This is an adventurous read. If I thought book one had the mummy vibes I was wrong. This one had it hands-down, and I loved every minute of it. I love we had the Brother and her best friend join this adventure and the trouble they get into and the facts about Egypt. It was just fun. And the narrators are amazing

Story Rating: 5/5*
Narration Rating: 4.5/5*

The Tomb of The Sun King audiobook engagingly brings the lively narrative to life, especially regarding angst and tension. The narrator was excellent and compellingly portrayed the range of characters' personalities and distinct voices.

The plot picks up shortly after the end of Book 1, wherein Ellie and Adam attempt to rescue yet another precious artefact from the clutches of their ruthless adversaries. The story carries the same comedic and dramatic fun as the Mummy movies while providing quality, thoughtful writing and a unique voice. The tension and pining come through clearly, and the angst is palpable.

Further, both the story and the narrator dedicate due diligence to representing side characters impactfully and making their contributions to the story more mainstream. I especially enjoyed the saucy chaos of Constance Tyrell.

On the whole, the book is great fun. If you enjoyed the Mummy, you will enjoy this one. If you want to feel like you are watching The Mummy without watching the same story over again or having to look at a screen, listen to the audiobook. In terms of entertainment, this series delivers beautifully in written and audio format.

This book was an absolutely fantastic read! A wonderful follow-up to book one of the Raiders of the Arcana series, book two took us to Egypt where we see our favorite cast of characters find themselves embroiled in looking for the staff of Moses. The author does such a fantastic job with her character development. Her characters are deep and well defined and I have gotten such a kick getting to know them. The plot was excellent and I am so excited to read their next adventure.. set in India!

This was just okay. The narrator was great. The wide range of voices for characters was amazing! However the story itself was not my favorite. It was very slow. With a lot of world and character building. But I wasn’t a fan of Constance and Ellie drives me crazy with her too modern feminism. I also don’t like the blasphemy, that the Bible is not true and is myth in the eyes of the characters.

Ellie is a true rebel and is using her skills to work in Egypt where she will face many dangers and foes. Her brother Neil is much more conservative but is pulled along as they search for a powerful ancient artefact.

Really well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Loved these intrepid characters who will face many dangers whilst on an adventure across the desert. Ellie and her gang will defy convention and fight for what they believe right. Well paced and action packed with some magic thrown in.

Full Review: Tomb of the Sun King by Jacquelyn Benson

Tomb of the Sun King is a spellbinding mix of historical fantasy and daring adventure, with themes of liberation and the relentless pursuit of knowledge taking center stage. Jacquelyn Benson weaves a tale rich in magic, mystery, and personal conviction, all set against the backdrop of an evocative Victorian-era world.

Ellie, the fiercely intelligent and resolute heroine, leads the charge with her unyielding determination and sharp wit. Her character embodies the relentless fight for women’s autonomy, and while her journey through societal expectations and ancient secrets is deeply compelling, it can also feel emotionally taxing at times. This unflinching exploration of her struggles adds authenticity and depth to the story, making her victories all the more impactful.

Constance, a new addition to the cast, brings her own brilliance to the story, stealing scenes with her charm and resourcefulness. Levity is sprinkled in delightfully, often thanks to Ellie’s brother and the characters’ witty exchanges.

The story delivers a breathtaking treasure hunt, with a magical artifact steeped in Biblical lore, a series of perilous clues, and plenty of surprises along the way. (Think Raiders of the Lost Arc, not Biblical truth but an instesting what if.) The adventure unfolds slowly, with a deliberate build that may test your patience early on, but it all pays off in the final act. The last 25% bursts into life, packed with action, revelations, and a twist that makes the wait worthwhile, leaving you eager to see what happens next.

Jacquelyn Benson’s narrative craftsmanship is on full display here. The multiple points of view are distinct and immersive, with each character’s voice adding depth to the story. Her writing captures the era’s intellectual and spiritual conflicts without being preachy or terribly blasphemous. The characters’ views on faith, science, and belief are nuanced, staying true to their convictions while respecting the audience’s own religions.

