Saira

Took a little adjusting to view it in the world of Aladdin, but helped if I kind of separated it from the canon of the movie(s). The characters did feel a little OOC which was a part of it. It had some kinda spooky bits and the twist and plot were interesting. It just didn't feel very believable to the world of Aladdin and Jasmine and how she treated him. It also felt a little short and underdeveloped and the ending was very rushed. Similar to “A Game of Malice in Greed” in many ways, though more PG.

Thanks to the publisher & Net Galley for providing me with an eArc.

I was interested in this book as a fan of Enola Holmes, Sherlock, Hercule Poirot, Benoit Blanc, and the general murder mystery genre!

The book had a fun and interesting concept, but did read rather young for it to be set at college/college age– may be better as an upper MG/lower YA set in HS based on the tone. It also didn't do much to set up the world – I forgot where and when it was set often! Especially since often these types of mysteries are set in Victorian/England – if they aren't, it helps if the setting also acts as a character for the enhanced mysterious atmosphere (like Knives Out).

The characters didn't get much development besides the relationship between the MC and Percy, which seemed a little unfounded as well.

As for the plot, it didn't really feel like a mystery where they gathered clues, looked at suspects etc. It was very much like they were in class, Ashley disappeared, they find her iPad and Holmes, they team up, then it's solved. The two mysteries didn't seem to be linked as nicely at the end as they seemed to want to be – and didn't have a satisfying conclusion.

Overall the conclusion of the book was very rushed and half-done, and we never got answers as to if/why Ashley was related to the medium. Also was not a fan at all of the big reveal/culprit -- it seemed very out of character, especially as a Doctor.

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.

Started out just okay, then got good once the trials started and Drake and Cass teamed up. The ending was very rushed and bonkers and ended on the worst cliffhanger ever, which kind of cancelled out the rest of the book with making it just feel rushed or half-finished, especially since there's no news of a following book. Similar to “Realm of Wonders'” but that was better.

This book had much of the same charms and flaws as the first — a fairly short and quick read that gives you a little bit of adventure but doesn't spend too long building the world or characters or themes. It seems almost formulaic how similar it was to the first book. Still, I hope there are further books in the series and that they can continue to delve deeper into the world and characters and themes, especially the history and mythology.

Yet another seemingly gratuitous death and crazy professor.