** a note that the Harper Muse ebook arc format is really really difficult to read.** -- Please, please, please address this -- this is the second I've had this month, and the logos breaking up the text is really frustrating.


✨ Review ✨ The Antiquity Affair by Lee Kelly, Jennifer Thorne; Narrated by Brittany Pressley, Holly Linneman

Girl-power, anti-colonial Indiana Jones with some Parent Trap sister-reversal vibes!!!

This was a lot of fun to read and just what I needed! It's 1907 and Egyptology is erupting across the world. Tess and Lila, daughters of a famous archeologist are quickly launched into an adventure in this book with their roles reversed -- with Tess facing down marriage prospects and Lila on the run.

Both are posed with a decryption challenge, for which the future of the world is at stake. It has lots of big quest energy, alongside romance, family drama, and more -- all while the characters are traveling the world.

This was full of puzzles and adventure in Indiana Jones / DaVinci Code style, but with a little more of a critical lens through which the characters questions the ethics of archaeology and the West's taking of goods from places like Egypt. I think it maybe could have gone a little further in asking these tough questions, but I appreciated it all the same. I also loved that it put women into daring and important roles in the story.

The audiobook was great -- the narrators brought a lot of personality to their characters which made Tess and Lila come to life. This book is guaranteed to put you on the edge of your seat!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4-4.5)
Genre: historical fiction, thriller/mystery, romance
Setting: Paris & Egypt
Reminds me of: a more feminist take on Indiana Jones
Pub Date: June 6 - out now!

Read this if you like:
⭕️ adventures and puzzles
⭕️ Egyptology and archaeology but with a more anti-colonial lens
⭕️ badass female leads
⭕️ a great blend of genres::: historical fiction, thriller/mystery, romance

Thanks to Harper Muse and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

First - Loved that the book was set up with a dual perspective but also that each new chapter tells you who is narrating. This is super helpful as there is a case of mistaken identity woven through parts of the novel.

I adore books with multiple perspectives and really appreciate how they switched so frequently throughout. We can see both Tess and Lila's perspectives during the same event and that really adds to the overall development of characters. I haven't read many books with archaeology, Egypt, or treasure hunting but this one might just have changed my mind on that. I believe this is a stand alone novel, but boy oh boy would it make a great series with these sisters!

I was initially intrigued by the description of the book and was not disappointed. Definitely has the Indiana Jones vibes. I loved the fact that the two sisters had the lead roles in an age where women were expected to keep to the background, inferior to the men in pursuit of academia as well as their roles in society.
I found the plot to be well-paced with an interesting blend of Egyptology to keep me turning the pages. The book is written by two authors, each trading off with one sister's POV to the next. Not only is this an adventure story, it is also focuses on the relationship between the two sisters. They find that they have to put aside their differences and work together as they break a code and outwit the challenges within a hidden tomb. I was not initially captivated by the writing style, but found it pulled together well as the story progressed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!
Whew- what a whirlwind! Very fast paced book, told through the perspective of two sisters and their father as they race through Europe and Egypt to prevent an ancient relic from falling into the wrong hands. The sisters and their companions fight back against a secret order, eventually making their way through a series of ancient tests to prove their worth for the relic itself. I don't often stay up late to read one more chapter, or to finish the book, but for this one I did.

Similar to other reviews, this book had strong similarities to Indiana Jones and the Mummy, but at the same time felt like different stories from those movie franchises. I really appreciated that the two lead characters were female (albeit had perhaps a more modern approach to feminism compared to the turn of the century, which is when the book is set). Sometimes with dual narrator books the plot can feel disjointed or jumpy, but this did not at all; in fact I forgot halfway through that this was written by two women. Then end tied up this story nicely, but left a lot of space for additional books to come involving the sisters; it's something I hope the authors plan on doing :)

The Antiquity Affair was such a fun and fast paced story seeped in Egyptian folklore and I absolutely loved it! This story definitely felt like an Indiana Jones adventure but with sisters and it was really well written. There was a lot of world building and descriptions of all of the Egypt scenes and antiquities and the characters were all really interesting. This definitely wasn't a complex read but an adventure that I think so many readers are going to love, especially if they like ancient Egypt history and Indiana Jones!

The Antiquity Affair by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne is about two sisters in the early 1900s who are inadvertently thrown into an archeological adventure filled with hidden tombs and secret societies.

It’s Enola Holmes meets Indiana Jones but with a slower, more historical fiction focus and pace. The second half of the book was engaging but the first half was a bit slow for me. The characters and their relationships felt frustrating at times, and the mysterious secret society plot line felt flimsy and not fully formed.

Overall, I enjoyed the sisterly camaraderie and archeological elements, and would have loved more of both. Adventure or mystery lovers might feel let down here but this one is perfect for historical fiction readers and fans of the Veronica Speedwell series.

