The Devil’s Gorge by Dora Ilieva was well written. The story is about a young man who inherits his grandmother’s home. He and his friend head to Bulgaria thinking this will be a simple quick trip. Little do they know they are in for an adventure.

It was a remarkable engrossing story that I enjoyed until the very end where I expected a little more. It seemed rather rushed. This was book provided to me in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for an free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Having seen that this book is set in Bulgaria, and deals with archeology, I was looking forward to reading it. Both of those topics were covered well, with lots of interesting detail - unfortunately, the writing was poor, the characters were flat and one-dimensional, and the plot had way too many gaping holes. The ending is abrupt and doesn't tie in at all with the story so far, but I understand this is the first of a series - so I suppose that leaves the door open for picking the story back up.

This was a disappointment from start to finish. The writing itself is mediocre. The characterization and attempts at magic realism are fragmented and unbelievable in more than one instance.

The book begins with a good premise that I wish was executed better. I enjoy good historical fiction and appreciate the knowledge that I gain from it. However, in this case there is too much overt “teaching” about language, mythology, and Bulgarian history going on in the dialogue and storyline. The author doesn’t seem to know how to blend her research with the story she wants to write.

One of the characters says that the events going on around her are “like a thriller and not necessarily a very good one.” Sadly, I concur.

Interesting tale about Thracian culture and archaeology. ILieva weaves a tight plot. I thought the ending of the book needed some work, it leaves the reader hanging. I wanted more.

A real Boy's Own adventure. Hunting for the Lyre of Orpheus in the mountains of Bulgaria, Sam and his friend Ben along with Sam's 3rd cousin and her father - who are archaeologists - they travel the country being chased, seduced - it all happens.

A good wheeze - not really my thing - one for the boys, I think.

Dora Ilieva has mastered the art of the quest novel, bringing to life lost treasures, exotic locales, and fresh conspiracies, as her trusty hero must rely on their elite training to slay bad guys, solve riddles, and save the day.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

Two American students, Ben and Sam, head to Bulgaria where the grandmother of one, Sam, has died and left him her house. They expect a short easy trip including meeting with a cousin and her father, an archaeologist. Nothing is short or easy and they soon find themselves involved with a mystical relic, Thracian excavations, murders and the whole junior Indiana Jones' archaeological mystical tour. The archaeology and the Bulgarian social descriptions are detailed and fascinating. The characters rather shallow and unconvincing. The ending of the story annoying - feels like a cliff edge. Turn the page and....'epilogue, 6 months later' which finalised and satisfied nothing. Earned the 4* because of the social history/culture aspects. Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.