Second part of a story that I loved from beginning to end, for those who like me love the movies of “The Mummy” and the staging of historical adventures with romance, this may be the book you might want to start.

In this story we go on an adventure to Egypt, with Ellie and Adam, where we find different mysteries and unknowns that strengthen the relationship between our protagonists.

I loved how we not only delve deeper with the main characters but also with the other secondary characters, to have a more immersive experience and with great details. It's all been lovely and I just want to keep reading about them.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this incredible sequel to a story that has fascinated me.

Second part of a story that I loved from beginning to end, for those who like me love the movies of “The Mummy” and the staging of historical adventures with romance, this may be the book you might want to start.

In this story we go on an adventure to Egypt, with Ellie and Adam, where we find different mysteries and unknowns that strengthen the relationship between our protagonists.

I loved how we not only delve deeper with the main characters but also with the other secondary characters, to have a more immersive experience and with great details. It's all been lovely and I just want to keep reading about them.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this incredible sequel to a story that has fascinated me.

This one was just as fun as the first one, lots of action and adventure. Loved that we got to see more of Constace, she is a hoot and the introduction of Ellie's brother made for great dynamic interactions and the development of hopefully another couple. There was more progress with Ellie and Adam's relationship, I liked that they talked about their feelings and though they are not certain about some things they would face whatever comes together. Would have like so see some more scenes of them just spending a bit more time together though or just being a couple, it felt like they were constantly trying to solve something or run away. This time we travel to Egypt so it is full of it's history, you can tell the author did a lot of research. The other supporting characters were also great, specially Sayyid, Zeinab and her band of rebel women. There were a couple of moments the felt a bit drawn out that slowed the story for me that's why I didn't give it a five star to be honest. Otherwise this was a great and fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crimson Fox Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

Absolutely loved this story! The character development for Adam and Ellie from the first book was great - along with the continued story line with Mr. Jacobs. Neil and Connie were hilarious - their humor throughout the book made me laugh out loud several times. I appreciated how detailed the book went into the history of Egypt - without going overboard and remaining true to the story. I can't wait to read the next one! This book would be great for fans of What The River Knows, Indiana Jones and The Mummy.

An amazing and adventure packed sequel in the Raiders of the Arcana Series!

I adored this book. Ellie and Adam have just as much chemistry and lovely banter between them as they did in the first installment. Perhaps even more in the sense that there are some truly swoon worthy and self fanning moments here. I absolutely love this couple. They are perfect for each other and I hope they get married soon. That is up to the author though, and really it doesn't matter if they get married or not but I hope they stay together for ever and ever! I do confess I would have wanted some more scenes where it was just the two of them alone but that is a personal preference only.

the Supporting Characters were wonderful. Neil is charmingly awkward and I adored him immensely. I cant wait to see more of him in future books. Constance was also a fun character to read about.

The setting though is where this book shines. The amount of research that must have gone into Egypt etc. has to have been massive. The world feels real, immersive and at no point boring even when there was a lot of details given. The author did a wonderful job of giving us all the information without letting it drag on to the point where you get bored. Really well done.

Overall, I would reccommend this book to enjoyed ' The Mummy' films and Historical Adventures with more than a dash of Romance.

'Tomb of the Sun King' is the second book in the 'Raiders of the Arcana' series. After their hunt for a lost Mayan city and stumbling upon a supernatural mirror, Eleanora and Adam are back! This time, they are in Saqqara, looking for another artefact of the Arcana, the Staff of Moses. The team of two becomes four: Eleanora and Adam are joined by Neil, the unsuspecting half-brother of Eleanora and best friend of Adam, and Constance, Eleanora's fierce friend with an unsettling appetite for adventure and peril.

I thought this was excellent, and delivered just as much adventure as the first book, Empire of Shadows. Jacquelyn Benson is an incredibly talented storyteller and it was a delight to read such a well-paced and thought-out storyline. I loved the twists and turns and was totally absorbed into the world.
The best thing about this series is definitely the attention afforded to real depictions of historical, palaeographical and archaeological contexts. As a fellow archaeologist, palaeographer and historical nerd I really appreciated this.
I also really connected to the characters, I saw myself in Ellie (as a fellow UCL graduate too!) and I just loved watching the characters continue to develop.
I didn't think a desert could get much hotter, but the interactions between Ellie and Adam were sizzling!

