The Review

A thrilling adventure that blends the action and historical aspects of Indiana Jones with the emotional storytelling of the YA genre, this book excels at highlighting the historical fiction aspect that has made archeology the perfect pairing with action and adventure. As a longtime fan of history and culture, I loved the exploration of Ireland, namely things like the Druids and Morrigan. The blend of history with fantasy and sci-fi elements made this story feel both classic and fresh all at once.

The character development in this book is the heart of this story. From protagonist, Sam and her evolution from an emotionally scarred bookkeeper into a strong and resilient hero was fantastic to see unfold. While her relationships with her allies and against her enemies were powerful in so many ways, it was her friendship with Joana that really stood out to me. The contrast in these characters and their personalities and the evolution they undergo both emotionally and physically solidified the stakes of the novel and the hope their friendship brought Sam in order to face these threats head-on.

The Verdict

An adventurous, entertaining, and hauntingly-good action and historical fiction YA read, author Jenny Elder Moke’s “Curse of the Specter Queen” is a must-read book of 2021. The perfect blend of action, history, and fantasy, the story itself instantly draws readers in, and the characters are both relatable and inspiring to see tackle this narrative, making this the perfect summer YA read. Be sure to pick up your own copies today!

I loved this book! It was so good. There needs to be more adventure books in the YA genre and this one had so many things going for it.

1) It was set in the 1920s and had all the ambiance and the fashion of that time period.
2) It involved cryptography.
3) It gave me all The Mummy feels, which is one of my favorite movies and I need more books that are basically this movie.
4) There is the adventurous, humorous best friend and her older brother (i.e. childhood crush of our MC).
5) It's set in Ireland and the characters have to stop a group from enacting a Celtic Curse.
6) The MC is a book lover!

I read this book in a day and I have no regrets. I cannot wait to continue the series and see what more adventures our characters go on and hopefully I get to see a lot more romance in the story as well. That would just be icing on the cake.

Thank you to Netgalley and Disney for giving me an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

set in the wake of world war i, curse of the specter queen finds samantha knox in the antique bookstore where she’s found shelter and stability since her father passed. the arrival of a mysterious diary upsets the quiet life she’s built for herself, sending her on a whirlwind adventure from illinois to ireland with her ex-best friend and childhood crush.

i wanted to love this—sam, jo, and bennett were a fun trio, the 1920s aesthetics were delightful, and bookish nerds falling in love is always cute—but the mystery was just so predictable and it wasn’t entertaining enough to make up for that fact. i saw every “twist” coming a mile away and there were so many plot conveniences. so many. they spent the entire novel being reckless and dumb, and then the clues just fell right into their laps anyway. it isn’t a bad story, just underwhelming. i think it might translate better on screen than it does on page, honestly.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Action, adventure, just the description had me hooked!! An Indiana Jones meets National Treasurer - sign me up!!

This is a story about Samantha Knox, a teenager who runs a bookstore and restores old books. A strange diary gets sent to the store and Sam takes it to the book store owners home, when she returns to the store she notices that she is not alone. Two men out to steal the diary end up setting the book store on fire and destroying everything there.

Using Clues as to why the men are after the diary, Sam, her best friend and her brother set sail for Ireland to return the diary to the Professor who sent it. Sam and her friends must decipher the clues and to stop the Specter Queen from rising.

Great little story that keeps you guessing on who you can trust. Perfect for high school age reader and up! Full of details and lots of twists! And that caver is beautiful!!

After her father's death in the Great War, Samantha Knox gave up dreams of archaeological adventure and stayed in the antique bookshop where she works. A mysterious package changes all that, as men arrive intent on stealing the damaged diary. Sam, her best friend, and her childhood crush embark on an adventure revealing an order intent on performing an occult ritual that will raise the Specter Queen, the Celtic goddess of vengeance and death. Sam must solve a complex cipher to find the relic needed for the ritual before the order can incite the biggest war the world has ever seen.

Curse of the Specter Queen is a 1920's era mystery and adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones with a woman as the lead. Sam is intrigued by puzzles and codes, though she hasn't participated in that since her father's death. She buried herself in her work and has few relationships. The best friends she used to have grew distant, but the mysterious diary and the men pursuing it burning down the bookshop forces them all back together. It's a fun puzzle of language, history, and the threat of danger as everyone moves from Chicago to New York to Dublin.

