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The Antiquity Affair
An archaeologist’s estranged daughters.
1907: The dawn of Egyptology is a time of imperialism and plunder, opulence and unrest, and Dr. Warren Ford, esteemed archaeologist, is the man of the hour. His daughters—intellectual Lila, on the eve of her debut as a Manhattan socialite, and nonconformist Tess, who dreams of following in his footsteps—have always lived in his shadow, and their lives couldn’t feel more different. But when a secretive organization seeks to find a lost relic legendary for its dangerous power, it isn’t Dr. Ford they turn to—it’s his two remarkable daughters.
A legendary artifact known as the Serpent’s Crown.
Rumored to reside in the mysterious Tomb of the Five Ladies, the Serpent’s Crown will only be found by solving a seemingly impossible riddle that will open the tomb—and the organization believes that one of the Ford daughters holds the key to deciphering the code. What was supposed to be an elegant debutante ball for elder sister Lila quickly turns sinister when Tess is kidnapped and put on a ship across the Atlantic. When Lila and her father realize that Tess’s life is in danger, they must act quickly to track her down and stop the Serpent’s Crown from falling into the wrong hands.
A puzzle three millennia in the making.
A race for the Crown begins, with Lila and her father in hot pursuit of the organization and Tess. With lives at stake, the fractured family must keep their wits about them, find the artifact, and escape the ruthless men who are also determined to possess the Crown and use it to their own advantage—no matter the cost.
In this women-centered nod to the beloved Indiana Jones stories, The Antiquity Affair is a high-stakes, trans-Atlantic thrill ride, with the page-turning excitement and romance of classic adventure novels and a poignant story of sisterhood at its core.
An exciting turn-of-the-century adventure
Stand-alone novel
Book length: 100,000 words
Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn, Laurie King, Clive Cussler, and Indiana Jones
Includes discussion questions for book clubs
1907: The dawn of Egyptology is a time of imperialism and plunder, opulence and unrest, and Dr. Warren Ford, esteemed archaeologist, is the man of the hour. His daughters—intellectual Lila, on the eve of her debut as a Manhattan socialite, and nonconformist Tess, who dreams of following in his footsteps—have always lived in his shadow, and their lives couldn’t feel more different. But when a secretive organization seeks to find a lost relic legendary for its dangerous power, it isn’t Dr. Ford they turn to—it’s his two remarkable daughters.
A legendary artifact known as the Serpent’s Crown.
Rumored to reside in the mysterious Tomb of the Five Ladies, the Serpent’s Crown will only be found by solving a seemingly impossible riddle that will open the tomb—and the organization believes that one of the Ford daughters holds the key to deciphering the code. What was supposed to be an elegant debutante ball for elder sister Lila quickly turns sinister when Tess is kidnapped and put on a ship across the Atlantic. When Lila and her father realize that Tess’s life is in danger, they must act quickly to track her down and stop the Serpent’s Crown from falling into the wrong hands.
A puzzle three millennia in the making.
A race for the Crown begins, with Lila and her father in hot pursuit of the organization and Tess. With lives at stake, the fractured family must keep their wits about them, find the artifact, and escape the ruthless men who are also determined to possess the Crown and use it to their own advantage—no matter the cost.
In this women-centered nod to the beloved Indiana Jones stories, The Antiquity Affair is a high-stakes, trans-Atlantic thrill ride, with the page-turning excitement and romance of classic adventure novels and a poignant story of sisterhood at its core.
An exciting turn-of-the-century adventure
Stand-alone novel
Book length: 100,000 words
Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn, Laurie King, Clive Cussler, and Indiana Jones
Includes discussion questions for book clubs
416 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2023
About the author
Lee Kelly
5 books400 followersLee Kelly is the author of CITY OF SAVAGES, a Publishers Weekly pick and a VOYA Magazine “Perfect Ten” selection, A CRIMINAL MAGIC, which was optioned and developed for a television series by Warner Bros., and WITH REGRETS. With Jennifer Thorne, Lee has also co-written THE ANTIQUITY AFFAIR (2023) and the upcoming historical adventure, THE STARLETS (forthcoming from Harper Muse in 2024).
Her short fiction and essays have appeared in CrimeReads, Electric Lit, and Tor.com, among other publications, and she holds a Masters in Fine Arts from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. An entertainment lawyer by trade, Lee has practiced law in Los Angeles and New York. She currently lives with her husband and two children in New Jersey, where you’ll find them engaged in one adventure or another.
Her short fiction and essays have appeared in CrimeReads, Electric Lit, and Tor.com, among other publications, and she holds a Masters in Fine Arts from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. An entertainment lawyer by trade, Lee has practiced law in Los Angeles and New York. She currently lives with her husband and two children in New Jersey, where you’ll find them engaged in one adventure or another.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews
May 18, 2023
If a visit to Egypt cannot be planned, I might as well read this book.
Setup in the early 1900s the story strolls through the life and adventures of 2 twin daughters of an Archaeologist. Scurried from Manhattan lives, the twins land in Cairo, Egypt. The most elite foreign powers are at play to extract an artifact that can help them gain control and rule, the wins here are stuck at its centre to play their role or die.
The book combined two genres (Historical Fiction + Mystery Thriller) to create an adventurous movie-like experience. A few that I was reminded of were the Lara Croft series. A side angle that the book kept hinting at was the assumed role of women at that point in society and the sibling dynamics of identical twins who were way different in their life choices. Overall a great book if the deserts keep calling you and you just can't venture in.
