Scan barcode
yenteb's review against another edition
4.0
WARNING LIGHT SPOILERS.
I enjoy this series. The sexual banter is both fun and surprising considering the time
period. I also love everything ancient Egyptian and this book has a perfect blend of history and fantasy. Keeping that in mind the conclusion was pretty obvious. Considering Queen Victoria’s history there really was only one way for it the end. All in all an enjoyable book. The only bad thing I can say is about the audio book. The voice the narrator does for Nate drives me up the wall. Yes I know he’s supposed to be posh sounding and that’s fine, but she makes him sound more like fifty rather than thirty. My husband said it made him think of Alfred from Batman. Not who I want to picture having mad passionate sex.
hollyxbear's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series so much. It has a lot of very interesting steampunk ideas mixed in with a lot of steamy romance. Just my type of novel.
melreads1126's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely awesome!!! Can't get enough of Nate and Cara!!! I'll be buying and starting the third book tomorrow night. Keep them coming!!! I hope a 4th is in the making!!!
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Hatshepsut's Collar
4 Stars
Under the influence of an ancient and powerful Egyptian artifact, Queen Victoria is descending into madness and is obsessed with expanding the British Empire across the globe. When her lover, Viscount Nathaniel Lyons, is arrested for treason, Cara Devon must work together with his cohorts to expose those behind the conspiracy to overthrow the monarch.
Despite having read and enjoyed the first book in this series several years ago, I never managed to continue. However, I recently re-discovered the series on Audible+ and decided to refamiliarize myself with book #1 and continue on to book #2.
This follow up to Nefertiti's Heart (see my review here) is action-packed from the start. Exley's world Steampunk world-building is top-notch, and I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of actual historical figures and the twist explaining.
Cara and Nate's romance hits a rough spot as he makes a stunning revelation and Cara must decide if she can accept the situation and move forward. In the meantime, the two are caught up in the queen's madness and the conspiracy plot is well-developed and intriguing.
In terms of the audiobook, Gemma Dawson's overall narration is first-rate. However, her female voices are a bit too high-pitched for me, and her male voices could be deeper.
Overall, I am glad to have found this series again and will continue sooner rather than later.
4 Stars
Under the influence of an ancient and powerful Egyptian artifact, Queen Victoria is descending into madness and is obsessed with expanding the British Empire across the globe. When her lover, Viscount Nathaniel Lyons, is arrested for treason, Cara Devon must work together with his cohorts to expose those behind the conspiracy to overthrow the monarch.
Despite having read and enjoyed the first book in this series several years ago, I never managed to continue. However, I recently re-discovered the series on Audible+ and decided to refamiliarize myself with book #1 and continue on to book #2.
This follow up to Nefertiti's Heart (see my review here) is action-packed from the start. Exley's world Steampunk world-building is top-notch, and I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of actual historical figures and the twist explaining
Spoiler
the death of Prince AlbertCara and Nate's romance hits a rough spot as he makes a stunning revelation and Cara must decide if she can accept the situation and move forward. In the meantime, the two are caught up in the queen's madness and the conspiracy plot is well-developed and intriguing.
In terms of the audiobook, Gemma Dawson's overall narration is first-rate. However, her female voices are a bit too high-pitched for me, and her male voices could be deeper.
Overall, I am glad to have found this series again and will continue sooner rather than later.
diaryofthebookdragon's review
4.0
Last year I have read and thoroughly enjoyed Nefertiti’s Heart, so I was excited when a sequel landed in my greedy paws. I had to celebrate it with quick re-read of Nefertiti’s Heart, to freshen up my memory of important facts. Mostly, how awesome Cara is and how much sparks do Cara and Nate make together. Mmmm… Simply delicious. If you haven’t read the first book in Artifact Hunters series, go and read my review of Nefertiti’s Heart. If you did, continue reading to find out what Hatshepsut’s Collar has in store for you.
The plot of Hatshepsut’s Collar happens six week after the events in Nefertiti’s Heart. We get to hang out with all of our favorite characters again. Cara is feisty firecracker, nothing slows her down. Nate is obtuse and always tries to do everything his way. And you know what that means – there will be delicious, sparkling conflicts between them again.
“If he’s pulled this stunt just to get me to wear his ring, I’ll kill him myself.”
There is a bit less banter with Jackson, but there will be Miguel, another Nate’s employee, to make things interesting. Fraser, inspector with Her Majesty’s Enforcers, has a very small appearance in this book. I was sad because I liked his interactions with Cara.
Another Egyptian artifact is going to make problems for our heroes. And you can guess by the title – it’s Hatshepsut’s collar. This time troubles caused by this object will be even worse. Cara and Nate will have to travel from London to Saint Petersburg. Prepare for some wonderful architecture, glamorous balls and harsh Russian winter.
And I am going to tell you a little secret: Dragons will have a small appearance in this book! That was the only thing missing to make this series more awesome.