While we have a slow start, learning more about Sam, Jo, and Bennett, as well as the people they meet along the way, the tale picks up speed after the halfway mark and especially in the final third. That's when we truly get the Indiana Jones feel to the novel. Sam is the one able to connect the dots, and the men wind up following her lead. The magic and curse that they fear are more than just a story... Think Raiders of the Lost Ark, where you go along with the characters thinking it's a myth only to find out that there is truth behind it as well. I would love to see this continue as a series.

A novel in the same vein as Indiana Jones and the mummy films, this adventure read keeps you in the edge of your seat as you follow Sam in solving the mystery of the diary sent to her bookstore she runs.

If you’re itching for mystery, adventure, and a little bit of romance, then this book is a good read for you! I hope to read more of these Samantha Knox novels and see what next mystery she solves!

When I saw the cover of this novel, I just had to click on it! After seeing Disney published it, I just knew I had to read it. This is a 1920's archaeological exploration in Ireland. Although the plot is super predictable, I enjoyed the flow of the storyline. Sam is one of those characters that I feel people will either love or hate with no in-between. The historical parts of this book would have to be my favorite. As a historical lover, I learned a lot from this novel that I just had to research more about. Another reviewer said it is an Indiana Jones meets National Treasure. Although both are good comparisons, I found this book to remind me of a wishbone episode, which brought back good childhood memories. This is a quick, easy read and leaves a lot to question so that future books could be written.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Disney-Hyperion for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Happy Pub Day to Curse of the Specter Queen! And thank you to @netgalley and @disneybooks for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, what a ride! This book was crazy and fun and creepy and adventurous. Think Indiana Jones, except with a young female lead, and a cursed treasure hunt in the remote hills outside of Dublin.

There is a mystery to be solved after a worn diary is sent to the shop where Sam works restoring antique books. She finds herself caught up in an archeological search that will not only take her out of her small town for the first time ever, but plunge her into a world of ciphers and riddles.

I enjoyed this read, though I will say there were elements that let me down. As the book went along, I felt like the storyline became a little more random than intentional and intriguing. The characters felt younger and more immature to me as the story progressed and I felt like the action played out too quickly near the end of the book. There were plenty of parts that weren't super believable, but we're dealing with mystical creatures and a centuries old curse, so you can't expect too much realism in that department, right? This read was also definitely creepier than I expected it to be with some very eery curses and haunted areas of Dublin, but it was a wild ride that definitely keeps your attention! I felt a little let down because I was SO amped by the plot description, but overall it was still a unique and engaging read that kept me reading to find out what would happen next.

Pick this one up if you'd like a YA mystery with some real creepy scares and plenty of twists and turns in the foothills of Ireland!

The way this story got started was a little slow, as we get introduced to Sam and her backstory. We have a short prologue talking about her love for mysteries and archeological adventures, until her father doesn't return from war, leaving her and her mother to fend for themselves. When we're first introduced to Sam, she's very reclusive and serious. She thinks about the fun she had with the adventures set up by her friend's father, but is uncomfortable spending time with them as she doesn't want them to think she's taking advantage of their kindness, especially since she works in their father's store. 

It's only when a mysterious package with an old diary shows up that she gets the courage to find Bennett to ask him about it and finds herself back with Bennett and Joana. And when two mysterious monks destroy the antique bookstore and burn it down trying to find the diary, things get intense. Like, stealing a car to catch a train because something very strange is going on, intense. 

I wasn't a fan of Sam, personality wise, at first. But when we have our golden trio, her personality shines. Joana, our kleptomaniac, adventurous flapper girl is the charismatic girl who's not afraid to do what needs to be done to get what she wants. Bennett, her scholarly brother, is the smart, responsible one with knowledge on history and ancient languages. Then we have Sam, the curious and determined hunter of clues and unafraid to get down and dirty to find the answers she's looking for. All together, we have our treasure hunters and our main protagonists. And they fed off each other so well! On their own, they have their issues, but as a group, you can't find a better trio. 

