Ellie and Adam are adorable and absolutely great together, I loved their banter throughout the whole book. I really liked we got to read from both of their point of views and they were both as ignorant as each other when it came to their feelings at the start. They are just great together!

This is definitely perfect for fans of The Mummy. The American who can help her fight off assailants and hike through the wilderness, while remaining both charming and infuriating at the same time. The English woman who is very opinionated and strong willed, determined to find her ruins, while remaining wild and endearing.

The historical aspects of the book were written really well from the word choices to the women's movement, it was done really well and I was fully immersed throughout. The story and history of the ruins was intriguing, I can't wait to read book two and go on another adventure with Ellie and Adam.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Okay, I was absolutely blown away by this. Absolutely freaking floored by how good it was.

This book is basically National Treasure meets Indiana Jones meets The Mummy. We have Ellie, the English woman who spends her days fighting for women’s suffrage and rights while dreaming of being able to pursue a career as an archeologist in a world where women are still second class citizens. And then, we have Adam, the charismatic American navigator who never takes things too seriously. And of course, the villains determined to find the treasure first.

This book had such an intricate archeological story based in Mayan and Aztec culture and I was just blown away by the in-depth, incredible story telling here. I found myself so immersed in the history and wanting to be on the excursion with them.

The banter and chemistry between Adam and Ellie was absolutely incredible. I have so many highlighted quotes. They managed to create SUCH a sexy tension in the slow burn without getting into any real spice. That right there is the sign of incredible romance writing.

I have already started telling my friends about this book and it may be one of my new all time favorites. I just really, truly loved everything about this book and will 100% continue following this series in the future. I am already really looking forward to Ellie and Adam’s next adventure!!!!

Didn’t like the first couple of chapters, but do realise now that they are necessary to appreciate the rest of the book, and what a book. I am glad I am on holidays as I would not have got any work done otherwise. I found I could just not stop reading it. What great world building and loveable characters. Being from a generation that didn’t get equal pay for equal work when I started my working career I could relate so much with Ellie and Adam being an unconventional type of male suit her perfectly. A bit Lara Croft and Indiana Jones but I like that style. Look forward to reading more of this couple’s adventures even if I have to wait about a year for the next book.

I got access to this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Did you read what the river knows? THEN YOU NEED TO READ THIS. I love the idea of archeology and women fighting the system, so I instantly loved the characters. I need more books like these in my life, they’re like Indiana Jones but feminist! full of adventure and fun characters and interesting plots, I can’t get enough. I’ll be snagging this book as soon as it comes out!

BOOK PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR A REVIEW.
For fans of The Mummy and Indiana Jones. For people who were disappointed in What the River Knows, and also for people who liked What the River Knows but want something a little less YA.
It was fun and funny, adventurous and emotional, pulpy and entertaining. The stakes felt real, and the emotions felt appropriate in every scene. The writing was sharp and fun, bringing together staples of the adventure genre and the historical romance genre with great aplomb. It was very cool to spend time in 19th century South America, a location that receives little love or attention in popular fiction. I think the setting and the time period are handled in a sensitive way, the author dippier their toe into the conversation about conservation and preservation of different cultures and historical sites and who should have access to uncovered artefacts. I always love a good bashing of colonial powers, and treating indigenous characters—even background ones—with autonomy and respect.
The introduction of magical objects towards the end is very intriguing, and I am very exciting to see what comes of the next books in the series.

I must say as an archaeologist, I very much enjoyed this book. I would probably rate it closer to 3.5 but i gave it a 4 because it sets up a very interesting series that I did not expect. I felt like the beginning was a bit slow with loose ends when it came to the FMC's past and family but then it picked up in the middle with a nice pace and intriguing plot. The descriptions were great, I really felt like I was there and the research of the author was clearly evident. The romance was more of a subplot but a nice slow burn that I enjoyed. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a fan of What the River Knows and is itching for more Victorian-era adventure romance! Cannot wait until the next book comes out!

After the letdown that was “What the River Knows,” especially after learning that book had been hyped as a read-alike for “The Mummy,” I’ve found myself with a hankering to truly find a book that meets that bill. But while in the past this urge would typically draw me back towards whatever book comes next in the Amelia Peabody list, I strayed upon this book when perusing NetGalley and low and behold! There was “The Mummy” right there in the promotional material! And, luckily for me, this one more closely hit the mark, if not quite perfectly.

