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reginamea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
prose_over_bros's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tearexmama's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Let me start by saying that I loved the characters and the set up and the romance in this book. A sapphic adventure romance is a great concept.
Unfortunately, the story was boring. The plot was rote and predictable. At no time was I surprised by a single plot point. This book should have felt like an adventure, but it didn't. The story would have been just as well served up as a two page spread in the newspaper with lots of pictures of the treasure and tomb and the ladies who found it. It would probably make a great 2 hour movie, but definitely not a 10.5 hour audiobook.
Unfortunately, the story was boring. The plot was rote and predictable. At no time was I surprised by a single plot point. This book should have felt like an adventure, but it didn't. The story would have been just as well served up as a two page spread in the newspaper with lots of pictures of the treasure and tomb and the ladies who found it. It would probably make a great 2 hour movie, but definitely not a 10.5 hour audiobook.
rickosborne's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
In 1923, an archaeologist struggling to get the credit she deserves invites her new friends to Egypt to see her latest discovery.
While I might gripe a bit about some mildly uneven pacing, I would at the same time express hope to read more in the series. I appreciated the individual strengths and camaraderie of the group.
Other notes: the antiquity-focused view of archaeology can be a little rough to take with modern sensibilities; it's pretty solid as an adventure with some brief romance moments.
Rep: one FMC is clearly on the autism spectrum, and may also be ace/aro.
Sex:One R-rated sex scene.
Tags: #Awakening #CulturalDifferences #DualPOV #ExpirationDate #FearfulSecurePair #FishOutOfWater #IsolatedLocale #Mystery #SharedBed #ThirdPersonPOV.
While I might gripe a bit about some mildly uneven pacing, I would at the same time express hope to read more in the series. I appreciated the individual strengths and camaraderie of the group.
Other notes: the antiquity-focused view of archaeology can be a little rough to take with modern sensibilities; it's pretty solid as an adventure with some brief romance moments.
Rep: one FMC is clearly on the autism spectrum, and may also be ace/aro.
Sex:
Tags: #Awakening #CulturalDifferences #DualPOV #ExpirationDate #FearfulSecurePair #FishOutOfWater #IsolatedLocale #Mystery #SharedBed #ThirdPersonPOV.
amobrien's review
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
While I liked the premise of this story, I found it difficult to really get into it. That being said, the narrator for the audiobook was great. The story includes a good sense of adventure, and I could see people liking it for that, but the relationship within this story reads uncomfortably due to the character's manipulative personality, which was disappointing.
While I liked the premise of this story, I found it difficult to really get into it. That being said, the narrator for the audiobook was great. The story includes a good sense of adventure, and I could see people liking it for that, but the relationship within this story reads uncomfortably due to the character's manipulative personality, which was disappointing.
amberandri's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was certainly an adventure, but I wanted a bit more cohesion from the overall story.
I feel like I was reading two different narratives that never quite came together or found a resolution on their own. On one hand there's this story about women trying to carve a place for themselves (both professionally and romantically) in a world built to cater to men. And then on the other hand there's a story about colonialism and the moral (and spiritual) implications of digging up sacred burial sites in the name of "discovery." I went into this book expecting it to be about the former and then about 2/3 in it pivots to the latter (with a heavy dose of magical realism and supernatural mythos) and kind of abandons the rest.
Georgette was easily my favorite character--always piping in with the cold hard logic of math and giving zero f**ks. There were a few laugh-out-loud moments and they were all due to her. Anna was my least favorite character. The manner in which she aggressively pursues Clara was a bit off-putting (it seemed like a conquest more than anything and at one point Anna even notes how easy Clara is to manipulate) and her pride leads her to make really stupid decisions on more than one occasion. On a similar note, I really hate it when intelligent women make dumb decisions for the sake of "plot" and sadly it happened more than once in this story.
Despite all that, I still enjoyed the overall experience. It was fun and whimsical and despite my frustrations, I would totally read a follow-up with the Lady Adventurers Club exploring a new location (especially it went all-in on the magical realism and supernatural elements). But please for the love of all things, give Eliza a chance to fly next time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for a copy of this audiobook.
