Book Review: Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson

Rating: 4.5 Stars

As an avid reader with a penchant for historical adventures, I recently delved into the captivating world of "Empire of Shadows" by Jacquelyn Benson. Let me start off by gushing over the stunning cover - it truly sets the tone for the thrilling escapades that await within the pages.

From the moment I dived into the story, I was hooked. The protagonist, Ellie Mallory, defies societal norms with her archaeological ambitions, making her a strong and relatable character. The author skillfully weaves a tale of mystery, adventure, and a hint of romance that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

Jacquelyn Benson's writing is nothing short of exceptional. The narrative is fast-paced, drawing readers into a world where danger lurks at every turn. The plot unfolds seamlessly, with twists and turns that kept me eagerly turning pages to uncover the secrets hidden within the ancient city.

One of the highlights of the book is the dynamic between Ellie and her unlikely partner, Adam Bates. Their banter is witty and entertaining, adding a layer of charm to their quest. The historical backdrop of the story is richly detailed, immersing readers in a bygone era filled with intrigue and discovery.

"Empire of Shadows" is a delightful blend of adventure and romance that left me craving more. I found myself swept away by the exhilarating journey, rooting for Ellie as she faces formidable foes in her quest to safeguard a powerful artifact. The book left me yearning for the next installment, eager to continue following Ellie's and Adam's adventures in the Raiders of the Arcana series.

In conclusion, "Empire of Shadows" is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, mystery, and adventure. Jacquelyn Benson has crafted a spellbinding tale that is sure to captivate readers from start to finish. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling escapade into the heart of a lost empire.

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

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for offering me an arc of this delight for an honest review.

I don’t know how I’m going to survive until the next book.
This was everything I’ve been wanting in novel and more and now I’m thoroughly obsessed with Ellie and Adam.
The mummy meets female Indiana jones.
The wit, the banter, the pacing, the story, characters, this was the best thing I’ve read in such a long time I think any book is going to top this for me this year.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and now I’m going to become my entire personality while I shout from the rooftops my adoration for this book.

While I loved the premise of this book it did not hold my attention like I thought it would. I enjoyed the main character. She was Strong and smart with an adventurous heart.

Everyone talks about this being like the Mummy...that's really really BIG shoes to fill for me at least. I mean the Mummy is like the quintessential pillar of fantasy romance movies for me. Peak Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz sexiness and a gripping historic story that won't let you go! So going into Empire of Shadows I was a bit skeptical to say the least.

While Empire of Shadows gave me a little bit of the taste of the Mummy vibes overall it just came up short and that's no fault of the author at all, like I mentioned before BIG SHOES. If it wasn't compared so much I would find this to be a fun romcom with a bit of fantasy sprinkled in. Ellie is a bit annoying at times but she eventually grows on you and Adam is okay. Their spicy scene was a bit random but I did feel the chemistry between them was genuine.

Overall it was an okay read. I probably won't be continuing the series but I would recommend if you're into adventure and romance and you've never seen The Mummy lol. Thank you so much to Crimson Fox Publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

**A Captivating Blend of History and Fantasy**

Benson's historical fantasy earns a resounding 5 stars for its swashbuckling adventure and meticulous attention to geopolitical detail, reminiscent of beloved classics like Indiana Jones and The Mummy. The interactions between Ellie and Adam are both delightful and genuine, navigating through tense and gripping situations with charm and believability.

Benson adeptly twists the Lady and the Rogue trope, infusing it with a fresh and humorous perspective that pays homage to classic Hollywood films. The fantasy elements seamlessly intertwine with deep character development, showcasing Benson's skill in crafting both plot and persona.

While the romance unexpectedly heats up—imagine navigating perilous death traps together—the initial burst of attraction may initially overshadow Ellie's strong-willed character. However, her journey from skepticism to trust in Adam is a compelling reflection of her suffragist convictions and the historical realities of the era.

Despite occasional pacing hiccups and unresolved plot threads, this novel's vibrant historical backdrop and sparkling dialogue make it essential reading for fans of adventurous romances such as Romancing the Stone and The Mummy. Benson's meticulous research and engaging storytelling set the stage for an exciting sequel, teasing an Egyptian escapade that promises even greater thrills to come.

Years ago, I read the first version of this book: The Smoke Hunter. Though I loved that book, this re-write is perfection. The writing, characters and plot are all tightened and updated to unreal levels. I am incredibly excited for this new series and where these archelogists will explore next with the lost arcana!

If you re-watched The Mummy too many times as a kid - definitely check this out.

“You and me,” Adam replied. “Against ten guys with guns. A sociopathic human lie detector.”
“An imminent monsoon,” Ellie added, barely fighting back a giggle.
“And one really sweaty professor,” Adam added wryly.
The giggle burst out. Ellie clamped her hand over her mouth to contain it, conscious of the men just outside the tent. “No problem,” Adam whispered confidently.
Ellie rose from the cot and brushed off her trousers. “I shall start making a plan,” she declared.

An incredibly fun escapist read. From the moment our heroine pockets a map to a fantastical city, we’re off on an adventure with scallawags, evil henchmen, mythical gods, and a hero and heroine who must battle through it all to win the day.
I appreciate that the author spotlights the very real Maya people and culture (of the 1890s) and not just the ancient civilization of the lost city.
This book would appeal to fans of Indiana Jones, the Mummy franchise, or anyone who enjoys a tale of adventure and derring-do.