There are a few core pieces that I think readers are looking for when they pick up a book like this: action-packed adventure, a healthy dose of comedy, and a sweet, slow burn love story. This book delivers on all fronts! I will say that the book does take a bit to really get going, but when it does, boy, does it move. I think from a structure point, the book might have been better served if it had started a bit more forward in the story with some of Ellie’s backstory about how she came to be where she was being told through flashbacks. As it stands, it takes several chapters and a fairly significant chunk of text to get to the real meat of the story. I think the character work and overall comedic tone of the writing is strong enough to carry readers through, but I’ll admit to a temptation to skip ahead to the part where she finally gets to South America and meets Adam.

But like I said, once they team up and get started on their adventure, the pacing really moves. There are plenty of side adventures and mini action-packed set pieces that sweep the reader through the book, never knowing what will come next. There was also a good balance of action driven from the environment through which they’re travelling as well as from the villains of the story that they are racing from and against. On the last point, I was surprised with some of the directions the story took with this regard. There was a mid-point switch in the book that definitely took me by surprise, but I think worked very well to change up the structure of the story.

And, of course, I very much enjoyed both Ellie and Adam as characters. Again, I think Ellie’s backstory could have been given to us in a different manner, but I still liked what we got from her: a woman who is dissatisfied with the choices in front of her and, fairly recklessly but bravely, decides to take things into her own hands at last. Adam’s story is more subtle, but I also enjoyed some of the details of his own history and the way his life up to this point impacted his choices and priorities after meeting Ellie. I also really enjoyed their sweet, slow-burn romance. There are a few obstacles here and there, but this definitely falls on the cozy side of the genre, and I really loved it.

Overall, this was a thrilling adventure, and I loved every minute of it! I think it truly will appeal to fans of “The Mummy” and other romantic adventures of its ilk. Just make sure to give it a shot for the duration of the slightly slow start.

Rating 8: With adventure around every river bend and a swoon-worthy slow-burn romance at its heart, this book is sure to please readers looking for a “The Mummy” read-alike!

(Link will go live on The Library Ladies blog on April 5)

*Empire of Shadows* by Jacquelyn Benson is an exhilarating adventure story that transported me to a world of mystery and ancient ruins. The author's skillful portrayal of dreams and visions added an otherworldly touch to the narrative, while still maintaining clarity and understanding. I was truly amazed by Benson's ability to convey the confusion and clarity of these experiences.

This book reminded me of *Indiana Jones* and *Tomb Raider*, taking me on a thrilling journey filled with action and suspense. The pacing was perfectly suited for an adventure story, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very end. The build-up of tension as the story reached its climax was nail-biting and left me eager to discover what would happen next.

The relationship between the main characters, Ellie and Adam, was captivating. Ellie initially insisted on independence, but as their bond grew, she realized the value of Adam's assistance in her quest. Their banter was adorable, and their chemistry was palpable. I loved Ellie's intelligence and humor shining through, while Adam's charm and bravery made him an irresistible character.

Benson's vivid and descriptive writing style brought the story to life, making it easy for me to imagine every scene as if it were playing out on a movie screen. The author's ability to create such vivid imagery was commendable and added to my overall enjoyment of the book.

As a reader, I am eagerly anticipating the continuation of Ellie and Adam's adventures in the next book. Benson has crafted a world full of intrigue and excitement, and I can't wait to see where their journey takes them. The only downside is the wait, as I'll have to patiently wait a whole year for the next installment.

In conclusion, *Empire of Shadows* is a well-written and captivating historical fantasy adventure that thoroughly entertained me. Jacquelyn Benson's storytelling skills, dynamic characters, and immersive world-building make this book a must-read for fans of romance, history, and fantasy genres.

This is pulp - intentionally so - with both the strengths and weaknesses that implies.

