers excitedly turning the pages especially in the climactic final chapters. Throw in kidnapping, mistaken identity, and cryptic hieroglyphic scrolls to complete the recipe for this whip smart adventure that I believe could easily be adapted into a thrilling feature length film.

This book had an original working title of ALL WILL BE REVEALED and is the authors’ first collaboration together. However, readers who are captivated by THE ANTIQUITY AFFAIR will be thrilled that Kelly and Thorne have already announced a second historical adventure novel project together filled with ‘murder and mayhem, Hollywood glamour and starlets’ this time set in the 1950s.

On a closing note, this is also a book about the power and bond of sisters — no one could have ‘saved the day’ but the Ford sisters TOGETHER. I could only wish to get to go on an amazing zig-zag continent crossing voyage with my fellow wanderlust traveling companion, sister Heather Wallace. I would love to trek with her on a puzzle solving odyssey to new worlds and have a dazzling adventure together just like Lila and Tess! This novel would also make a great gift for your sister on her birthday or for the next holiday (which this time of year could be Galentines!)

Book Review: The Antiquity Affair by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Marie Thorne

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)

The Antiquity Affair is a thrilling and captivating adventure set in the dawn of Egyptology in 1907. Co-authored by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Marie Thorne, this women-centered nod to the beloved Indiana Jones stories takes readers on a high-stakes trans-Atlantic journey, filled with excitement, romance, and a strong emphasis on sisterhood.

The story revolves around Dr. Warren Ford, a renowned archaeologist, and his two daughters, Lila and Tess. While Lila is poised to make her debut as a Manhattan socialite, Tess dreams of following in her father's footsteps. However, their lives take an unexpected turn when a secretive organization targets the Ford family, believing that one of the daughters holds the key to finding the legendary artifact known as the Serpent's Crown.

From the very first page, I was immediately drawn into the world of imperialism and unrest, beautifully depicted by the authors. The setting of 1907 Egyptology is richly detailed, providing a vivid backdrop for the characters' thrilling adventures. The authors' meticulous research shines through, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

What truly sets The Antiquity Affair apart is its well-developed characters. Lila and Tess are complex and relatable protagonists, each with their own distinct personalities and aspirations. Their sisterhood forms the heart of the narrative, showcasing their unbreakable bond even in the face of danger. Additionally, Dr. Warren Ford is a compelling father figure, torn between his duty as an archaeologist and his love for his daughters.

The writing style is superb, with Kelly and Thorne seamlessly blending their voices. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout the book. I found myself furiously turning pages, eager to unravel the mysteries and secrets hidden within the Tomb of the Five Ladies.

Moreover, the plot is intriguing and multi-layered, expertly interweaving adventure, romance, and suspense. The quest to solve the riddle that will unlock the tomb is a puzzle three millennia in the making. As the fractured family races against time to find the Serpent's Crown, they must outwit ruthless individuals who seek to use its dangerous power for their own gain.

One aspect worth mentioning is the stunning cover design. It perfectly captures the essence of this amazing book and entices readers to delve into its pages.

My only disappointment was reaching the end of The Antiquity Affair. I sincerely hope that there will be a follow-up book to this captivating adventure. The story leaves room for further exploration and discovery, and I am eager to see where the authors take these compelling characters next.

In conclusion, The Antiquity Affair is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, adventure, and strong female protagonists. With its engaging writing style, compelling characters, and thrilling plot, this book delivers an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend it and eagerly anticipate future works from Lee Kelly and Jennifer Marie Thorne.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

The Antiquity Affair is an adult historical fiction adventure novel about two sisters at the turn of the 20th century trying to find their place. Lila feels forced into the position of the perfect daughter because of her archaeologist father and sister following in his place. Tess feels strongly about her passion for archaeology, but isolated because of her choice from her family and adrift from her father because of his expectations. At Lila’s debutante ball, they confront each other in a violent argument, before being forcefully ripped from each other by violent forces that want what her father is after; the Serpents Crown.
I requested this eARC because I saw historical fiction and archaeology and was curious. This ended up being less of a strict historical fiction about how archaeology was conducted in the early 1900s, but more of an adventure novel like Indiana Jones or Lara Croft. The shift in my reading mindset wasn’t that hard to make, as early archaeology was mostly grave robbing and treasure hunting anyway, but this goes more into the fictional archaeology with a foundation in reality.
This book was very easily readable. It starts with a pretty dramatic bang at Lila’s debutante ball and from there it rarely pauses, which is both a compliment to the adventure aspect of it, and a criticism of the character work.
Lila and Tess are fairly basic characters that I sometimes forgot who’s point of view I was reading from. Both characters have a romantic subplot (only one of which I felt was believable and enjoyable) and they both have character arcs I didn’t feel were fully fleshed out due to one character; their father. I felt their family was such a wedge between them, they should have addressed that more so than their personalities clashing.
I rated this book 2.75 stars. If you are looking for a historical adventure story about sisters that’s fun at face value, this is your book! If you want some deep conversations about the history of archaeology or in-depth character work, this is not your book.