I feel like I was reading two different narratives that never quite came together or found a resolution on their own. On one hand there's this story about women trying to carve a place for themselves (both professionally and romantically) in a world built to cater to men. And then on the other hand there's a story about colonialism and the moral (and spiritual) implications of digging up sacred burial sites in the name of "discovery." I went into this book expecting it to be about the former and then about 2/3 in it pivots to the latter (with a heavy dose of magical realism and supernatural mythos) and kind of abandons the rest.
Georgette was easily my favorite character--always piping in with the cold hard logic of math and giving zero f**ks. There were a few laugh-out-loud moments and they were all due to her. Anna was my least favorite character. The manner in which she aggressively pursues Clara was a bit off-putting (it seemed like a conquest more than anything and at one point Anna even notes how easy Clara is to manipulate) and her pride leads her to make really stupid decisions on more than one occasion. On a similar note, I really hate it when intelligent women make dumb decisions for the sake of "plot" and sadly it happened more than once in this story.
Despite all that, I still enjoyed the overall experience. It was fun and whimsical and despite my frustrations, I would totally read a follow-up with the Lady Adventurers Club exploring a new location (especially it went all-in on the magical realism and supernatural elements). But please for the love of all things, give Eliza a chance to fly next time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for a copy of this audiobook.
okthislooksbad's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
1923. Archaology. Egypt. Lady-adventurers. Wonderfully raging feminism and the opening of a rediscovered tomb. Suddenly.. mythology?
I really enjoyed the beginning of this, but there were a lot of things that initially felt like they were just very convenient, either lazy plotting or simply just going back on what had previously been stated, but towards the end it took a sharp turn to a sort of fantasy-element that came out of nowhere? There had been a hint or two, but they were among the things I’d considered “convenient” previously, so when it suddenly went in that direction I was left with literary whiplash.
What really carries this story is the characters. The author has done a great job creating characters that are easy to distinguish between, both in tone and behaviour, and I loved that they’re all in their late thirties/possibly early forties. Sometimes there were situations where their responses to things were a bit naive and didn’t suggest they were actual adults and not teenagers, which was a bit unfortunate. I’d read an entire book about Eliza and Georgette going on adventures, but leave Anna out of it. She’s manipulative and gaslighty and doesn’t seem to play well with people, and despite all the ladies going on “adventures” with her to save “her” treasure she’s still pretty awful towards them. I was so excited for the romance in this, too, because the entire backdrop was perfect for that sweet falling-for-your-fellow-adventurer-vibe, but it just felt icky because of the way Anna behaved. She needs therapy (and to get over herself) more than she needs a girlfriend, is all I’m saying.
All in all, the ending feels like it’s opening up for the possibility of a sequel, and I think I’d read it - if nothing else then just to get to spend more time with Eliza and Georgette.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this, but there were a lot of things that initially felt like they were just very convenient, either lazy plotting or simply just going back on what had previously been stated, but towards the end it took a sharp turn to a sort of fantasy-element that came out of nowhere? There had been a hint or two, but they were among the things I’d considered “convenient” previously, so when it suddenly went in that direction I was left with literary whiplash.
What really carries this story is the characters. The author has done a great job creating characters that are easy to distinguish between, both in tone and behaviour, and I loved that they’re all in their late thirties/possibly early forties. Sometimes there were situations where their responses to things were a bit naive and didn’t suggest they were actual adults and not teenagers, which was a bit unfortunate. I’d read an entire book about Eliza and Georgette going on adventures, but leave Anna out of it. She’s manipulative and gaslighty and doesn’t seem to play well with people, and despite all the ladies going on “adventures” with her to save “her” treasure she’s still pretty awful towards them. I was so excited for the romance in this, too, because the entire backdrop was perfect for that sweet falling-for-your-fellow-adventurer-vibe, but it just felt icky because of the way Anna behaved. She needs therapy (and to get over herself) more than she needs a girlfriend, is all I’m saying.
All in all, the ending feels like it’s opening up for the possibility of a sequel, and I think I’d read it - if nothing else then just to get to spend more time with Eliza and Georgette.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
anotherpaigeturner's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
3.0
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