In terms of strengths, it's an exciting adventure with a Smart, Plucky Gal and a Hunky-but-Sensitive Man going into the wilds of British Honduras (now Belize) after a legendary, and apparently magical, artefact, in contention with a sinister and capable villain representing a shadowy cabal. The characters have personal weaknesses as well as strengths, have believable reasons for (in her case) not being initially honest and for (in both cases) not pursuing the romance they both come to want, and they are clearly of good intent. The storytelling and pacing are sound, and the emotional arcs well executed. The intelligent young woman is actually intelligent, both in that she knows a great deal about archaeology and in that she doesn't make obviously stupid decisions and have to be rescued from the consequences every five minutes (she rescues him at a key moment, in fact), and the decent guy is actually decent, which for me makes for an appealing romance couple; when the romance heats up, even without being explicit it's steaming hot, partly because they have such good chemistry. Ellie is also a more convincing archaeologist than, say, Indiana Jones or Lara Croft; she does her best to prevent the destruction and/or looting of archaeological sites, and values them primarily for the knowledge they hold. <spoiler>That doesn't totally work out, but... she tries. </spoiler>

I went into the book not knowing anything about British Honduras in 1898, but the local detail felt authentic and gave the impression of an author who'd done the research; someone who knows more would very likely spot errors (judging by the issues I saw in the aspects I do know about, of which more below), but to someone like me who knows nothing about the setting, it's more than good enough to pass. I assume the discovery of another civilization ancestral to both the Maya and the Aztecs is part of the fiction, but (again, to a layman) the author sells it convincingly.

It's a long book, but the pace never lags, and I didn't feel tempted to put it down and read something else.

In terms of weaknesses, it requires an Accidental McGuffin Discovery followed by a Convenient Eavesdrop to get the plot in motion, and that's not the last coincidence either (turns out there's another connection between the chance-met main characters that raises the stakes of the romance plot). The characters have some lucky escapes, too. <spoiler>It's eventually suggested that all this is not coincidence, but manipulation by supernatural forces. </spoiler>

Like practically every book written by a 21st-century American with 19th-century British characters, it has a good many minor anachronisms (like a character who's being laid off asking about "severance pay" in 1898, and phrases like "sociopathic human lie detector," which is two anachronisms for the price of one); Americanisms in the mouths of British characters ("someplace," "off of"); and instances of incorrectly used vocabulary (like "malingering," which means pretending to be sick to get off work, used for someone who's been lurking around and spying); several British idioms are also used incorrectly, particularly "the rub" used to mean, I think, "the nub." The errors generally consist of substituting a word that sounds vaguely similar to the correct one, but means something completely different, which for some reason is a characteristic problem for fiction written in the 21st century but set before World War I. I think people attempt the more formal English of the Victorian era and end up using words they think they know, but actually don't. "Laid" is consistently used where the word should be "lay," too, and "arcana" is used as if it was both singular and plural (the correct singular is "arcanum").

The author is better than average with commas, apart from coordinate commas, which hardly anyone seems to get right, and which her volunteer editor, fellow author Olivia Atwater, is also bad at. She only messes up apostrophes occasionally, but makes almost every mistake it's possible to make with hyphens (again, Olivia Atwater is particularly bad at hyphens): putting them where they don't belong (such as between an adjective and the noun it modifies), not putting them where they do belong (such as in numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine), or putting some but not all of them in compound adjectives like "two-thousand-year-old". She also misses the occasional word out of a sentence.

I also get the impression that the author is, at best, vague about the distinction between a rifle and a shotgun, which if you're writing adventure fiction you really should take the time to learn.

Note that I read a pre-release version via Netgalley, and some of these issues may be fixed by publication.

Still, although - like practically every book I read these days - it could benefit from more polishing, it's entertaining, suspenseful, fun and features a likeable couple, and I enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crimson Fox Publishing, and Jacquelyn Benson for providing this ARC in exchange for a fair review!

"Empire of Shadows" was an absolute treat to delve into. While I don’t normally read adventure/exploration, I do love historical fiction, fantasy, and strong FMCs! This one ticked off those boxes and then some. It's evident how much research and thought went into creating this exciting read, with historical fiction and fantasy elements expertly intertwined.

Ellie and Adam have incredible, enjoyable banter, and the dialogue between them was so satisfying to read. My favorite stories are led by strong, badass ladies, so I gravitated hard to Ellie! Ellie, a fierce feminist who isn’t particularly shy about her ideals, was a resilient and brilliantly clever character that effortlessly complemented Adam’s rough-around-the-edges (but also very wholesome) personality. I love them individually, but I think I love them even more together.

