5 Stars

*Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my review*

Empire of Shadows is a turn of the century, feminist fuelled adventure romance that centres around Eleanora Mallory, Ellie for short, and her quest to find the missing Mesoamerican city of Tulan.

When participation in a suffragette protest gets Ellie fired, she comes across an amulet whilst packing her things. The amulet holds the key in finding the way to the pre-colonial city of Tulan near 20th century Belize. But Ellie quickly finds she isn’t the only one looking for the city and is forced to flee London from the hands of Jacobs, someone meaning her harm, and catches a steamer to Hounduras. There she falls into the lap into assistant Colony Surveyor, Adam Bates, (literally) and convinces him to come with her on her quest.

Bates & Ellie traverse through the jungle together, brave waterfalls, bats, jaguars and goons trying to shoot at them in search of what may well be a very powerful ancient artefact - the Smoking Mirror of Tulan. If allowed to fall into the wrong hands, the Mirror could reign unbelievable destruction on the world. And we can’t have that.

This was *chefs kiss* romantic adventure with the same feels as The 1999 Mummy, Jungle Cruise, and Tomb Raider. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am eagerly awaiting the next book - plus I would pay so much money to see this on the big screen. I adored the adventure, the action, the meet cute and the romance as a whole.

While it started a little slow, things really picked up pace by the time we got to Hounduras and I was hooked. I read this in two days and lapped up every delicious moment - which as an archaeologist and history nerd myself was basically the whole thing.

I appreciated the mythology, the world building and the different views expressed by both Ellie and Bates which ranged from feminism, cultural appropriation and ethical anthropology to a critique on the accessibility that cartography has given tomb raiders and looters. Beyond an adventure, this story held a lot of well considered space for more thought provoking ideas and i lapped it right up.

I noticed a review for this book criticised it for sexism and misandry….which I just want to very clearly state is very unwarranted and incorrect. Whilst tackling the topic of feminism (from an admittedly contemporary lense compared the time period the story does take place) it is done with respect to the male characters (particularly Adam) who is portrayed as a genuinely good and decent member of his gender. Ellie as a foil to him at no point directs any critique of men or masculinity toward him beyond the context of his sacrificial efforts in favour of protecting her. Their relationship, especially as it develops, is quite equal.

That in mind the romance between Ellie & Adam was very well paced, very sweet and satisfying. It has some romantic tropes such as enemies to lovers and forced proximity, though as romance is the subplot this does not overshadow the adventure/mystery of the story. There is no spice to this book but definitely some lovely kissing. Even as a spice lover I didn’t think it was needed here.

Overall, I loved this book and excited to continue the series!

Love Indiana Jones, The Jungle Book and The Mummy? Me too...imagine they had a little weird adventure baby that looked like a book and you would have Empire of Shadows.

I was so excited to be sent an ARC copy of this because it's not like anything I have ever read before, sure I've seen all the movies, but to read an adventure like this was so much fun and I had a blast being in this world.
The main characters very much fit the Brendan Fraser/ Rachel Weis vibe for me which was so good! I loved watching their relationship blossom. My only thing was the chapters were super long and I feel maybe it could have been said in literally half the words, but regardless it was still a super fun read and great if you are looking for abit of escapism.

Thank you so much to Jacquelyn and Crimson Fox publishing for sending me through a copy.

Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson was absolutely everything I wanted from a historical fiction / fantasy. It was incredibly well written, the adventure was amazing, and I LOVED the main characters!!

I really felt like I was there, exploring everything with Ellie and Adam and I couldn't put this one down! I'm SO excited for the second one, and can't wait to see them in Egypt!

Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson is a historical fantasy romance full of adventure! I thought this was a super fun and unique read! This book reminded me of the Veronica Speedwell series because of the outrageous adventure the characters go on. Besides that, I thought the author did a great job of balancing romance and adventure which is important to me because sometimes one can outweigh the other. I absolutely loved Ellie and Adam and I am still thinking about them even since I've finished the book. I recommend it if your looking for a historical fantasy romance!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review!

this MIGHT (it is) be the best romance I've read so far in 2024🤰💕

eternally grateful for this ARC as I may never have found this gem otherwise and omg is it PRECIOUS!! (and unapologetically feminist🌷)

our main characters are so perfect, their personalities are fleshed out their reactions are understandable their behavior is iconic their humor is the best and THEIR TENSION had my toes curling 🫣 seriously it was page upon page of butterfly inducing content, their banter and attraction and mutual respect of each other plsss they're so cute and hot and sweet I love them!

the archeological and Mayan aspect was imo perfectly rendered, you can tell the author did her research and has crafted a setting with all the respect and knowledge needed to make it not offensive or colonialist centered. I loved reading the author's note on the cultural and intellectual background behind it all, I appreciate how much effort was invested in this book. if I'm wrong on that front pls don't hesitate to educate me🙏

yes it's long, but NOT LONG ENOUGH I swear just read it and tell me that it's too long once you start witnessing the MCs interactions. you can't 🫵

my only regret is not witnessing the "confrontation" / reunion with the brother 💀 when I wasn't reading and was just thinking about the book i kept picturing several scenarios of how he would face them and how he would react etc but hell I planned on reading book 2 anyway 🤭 (if I don't receive an ARC for the sequel I may never recover actually)

there's no smut per say (it's the 19th century after all what can one expect) but enough spice to make your face go hot very effectively 🤰 I will be dreaming of that cave scene for a while thank you no further questions

"He paused, and then turned back to catch her by her belt and haul her closer for a sudden, firm kiss."
THAT alone had me blushing and kicking my feet😍

if I haven't convinced you to read it yet, I don't know what will. funny, smart, believable characters, tension hot enough to make you giggle and your stomach go 👾, AND a captivating yet respectful jungle/Mayan setting???? 😵 it was everything I didn't know I needed. my heart longs for the sequel already 🤲


[review posted on goodreads and will be posted on instagram and tiktok]

“ …historical fantasy adventure perfect for fans of What the River Knows and The Mummy.”
Loved this book! I was sold from the first blurb. What the River Knows was my favorite release of 2023 and I have been looking for the same feeling ever since and Empire of Shadows delivered! I was entertained for the start and the stakes just got higher from there.

I loved that historical facts were included throughout the story. It helped ground the story. The author also did a good job exploring the tension between wanting to uncover/learn about history and the risks of treasure hunters and the appropriation/exploitation of said history.

Ellie and Adam are both well-rounded characters and their romance felt real and was entertaining (the banter!). While the romance is a major part of the book, there was still a plot outside of the romance that was interesting and well developed.

Overall I loved this book and will definitely be reading the sequel when it releases! I would recommend this book for anyone who likes adventure with a side of romance, archeology, Central American history, and treasure hunt stories.

Thank you NetGalley and Crimson Fox Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

It's an entertaining and exciting read. I really enjoyed the time period and the way the author describes the places and people the main character met along their treasure-hunting adventure. The romance between the characters is sweet and captivating.

How does one write a review of a book as beautifully rich and complex as Empire of Shadows?
Jacquelyn Benson’s writing is fantastic! It enchants you from the very first page and makes you feel like you simply cannot allow yourself to take a break from it. The amount of work, research, passion, and love that the author poured into every single word on paper is truly astonishing, resulting in an evenly-paced story, well-developed characters, and adventure that you won't be able to forget.
I fell in love with Ellie from the very first page - her hunger for knowledge, and her desire to be seen as something more than “just a woman” were presented in a way that was organic and relatable, without the feeling forced (like those important messages so often are).
Adam was a gem with his harsh exterior and a heart of gold, a perfect character to balance the very academically oriented Ellie. Their banter, the tension between them, and all the heartfelt conversations really hit the spot.
I could ramble on for hours, but for now, let it be enough if I say that Empire of Shadows truly deserves every single praise it gets. I cannot wait for it to be out in the world and acknowledged for the masterpiece that it is.

First, thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

It’s really hard for me to vibe with a book if I despise the main character. And I couldn’t staaaaaand Ellie. I am all for strong female characters with “against the grain” convictions and standing up for what is right even if you receive backlash. Which, is what I believe the author was trying to do with Ellie. A woman with academic goals in the late 1800s, a suffragette, archivist, and a wishful archeologist, Ellie could have been a really interesting character. Not to take away from very real effects of the views that strongly existed in that time regarding women in academic positions, but it was beaten to a PULP in this book. Men are the peak enemy straight from the jump in Ellie’s mind, even her supposed love interest at times. It was just overdone.

I was ecstatic when I saw what this book promised. Basically a female Indiana Jones with a fantasy element, which is right up my alley. Unfortunately, the magic, characters, and plot fell short of what I was expecting.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of Temple of Shadows!

Imagine Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider and The Mummy all merged into one fantastic historical action filled adventure story! There were times in this book where I genuinely laughed out loud at the sarcastic comments from Adam & Ellie and exploring the sunny/grumpy trope. Having a huge interest in history made this book a pleasure to read. However I did feel as if some chapters seemed out of place in the novel and weren't necessarily needed, such as the slightly smutty scene between Adam and Ellie, and the fact that by the end of the book there were a lot of characters to memorise! Other than that, I am thoroughly looking forward to Book 2 in this series!

If the Mummy took place in British Honduras (where we know as Belize), then we'd have something similar to this book. And I do see the Indiana Jones elements as well (the Arcana bits)!

The connection between Ellie and Adam is fantastic- the banter, their strengths and weaknesses... the tension too! The cast of characters are well rounded out. The bad guys are clear, the familiar side kicks of Adam's are distinct... The mysterious folks (the Priest, the woman with the scar) are not confusing, which I find wonderful as often their mysterious presence is described in a confusing manner. I was able to keep everyone's various intrigues in order so that the big action scene made perfect sense. As somebody who struggles with action scenes, I was very grateful that I could follow along easily!

When it comes to reading, I do struggle with historical info dumps or imagery that's over-the-top. (This is true with action scenes too.) In Empire of Shadows, I had none of those issues. They were all present and scattered throughout the reading experience, which kept the plot moving forward. I know characters like Ellie can be a lot to handle, with their info dumping, but Adam kept her from going on for too long. Honestly, I'm grateful for this duo.

I love this book so much and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out! I hadn't even finished the book when I had decided to preorder a copy of it. Thank you, NetGalley and Crimson Fox Publishing!

4.25⭐️ Move over, Indiana Jones. Elly Mallory has officially reignited my love for fun history-infused adventures. This book was a TREAT. Jacquelyn Benson clearly poured so much love and time into her research for this story & the payoff was huge. The environment was so vivid, the characters were unique, vibrant & lovable. And Elly & Adam’s banter—and conversations in general—gold star. On point. Cackled out loud on several occasions. And the ending was really well done. Can’t wait for book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley & the author for the early review copy!

(****MILD SPOILER BELOW****)



PS-Dear J.B., please know *that* kiss might be one of my favorites I’ve read in a loooong time. Hilariously in-character for both parties & hot at the same time? Goodness. Well done.

3.5 stars!
This was certainly a fun book, and I enjoyed quite a bit of it! Sometimes the explanations of things took me out of the story, and I wasn’t always convinced of the FMC and MMC’s chemistry… I really liked their banter when their friendship was just starting the best!
Thanks for letting me read this book! (Goodreads review is linked below)

This was a rollicking, good time from first page to last.

Ellie Mallory and Adam Bates are my new favorite adventure seeking, troublesome pair. Troublesome for the other guys at least.

Ellie is not content to live the life society wants her to. She doesn't want a husband, she has a career as an archaeologist in mind. One little, bothersome arrest foiled that plan. Adam wasn't content with his familial designated career path and left San Francisco years before to work as a surveyor in British Honduras.

Ellie arrives in Belize Town with a medallion and a map that are wanted by a dangerous and menacing man. After a couple of brief meetings, Ellie convinces Adam to be her guide in search of the X on the map. Along the way, they are confronted with more menace, myths, legends and deathtraps aplenty.

Empire of Shadows is one part 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (but much more fun) combined with a 'National Treasure' level caper, served up with a sprinkling of The Mummy.