I won’t lie to you. I do not read this kind of books for deep characterisation. I read them for action, plot twists that keep me on the edge of the seat and some great romantic scenes. A.W. Exley is not going to get Nobel Prize for literature. But the question is, do you really want that? Sometimes you don’t want a culinary masterpiece. You just want a fat, juicy burger. It’s not healthy, but it’s so yummy!
Hatshepsut’s Collar is a solid sequel that continues the story about Cara and Nate in the same thrilling manner. I enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next book: Nero’s Fiddle.
Recommended for all fans of paranormal romance or urban fantasy with a bigger focus on love story (like Night Huntress series). If you like historical London with slight steampunk flare, kick ass heroines, romance full of angst and sparks, bad boy heroes, action, adventure, chase… Artifact Hunters is a series for you.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
The plot of Hatshepsut’s Collar happens six week after the events in Nefertiti’s Heart. We get to hang out with all of our favorite characters again. Cara is feisty firecracker, nothing slows her down. Nate is obtuse and always tries to do everything his way. And you know what that means – there will be delicious, sparkling conflicts between them again.
“If he’s pulled this stunt just to get me to wear his ring, I’ll kill him myself.”
There is a bit less banter with Jackson, but there will be Miguel, another Nate’s employee, to make things interesting. Fraser, inspector with Her Majesty’s Enforcers, has a very small appearance in this book. I was sad because I liked his interactions with Cara.
Another Egyptian artifact is going to make problems for our heroes. And you can guess by the title – it’s Hatshepsut’s collar. This time troubles caused by this object will be even worse. Cara and Nate will have to travel from London to Saint Petersburg. Prepare for some wonderful architecture, glamorous balls and harsh Russian winter.
And I am going to tell you a little secret: Dragons will have a small appearance in this book! That was the only thing missing to make this series more awesome.
I won’t lie to you. I do not read this kind of books for deep characterisation. I read them for action, plot twists that keep me on the edge of the seat and some great romantic scenes. A.W. Exley is not going to get Nobel Prize for literature. But the question is, do you really want that? Sometimes you don’t want a culinary masterpiece. You just want a fat, juicy burger. It’s not healthy, but it’s so yummy!
Hatshepsut’s Collar is a solid sequel that continues the story about Cara and Nate in the same thrilling manner. I enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next book: Nero’s Fiddle.
Recommended for all fans of paranormal romance or urban fantasy with a bigger focus on love story (like Night Huntress series). If you like historical London with slight steampunk flare, kick ass heroines, romance full of angst and sparks, bad boy heroes, action, adventure, chase… Artifact Hunters is a series for you.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
chelsea_jack's review against another edition
5.0
Cara and Nate are at it again, this time trying to figure out how to live with each other, rather than simply(?) how to love each other. The revelation of one of Nate's (many!) secrets shatters their bliss but before Cara can figure out what it means, he's whisked off to the Tower of London, charged with treason. More revelations follow in rapid succession, with the action sweeping across London to Russia and back again.
This sequel to Nefertiti's Heart (an excellent steampunk mystery-romance that I recommend reading first) is extremely satisfying on all fronts. There's less mystery here and more action-adventure, and it works really well alongside the romance.
I love that Cara is such a strong, independent, clever character. She seems quite capable of giving Nate the slip if she so desires. Having a few sections from Nate's perspective helps as well because we can see how genuinely upset he is by her upset.
Loki's back, being his devilishly handsome self. I'd love to see him caught in a romance in a future book - and the ending of the book opens up the possibility for a very long-lived series, much to my delight!
See my complete review at To Each Their Own Reviews
This sequel to Nefertiti's Heart (an excellent steampunk mystery-romance that I recommend reading first) is extremely satisfying on all fronts. There's less mystery here and more action-adventure, and it works really well alongside the romance.
I love that Cara is such a strong, independent, clever character. She seems quite capable of giving Nate the slip if she so desires. Having a few sections from Nate's perspective helps as well because we can see how genuinely upset he is by her upset.
Loki's back, being his devilishly handsome self. I'd love to see him caught in a romance in a future book - and the ending of the book opens up the possibility for a very long-lived series, much to my delight!
See my complete review at To Each Their Own Reviews
emsee33's review against another edition
3.0
For my review, check out: Hatshepsut's Collar on All Things Urban Fantasy.
mis_chievous's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The character development from the previous book was enjoyable for the most part. I did miss seeing more of some of the other side characters, but liked that we got more time with the grandmother.
I do like that there is an artefact involved in each book, and that the adventures the characters have trying to identify/find/control it.
I do like that there is an artefact involved in each book, and that the adventures the characters have trying to identify/find/control it.
imzadirose's review against another edition
3.0
Well, finally found out where the "Artifact Hunters" title comes from, but for me this series so far is all about the romance, which is not what I prefer. My favorite show is Warehouse 13 and I thought this would be a bit like that and it's not at all. It's a romance book where there happens to be artifacts. I don't love it because of that, if the focus wasn't on the romance I probably would.