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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
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.
adventurous
fast-paced
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:
Complicated
“The Mummy” meets “Death on the Nile”. I loved the world building and Egyptian history interwoven with small magics, but I didn’t love this one as much as the first book
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Listen, I loved book one, but I think my girl Inez lost a few brain cells before book 2. There were many things I questioned and most of the book made me mad. But it figured everything out and I was okay by the end.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
Objectively, this was worse than the first book, with more in the way of what I'd frankly call plot holes which seriously demand suspension of disbelief. There was also a lot less actual Egypt stuff, and we spend only part of one chapter down in the titular library.
Once again, though, I have to distinguish between my recognition that this is not actually a good book and how much I enjoyed it. I devoured it--didn't want to put it down. I loved the messy, ridiculous action; the frankly silly plot twists (Isadora and Sterling); & especially the romance between Whit & Inez.
Once again, though, I have to distinguish between my recognition that this is not actually a good book and how much I enjoyed it. I devoured it--didn't want to put it down. I loved the
adventurous
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book at least read way quicker than the first in pacing! However, it ended up having a bit too many forced "Scooby-Doo" villain reveals for my personal tastes and I didn't really love the on and off again manner of the relationship. The plot pulled me through, but this duology was underwhelming for my personal tastes overall. I can see why it gets compared to Divine Rivals though.