"It's important to know where we came from, of course, but we should also recognize how we can be better. Sometimes to preserve the past, you have to change the future. "

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Content Warnings: human sacrifice, fire, death/murder

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Curse of the Specter Queen is a 1920s historical mystery inspired by Indiana Jones! In book one of this series, we follow Samantha Knox, a young woman working at an antique bookshop in a rural town. This life may sound peaceful, but it is almost immediately uprooted by an ancient book sent to her shop with no return address. The mysteries inside lead Sam, her ex-best friend Joana, and Joana's older brother Bennett on a desperate race to unlock before their lives or the world itself could be lost forever.

Truthfully, I imagined that this would be a three star read for me, as I mostly only watched all the Indiana Jones movies because my dad loved them. I was incredibly mistaken, and Curse of the Specter Queen ended up being one of my most surprising reads of 2021 so far! Sam, Joana, and Bennett are each such hilarious, lovely, and multi-faceted characters, and I would read 300 pages of them going grocery shopping and still be thoroughly entertained by their antics. Although the antagonist was so easy to spot, it was still interesting to see how the plot twist played out, and this book pulled no punches with finding ways to hurt me emotionally. I feel like I highlighted half the book with lines that made me laugh, smile, or desperate for more.

I will absolutely continue this series if more books arrive, as well as any books by this lovely author! I would recommend this story to anyone who is a fan of 1920s historical fiction with supernatural/fantasy/mythology elements included, fans of Indiana Jones, or just fans of amazing characters in general!

I loved the idea of this book--how it was described as a "gender flipped Indiana Jones," Celtic mythology, cyphers, adventures, and the occult. However, the overall book didn't quite meet my expectations. I found the writing to be a little bit juvenile. The characters were a bit scattered for my tastes--Bennett was a big snob and Joana was a floozy. The adventure with the book and the cypher is so broken up by the group arguing about the girls not going with and getting turned around that its a huge distraction to the overall story. Or that's my opinion, at least. I thought this had so much potential and I did really enjoy some parts of it. I do wish that there were more books out there in this setting and with this tone of adventure.

I'm a big fan of this author, and when I saw the synopsis of a female Indiana Jones in Ireland, I was all in. If you like The Mummy and or Pirates of the Caribbean for their adventure/romantic subplots you'll like this story. It's one of the books I am truly looking forward to discussing with teens this year.

This book had so much potential for me, I was so ready for a Mummy-style adventure novel, but unfortunately it just didn't live up to that. I really liked our heroine, Sam, but the supporting characters just didn't do it for me. Especially her love interest, Bennett. He didn't seem to find Sam capable of anything, and was always speaking over her or not giving her any credit. I don't think I'll be picking up any of the other books in this series.

I had never read a book by Jenny Elder Moke prior to reading Curse of the Specter Queen so I wasn’t sure what to expect with her writing style. I can now say that I will gladly pick up other books by Moke. Her writing was fluid, the storyline moved at a smooth pace, and her character development was on point. I loved the way she wove the characters back stories into their current predicaments. The story gave off Indiana Jones vibes if Indy was female. I’m happy to see that this book was listed as Samantha Knox #1 because I would love to read more about Sam, Bennet, and Jo. All in all, a very well written book.

*2.5*
I was actually really excited about the premise of this book - Indiana Jones meets Tomb Raider meets Ancient Celtic Mythology? yes please. However, the book fell pretty flat. I feel like it's actually more children's fiction marketed as YA. There are some "older"(more adult) scenes throughout (ie. death/sacrifice) but the style of writing is not very complex and pretty surface-level. Characters were flat and their character traits all seemed to mush in my head to the point where I kept forgetting who was who. Events occur in the story with little context or reaction - all in all makes it very difficult to form any sort of emotional ties whatsoever. There is some aspect of a treasure hunt/chase but it's so predictable that you might as well just skip the entire section. It was difficult to want to keep reading, because you already know what's going to happen. Maybe this is a book I would have liked when I was 12, but for YA it disappoints. Too bad, because I'd love a good Indiana Jones-style adventure/romance novel.