I wish certain things received more explanation, and I was a little disappointed toward the end when I realized there wouldn’t be a clear resolution. Without spoiling too much, I felt more could’ve been discussed when it comes to the main antagonist, their partners, and the organization they work for. There were a few loose ends that could’ve been tied up, concluding this exciting story, but it sounds like there’s adventure more to come!

Overall, "Empire of Shadows" is a breathtaking, high-stakes adventure that remains captivating from start to finish! I'll be looking out for more from Benson!

This has to be one of the best stories I have read in a while. Unique and thrilling! I cannot share enough good things about this story. The plot was fast-moving and never dwells, with the Ellie and Adam being lively and the budding romance between them was perfectly done and overflows with the perfect amount of tension and longing.
Jacquelyn Benson has captured a truly amazing story in her work, and I am beyond excited for the next installment to be available for us!

Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars

As a girl who grew up loving The Mummy and Indian Jones so much that she wanted to grow up to be an archeologist, I adored this book. The adventure, the deep dive into ancient civilization, the MCs (although I wish there were more in depth side characters for companionship), the mild notes of the arcane creeping up on you, I loved it all. It was also very nicely written in a vivid and fluid manner.

Very very very excited to discover this is in fact not a standalone, and the first of a series. The end of this book has me bouncing in excitement over where we'll be going in the next book.

First of all, thank you to Netgalley & Crimson Fox Publishing for sending me this ARC for review!

Empire of Shadows is a historical mystery in the vain of The Mummy or Indiana Jones, but with a feminist twist. We have a dual perspective narrative, but the story mainly follows our main character Ellie as she gets embroiled in a mystery of a lost city.

While I enjoyed aspects of this book, like the fast paced plot and initial 25% of the book, in the end I was lukewarm on the story. To me, the characters weren't particularly memorable and I felt separated from the romance as a whole. I also felt the plot didn't come across as high stakes as I think the author meant it to.

Overall, I didn't have much that connected me with the story and I don't think it's one I will continue in the series.

A delightful adventure of a historical fantasy with a bit of (not spicy) romance awaits at the Empire of Shadows. Ellie Mallory is a headstrong feminist rebelling against the limits set on women of her time and looking to take her overwhelming amount of bookish knowledge into some real-world exploits. Adam Bates becomes her semi-reluctant guide through the jungles of Central America in her archeological quest after she literally drops into his lap. Its a bit of a rom-com/adventure in the spirit of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold, or The Jewel of the Nile. This was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to Ellie and Bates finding their next adventure.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Crimson Fox Publishing) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

The Mummy meets Uncharted in this fun, female-led mystical adventure with unexpected themes and oodles of heart.

~~

Yes. Yes. YES.

OK so this isn't the kind of book I'd usually pick up and I honestly don't know why because The Mummy and Uncharted are two of my favourite things ever. So you take those, yeah? And you scatter in a bit of female rage and anti-colonialism and you get a book that is going to be rattling around in my head for months to come.

Full disclosure: I wasn't sure about this out the door. The story takes a few chapters to find its feet, with a some clunkiness that makes sense when you understand that it is a rework of a previous story. But oh boy, when the story gets into its rhythm and the current picks up I was completely swept away by the tide.

Our heroine Ellie is so much more than the outline of a female Indiana Jones. She is a woman who just wants to do what she loves in a world and time where she struggles to get anyone to take her seriously. Benson really handles the topic of suffragette-era feminism in a way that makes it an integral part of the story without coming across as preachy. Even in Adam, the male lead, she writes a man who has these learned quirks from society and tries his best to overcome them, and never faults him when he wobbles.

And Ellie & Adam? Oh please. Yes. More of them. Their interactions are so delightful, each of them shining with a wonderful character of their own and then pulling together into a duo I genuinely want to see on the big screen. Their friendship is warm, their romance slow burn, and after a while it begins to feel for the reader like adventuring with friends.

I also want to give a shout-out to the villain who honestly managed to be chilling without really doing much to enforce that image. His mannerisms, his presence, his utter lack of genre-typical monologues and grandstanding just made him so intriguing. In fact, all of the peripheral characters had a charm of their own, with the story recognising the nuances of good vs evil vs just plain selfish.

