Cover Image: Curse of the Specter Queen-A Samantha Knox Novel

Curse of the Specter Queen-A Samantha Knox Novel

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

the mummy/indiana jones/national treasure?! Yes please! I quite enjoyed this book. I was different then most books I read and it was a nice change of pace

Was this review helpful?

OHHHH this book gave me all the Mummy and National Treasure vibes! And I LOVE it!!

It was such a fun book. And I highly enjoyed the mystery and action thi sone brought.

Sam was likeable from the start. And then she starts out on this crazy quest of sorts. And oh Boy it just sucks you in.

I cannot suggest this one more!!

Was this review helpful?

I grew up loving Indiana Jones - so this book was right up my alley! It’s a fast paced book perfect for those who love a good treasure hunt. A big thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book! I could not put it down once I had started it! I finished it in once sitting and was craving more! Hopefully I can read more by this author asap and continue to read their awesome writing again! I give it 3.75 out of 5 stars

Was this review helpful?

This was not a book for me. I was not a fan of the characters or the plot. I think this just a case of my type of book.

Was this review helpful?

Author Jenny Elder Moke turns back time to the 1920s and takes young readers on a fast-paced, mysterious adventure to uncover dangerous secrets that await Sam, Joana and Bennett in the first book in an all-new series by Disney books.

Indiana Jones meets National Treasure in this exciting, unique, female-driven mystery adventure. Being set in the 1920s and full of ciphers, ancient relics, and non-stop action, this book falls into an entirely new young reader category – one which will likely appeal to an even broader audience base.

This is the first young reader novel that I have had the pleasure of reading that centers around a dark archaeological mystery. Some parts of the story are quite dark, giving off vibes reminiscent of expeditions like those in The Mummy film series. While the beginning of the story starts out with a bang, it does slow in some of the middle chapters; the characters taking their time to flaunt their problem-solving savvy and archaeological prowess. Readers who love puzzles are in for a real treat. This book fills a gap in storytelling setting that I have not seen in books targeted towards this age group. It also provides a great pathway perhaps to other historical adventure novels. My younger brother was not much of a reader as a kid, but I expect he would absolutely get onboard with this all-new – based on all-old relics and mysteries – adventure.

The story also provides a compelling character dynamic between Sam, Joana and Bennett, as well as other characters on the periphery. There is character baggage, history, secrets and pet peeves that keep the story moving forward even during those parts of the story where readers are given a brief reprieve from being on-the-run with the trio.

While I did find one of the characters overbearing at times, the historical context helped me keep the relationships in perspective. The great thing about this story is that while acknowledging that the male characters consider their role to be the protector (particularly during the early 1900s), here we have a brave, resilient, female protagonist. Sam ultimately hauls this tale into the present not by words, but by action. Samanatha Knox is someone readers will want to get to know and may want to emanate.

The chapters of this story are paved with hints and clues about what comes next, so not only is it a great historical adventure story, but a keen detective novel too. More than that, it is history illuminated by dark magic. How could this ever be a bad thing? Who wouldn’t enjoy this? Beats me.

Thus, author Jenny Elder Moke largely mapped out a winner with these themes even before she started writing the substance of the story. Thankfully, the substance, too, does not disappoint and I encourage young readers to strap in for a thrilling ride in book one and beyond.

Was this review helpful?

Unfortunately I could not get in to this one. I think my reading tastes are changing. I will update my review if I try and read again.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book for the original plot and youthful, imaginative characters. Sometimes I felt the story got bogged down in the telling but overall I found it to have developed characters, detailed descriptions and an interesting premise. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for this arc of #curseofthespecterqueen to read and review—all opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I apologize but I was not able to finish this book. I was in a different headspace at the time of requesting / recieving this book and the time I got it.

Was this review helpful?

If you've ever wanted to go on a treasure hunt, this book is for you. In this book, Samantha discovers the cipher that leads to the cursed jade statue that might bring an end to all life on Earth. This is the beginning of a series, therefore it's fast-paced.

Was this review helpful?

This was a gender-bending Indiana Jones set during the 1920s. There is magic, romance, and adventure! The story is very fast-paced! Samantha is a charming character! I hope there is more to come in this series! I recommend this for fans of Jaya Jones!

Was this review helpful?

#Curse of the Spector Queen is by # Jenny Elder Moke. This adventure is a Indiana Jones refresh, set in the 1920s. Her first in a brand new series. It's about a epic journey and romance. Filled with curses, twists, and just a fun story!! 💜🐾🐾
Thank you for the advance copy,
#Netgalley, #Jenny Elder, and #Disney Publishing Worldwide

Was this review helpful?

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! This 1920s-set, YA historical fantasy takes readers on an archaeological adventure, full ciphers, artifacts, secret societies, ancient mysteries, and Celtic mythology.

It got off to a great start with Sam working in an antique bookstore. After a mysterious diary is delivered to the bookstore, followed by dangerous men hunting the book, Sam flees from Chicago to Ireland with her estranged best friend, Joana, and Jo’s older brother, Bennet, in search of Bennet’s Professor and answers about the deadly curse of the Specter Queen described in the book.

Some elements of the plot were predictable, but one major twist completely took me by surprise. I really loved the characters in this book, especially clever, brave Sam. I thought her reconciliation with Jo was portrayed realistically, and her slow burn with her childhood crush and best friend’s brother was really sweet. There was an unnecessary love triangle that didn’t add much to the plot, but it wasn’t a huge focus of the book.

Even though the characters and older teens and a college student, it reads like lower YA/upper MG. This book might not blow your mind, but it’s very entertaining if you enter with the right expectations. I will be picking up the sequel when it comes out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted eARC.

Was this review helpful?

This was much more entertaining that I expected. The writing style has such a bouncy vibe. I really enjoyed it. The cover looks kind of made on a home computer by someone who is newish at graphic design. It is just a bit cluttered.

Was this review helpful?

Curse of the specter queen by Jenny Elder Moke was such a great first book in a new series! I finally after a year of it being out finally got around to reading this one and thank god I did because it was really good! This reminds me of clue and national treasure! I loved how brave and snarky both of our main female characters are espcially jonanna! But we follow our main character name samantha knox and she gets forced out of her bookshop because of the guys burning it down for a journal that contian magical powers so she travels to ierland and with her crush they are hunting down this journal. To stop them sam must solve this crazy clue that their grandfather have left and it was a crazy adventure of a novel! Four out of five stars

Was this review helpful?

This title was not for me. Although the writing and story are great, I just couldn't seem to stay interested in it. It was easy for me to put down and forget about.

Was this review helpful?

Indiana Jones mixed with Evie from The Mummy sums this book up perfectly.
Add in a cinnamon roll boy and a outspoken girl and you got the full story.

Was this review helpful?

Love this one! The premise is unique, different from a lot of the popular YA, but stil exciting! Samantha was relatable and I was invested in what was going to happen to her. I loved the time period the book is set in. It also had the perfect dash of romance mixed in with the adventure and mystery. I can't wait to read the second book!!

Was this review helpful?

This was a fun read. I liked the premise of a female Sherlock Holmes. I also loved how being a woman limited the character and how that was acknowledged and dealt with.

Was this review helpful?