Thank you to Disney Hyperion and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sam Knox has always dreamed of adventure. Cyphers, scavenger hunts, and found pieces of history are the stuff of her dreams. When an adventure of this caliber crashes into her life(and burns down her antique bookshop) she takes off on a unique quest with her childhood friends. Aboard trains, cars, and boats Sam and her friends are Ireland bound in hopes of helping a college professor and archeologist unearth the secrets of a curse foretold.by ancient druids. Can Sam, Jo, and Bennet evade those hunting them and the journal they have in their possession? And is there any merit to the curse of the spectre queen?

With Jungle Cruise coming out soon(I am SO pumped!) this book seemed like the perfect read to set the mood. Disney Hyperion rarely disappoints and this novel fell right into that category along with Lore and Go The Distance. This story gives me massive Jumanji board game vibes with some Indiana Jones puzzle solving and action. All the characters have a great story told throughout the novel, and none of the pages felt wasted or drawn out. If I give you much more information I would spoil great moments of the book, just know if you like Jumanji/Indiana Jones vibes you'll enjoy this novel.

Five stars from me for this quick read. I recommend this for anyone 12+ and look forward to seeing what shenanigans Sam, Jo and Bennet get into in later adventures.

This was such an interesting and captivating book and I absolutely loved it. The adventure aspect was pure perfection.

Curse of the Specter Queen was such a blast! I got sucked in right from the beginning and couldn't stop until I finished it. It was so much fun!

Sam lives a quiet life. She works in a small bookshop full of antique books and she repairs them. One day, she gets a mysterious package in the mail...an old diary that she believes she must repair. After she returns to her bookshop that has been robbed and gone up in flames, Sam is thrust into the mystery of this diary, along with her childhood best friends. Together, they travel from Chicago to Dublin to discover the secret of this diary, and later, to stop the curse of the specter queen.

The characters in this book were so much fun. I loved Sam so much, and watching her grow was awesome. Joanna, her best friend, is so spunky and bizarre and teens will love reading about her. Joanna's brother, Bennett, rounds out their group, along with his friend Philip, and all of them have something to add to the group dynamic as they adventure throughout the story. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept coming. I thought I could set the book down for a little bit, but I had to keep going.

I loved doing some research into the time period too, and I loved reading more (from my research) about the discovery of King Tut's tomb because it was such a big deal when it was discovered. This was such a great book for my history, adventure, and mystery loving heart.

Thank you to Disney-Hyperion and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to review this title.

I really wanted to love The Curse of the Specter Queen. Sam sounded like a perfect protagonist, a nerdy girl who loves restoring old books and deciphering clues. Throw in an ancient curse and what could go wrong?

Unfortunately, I just couldn't seem to engage much with the story or the characters. Sam was an fair character but she just didn't have much depth, beyond her archetypical quiet, intelligent, bookish traits. Bennett, the male lead, is portrayed sympathetically as a protective figure who just cares too much about the people he loves, but I was put off by his constant underestimation of Sam's intelligence and constant attempts to control her and his sister. Joana, the best friend, also came across as one-dimensional, ultimately not rising much beyond a "party girl" stereotype. I thought setting the book in the 1920s was a brilliant and well-executed choice, but I didn't feel that the characters rose to match their rich surroundings.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was an amazing story that I absolutely adored! It was an amazing fantasy with great worldbuilding and mythology that was amazingly done! It had a very interesting story with a very Indiana Jones-like feeling to it. It was a very interesting, fun story with a nice plot twist at the end that was a bit obvious, but still a nice add in. I also really liked the Celtic mythology that was put in there. It was a well done story that was amazing. I definitely recommend if you enjoy adventure movies like Indiana Jones. 4/5 stars.

