A review by caitann
Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson

adventurous funny hopeful 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? No

5.0

5 ROLLED UP SHIRTSLEEVES OUT OF 5

This was wildly refreshing and I LOVED EVERY PAGE. For reasons other than Adam’s muscular forearms! Mostly. 75% other reasons, 25% forearms. All right, 60/40. Okay, let’s be real, it’s half and half. 💪

Jokes aside, this ATE on a new level. I could go on forever but for simplicity’s sake, here is a list of everything I loved SO MUCH about it:

pure brilliant unencumbered adventure
archeology fic at its peak
expedition fantasy (is this a thing? let’s make it a thing)
genuinely one for the Mummy girlies
sincerely researched
tactful awareness and discussion of colonialism
Ellie, a heroine accurate to her time period yet still well ahead of her time in ideas, courage, heart
ADAM
ADAM
ADAM!!!!
“romantasy” these days has become so rote but THIS - defies the overdone vibe of the genre so effortlessly I would never want to shelve it as romantasy cause it’s just that much better
case in point: cave kiss for the AGES
did I mention Adam??!!