benson wrote another book for the girlies that love archaeology, with a little something special for the ones who loved rick riordan's kane chronicles trilogy. i liked the first book already, and this one not only kept up with all that i loved about book 1, but expanded the lovable cast and subjected me to LESS professor dawson. tomb of the sun king is a continuation of empire of shadows, rather than something brand new; their actions in book 1 have consequences in book 2. the additions of neil, constance, sayyid, and the zeinab and the girls were delightful, and only brought more heart into the story. the elaboration on jacobs' character and motivations was really interesting, and i'm on the edge of my seat to find out where the story will go.

the narrator of these books is fantastic. her accents are flawless, her emotion is perfect, and her comedic timing is *muah* chef's kiss.

Tomb of the Sun King is the second offering in Jacquelyn Benson’s Raiders of the Arcana. I enjoyed the first book, Empire of Shadows. I LOVED this one.

Ellie Mallory and Adam Bates are my new favorite IT couple. But Ellie, Ellie is fantastic all on her own. She is a smart, capable, and determined young woman who knows what she wants and is not going to stop until she gets it.

Following the adventures in Honduras, Ellie and Adam are hurrying to Egypt to the tomb where her brother, Dr Neil Fairfax, and coincidentally Adam’s best friend, is exploring a tomb.

Constance Tyrrell, a friend of Ellie’s joins the group and now we have, not one, but potentially two young couples. Or maybe not.

I enjoyed every minute of this book; I didn’t want it to end. The dialogue is fun, the flirtatious behavior, and the situations the group find themselves in are Indiana Jones-esque.

This is a great fun read, and I am already wanting the next book.

I was extremely lucky to discover that the second book in the audio version was available to review just as I finished the first. I welcomed this news with more than a little excitement. As I started listening to the book, my enthusiasm for the series just got better ( not something that I thought was possible).

The story added two more characters into the narrative without diluting the original pair’s involvement in the adventure. We find ourselves in Egypt and this time around everything is out in the open from the beginning. We know what’s at stake even if the newer duo is playing catch up. The narration is perfect for the setup and we jump between irreverent intelligent chatter which made me laugh to serious life-threatening scenarios. I’m not too sure I liked the Indian accent and given that the next book is to be set in India, I might just go for the ebook version. I definitely plan to continue with the series and highly recommend it to anyone who likes well-written characters and dialogue.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but my review is entirely based on my own listening experience.

I was so ready to dive back into the world of Ellie and Adam in this action packed adventure. This has become my favorite series! Jacquelyn Benson masters world building and character depth and Alex Picard does a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life with her narration. I adore every character in this book. The story had me hooked from the very beginning and I was quickly whisked to Egypt to meet Ellie’s brother, fight off the bad guys and engage in shenanigans. The story has so much life and world building, so much detail I feel like I am in the tomb discovering artifacts with them. Ellie is my new best friend and I cannot wait until their next adventure!

This book offers an engaging blend of "Indiana Jones," "The Da Vinci Code," and the 1999 film "The Mummy."
Archivist Ellie Mallory is tasked with recovering a legendary artifact from ancient Egypt, pursued by a group of unscrupulous villains. Alongside her rather conservative archaeologist stepbrother Niel, the roughish Adam—with whom she develops romantic feelings—and her fearless friend Constance, Ellie unravels a conspiracy that dates back thousands of years.

I love historical novels. They can present historical facts and contexts, making them accessible to readers through engaging narratives. By incorporating real historical elements, these novels can create a richer world that relies on the readers' existing knowledge of history. The historic vibe can help ground the fantastical elements of the story. Additionally, historical novels can deconstruct historical frameworks through their storytelling, as characters with modern mindsets grapple with, critique, and navigate these structures. This particular novel achieves all three of these elements while also offering an enjoyable, Indiana Jones-like adventure complemented by a touch of romance.

