#jacquelyn benson

[jadedbugart]

lily and strangford from the london charismatics by jacquelyn benson

[kitsunefyuu]

I am reading “Empire of Shadows” and it makes me so happy to have such archeological female protagonists. And also all the information about Mayan culture and also heartbreak of looters. Either the mummy vibe like romance with our secondary protagonist who is awesome in making sure they get through this.

It’s so well written and makes me so happy to read a book where the protagonist is actually a competent nerd. The male interest is helpful but does not overtake the story and actually complements it well.

And I get cool history stuff sprinkled in and the romance is NOT center stage which is what makes it even better. As it actually a relationship being built between. It’s so good.

[catedwrites]

An absolute rollicking adventure with magic, mystery, mayhem, and romance. Unputdownable and heartily fulfilling. I want there to be 100 installments of this series and the fact I have to wait until later this year for book 3 is killing me. Someone else out there has to be a fan too....right? ...right??

[whimsicaldragonette]

ARC Review: Arrow of Fortune (Raiders of the Arcana 3) by Jacquelyn Benson

Add to Goodreads

Publication Date: November 18, 2025

About the Book:

A well-behaved lady historian ought to avoid haunted Indian forests… not plunge into them seeking an invincible weapon of the gods. Ellie Mallory didn’t exactly volunteer to prevent the most dangerous artifact of the Ramayana from falling into the wrong hands—but if one has been coerced into an adventure, the least one can do is bring along a few friends. Constance Tyrrell has new daggers stuffed in her garters, a thirst to discover everything India has to offer… and absolutely no interest in Dr. Neil Fairfax, Ellie’s scholarly stepbrother. Meanwhile, Neil finds himself wrangling a magical sword along with his increasingly tangled feelings about a certain doe-eyed danger gnome. Then there’s Adam Bates—handy with a machete, perpetually shirtless, and about to face some unsettling ghosts of his past. Together, they must follow the footsteps of an ancient hero from the festivals of Puri to the shadowy depths of a legendary forest, racing a brutal colonial administrator with allies of his own—including the complicated and mysterious Mr. Jacobs. It will take all Ellie’s resources—from a working knowledge of practical chemistry to a highly excitable dog—to beat a new sort of demon to the place where a holy power has lain hidden for two thousand years… alongside the secret history of the woman at the heart of India’s greatest story.

My Review:

5 stars!

This was such a good follow-up to the first two books! I loved how balanced the focus was between Ellie & Adam and Connie & Neil, and how the two relationships progressed. It was almost like getting two romance novels in one. And it was an excellent archeological adventure besides.

I really love these books. The characters are really charming and endearing, with depth to them. The adventure is rollicking and exciting and the archeological information is fascinating. Plus the thread of anti-colonialism throughout makes them satisfying reads.

It's all the guilty pleasure of an Indiana Jones adventure, but without the guilt. Because the characters grapple with the implications of colonialism and all the injustices it perpetrates while having their adventure, rescuing the Arcana from the colonizers who will do nothing good with the magical artifacts.

The good guys are charming, the bad guys are dastardly, and Jacobs remains mysteriously morally gray.

The audiobook was excellent. The characters' voices were consistent with the previous books and each character had a distinct voice. The narration was pleasant to listen to and well-paced, bringing the adventure to life.

I look forward to their next adventure! It sounds like Korea and Egypt are our intrepid pair of duo's net stops and I cannot wait!

*Thanks to Vaughan Woods Publishing, and Jacquelyn Benson for providing an early copy for review.

[impossibelle]

[nzbookwyrm]

November 2025

[blueymoons]

I need to ask an IMPORTANT QUESTION!!!

Are @pools-of-venetianblue and I the only people who’ve read The Charismatics Series?!

Because we need, nay, REQUIRE, people to join us in this fandom.

Book One:

* cover and description taken from Amazon listing *

I read this on a whim, because I thought the cover was gorgeous (I mean look at it!!!) and I was so, RIDICULOUSLY, pleased with the story that I did not want to put it down.

Book two is already out…and look at this cover!!!

And book 3 comes out in mere days.

And yet…I have not seen ANYONE obsessing over this series and it DESERVES TO BE OBSESSED OVER. Please, my mutual, my friends, my loves…read this series and join my obsession so that we can add it to AO3 and we can write you some stories.

PLEASE!

It’s all I want for Christmas.

If you liked the idea of Veronica Speedwell but got aggravated with her as a character, I guarantee, YOU. WILL. LOVE. THIS.

[jadedbugart]

Adam Bates and Ellie Mallory from the Raiders of the Arcana series by the incredible jacquelyn benson