It has been incredibly difficult to critique this book because I loved it so much. One thing I might say, though, is that sometimes it was rather long. That being said, I really appreciated the intricate worldbuilding in these longer chapters.

Overall, a solid 5 stars. It was fantastic, and I am so excited to see more of Benson's incredible work.

I am loving this series. For those who don’t know, I’m a BIG Ancient Egypt fan. I teach 18th Dynasty to Thutmose IV for my Year 12 Ancient History class, so I loved seeing a story about my passion come to life through a book. I loved the adventure and The Mummy vibes I got from this book. Definitely one I’d recommend if you love adventure!

Do you like The Mummy (1999)? Of course you do. Do you wish you could have a similar experience but with loads more history surrounding ancient Egyptian theology, cultural commentary on the appalling Victorian archeology practices, and a found family made up of scholars who would really rather not be adventuring at all? Here you go.

A delightful romp all around!

5 stars of a book! Such a good story! The characters are fantastic and so entertaining too. I recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's THAT good!

I absolutely adored Empire of Shadows and immediately requested the ARC for Tomb of the sun king as soon as I finished the first.

The second Raiders of the Arcana book follows Ellie and Adam when they’re again thrown into a life-threatening adventure to save another magical artefact.

Things I loved about Tomb of the Sun King:
• the family dynamic of Ellie and Neil. I love that we get more of an insight in their relationship, past and present with Neil continuing into the future books.
• Constance! I loved her character and thought she was a fantastic addition to the group. Also the potential for the budding romance with Neil is something to look forward to in book three
• the setting was amazing. I love ancient Egypt and this book will really appeal if you loved the Mummy films
• The continuing developments between Ellie and Adam as characters individually as well as as a couple
• Sayyid and Zeinab

Things I didn’t love as much:
• I wanted a little more Ellie/Adam interactions. One of the things I loved most about the first book was their relationship and we obviously got a lot more of this as they were alone a lot of the time. Although I loved the additional characters in this book, I wanted more of Ellie and Adam.
• I feel like Ellie’s stance on marriage doesn’t really make sense. I feel like it’s feminism for the sake of it and doesn’t add much to the story. I don’t really see why she’d be as against it with the likes of Adam, who supports her views. Especially as other women who are portrayed as strong, independent revolutionaries are not opposed to marriage or relationships in the slightest. I feel this will they/wont they was strung out a bit much in this book, whereas the romance was more enjoyable in the first book. This might just be because I love them as a couple and want them to get married and live happily ever after though…as well as continuing dangerous and exciting adventures.

Overall I did enjoy the first book slightly more as to me that was a perfect 5 star read but I still loved the second the series and absolutely cannot wait to pick up the third in the series. I will be recommending this series to everyone I know, especially anyone who’s shown the smallest interest in ancient Egypt!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this fantastic book!

4.2/5🌟
0🌶️

I love this second installment of the Raiders of the Arcana even better than the first!

Ellie and Adam are racing against power-hungry villains in their hunt for the staff of Moses. Ellie's friend, Constance, and stepbrother, Neil, are both unwittingly roped into the quest. Together, they trek across Egypt and use their brains, brawn and Ellie's favorite, dynamite, to beat the odds.

➕
- I'm absolutely obsessed with Egypt so I drank in all of the scenic setting, intriguing history and captivating people and culture. I love that most of the ancient history woven into the story are in fact real.
- Ellie and Adam continue to have the most amazing chemistry 🥰. We see more of Adam's back story this time around and it is amazing to see Ellie support him through his growth.
- The addition of Constance and Neil is so fun! Constance is a fierce little fireball and Neil is a nervous dork. The shenanigans they got up to made me laugh out loud.
- We get deeper into the villain's story! I am hooked and can't wait to get to the bottom of it all.
- While I had a lot of fun reading this story, it also beautifully explores themes of friendship, marriage, sexism and colonialism.

➖
- Neil has a great arc by the end of the book, but I still don't love him for Connie!
- This is a personal preference and only because I love Ellie and Adam so much, can we please get some 🌶️!?

An absolutely continuation of Ellie and Adam's story! The history was in depth and complex which did make it a little hard to follow at times but once you understand the context of where you physically are it all comes together beautifully! Neil and constance are growing a fantastic story of their own. I love the way that Ellie and Adam love each other, its so heartwarming and completely believable and I cant wait for it to continue! My only wish was that the book had more Adam chapters because his internal monolog is always a hoot!