Genre: #historicalfiction #mysterythriller #adventure
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Setup in the early 1900s the story strolls through the life and adventures of 2 twin daughters of an Archaeologist. Scurried from Manhattan lives, the twins land in Cairo, Egypt. The most elite foreign powers are at play to extract an artifact that can help them gain control and rule, the wins here are stuck at its centre to play their role or die.
The book combined two genres (Historical Fiction + Mystery Thriller) to create an adventurous movie-like experience. A few that I was reminded of were the Lara Croft series. A side angle that the book kept hinting at was the assumed role of women at that point in society and the sibling dynamics of identical twins who were way different in their life choices. Overall a great book if the deserts keep calling you and you just can't venture in.
Genre: #historicalfiction #mysterythriller #adventure
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
June 5, 2023
I want to describe The Antiquity Affair as Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft meets The Mummy, but I'm afraid that gives the impression that it's a non-stop adventure novel. And there are adventures, for sure, but there's a lot more simmering beneath the surface.
Egyptian history is one of my favorite subjects, so I couldn't wait to read this book. Set in 1907 in the early days of Egyptology, it's the story of two sisters, Lila and Tess, the daughters of a famous archaeologist. Lila is highly intelligent, gifted at math and languages, while Tess is a free spirit, desperate to follow in her father's footsteps. On the eve of Lila's Manhattan debutante ball, Tess is kidnapped by the members of a secret society, who are in pursuit of a legendary Egyptian artifact known as the Serpent's Crown. This mythical relic will grant its wearer absolute power, and when Lila and her father realize Tess is being taken to Egypt for the society to use as a tool in its retrieval, it's a race against time to rescue her -- and to locate the Crown before the society does.
Written in alternating chapters narrated by Lila and Tess, The Antiquity Affair is an immersive historical adventure that touches on several important themes: complex family dynamics, the role of women in turn-of-the-century society, wealth and privilege, and most importantly, the colonization of Egypt and the misappropriation of Egyptian artifacts. I found it completely engrossing, even during some of the slower parts of the book (things don't start to get really exciting until the last 20%), most likely due to my affinity for the subject matter. I found it to be a thoughtful exploration of several meaningful topics, cloaked in a clever adventure featuring an imaginative fictional Egyptian myth.
The writing team of Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne worked together seamlessly. Their writing styles are different enough to give each sister her own unique voice, but still similar enough in tone and structure to feel cohesive. The language and jargon feel appropriate for the time period in which the book is set. Most of the chapters end on a cliffhanger, as though one author was writing the characters into a scenario that the other author would have to get them out of (something I always find fun in duo-written novels). The audiobook is narrated by Brittany Pressley (Lila) and Holly Linneman (Tess), and they both do a fantastic job giving voice to the sisters.
With adventures and puzzles, some social critique, and a dash of predictable romance, The Antiquity Affair is a novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, classic adventure stories, or any reader who likes books about strong women doing daring things and smashing the privileged patriarchy. Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the early listening opportunity.
Egyptian history is one of my favorite subjects, so I couldn't wait to read this book. Set in 1907 in the early days of Egyptology, it's the story of two sisters, Lila and Tess, the daughters of a famous archaeologist. Lila is highly intelligent, gifted at math and languages, while Tess is a free spirit, desperate to follow in her father's footsteps. On the eve of Lila's Manhattan debutante ball, Tess is kidnapped by the members of a secret society, who are in pursuit of a legendary Egyptian artifact known as the Serpent's Crown. This mythical relic will grant its wearer absolute power, and when Lila and her father realize Tess is being taken to Egypt for the society to use as a tool in its retrieval, it's a race against time to rescue her -- and to locate the Crown before the society does.
Written in alternating chapters narrated by Lila and Tess, The Antiquity Affair is an immersive historical adventure that touches on several important themes: complex family dynamics, the role of women in turn-of-the-century society, wealth and privilege, and most importantly, the colonization of Egypt and the misappropriation of Egyptian artifacts. I found it completely engrossing, even during some of the slower parts of the book (things don't start to get really exciting until the last 20%), most likely due to my affinity for the subject matter. I found it to be a thoughtful exploration of several meaningful topics, cloaked in a clever adventure featuring an imaginative fictional Egyptian myth.
The writing team of Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne worked together seamlessly. Their writing styles are different enough to give each sister her own unique voice, but still similar enough in tone and structure to feel cohesive. The language and jargon feel appropriate for the time period in which the book is set. Most of the chapters end on a cliffhanger, as though one author was writing the characters into a scenario that the other author would have to get them out of (something I always find fun in duo-written novels). The audiobook is narrated by Brittany Pressley (Lila) and Holly Linneman (Tess), and they both do a fantastic job giving voice to the sisters.
With adventures and puzzles, some social critique, and a dash of predictable romance, The Antiquity Affair is a novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, classic adventure stories, or any reader who likes books about strong women doing daring things and smashing the privileged patriarchy. Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the early listening opportunity.
April 24, 2023
This was a really fun read, kinda Indiana Jones but with sisters, Lila and Tess as the adventurers. Their father is an archaeologist, both girls are brilliant, they have their own made up language, Lila can translate symbols and break codes, Tess has lots of knowledge of mythology - all talents they will need to translate some ancient scrolls that lead to a relic that gives ultimate power to its wearer. But it’s not simple, there’s a society of bad guys, a kidnapping, forced engagement, light obvious romance, sibling rivalry, puzzles to solve, near death, a shootout and lots more.