A mesmerizing mystery…
The Curse of the Specter Queen (A Samantha Knox Novel Volume 1) by Jenny Elder Moke is a cloak and dagger mystery set in the roaring 20’s. Samantha’s humble existence does not preclude her from growing up best friends with Joanna Steeling and her older brother Bennett, heirs to the Steeling fortune. Sam’s intelligence and gift at solving complex, cryptic puzzles and treasure hunts, created by Mr. Steeling, kept them quite engaged and nurtured dreams of going off together and becoming great archeologists. After the death her father fighting during WWI, real world realities tie her back to life in Clement, Il., helping her mother on the farm while managing and restoring rare books in Mr. Steeling’s bookstore. But, an unexpected delivery of a strange and archaic diary sets in motion an adventure that will bring the three friends back together, taking their skills and teamwork to a whole new, life-threatening level.

Jenny’s new teen/YA series kicks off with a bang with the release of Curse of the Specter Queen. This wonderfully engaging and captivating mystery hooks you from page one and takes you on a heart pumping ride to the end. Sam, Joanna, and Bennett are a unique yet compatible trio with complex dynamics that add a very interpersonal interaction, conflict, and growth to multi-faceted riddle, reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code. The attention to detail in the setting and dialogue transports the reader to the height of the roaring ’20s and gives the book a wonderful atmosphere as the characters travel from rural Illinois, to bustling Chicago, and on to historic Dublin in a quest that could result in the end of the world if they fail.

I am a big fan of historical stories that are entertaining for all ages. Jenny Elder Moke’s Curse of the Spector Queen gets on both accounts. Her concurrent plots give the story both an interpersonal aspect as well as high-paced suspense. Both build wonderfully with twists and turns that are surprising and effective in taking this story to its amazing end. Knowing that this is a Disney published book, I would expect to see more of Samantha Knox in the future and maybe even an adaptation to screen.

I was so bored. So very, very bored. The only reason I didn't DNF is because of Netgalley. I really push hard to read all the ARCs I request in their entirety. Even if I'm not into it at all.

I don't get it. How was a female Indiana Jones twist set in Ireland so dull? I couldn't connect with the characters, the plot, the setting, or this mysterious curse. Most likely due to everything not being fully fleshed out, the flat characters, and the fact that I still have no idea what this Specter Queen was supposed to do once she was released. It was hard to follow and I found myself skimming full pages of seemingly non-relevant info.

Wasn't a pleasant reading experience, wouldn't recommend it, and I'm disappointed. I was going to give it 2 stars because it's honestly not the worst thing I've ever read, but I think I like this less than my 2 star books. This is probably a 1.5 for me rounded down.

I have been looking forward to reading this book since I first heard about it, and I’m so glad I did! What an absolute ride this was, so much fun to read. I absolutely love that it’s set in the 1920s, as I am a sucker for that time period, and you definitely would have a different story if it were set in the present (I mean, transportation and communications alone are so wildly different now). I loved the interplay between lifelong friends Sam, Joana, and Bennett, and there was just the right dash of romance amidst all the mystery and adventure. I just had a rollicking good time while reading this! I will absolutely be picking up a second Samantha Knox Adventure, and would highly recommend CURSE OF THE SPECTER QUEEN to anyone who enjoys Indiana Jones, The Librarians, Tomb Raider, and the like. Pick this one up, you won’t regret it!

RATING: 4 stars!

**Disclosure: I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review of the book.

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Curse of the Specter Queen is an YA Archaeological Adventure story set in the 1920s, written by Jenny Elder Moke, author of Hood.

Samantha Knox works at an antique bookshop where she repairs damaged books. She receives an extra-special volume one day from the Professor of a childhood friend, Bennett. The diary is said to contain secrets to an occult ritual that could possibly raise the Morrigan, a goddess from Celtic folklore said to be a harbinger of war and death.