While Bennett is kind of a hard ass at first, his character began to grow on me by the end. It's clear why Sam has a crush on him, not only cause he's attractive, but he's a kind, caring person who wants to keep everyone safe and happy. Even if it means being the buzzkill and overprotective. He likes to take charge and wants everyone to listen to him to keep everyone in line and safe. Even if it comes across pretty poorly, especially at first. He's kind of bossy. 

And Sam is fine listening to him, because she agrees he just wants the best for everyone. But it was irritating having her follow his every whim. Poor Joana was screaming at a brick wall to get her to move sometimes. It wasn't until she finally got a back bone and some confidence that Sam's character fully opened up. 

In terms of the plot, I loved the opening setting of rural Illinois, in the early 1920's! We get to see a sprinkle of Chicago, explore the U.S.S. Olympic (sister ship of the Titanic), and see Dublin and the Irish countryside. This book has some beautiful imagery and even though it can quickly turn terrifying, I thought the scenery, the plot, and the main conflict of this story was so good!

And there are definitely some twists in here. Honestly, I didn't even realize where this conflict was heading until it was revealed and I felt so stupid I didn't see the signs right in front of me. The author takes great care in laying down the foundation so she can surprise you later on. 

Sam, Joana, and Bennett's exploration and attempt to stop the revival of the Spector Queen was such a good story. Add in the timeframe, 1920's, the fantastical elements, and some great humor, and this book was a winner for me. I can't wait to read more of this series and you should definitely pick up a copy today!

Samantha Knox was resigned to her quiet life in the antique bookstore she ran. It wasn’t the adventurous life she dreamed of as a child as painful events stole her dreams, but the arrival of a mysterious diary could unravel a mystery she could only dream of solving, if she survives.

CURSE OF THE SPECTER QUEEN by Jenny Elder Moke is an incredible journey into a world of magic, mystery and mayhem that kept me glued to each page, and steeped in each scene! Rich in detail, filled with puzzles to solve, curses and unimaginable twists, I was at a loss to fill in the blanks myself!

Fabulous writing that keeps each page alive, just a hint of romance and the true tests of friendships, this is a highly recommended read for young adults on up!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Disney Hyperion! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

If you were a fan of The Young Indiana Jones TV series, this book is for you. It's all the adrenaline, cleverness, and quip of that series, but with some badass women at the helm.

1920s got you down? You don't love all the macho mansplaining? Do you like an ensemble cast of fun, wild, clever, and capable people? You need this book.

The adventure kept me on my toes and had me coming back to it with a sense of urgency bordering on obsession. I needed to know who the voice was and why. I got so committed to the plot at one point that I was yelling at the pages: "It's *******, turn around!!!" (No spoilers here).

It was a neat adventure that I would recommend to teens trying to figure out if there is excitement in archeology. This book absolutely reminds us that history and knowledge have power and should be revered and a little feared.

If this is a series I would love to revisit these characters and see what other trouble they can get in and out of.

Curse of the Specter Queen can be described extremely simplistically as a fun read. I love, and actually recently watched, Brendan Fraser’s version of The Mummy, so I was in the perfect mood to read this story as it has a very similar entertainment vibe. The novel is described as a mix of The Mummy, Indiana Jones, and National Treasure and it definitely fits the tale. The story also does a great job of making the reader understand that it is set in the 1920s without explicitly stated in the chapters. The characters, their interactions, and the general setting fit the time period very well. As this is most likely going to be a series, I cannot wait to see where the author takes it, as I will gladly read every novel.

The story centers on Samantha (“Sam”) Knox, who works at the Steelings’ bookshop where she repairs antique books. She loved puzzles and dreamed of being a treasure hunter/archeologist when she was a child. Her dreams were shattered after learning her father died as a soldier in the Great War and she began distancing herself from everything and everyone. One day she receives a mysterious book that leads her to reunite with the Steeling siblings and an

Bennett Steeling is Sam’s crush since childhood and although he has always been there for Sam, he has never revealed any romantic feelings. He acts as the protector of Sam and Jo on their adventure, which can appear controlling at times, but also seemed to fit the characteristics of the time period. He shared Sam’s love of puzzles and treasure hunting, so it was very entertaining to read the two of them trying to figure out the many puzzles along the way.