February 17, 2023
DNF. Great premise, started nicely, but didn’t deliver. An adventurous, Indiana Jones-esque plot set in Egypt in 1907 involving antiquities, Egyptian legends, code breaking, and nefarious villains seemed right up my alley. The main problem was it didn’t feel like a novel set in 1907. The attitudes and decisions made by the characters felt out of place, as did their jargon, and this spoiled the authenticity for me. I couldn’t tell if this was supposed to be young adult fiction? It read very much like it was, and at times felt too teenage romance for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 21, 2023
4.25/5
When you see that The Antiquity Affair by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Marie Thorne says it is a female version of Indian Jones, you are definitely not being misled! I didn't actually see that part of the synopsis until after I was done and the entire time I was thinking how the story felt very Indiana Jones, so clearly the authors were spot on with what they wanted to accomplish. I loved that our MCs are intelligent and daring females, especially since this is set back in 1907 when "debuts" were still a thing. There was quite a bit of action which I thought was great (I mean adventure book, so it makes sense), and having Tess and Lila at the heart of such a fun storyline was a wonderful take on a classically male-dominated genre.
The author's note at the end is a must-read, and I am incredibly glad it was included in the audiobook. Thorne and Kelly included real historical figures in the story, and that combined with how much I learned in general made for a pretty great historical fiction read. I would also highly recommend the audio since Brittany Pressley & Holly Linneman did such a great job narrating it. They were perfect to be the voices of our sisters, and I loved their animated narration! The Antiquity Affair does get a little slow in spots and felt a touch long at times, but it is a fabulous pick if you like historical fiction, action, and a touch of romance. And be sure to grab a copy of the book, there is some impressive mixed media that I wasn't expecting, and it was a super cool way to add more to the story. Bravo to these talented authors who pulled off such a seamless and interesting book.
Thank you to the publisher and Libro.fm for my complimentary listening copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
When you see that The Antiquity Affair by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Marie Thorne says it is a female version of Indian Jones, you are definitely not being misled! I didn't actually see that part of the synopsis until after I was done and the entire time I was thinking how the story felt very Indiana Jones, so clearly the authors were spot on with what they wanted to accomplish. I loved that our MCs are intelligent and daring females, especially since this is set back in 1907 when "debuts" were still a thing. There was quite a bit of action which I thought was great (I mean adventure book, so it makes sense), and having Tess and Lila at the heart of such a fun storyline was a wonderful take on a classically male-dominated genre.
The author's note at the end is a must-read, and I am incredibly glad it was included in the audiobook. Thorne and Kelly included real historical figures in the story, and that combined with how much I learned in general made for a pretty great historical fiction read. I would also highly recommend the audio since Brittany Pressley & Holly Linneman did such a great job narrating it. They were perfect to be the voices of our sisters, and I loved their animated narration! The Antiquity Affair does get a little slow in spots and felt a touch long at times, but it is a fabulous pick if you like historical fiction, action, and a touch of romance. And be sure to grab a copy of the book, there is some impressive mixed media that I wasn't expecting, and it was a super cool way to add more to the story. Bravo to these talented authors who pulled off such a seamless and interesting book.
Thank you to the publisher and Libro.fm for my complimentary listening copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
August 19, 2023
I’m such a sucker for anything ancient Egypt. This is a delightful coming-of-age story of two sisters, Lila and Tess, a deep historical fiction throughout New York City, Paris, and Egypt in 1907, and an Agatha Christie-esque mystery!
The beginning half is a slow burn - very atmospheric, very character-building. And then ACTION.
I loved the deciphering subplot. I loved how the two sisters grew. I loved the social consciousness that archeology strips history and culture away from its home for fame and fortune. I loved that Tess and Lila opposed social forms in their own rights. I loved the quick peek into a misogynistic cult. And I loved Alex, his heart, his brain, his morality, his plead to do what’s best for his home country.
The “big” scuffle at the end - meh. Not my favorite scene.
3.75 rounded up! And a sequel, yes, please! I want more Lila and Tess (the Fearless Fords) adventures!!
The beginning half is a slow burn - very atmospheric, very character-building. And then ACTION.
I loved the deciphering subplot. I loved how the two sisters grew. I loved the social consciousness that archeology strips history and culture away from its home for fame and fortune. I loved that Tess and Lila opposed social forms in their own rights. I loved the quick peek into a misogynistic cult. And I loved Alex, his heart, his brain, his morality, his plead to do what’s best for his home country.
The “big” scuffle at the end - meh. Not my favorite scene.
3.75 rounded up! And a sequel, yes, please! I want more Lila and Tess (the Fearless Fords) adventures!!
June 5, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley & Harper Muse for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
As a ‘female-heroine take on Indiana Jones’, The Antiquity Affair is exactly what you’d expect.
A lot can be said about The Antiquity Affair, not the least being that it is never boring. With two very different sisters telling this story, they don’t share the same perspective even when they're together. Taking place in the US, Egypt, and France… it’s a lot of ground to cover in very little time. For the most part, the timeline seems realistic - it’s refreshing that it takes days and weeks to traverse the globe, make plans, and travel further. It gives the relationships time to develop and softens the slight instalove undertone to the narrative.
I appreciated how the over-the-top aspects (cults and kidnapping and mind control crowns) mingled so easily with the incredibly realistic (corrupt governments and officials, colonialism, the theft of archaeological discoveries and ancient relics from their country of origin). It was clear to see the respect for Egyptian culture and history, the Egyptian people, and their mythology. Contrasting the cult’s actions and plans for the country with how Alex and Samy made decisions was interesting and insightful.
After a high-stakes, very intense story, I can only hope that The Antiquity Affair is the start of a series. The ending seems to hint at future archaeology adventures starring the Ford sisters, and it would be nice to see these relationships - between the sisters and others - developed further.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
As a ‘female-heroine take on Indiana Jones’, The Antiquity Affair is exactly what you’d expect.