Sam doesn't think too much of the diary at first, but when dangerous men break into her shop looking for it, she begins to realize its greatly powerful value. Pairing up with her estranged best friend, Joana, and Joana's brother, Bennett, Sam flees from Illinois to Ireland in order to reunite with the Professor and try to solve the mystery of the diary. Of utmost importance, is keeping the diary out of the hands of any evil-doers who may be seeking it for their own diabolical purposes.

On the steamer journey from New York to Ireland, Sam, Joana and Bennett meet up with Philip, a classmate of Bennett's, and the four spend the trip chumming around, bickering and trying to decipher the message they found hidden within the diary. It is clear after someone breaks into Sam's room that the villains are still hot on their trail.

Once the foursome arrive in Ireland the stakes get higher as they come into contact with even more individuals seeking the diary. It's a race against time as Sam and friends try to decipher the clues and prevent the baddies from summoning the Morrigan.

This was a fun story. It took me a long time to read it, I'm not really sure why, but upon reflection I don't think it was the book's fault. I enjoyed watching Sam decipher the clues. It was nice to have a heroine use her mind as her number weapon, versus swords and fists.

At times, I felt like the characters were a little lackluster, but overall, it was a compelling adventure. The ending definitely leads me to believe there may be further books in this world. I would definitely be willing to pick up more stories featuring Sam as a protagonist. While she did gain a lot of self-confidence over the course of this story, I think there is still so much more room for her to grow.

If you are interested in ancient Celtic folklore, legends, archaeological artifacts, ciphers, books featuring books and mysterious orders, you should absolutely check this one out. It may be the perfect adventure for you!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney-Hyperion, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I appreciate the opportunity and hope to see more Samantha Knox in the future!

Such a fun read. I loved the ciphers and clues as our heroine goes on her adventure. Slow burn romance as well. It was exactly what I have been looking for. A women Indiana Jones.

3.5 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This was a pretty good YA Fantasy book. There is also a mix of Historical Fiction and Mystery/Thriller in the book, so it's a bit hard to categorize. There is plenty of action, elements of mythology and magic, with a touch of romance thrown in. It's quite a mish mash.

Samantha Fox is a young woman with plans of archeological adventures until her father dies during WWI. She now lives a solitary life running an antique bookshop, restoring and selling books. One day a mysterious damaged book appears and before she's had a chance to thoroughly examine it, some ruthless men appear intent on getting the book back. The bookshop is engulfed in flames and Sam, her former best friend and her schoolgirl crush set out on an adventure that will take them to Dublin, Ireland to stop an ancient order intent on raising the Specter Queen, who wants to wage war and destroy everything and everyone.

The book is is a quick and easy read. There were a few places that dragged a bit, but it was a fun read. You definitely have to suspend belief when you read it because the group tends to solve problems just in the nick of time and easily squeak out of trouble without injury. Samantha was a fairly well-formed character, but the rest of the characters in the book were pretty one-dimensional, especially her crush. Despite evidence that Sam and her best friend (his sister) are quite smart and capable, he routinely scolds them for taking action and demands that it's his "job" to protect them and dictate their actions. That got old real quick. Because this is a YA book, the "romance" is very chaste and the violence is more inferred than explicitly described. Overall this is a fun, quick, easy read, but it's probably not one that you will remember a month after you read it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion. All opinions are my own.

A really fun read. 1920s Illinois, then a train ride and ocean voyage to Ireland! Archaeology, rare books, fun rich friends, treasure hunts, some mysterious monks, and acquaintances that aren't what they seem!

Can I just say how much I love the idea of a female Indiana Jones? Like, I'd buy every book with the theme of an ancient curse, a clever and intuitive group of protagonists.

When Sam Knox is given a strange diary to restore, she finds herself on the run from a group of men who burn down her bookstore. She escapes and finds, childhood crush, Bennett, and his sister Jo and together they decipher the diary to discover something much more dangerous than they imagined.

