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baileyisbookish's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The main cast of characters are racist and supremacist and it was so clearly a huge part of their personalities. I loved the story but was disappointed with the number of problematic things said and displays of their crappy attitudes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Colonisation, and Racial slurs
borkyreadsbooks's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
The story itself was fun and enjoyable. I really appreciated the archaeological accuracy as a fellow archaeologist however it’s quite hard to get past the racism that oozes out of every page, especially towards Egyptians. I get the sense that Michaels was trying to satirize the views of Victorian Egyptologists but from a 2024 perspective it just read as prejudism.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
Minor: Violence, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Cultural appropriation
bookwyrmknits's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
I enjoyed a lot about this book, though there were quite a few racial slurs that made me uncomfortable. It may have just been being true to the era when the book is set, but it still had moments that were unpleasant to read. There is also mention of a suicide attempt by one of the secondary characters early on in the book, but it is not graphic and we do not see her POV.
I've seen this on lists of cozy mysteries, but to me it doesn't quite fit the feel of a cozy. While some of the elements fit (amateur detective, female main character, not gory or overly violent) it just didn't have the tone of a cozy to me. Which is fine! I like a good historical mystery too, I just don't read as many of them.
This was a fun read, in part because I love reading about / seeing movies about / learning about Ancient Egypt. I will admit that I figured out the "who" part of the whodunnit early on, but I couldn't determine the "why" and so I was doubting myself. Definitely a book to pick up for a fun historical mystery, as long as you're able to handle some dated racial stereotypes with your mystery.
I've seen this on lists of cozy mysteries, but to me it doesn't quite fit the feel of a cozy. While some of the elements fit (amateur detective, female main character, not gory or overly violent) it just didn't have the tone of a cozy to me. Which is fine! I like a good historical mystery too, I just don't read as many of them.
This was a fun read, in part because I love reading about / seeing movies about / learning about Ancient Egypt. I will admit that I figured out the "who" part of the whodunnit early on, but I couldn't determine the "why" and so I was doubting myself. Definitely a book to pick up for a fun historical mystery, as long as you're able to handle some dated racial stereotypes with your mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Colonisation
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicide attempt
mkelliotmk's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Warning off the top that this book is full of period-typical racism including the phrase 'master race' used unironically. I can only assume the author was (now deceased) a horrifying racist/nazi.
The story itself is an exciting Egyptian adventure highlighting the colonial faults and lack of self-awareness of the English. While I enjoyed the action, I would note that Amelia's love interest is completely unlikeable.
The story itself is an exciting Egyptian adventure highlighting the colonial faults and lack of self-awareness of the English. While I enjoyed the action, I would note that Amelia's love interest is completely unlikeable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Sexism
Very very very racist
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