While some historical details were occasionally inaccurate, the overall atmosphere effectively conveyed the setting’s essence. The archaeology presented was a mix of well-researched elements and imaginative interpretations, allowing for an engaging exploration of "Da Vinci Code"-worthy secrets and conspiracy theories.

The characters were exceptionally well-crafted. Each character exhibited depth and complexity, firmly rooted in their historical context while still appealing to modern sensibilities. A personal highlight was witnessing one of the main characters undergo growth, recognizing past mistakes, and striving to amend them. I found the historical inaccuracies and vagueness manageable, as they generally served to enhance the fantastical aspects of the story or to make the characters do badass shit.

Furthermore, I valued the depiction of colonial power structures. The narrative did not shy away from addressing the historical context of archaeology as a means of exploitation, highlighting the inequalities faced by colonized peoples. The critique of this system, while not historically precise, serves as a thoughtful reflection for a contemporary audience.

Although I had not read the first novel, I could follow the story without difficulty. However, I did miss some character development, particularly concerning the series' villains, which would have been beneficial to understand. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed the experience a lot but would recommend reading the first book for a more enriched understanding of the characters. Your enjoyment will likely be significantly enhanced compared to my standalone reading.

Alex Picard and Jacquelyn Benson are a match made in heaven. I loved reading this sequel to Empire of Shadows and I loved listening to it even more. The characters are brought to life and I feel as though I am on this adventure alongside them. Everyone should listen to this series. You will not be dissapointed!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

A rollicking good time of a sequel, that leans even harder into its "The Mummy" (2001) comparison, in all the best ways. It continues the development of Ellie and Adam's relationship in a realistic and satisfying way. We have the addition of Ellie's brother, Neil, and best friend, Connie, to the adventuring party as we travel to Egypt. They were both a blast. I liked that Neil had a very realistic reaction to finding himself in this crazy situation. He was honestly just really entertaining. Connie was super fun once again, and learning more about her was a great addition to the story.
The setting was rich and beautifully described. The British occupation of Egypt and their focus on archaeology and the stealing of ancient artifacts was dealt with really well. We see the situation from multiple points of view and opinion. At no point did I feel like the characters were spouting anachronistic opinions when they talked about the poor treatment of the Egyptian people and culture. Ellie spends a lot of time fighting against the patriarchy and injustice, why wouldn't she also be against imperialism and oppression when she sees it?
It was also fun reading more about some of the Ancient Egyptian history I learned in high school, such as Hatshepsut and Akhenaten.
The audiobook was really good. The narrator did a great job of changing her voice for each character; though there were a couple times when she transitioned from a male voice to a female voice where they sounded a bit too similar.

Tomb of the Sun King is an electrifying blend of history, adventure, and suspense, and the audiobook format only enhances its gripping intensity. With rich narration that brings every moment to life, this story transports listeners deep into the heart of an archaeological mystery filled with danger, betrayal, and long-buried secrets.

Set against the backdrop of Egypt’s legendary Valley of the Kings, the novel follows a daring expedition that uncovers more than they bargained for. As ancient riddles unravel and modern-day enemies close in, the stakes rise with every chapter. The immersive storytelling and atmospheric details make you feel the heat of the desert, the weight of the past, and the pulse-pounding urgency of the chase.

What makes the audiobook experience particularly captivating is the narrator’s ability to evoke tension, emotion, and intrigue. Whether whispering secrets of forgotten dynasties or racing through action-packed sequences, the performance adds an extra layer of depth to an already compelling tale.

For fans of Indiana Jones, The Da Vinci Code, or any high-stakes historical thrillers, Tomb of the Sun King is an absolute must-listen. Prepare to be transported, enthralled, and completely unable to press pause.

I had such a fun time with this book.
It was a clever move to turn this series into a more ensemble cast. The character dynamics are fantastic when it comes to our four protagonists. They’re all so different but bring a valuable skill to the team. Ellie and Adam’s relationship matures in a lovely way and there’s a great scene where Ellie’s brother finds out about the two of them. I felt that the plot aspects of this book were a lot stronger and Benson managed to amp up the plot.