✔️ archaeologist adventure
✔️slow-burn
✔️suffragist

real rating 2.75

This was a good book, really. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. The story became way too long and it was becoming a burden for me to read, so, sadly, I had to dnf. Something I try to avoid as much as I can with arcs but I just couldn't push this any longer.

Ellie, the fmc, is a brave and reckless young woman. I liked her character and it was promising. But I found her inconsistent and exasperating. Adam, the mmc, was great. I loved how unconventional, laid-back, and fun he was. He was a big reason why I continued reading.

I wanted to love this book so badly and, clearly, mine is an unpopular opinion. But, I know many people will love it and they should.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I haven't watched the Mummy (maybe I should) but apparently this book has the same vibes? I liked the adventurous atmosphere, it was a well paced story even if I thought the ending was a bit rushed for my taste. I just wished the author would've edited out the random side quests popping up every twenty pages because they were a little annoying and useless. Otherwise, a fun experience.

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing!
This book was so much fun, and definitely gave off Indiana Jones/Jungle Cruise vibes. The adventure begins the minute we meet Ellie, and doesn’t let up as she jumps continents, avoids villains, and smashes every female stereotype there is. The character of Adam is a perfect foil for her, and I can’t wait to see where their next adventure takes them!

I received an e-arc from Net Galley to review.

Empire of Shadows was described as an adventurous rom-com. I always worry when two very different genres are combined into one story because one of the genres tends to be eclipsed by the other. Happily, that did not happen here. The world was described wonderfully and the characters were easy to root for throughout the adventure. So much knowledge seems to have gone into this story which made it all the more believable.

The romance was believable - each character held their own but also grew throughout the book. They come to really understand each other and the relationship builds in a relatable way. Looking forward to the next book! Easy 4.5 stars. (Rounded up here)

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn't influence my review. This was a wonderful read! I love the historical/fantasy trope, and the chemistry between the MCs was to die for. The plot was engaging and Adam... (smirk emoji). I just wished it was one POV.

When you were a kid, did you wish you could be Indiana Jones? Because this book is Lady Indiana Jones. Actually Marion Ravenswood, if she had her own prequel movie. :)

I think I found a new favorite book.

Wow was this book phenomenal from start to finish! I ate up every second of the banter and loved seeing how the characters developed throughout the story!

Jacquelyn Benson knows how to write, that is for sure! This book was jam packed with tension, adventure, romance and swoonworty moments that will leave you obsessed and wishing you handn’t binged it upon receiving it just so you could have savoured every moment of the book more!

Jacquelyn will be an author I return to often and I cannot wait to see what comes next!

Ringrazio per l'ARC sia Netgalley sia l'Editore.
Questo libro è una ventata di aria fresca, finalmente ci viene portato qualcosa di diverso e di avventuroso, divertente e, nella sua leggerezza, affronta anche temi come la lotta per l'indipendenza delle donne, il colonialismo, il coraggio e l'amore. L'ambientazione vittoriana nel Belize è sicuramente la più vincente, in chiaro stile Indiana Jones.
Il personaggio di Ellie è decisamente nelle mie corde, davvero interessante e divertente l'evolversi della loro storia.
È un libro che vedrei davvero bene traposto in un film, i dialoghi sono "on spot", l'ambientazione vittoriana ripeto è perfetta. Ho un debole per queste storie, quindi si prende sicuro un 4 stelle!

If you liked the movie "The Mummy" - this is the book for you!! Such a fun, immersive adventure! Ellie, a scholar, finds a map to a lost city and while she's overjoyed, she also knows as a woman in the Victorian Era, she will not be taken seriously or credited. She sneaks away and attempts to see where this map takes her and runs into various roadblocks and foes along the way. Luckily, she does cross paths with Adam, a charming guide and adventurer (who is currently in hiding from his lavish real life) who agrees to help her find the city.

As they embark on their adventure - their enemies continue to hunt them down at every turn. This was fun, adorable, and hilarious. It was also incredibly well researched, you could tell the author paid attention to the historical details. Ellie and Adam's banter and blooming romance was also endearing and I can't wait to see more of them! I will say, the middle of the book dragged quite a bit, but the pacing otherwise was good.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crimson Fox Publishing for the eARC!

The beginning was hard for me to get into, but it's full of adventure, so keep going. Gives me Indian Jones, Tomb Raider vibes.

I really loved this historical adventure romance! With shades of The Mummy in its banterous romance and slightly supernatural archaeology, it’s an absolute romp of a story but still has a grounded, more thoughtful side to it as well as all the action. The main couple are adorable together (bicker-flirting will forever be my favourite) and I can’t wait for the next instalment.

This was such a fun time and so different from anything I’ve read before! I loved the Indiana Jones/ancient civilization vibes so much! I also absolutely loved Adam and Ellie! Their banter was everything! There were a couple parts around 50-60% that were a little slow, but it definitely picked up for that ending!

Great book by an up and coming author! The love interest was interesting and charming, with Crocodile Dundee meets Indiana Jones energy. The protagonist was occasionally frustrating, but in a realistic way. Watching her grow and become more confident throughout the book was a pleasure. There weren't too many twists and turns in the main plot, look for city, find lost city, overcome monsters and men who are worse than monsters. I'll definitely be checking out the next book in the series.

Hopefully we'll get to see more of the best friend next time, loved her energy and she was severely underused.