A lot can be said about The Antiquity Affair, not the least being that it is never boring. With two very different sisters telling this story, they don’t share the same perspective even when they're together. Taking place in the US, Egypt, and France… it’s a lot of ground to cover in very little time. For the most part, the timeline seems realistic - it’s refreshing that it takes days and weeks to traverse the globe, make plans, and travel further. It gives the relationships time to develop and softens the slight instalove undertone to the narrative.
I appreciated how the over-the-top aspects (cults and kidnapping and mind control crowns) mingled so easily with the incredibly realistic (corrupt governments and officials, colonialism, the theft of archaeological discoveries and ancient relics from their country of origin). It was clear to see the respect for Egyptian culture and history, the Egyptian people, and their mythology. Contrasting the cult’s actions and plans for the country with how Alex and Samy made decisions was interesting and insightful.
After a high-stakes, very intense story, I can only hope that The Antiquity Affair is the start of a series. The ending seems to hint at future archaeology adventures starring the Ford sisters, and it would be nice to see these relationships - between the sisters and others - developed further.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
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September 10, 2023
How I read this: Free ebook copy received through Edelweiss
This book felt like such a chore. Someone here in another review has mentioned that the language is really anachronistic, and while that's true, it didn't bother me. However, the two sisters kept switching between chapters, but they sounded like the same person, so later in the book it just got muddy whose chapter I'm reading when their circumstances stopped being so different that I could tell who it is solely by that. It was supposed to be thrilling, but was kind of just messy. I was so bored of the story I abandoned it for a couple of months... Then I decided to finish it on principle, and I have to admit, things did get interesting when it hit around the 80% mark, but I mean if you need to almost finish the book to get engrossed? Then it's probably not working. Shame, cause the book had nice ideas about putting things back in the museums of the countries they were taken out of, but... As for the story itself, didn't really hook me.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
This book felt like such a chore. Someone here in another review has mentioned that the language is really anachronistic, and while that's true, it didn't bother me. However, the two sisters kept switching between chapters, but they sounded like the same person, so later in the book it just got muddy whose chapter I'm reading when their circumstances stopped being so different that I could tell who it is solely by that. It was supposed to be thrilling, but was kind of just messy. I was so bored of the story I abandoned it for a couple of months... Then I decided to finish it on principle, and I have to admit, things did get interesting when it hit around the 80% mark, but I mean if you need to almost finish the book to get engrossed? Then it's probably not working. Shame, cause the book had nice ideas about putting things back in the museums of the countries they were taken out of, but... As for the story itself, didn't really hook me.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
February 5, 2023
The Antiquity Affair by Lee Kelly; Jennifer Thorne is an excellent historical fiction that has it all: history, mystery, action, suspense, family, and a dash of romance…and I loved every minute of it.
Such an excellent book that takes us to the ancient worlds and back…filled with puzzles, mythology, history, archeology, legends, intrigue, suspense…and action worthy of Indiana Jones.
I loved the alternating chapters between sisters Lila and Tess. They really added to give additional sides to this intricate, intriguing, addictive, and thoroughly fun plot in a race to solve the puzzles, find the missing pieces, thwart the evil plans of world domination, and to save the world. Lila, Alex, Tess, Mr. Ford, Annie, Samy, Nura, and yes, even William, warmed my heart. I hope I see them all in a search for something of “Celtic origin” soon.
I love Egyptology, and this was a wonderful jaunt to be submersed into the cultures of today and yesterday.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Harper Muse for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/6/23.
Such an excellent book that takes us to the ancient worlds and back…filled with puzzles, mythology, history, archeology, legends, intrigue, suspense…and action worthy of Indiana Jones.
I loved the alternating chapters between sisters Lila and Tess. They really added to give additional sides to this intricate, intriguing, addictive, and thoroughly fun plot in a race to solve the puzzles, find the missing pieces, thwart the evil plans of world domination, and to save the world. Lila, Alex, Tess, Mr. Ford, Annie, Samy, Nura, and yes, even William, warmed my heart. I hope I see them all in a search for something of “Celtic origin” soon.
I love Egyptology, and this was a wonderful jaunt to be submersed into the cultures of today and yesterday.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Harper Muse for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/6/23.
Shelved as 'nope-dnf'
July 4, 2023DNF.
This was one of my MOST anticipated releases of 2023 and I am gutted that I disliked it as much as I did. It was just way too cheesy (the romance...the dialouge...the writing). It read like the author threw in old-timey, big words every other sentence and it felt so unnatural.
This dichotomy of "the conforming sister with the wild free sister" has been done to death as well. From the premise I really thought I was going to be blown away with the originality of the story but what I got was the total opposite.
The two sisters felt like shallow, empty vessels.
From what I read the the story was predictable, flat, and boring. I was expecting a gorgeously atmospheric feminist adventure story and what I got was cheesy writing and characters/romance that felt like they were in a YA novel.
Also, the audio narrator was so over the top it was ridiculous. (especially her narration of the more up-tight sister...I already forget their names).
.
.
.
Synopsis: The is pitched as a female indiana jones. and I ask you...where? This is about two stubborn sisters who are utter opposites and their dad who is like an archeologist. When one of the sisters is kidnapped the dad and the other sister try to go find her. Cheesy romance sub-plots ensue.
This was one of my MOST anticipated releases of 2023 and I am gutted that I disliked it as much as I did. It was just way too cheesy (the romance...the dialouge...the writing). It read like the author threw in old-timey, big words every other sentence and it felt so unnatural.
