bessadams's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Gun violence and Blood
Moderate: Murder, Mass/school shootings, Kidnapping, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement
Minor: Chronic illness, Torture, and Cancer
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse for the eARC! All the following opinions are my own.
I love the idea of the plot and setting, I have a big interest in Ancient Egypt and Egyptian mythology so it sounded perfect for me! I did also appreciate the effort in acknowledging the archaeology field's privilege and exploitative opportunity that came from colonization and imperialism.
The dialogue was a bit cringe with constant fighting and melodrama in the beginning, I warmed up to the dialogue but it could still be cringey and forced at times. I eventually learned to ignore it and focus on the overall plot đ Iâll be happy to leave the use of âoh godsâ to fantasy novels (or historical novels where the characters actually believe in many gods, not when itâs coming from two white New York WASPs), I also got tired of the constant gads/egads.
I love the idea of the plot and setting, I have a big interest in Ancient Egypt and Egyptian mythology so it sounded perfect for me! I did also appreciate the effort in acknowledging the archaeology field's privilege and exploitative opportunity that came from colonization and imperialism.
The dialogue was a bit cringe with constant fighting and melodrama in the beginning, I warmed up to the dialogue but it could still be cringey and forced at times. I eventually learned to ignore it and focus on the overall plot đ Iâll be happy to leave the use of âoh godsâ to fantasy novels (or historical novels where the characters actually believe in many gods, not when itâs coming from two white New York WASPs), I also got tired of the constant gads/egads.
The sisters are immature and meh, they seriously speak in a secret childhood language, which also got old very quickly. I couldnât help but laugh at how ridiculous it was đ
I kept getting the girls confused through switching POVs, Iâd be reading and think âwait whoâs chapter is this again.â The girls kind of blend together and donât stand out very much as their own people. Although on the positive, thatâs a good sign for the two authors because itâs rare where you canât tell the difference when the shift in writing occurs.
I didnât love or hate any of the characters, they just fell flat. Tess, however, was more annoying than the rest because of her constant whining and âpick meâ comments. Thereâs also some romance involved, I liked parts of it but other parts felt insta lovey and almost forced.
The Antiquity Affair was a fast paced adventure and the mystery/setting is the reason I continued, blocking out the other parts đÂ
Some things donât feel plausible like you have to suspend logic to believe it. Plus minute details just donât match up with the characters and contradict their already established background. A non-spoiling example, the society sister Lila who went to âfinishing schoolâ and learned to be a proper socialite, being presented AT A BALL, and somehow she has two left feet and canât dance? Yet miss rebellious, goes to university, aspiring archaeologist, Tess can waltz with ease and zero training? No, makes absolutely no sense.Â
Finally, for being an adult historical mystery, it reads very YA (which doesnât mean itâs bad, I adore YA novels, itâs just different than expected). If I pick up an adult book, I donât want YA writing and characters that are whiny and childish.Â
Overall a quick and exciting adventure story but the dialogue and characters fell flat. I finished it quickly so thatâs something đ
Iâd recommend if youâre a fan of Indiana Jones, heist novels, and/or Ancient Egypt!
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Violence, Gun violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Sexism
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