Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for a review!

This book was very much middle of the road to me in a lot of ways. It was well written, the adventure plot was engaging, and I was rooting for the romance of Ellie and Adam to get together. It was definitely a slowwwww burn which I enjoyed. I don't know if I'll be picking up the next book in the series, but I think I need to sit with this one a little longer before I decide.

Empire of Shadows is super fun! Ellie and Adam are great mc's, loved them so much. Adventure and action paired well with humor and relationship building. It had a really great balance. I love The Mummy and Indiana Jones, and this is a perfect addition to that genre. Can't wait for the next book!

My kind of story! Yes
In the last few months I've discovered that I love this kind of genre.

We have a combination of The Mummy, Indiana Jones and Uncharted vibes, so I want more, much more.

This book starts off slow, but you understand from the beginning thanks to the author's note that this story is a rewrite of a previous story by the author, but when the first few pages go by, everything picks up and when you feel like you're devouring the whole story in one sitting.

Here we meet Ellie, an aspiring archaeologist who, given the demands and prejudices of the time, is seen only as a secretary or typist and not as a potential researcher. In a march to achieve the vote in favor of women's suffrage, she is unfairly dismissed, that's when she finds some documents that give evidence to find an ancient city considered a legend: The Golden City, supposedly located between South and Central America, built by the ancient Mayan society.

She sets out on her quest, and that's where she meets Adam, our male protagonist. I love how the author has made it so that despite the characteristics instilled in the men of that time, he struggles to overcome them.

The fiery relationship that develops between the two of them as we continue on a quest through the legendary city, has given me all the movie I needed for the next few months, and to fight while the next book comes out.

It has been quite an adventure to finally get to know the author and I think I have done so with a spectacular story that appeals to my tastes as this type of story with that touch of historical fiction but mixed with other elements makes it so gripping for me that I read it in less than two days.

I must say that as someone coming from Central America, I loved that this is such a relevant focus in history.

Do I recommend this story? Super yes. You will find a story where you can't help but fall in love, shedding light on the female hindrance of the time to do what they want and limiting them to one role, colonialism, the theft of cultures and cultural preservation, the thirst to learn and fight for female and cultures right.

Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful ARC, and to the publisher, it has been a great treasure that you have granted me the opportunity to read.

Review on Goodreads on 03/29/2024

#RaidersoftheArcana #NetGalley

I uploaded my review to Goodreads. I will upload it to Amazon on release day.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jacquelyn Benson for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Empire of Shadows coming out April 2, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I love the Mummy, so I was hoping it would be a lot like that. It definitely had some Mummy vibes. I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was a great adventure. I think there was a lot of world building. At times, Ellie’s behavior and thinking felt a little too modern. Victorian times had a lot of changes, but she seemed to bring up things pertaining to our time now. I think I would’ve liked to see a little more magic. The romantic relationship seemed a little sudden. Hopefully the next book works out some of those things.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical adventures!

This book is a wonderful dip into the historical adventure genre, which is near and dear to my heart. The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star read for me was some of Ellie’s attitudes about gender politics felt too modern to me? This was purely personal preference, but having read a lot of historical romance, I feel like there’s a way to thread the needle between historical anachronism for the sake of modern sensibilities and something that takes readers out of the experience completely and that didn’t work for me here 100% of the time.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and the fantastical elements were really well done and sufficiently subtle to maintain the disbelief amid the rest of the jungle opera and adventuring. And my personal gripes aside, I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for the next instalment in the series.

I. Adored. This. Book. Full stop. I love archeology, specifically Mayan/South American archeology, and I just ate this story up. I love that the author built upon a few different well known myths, it made me feel like I was uncovering artifacts and knowledge right alongside the characters. The banter between ALL the characters felt perfect and there was a delightful little sprinkling of romance to carry you through, but you also couldn't forget about the very real threat that was following along with them. Everything about this world felt so lush and real, like I could reach out and touch it. I absolutely can't wait for the next book!

I knew I loved this book since I first saw the cover of it. 5 stars from me. This was so good. The plot, the story line, chef's kiss.

If you're like me and a huge fan of The Mummy, you'll adore this book! From the start we're introduced to Ellie outside parliament with the suffragette movement and we see bits of her life before the events through her activities and friendship with Constance after a rather calamitous day at the office and it really enamours you to her. She's fantastic and one my favourites from this year!