This dichotomy of "the conforming sister with the wild free sister" has been done to death as well. From the premise I really thought I was going to be blown away with the originality of the story but what I got was the total opposite.
The two sisters felt like shallow, empty vessels.
From what I read the the story was predictable, flat, and boring. I was expecting a gorgeously atmospheric feminist adventure story and what I got was cheesy writing and characters/romance that felt like they were in a YA novel.
Also, the audio narrator was so over the top it was ridiculous. (especially her narration of the more up-tight sister...I already forget their names).
.
.
.
Synopsis: The is pitched as a female indiana jones. and I ask you...where? This is about two stubborn sisters who are utter opposites and their dad who is like an archeologist. When one of the sisters is kidnapped the dad and the other sister try to go find her. Cheesy romance sub-plots ensue.
February 14, 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Okay this book was everything my Indiana Jones loving heart needed. It follows two wonderful, intelligent, fiery young women defying expectations and, of course, a lot of archaeology. As a historical fiction fan, this book delivered. As an egyptology fan, this book delivered. Code breaking, palaeography, trapped tombs, it is an all around great time for history fans. The ending hinted at another book which I cannot wait to read!
Okay this book was everything my Indiana Jones loving heart needed. It follows two wonderful, intelligent, fiery young women defying expectations and, of course, a lot of archaeology. As a historical fiction fan, this book delivered. As an egyptology fan, this book delivered. Code breaking, palaeography, trapped tombs, it is an all around great time for history fans. The ending hinted at another book which I cannot wait to read!
January 29, 2024
DNF at 70% (because I could tell where the story was going and didn’t care enough)
Unfortunately everything about this book was incredibly predictable and tropey. I also think it was mismarketed. Instead of adult fiction, this should have been classified as YA.
The adventure plotline was fun but not executed well and got overshadowed by various less interesting subplots. Even the writing threw me off since it switched from old-timey to modern vernacular quite a bit.
While there are two POVs, the sisters have no distinct voices and basically the same personality, even though we are constantly being told that they are total opposites. They both just felt like empty cookiecutter YA heroines and their girlboss feminism and white savorism didn’t fit the time period or overall story. I’m not saying that the 19th century egyptomania can’t be criticised in a historical setting, but the way this was done here was super clumsy and inauthentic. They also struggled to combine their anti-imperialist message with the supernatural, Indiana Jones-esque concept.
Even with all the unsolved mysteries and imminent danger, there was no tension and the story was just meandering. As neither of the girls were well-rounded, interesting characters, the heavy romance subplot also did nothing but bore me. The love interests themselves and most of the other characters were just cardboard cutouts conveniently placed to move the plot forward. There were even a few incidences where I was wondering why a character was disclosing something that went against their best interest and the only answer I could come up with was "because the main character needs to find out about this now".
Overall, I was just left feeling underwhelmed.
Unfortunately everything about this book was incredibly predictable and tropey. I also think it was mismarketed. Instead of adult fiction, this should have been classified as YA.
The adventure plotline was fun but not executed well and got overshadowed by various less interesting subplots. Even the writing threw me off since it switched from old-timey to modern vernacular quite a bit.
While there are two POVs, the sisters have no distinct voices and basically the same personality, even though we are constantly being told that they are total opposites. They both just felt like empty cookiecutter YA heroines and their girlboss feminism and white savorism didn’t fit the time period or overall story. I’m not saying that the 19th century egyptomania can’t be criticised in a historical setting, but the way this was done here was super clumsy and inauthentic. They also struggled to combine their anti-imperialist message with the supernatural, Indiana Jones-esque concept.
Even with all the unsolved mysteries and imminent danger, there was no tension and the story was just meandering. As neither of the girls were well-rounded, interesting characters, the heavy romance subplot also did nothing but bore me. The love interests themselves and most of the other characters were just cardboard cutouts conveniently placed to move the plot forward. There were even a few incidences where I was wondering why a character was disclosing something that went against their best interest and the only answer I could come up with was "because the main character needs to find out about this now".
Overall, I was just left feeling underwhelmed.
March 19, 2023
First of all I would like to thank the publisher for granting me this copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The first thing that hit me was the title and when I read the plot about an ancient artifact involving archaeology and ancient Egypt I could not resist.
The story deals with an archaeologist Dr. Warren Ford and his daughters involved in a research about this ancient artifact called the Serpent's Crown.
The two young sisters start a journey full of perils but also adventure.
The writing style is fluid and intriguing. I really liked the plot and it's development.
The characters, and in particular the two sisters, are well-built. I really appreciated how they evolve during the story.
A story full of history that people should have forgotten, but they have not. On the contrary, they want to bring back the past and the readers cannot be left behind.
The first thing that hit me was the title and when I read the plot about an ancient artifact involving archaeology and ancient Egypt I could not resist.
The story deals with an archaeologist Dr. Warren Ford and his daughters involved in a research about this ancient artifact called the Serpent's Crown.
The two young sisters start a journey full of perils but also adventure.
The writing style is fluid and intriguing. I really liked the plot and it's development.
The characters, and in particular the two sisters, are well-built. I really appreciated how they evolve during the story.
A story full of history that people should have forgotten, but they have not. On the contrary, they want to bring back the past and the readers cannot be left behind.
May 19, 2023
If a visit to Egypt cannot be planned, I might as well read this book.
Setup in the early 1900s the story strolls through the life and adventures of 2 twin daughters of an Archaeologist. Scurried from Manhattan lives, the twins land in Cairo, Egypt. The most elite foreign powers are at play to extract an artifact that can help them gain control and rule, the wins here are stuck at its centre to play their role or die.