The Antiquity Affair releases June 6, 2023. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the advanced copy.

What an exciting story! I read this book in one sitting. We start with the Gilded Age and marrying for money. Then we have backstory of the sisters and their relationship. Then a kidnapping with mistaken identity. There’s the hunt for an ancient treasure that takes the sisters on their adventure filled with puzzles and mythology, archeology and intrigue, sailing ships and camels and lots of action. I couldn’t help but think of Indiana Jones and his adventures. I don’t re-read books, but this is one book that I’d definitely re-read.

In the style of Indian Jones, The Antiquity Affair is a delightful adventure story set in New York and Egypt in 1907. The book follows sisters Tess and Lila as they embark on a quest to find a lost treasure. They use their own personal strengths in uneasy tandem to face dangerous traps, solve ancient puzzles, and battle fearsome enemies. The book is full of action, adventure, romance and suspense and a lot of silly humor.

I would highly recommend The Antiquity Affair to anyone who enjoys adventure stories, historical fiction, and strong female characters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a fun story. Fast paced, historical, almost a sisters version of Indiana Jones! I really enjoyed how the pace kept the story going, but we still got the depth of the characters and the issues that they were dealing with. Especially the sisters as they grew closer again.
Side caveat, I didn't enjoy one of the scenes with two of the lovers, though it was entirely tasteful and done off "camera." But that has to do with my personal preference and nothing to do with good writing.
I want to know if there is a book two planned???

I actually listened to the audiobook of this novel which was quite well read by the authors. It is nice to consult the book for maps and illustrations which you don’t get in the audio. Also, occasionally it is handy to refer to if there is a part that I wanted to revisit in print. I liked the female led action/adventure story.

This was such a fun read. I really felt transported to Egypt circa 1907 by this adventure cum romance novel that has me feeling all the Indiana Jones vibes!

Tess and Lila are sisters but they haven't spent much time together - nor do they really want to! On the cusp of Lila's debutante ball Tess is mistaken for her sister and kidnapped by William while Lila is carted off by her otherwise absent father and his trusty assistant Alex.

What follows is a you have to read it to believe it adventure that takes us through the belly of ships, catacombs, crypts, and the like!

I loved both sisters and found the balance between STEM and romance almost perfectly executed. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the desert, I was also taken back to Windswept set in a similar era with a similar tone.

I really enjoyed this! I liked the mix of romance and adventure. I especially loved the setting and the way this story was written. I thought that the discussion and commentary on colonialism and archaeological intrusion was done really well, and really made me think because it is not something that is overly discussed (from an archaeological viewpoint) in media. Overall, really fun time and I highly recommend this!

This is advertised as a "women-centered nod to Indiana Jones" and I'll be darned, it actually IS. That is exactly what it is. Complete with two smart (for their time) women caught up trying to solve an Egyptian cipher, save their dad, stop an evil consortium, etc. by dashing all over the world in feats of over the top daring do. What's not to like? All clever enough that you never feel the need to smack anyone along the way. I don't remember any "Oh pleeeeeeze" but there may have been some snickering here and there. All in good fun. And sequels planned! Can't wait.

So, I love all things Egypt and didn’t see much passed that when picking this one up. It isn’t my usual vibe when I am looking for my next read. The protagonists are a little too young for me and there is a little too much romance and flounce. That said, the adventure is a delight, I enjoy the writing style and it's a pacy, well-thought-out story! I appreciated the honesty around the archaeological intrusions in colonial times. So, though not for me as a rule, it’s a four out of five for being a good book!

This was a swashbuckling adventure story that read like movie. Two sisters, one a debutante and the other an unconventional “instrument of chaos,” get caught up in the search for an ancient artifact.

Kidnapping, mistaken identity and a transatlantic treasure hunt all make this story a fast paced romp.

The one drawback for me is that it didn’t feel like it was taking place in 1907. There was a modern day sensibility about removing artifacts and “colonizing” that seemed too politically correct for the time. The author’s note explains this as a deliberate choice. It also reads YA ish. That is not a criticism just informational.

Recommended for fans of Indiana Jones, puzzle solvers and adventure seekers.

I read and listened to this story.
Brittany Pressley and Holly Linneman did a fantastic job narrating this adventure.

Soon to be Manhattan socialites, the two daughters of a famous archaeologist get in twined in their father work. Lila and Eve get sucked into a secret organization to find a legendary Egyptian crown. This mystery is not like anything else I’ve read! A must read!