Jacquelyn Benson’s Tomb of the Sun King ( *Raiders of the Arcana: Book Two*) builds upon the captivating foundation laid in its predecessor, *Empire of Shadows*, offering readers an exhilarating blend of adventure, romance, and historical intrigue set against the rich backdrop of Egypt. This installment not only deepens the relationship between protagonists Ellie and Adam but also introduces a vibrant ensemble of new characters, enriching the narrative landscape.

The book picks up where the first left off, focusing on Ellie and Adam as they navigate a world filled with ancient artifacts and mystical threats. This time, their journey takes them to Egypt, infusing the plot with a strong sense of place that resonates with fans of adventure stories like *The Mummy*. Benson’s incorporation of Egyptian mythology and archaeology is well-researched, providing a fascinating context that enhances the story's stakes and depth. The presence of scarabs, while a nod to cinematic depictions of Egypt, is woven into the narrative with a unique flair that distinguishes it from its predecessors.

The introduction of characters such as Ellie’s best friend Constance and her brother Neil adds layers to the story. Neil's evolution from a somewhat lackluster figure to a more dynamic character is a highlight, showcasing Benson's ability to develop characters over time. The camaraderie between Ellie and Constance offers a refreshing perspective on female friendships, balancing the romance between Ellie and Adam with moments of levity and solidarity. The character dynamics, particularly the romance and banter between Ellie and Adam, remain a strong point, capturing the reader's interest with their chemistry and growth.

While the character development is commendable, some reviewers noted that the plot occasionally feels stretched thin due to the expanded cast. The richness of the world and characters can sometimes overshadow the original duo, leading to a longing for more focused moments that delve into Ellie and Adam’s individual lives outside their heroic pursuits. This desire for deeper exploration of their everyday struggles and personal growth could elevate the narrative even further.

Benson expertly navigates the balance between action and character development, ensuring that the plot remains engaging without sacrificing the depth of her characters. The stakes are high, with hints of a larger, unfolding conspiracy that sets the stage for future installments. The pacing keeps readers on the edge of their seats, making it difficult to put the book down, as every twist and turn pulls them deeper into the adventure.

One of the most significant strengths of *Tomb of the sun king* is Benson's commitment to historical authenticity and the seamless integration of magical realism. The exploration of themes such as female empowerment and social commentary enriches the narrative, providing a thoughtful backdrop to the thrilling escapades. Quotes from the text resonate with readers, offering insights that extend beyond the fictional world into real-life implications of history and discovery.

Despite its many strengths, some readers might find the predictability of certain plot twists less satisfying, yearning for a more nuanced approach to the unfolding mystery. Nevertheless, the storytelling remains captivating, with a fast-paced narrative that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The book concludes with a satisfying wrap-up that sets the stage for future adventures, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next installment.

In summary, *Tomb of the sun king* is a delightful continuation of Ellie and Adam's journey, blending romance, adventure, and historical intrigue in a captivating way. Jacquelyn Benson’s ability to create a rich, immersive world with well-drawn characters makes this series a must-read for fans of historical fantasy. With a balance of humor, action, and thoughtful commentary, this installment offers a fulfilling reading experience that will leave fans eager for more. For those who enjoyed the first book, this sequel will not disappoint, providing both excitement and a sense of connection to the characters as they embark on their next adventure.

4.5 ⭐️

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

Tomb of the Sun King comes out in just under a week, and I cannot wait to see what everyone else thinks of it! I read the ARC for this book really close to its publishing date, which might seem kind of pointless, but I was so desperate to continue reading this series after finishing Empire of Shadows. Seriously, I had to request the eARC for it before I even finished the first book, I’m that obsessed.

Some spoilers below, not big I just wanted to talk about the characters and plot a little bit.

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I am so happy to say this book did not let me down at all. It is just as great as Empire of Shadows, if not better. I loved the change from Belize to Egypt, and I really hope this will be a long series in which Adam and Ellie can travel the world together. And I loved the new characters this book introduced. We already met Constance in the first book, but I loved her immediately and was excited to see her become one of the main characters in this book. And the little relationship developing between her and Neil? Adorable. She would shamelessly flirt with Neil and leave him flustered, which I found funny. Now, other than those moments between him and Constance, I really didn’t like Neil for most of the book. He was a scared man with no backbone who made many mistakes. I sort of understood his reluctance to believe in the arcana and the fact that his employers were villains, but it still annoyed me. But its okay, because everyone in these books make mistakes and he realizes that he needs to do better, so it was nice to see his character development.