My main complaint is how Benson addresses colonialism and its links to archaeology. However, it was addressed in a very ham-fisted way. In a way that ended up with an Egyptian man apologising to a white woman. It would have been a glaring omission if Benson hadn’t have addressed this in a book set in the 1890s but it needed to be done in a more embedded way like the author could trust her audience with the fact that we’d pick up the message.

Also, I’m convinced Adam has some massive sensory issues with the amount of times he strips his shirt off, but I think that says more about me than anything.

I was a huge fan of The Mummy and jumped at a chance to listen to this story!
I didn't read book 1 but I didn't feel like I was missing any information.
This was a super cute read, but at times I found the story line lacking a bit and loosing my attention.
I felt link the narrator did a fantastic job and would love to listen to more of their work.

I loved Tomb of the Sun King even more than the first book! I received an audiobook for both books in the series and honestly love the narrator so much. The narrator does an amazing job and makes me love the book even more. I was so excited for the second book after the ending of the first. We are left with the perfect semi-cliff hangar and hints for what is to come. This second installment of The Raiders of the Arcana series takes place in Egypt and I couldn't be happier! First I love Egyptian lore and mythology so I always love books focusing on Egypt. Second, The Mummy is forever one of my comfort movies so I love all The Mummy vibes in this series. It's perfect!

One of my favorite things from this book has to be the four pov's. Ellie and Adam are once again so funny and their relationship continues to grow. I love their interactions. But for me Constance stole the show. We are introduced to her in the first book as Ellie's best friend who encourages Ellie to go on her adventure. Constance is fearless and honestly a hellion. I loved all of her parts in the book. Add Ellie's brother Neil to the mix and we have a hilarious group of main characters. All of their interactions were so funny and I don't know how they got anything accomplished!

Once again the storytelling was incredible and really pulled me in from the start. I love this world and the characters and can't wait to see where the next book goes. Highly recommend this series!

Thank you to Jacquelyn Benson, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for this arc!

This was such a fun adventure! I can’t wait to see what Adam and Ellie get up to next!

This book picks up where the first book left off. Ellie and Adam have traveled to Egypt in hopes of stopping the bad guys from getting their hands on another magical artifact. Through their travels they accidentally form a team of scholars and adventurers…find themselves among revolutionaries, and stir up all kinds of adventures and clues to try and stay ahead of their villainous counterparts.

While I greatly enjoyed the first book, this one takes the cake! It definitely had some slight “The Mummy” vibes but it’s completely a story of its own. Book one focuses on Ellie and Adam’s character development as they are solo traveling through the jungle but in this one Ellie’s BFF & step-brother join the adventure which made for excellent storytelling and progressing the story at a good pace. I absolutely recommend this series to anyone who loves historical fantasy & archeological adventure!

Thanks to Vaughan Wood Publishing and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC.

Thank you Vaughan Woods Publishing and NetGalley for the audiobook version of this ARC. All opinions are my own.

In this sequel to Empire of Shadows, Ellie and Adam continue their quest to find more magic-imbued artifacts before they fall into the hands of the same secret society they faced in the first book. This time they travel to Egypt in search of Moses’ staff where they team up with Ellie’s brother Neil, her best friend Constance, and some locals to get the job done.

Alex Picard’s narration of this story was well done and fun to listen to. The only voice I disliked was Neil’s, whose fussiness was made even more irritating by her exaggerated portrayal of him. Otherwise, she does a great job making every character of different origin, age, and gender sound unique and easy to pick out.