While the journey is ultimately rewarding, the pacing may challenge some readers. The first three-quarters focus heavily on world-building and character development, which can feel slow, but the payoff in the final stretch more than compensates.

Fans of historical fantasy, magical quests, and strong heroines will find Tomb of the Sun King an unforgettable read. It’s a testament to Jacquelyn Benson’s ability to craft a daring and thought-provoking tale while keeping her audience utterly enthralled.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5/5
Spice Level: 🔥 1/5 (lust, yearning, kissing)
Tropes: Multiple POV, miscommunication, nicknames, quest, magical items, adventure.

Thank you to Crimson Fox Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Tomb of the Sun King in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I adored the first book with it's 1999 Mummy vibes, delicious duo and action packed plot. My only criticism of that one, was it got a bit clumpy at times due to the historical dumps that would occur.
Book Two is a brilliant continuation of this series, our lovable duo are back and this time they've got friends which was a great addition, everyone loves a group dynamic. The slow burn tension that I loved is still at its best and the story was action packed in a swashbuckling adventure full of romance, comedy and magic.
Once again the only thing I personally struggle with is history info dumps as this pulls me out of the story but I still loved it and can't wait for more from this series.
The narrator really brought these characters to live and make the listening experience enjoyable.

“The oppressors take enough from us already, do not dare let them take your heart as well”

I loved Empire of Shadows and somehow the sequel was even better!
Book 1 had Ellie & Adam in British Honduras & this book is set in Egypt, which I was so excited about!
From the beginning I was hooked & devoured the audiobook in a couple days. The narrator is incredible & I love how she narrated each PoV character & brought the story to life.

Along with Ellie & Adam, we also get the PoV of Constance (Ellie’s bet friend) & Neil (Ellie’s brother & Adam’s best friend).
I loved the addition of these characters & I completely fell in love with the side characters, who are Egyptian Muslims, Syed & Zainab have my heart.

In this they are searching for the staff of Moses, a powerful magical object that could bring about destruction. We also find out more about the mysterious benefactors who are funding the people Ellie & Adam are working against.

I loved the adventure they go on in search of the staff but my absolute favourite thing about these books is the characters & their dynamics with each other.
I was already in love with Ellie & Adam & the slow burn romance that develops between them & how they’re dealing with the fact that Ellie is against the institution of marriage because women are property & wanting to be with Adam & Adam feeling as though he isn’t worthy of her & ruining her reputation.
These two had me giggling, kicking my feet because the yearning & angst is top tier!

I also loved seeing Constance who is half Indian & wants to go on an adventure but her parents want her to get married. She fast became a fave because this girl is even more chaotic than Ellie, carrying daggers hidden in her dress & knowing jujitsu.
Neil was a pleasant surprise, bookish nerd who just wants to study the Egyptian history in his digs but is dragged into this adventure by his sister. I loved his arc of acknowledging his privilege & learning to use that to advocate for those who are treated as less even though they are just as qualified as him because they aren’t a white man.

The Muslim rep was so great, we see Egyptian culture & Muslims were celebrated & Zainab was one of my favourites because she is a badass.
Ellie learning that while in England, women are property of their husbands but islamically, a marriage is a partnership & women are given many rights & Zainab helping her to figure out how she can be with Adam. I could truly write a whole post on how nuanced & great the Muslim rep was.

I cannot explain how much I adore this book & series & I cannot wait for the next book!
I highly recommend reading if you love historical fantasy, badass women, men who are obsessed with the woman he loves, quests & adventure!

Tomb of the Sun King
Raiders of the Arcana #2
Jacquelyn Benson
Adam and Ellie travel to Egypt to assist her brother Neil that his dig is in danger. Someone wants the artifact located at Neil’s dig. The four follow the three-thousand-year-old clues that lead them from the necropolis of Saqqara to the temples of Luxor searching for the secret of a pharaoh. The secret could result in serious world changes. Ellie and her team will resort to physical fighting and disregarding appropriate archaeological methods.
I love this tale. I have not read book 1 and MUST go back and read it. The characters work well together. I was a great fan of The Amelia Peabody series written by Elizabeth Peters. This book reminds me a bit of that series. What do they have in common? Humor, wit, action, mystery, suspense, Egypt, history, pyramids, and romance.
The setting is realistic. This tale has magical elements. (Magical elements would not occur in our world. The magical elements ae left unexplained to make them part of everyday life.) The magicl elements in this tale are low key.
Ellie Mallory, our female main character, is intelligent, extremely strong, and independent. She is a scholar that bucks the norms of society. Our male main character is Adam Bates is a surveyor. Ellie is attracted to him. Dr. Neil Fairfax is Ellie’s stepbrother; he is intelligent and protective of Ellie. Constance Tyrrell, aka Connie, is fearless. This book highlights Colonialism and the institution of marriage. The narrator is Alex Picard. He has a talent of balancing the characters and developing their accents.
Great reading.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC audiobook of this book via NetGalley!
Tomb of the Sun King is the second book in the Raiders of the Arcana series, picking up right were the first book ended. Ellie and Adam travel to Egypt to join her brother Neil and hopefully keep a powerful artefact our of the hands of the villains.

I absolutely love these characters and also really enjoyed seeing the dynamic of a (possibly) new couple? It was interesting seeing how their relationship developed, whilst also seeing them interact with other characters

The narrator did a fantastic job!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC audiobook of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
Tomb of the Sun King is the second book in the Raiders of the Arcana series. Ellie and Adam travel to Egypt to join her brother Neil and hopefully keep a powerful artefact our of the hands of the villains.

I absolutely devoured the audiobook of the first book and I was BEYOND excited to get early access to the sequel! I can’t stress enough how AMAZING these audiobooks are!! If you are planning to read these books (do it!), make sure you do so while listening to the audiobook!

The narrator, Alex Picard, is just absolutely brilliant at bringing these characters and the story alive! Hands down, the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to!


Beware of possible spoilers for the previous book in the series!
Empire of Shadows | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The story itself is also just the best thing ever! Everything I loved about the first book comes back ten fold in this one! The history in the book is amazing and I just love these characters!

Constance and Neil, both briefly seen in the first book are big characters in this one and I love it! Neil has his own POV, which brings so much more to the story that I expected! Constance is such a force to be reckoned with and has such a fun dynamic with Neil!

I loved that expansion and I loved how we learned a bit more about the lore and the group who Ellie and Adam are fighting against! The history is so well woven into the fantasy element and that is another thing that makes this book just sooooo good and addicting!

Ellie and Adam are everything and I loved the progression of romance between them! Both of them are adorable an feisty and I love it! Their bickering remains a big joy to listen to and the chemistry is top notch! Adam’s one true love will always remain his machete, but Ellie is coming in as a close second!

The ending was sooooo satisfying and I loved how this story wrapped up! I think what I also loved is learning where book 3 will go and knowing more adventures are in the future for this amazing cast!

Overall, Tomb of the Sun King is just as amazing as the first book and I absolutely devoured it! I just love this series with my whole heart and will always be an Adam Bates girl!

A wonderful second story after Empire of shadows. I am not usually a historical fantasy person but I really love this

Jacquelyn Benson has done it again with Tomb of the Sun King! This second installment in the Raiders of the Arcana series continues to deliver on the adventure, historical intrigue, and romance that made the first book so captivating. If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones or The Mummy, this book is the perfect blend of ancient mysteries, magical artifacts, and exhilarating tomb raiding.

The relationship between Ellie and Adam is truly one of the highlights. Unlike many similar adventure romances, Ellie and Adam feel like equal partners, with unique strengths and complementary talents. Their chemistry is palpable, and their dialogue feels refreshingly real. The way they navigate both perilous situations and their evolving relationship is incredibly engaging—neither character is overshadowed, making their dynamic even more compelling.

Neil’s character development was another standout. Watching his growth throughout the book added depth to the story, and I’m excited to see where his journey leads. Constance, with her fearless personality and sharp wit, was an absolute delight, bringing even more excitement and feminist energy to the novel.

The story kept me hooked, and I’m eager to see what happens next for this adventuring team.

Overall, Tomb of the Sun King delivers exactly what I hoped for: a thrilling adventure with a side of romance and a dash of magic.

I haven't read the first book in this series - I didn't realise it was the second book in the series.
But I went straight into the audiobook anyway and found I didn't feel lost at all.
What a great adventure and fun ride! Nice banter between the characters and the audiobook was an easy listen.

I liked the first book in this series, but I loved book 2 so much more. Ellie and Adam are in Egypt searching for an artifact, and also for a solution on how these two can be together. I appreciated how conflicted Ellie is about marriage - it felt realistic and handled well.

My favourite part of this one was the introduction of Ellie’s friend Connie and her brother, Neil. It added a fun dynamic to the story (and a nice boost of romance too).

The narration was perfect! I didn’t listen to the first one, so the narrator was new to me and it added so much to the story.


I can’t wait to continue this adventures!

Empire of Shadows ended with Ellie and Adam learning where the baddies were likely heading next, which just happened to be Ellie's older brother's archeological dig site. The duo make their way there with Ellie's best friend Connie, who really wants to live a little. Things get complicated very quickly once they reach Ellie's brother, and we are on with more action and adventure! Jacquelyn's writing allowed me to picture the whole book so clearly; I could see it being adapted for screen. I love the way she writes humor into her story, and the characters are all fun in their own ways.

I enjoyed Tomb of the Sun King immensely. Book one caught my interest, but book two has me invested. I can't wait to see what else happens with Ellie and Adam!

The audio production was very good. There was only one narrator, but she was able to make the different characters distinct enough to keep straight. I was able to speed it up without losing clarity without issue.

Thanks to Jacquelyn, Vaughn Woods Publishing, and NetGalley for an ALC of this audiobook for an honest review.

"Tomb of the Sun King" is a good option for fans of Indiana Jones-style adventures, historical fiction with a touch of fantasy. The story follows Ellie Mallory, our intrepid heroine, as she delves into the heart of ancient Egypt. Joined by her equally adventurous (though perhaps less experienced) step-brother Neil and the formidable Constance, Ellie embarks on a perilous journey through treacherous tombs, deciphers cryptic clues, and grapples with the complexities of Victorian society and the realities of colonialism.

Alex Picard delivers a masterful narration, giving a voice to each character and making the listening experience immersive and unforgettable. Benson weaves a fast-paced and captivating tale of adventure, romance, and historical intrigue, filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you hooked until the very end.

Vaughan Woods Publishing, NetGalley, and the editorial team - thanks for giving me the opportunity to review an audiobook ARC of this publication!

Estimated publication date: 14 Jan 2025 (audiobook release)

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This audiobook is a wonderfully entertaining Victorian archeology adventure romp, (Indian Jones like) with lots of humour, some arcanum magic and a continued fight against the villains trying to steal ancient artefacts for unknown evil purposes. Following on from book one the story moves from South America to Egypt. Ellie and Adam continue their somewhat romantic interactions, while trying to deal with the ‘needs of Victorian society propriety’ much to Ellie’s, suffragette leaning, disgruntlement. This made me laugh so much. This time Ellie’s brother Neil, and her best friend Constance, are drawn into the action. Though only one of them has a modicum of adventuring ability. That would be Constance, ready to put into practice the skills she has been learning. As for Neil, he isn’t ready at all but circumstance means he better adapt quickly indeed. Listen to book one first if you can, you will love it too. Also it would appear book three is in the offing. I am looking forward to that a lot. Thank you to Vaughan Woods Publishing and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

I just finished the ALC of this book and I am so glad that I got the opportunity to listen to it. I love the narrator, she does such a good job portraying each character. This is like National Treasure and The Mummy in a book. The characters are super interesting and easy to love. I also absolutely love the amount of ancient history in this series!

Absolutely amazing!! Alex Picard is such a talent as a narrator, I spent the entire audiobook in suspense because she made each character’s voice and personality come alive!

Tomb of the Sun King was such an epic follow up to Empire of Shadows! It never ceases to amaze me how much detail and research Jacquelyn Benson puts into each book. I’m honestly blown away. First Colonial British Honduras, now colonial Egypt - I can’t wait to head to Colonial India and see what shenanigans Ellie, Adam, Connie, and Neil get up to in book 3!