Bates first chapter and his subsequent introduction to Ellie was perfect in setting up his character and the two's relationship. Their banter throughout their journey was fantastic and Bates supporting Ellie's investigation into any interesting piece of history along the way. Both characters have their strengths and they both regularly have a chance to shine.

The conflict picks up later in the book as the two parties hunting for the city interact but the story is best when our duo are reunited and the trials they go through in the city was riveting. Overall, loved this book and the hints at a sequel through the plot were appreciated and I can't wait to read the Tomb of the Sun King. Thanks to Netgalley & Crimson Fox Publishing for the arc.

thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

at first, I was really excited to read this book because lately i've been getting more into history, archaeology, and ancient cities. i was hoping for an exciting adventure story about treasure-hunting, with a smart scholar fmc like emily wilde. but sadly, the book didn't live up to my expectations. the first half was good, but after that i started to lose interest. i just couldn't connect with the characters, especially ellie. i feel like the gender and feminism themes that the author tried to incorporate with her character just felt very shallow and surface level, it often left me feeling like she was annoying because she would often do and think things that i thought were very irrational.
overall, i can see why some people might like it, but it wasn't for me.

Oh what a fun read! Ellie the main female lead is a compelling character with real world issues but a level head on her shoulders and an iron will of perseverance. I really enjoyed her relationship and adventure alongside Adam, he was your more careless Casanova type. The setting, so rich and original, I haven't read anything like it before. It shines a light on Mayan and Aztec empires and includes plenty of Indiana Jones-esque type adventuring.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Jacquelyn Benson has been on my radar/TBR for years and I’m kicking myself now that I didn’t pick up anything by her sooner!

The book definitely evokes those classic adventure films like The Mummy and Indiana Jones. But unlike those it has a wonderful strong female lead. Having her be a suffragette was icing on the cake. Ellie definitely feels like a well rounded character with her flaws that she tries to work on that don’t detract from her many talents. I don’t feel as connected to Adam (the male lead) but that’s likely just a preference, he definitely has plenty of on page development and back story.

At times the book really reminded me of the classic film African Queen (minus the problematic stuff). The dynamic of the two leads bickering and adventuring on a boat really gave me those vibes. It also had me seeing Ellie as Katherine Hepburn which I’m not mad at. Overall I did think the relationship between the two leads was a good slow burn but I could always do with seeing more of their dynamic developing.

As the book progressed there was also a real cinematic feel to the story. Some of the mysteries of the story were very obvious and so it felt like the characters took too long to figure them out but I guess having an outside view of it all might make it seem that way. The dream stuff was most annoying to be as they took ages to make that connection. I was unable to put the book down for the last 30% I was so gripped to the action and finding out what happens.

Like I said this was my first Jacquelyn Benson but certainly won’t be my last. I will be impatiently waiting for the next in the Raiders of the Arcana series. I will also be reading her Charismatics as soon as I can.

4.5/5.0 Stars!

For fans of: The Mummy, adventure, hidden treasure, Atlantis, banter, Mesoamerican culture and history

Brief Summary: Ellie is a scholar, suffragette and aspiring archeologist. She finds herself on an exciting adventure in the jungle with an unlikely ally to find a lost city full of ancient treasure and historical knowledge.

I really enjoyed this book and am so thankful I was approved for an eARC because I'm not sure I would have heard of it otherwise. I loved the adventure and detail put into describing the history, language, mythology, culture and scenery. The atmosphere and plot drew me in to a fantastic Mesoamerican adventure.

The themes discussed were meaningful to me. For example, Women's rights (voting and power imbalance in marriage) and indigenous culture and rights with the disrespectful practices of treasure hunters and archeologists. The author explores the tension between wanting to uncover history with the risks of treasure hunters and appropriation/exploitation of the local descendants.

The main characters were multifaceted and likeable - the romance had a good build that was believable and satisfying. Some of the secondary characters were a little flat or hard to distinguish but I appreciated that the antagonists had a bit of dimension, although there is room to grow.

Overall this was a fun, educational and satisfying read! The ending is NOT on a cliffhanger (which I greatly appreciate) but there is room for additional adventure. I will definitely be continuing the series and recommending this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction/Fantasy!

Thank you NetGalley, Crimson Fox Publishing and the author Jacquelyn Benson for the ARC of this book!