The book combined two genres (Historical Fiction + Mystery Thriller) to create an adventurous movie-like experience. A few that I was reminded of were the Lara Croft series. A side angle that the book kept hinting at was the assumed role of women at that point in society and the sibling dynamics of identical twins who were way different in their life choices. Overall a great book if the deserts keep calling you and you just can't venture in.
Genre: #historicalfiction #mysterythriller #adventure
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Thankyou @netgalley @harpermusebooks and authors @leeykelly @jennmariethorne for the digital ARC
Setup in the early 1900s the story strolls through the life and adventures of 2 twin daughters of an Archaeologist. Scurried from Manhattan lives, the twins land in Cairo, Egypt. The most elite foreign powers are at play to extract an artifact that can help them gain control and rule, the wins here are stuck at its centre to play their role or die.
The book combined two genres (Historical Fiction + Mystery Thriller) to create an adventurous movie-like experience. A few that I was reminded of were the Lara Croft series. A side angle that the book kept hinting at was the assumed role of women at that point in society and the sibling dynamics of identical twins who were way different in their life choices. Overall a great book if the deserts keep calling you and you just can't venture in.
Genre: #historicalfiction #mysterythriller #adventure
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Thankyou @netgalley @harpermusebooks and authors @leeykelly @jennmariethorne for the digital ARC
July 19, 2023
This was a fantastic historical fiction adventure ride featuring two estranged sisters, lots of puzzles, a hunt for a priceless relic, romance, suspense and so much more! Great on audio narrated by Brittany Pressley and Holly Linneman and a perfect blend of Indiana Jones and The mummy movies. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review! I can't wait to see what's next from these authors.
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March 26, 2023This story is filling an interesting spurt of books all focused on the fasicination with Egypt that was erupting around the world in 1907. It's a multilayered story told from the perspective of two sisters who have gone separate directions to fulfill family expectations after their mother dies when they are young. One follows their Indiana Jones-esque father to Oxford and Egypt, while the other stays on the fringes of the highest echelons of society. In the process neither is fully themselves until they are swept into a terrible pursuit for the serpant's crown that will supposedly let one rule others through mind-control. To survive they have to work together, something that seems impossible until it is forced in the final pages of the race to outwit the challenges in the hidden tomb.
It was an interesting story though I enjoyed Jocelyn Green's Metropolitan Affair more. This story is filled with the story elements I would expect in a general market read. I would not recommend it to my Christian fiction reading friends.
It was an interesting story though I enjoyed Jocelyn Green's Metropolitan Affair more. This story is filled with the story elements I would expect in a general market read. I would not recommend it to my Christian fiction reading friends.
July 5, 2023
This is a super fun action adventure story with a touch of romance. I loved the idea of putting women into these roles and having them be the hero of the story. It was also nice seeing the social and ethical issues of archeology addressed. Having the characters thoughtfully decide how to handle their discovery instead of plundering for glory and profit was wonderful to see.
The Antiquity Affair is set in the early 1900s, featuring two estranged sisters, Lila and Tess. The story told in alternating POV. They're the daughters of an archeologist who have taken drastically different paths. Throughout the story, while solving puzzles and action-packed adventure that puts their lives in peril, they are finding their way back to each other.
This was an immensely enjoyable fast-paced, and thrilling adventure. I'm hoping this is only the beginning for Lila and Tess.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Antiquity Affair is set in the early 1900s, featuring two estranged sisters, Lila and Tess. The story told in alternating POV. They're the daughters of an archeologist who have taken drastically different paths. Throughout the story, while solving puzzles and action-packed adventure that puts their lives in peril, they are finding their way back to each other.
This was an immensely enjoyable fast-paced, and thrilling adventure. I'm hoping this is only the beginning for Lila and Tess.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
March 31, 2023
Perfect for fans of The Mummy and Indiana Jones, The Antiquity Affair is a swashbuckling misadventure of two sisters through early twentieth-century Egypt.
This reminded me of all of my favorite books and movies growing up. It was seriously just a delight from start to finish. I love the contrast between Tess and Lila. Alex was adorable. I loved their Dad and his antics. It was just a fun ride.
🎵 Songs I Listened to While Reading: The Mummy (Original Motion Picture Album) on Spotify 🎵
✍🏻Writing Quality: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
🗺 World-Building: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
👤Characterization: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
💭Dialogue: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
🎯Plot: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
👣Pacing: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
👻 Scaredy-Cat Meter: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
🖤Enjoyment Level: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
「 Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆」
This reminded me of all of my favorite books and movies growing up. It was seriously just a delight from start to finish. I love the contrast between Tess and Lila. Alex was adorable. I loved their Dad and his antics. It was just a fun ride.
🎵 Songs I Listened to While Reading: The Mummy (Original Motion Picture Album) on Spotify 🎵
✍🏻Writing Quality: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
🗺 World-Building: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
👤Characterization: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
💭Dialogue: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
🎯Plot: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
👣Pacing: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
👻 Scaredy-Cat Meter: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
🖤Enjoyment Level: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
「 Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆」
December 17, 2023
I approach books surrounding archaeological themes with a cautious excitement - I, like many, had a period of my life where I dreamed of pursuing the subject. That being said, I have read too much Edward Said during my short stint on Earth to not be consistently disgusted and outraged by the portrayal of Egypt (the land, the people, the culture, the history, the future, the reality and truth) in most of these books. This book approaches the setting with more care than most.
