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Empire of Shadows
Empire of Shadows | Jacquelyn Benson
4 posts | 3 read | 10 to read
Nice Victorian ladies dont run off to find legendary lost cities. One trifling little arrest shouldnt have cost Ellie Mallory her job, but its only the latest in a line of injustices facing any educated woman with archaeological ambitions. When Ellie stumbles across the map to a mysterious ancient city, she knows shes holding her chance to revolutionize Pre-Colombian history. Theres just one teensy complication. A ruthless villain wants it, and Ellie is all that stands in his way. To race him to the ruinsand avoid being violently disposed ofshe needs the help of maverick surveyor Adam Bates, a snake-wrangling rogue who cant seem to keep his dratted shirt on. But theres more than Ellies scholarly reputation (and life) on the line. Her enemies arent just looters. Theyre after an arcane secret rumored to lie in the heart of the ruins, a mythical artifact with a power that could shake the world. Between stealing trousers, plummeting over waterfalls, and trying not to fall in love with her machete-wielding partner, will Ellie be able to stop the oracle of a lost empire from falling into the wrong hands? Empire of Shadows is the first book in the Raiders of the Arcana series, rip-roaring historical fantasy adventures perfect for fans of Romancing the Stone and The Mummy. "Sassy banter and sizzling romantic tension sparkle throughout the fast-paced action ... Fans of Indiana Jones-style historical fantasies will be eager for the next adventure." - Booklist of the American Library Association "A feminist, anti-colonialist tour-de-force, a pulse-pounding adventure tale, and a compelling, spirited romance all in one." - Charlotte English, author of the House of Werth series "A page-turning historical fantasy romp ... Adam Bates somehow becomes more attractive with every extra layer of dirt." - Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul
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Bookzombie
Empire of Shadows | Jacquelyn Benson
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Pickpick

If you enjoy The Mummy with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz (I do!), I feel pretty confident stating you will enjoy this book. This was a lot of fun. I read in print and listened to this one and highly recommend the audio.

Finished January 19, 2025.

Reggie Can you believe those movies are almost 25 years old? I feel old Margie. lol 1w
mabell This does sound like fun! (As a fellow Mummy lover!) 6d
Bookzombie @Reggie Me too! Every time I see a list of movies or songs that are “this many years” old, I‘m wowed. Like how was that so long ago? 5d
See All 7 Comments
Bookzombie @mabell I hope you enjoy it if you pick it up! (There should be a mummy emoji.) 5d
mabell @Bookzombie I thought the same thing about a mummy emoji!! 😂 5d
Sace I would buy this for the cover alone. 😍 4d
Bookzombie @Sace I love the cover too! 4d
49 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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BookmarkTavern
Empire of Shadows | Jacquelyn Benson
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I forgot to post yesterday!

Think The Mummy and Road to El Dorado had a baby! This was a fun treasure hunt novel with a plucky female protagonist, the ruggedly handsome mapmaker who helps her, and a hidden city with untold treasures.

#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

Andrew65 Sounds fun. 4w
52 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
BookmarkTavern
Empire of Shadows | Jacquelyn Benson
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Pickpick

When Ellie discovers a map to a lost city, she intends to prove to the world that women can be archaeologists too. Only, there are much darker forces after the city than just capitalists.

An intelligent, rage filled protagonist, her heartthrob expert mapmaker sidekick, & we‘re off on a wonderful adventure. Scene setting was really well done. & the romance! I don‘t usually like romances in adventures, but this one worked for me! 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

BookmarkTavern CW 👇🏻 5mo
BookmarkTavern General warnings for colonialism, imperialism, and all that entails, as well as a specific warning for the Prologue, suicide 5mo
51 likes2 comments
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robinb
Empire of Shadows | Jacquelyn Benson
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Pickpick

So. Much. Fun. 💙

Think Indiana Jones, Romancing the Stone and The Mummy.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6362949627

BookmarkTavern Sounds fun! 10mo
robinb @BookmarkTavern Loved it, and I don‘t normally read a lot of these derring-do adventures. Loved it! 10mo
44 likes4 stack adds2 comments