This is such a good book. Such a good book that the first thing I have to tell you in this review is that if you enjoy the action of Indiana Jones, the occult and humor of The Mummy and the cool explorations and fun tidbits of the Amelia Peabody series. I know I just namedropped a bunch of different series, but it gives a good glimpse of the series’ tone. Which is just chockfull of awesome.

Set in the 1920s, Samantha Knox is still reeling from her father’s death in The Great War. Her only joy in life is working at Steerling Antiquities, repairing old books and accumulating archeological knowledge. It’s a solitary existance but she is soon thrust back into the sphere of her estranged friend, Joanna Steerling and her very cute older brother, Bennet when she recieves a mysterious diary by a well-known archeologist.

Sam cannot hide from the world anymore as the world comes to her, burning down the bookshop to get the diary of Father Jacob. In a narrow escape, the trio finangle their way onto a train out of Chicago and figure out the importance of the diary-It contains a ritual for the Hellfire Club to raise the Specter Queen and bring upon the last war of man.

So facing off creepy monks, a treasure hunt for ancient relics, and confusing ciphers, it’s up to Sam and the Sterling siblings to save the world.

Okay, this might sound gushing but I just loved everything about this book. First off I love the 1920s and Monke does a great job in depicting the aesthetic, references to Charleston, and pulp fiction, bouncing between small town Clement to sprawling Chicago as the world begins to change with new discoveries balanced with opulance. The visuals make one feel as if you can step inside the world she depicts.

I loved the combination of the start as a realistic archeological mystery, delivering educational tidbits of ancient Celtic mythology, archeological techniques and methods, and book repair. Then it quickly turns to an international adventure to Dublin that veers into a creepy climax filled with the supernatural occult! It’s amazing.

Character-wise, Samantha goes through a wonderful yet gradual arc in regaining her self confidence. As mentioned above, she has withdrawn into herself, and can’t bear to think of her dreams of archeology or treasure hunting. It seems so silly and childish, especially if you consider her position in the 1920s as a poor, young female. She doesn’t have the Sterling wealth or professional experience that would allow her to gain the big name contacts in the archeology world. So it’s better not to risk the disappointment of reaching beyond her means and stay in her bookshop.

This adventure quite literally forces her out of her small-town which she is initially fearful. But soon the ciphers and opportunity to learn more and investigate the world catches her brain on fire and she cannot leave this diary alone. One because she is the kind of girl that has to see things through and two, because she knows the grief that came from losing her father in the Great War and will do anything to prevent another.

Monke delivers an important message about facing her fear of an uncertain, dangerous world and learning to live again after that grief. As well as the importance of not pushing others away just because they don’t understand her exact pain.
Which is a big point of estrangement between Sam and Jo as she felt the former didn’t get the encompassing hurt of losing someone to death, would never get it with all her riches, privileges and flighty nature. Jo’s father returned from the war, and Sam’s didn’t. And while Jo can never understand it, Jo did have a small point that Sam wasn’t living anymore, just mourning and stuck in her ways.

The estrangement allows for the author and Sam to muse on the gap between her and the Sterlings who are handed more opportunities compared to Sam and Bennet’s classmate, Philip who gets roped into the adventure. They have to earn their way which leads to conflict and bitterness that suprisingly ties into the cult’s motives.

But it’s not just about Sam. Jo and Bennet round out the trio as the wild card and the cautious big brother respectively. I love Jo, she’s great comic relief with her deadpan comments, williningess to flout convention and epitomize the flapper attitude of the 20s. Bennet is the protective influence, trying to keep them from danger and is a bit more skeptical of the supernatural threat as he thinks its just superstitious beliefs from the Hellfire Club drunk on their forbidden wine. He also provides extra knowledge to aid Sam’s ciper-deciphering as he’s the only one going to the University of Chicago for classics and archeology.

Together, they create a well-oiled trio that balance each other out with Bennet’s sense of responsibility and safety, accumulated knowledge of the obscure and calm personality. Sam’s the glue with curiosity, resourcefulness, insight, an intense love of the subject with relentless determination. And Jo does not have the book smarts of the two but that’s a good thing as she cuts through their overthinking and will offer out of the box (and illegal) solutions.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Sam’s crush on Bennet which matures into a sweet, unforced friendship to romance as the journey goes on like two true nerds in love, freaking out over foreign hieroglyphics and the daily lives of ancient societies. It’s so sweet.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It has it all history, mystery, occult and plenty of red herrings to keep one guessing, all with an entertaining cast I can’t wait to read more of.

5 stars!