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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
BIPOC Paranormal Cozy-ish Mystery featuring an early American history professor who travels to North Carolina to hunt for a missing archaeological treasure and uncovers her own hidden magical legacy.
4/5 stars: This is the first entry in Addison's Secret Society Mystery series, which is a Paranormal Cozy-ish Mystery that takes place is North Carolina and that follows an early American history professor, working at the Smithsonian in Washington DC who returns to North Carolina. While visiting her grandmother, she take on the hunt for an ancient archaeological treasure using two hundred year old clues, ciphers and puzzles. The answers she finds plunges her into a world of secret societies and ancient bloodlines that link to her own hidden magical legacy. With plenty of twists and turns, Addison has masterfully crafted a mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat. I came for the codes and puzzles and was NOT disappointed! Addison utilizes different types of puzzles, codes, tricks and hidden elements to create intricate and fascinating to solve clues. I also really enjoyed the detail that was paid to historical elements. If you're a fan of National Treasure and The Da Vinci Code this will be right up your alley. Additionally, Addison's writing and character work is stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Sidney is gutsy, smart and so someone I would want in my corner. I also really loved her grandmother and Abner. The only drawback for me is the science fiction elements were a little to science-y for me. I got what Addison was doing with it and it works for the plot but it felt so “hard” science mixed with the interesting magic and witchcraft world building and the awesome treasure hunt/historical elements. Sensitive topics are discussed, so take care and check the CWs. Overall, a great start to a new series and I can't wait to see what comes next. I'll be keeping my decoder ring handy!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
4/5 stars: This is the first entry in Addison's Secret Society Mystery series, which is a Paranormal Cozy-ish Mystery that takes place is North Carolina and that follows an early American history professor, working at the Smithsonian in Washington DC who returns to North Carolina. While visiting her grandmother, she take on the hunt for an ancient archaeological treasure using two hundred year old clues, ciphers and puzzles. The answers she finds plunges her into a world of secret societies and ancient bloodlines that link to her own hidden magical legacy. With plenty of twists and turns, Addison has masterfully crafted a mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat. I came for the codes and puzzles and was NOT disappointed! Addison utilizes different types of puzzles, codes, tricks and hidden elements to create intricate and fascinating to solve clues. I also really enjoyed the detail that was paid to historical elements. If you're a fan of National Treasure and The Da Vinci Code this will be right up your alley. Additionally, Addison's writing and character work is stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Sidney is gutsy, smart and so someone I would want in my corner. I also really loved her grandmother and Abner. The only drawback for me is the science fiction elements were a little to science-y for me. I got what Addison was doing with it and it works for the plot but it felt so “hard” science mixed with the interesting magic and witchcraft world building and the awesome treasure hunt/historical elements. Sensitive topics are discussed, so take care and check the CWs. Overall, a great start to a new series and I can't wait to see what comes next. I'll be keeping my decoder ring handy!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Very interesting premise! Gave National Treasure vibes, which I lived. It was a little clunky though, with details not always lining up, distracting from the story.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to @esmeaddison, @severnhouseimprint, and @BookSparks for the #gifted book as part of #WRC2025.
This book utterly captivated me with its imaginative and compelling storyline.
Sidney, a respected historian, returns to her hometown of Robbinsville on a quest to uncover a missing artifact. As she delves deeper into her investigation, she unravels a world filled with secret societies, ancient bloodlines, political conspiracy, witches, time travel, and an abundance of magic.
This book truly has it all! The integration of history and political intrigue is masterful. The author skillfully establishes the groundwork for the secret societies, witches, and magical elements, weaving in a captivating political conspiracy. I was astounded by how the narrative seamlessly connected the historical past with contemporary events. The thorough research on early American history and the Scottish ancestry woven into the story is impressive.
Reading this book felt like embarking on an Indiana Jones adventure, complete with intricate puzzles, hidden letters, and mysterious secret rooms. I found myself completely invested, eager to uncover the countless secrets lurking in this town, and I was rewarded with a thrilling experience. This exceptional book not only held my attention but also left me pondering the possibilities of what might be.
This is just the beginning, as it's the first book in the Secret Society Mystery series, and I am eagerly awaiting Sidney's next adventure.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who loves a gripping mystery infused with magic and historical fiction. Don't miss out—this book is available now!
This book utterly captivated me with its imaginative and compelling storyline.
Sidney, a respected historian, returns to her hometown of Robbinsville on a quest to uncover a missing artifact. As she delves deeper into her investigation, she unravels a world filled with secret societies, ancient bloodlines, political conspiracy, witches, time travel, and an abundance of magic.
This book truly has it all! The integration of history and political intrigue is masterful. The author skillfully establishes the groundwork for the secret societies, witches, and magical elements, weaving in a captivating political conspiracy. I was astounded by how the narrative seamlessly connected the historical past with contemporary events. The thorough research on early American history and the Scottish ancestry woven into the story is impressive.
Reading this book felt like embarking on an Indiana Jones adventure, complete with intricate puzzles, hidden letters, and mysterious secret rooms. I found myself completely invested, eager to uncover the countless secrets lurking in this town, and I was rewarded with a thrilling experience. This exceptional book not only held my attention but also left me pondering the possibilities of what might be.
This is just the beginning, as it's the first book in the Secret Society Mystery series, and I am eagerly awaiting Sidney's next adventure.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who loves a gripping mystery infused with magic and historical fiction. Don't miss out—this book is available now!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was a fun book to listen to on the daily commute. I'll probably finish the series when it becomes available through the library.