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A review by okthislooksbad
The Lady Adventurers Club by Karen Frost
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
1923. Archaology. Egypt. Lady-adventurers. Wonderfully raging feminism and the opening of a rediscovered tomb. Suddenly.. mythology?
I really enjoyed the beginning of this, but there were a lot of things that initially felt like they were just very convenient, either lazy plotting or simply just going back on what had previously been stated, but towards the end it took a sharp turn to a sort of fantasy-element that came out of nowhere? There had been a hint or two, but they were among the things I’d considered “convenient” previously, so when it suddenly went in that direction I was left with literary whiplash.
What really carries this story is the characters. The author has done a great job creating characters that are easy to distinguish between, both in tone and behaviour, and I loved that they’re all in their late thirties/possibly early forties. Sometimes there were situations where their responses to things were a bit naive and didn’t suggest they were actual adults and not teenagers, which was a bit unfortunate. I’d read an entire book about Eliza and Georgette going on adventures, but leave Anna out of it. She’s manipulative and gaslighty and doesn’t seem to play well with people, and despite all the ladies going on “adventures” with her to save “her” treasure she’s still pretty awful towards them. I was so excited for the romance in this, too, because the entire backdrop was perfect for that sweet falling-for-your-fellow-adventurer-vibe, but it just felt icky because of the way Anna behaved. She needs therapy (and to get over herself) more than she needs a girlfriend, is all I’m saying.
All in all, the ending feels like it’s opening up for the possibility of a sequel, and I think I’d read it - if nothing else then just to get to spend more time with Eliza and Georgette.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this, but there were a lot of things that initially felt like they were just very convenient, either lazy plotting or simply just going back on what had previously been stated, but towards the end it took a sharp turn to a sort of fantasy-element that came out of nowhere? There had been a hint or two, but they were among the things I’d considered “convenient” previously, so when it suddenly went in that direction I was left with literary whiplash.
What really carries this story is the characters. The author has done a great job creating characters that are easy to distinguish between, both in tone and behaviour, and I loved that they’re all in their late thirties/possibly early forties. Sometimes there were situations where their responses to things were a bit naive and didn’t suggest they were actual adults and not teenagers, which was a bit unfortunate. I’d read an entire book about Eliza and Georgette going on adventures, but leave Anna out of it. She’s manipulative and gaslighty and doesn’t seem to play well with people, and despite all the ladies going on “adventures” with her to save “her” treasure she’s still pretty awful towards them. I was so excited for the romance in this, too, because the entire backdrop was perfect for that sweet falling-for-your-fellow-adventurer-vibe, but it just felt icky because of the way Anna behaved. She needs therapy (and to get over herself) more than she needs a girlfriend, is all I’m saying.
All in all, the ending feels like it’s opening up for the possibility of a sequel, and I think I’d read it - if nothing else then just to get to spend more time with Eliza and Georgette.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.