This book is incredible!
I started in while on the subway and swear i didn’t want to arrive at my stop.
I love the sister dynamics and how they complement each other. The historical seating is and add to the story. I loved how the stealing of objects is actually a topic among the characters. The pace is just right to make it addictive. The accidental kidnapping of one sister gives the story a nice twist. I simply loved how both of them are forced out of their comfort zones to understand each other a little more. The dynamics among characters are super fun to read. It is super enjoyable to be able to see interactions among so difference pairs. And of course, I cant say no to a secret society planning to rule the world. I loved to see how females lead the opposing force from the shadows.
A great book for anyone who enjoys adventure and historical settings.

This story is told in first person alternating points of view from sisters Lila and Tess in 1907. I found it to be an action-packed adventure with multiples parties of various purposes in a race to be the first to find the Serpent’s Crown and seize its power to control minds.

The quest to find the crown and the history behind its power was intriguing. The story was filled with several villainous characters and others with questionable motives who often helped or hindered the sisters including their father, previous mentors and love interests. The settings ranged from Manhattan to Cairo and the Valley of the Kings where the sisters must solve a puzzle to find the prize.

However, this book wasn’t for me. I often had difficulty distinguishing the sisters from each other and it was only compounded by the fact that the characters on one side of the story in the beginning of the book believed Tess was Lila. I was often frustrated with the way the sisters comported themselves whether it was keeping their mouth shut at inopportune times or telling the wrong person things they shouldn’t. The pettiness of their squabbles with each other only made it more annoying.

I was looking for a powerful female Indiana Jones style adventure, but I felt like I was given immature, squabbling girls fretting over their love interests and crying over adventures though later elated by their accomplishments.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse for a copy provided for an honest review.

For a lively frolic through turn-of-century Egypt, the Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne’s historical fiction / archeological mystery romp featuring two sisters, one year apart in age and almost identical in appearance, the Fabulous Ford Duo, Lila and Tess, siblings of archeologist and Oxford University professor Dr. Warren Ford are caught-up in international intrigue when a notorious faction pursues an an ancient Egyptian relic attributed with mystical powers called The Serpents Crown.

I adored all things ancient Egyptian and this dialogue-driven fun, yet fact-filled little treasure is a terrific read from beginning to end.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Authors Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne, and Publisher Harper Muse for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

The best way I can describe this book is by calling it the love child of Indiana Jones and The Mummy (1999). Which to me means this book is EVERYTHING! It is a female led, dual POV adventure novel told from the perspective of two sisters that couldn’t be more different. This book was so fun and the interwoven story really helped to add depth to what could have been a bland storyline. I LOVED Tess and Lila and truly hope that this will be turned into a series based on their adventures. The ending definitely left it open to the possibility of it!

Move over Indiana Jones, the Ford sisters are here! It's 1907 and Lila Ford is about to make her debut into society, hoping to secure a wealthy husband and clear her family's debts. Her more unconventional sister Tess is back from boarding school to attend the ball, and right away, their sibling rivalry is in full force. The night is soon upended when their father, the renowned archeologist, appears, whisking one sister away to safety, while the other ends up kidnapped by a cult! Hidden somewhere in an Egyptian tomb is the Serpent's Crown, a relic which according to myth will give its wearer the gift of absolute power over others, and these men will stop at nothing to find it. Thus the adventure begins. The sisters will have to make use of every bit of their intelligence and ingenuity to solve the riddle of the Serpent's Crown... and to make it out alive.

I adored this fun female-centered adventure tale. The adventure itself is definitely Indiana Jones-like, but you get so much more along the way. There's a large focus on sisterhood, a nice look into Egyptian history, and a good bit of romance as well. The chapters alternate between Lila's and Tess' points of view, giving clear motivations for each sister. I loved them both and enjoyed watching as they reconnected and rediscovered their love for each other. They are both such smart and capable young women. The romance was well done, too. You can't help but fall in love on an adventure like this one, right? The danger really ramps up as the story progresses, leading to a fully satisfying conclusion. I would love to see more of Lila and Tess in the future. Would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Indians Jones for girls?!

That’s largely how this book is being advertised and I…mostly agree. This is a fun one, if a bit ridiculous at times, but that’s part of the entertainment value of the story.

It’s 1907 and the height of early 20th century Egyptomania, and two young women must go on an adventure that spans the globe to stop a cult of robber baron types from getting their hands on a precious artifact that has potentially dangerous consequences should it fall into the wrong hands.

The story boasts two very different but both endearing heroines, each on her own personal figurative journey in addition to the literal journey they are undertaking together. From New York to Paris to Egypt, the story is a mad dash to Kings Valley and to the Heretic King’s tomb.

