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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One thing about me - I can’t forgive a liar. The end of book 1 had me shook but 100 pages into this and I was checked out. Idc how many times he calls her “sweetheart,” gtfo of my face. Also, she’s vastly unlikeable - doesn’t learn a single thing and is so frustrating.
There comes a point when there’s too many twists and turns, and this book suffers from “let’s fit it all in and no one is who they say they are but isn’t that fun???” No, no it’s not. I only finished this book bc I was stuck on a plane on the tarmac for hours. What a disappointing ending to a duology that I was so excited for.
There comes a point when there’s too many twists and turns, and this book suffers from “let’s fit it all in and no one is who they say they are but isn’t that fun???” No, no it’s not. I only finished this book bc I was stuck on a plane on the tarmac for hours. What a disappointing ending to a duology that I was so excited for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief
Minor: Cursing
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was such a fun and immersive read! A magical mystery set in Egypt, with compelling characters, rich historical detail, and just the right mix of intrigue and romance, it had me hooked from the very first page.
The Egyptian backdrop was an absolute highlight. Isabel Ibañez’s vivid, descriptive writing made me feel like I was traveling through Egypt alongside the characters—experiencing the vibrant landscapes, ancient magic, and historic charm of the 1800s. Her prose is easy to read and completely engaging. I felt swept up in the atmosphere and didn’t want to leave it behind.
The illustrations—especially the character epilogues at the back, were a lovely touch that added even more dimension to the story.
The plot was captivating and fast-paced overall, with moments that genuinely shocked me (even though I did manage to guess one of the twists). I loved the fusion of mystery, magic, and history, and while I wished the magic system had been explored in more depth, it still added a strong layer of intrigue.
There was a slight lull before the action really picked up, and I felt like the ending arrived too abruptly. It left me craving another 20 pages to wrap things up more fully.
However, the epilogue hinted at a possible spin-off in a surprising direction—which I’m definitely curious about!
Inez is a standout protagonist, she’s tenacious, brave, and driven. Her determination in difficult situations is inspiring, even if she did frustrate me at times.
Whit is charming, protective, and grew emotionally througholut this book, he showed how much he cared both in words and actions, which made their chemistry truly shine.
While there was one moment where I wished the pair had communicated more clearly, I appreciated how their relationship grew and matured over time. The tension and banter between Inez and Whit was great and their romance added just the right amount of depth without overwhelming the plot.
This is a strong and satisfying conclusion to a duology that blends history, magic, and romance in such a unique way. Despite a few pacing issues and a rushed ending, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and felt fully immersed in the world Isabel Ibañez created. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for that potential spin-off!
adventurous
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
My review would have been 4.5 if it weren't for the literal cartoon ripping off of the mustache.