The story itself was a bit of a let down after the first one, but I still enjoyed the majority of it. Because Ellie and Adam’s team grows in this one, we don’t get as much time with either of the two main couples (Ellie & Adam, Neil & Constance) so their relationships, especially N & C’s, felt underdeveloped. The author also either didn’t do very thorough research into Biblical text and the history of the Hebrew people or simply decided to take great liberties with both, which makes me wonder how accurate her historical references to the other cultures in her books are.

Aside from these things, I enjoyed the adventure, the friendships, the sibling relationship, and the Egyptian culture. If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones or The Mummy, you should give this series a try.

My rating: 3.5

Tomb of the Sun King
By Jacquelyn Benson
Narrated by Alex Picard
5 ⭐️

I adore this series so far. The relic treasure hunting adventure continues in Egypt. Booby traps, buttheads with blasters trying to make way with the loot, puzzles to work through, and twists that save the day abound. All of this was very fun and kept me deeply invested in the story.

We get more of Ellie and Adam’s story. Their dynamic fondly reminds me of Emily Wilde and Wendell’s relationship (one of my absolute favorites). E and A have to navigate social expectations when E ardently is opposed to what society has turned marriage into. I loved A’s response to her. Absolutely swoon worthy. I also really loved Neil and Constance’s push and pull as their feelings come to light. Constance is quickly becoming a favorite character for me.

The audiobook is an easy, good listen. I devoted this in a smidge over a day but could have easily done it in one. Picard does a phenomenal job. If you liked the narration in book 1, book 2 is identical.

This is a top rec from me, especially for anyone wanting a bit of a break from epic/more elaborate fantasy reads. This is high on adventure and lower on the fantasy scale. Very reminiscent of a The Mummy mixed with National Treasure 2 and The Goonies.

While I have received an audiobook ARC (thank you NetGalley, Jacquelyn Benson and Vaughan Woods Publishing), I have also purchased this as well.

Not really my cup of tea. The book was fairly nice, but the story it's not on my liking and I really struggled to finish it. I guess if you are not into Fantasy/ Historical fiction it's not worth it. But funny enough I do enjoy every now and then a different type of historical fiction.

An absolute new favourite!! This was even more adventurous, informative and fun compared to the first book, and I think the characters have become a part of my life that I cannot help but cheer for them from the sidelines.

In this second installment of the series, We follow Adam Bates & Eleanora Mallory try to stop the bad guys from attaining the mystical artifact from Egypt. They have the journey cut out for them, and have to go through even more troubles in this adventure. This was more high stakes and full of action, which made the journey memorable and exciting for me, and now I'm really eager to read the next book in the series.

First and foremost, the author deserves a huge applause for throwing light on the Egyptian pharaoh who deserved all recognition & fame but was outshined by their successors and remained less known to the world. To be honest, there isn't a person who doesn't know Tutankhamun but if you ask someone about the person mentioned here, very few would know about it. And it was such an eye-opener for me as well since the author presented the glorious achievements of this pharaoh who influenced the theological concepts of Egypt and also the greater world. I always love when books impart knowledge alongside being a fun experience.

I would also like to mention that the audiobook was truly an amazing experience for me as the narrator did various tone modulations and added uniqueness to the characters with such ease and precision, and I'd definitely recommend you do an immersive reading if possible or at least listen to the audiobook for a great adventure.

And now coming to the characters, Adam Bates, who still continues to steal my heart by being the absolute gentleman. He's the staunch supporter of Ellie, and an advocate for women's rights!! He's always there to stand up for her in front of others, and thinks two steps ahead when it comes to her protection. Even though it seems like he's overprotective, he's never restrictive towards what Ellie wants, and that's his absolute charm!!! He lets Ellie proceed with her dreams and goals, and not even at a single point does he try to influence her decision or make it for her (how can someone so perfect be fictional?!!😭). Trust me, he's got both brains and brawn, and you couldn't resist his charming nature as you get to know him more!!!