While I loved having more characters introduced in this book, I miss all of the Ellie and Adam chapters we had from the first book, but they were just as amazing in this book as the last. When a couple is happy and in love at the end of book one, I get really scared for what comes next. Usually there’s betrayal, secrets, or something else that pulls them apart for the second book, but YAY there’s none of that here! Ellie and Adam are honest with each other with how they feel and what they want, with no miscommunication, which is a huge relief. I feel that they handled their relationship in a pretty mature, satisfying way. When I truly love a book couple, I just want to see them happy together without stupid breakups or miscommunication.

You know a villain is really good in a book when you get angry once they show up. Every time Mr. Jacobs showed up, I would put my book down, audibly sigh, and put my head in my hands. He pisses me off that much. Julian and Dawson too, though they’re more pesky and not smart enough to be a true adversary. Last time, Ellie and Adam had to drop an ancient city into a sinkhole to keep Jacobs from getting the arcana, but I definitely like what they decided to do in this book more.

Unfortunately, I once again had trouble picturing certain scenes in my mind from this book. The layout of the temple and the canyons confused me and I had to keep rereading sentences to try to figure it out. But, once again, I did stay up till 5 to finish it. 😅

Overall, this was an incredible, action packed book with a beautiful setting, with amazing characters, and an awesome plot. I can’t wait to read book three (Seriously, I need it as soon as possible)!

I described the first book in this series as pulp, but that isn't quite right, even though the influence of pulp adventures such as those of Indiana Jones is clear to see. The characters are deeper than the usual stereotypical pulp archetypes, there's a consideration of wider issues like sexism and colonialism (to, perhaps, a slightly anachronistic degree), the author has done a lot more research than most people who write period fiction ever bother with, and yet none of this interferes with the book also being a thrilling archeological adventure through late-19th-century Egypt, with touches of hot romance.

In fact, the romance distinctly benefits - for me, at least - from the fact that the young female characters, while daring and even headstrong, are not the usual helpless idiots (with a decal stuck on them that says they're intelligent and independent) that you often get in period fiction. There's also a middle-aged couple whose relationship gets featured, and relationships in general - friendships as well as romances - are well handled and significant to the plot, and undergo challenge and change in the course of the book. It's a move towards an ensemble cast, and the sequel is going to retain at least some of the ensemble; the different members bring different strengths to the mix, too, and are very distinct in their personalities, which is not always a given. I was never in any danger of confusing any one of the cast members with any other, even the minor ones. The characters we were cheering weren't flawless, nor did they overcome their flaws too easily, yet they were all the more heroic for it; the characters we were booing weren't evil merely for the sake of it, either, but had reasons that made sense to them for doing what they were doing.

I had a pre-release version via Netgalley, and while I did note a few homonym errors, the odd punctuation glitch, one or two slight anachronisms and an occasional Americanism from the English characters, it's already cleaner than the first book in some other areas I noted in my review of the first book: hyphens, vocabulary (apart from the homonyms), even coordinate commas. "Arcanum" is now being used as the (correct) singular of "arcana". There are fewer fortunate coincidences, too. It's good to see an author improving their mechanics, something that happens all too seldom in my experience.

I'd say this second book is easily as good as the first, and probably better, and I look forward eagerly to the next instalment.

The Mummy (1999) vibes are strong here as it matches the Egyptian setting that the first book lacked to really give that reference.

Adam + Ellie are as adorable and feisty as ever, their banter is top notch and the tension is excellent.

I adore the new characters and their interactions.

The adventure, the setting, the magical realism!

I really appreciate that the author discusses the implications of treasure hunters and colonialism - often historical fiction tends to gloss over the atrocities of the past and that isn’t the case in these books.

A fun romp filled with lots of detail and an all around good time.

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and Crimson Fox Publishing for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

5/5 stars, even better than the first book

Tomb of the Sun King picks up where Empire of Shadows leaves off, with our main characters Ellie and Adam heading to Egypt in the hopes of finding the staff of Moses before Jacobs and Professor Dawson catch up. Coincidentally, Ellie's best friend Connie is currently in Egypt and the clues point to the archaeological dig site where Ellie's brother Neil is working. The search for the staff brings the four of them together (as well as few others) in another thrilling search. Along the way, the book also explores the realities of Ellie and Adam's very new relationship within the context of their personal values and the wider societal pressures.

