Narrated by Alex Picard

Genre: fantasy historical adventure romance
Egypt, 1898

Fantasy adventure historical romance is a genre, right? I enjoyed book 1 of Raiders of the Arcana, set in British Honduras. But I loved this one, book 2, set in Egypt.

Tomb of the Sun King picks up the overarching plot from the series - a set of objects around the world linked to a dark magic - and follows Ellie Mallory and Adam Bates from book 1, now headed to Egypt to meet up with Ellie's stepbrother, Neil Fairfax, Oxford PhD and archeologist, and accompanied by Ellie's best friend Constance Tyrell. The object they are after may link Moses to Akhenaten and Nefertiti, in an era of Egyptian history known for its monotheism rather than more traditional polytheism.

Tomb of the Sun King takes the elements from book one that I loved: Victorian era scholarship, adventure, romance, and takes them to the next level in Egypt. While Ellie might feel a little too modern for 1898 to some readers, I think Jacquelyn Benson does a great job at justifying Ellie's choices and her stubbornness towards adventure. Issues of colonialism are really carefully addressed here in a way I admire. For example, the theft of treasures by those who fund the expeditions rather than allowing the Egyptian government to keep them has historical accuracy, as well as characters who oppose this practice and some who are blind to the practice.

Like the first book, my biggest complaint is the length. At 17.5 hours/616 pages, it has the length of epic fantasy. Luckily, it moves quickly with an adventure-packed fast-paced plot and a really easy to enjoy romance. Alex Picard's narration is excellent, and I held out reading this book until I could listen because I loved listening to the first book.

I am utterly obsessed with Jacquelyn’s works and this one is no different. It was such a fun adventure and I loved that we spent so much more time with Constance. I didn’t know what to expect of Neil but he truly is Ellie’s brother (in the best way…. and in the worst I suppose). Neil brought a lot of complicated emotions to the group and it made the story all the more real for me. I cannot wait to see what happens in India. No, really. I can’t wait.. where’s the book??

"Tomb of the Sun King" is an exhilarating blend of historical fantasy, adventure, and romance that kept me hooked from start to finish. Ellie Mallory, an archivist and suffragette, takes center stage as a fresh, feminist take on Indiana Jones. She dodges villains, escapes lost tombs, and races to secure a powerful magical artifact buried in the sands of Egypt. The fast-paced plot, rich with ancient mysteries and thrilling chases, is made even more compelling by her dynamic companions—her uptight step-brother Neil, the roguish Adam Bates, and the fearless Constance Tyrrell. Their journey through ancient Egypt’s legendary sites is an absolute delight, filled with twists, danger, and humor.

What truly elevates this book is the audiobook, narrated by Alex Picard. Her captivating performance brings Ellie’s daring adventures to life, adding depth to the characters and an extra layer of excitement to the action-packed story. This is a must-read—and must-listen—for fans of adventure, magic, and strong female protagonists.