Not to mention the fact that Ellie complements him perfectly - it's like they're truly each other's counterparts and that they fit just right!!! Even though her ideals are so different when it comes to the societal obligations, she keeps her mind open for the sake of Adam, who truly makes her understand that she's the sole decision maker when it comes to her future, and that does change her perspective as the novel progresses. Also she's the only one who sees through the facade of Adam, and when she learns about his inner struggle, she listens to his inner conflict, & comforts him by lending her shoulder. This change & growth in their relationship made me root for them even more!! Also, Ellie will always be a favourite character as her excitement and happiness when looking at historically significant places, in this case, Egypt had me equally enthralled too, and it felt like I was truly seeing the magnificent Egypt through her eyes.

Also we have two more additional povs here, Constance (Ellie's best friend) and Neil (Ellie's elder brother), who also were such a delight to follow. Connie was a force to be reckoned with, and it was amusing to watch her free-spirited & spontaneous nature which always bent towards adventure & trouble rather than a monotonous life. And Neil did grow on me as the novel progressed. He was such a skeptical, law-abiding person who had immense trust in every sort of person he met, and that was truly annoying at first. But he goes through a great character arc in this novel, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I started to like him towards the end.

I cannot wait to see what's more in store for our characters, and I'm so thrilled for the next book now!!!

Well as I loved the first one, how could I not love the second? The narrator is wonderful and the story is just fantastic. I love this series and can't wait for the next one in all its forms.

Historical fantasy romance AND similar to the mummy!? Absolutely immediate yes yes yes.
I was drawn to this book because the cover is amazing. Then read the blurb and was like YEP I gotta read it! This audiobook did not disappoint! Thank you so much for the early copy!

I read TOMB OF THE SUN KING and the first book in the series, EMPIRE OF SHADOWS, back-to-back, so my review of this book will probably blend the two somewhat. These are historical fantasy romance, but very light on the fantasy elements – the comparisons to The Mummy are absolutely on point but would also appeal to fans of similar books with slightly more (The Memoirs of Lady Trent) or slightly less (the Amelia Peabody series) fantasy elements.
I actually thought it was really well chosen that this book - TOMB OF THE SUN KING – is specifically the second book, not the first. I think if this was the first in the series, the comparisons to The Mummy would perhaps just feel TOO right on the nose, and the other books (which tackle artifacts in other cultures) would just feel like add-ons?
I have very little to say about this book – the curse of a good book! Honestly, imagining a mash-up novelisation of The Mummy, Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone but set in the Victorian era pretty much gives you a perfect sense of what you’ll be getting.
The characters are charming and each with their flaws. Ellie and Adam’s relationship continues to develop in interesting and unexpected ways while Benson adds in new characters (and a new POV character in Ellie’s brother, Neil). With Neil and a couple of other characters joining Ellie and Adam on their quest, this book has a slightly more ensemble cast feel to it than the first one. The ending wraps up nicely, while setting up a nice clear sense of where the series is going next (no details announced as yet, but the goal/setting seems a foregone conclusion).
If I had one critique, it’s that these books are perhaps a touch on the long side for the stories they’re telling, but I really enjoyed every minute, so it’s not a real problem.

As a fan of the Mummy and Indiana Jones, this is everything I could ever want in a book. As the sequel to Empire of Shadows, it just keeps getting better and better. Our leads have all the charm and chemistry of Rachel Weisz and Brendan Fraser (last The Mummy reference because this series really does stand on its own). They are trying to stop a social club of rich, out of touch, dangerous/selfish men from acquiring ancient artifacts with magical abilities. In this story we see more of Ellie’s friend Constance and her brother and Adam’s friend, Neil. Unfortunately for Neil, who has been on an excavation of his own during Ellie’s previous adventures, he now has to grapple with learning her boss is part of the evil social club AND his sister and best friend are…having relations? It’s all very confusing isn’t it. But this race against the clock is every bit as enjoyable and thrilling as the previous. I can’t recommend this series enough to lovers of historical mysteries and thrillers with a side of romance.