As someone who started this series for the romance, I really enjoyed the direction Benson took Ellie and Adam's relationship in this book. The awkwardness and tension as a result of their relationship felt very honest to their characters and kept their romance interesting without feeling contrived. The miscommunication early on led to the right kind of angst for me. The arc of their relationship in this book was very satisfying and engaging for me to read

I was initially very surprised to see the main cast of characters expanded in this book, from 2 to about 5 (though you could argue 6), but it fit very well within the story, though it does change the tone a bit from the first one. While romance is a common through line in the novel, it is clearly not the main focus of the plot. Overall, I loved the interactions between characters, every pair seemed to interact and have a clear relationship, whether that was scholarly comradery, sibling hood, guilt-stricken friendship, or romance. The characters all feel different and interesting, and the budding relationship between Neil and Connie is clearly different than the one between Ellie and Adam (though why Neil seems to have picked up Adams fear of heights is beyond me)

The plot in this book is also very solid, while the general set up remains similar to the first book, the details are different enough to feel new. And there is more or less the right level of danger to match the high stakes (though someone will probably need to be seriously injured at some point in order for this to feel truly realistic).

This book tackles a lot of large complicated topics, particularly surrounding archaeology and who these historical relics belong to and who should have the right to study them. I found all of this societal and historical commentary very interesting (even if our characters sometimes have very modern opinions). I did also enjoy the part of the authors note that discusses which aspects of Egyptian history were fact and which were fudged a bit for the story.

I highly recommend this book and will be eagerly awaiting the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a free eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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

Jacquelyn Benson hit it out of the park again! I LOVED Tomb of the Sun King. While Empire of Shadows still has my heart this was such a good follow up. The story follows Ellie and Adam as they head to Egypt to search for an ancient magical artifact before the bad guys can get to it. Add in POVs (is it still a POV if written in 3rd person omniscient?) for Ellie’s egyptologist brother Neil and her best friend Connie and you get a magical adventure full of history, colonialism commentary (especially in regards to Egypt’s history and artifacts were/are exploited and how Egyptians were excluded from learning/preserving their own history), magic, and of course romance.

While this is an adventure romance book, the focus of it is on the adventure. Since Ellie and Adam spent the first book falling in love, we see them explore how their relationship works when they aren’t stuck in the jungle alone. Their communication was so good! I love that they were able to talk about the things that scared them and come to a decision that was best for them and their relationship. Ellie and Adam are one of my favorite fictional couples so I did miss having the focus 100% on them, but enjoyed getting to know Connie and Neil and see how their relationship might progress.
Romance spice level: kissing only, two non-descriptive fade to black moments in the last couple chapters of the book

Both the main and supporting characters of this book are so good! We see so many distinct characters, with distinct voices and opinions. While our main 4 characters with POVs are all British/American, the Egyptian supporting characters are still so well-rounded and fleshed out with their own stories and opinions. We see a variety of distinct characters or both sides of the conflict.

One thing I have loved about both Empire of Shadows and Tomb of the Sun King is the way Benson includes so much real history of ancient Meso-America and Egypt and includes how, particularly British, colonialism affected the preservation of their histories. I really appreciate the author’s note at the end that expands more on what is real history and where she took liberties to add in the magical elements.

My only critic would be that it is a really long book. I haven’t seen an official page count (my kindle just gave the location stat instead which isn’t super helpful haha), but Storygraph says it is over 600 pages. There were a couple times I kept expecting it to end but it just kept going. This is not a complaint though because I have no idea what could be cut out. It all felt important to the story.

I 100% recommend Tomb of the Sun King, but definitely read Empire of Shadows first since it builds on that story and there isn’t much recap. If you love ancient Egypt, history, magical realism, romance, and adventure stories you’ll love this. If you loved What the River Knows, The Mummy, and/or Indiana Jones I think you will love this series as well. I definitely plan to buy myself a physical copy when it releases next week.

Full review posted to NetGalley, Goodreads, and Storygraph. Planned review posts on Instagram (@ab_bookishphotographer) for release and when I get my hands on a physical copy.

Run. Don’t walk, and get yourself a copy!