Though the slightly bonkers action elements, deadly tomb puzzle traps, and slightly goofy cult are more Indiana Jones than archaeologically accurate, that’s part of what makes the book fun. And as for the actual history, the authors clearly know their stuff. The story is obviously pure fiction, but research provides the backbone of the plot.

And extra points for a fictionalized cameo of one of my Egyptomanian favorites, the largely forgotten Theodore Davis. The book makes him more of a villain than he was in real life (as acknowledged in the authors’ note) but it’s a delight to see him pop up in the story in such a role.

Historical fiction, mystery, adventure, ancient Egypt and archaeology? This book was hitting multiple faves of mine, so naturally it was a hit with me! It has some real Indiana Jones vibes, but with an obviously feminist/female slant to it that I really enjoyed. The bad guys are all obvious and over-the-top, most kind of goofy (again, I enjoy it!), and the good guys are also obvious and kind of over-the-top, and, of course, both protagonists get love interests haha

Lee Kelly is good writer that puts together good and atmospheric prose as well, though she does overly rely on certain turns of phrase, particularly in the second half of the novel. This makes certain parts repetitive, particularly once the two protagonists meet up for the second time. Does this detract? I mean, it elicited an eyeroll or two but didn't affect my enjoyment. I think it lent to the charm of the story, actually. I'd happily read more by this author (especially a sequel).

This is a tropey but fun romp across 1907 America, Europe, and Egypt. If you enjoy a light, cheesy adventure romance, you will like The Antiquity Affair as much as I did.

Absolutely loved the Fearless Ford sisters and hope we get a sequel or three! The authors did a wonderful job of giving us historical fiction junkies the perfect amount of adventure, a dash of romance, and feminist can-do as the Ford sisters solve problems and get into sticky situations. Really enjoyed the story being told from Lila and Tess' unique perspective and how they view the world and shared events. The only thing it lacked was tying up Tess' loose-end romance and what to do with their father who I think causes more trouble than anything.

I think most readers of the historical fiction and women's lit genres will enjoy this Indiana Jones-esque story of two sisters saving the world and finding their way back to each other.

Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book for an honest review.

Overall, The Antiquity Affair was a pretty good story. The characters were likable and the story moved along at a good pace. The biggest problem for me, and I understand it was an arc, was the formatting. It was so horrible. It really took away from enjoying the story. This one I may have to read a finished copy and see if it was more enjoyable. Giving it 4 stars but it was actually more like 3 1/2.

This one should be a movie! It was a fun read and there is so much happening! So much action.
Many thanks to Harper Muse and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

OY. I tried so hard with this one. It didn't help that my digital copy was formatted terribly because that sucked me out of the book when I was trying to figure out whether I should stick it out. A lot of potential but just not for me.

As a ‘female-heroine take on Indiana Jones’, The Antiquity Affair is exactly what you’d expect.

A lot can be said about The Antiquity Affair, not the least being that it is never boring. With two very different sisters telling this story, they don’t share the same perspective even when they're together. Taking place in the US, Egypt, and France… it’s a lot of ground to cover in very little time. For the most part, the timeline seems realistic - it’s refreshing that it takes days and weeks to traverse the globe, make plans, and travel further. It gives the relationships time to develop and softens the slight instalove undertone to the narrative.

I appreciated how the over-the-top aspects (cults and kidnapping and mind control crowns) mingled so easily with the incredibly realistic (corrupt governments and officials, colonialism, the theft of archaeological discoveries and ancient relics from their country of origin). It was clear to see the respect for Egyptian culture and history, the Egyptian people, and their mythology. Contrasting the cult’s actions and plans for the country with how Alex and Samy made decisions was interesting and insightful.

After a high-stakes, very intense story, I can only hope that The Antiquity Affair is the start of a series. The ending seems to hint at future archaeology adventures starring the Ford sisters, and it would be nice to see these relationships - between the sisters and others - developed further.

The Antiquity Affair is a novel full of adventure set in 1907 with sisters Tess and Lila seeking an Egyptian artifact. Lila is ready to be set in the debutante society while Tess loves the risk of archeology with her father. After a kidnapping of Tess, the heroines find themselves in an Indiana Jones style adventure.
I love books with different POV's of the characters and the chapters alternate between Tess and Lila telling their story. Another positive is seeing the family who misunderstand each other come together for a goal. I recommend this story to those who like adventure. The story does take awhile to get interesting and can be hard to follow, which is why I am giving it three stars.
I received a complimentary copy of The Antiquity Affair from HarperMuse and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

A la Indiana Jones (which is fitting, considering I have been introducing that to my daughter the past few weeks. An intriguing premise, interesting characters and a mystery to boot - makes for an impelling read! However, there were spots that took away form the overall work: the language didn’t always fit the time period, the strained relationship between the sisters was perhaps a bit too strained (over the top).

All of this being said, I was completely entranced by the novel and had so much fun reading it on tenterhooks trying to figure out how it would end AND if there is going to be another one. If there is, I will definitely be picking it up!