Joana (“Jo”) Steeling is the estranged best friend of Sam and Bennett’s younger sister. Sam and she had a falling out shortly after the death of Sam’s father, but that never stopped her caring for Sam and wanting to be close again. As the three of them become entangled in the adventure, Jo and Sam try to work through their past to hopefully fix their relationship for a brighter future. Jo’s character may not be the same puzzle-solving type as Bennett or Sam, but she brings her own resourcefulness to the story. She provides a nice balance to Bennett and Sam.

The plot centers on a mysterious diary containing a 200-year-old letter that can lead to the awakening of the Specter Queen. Her “tomb” is just outside Dublin, Ireland, where the characters must travel in order to save the world. Starting in Clement, Illinois (a small town outside of Chicago), the journey leads first to Chicago, then New York, followed by Ireland. Along the way, they face many dangers and meet some new characters that may be friends or foes as they try to locate the mysterious relic mentioned in the diary. There are twists in this story that were either predictable or hinted at, but I did not mind, as I was happy enough to continue reading their entertaining adventure. Others might want more “shock” in some of the twists, but, for me, it worked well in the story.

There is a slight campiness to the overall feel of the story without actually being campy and I loved that it was somehow still light-hearted even though there were many serious moments. While the pacing towards the end felt too fast at times, it did add to the urgency of the situation the characters were in at the time. While reading each part, the reader is essentially placed in the character’s minds where there is a sense of urgency and one event leads immediately to the next with no time to process everything. I am not sure if this was intentional, but it is how my mind interpreted the pacing choices.

Overall, this story delivers what was promised which was a fun adventure fitting of inspiration from multiple adventure media. Although I did not fully bond with the characters, there is enough there that I can see getting to know them more in the next novel in the series. I loved that the story took place in Ireland instead of using Egypt or another location typically used in these stories as it gave it a unique spin. The novel was captivating and entertaining, as I did not want to put it down. Although a part of a series, this novel could be read as a standalone. For me, I cannot wait for more novels in this series to be released, as I loved the adventure and mystery.

**I want to give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Disney-Hyperion (Disney Publishing Worldwide), for a review copy of this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Releases June 1, 2021

I received an ARC of Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb thanks to Goodreads:

“MAY THE HAZEL BRING YOU WISDOM AND THE ASPEN GUIDE AND PROTECT YOU…

Samantha Knox put away her childish fantasies of archaeological adventure the day her father didn’t return home from the Great War, retreating to the safety of the antique bookshop where she works. But when a mysterious package arrives with a damaged diary inside, Sam’s peaceful life is obliterated. Ruthless men intent on reclaiming the diary are after Sam, setting her and her best friend, along with her childhood crush, on a high-stakes adventure that lands them in the green hills outside Dublin, Ireland. Here they discover an ancient order with a dark purpose – to perform an occult ritual that will raise the Specter Queen, the Celtic goddess of vengeance and death, to bring about a war unlike any the world has ever seen. To stop them, Sam must solve a deviously complex cipher – one that will lead her on a treasure hunt to discover the ancient relic at the heart of the ritual: a bowl carved from the tree of life. Will she find the bowl and stop the curse of the Specter Queen, or will the ancient order bring about the end of the world?

Indiana Jones gets a refresh with this female-driven mystery adventure, set in the 1920s, full of ciphers, ancient relics, and heart-stopping action – the first in a brand-new series!“

Review:

I really wanted to love Curse of the Specter Queen. I enjoyed the historical aspect and it was done in a way that told you the era without explicitly saying the 1920s. It was really interesting traveling with the characters at that time. However, the story itself I wasn’t a huge fan of. I loved the main characters. I loved the puzzle/adventure theme. National Treasure mixed with The Da Vinci Code vibes were great. But something just felt… off. I think it’s that the side characters were very similar and blended together, which made it difficult to really understand certain aspects in the last third. Or it may have just been the way I perceived them. I think this series will have a strong audience and I am planning on picking up the next book because I love Sam, Joana, and Bennett.

This book grabs you from the start and doesn't let go. I can't wait to recommend it as a great summer reading option this summer!

This was a book unlike any other I have read! The best and quickest way to sum it up is if a treasure hunt meets a mysterious curse: all wrapped up in a single book.