What I loved:

1. The writing: Jenny Elder Moke has a way with words that should put us all to shame. I love her style and the voice of her characters.

2. The characters: all unique in their way and vital to the story. Sam is our main character, but we also get reckless Jo, her former friend, and crush, Bennett who I just wanted to squeeze.

3. The setting: 1920's Ireland! Ireland is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD so being on this journey through some of the most wondrous areas I've visited was amazing. I could picture the train scenes in my head as a feature film and promptly swooned. Ugh, if only readers could vote on which books were made into movies. Sigh

Everything about this book is perfect. The story is perfect. The characters are perfect. They now live in my head in their perfect state.

Thank you Disney for the e-arc for the book tour and Netgalley for providing it.

Title: Curse of the Specter Queen
Author: Jenny Elder Moke
Pub. Date: June 1, 2021
Rating: 5

This will be a spoiler free review. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I switched between reading the eARC and listening to the audiobook via Audible.

I went in with very few expectations. A friend read it and loved it, so I was looking forward to it. But I’d requested it so long ago, I didn’t really remember what it was about, so I dove in kind of blind. Then I fell in love.
I fucking loved this book so much. It was so good, so engaging and captivating – I never wanted it to end. Thank goodness it’s the first in a series, because I love these characters so much and I’m not ready to give them up yet. I’m already hating having to wait for the second book because I’m impatient and ready to get back to these characters. I can’t wait to see what journey they go on next.

I’m a sucker for Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, National Treasure…hell, The Mummy (and I’m sure I’m missing a few) – give me explorers (unwitting or not – doesn’t matter) and put them on a journey to discover long lost secrets – I’m sold. If they wake up some evil spirits along the way – even better. I just want drama, action, adventure and if two characters fall in love along the way…well…you won’t see me complaining.

I started this book and didn’t stop until I was done – well, I had to drive home, but that doesn’t count. It didn’t matter if co-workers wanted to talk to me, I ignored them. Didn’t matter that I had other things to do after work – I ignored them. I was so engrossed with Sam, Bennett and Joana – they complimented each other so well. Their dynamic was fantastic. They’re estranged childhood friends and they end up on this crazy adventure together. Kind of made me jealous, to be honest lol.

They all have different strengths and work so well together as a team. Watching them grow closer, feeling emerge and letting actions speak louder than words made for such a good story. I loved that even though Sam came from a different background than both Bennett and Joana, they accepted her for who she is. Sam’s been through a lot, she’s suffered, but it doesn’t stop her – not really. Her passions are redirected but never fully gone.
I was also pretty much sunk over Bennett the moment he was introduced. But who wasn’t?
I lowkey wasn’t sure how Joana’s arc was going to play out, but I loved that she was the absolute chaos to Sam’s reservation. They are a perfect duo.

And then Bennett tempers both of them, when Joana pulls them into crazy schemes – I love it.
As for the other handful of characters that share significant page time – I loved them. So, imagine my surprise when it’s revealed who is behind the conflict in the book! I was so surprise and it worked so well. I loved it.

But Sam was definitely the star of the show. I loved her so much. The growth she goes through in this book – it’s amazing. It’s so satisfying. I also really loved that she’s accepted for who she is. She’s incredibly smart and capable. She’s a badass who knows how to get out of a tight spot. She thinks on her feet, doesn’t waste time and is deeply loyal for those she cares about. Her relationship with Joana felt so real and relatable.

I feel like all I’ve done in this review is say that I loved the book – and I did lol. But I don’t feel like I have words to describe it. It was just a fantastic read and I fell head over heels for it. There wasn’t a moment I didn’t enjoy. I was swept away by this book that has some very cinematic moments. It played like aa movie in my head, and I just absolutely thoroughly enjoyed it. I honestly can’t recommend this book enough, add it to your TBRs if you just want to get swept away on an adventure for a little while.