This was so much fun. I am eager for the next installment in the Raiders of the Arcana series to see what other trouble Ellie and Adam can get themselves into (and out of).

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for a review!

This book was very much middle of the road to me in a lot of ways. It was well written, the adventure plot was engaging, and I was rooting for the romance of Ellie and Adam to get together. It was definitely a slowwwww burn which I enjoyed. I don't know if I'll be picking up the next book in the series, but I think I need to sit with this one a little longer before I decide.

Empire of Shadows is super fun! Ellie and Adam are great mc's, loved them so much. Adventure and action paired well with humor and relationship building. It had a really great balance. I love The Mummy and Indiana Jones, and this is a perfect addition to that genre. Can't wait for the next book!

My kind of story! Yes
In the last few months I've discovered that I love this kind of genre.

We have a combination of The Mummy, Indiana Jones and Uncharted vibes, so I want more, much more.

This book starts off slow, but you understand from the beginning thanks to the author's note that this story is a rewrite of a previous story by the author, but when the first few pages go by, everything picks up and when you feel like you're devouring the whole story in one sitting.

Here we meet Ellie, an aspiring archaeologist who, given the demands and prejudices of the time, is seen only as a secretary or typist and not as a potential researcher. In a march to achieve the vote in favor of women's suffrage, she is unfairly dismissed, that's when she finds some documents that give evidence to find an ancient city considered a legend: The Golden City, supposedly located between South and Central America, built by the ancient Mayan society.

She sets out on her quest, and that's where she meets Adam, our male protagonist. I love how the author has made it so that despite the characteristics instilled in the men of that time, he struggles to overcome them.

The fiery relationship that develops between the two of them as we continue on a quest through the legendary city, has given me all the movie I needed for the next few months, and to fight while the next book comes out.

It has been quite an adventure to finally get to know the author and I think I have done so with a spectacular story that appeals to my tastes as this type of story with that touch of historical fiction but mixed with other elements makes it so gripping for me that I read it in less than two days.

I must say that as someone coming from Central America, I loved that this is such a relevant focus in history.

Do I recommend this story? Super yes. You will find a story where you can't help but fall in love, shedding light on the female hindrance of the time to do what they want and limiting them to one role, colonialism, the theft of cultures and cultural preservation, the thirst to learn and fight for female and cultures right.

Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful ARC, and to the publisher, it has been a great treasure that you have granted me the opportunity to read.

Review on Goodreads on 03/29/2024

#RaidersoftheArcana #NetGalley

I uploaded my review to Goodreads. I will upload it to Amazon on release day.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jacquelyn Benson for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Empire of Shadows coming out April 2, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I love the Mummy, so I was hoping it would be a lot like that. It definitely had some Mummy vibes. I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was a great adventure. I think there was a lot of world building. At times, Ellie’s behavior and thinking felt a little too modern. Victorian times had a lot of changes, but she seemed to bring up things pertaining to our time now. I think I would’ve liked to see a little more magic. The romantic relationship seemed a little sudden. Hopefully the next book works out some of those things.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical adventures!

This book is a wonderful dip into the historical adventure genre, which is near and dear to my heart. The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star read for me was some of Ellie’s attitudes about gender politics felt too modern to me? This was purely personal preference, but having read a lot of historical romance, I feel like there’s a way to thread the needle between historical anachronism for the sake of modern sensibilities and something that takes readers out of the experience completely and that didn’t work for me here 100% of the time.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and the fantastical elements were really well done and sufficiently subtle to maintain the disbelief amid the rest of the jungle opera and adventuring. And my personal gripes aside, I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for the next instalment in the series.

I. Adored. This. Book. Full stop. I love archeology, specifically Mayan/South American archeology, and I just ate this story up. I love that the author built upon a few different well known myths, it made me feel like I was uncovering artifacts and knowledge right alongside the characters. The banter between ALL the characters felt perfect and there was a delightful little sprinkling of romance to carry you through, but you also couldn't forget about the very real threat that was following along with them. Everything about this world felt so lush and real, like I could reach out and touch it. I absolutely can't wait for the next book!