It started out pretty quick honestly. I want to say this book had slow spots, but looking back at it now -- none of the slow spots were agonizing. They all were vital to solving the mystery of the Specter Queen. They also did not make me want to take a break from reading.

The book starts out good with a mysterious, ancient book appearing at a young lady's book shop which just emitted a sense of wrongfulness. Then suddenly within a matter of a chapter or so, it is nothing but helter skelter. It started with the book which inadvertently caused a fire then there is a mad rush to catch a train going to New York which ends up with the three main characters arriving in Dublin. Then there is a group of Monastery Brothers who may or may not be the bad guys? At least that was my initial thought. Along with a brother and sister duo and a fellow classmate of the main character.

I honestly enjoyed reading this book, and I would gladly read it again. I enjoyed the three main characters so much and I loved all their personalities and friendships. Especially Sam and Bennett's relationship. I really enjoyed the sense that it seemed real compared to most Fantasy books where you can tell it is a whole new world or planet. I could really imagine something like this happening because it was not completely far-fetched in a sense. Unique is the best way I can describe it.

I can appreciate the backstory that the author created with Sam, along with the history of the Hellfire Club and Solas Fíor.

My reasoning for not giving 5 stars is simply because I feel the ending was a little shortcoming. You have 39 or so chapters building up with in-depth backstories flourishing along with plot twists and new discoveries and relationships and then suddenly the fight is over and the bowl is destroyed and it is done and they are home. I just would have liked a little more fight, followed by a little more of a comedown than what we received. Plus. it never hurts to at least attempt to save some of the characters who are on the brink of death.

Also, props to the author, Ms. Jenny Elder Moke, because I predicted who the bad guy was mid-way through the book only for me to end up doubting myself. In the end, I had been right, but I love when an author can make me doubt my prediction.

Overall, I would recommend this book!

Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke is a young adult fantasy that is sure to take the reader on an adventure. This book has all those elements, with a sprinkle of romance, a snarky and fun best friend, and a heroine who is beyond clever and adventurous. Curse of the Specter Queen was an absolutely fun read and I can't wait to see what's next for this author!

Set in the 1920's this book puts us on quite the adventure. Sam gets pulled into a quest she never thought she would be in or ever leave her small town in the Midwest. Well her brilliant mind takes her and her friends all the way to Dublin Ireland, by solving cypher's and codes, to track down a curse to bring on the war of all wars and to try and stop it. I enjoyed the character dynamics, resolutions and the twists of this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.

There was a lot I really enjoyed about this book! The writing was engaging and the descriptions made me feel as though I was there. I liked the characters and wanted to know them in real life because they were so interesting!

I requested this book from NetGalley because I enjoyed reading Hood by this author, and because I had seen this one compared to Indiana Jones. I didn’t read the synopsis or anything else about it, so I didn’t know that it dealt with the occult before I started it. So I spent the first half of the book reading carefully and hoping that I wouldn’t need to stop reading it because of my faith. I did read the whole book, and I enjoyed the story overall, but I did have a hard time with that aspect of the plot. I did appreciate that lines between good and evil are clearly drawn, and the evil was not glorified or idealized. I saw that there might be more stories about Sam, and I will definitely check them out if there are, as long as they don’t deal with demons like this one did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content:
Mild swearing
Storyline that deals with the occult

Curse of the Spector Queen is a hidden gem I wasn't expecting to love as much as I did! Set in the 1920s and pulling from so many different aspects - history, mythology, archeology - it's enough to keep anyone intrigued and wanting to read more. With lovable characters, strong friendships, and excellent world building the story gives you so much to love. I really did love the story showing us how strong women can be and not forgetting that men can still be present even then. Nothing felt sloppy or paced weird, definitely an enjoyable and intriguing read.

To give an idea of who would enjoy this story it is described as The Mummy meets Indiana Jones and National Treasure - and I would 100% say this fits the story. If you love any of those I suggest running out and grabbing The Curse of the Specter Queen on its release June 1st!

I loved this book so much. I finished it and one day and I want more of these characters. The mystery, history, and adventure of this book just kept going. The supernatural element and the hellfire club addition to the story was such an interesting element especially only knowing the English history of the club. I have would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good adventure, the 1920’s, and a little twist of supernatural