November 30, 2023
The Antiquity Affair is an adventure, a thriller and a mystery in the style of Indiana Jones, but with female leads. Set in 1907, Dr. Warren Ford is an esteemed archaeologist and father of two daughters. Lila is the intellectual sister, who was unceremoniously pulled out of school and has now become a Manhattan socialite, ready for her debut. Tess is the rebellious sister, adamant that she will follow in her father's footsteps, but doesn't have the same skills as Lilah. On the night of Lila's debut, Tess is kidnapped and Lila and her father go after her. There is a sinister group that are after a relic known as the Serpent’s Crown. It is rumored to give power to it's owner and is supposed to be found in the mysterious Tomb of the Five Ladies. Dr. Ford has found a riddle that will point the way to the tomb and the group is sure that Lila is the one who will be able to solve it, but they grabbed the wrong sister.
This was a fun story that I really enjoyed. It was a book that you just sat back and enjoyed, a popcorn book if you will. There were great characters, villains and an exciting story. The sisters had to have knowledge of mythology, ancient languages and symbols as well as puzzle solving skills to find the treasure. Combining Historical Fiction, Adventure, Thrillers and Mystery this book checked a lot of boxes for me. There were times I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next, times I was angry and others where I was relieved. There are themes of family relationships and reconciliation, plus the result of keeping secrets. If you are looking for a book to enjoy, sit back and let The Antiquity Affair unfold. I did a read/listen and enjoyed the narration by Brittany Pressley and Holly Linneman. The gave voice to the sisters and various other characters. Although I enjoyed their narration, as the story unfolded quickly, I did grab the book and read as i was not a patient listener. I recommend this fun story in either format.
This was a fun story that I really enjoyed. It was a book that you just sat back and enjoyed, a popcorn book if you will. There were great characters, villains and an exciting story. The sisters had to have knowledge of mythology, ancient languages and symbols as well as puzzle solving skills to find the treasure. Combining Historical Fiction, Adventure, Thrillers and Mystery this book checked a lot of boxes for me. There were times I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next, times I was angry and others where I was relieved. There are themes of family relationships and reconciliation, plus the result of keeping secrets. If you are looking for a book to enjoy, sit back and let The Antiquity Affair unfold. I did a read/listen and enjoyed the narration by Brittany Pressley and Holly Linneman. The gave voice to the sisters and various other characters. Although I enjoyed their narration, as the story unfolded quickly, I did grab the book and read as i was not a patient listener. I recommend this fun story in either format.
Shelved as 'dnf-or-rain-check'
June 29, 2023dnf @ 8%
this is a hard and true case of ‘it’s not you. it’s me!’
i got this as an audiobook ALC from librofm and was very excited when i read the synopsis. i somehow missed that the sisters are in their teens and that it’s YA (and very clearly reads like YA)
i just felt like i knew exactly where the book was going and have outgrown this type of prose, and i didn’t gel with the writing or the characters
but again, it’s ON ME! the YAs out there should defs read this. i wish i had smtg like this when i was a teen
this is a hard and true case of ‘it’s not you. it’s me!’
i got this as an audiobook ALC from librofm and was very excited when i read the synopsis. i somehow missed that the sisters are in their teens and that it’s YA (and very clearly reads like YA)
i just felt like i knew exactly where the book was going and have outgrown this type of prose, and i didn’t gel with the writing or the characters
but again, it’s ON ME! the YAs out there should defs read this. i wish i had smtg like this when i was a teen
April 26, 2023
This book sends its reader on an adventure! I enjoyed getting to know both main characters and seeing how very different people can both be parts of the same incredible story. The writing was inviting, humorous at times, and well crafted. Highly recommend.
April 17, 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I was fascinated by the description of this book, and was not let down. This is a story of sisterhood, faith and love. Not only does this book offer a very fun journey of two estranged sisters, it's a very fast paced thrilling ride to the farest regions of Egypt. As a lover of history, taking this journey with the two sisters, whilst fighting off the evil cabal, was the perfect form of escapism. I was wary the characters would be too obvious in their struggle to find each other, and find true love; I was not let down. I can truly say this is a must read for all who are seeking a novel filled with adventure, cunning, joie de vivre and loyalty. I would certainly look forward to reading more adventures of the Ford sisters.
July 7, 2023
The first thing I thought about this book is how fun it was. If you love adventure romps, this is ideal. It was very fast paced and packed with danger, mysteries, betrayals, and drama.
I would say it was almost too fast paced? There was little downtime between the big acts that wasn’t spent in contemplation of the emotional upheavals, so I was missing some more in-depth setting and atmosphere. I’m also definitely here for the history aspect so readers who aren’t as into the historical setting will probably appreciate that there is the flavor of 1907 without a full meal of historical context and details.
That’s my only complaint though. The characters were enjoyable and their arcs satisfying, and the reveals of clues and deceptions were enjoyably original while still holding very true to the descriptor of “Indiana Jones but make it women.” I loved the very end because I’m very eager for more of the Ford sisters.
I would say it was almost too fast paced? There was little downtime between the big acts that wasn’t spent in contemplation of the emotional upheavals, so I was missing some more in-depth setting and atmosphere. I’m also definitely here for the history aspect so readers who aren’t as into the historical setting will probably appreciate that there is the flavor of 1907 without a full meal of historical context and details.
That’s my only complaint though. The characters were enjoyable and their arcs satisfying, and the reveals of clues and deceptions were enjoyably original while still holding very true to the descriptor of “Indiana Jones but make it women.” I loved the very end because I’m very eager for more of the Ford sisters.
July 9, 2023
LOVED! Such a huge departure from my usual reading style, but I truly was engrossed in the story from the very beginning.