A fun light hearted romp through the jungles of Honduras very much of the Indiana Jones/Amelia Peabody style with stereotypical characters. I enjoyed this! Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

This was a cute, fun and adventurous book! I liked the main characters a lot. Ellie was a spitfire and I admired her tenacity. Adam was a rough around the edges guide who showed some depth, too. While I enjoyed the overall storyline and it proved to be interesting, there were things that seemed a bit too convenient, far-fetched, or read too much like a history lesson. All in all, I’m glad to have read it and would recommend to those looking for a book that is high on tension, forced proximity and adventure with few romantic elements.

This story was such an adventure!
The mystery and suspense consumed my thoughts…and I’m STILL thinking about it. My heart is still traipsing through a deep jungle filled with history and danger. Still giggling at Adam and Ellie’s banter. Still wishing is was time for book two.
Empire of Shadows is written in a cozy balance between adventure and slow burn-while not shying away from hardships or the reality of colonialism and the suffragette movement.
Ellie has a strength and determination you root for, while Adam has a quiet understanding of her heart. He sees her, understands that she’s capable-but still doesn’t let her do it alone. That quality is one of the most attractive qualities a man can have in my opinion. Even Suffragette Ellie can’t ignore her own feelings for long when facing the smirking, teasing, insufferable man that is Adam Bates.
I loved this story, and KNOW it will be a top read for the year. Pick it up, you won’t regret it!

I was hooked from the cover and thought this was a fantastic start to the Raiders of the Arcana series. It had the element that I was hoping for and thought the characters worked with their story. Jacquelyn Benson has a great writing style and I enjoyed my time in this world. I loved the idea of this book and it left me wanting more in this world. I loved the adventure element and can't wait to read more.

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley.

I was looking for something which evoked adventure, discovery and exploration and this book just achieved that perfectly.

This is a fun adventure novel about an intelligent and determined women who has just been sacked from her job after being arrested at a suffragist rally. She learns her manager has been selling off priceless historical documents for his own profit and takes one intending to investigate it herself. She is quickly pursued by a nefarious character and must dash across the sea to Belize (referred to in the book as British Honduras due to the historical period) where she teams up with the local surveyor on an expedition into the jungle to uncover the history of a lost city before it’s reached by those who would destroy it for financial gain.

This was exactly what I was looking for, we encounter animals, exciting river boat action, lost cities, local villages, history and mythology. It was exciting. We also have two very strong characters, with our female MC leading the expedition and the male MC providing support and being really quite charming.

I enjoyed this and I would read this again and read more from this author.

Is it too early to deem this one of the most charming books of the year? I don't think so. I can't imagine something better coming along--this book is THAT good. Basically, it's Shadow of the Tomb Raider but with an Edwardian suffragette female lead. Ellie and Adam have effervescent chemistry that enhances--not overshadows--the narrative. The bad guys are delightfully dastardly and the commentary on colonialism feels natural. Sometimes authors insert social commentary with all the subtlety of an anvil--not so here!

My only regret is that I read this as an ARC, which means I have to wait EVEN LONGER for book two.

First off, THIS COVER! It is gorgeous and eye-catching. In fact, it was what originally drew me to the book.

Empire of Shadows begins in the classic way these types of stories do…some questionable choices in the name of the truth, archeology, and adventure. A bad guy gives chase in want of the artifact the protagonist acquired. I didn’t particularly enjoy the beginning. The first third is basically Disney’s Jungle Cruise in book form. Which isn’t a bad thing except it feels like recycled material.

But then later you get the traps and trials like in Indiana Jones, the character dynamics of The Mummy, the arcane artifacts found in The Librarian, and more! I enjoyed the last third the best. As a history buff actually seeing lost cities and magical artifacts, being in the jungle where Mesoamericans lived, and experiencing danger is the best part of historical fantasy.

My qualms…
- Couldn’t the author have come up with a more unique nickname than “princess”? Seriously.
- You can tell when a book isn’t Own Voices when the author makes a point to tell rather than show the local color.
- The overuse of certain words/phrases: grace, gracefully.
- The MMC urging the FMC to drink when he knows she doesn’t normally and could deduce that she would become intoxicated quickly.
- The protagonists continuously wanting “to hit something” and “to break something.” Listen, I love a manly man but this became annoying. And the FFC wanting “to kick something.”

I have been provided with a review copy of this title from NetGalley for an impartial review. I just really enjoyed this story and I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.