Curse of the Specter Queen
Ratings4
Average rating3.5
A female Indiana Jones meets Tomb Raider when Samantha Knox receives a mysterious field diary and finds herself thrust into a treacherous plot. After stealing a car and jumping on a train, chased by a group dangerous pursuers, Sam finds out what’s so special about this book: it contains a cipher that leads to a cursed jade statue that could put an end to all mankind.
Series
Featured Series
2 primary books#1 in Samantha Knox
Samantha Knox is a 2-book series with 2 primary works first released in 2021 with contributions by Jenny Elder Moke.
Reviews
Popular Reviews
Reviews with the most likes.
I loved the way Samantha learned that she was more than she thought and she had more support than she thought. The investigation and beating the bad guy were good. The reveal of the bad guy was not exactly what I wanted, but it didn't really detract from my enjoyment
The publisher provided me with the opportunity to read this (via Netgalley).
This was a fast paced and easy read that I enjoyed. The writing was well done and the history/legends presented in a way that made them easy to understand even if you (like myself) were unfamiliar with them.
Tone and writing really reminded me of the 39 Clues (one of my favorite series) but a little older! It did still read a little young for college aged and is not that academically/nerdy as some other books– so definitely read more like upper MG/lower YA. I loved Sam & Bennett's relationship and Jo was a fun character too. It was nice how it was set in the 1920s, though I wish we got more of that vibe and more setting/world building on the train and steamer. I think the general premise/name of this “Specter Queen” and Ireland is a bit less appealing for an archaeology book (especially a first one) but it could've been aided by stronger world building and description. Despite this, still a fun time, well paced and looking forward to reading more in the series!
*SPOILER
Also, still SHOCKED by what happened to Alistair, and don't like that... it seemed too dark to fit in with the rest of the story -- the other fates seemed more justified, but not him... seemed like a bit of just a shock factor.
