Reviews with content warning for Violence - The Antiquity Affair

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse for the eARC! All the following opinions are my own.

I love the idea of the plot and setting, I have a big interest in Ancient Egypt and Egyptian mythology so it sounded perfect for me! I did also appreciate the effort in acknowledging the archaeology field's privilege and exploitative opportunity that came from colonization and imperialism.

The dialogue was a bit cringe with constant fighting and melodrama in the beginning, I warmed up to the dialogue but it could still be cringey and forced at times. I eventually learned to ignore it and focus on the overall plot 😂 I’ll be happy to leave the use of “oh gods” to fantasy novels (or historical novels where the characters actually believe in many gods, not when it’s coming from two white New York WASPs), I also got tired of the constant gads/egads.

The sisters are immature and meh, they seriously speak in a secret childhood language, which also got old very quickly. I couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous it was 🙈

I kept getting the girls confused through switching POVs, I’d be reading and think “wait who’s chapter is this again.” The girls kind of blend together and don’t stand out very much as their own people. Although on the positive, that’s a good sign for the two authors because it’s rare where you can’t tell the difference when the shift in writing occurs.

I didn’t love or hate any of the characters, they just fell flat. Tess, however, was more annoying than the rest because of her constant whining and “pick me” comments. There’s also some romance involved, I liked parts of it but other parts felt insta lovey and almost forced.

The Antiquity Affair was a fast paced adventure and the mystery/setting is the reason I continued, blocking out the other parts 😂

Some things don’t feel plausible like you have to suspend logic to believe it. Plus minute details just don’t match up with the characters and contradict their already established background. A non-spoiling example, the society sister Lila who went to “finishing school” and learned to be a proper socialite, being presented AT A BALL, and somehow she has two left feet and can’t dance? Yet miss rebellious, goes to university, aspiring archaeologist, Tess can waltz with ease and zero training? No, makes absolutely no sense.

Finally, for being an adult historical mystery, it reads very YA (which doesn’t mean it’s bad, I adore YA novels, it’s just different than expected). If I pick up an adult book, I don’t want YA writing and characters that are whiny and childish.

Overall a quick and exciting adventure story but the dialogue and characters fell flat. I finished it quickly so that’s something 😅I’d recommend if you’re a fan of Indiana Jones, heist novels, and/or Ancient Egypt!

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