Scan barcode
aroseread's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kickstand's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
savysav's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
megan_elizy's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
4.75
“You are standing at the foot of the most important thing you have ever done in your life,” she declared. “Do you really want to turn around and walk away from that?”
The adventure! The setting! The romance *swoon*. Maybe a little too much feminist rage for my taste, but this overall was one of my favorite reads so far this year.
btwnwords's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
let_the_potato_rest's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for offering me an arc of this delight for an honest review.
I don’t know how I’m going to survive until the next book.
This was everything I’ve been wanting in novel and more and now I’m thoroughly obsessed with Ellie and Adam.
The mummy meets female Indiana jones.
The wit, the banter, the pacing, the story, characters, this was the best thing I’ve read in such a long time I think any book is going to top this for me this year.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and now I’m going to become my entire personality while I shout from the rooftops my adoration for this book.
I don’t know how I’m going to survive until the next book.
This was everything I’ve been wanting in novel and more and now I’m thoroughly obsessed with Ellie and Adam.
The mummy meets female Indiana jones.
The wit, the banter, the pacing, the story, characters, this was the best thing I’ve read in such a long time I think any book is going to top this for me this year.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and now I’m going to become my entire personality while I shout from the rooftops my adoration for this book.
rubyshoes's review
adventurous
funny
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jessbyers's review
4.75
this was so freakin good!! everything i wanted from something wilder but didn’t get. also the history!! ugh im unreasonably excited for the next book
ashley_apairofreaders's review
5.0
A healthy dose of Romancing the Stone, Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror, The Mummy, and the reimagined Tomb Raider all mixed together, Empire of Shadows gives the perfect mixture of history, fantasy, and adventure.
Benson does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into a world of mystery through her FMC's POV. I loved Eleanor's take-charge attitude, her suffragette spirit, and her desire to learn more about the past. She was such a fun character to follow, especially once she meets Adam Bates. Adam was the perfect foil -- a happy-go-lucky adventurer that does an humorous job of ruffling Ellie's feather's on their adventure together.
I loved the plot that mixed the history of Maya with touches of fantasy. Having discovered a map to mysterious ancient city, Eleanor travels around the world to discover it before her foes do. It is clear that Benson did her research to craft this story, which I truly appreciated it. The plot moves along pretty quickly as Adam and Ellie have to keep one step ahead of their enemies, who are on the trail of an ancient site. Ellie and Adam's escapades are tinged with misadventure moments (his poor boat) and humor. I loved watching the connection between Ellie and Adam grow throughout the book (the cave wall has seen some things...iykyk).
Book Two -- Tomb of the Sun King -- is already on my preorder list. This is one series I cannot wait to continue. If you are a fan of books like What the River Knows and Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries, then check out this one. You will not regret it.
Benson does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into a world of mystery through her FMC's POV. I loved Eleanor's take-charge attitude, her suffragette spirit, and her desire to learn more about the past. She was such a fun character to follow, especially once she meets Adam Bates. Adam was the perfect foil -- a happy-go-lucky adventurer that does an humorous job of ruffling Ellie's feather's on their adventure together.
I loved the plot that mixed the history of Maya with touches of fantasy. Having discovered a map to mysterious ancient city, Eleanor travels around the world to discover it before her foes do. It is clear that Benson did her research to craft this story, which I truly appreciated it. The plot moves along pretty quickly as Adam and Ellie have to keep one step ahead of their enemies, who are on the trail of an ancient site. Ellie and Adam's escapades are tinged with misadventure moments (his poor boat) and humor. I loved watching the connection between Ellie and Adam grow throughout the book (the cave wall has seen some things...iykyk).
Book Two -- Tomb of the Sun King -- is already on my preorder list. This is one series I cannot wait to continue. If you are a fan of books like What the River Knows and Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries, then check out this one. You will not regret it.