Tess and Lila’s relationship was fascinating to witness as it unfolded throughout the story. A satisfying end with hope for more adventures ahead for them (and maybe another book!) one can dream…… ;)
Tess and Lila’s relationship was fascinating to witness as it unfolded throughout the story. A satisfying end with hope for more adventures ahead for them (and maybe another book!) one can dream…… ;)
April 4, 2024
Audiobook (12 hours) narrated by Brittany Pressley, and Holly Linneman.
The narration is good, as is the audio quality. There is a noticeable difference in the audio when flipping between the two narrators. The pacing and volume, however, are similar so there isn't any worries about changing volumes or listening speeds.
There also isn't any problems with distortion or erroneous noise.
Listening speeds feel comfortable between 1x and 2.15x speeds, as preferred.
The Antiquity Affair is a mystery adventure collab between Lee Kelly, and Jennifer Thorne. I have seen this described as a mixture of Agatha Christie and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. I would say that is an appropriate comparison, with the bulk of the Agatha Christie coming in the first half of the book before transitioning into a full on Indiana Jones style adventure.
A fun and entertaining read with some interesting characters that also are a mish mash of what you would expect to find in the comparison stories.
Recommend.
The narration is good, as is the audio quality. There is a noticeable difference in the audio when flipping between the two narrators. The pacing and volume, however, are similar so there isn't any worries about changing volumes or listening speeds.
There also isn't any problems with distortion or erroneous noise.
Listening speeds feel comfortable between 1x and 2.15x speeds, as preferred.
The Antiquity Affair is a mystery adventure collab between Lee Kelly, and Jennifer Thorne. I have seen this described as a mixture of Agatha Christie and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. I would say that is an appropriate comparison, with the bulk of the Agatha Christie coming in the first half of the book before transitioning into a full on Indiana Jones style adventure.
A fun and entertaining read with some interesting characters that also are a mish mash of what you would expect to find in the comparison stories.
Recommend.
November 19, 2023
Fun quick read. Great way to get me out of a reading rut. I’m a sucker for anything with an Indiana Jones vibe. The last 50 pages were a bit of a let down and the whole thing felt a little YA. It also didn’t deliver on feeling like true historical fiction set in 1907. However, I really enjoyed it!
August 26, 2024
I've been waiting for my time with this book for months from the library. And it took me just over a day to finish it in as I couldn't put it done. Oh, my archaeology, Indiana Jones, Egypt loving self was in heaven. This might be one of the best books, I've read all year.
I appreciated how this book layered fact with it's own myth making to come up with story. I personally like when chapters can flit back and forth between different main character's narrations and having it between the 2 sisters was great. There were a few lags, but the story kept going well enough for me to not take much notice.
The last "scene" was perfect! Think Last Crusade/Philosopher's Stone type challenge. The growth of the sisters in the challenges was maybe a bit much, but again, I highly enjoyed this section.
Since this is historical fiction, it is odd to see the contemplation of racism and the effect early archaeology had on societies. I don't doubt that there were people who thought the same things- relics should stay in country/not be sold etc - but it certainly was not a popular opinion. The authors brought it in, and handled it in okayish fashion. The sisters are very clearly the beginning of the new guard against their father's way of doing things. I can see this playing out more in further books and I'm excited for that!
I appreciated how this book layered fact with it's own myth making to come up with story. I personally like when chapters can flit back and forth between different main character's narrations and having it between the 2 sisters was great. There were a few lags, but the story kept going well enough for me to not take much notice.
The last "scene" was perfect! Think Last Crusade/Philosopher's Stone type challenge. The growth of the sisters in the challenges was maybe a bit much, but again, I highly enjoyed this section.
Since this is historical fiction, it is odd to see the contemplation of racism and the effect early archaeology had on societies. I don't doubt that there were people who thought the same things- relics should stay in country/not be sold etc - but it certainly was not a popular opinion. The authors brought it in, and handled it in okayish fashion. The sisters are very clearly the beginning of the new guard against their father's way of doing things. I can see this playing out more in further books and I'm excited for that!
Read
July 20, 2023Set in 1907 egypt had become the centre of attention for the artifacts that poured
out of the country. There seemed to be vastnumbers of people, seemingly explorerers
but mainly looters who found priceless articles which were in high demand amongst
so called connoiseurs of art worldwide.
Dr Walter Ford was a leading Egyptologist and he was presently on a search for the
Serpent Crown said to contain magical powers of conferring absolute control over
countries and one which led to dominance over people. Such a crown was naturally
sought by many. When Dr Ford started on this quest, he did not envisage that his
enemies would focus their attention on his two daughters the debutante Lila or his
non conformist and adventure loving Tess.
Starting first as an abduction then going into a chase and rescue, the expedition of
Dr Ford is not an easy one as his opposition does not care how many victims they leave
behind in their quest for the crown.
Very descriptive of the life of the times, both in fashionable Manhattan, urban Egypt
and then desert Egypt, this was an adventurous read.
out of the country. There seemed to be vastnumbers of people, seemingly explorerers
but mainly looters who found priceless articles which were in high demand amongst
so called connoiseurs of art worldwide.
Dr Walter Ford was a leading Egyptologist and he was presently on a search for the
Serpent Crown said to contain magical powers of conferring absolute control over
countries and one which led to dominance over people. Such a crown was naturally
sought by many. When Dr Ford started on this quest, he did not envisage that his
enemies would focus their attention on his two daughters the debutante Lila or his
non conformist and adventure loving Tess.
Starting first as an abduction then going into a chase and rescue, the expedition of
Dr Ford is not an easy one as his opposition does not care how many victims they leave
behind in their quest for the crown.
Very descriptive of the life of the times, both in fashionable Manhattan, urban Egypt
and then desert Egypt, this was an adventurous read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews