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izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
4.0
4/5
Agh omg this book was so good! I loved all the action and the plot. I enjoyed the characters (though I wish there was more with some backstories). The climax was really good. The only reason why I didn’t rate it 5/5 was because I felt like the characters were somewhat flat in terms of character depth.
Agh omg this book was so good! I loved all the action and the plot. I enjoyed the characters (though I wish there was more with some backstories). The climax was really good. The only reason why I didn’t rate it 5/5 was because I felt like the characters were somewhat flat in terms of character depth.
sairaumar's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Tone and writing really reminded me of the 39 Clues (one of my favorite series) but a little older! It did still read a little young for college aged and is not that academically/nerdy as some other books-- so definitely read more like upper MG/lower YA. I loved Sam & Bennett's relationship and Jo was a fun character too. It was nice how it was set in the 1920s, though I wish we got more of that vibe and more setting/world building on the train and steamer. I think the general premise/name of this "Specter Queen" and Ireland is a bit less appealing for an archaeology book (especially a first one) but it could've been aided by stronger world building and description. Despite this, still a fun time, well paced and looking forward to reading more in the series!
***SPOILER**
Also, still SHOCKED by what happened to Alistair, and don't like that... it seemed too dark to fit in with the rest of the story -- the other fates seemed more justified, but not him... seemed like a bit of just a shock factor.
***SPOILER**
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder and Death
foraging_pages's review
3.0
From the FIRST PAGE this had my undivided attention. The writing was engaging, the setting cozy, and the prospect of archeological exploration enticing.
This starts out already iconic because the protagonist, Sam, restores antique books. #goals She has history with the local wealthy family who employ her at the book restoration shop. The shop is where our story starts with arson!
This starts out already iconic because the protagonist, Sam, restores antique books. #goals She has history with the local wealthy family who employ her at the book restoration shop. The shop is where our story starts with arson!
chenay's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
stormwhisper's review
2.0
I received an ARC copy of this book via Netgalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide in exchange for a honest review.
Sam is a small-town girl with a penchant for ciphers and puzzles who's thrust into the centre of an ancient mystery that threatens to tear the world apart. Set against the backdrop of the roaring 20s, Sam's adventure also features her former best friend, Joana, and her childhood crush, Bennett, as the trio tries desperately to stop an ancient evil from being unleashed.
I really wanted to love The Curse of the Specter Queen. Sam sounded like a perfect protagonist, a nerdy girl who loves restoring old books and deciphering clues. Throw in an ancient curse and what could go wrong?
Unfortunately, I just couldn't seem to engage much with the story or the characters. Sam was an fair character but she just didn't have much depth, beyond her archetypical quiet, intelligent, bookish traits. Bennett, the male lead, is portrayed sympathetically as a protective figure who just cares too much about the people he loves, but I was put off by his constant underestimation of Sam's intelligence and constant attempts to control her and his sister. Joana, the best friend, also came across as one-dimensional, ultimately not rising much beyond a "party girl" stereotype. I thought setting the book in the 1920s was a brilliant and well-executed choice, but I didn't feel that the characters rose to match their rich surroundings.
Ultimately I found The Curse of the Specter Queen to be an okay, but not great book. I think I would have enjoyed it a great deal more if the main cast had been more fleshed out, but as it was written, I just wasn't terribly invested in the story.
Sam is a small-town girl with a penchant for ciphers and puzzles who's thrust into the centre of an ancient mystery that threatens to tear the world apart. Set against the backdrop of the roaring 20s, Sam's adventure also features her former best friend, Joana, and her childhood crush, Bennett, as the trio tries desperately to stop an ancient evil from being unleashed.
I really wanted to love The Curse of the Specter Queen. Sam sounded like a perfect protagonist, a nerdy girl who loves restoring old books and deciphering clues. Throw in an ancient curse and what could go wrong?
Unfortunately, I just couldn't seem to engage much with the story or the characters. Sam was an fair character but she just didn't have much depth, beyond her archetypical quiet, intelligent, bookish traits. Bennett, the male lead, is portrayed sympathetically as a protective figure who just cares too much about the people he loves, but I was put off by his constant underestimation of Sam's intelligence and constant attempts to control her and his sister. Joana, the best friend, also came across as one-dimensional, ultimately not rising much beyond a "party girl" stereotype. I thought setting the book in the 1920s was a brilliant and well-executed choice, but I didn't feel that the characters rose to match their rich surroundings.
Ultimately I found The Curse of the Specter Queen to be an okay, but not great book. I think I would have enjoyed it a great deal more if the main cast had been more fleshed out, but as it was written, I just wasn't terribly invested in the story.
ameserole's review
4.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Oh man! Curse of the Specter Queen was such a fun adventure to dive into. I was honestly getting so many vibes while reading this. Some things reminded me of Artemis Fowl but then I also got The Mummy and Indiana Jones vibes at the same time. Which definitely made this even more interesting and the book was a complete page turner.
In it, you will meet Sam. She was completely likable from the very first moment we met. She was basically living the dream whenever she was within the walls of the antique bookstore. So it definitely broke my heart when it went up in flames due to some crazy assholes looking for a secret book. While that was tragic, she still found a way to be calm, strong, and smart throughout the book.
Besides her, we do get to meet her best friend Joana who was also completely lovable. If I could, I would kidnap her for myself because she definitely made the book more fun for me. My heart did hurt when she was hurting though but I'm so happy that we got to meet her in this. We also get to meet other people but if I dive into every single one of them - the review will never end.
All I'm going to say is that this adventure was wild from the start. I'm a little sad that the villain was a bit predictable but at the same time I didn't really care because I was just enjoying the actual book. It's rare but I just really did enjoy the entire thing. All the vibes I was getting definitely made me happy and I can't wait for the sequel to come out.
Please be soon!
Oh man! Curse of the Specter Queen was such a fun adventure to dive into. I was honestly getting so many vibes while reading this. Some things reminded me of Artemis Fowl but then I also got The Mummy and Indiana Jones vibes at the same time. Which definitely made this even more interesting and the book was a complete page turner.
In it, you will meet Sam. She was completely likable from the very first moment we met. She was basically living the dream whenever she was within the walls of the antique bookstore. So it definitely broke my heart when it went up in flames due to some crazy assholes looking for a secret book. While that was tragic, she still found a way to be calm, strong, and smart throughout the book.
Besides her, we do get to meet her best friend Joana who was also completely lovable. If I could, I would kidnap her for myself because she definitely made the book more fun for me. My heart did hurt when she was hurting though but I'm so happy that we got to meet her in this. We also get to meet other people but if I dive into every single one of them - the review will never end.
All I'm going to say is that this adventure was wild from the start. I'm a little sad that the villain was a bit predictable but at the same time I didn't really care because I was just enjoying the actual book. It's rare but I just really did enjoy the entire thing. All the vibes I was getting definitely made me happy and I can't wait for the sequel to come out.
Please be soon!
lolarobles's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mikaylataggart's review
4.0
overall i give it 3.5/5
i liked the plot but i guess i was expecting a little more. it felt a little juvenile in writing and with the ending, but i thought it was cute. i might read the next one i haven’t decided yet. i would classify this for me as a cozy book instead of a favorite.
i liked the plot but i guess i was expecting a little more. it felt a little juvenile in writing and with the ending, but i thought it was cute. i might read the next one i haven’t decided yet. i would classify this for me as a cozy book instead of a favorite.
lilly_reads98's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0