Tomb of Brass

The Family Cursebreakers #2

by Tansy Rayner Roberts

A short novel about pining archaeologists, curse magic, more gargoyles, the perils of academia and the world's worst country house party -- today! It's also quite cozy, but a touch more angsty than the first one.
Whatever happened to Colin Hathaway and Tag Gardiner, two dashing tomb raiders who disappeared mysteriously from an archaeological dig twenty-five years ago? The answer may surprise you! (It definitely surprised them)

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

196 pages, ebook

Published November 27, 2025

About the author

Tansy Rayner Roberts is a fantasy and science fiction author who lives in southern Tasmania, somewhere between the tall mountain with snow on it, and the beach that points towards Antarctica.

Tansy has a PhD in Classics (with a special interest in poisonous Roman ladies), and an obsession with Musketeers.

You can hear Tansy talking about Doctor Who on the Verity! podcast. She also reads her own stories on the Sheep Might Fly podcast.

Reviews

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and it's mix of magic, people behaving badly, the romance storyline and history. Tansy Rayner Roberts has created a really rich universe and I think I could spend many happy hours here as she continues with the multiple possible story lines.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paranormal mystery and romance. Colin and Tag, the two guys who were recently freed from a curse, are invited to a strange gathering, where a murder takes place.
The book is formatted in a way reminiscent of Colin's doctoral dissertation, in the form of numerous footnotes. I did not read all of the footnotes, as they interrupted the flow of the narrative. Those I did read did not seem worth the effort to me.
The book also jumps back and forth in time. I prefer a chronological narrative. Particularly annoying to me were the interruptions to a climactic showdown that were set in the future. These scenes spoiled the suspense of how the showdown would end.
There were also a few irritating typos.
Still, I will read any other books in this series that are published, in order to see what the characters do next.

[Tehani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this in a day, and it sent me straight back to reread its predecessor, Curse of Bronze. Love the worldbuilding, the gentle slow burn, the family dynamics and the characters. Totally enjoyable!

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a fun and unserious short novel about swashbuckling “archaeologists” that have returned from being trapped in a tomb for twenty-five years. The romance is strong but the pacing struggles with too many time jumps to prolong suspense in the present.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

even better than the first

This is just so much fun. We take up with our two recently uncursed rivals/crushes as they come to terms with sliced bread and modern razors as well as country house parties and evil gargoyles.

[Fred Langridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, gentle, fantasy archeology adventure and romance (m/m).

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series!

I love the slightly wacky yet whimsical setting - gargoyles, vampires, werewolves, curses, talking teapots, ancient tombs, and the sly humor throughout the story. The dialogue is excellent and Tag and Colin's relationship is perfect.

This story follows archaeologists Tag Gardiner and Colin Hathaway who were released from 25 years agelessly trapped by an ancient tomb. (The beginning of the story is told in The Curse of Bronze.) Coming back to the world the same age as they left, the archeologists have a hard time adjusting to a changed world.

This is one of those books that I both kept wanting to turn the page and wanted to savor slowly. I think it will appeal to fans of Gail Carriger, India Holton or Genevieve Cogman.