This could have been just another entry in a super formulaic genre, and whilst it isn't going to break any moulds, it is hardly cast in a mould that requires breaking. We know what we are looking for when we dive into the genre, and Empire of Shadows delivers a fun, interesting story with characters you just can't help but love. What does make it stand out somewhat from its peers is not only the aforementioned feminist struggle, but also the light it shines on colonialism, cultural theft, academic thirst vs cultural preservation, and how power must be earned, not seized.

All in all, this story impressed more and more the deeper I fell into it, right up to a climax that had me on the edge of my seat. It absolutely delivers on all the major markers of the genre and gives us characters that I am super eager to follow into more adventures.

I always end ARC reviews by thanking NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review and there, I've done it. But I also want to thank them for putting this series on my radar. I will be eagerly awaiting the next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crimson Fox Publishing for the ARC of Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson.

This feels like if The Mummy was set during the Victorian era. I loved it! I adored Ellie and the romance was just enough to not overpower the story. It was slowly paced but not so slow that it was boring.

This was so much fun and adventurous! I loved the kind of Indian Jones style and having a female be the adventure lead was awesome! The characters were super great and I felt like I could easily get attached to them! I loved the little romance but it was a great balance or romance and plot. Their was plenty of action and it never felt slow to me! I requested this on a whim never hearing of this book and so glad I did! Will be adding to our library!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crimson Fox Publishing for the ARC of Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson.

This was so fun! There is a particular lack of female adventurer stories so every new one on the market catches my eye. This one was an excellent romp and continuously kept me engaged from plot point to plot point.

Benson briefly mentions this is a remodel of a previous book, The Smoke Hunter, and while I have not read that, I do believe she must have taken the working parts and created something stronger and better from it. Ellie and Adam are both well thought out characters with structured personalities and skills. Ellie, a suffragist and college graduate limited by being a woman, and Adam, an American cowboy avoiding taking on the family business, unexpectedly meet in Belize. Ellie is hoping to find her way to discover a lost ancient city and racing against a disreputable group looking to take over another historic site without care of consideration for history, culture, and the people who truly own the find. While some parts of the start of the journey do require to suspend your disbelief, it is well worth it for the adventure that follows.

Ellie and Adam are a great team and are able to build off each other's talents to make their way through the jungle. Their chemistry does not feel rushed in any way. I don't want to say much more without disturbing the plot, but the book is long enough that it can cover a very in-depth action sequence in their search and in their finding of the place they seek.

The men following Ellie, a brute enforcer and a stuffy professor, have the funds and brute strength to make formidable opponents - they also expose Ellie and Adam to a larger society of men seeking to run the world through the power of historical objects. This makes for both an interesting paranormal twist, as well as a strong reason to dive into the next book in the series.

In regard to the slightly paranormal aspects to the book and its continuing series I found a nice kindred relationship with Skyla Dawn Cameron's Livi Talbot series; in terms of more historical lady adventurers it is aligned with Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell series.

Just wow! Suffragette Indiana Jones who doesn’t take no for an answer. I was very immersed in this book and could not put it down. I enjoyed the romance, but also like how it did not overshadow the story. Definitely excited for the next book to come out and see what happens to our two adventurers.

If you are anything like me, in 1999 you fell madly in love with Rick O'Connell and never outgrew it.
So after reading the synopsis for Empire of Shadows with its Spunky Victorian Ellie and Rougish Outdoorsy Adam on an archaeological adventure, I was in Mummy flashback heaven and wanted to give it a go.

It's like Jacquelyn Benson bottled the supernatural adventure of Indiana Jones with the witty banter and romantic tension of Rick and Evie, to create a fun fantasy adventure.

Together our duo is thrust from one perilous situation to another, all while engaging in delicious banter as they take on the evil forces looking to steal ancient artifacts that have the power to reshape the world.

It's action packed and doesn't dwindle, it just sweeps you off into an amazing journey of ancient artifacts, lost civilisations, maps, monsters and danger.

For me at times the historic explanations seemed clunky and took me out of the story at times in a minor way. I'd also have preferred a little more romance but as this is a series I'm excited to see how that develops on their next adventure.
I am looking forward to the next installment in the RaidersoftheArcana series.