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me my very first book to review. Honestly, for it to be the Tomb of the Sun King as well… it was an amazing surprise!

Tomb of the Sun King is my most enjoyable read this year. The perfect blend of characters, plot, adventure and deeper themes!

This story is a sweeping, fast-paced historical epic with exceptional world building. An absolute goldmine of Egyptology! You can almost taste the mint tea and smell the spices from the marketplace as you read/walk along side the characters! You can even imagine the train smoke and camel intermingled with the scent of the desert.

Jacquelyn Benson is known for her strong female characters. I really love how she’s portrayed Ellie, Constance and Zeinab, without falling in the trap of being too cliche. Each character’s personalities are strong and distinct. I cannot wait to see what mischief Constance gets up to in the next book! I enjoyed the fact that the Morally grey/villians have had character development.

Tomb of the Sun King is a lovely example of relationship progression between Ellie and Adam since the beginning. I definitely recommend you read ‘Empire of Shadows’. It’s referenced regularly, and the reader is assumed to have background knowledge of this prequel.

Very nuanced in regards to the effect of British and Western colonialism. The unfair double standards and self interest in the theft of cultural heritage is not new - but it’s still upsetting. I appreciated the sensitivity towards cultural identity and religious aspects of monotheism themes. It shows more sensitivity to the themes than just a historical adventure.

I am an absolute sucker for Magical realism, and it’s so easy to get wrong. I enjoyed how the author incorporated the arcane objects into the story without it being too overdone. I’m insanely curious about which arcane artefacts will be included in the series…


While I understand the essential introduction of more characters, I did miss a little of the Ellie and Adam dynamic. I was getting anxiety and angst with Ellies stance on a few things. But I understand where she was coming from, and I acknowledge I’m speaking from a modern woman’s perspective & all the privileges that come with it.


My review will be posted on my instagram account @hannah.joy.reads, Goodreads, Amazon

This review is also posted on my blog - Jess Reviews Things (link below) - on tumblr.
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Mega thank you to NetGalley and the author Jacquelyn Benson for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this before publication on October 1, 2024.

First Impressions/Summary: Ellie and Adam are at it again saving mystical items, this time in Egypt. Lots of reviews reference the film "The Mummy" and it's likely because that's the last American/bit of popular media that has Egypt, a British female lead, an American male lead, adventure and mystical properties. Loved the additional characters introduced within the first ten chapters. I love the covers and fonts of this series of books.

Review: I felt the archaelogy this time was less tedious compared to Empire of Shadows. I find equal interest in Meso-American culture and history as I do with Egyptian so I can't quite put my finger on why this felt easier to read. Ellie and Adam continue to have well-developed and well-written sparks fly between them with what feels like a natural progression and definition of their relationship. The addition of Constance and Neil provided a lot of quippy, funny lines.

Rating:

Characters: 5/5 — Ellie and Adam continue to figure out who they are in this world where magic exists, and I really appreciate Benson's development of them as individual characters and as a couple. I loved the addition of Constance, Neil and Sayyid to this story. They all had distinct personalities and I loved all of them -- Constance's courage, Neil's ignorant bliss, Sayyid's patient intelligence.

Plot/storyline: 4/5 — Ellie and Adam continue to pursue magical items with Benson educating us on the history behind the lore of these items.

Storytelling: 4/5 — I felt like this quest moved faster compared to Empire of Shadows and I suspect it was because Benson laid out the groundwork for her main characters in the first book. I like these little nuggets of future mysteries to uncover in future books (what is Jacobs's role in all this?) and I, personally, really appreciated the commentary on women of the times, in their locations/cultures. Not too preachy, feels like factual statements filled with hope.

Predictability: 3/5 — Lots of fun twists to push the quest along. One of my favorite unexpected twists was who came to save the academics.

Spice/Smut: 1/5 — Perfect young-adult level of kissing and passion. Nothing too overt and subtle enough to let your imagination roam. The kissing scenes are chef's kiss.

Overall: I continue to love the world that Jacquelyn Benson is building with Ellie, Adam and the burgeoning band of characters. If you like a strong intelligent female lead, sweet romance with hints of spice, interesting and complementary supporting characters, Egyptian history/archaelogy/anthropology, quests and adventure, cultural and social commentary — this is the book (series) for you. I recommend it 5/5 and plan to buy this book (despite my advanced reader copy).