Empire of Shadows audiobook by Jacquelyn Benson

This early review copy was provided to me by author Jacquelyn Benson through NetGalley. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: Empire of Shadows

Series: Raiders of the Arcana

Author: Jacquelyn Benson

Narrator: Alex Picard

Release Date: September 1, 2024

Publisher: Independently Published

Genre: Adventure, Historical Romantasy

Source: digital, NetGalley

TW: colonization, blood, sexism, minor sexual content, animal death, violence, child death, racism, slavery

Synopsis

Nice Victorian ladies don’t run off to find legendary lost cities.

One trifling little arrest shouldn’t have cost Ellie Mallory her job, but it’s only the latest in a line of injustices facing any educated woman with archaeological ambitions.

When Ellie stumbles across the map to a mysterious ancient city, she knows she’s holding her chance to revolutionize Pre-Colombian history. There’s just one teensy complication. A ruthless villain wants it, and Ellie is all that stands in his way.

To race him to the ruins—and avoid being violently disposed of—she needs the help of maverick surveyor Adam Bates, a snake-wrangling rogue who can’t seem to keep his dratted shirt on.

But there’s more than Ellie’s scholarly reputation (and life) on the line. Her enemies aren’t just looters. They’re after an arcane secret rumored to lie in the heart of the ruins, a mythical artifact with a power that could shake the world.

Between stealing trousers, plummeting over waterfalls, and trying not to fall in love with her machete-wielding partner, will Ellie be able to stop the oracle of a lost empire from falling into the wrong hands?

Empire of Shadows is the first book in Jacquelyn Benson’s smart, swashbuckling Raiders of the Arcana series, narrated by twenty-year acting veteran Alex Picard. Listen now and dive into a rip-roaring historical fantasy adventure perfect for fans of What the River Knows and The Mummy.

Thoughts

I recently had the pleasure of revisiting Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson, but this time through the audiobook, narrated by the incredible Alex Picard. This historical fantasy adventure, the first in the Raiders of the Arcana series, sweeps you up into a world filled with intrigue, danger, and a dash of romance, all set against the backdrop of a quest to find a legendary lost city.

Alex Picard's performance truly elevated the experience of this audiobook. I’d already loved Empire of Shadows when I read it, but hearing Picard breathe life into the characters was a whole new delight. Her skillful use of accents and ability to create distinct voices for each character made it easy to immerse myself in the story. Picard’s portrayal of Ellie perfectly captured her intelligence, resilience, and determination to prove herself in a male-dominated field. As for Adam Bates, his roguish charm and mischievous spirit were expertly conveyed by the narrator, adding to the overall fun and adventure of the tale.

If you love stories with fierce, clever heroines, high-stakes adventures, and a little romance sprinkled in, then Empire of Shadows is for you. With a plot that’s as action-packed as it is engaging, and a narrator who brings every moment vividly to life, this audiobook is a must-listen. Whether you’re new to the series or revisiting it like me, you’ll be swept up in the magic and mystery of Ellie’s journey. Don’t miss this swashbuckling adventure!