I had expected an adult book, not a YA historical novel so I was taken a little by surprise. This isn't the type of thing I read anymore, but I would have absolutely loved it, if I had found it at 15. Ancient Egyptian mythology, modern outlook onto the pillaging of artifacts and the need for restitution, fun action adventure, strong willed heroines, a horrible cult, two sisters through misunderstandings finding themselves on opposite sides, each with their meet-cute romance and hopes.
I can see how this one is a big winner for teens and highly recommend it the ones looking for a fast-paced summer book with all the ingredients to capture their imagination and make their heart beat faster.

An estranged sister, a case of mistaken identity, and the search for a hidden ancient treasure with mysterious powers--this is a tale of adventure...and misadventure. Lila Ford is on the brink of saving her family from poverty and ignominy. Since her mother died and her father prioritized his archeology career over his family, her Grandmother has raised her to see that only a good match will secure their future. If only her sister, Tess, hadn't abandoned her too, leaving all the responsibility on Lila's shoulders. But when Tess is kidnapped from Lila's party by obsessed believers in the powers supposedly carried by an ancient Egyptian artifact, it's up to Lila, her father, and his assistant, to find and rescue her. The good news is, Tess has escape plans of her own, and she's more capable than her captors realize. Can they all find each other and get to the artifact first? Or will the bad guys win the race and kill them all?

I thoroughly enjoyed this nod to Indiana Jones, but with female protagonists! It's a fanciful, turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century adventure inspired by ancient texts and mythos. The motivations and feelings of both Lila and Tess were fully developed and explored--there was so much unsaid and buried beneath the surface in the family interactions. So much hurt. Added to the family interactions were layers of romance and betrayal, and I loved it. It was fun to follow the clues and codes along the twisty path to the finish.

Triggers: abandonment, violence, dark rituals/ceremony

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

Lila and Tess Ford's lives have taken them in two different directions. On the evening of Lila's debut, Tess would rather be helping her father - world renowned archaeologist Dr. Warren Ford - excavate a tomb of some sort in the deserts of Egypt than have to get dressed up and deal with pretentious socialites. What Tess doesn't understand is that Lila is mingling with Manhattan socialites because her father's expeditions are extremely expensive and the family's money is quickly dwindling. Lila has to make a good match in husband for the sake of the family - at least that's what her grandmother keeps reminding her. Lila seems to have caught the attention of Williams Hendricks whose family has no shortage of power and money. Truth be told, Lila has always been a little jealous of Tess.

But then Tess is kidnapped and Lila, determined to find her, enlists the help of her estranged father. Come to find out, Tess was taken because Dr. Ford has a piece to the legendary puzzle of the Serpent's Crown.

Now, in a high-stakes chase across the ocean and into Paris then on to Egypt, they'll find there's more on the line than fortune and glory.

I thought it was interesting in the fact that they almost do a sister swap. I feel like each started out wanting certain things and then for whatever reason their prerogatives changed and they almost settled. Lila, for her part, wanted more scholarly pursuits but having lost her mother, she was kind of groomed by her grandmother to be this beacon of hope for the family financially speaking. Tess on the other hand wanted her father's approval so much that she inserted herself into his space. She does have a fondness for history, but I think a lot of it stems from wanting to please her father. Then they each find themselves turning in the other direction and I think they really got to understand each others' perspective for the first time.

I think both Lila and Tess are shown as very three dimensional characters. Both with strengths and flaws and vulnerabilities. This makes both of them really likable. I would get caught up in each chapter to the point where when point of view changed with each new chapter, I'd almost have to acclimate myself again with where we left off with that sister previously. It makes me interested to find out if each author wrote for one sister.

Probably one of my favorite things was how for me, it's like Indiana Jones from the point of view of his children. From the outside he's this cool, confident, handsome and adventurous archaeologist. But if you look at him in the guise of father - like with Dr. Ford - you see all the ways he's lacking. Questionable morals and seemingly aloof where his daughters are concerned. Being absent when they needed him the most. It's a little less glamorous for sure. This, of course, ensures that Lila and Tess remain front and center of the story. Because really it's about them and their relationship and trying to build something back that might be lost.

Of course not everything is as it seems with the story at face value. For me, being that this is an adventure novel, I kept waiting for the twists and turns to happen. I knew that things couldn't be so straightforward. I think I was on such high alert for the twists that when they happened, I wasn't surprised by anything.

I did enjoy how the story builds. It's a slower build, laying out the groundwork of the mythology and the stakes at risk, but I think the end payoff was perfectly executed.

I had not read anything previously by Lee Kelly or Jennifer Thorn. I like this type of adventure story and the time period in which it's set. I think there are plenty of opportunities for more stories and I felt like there was a hint that more could be possible. I would definitely check it out.

Overall, I think this is a fun read. Even though it's technically a historical fiction, I still felt like it had a lot of very relevant commentary.

I wanted to really like this book but it just fell kinda flat.
It’s too slow moving and it made my eyes glaze over.
I’m sure others will like it but it’s a pass for me
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy