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The Lost Map of Chaos
Memphis "M" Engle is stubborn to a fault, graced with an almost absurd knowledge of long lost languages and cultures, and a heck of an opponent in a fight. In short: she's awesome.
Ashwin Sood is a little too posh for her tastes, a member of an ancient cult (which she’s pretty sure counts for more than one strike against him), and has just informed Memphis that her father who she thought was dead isn’t and needs her help.
From the catacombs of Paris to lost temples in the sacred forests, together they crisscross the globe, searching for the pieces of the one thing that might save her father. But the closer they come to saving him—and the more they fall for one another—the closer they get to destroying the world.
Ashwin Sood is a little too posh for her tastes, a member of an ancient cult (which she’s pretty sure counts for more than one strike against him), and has just informed Memphis that her father who she thought was dead isn’t and needs her help.
From the catacombs of Paris to lost temples in the sacred forests, together they crisscross the globe, searching for the pieces of the one thing that might save her father. But the closer they come to saving him—and the more they fall for one another—the closer they get to destroying the world.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
6 people are currently reading
1841 people want to read
About the author
Laura J. Burns
38 books262 followersLaura J. Burns has written more than thirty books for kids and teens, touching on topics from imaginary lake monsters to out-of-control Hollywood starlets. (Those two things have more in common than you'd think.)
With Melinda Metz, she has also written for the TV shows ROSWELL, 1-800-MISSING, and THE DEAD ZONE. Their next book is THE LOST MAP OF CHAOS, coming in 2018!
Laura lives in New York with her husband, her kids, and her exceptionally silly dogs.
With Melinda Metz, she has also written for the TV shows ROSWELL, 1-800-MISSING, and THE DEAD ZONE. Their next book is THE LOST MAP OF CHAOS, coming in 2018!
Laura lives in New York with her husband, her kids, and her exceptionally silly dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
July 27, 2018
"M”, short for Memphis, is still reeling from the death of her father when she is followed one evening by a young British man by the name of Ash. He has a lot of revelations for her and one is a real zinger - her father is not dead but being kept captive by the cult of Set. She is naturally shocked but not overly so, her father’s kidnapping makes sense as he is able to decipher symbols and has vast knowledge of Ancient Cultures and their language. To make things even more interesting, Ash is also a member of a "cult", this one for the Egyptian deity Horus. M sneaks out of the home she shares with her guardians and leaves with Ash to save her father.
Ash informs M that the cult of Set will release her father if she can locate the missing pieces of their God. Sounds easy enough, right? So, the pair begin to globe trot to various locations including the catacombs in Paris, cave diving, mysterious islands, and lost temples. Along the journey, they must decipher symbols and find the pieces for both to get what they need.
M is a strong and witty young woman who speaks several languages, is skilled in marital arts, knows lot about ancient cultures and their customs. Her knowledge comes from traveling the world with her father while he worked.
Ash did not have a happy childhood and found acceptance with the followers of Horus. He has a past he does not like to talk about and may or may not have his own agenda while helping M find the pieces she needs to save her father.
The characters are interesting, and their first adventures are interesting and fun. I was right there enjoying the action. Then things seemed to become stagnant. They had more adventures and mishaps but nothing overly exciting happened. Sure, they had some obstacles to overcome, the main obstacle is learning how to trust each other, but the book began to lose some of its momentum in terms of action/thrills/excitement. They are on an adventure a ‘la tomb raider, Indiana Jones, or Percy Jackson and I was hoping for more thrilling scenes. With an adventure book, I would hope to be on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as fast as I could read and that was not the case with this book.
Although I enjoyed the story, I wanted more. More angst, more adventure, more conflict and more thrills.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Ash informs M that the cult of Set will release her father if she can locate the missing pieces of their God. Sounds easy enough, right? So, the pair begin to globe trot to various locations including the catacombs in Paris, cave diving, mysterious islands, and lost temples. Along the journey, they must decipher symbols and find the pieces for both to get what they need.
M is a strong and witty young woman who speaks several languages, is skilled in marital arts, knows lot about ancient cultures and their customs. Her knowledge comes from traveling the world with her father while he worked.
Ash did not have a happy childhood and found acceptance with the followers of Horus. He has a past he does not like to talk about and may or may not have his own agenda while helping M find the pieces she needs to save her father.
The characters are interesting, and their first adventures are interesting and fun. I was right there enjoying the action. Then things seemed to become stagnant. They had more adventures and mishaps but nothing overly exciting happened. Sure, they had some obstacles to overcome, the main obstacle is learning how to trust each other, but the book began to lose some of its momentum in terms of action/thrills/excitement. They are on an adventure a ‘la tomb raider, Indiana Jones, or Percy Jackson and I was hoping for more thrilling scenes. With an adventure book, I would hope to be on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as fast as I could read and that was not the case with this book.
Although I enjoyed the story, I wanted more. More angst, more adventure, more conflict and more thrills.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
September 13, 2018
Wow, M! “M” is short for Memphis, our first main character. She is assertive and overwhelmingly intelligent with savant-type knowledge in certain areas. She speaks several languages, and she knows martial arts (of course!). Overall, I loved her.
Ashwin “Ash” Sood is a little too preppy for M. He is also a member of an ancient cult. Did I lose you?
Ash rocks M’s world by telling her that not only is her late father not dead, he also urgently needs her help.
M and Ash team up to travel the world in search of the holy grail that will save M’s father. This is where the magic happens as the book takes on an adventurous feel reminiscent of Indiana Jones. The first half of the adventure is a tad more enthralling than the second, but my interest was held throughout.
If you couldn’t tell already, I adored M, and Ash with his baggage and tender heart won me over as well. The angst and tension build in the story as their feelings towards each other grow.
I Do Not Trust You is a different sort of read for me, and it left me wishing I read this genre more often. I will definitely check out this duo’s first book.
Thank you to Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press for the invitation to join in on the blog tour and for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Ashwin “Ash” Sood is a little too preppy for M. He is also a member of an ancient cult. Did I lose you?
Ash rocks M’s world by telling her that not only is her late father not dead, he also urgently needs her help.
M and Ash team up to travel the world in search of the holy grail that will save M’s father. This is where the magic happens as the book takes on an adventurous feel reminiscent of Indiana Jones. The first half of the adventure is a tad more enthralling than the second, but my interest was held throughout.
If you couldn’t tell already, I adored M, and Ash with his baggage and tender heart won me over as well. The angst and tension build in the story as their feelings towards each other grow.
I Do Not Trust You is a different sort of read for me, and it left me wishing I read this genre more often. I will definitely check out this duo’s first book.
Thank you to Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press for the invitation to join in on the blog tour and for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
September 13, 2018
Intrigue! Mythology! Distrust!
Laura Croft move over and make some room for Memphis! This book was filled with mystery, intrigue, mythology, Magic, and travels, and it was a lot of fun! This book takes you all over the world from the US to Norway to Paris to Egypt.... this book is a little step out of my usual reading but I’m glad I read it! I think I would classify this more as a mystery rather than adventure?
Memphis was a witty, Independent, and intriguing young lady. With a propensity for languages and a skill for the martial arts... grieving the death of her father Memphis is dealing with day-to-day teenage life until...Ash.... Ash is smart, good looking with abs of steel and a heart of gold.... well maybe not a heart of gold, but apparently he’s got those abs! He also has some information for Memphis... Memphis’s father is not dead, he is being held by a cult... in order to save her father and armed with an ancient map, Memphis and Ash travel near and far to find the “key“ to it all.... but is Ash friend or foe? Can he be trusted or not?
Loved the relationship between Memphis and Ash, loved watching them trying to figure out if the other was trustworthy or not... also I really enjoyed all the mythology and the supernatural elements.... The book started pretty ramped up but then it fell into a more steady pace, admittedly it almost stalled at a point, but fortunately it picked up again....
This was a fun read that I recommend if you enjoy mythology, intrigue, teenage angst, the supernatural, and exciting travels!
*** many thanks to Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this book ***
Laura Croft move over and make some room for Memphis! This book was filled with mystery, intrigue, mythology, Magic, and travels, and it was a lot of fun! This book takes you all over the world from the US to Norway to Paris to Egypt.... this book is a little step out of my usual reading but I’m glad I read it! I think I would classify this more as a mystery rather than adventure?
Memphis was a witty, Independent, and intriguing young lady. With a propensity for languages and a skill for the martial arts... grieving the death of her father Memphis is dealing with day-to-day teenage life until...Ash.... Ash is smart, good looking with abs of steel and a heart of gold.... well maybe not a heart of gold, but apparently he’s got those abs! He also has some information for Memphis... Memphis’s father is not dead, he is being held by a cult... in order to save her father and armed with an ancient map, Memphis and Ash travel near and far to find the “key“ to it all.... but is Ash friend or foe? Can he be trusted or not?
Loved the relationship between Memphis and Ash, loved watching them trying to figure out if the other was trustworthy or not... also I really enjoyed all the mythology and the supernatural elements.... The book started pretty ramped up but then it fell into a more steady pace, admittedly it almost stalled at a point, but fortunately it picked up again....
This was a fun read that I recommend if you enjoy mythology, intrigue, teenage angst, the supernatural, and exciting travels!
*** many thanks to Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this book ***
August 1, 2018
This is my second read from this author duo, and while I didn't love it as much as my last book from them, it was still overall a positive read for me. I was intrigued by the plot while browsing on NetGalley, as I haven't come across many YA novels lately that have this type of adventure focus, but the blurb hooked me immediately and I had to know more. Both of the main characters are racially diverse which was a huge plus, and I found the atmospheric portion of the novel to be stellar. My main disappointments are surrounding the fact that, for an adventure book, it lacks the action scenes needed to carry it's full weight in the genre. Overall not a bad read with a gorgeous cover to boot. Full review to come.
September 8, 2018
This is a fast-paced and thrilling adventure novel.
M, is the daughter of an archeologist who has been living with her guardians since she was informed her dad had passed away. Ash enters the picture, young and well-built and just happens to inform M that her dad is actually alive. From that moment on, both will travel around the world in a race against time, visiting ancient places, finding clues to will help save M’s father.
The novel is told in alternating perspectives and is set in places all over the globe. I like how M gives a historic and archeological background to the places mentioned in the book, it makes the story interesting. There is also a playful dynamic and humorous banter between the main characters.
Overall, I liked it and recommend it those who enjoy adventure thrillers and YA with some supernatural elements.
Received ARC from the publisher via Netgalley
M, is the daughter of an archeologist who has been living with her guardians since she was informed her dad had passed away. Ash enters the picture, young and well-built and just happens to inform M that her dad is actually alive. From that moment on, both will travel around the world in a race against time, visiting ancient places, finding clues to will help save M’s father.
The novel is told in alternating perspectives and is set in places all over the globe. I like how M gives a historic and archeological background to the places mentioned in the book, it makes the story interesting. There is also a playful dynamic and humorous banter between the main characters.
Overall, I liked it and recommend it those who enjoy adventure thrillers and YA with some supernatural elements.
Received ARC from the publisher via Netgalley
August 14, 2018
Let me start off by giving this BEA-UTIFUL cover a shout out! I can't lie by saying this is what gravitated me to this book. Love the red and the dark colors combined <3.
Now.. let me get to the good stuff. So this reminded me a tad bit of Indiana Jones status with traveling the world. What I liked about the book? I really enjoyed "M" who is short for Memphis. She is quite the independent and bad ass women with her martial arts skills. Ash is also very interesting and what I loved even more is how racially diverse both of these characters are! Kuddos to the author for this :).
I also fell in love with the atmospheric portion of the novel! It's stellar!!
My main issues with this novel is... your signing up for an adventure book with this one. So, of course you're wanting to be on the edge of your seat with thrills and chills to the substance. But, it was definitely lacking the excitement to the adventures and didn't deliver quite the way it should have. I wanted more and it unfortunately failed to deliver on the adventure aspect.
Although, I surprised myself with how quickly I read this one. In a day and a half!
3 stars
Thank you so much to St. Martin's and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Expected publication date: 9/11/18
Published to GR: 8/14/18
Now.. let me get to the good stuff. So this reminded me a tad bit of Indiana Jones status with traveling the world. What I liked about the book? I really enjoyed "M" who is short for Memphis. She is quite the independent and bad ass women with her martial arts skills. Ash is also very interesting and what I loved even more is how racially diverse both of these characters are! Kuddos to the author for this :).
I also fell in love with the atmospheric portion of the novel! It's stellar!!
My main issues with this novel is... your signing up for an adventure book with this one. So, of course you're wanting to be on the edge of your seat with thrills and chills to the substance. But, it was definitely lacking the excitement to the adventures and didn't deliver quite the way it should have. I wanted more and it unfortunately failed to deliver on the adventure aspect.
Although, I surprised myself with how quickly I read this one. In a day and a half!
3 stars
Thank you so much to St. Martin's and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Expected publication date: 9/11/18
Published to GR: 8/14/18
September 7, 2018
Note - My full review, along with an author interview, is on my blog: https://macsbooks311.wordpress.com
Memphis “M” Engel is stubborn to a fault, graced with an almost absurd knowledge of long lost languages and cultures, and a heck of an opponent in a fight. Ashwin “Ash” Sood is a little too posh for M’s tastes, a little too good looking, and has way too many secrets. He desperately wants the ancient map M inherited from her archeologist father, believing it will lead him to a relic with the power to destroy the world. Together they criss-cross the globe from the catacombs of Paris, to a sacred forest in Norway, to the ruins of a submerged temple in Egypt in their search for elusive relic. But through it all, M can never be sure: Is she traveling with a friend or enemy?
I Do Not Trust You is an adventure tale that will conjure up comparisons to Lara Croft and Indiana Jones in their younger days. “M” and Ash are on a mission to find a secret Egyptian relic before a zealous group who believe the relic can bring about power for their cause. Both “M” and Ash have their own reasons for wanting the relic. M’s father, whom she has believed to be dead for over a year, is allegedly being held captive while he translates the ancient text on a hieroglyphic map. Ash, a member of the “Eye.” an Egyptian religious order sworn to protect the relic, must find it before the zealots. While this sounds a bit confusing, all is explained beautifully in I Do Not Trust You, along with some amazing historical, geographical and mythological facts.
The story is simply told and I was never quite sure if this book was meant for younger readers, young adult or adult. It was entertaining regardless of the intended audience. As a history and literature grad, this book was exactly what I enjoy reading. Unfortunately it is being sold as an “adventure” novel and there wasn’t quite enough action for that to ring true. It is, however, a great mystery based on some incredible Egyptian myths. I also felt that the character development is what drove the book, rather than the suspense. I say this because there are those who expect their “thriller” novels to be very tense with a lot of fast paced action. You won’t find that here. Instead, it is a great, steady read with conversational wit and humor. I truly enjoyed reading it. Four Mythological Stars for I Do Not Trust You.
Memphis “M” Engel is stubborn to a fault, graced with an almost absurd knowledge of long lost languages and cultures, and a heck of an opponent in a fight. Ashwin “Ash” Sood is a little too posh for M’s tastes, a little too good looking, and has way too many secrets. He desperately wants the ancient map M inherited from her archeologist father, believing it will lead him to a relic with the power to destroy the world. Together they criss-cross the globe from the catacombs of Paris, to a sacred forest in Norway, to the ruins of a submerged temple in Egypt in their search for elusive relic. But through it all, M can never be sure: Is she traveling with a friend or enemy?
I Do Not Trust You is an adventure tale that will conjure up comparisons to Lara Croft and Indiana Jones in their younger days. “M” and Ash are on a mission to find a secret Egyptian relic before a zealous group who believe the relic can bring about power for their cause. Both “M” and Ash have their own reasons for wanting the relic. M’s father, whom she has believed to be dead for over a year, is allegedly being held captive while he translates the ancient text on a hieroglyphic map. Ash, a member of the “Eye.” an Egyptian religious order sworn to protect the relic, must find it before the zealots. While this sounds a bit confusing, all is explained beautifully in I Do Not Trust You, along with some amazing historical, geographical and mythological facts.
The story is simply told and I was never quite sure if this book was meant for younger readers, young adult or adult. It was entertaining regardless of the intended audience. As a history and literature grad, this book was exactly what I enjoy reading. Unfortunately it is being sold as an “adventure” novel and there wasn’t quite enough action for that to ring true. It is, however, a great mystery based on some incredible Egyptian myths. I also felt that the character development is what drove the book, rather than the suspense. I say this because there are those who expect their “thriller” novels to be very tense with a lot of fast paced action. You won’t find that here. Instead, it is a great, steady read with conversational wit and humor. I truly enjoyed reading it. Four Mythological Stars for I Do Not Trust You.
August 30, 2018
I Do Not Trust You by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz is a young adult action and adventure fantasy that is based off of mythology. Think of this one as sort of a female teenage Indiana Jones type of character trotting around the globe to save the day from ancient gods.
Memphis "M" Engle was raised by globetrotting parents and was speaking multiple languages and exploring ancient ruins right after she learned to walk and talk. Trained in martial arts and smarter than her teachers M should have been following in her parents footsteps but after losing her mother first and then her father in an accident M is being raised by guardians that just want her to be a "normal" high school student.
However, one night when leaving a party M feels she's being followed and before she knows it she finds herself confronting Ashwin Sood. Equipped with a note written in a language only M and her father know Ash convinces M that her father is alive and the only way to rescue him is to track down the pieces of an ancient statue.
I Do Not Trust You is the second book I've read by this author duo and one thing I definitely can say is they certainly do get creative. I loved that this one was based on mythology with the dueling cults looking to acquire the missing artifacts and our teen duo set off on an adventure. I think for me though what led me to give this one 3.5 stars was after the first couple of stops the story seemed to just level out and lost a little of the wow factor. Overall though it was certainly a fun read that I enjoyed.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Memphis "M" Engle was raised by globetrotting parents and was speaking multiple languages and exploring ancient ruins right after she learned to walk and talk. Trained in martial arts and smarter than her teachers M should have been following in her parents footsteps but after losing her mother first and then her father in an accident M is being raised by guardians that just want her to be a "normal" high school student.
However, one night when leaving a party M feels she's being followed and before she knows it she finds herself confronting Ashwin Sood. Equipped with a note written in a language only M and her father know Ash convinces M that her father is alive and the only way to rescue him is to track down the pieces of an ancient statue.
I Do Not Trust You is the second book I've read by this author duo and one thing I definitely can say is they certainly do get creative. I loved that this one was based on mythology with the dueling cults looking to acquire the missing artifacts and our teen duo set off on an adventure. I think for me though what led me to give this one 3.5 stars was after the first couple of stops the story seemed to just level out and lost a little of the wow factor. Overall though it was certainly a fun read that I enjoyed.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
August 28, 2018
I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I Do Not Trust You is a fast-paced YA novel with an engaging heroine and a decent mix of adventure and mythology. In my opinion, it could have benefited from a less generic title, but in any case one should not judge a book by its cover (or name, in this instance)
As far as the premise goes, I Do Not Trust You proved to be exciting and would overall be a safe bet for any reader in search for some action. I did not particularly enjoy the writing style, finding it simplistic and monotonous; in all fairness, there is nothing very special or unique about the plot or the characters either, except perhaps for Memphis, who is smart and determined and, most of all, loyal to her family. There are many forced twists and turns and even some manufactured tension, in an attempt, I gather, to raise the stakes and develop the relationship between Memphis and Ash, which was not wholly successful in my opinion. I don't want to be overly critical in my review, keeping in mind what this book is meant to be and the audience it aims to; in fact I would say it is plenty good compared to other works in its genre. I can imagine the adolescent audience enjoying this, as I would have a few years ago (my love for Egyptian mythology would have certainly driven it straight home) However, simply belonging to a genre does not excuse poor writing, hence my rating. Now, aside from the issues I highlighted above, I still think this is a good book, very quick to get through and excellent in its effort to put a twist on a very popular ancient Egyptian myth. I mostly enjoyed the treasure hunt aspect, which took the characters to a number of locations rich in culture and history. I know it's been mentioned here before, but if you like Indiana Jones there's a big chance you're going to love this also.
I Do Not Trust You is a fast-paced YA novel with an engaging heroine and a decent mix of adventure and mythology. In my opinion, it could have benefited from a less generic title, but in any case one should not judge a book by its cover (or name, in this instance)
As far as the premise goes, I Do Not Trust You proved to be exciting and would overall be a safe bet for any reader in search for some action. I did not particularly enjoy the writing style, finding it simplistic and monotonous; in all fairness, there is nothing very special or unique about the plot or the characters either, except perhaps for Memphis, who is smart and determined and, most of all, loyal to her family. There are many forced twists and turns and even some manufactured tension, in an attempt, I gather, to raise the stakes and develop the relationship between Memphis and Ash, which was not wholly successful in my opinion. I don't want to be overly critical in my review, keeping in mind what this book is meant to be and the audience it aims to; in fact I would say it is plenty good compared to other works in its genre. I can imagine the adolescent audience enjoying this, as I would have a few years ago (my love for Egyptian mythology would have certainly driven it straight home) However, simply belonging to a genre does not excuse poor writing, hence my rating. Now, aside from the issues I highlighted above, I still think this is a good book, very quick to get through and excellent in its effort to put a twist on a very popular ancient Egyptian myth. I mostly enjoyed the treasure hunt aspect, which took the characters to a number of locations rich in culture and history. I know it's been mentioned here before, but if you like Indiana Jones there's a big chance you're going to love this also.
September 11, 2018
If there’s one genre I loved as a kid, but don’t see much in the YA age range nowadays, it’s the action/adventure story. While I Do Not Trust You is being marketed as a mystery novel—and I can see certain aspects of that, too, don’t get me wrong—I think this book would be fantastic for anyone who loved action-packed, suspenseful tales of people being sent on wild missions, full of unexpected obstacles and enemies.
I knew that the story would involve Memphis—or M, as she goes by—being sucked into a shocking search for lost artifacts to save her father (who she thought was dead—surprise!), but I didn’t realize just how heavily involved the mythology in this story would be, and that was such a pleasant surprise! I grew up obsessed with ancient, lost myths, especially those of Egypt and the Greco-Roman periods, so that entire theme of this story honestly just made my inner child geek out so happily. It’s been a long time since I studied any of that mythology, so I can’t speak with certainty for how thorough the research was, but it never felt disrespectful or blaringly wrong to me.
There’s also a very heavy religious theme in the story, though not in a conversion-geared way; it’s just part of the history they’re researching, and part of Ashwin’s daily life as a follower of Horus. I actually really enjoyed the idea of this modern character being depicted as belonging to an ancient pagan religion, since that is something I don’t think I’ve ever seen in a book set in today’s timeframe. Unfortunately, the downside to this is that, halfway through the book, some fantasy elements come in on the religious side of things, and it made it a lot harder for me to appreciate Ash’s beliefs at face value. I strongly believe that I Do Not Trust You would have benefited greatly from leaving out any of those fantasy elements at all.
The only other thing that genuinely lacked for me in this story was the blossoming romance, which I was never able to really connect to. This may have been just a personal problem on my part; despite loving M’s character (she is such a clever, tough young woman and I genuinely enjoyed watching her bust everyone’s chops nonstop), I didn’t care much for Ashwin from the start, and never was able to develop any legitimate fondness for him. I didn’t hate him, and he didn’t get on my nerves—he was just sort of there, so it made it incredibly difficult for me to care much about what happened to him or to their friendship/potential relationship.
Minor complaints aside, I Do Not Trust You was a remarkably fun read and I enjoyed it a lot. It flew by, and I kept thinking while reading that it would make a perfect YA adventure film with the right casting choices and a little more humor thrown in. I would definitely check out work from this writing duo again in the future, and can safely recommend this one for anyone who enjoys adventure stories and a bit of mythology.
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Wednesday Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
You can find this review and more on my blog, or you can follow me on twitter, bookstagram, or facebook!
It is said that the battle between Set, god of discord and mischief, and Horus, god of kings, will continue until the end of time, when chaos will overrun harmony and the waters will swallow the earth.
I knew that the story would involve Memphis—or M, as she goes by—being sucked into a shocking search for lost artifacts to save her father (who she thought was dead—surprise!), but I didn’t realize just how heavily involved the mythology in this story would be, and that was such a pleasant surprise! I grew up obsessed with ancient, lost myths, especially those of Egypt and the Greco-Roman periods, so that entire theme of this story honestly just made my inner child geek out so happily. It’s been a long time since I studied any of that mythology, so I can’t speak with certainty for how thorough the research was, but it never felt disrespectful or blaringly wrong to me.
“I don’t question anyone’s religious beliefs,” she said. “And I don’t question the ancient Egyptian belief in Horus, or Set. So I shouldn’t be dismissive of you still believing it even though it sounds bananapants to me.”
There’s also a very heavy religious theme in the story, though not in a conversion-geared way; it’s just part of the history they’re researching, and part of Ashwin’s daily life as a follower of Horus. I actually really enjoyed the idea of this modern character being depicted as belonging to an ancient pagan religion, since that is something I don’t think I’ve ever seen in a book set in today’s timeframe. Unfortunately, the downside to this is that, halfway through the book, some fantasy elements come in on the religious side of things, and it made it a lot harder for me to appreciate Ash’s beliefs at face value. I strongly believe that I Do Not Trust You would have benefited greatly from leaving out any of those fantasy elements at all.
He wanted to keep going the way they had been, getting along, having fun, building trust. Until he had to betray her.
The only other thing that genuinely lacked for me in this story was the blossoming romance, which I was never able to really connect to. This may have been just a personal problem on my part; despite loving M’s character (she is such a clever, tough young woman and I genuinely enjoyed watching her bust everyone’s chops nonstop), I didn’t care much for Ashwin from the start, and never was able to develop any legitimate fondness for him. I didn’t hate him, and he didn’t get on my nerves—he was just sort of there, so it made it incredibly difficult for me to care much about what happened to him or to their friendship/potential relationship.
Maybe there’s a spark of the divine anywhere someone worships with pure intent.
Minor complaints aside, I Do Not Trust You was a remarkably fun read and I enjoyed it a lot. It flew by, and I kept thinking while reading that it would make a perfect YA adventure film with the right casting choices and a little more humor thrown in. I would definitely check out work from this writing duo again in the future, and can safely recommend this one for anyone who enjoys adventure stories and a bit of mythology.
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Wednesday Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
You can find this review and more on my blog, or you can follow me on twitter, bookstagram, or facebook!
September 10, 2018
Having had my interest piqued by the synopsis, when I was offered a copy of 'I Do Not Trust You' I decided to take the plunge, but I must admit it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. For starters, the book is marketed as a young adult (YA) thriller, but in reality this is more of YA Fantasy, with a particular focus on mythology. This is quite a unique book, but I can't help but feel that the author missed a trick in terms of the poor execution. It certainly had a tinge of Indiana Jones about it, and I was intrigued by the plot. However, it quickly became a struggle to maintain interest and I quite frankly have no idea how I managed to complete it!
This has just about everything I like in a novel, mythology, history, a feisty and strong female lead character, and intrigue aplenty. Unfortunately, I felt myself wishing that main character Memphis 'M' Engel had been developed more sufficiently, as she is really the central concept of the book and deserved more attention than she got. There was also a lack of background information so understanding the characters and how they arrived at the destination they are currently at was very difficult. It is the sort of story that requires a backstory in order for the reader to not feel completely lost and isolated. If i'm truthfully honest, I had a feeling of deja vu over and over again as it appeared that Ash and M jet off to a certain place, do a couple of things, sprinkle a little mythology in there for good measure, and repeat.
If you are looking for a YA thriller, you better look elsewhere. This is an adventure novel filled with ancient mythology, humour and a smart and sassy heroine. If you enjoy mythology and folklore, I feel you will particularly appreciate this as it is clear that the authors have meticulously researched their topic. The differing locations that are visited are also beautifully described. Give it a go!
Many thanks to Wednesday Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This has just about everything I like in a novel, mythology, history, a feisty and strong female lead character, and intrigue aplenty. Unfortunately, I felt myself wishing that main character Memphis 'M' Engel had been developed more sufficiently, as she is really the central concept of the book and deserved more attention than she got. There was also a lack of background information so understanding the characters and how they arrived at the destination they are currently at was very difficult. It is the sort of story that requires a backstory in order for the reader to not feel completely lost and isolated. If i'm truthfully honest, I had a feeling of deja vu over and over again as it appeared that Ash and M jet off to a certain place, do a couple of things, sprinkle a little mythology in there for good measure, and repeat.
If you are looking for a YA thriller, you better look elsewhere. This is an adventure novel filled with ancient mythology, humour and a smart and sassy heroine. If you enjoy mythology and folklore, I feel you will particularly appreciate this as it is clear that the authors have meticulously researched their topic. The differing locations that are visited are also beautifully described. Give it a go!
Many thanks to Wednesday Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
June 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this one. As I read I could only think of young Lara Croft and Indiana Jones. Ithink they are very similar. And as I love those characters, Memphis was a great character as well. I enjoyed the characters growth and how they learned more of each other. It was interesting and had action.
Memphis was really intelligent and witty to boot. She is young, yet wise beyond her years. It is obvious she has a strong family bond. That doesn’t only mean blood relatives either. I loved her.
Ash struggled with understanding the family bond that Memphis had. He had a rough life, but it was interesting to learn of his history and to watch him grow and embrace something different and unexpected. It was fun to watch this relationship grow and change. They are a great team.
Really good read.
Memphis was really intelligent and witty to boot. She is young, yet wise beyond her years. It is obvious she has a strong family bond. That doesn’t only mean blood relatives either. I loved her.
Ash struggled with understanding the family bond that Memphis had. He had a rough life, but it was interesting to learn of his history and to watch him grow and embrace something different and unexpected. It was fun to watch this relationship grow and change. They are a great team.
Really good read.
September 1, 2018
2.5 failed to compel stars
Once again I was lured in by a flashy cover and an intriguing synopsis. Think Da Vinci Code meets Indiana Jones. But I just felt myself instantly bored because there wasn't a lot of action. A lot of talking though...so much talking. If this book had just had Memphis(M) that would have been fine. Searching the Paris catacombs? Oh so cool but I failed to feel committed to the story.
Thanks to Netgalley for an e- ARC in exchange for an honest review
Once again I was lured in by a flashy cover and an intriguing synopsis. Think Da Vinci Code meets Indiana Jones. But I just felt myself instantly bored because there wasn't a lot of action. A lot of talking though...so much talking. If this book had just had Memphis(M) that would have been fine. Searching the Paris catacombs? Oh so cool but I failed to feel committed to the story.
Thanks to Netgalley for an e- ARC in exchange for an honest review
September 11, 2018
See full review and many more at: 5171 Miles Book Blog.
Many thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book.
Unfortunately, I Do Not Trust You completely missed the mark for me as a reader. I think due to the book being marketed to bloggers as a YA Thriller, we were slightly set up for failure from the get-go. Luckily, the book's genre is labeled more accurately on Goodreads, classifying it as YA Fantasy/Mythology. I'm not someone who normally enjoys Fantasy novels, but I thought I'd give this book a chance because the blurb sounded compelling enough. Despite my lack of love for the genre, I do enjoy a good adventure story, and once I was able to clear my mind and read, I was intrigued. The story seemed like an interesting mix of Indiana Jones and National Treasure, with lots of history and mythology added in. I was interested and excited to see how things would play out with a strong female lead taking the reins. Then things slowly started to unravel and all hope was lost in gaining my interest back. It became exhausting to slog through a novel with such potential.
There were many issues with this story, but the main problem, in my opinion, was the lack of depth in the characters. More history was necessary for understanding both the characters' educations and what lead them to the point readers were introduced to them. They felt flat and there were so many missing pieces essential to gaining a better understanding of them as people. As Ash and Memphis joined forces, it felt as if the authors came up with an idea for the next plot point out of thin air and scribbled it down. The characters would get to a place, do a few things, immediately get what they came for without much struggle, and jet off to a new location with every bit of information coming easily to them. Again, we are missing substance! The same process repeated over and over, with random bits of mythology thrown in. It felt as if the authors' over-researched and didn't know how to organize the mountains of information into a cohesive story. Random is truly the best word to describe this perplexing novel.
Another issue was the lack of a realism. Fantasy is one thing, but a teenage girl having in-depth knowledge of numerous forgotten languages and hieroglyphs without the help of books? Come on. I didn't believe this for a second and it really took away from the story as I continued to read. The more clues Memphis quickly pieced together, the more I wanted to roll my eyes. The knowledge she supposedly had would take a normal person decades of study and education to acquire.
Overall, this book was a mess. I think young Fantasy lovers might be able to overlook many of the issues I found and enjoy the story, but my practical mind could not see past the numerous problems. I wish the authors and Wednesday books the best of luck with their release! If you're a fan of this genre, pick up your copy of this book on Sept. 11.
Many thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book.
Unfortunately, I Do Not Trust You completely missed the mark for me as a reader. I think due to the book being marketed to bloggers as a YA Thriller, we were slightly set up for failure from the get-go. Luckily, the book's genre is labeled more accurately on Goodreads, classifying it as YA Fantasy/Mythology. I'm not someone who normally enjoys Fantasy novels, but I thought I'd give this book a chance because the blurb sounded compelling enough. Despite my lack of love for the genre, I do enjoy a good adventure story, and once I was able to clear my mind and read, I was intrigued. The story seemed like an interesting mix of Indiana Jones and National Treasure, with lots of history and mythology added in. I was interested and excited to see how things would play out with a strong female lead taking the reins. Then things slowly started to unravel and all hope was lost in gaining my interest back. It became exhausting to slog through a novel with such potential.
There were many issues with this story, but the main problem, in my opinion, was the lack of depth in the characters. More history was necessary for understanding both the characters' educations and what lead them to the point readers were introduced to them. They felt flat and there were so many missing pieces essential to gaining a better understanding of them as people. As Ash and Memphis joined forces, it felt as if the authors came up with an idea for the next plot point out of thin air and scribbled it down. The characters would get to a place, do a few things, immediately get what they came for without much struggle, and jet off to a new location with every bit of information coming easily to them. Again, we are missing substance! The same process repeated over and over, with random bits of mythology thrown in. It felt as if the authors' over-researched and didn't know how to organize the mountains of information into a cohesive story. Random is truly the best word to describe this perplexing novel.
Another issue was the lack of a realism. Fantasy is one thing, but a teenage girl having in-depth knowledge of numerous forgotten languages and hieroglyphs without the help of books? Come on. I didn't believe this for a second and it really took away from the story as I continued to read. The more clues Memphis quickly pieced together, the more I wanted to roll my eyes. The knowledge she supposedly had would take a normal person decades of study and education to acquire.
Overall, this book was a mess. I think young Fantasy lovers might be able to overlook many of the issues I found and enjoy the story, but my practical mind could not see past the numerous problems. I wish the authors and Wednesday books the best of luck with their release! If you're a fan of this genre, pick up your copy of this book on Sept. 11.
September 13, 2018
If there's one thing I absolutely loved about this novel, it's all the mythology. I'm no fan of history at all, but mythology? That's different! A lot of cultures and, automatically, a whole range of myths were mentioned, spoken of and told.
An adventure. That's precisely what this book is. Together with Memphis - or M - and Ashwin, we leave on a journey around the world to find pieces of a Set-statue. The way puzzles, hieroglyphs and well thought-out settings were used and described spoke to me.
I really liked Memphis and seeing most of the story from her POV. She's smart and when she sets her mind on something, she's hellbent on reaching her goal - even risking her life and doing some other risky things in the process. She doesn't back off at all and I admired that. Although, admittedly, some things about her did not make sense at all..
One thing I felt was wrong? The whole way Memphis' and Ashwin's relationship progressed. Ashwin knows about her father being kept prisoner yet he refuses to help her until he gets her map or the Set-pieces they're looking for. Or both. It doesn't matter. Fact is, she should not be trusting him - like the title of this book implies. However, within the first 20% she was already admiring his looks and some of his characteristics?! It felt so completely, totally, entirely wrong to me.
As for Ashwin himself.. He felt flat. Where Memphis definitely had some unique layers, characteristics and her own voice, Ashwin was misty and vague. You knew what he wanted, but you didn't get any insight in his character for ages even though some parts were written from his point of view.
Another issue I had was how.. there weren't any real twists and turns? I thought I'd at least be blown away once but most of the things I saw coming or expected to be a certain way and I ended up being right.
And then the thing that ended up annoying me most of all - apart from the love-stuff, that is. The fantasy-aspect! About half-way through the book, somehow, all of a sudden, there are fantastical elements added. I didn't like it one bit, simply because this story could've done without all that. It felt to me like it was a way of the author to make certain events possible - or easier - to overcome. It annoyed me. I would've liked this story way better without it, to be honest.
2 / 5
An adventure. That's precisely what this book is. Together with Memphis - or M - and Ashwin, we leave on a journey around the world to find pieces of a Set-statue. The way puzzles, hieroglyphs and well thought-out settings were used and described spoke to me.
I really liked Memphis and seeing most of the story from her POV. She's smart and when she sets her mind on something, she's hellbent on reaching her goal - even risking her life and doing some other risky things in the process. She doesn't back off at all and I admired that. Although, admittedly, some things about her did not make sense at all..
One thing I felt was wrong? The whole way Memphis' and Ashwin's relationship progressed. Ashwin knows about her father being kept prisoner yet he refuses to help her until he gets her map or the Set-pieces they're looking for. Or both. It doesn't matter. Fact is, she should not be trusting him - like the title of this book implies. However, within the first 20% she was already admiring his looks and some of his characteristics?! It felt so completely, totally, entirely wrong to me.
As for Ashwin himself.. He felt flat. Where Memphis definitely had some unique layers, characteristics and her own voice, Ashwin was misty and vague. You knew what he wanted, but you didn't get any insight in his character for ages even though some parts were written from his point of view.
Another issue I had was how.. there weren't any real twists and turns? I thought I'd at least be blown away once but most of the things I saw coming or expected to be a certain way and I ended up being right.
And then the thing that ended up annoying me most of all - apart from the love-stuff, that is. The fantasy-aspect! About half-way through the book, somehow, all of a sudden, there are fantastical elements added. I didn't like it one bit, simply because this story could've done without all that. It felt to me like it was a way of the author to make certain events possible - or easier - to overcome. It annoyed me. I would've liked this story way better without it, to be honest.
2 / 5
June 4, 2018
(2.75 stars)
i feel like i probably should have liked this more than i actually did. the two main characters were both mixed-race, which was great because i love seeing fellow mixed-race people in books; the book centered around ancient egypt, archaeology and trying to save the world from a mad cult of the egyptian god set. sounds awesome, right?
it should have been super awesome. instead, it was good, but only in an average way.
you would have thought that venturing to various countries in search of pieces of the statue would be exciting. but really, it got strangely monotonous; there was no real description or feel of the countries they were in, so what should have been a vibrant portrait of places just ended up being "they went to a cave thing and found a piece of a statue and then they went to a slightly different cave thing on the other side of the world and found another piece".
there were also not really any good twists. honestly, there were pretty much only two, and one of them was very inconsequential and more of a "oh lmao wasn't expecting that how fun" rather than a major plot point.
i do not trust you falls into the timeless fantasy/thriller trap of an exceedingly obvious, black-and-white antagonist. there aren't any particular surprises with regards to the cult of set, who are pretty much depicted as entirely evil, against the "good" eye of horus. that being said, the eye is presented as being somewhat flawed rather than the archetypal Good Guys, which is something, but the cult of set remained the archetypal Bad Guys.
the fantasy aspect tries to be a bit of a twist, but it isn't because the blurb hints towards it and there are heavy-handed clues until it's revealed for certain. again, there was room for a lot more Surprising Aspects here, but the authors appear to have gone down the path of least resistance and made it rather straight-forward.
i was expecting a romance between the two characters because, well, YA. and the most irritating part was that we got an inbetween-thing. it's mentioned that they're attracted to each other, but it never really goes anywhere, making me wonder why on earth it was necessary to have them attracted to each other in the first place if you aren't going to do anything with that. of course, they could get together in the sequel, as there is a strong hint of further hijinks - but with the vibe of, "this is a standalone for now, but if we think of something else we might write another book".
this review seems pretty negative, but i did enjoy this book. it was fun, with writing that didn't dazzle but that was functional and kept the plot moving along at a fast pace, which is the reason why i don't quite have the heart to give it 2 stars even if i feel like it was veering dangerously close to that rating.
overall, i don't really think i would recommend it. there are better thrillers out there and better books about egyptian mythology to bother reading something quite unremarkable.
i feel like i probably should have liked this more than i actually did. the two main characters were both mixed-race, which was great because i love seeing fellow mixed-race people in books; the book centered around ancient egypt, archaeology and trying to save the world from a mad cult of the egyptian god set. sounds awesome, right?
it should have been super awesome. instead, it was good, but only in an average way.
you would have thought that venturing to various countries in search of pieces of the statue would be exciting. but really, it got strangely monotonous; there was no real description or feel of the countries they were in, so what should have been a vibrant portrait of places just ended up being "they went to a cave thing and found a piece of a statue and then they went to a slightly different cave thing on the other side of the world and found another piece".
there were also not really any good twists. honestly, there were pretty much only two, and one of them was very inconsequential and more of a "oh lmao wasn't expecting that how fun" rather than a major plot point.
i do not trust you falls into the timeless fantasy/thriller trap of an exceedingly obvious, black-and-white antagonist. there aren't any particular surprises with regards to the cult of set, who are pretty much depicted as entirely evil, against the "good" eye of horus. that being said, the eye is presented as being somewhat flawed rather than the archetypal Good Guys, which is something, but the cult of set remained the archetypal Bad Guys.
the fantasy aspect tries to be a bit of a twist, but it isn't because the blurb hints towards it and there are heavy-handed clues until it's revealed for certain. again, there was room for a lot more Surprising Aspects here, but the authors appear to have gone down the path of least resistance and made it rather straight-forward.
i was expecting a romance between the two characters because, well, YA. and the most irritating part was that we got an inbetween-thing. it's mentioned that they're attracted to each other, but it never really goes anywhere, making me wonder why on earth it was necessary to have them attracted to each other in the first place if you aren't going to do anything with that. of course, they could get together in the sequel, as there is a strong hint of further hijinks - but with the vibe of, "this is a standalone for now, but if we think of something else we might write another book".
this review seems pretty negative, but i did enjoy this book. it was fun, with writing that didn't dazzle but that was functional and kept the plot moving along at a fast pace, which is the reason why i don't quite have the heart to give it 2 stars even if i feel like it was veering dangerously close to that rating.
overall, i don't really think i would recommend it. there are better thrillers out there and better books about egyptian mythology to bother reading something quite unremarkable.
August 4, 2018
. : ☾⋆ — 3 ★
READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG!!!
https://bit.ly/2AJtm1i
ARC provided from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (thank you St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books!!)
I Do Not Trust You tells the story of an ancient relic of the Egyptian god Set that’s been broken into pieces which have been strategically placed throughout the globe in sacred sites to prevent anyone from acquiring the power to destroy the world. after her father’s death, Memphis, M for short, has inherited a map to these archeological sites, and she’s the only one who knows how to read it. Ash, a member of an intricate cult worshipping of the Egyptian gods, needs M’s map for reasons of his own. but to read the map, he also needs M. the two embark toward a complex series of adventures through archeological and sacred sites to prevent the power of Set from being unleashed.
this book was so much fun!! i went into it absolutely blind, so the plot really surprised me. from the cover i was honestly expecting yet another generic mystery/thriller, but i really like the fact that this was so much more!! despite being pleasantly surprised, though, objectively this was a bit of a lukewarm read. nothing too overwhelming, nothing too underwhelming. for the sake of a comfortable and organized review, i’ll divide this one into positives and negatives.
starting off with the negatives, i think this book had quite a few plot holes. the storyline is way too complicated for the length of this book. that’s a good thing in my eyes, though! i love me a complex, well developed plot. except that in this instance, i think a lot of the details of both the cults and the characters’ lifestyles went pretty much unexplained to the point where it almost felt like the authors actively chose to neglect the details for the sake of saving themselves the bother of just a little bit of world building. most of the magic systems also go completely unexplained, and M, a logical and analytical thinker, actually questions this several times in the book. most of all though i just really REALLY wanted to know where all the money they were using was coming from. these kids were out here buying plane tickets and decoys and staying in fancy hotels and buying expensive clothes to hang out in some PARIS CATACOMBS like nobody’s business!! i know they’re using the cult’s money but why does the cult have so much money!!!!
anyway, on to the positives. like i said, this book was a really fun read!! the jumping between countries may have been monotonous at times since it seemed repetitive at some points, but i really like the fact that Laura J. Burns & Melinda Metz really aimed for this book to be an international thing, and to represent different cultures other than the USA/UK setting for YA books that we’ve grown so used to seeing. i’ll admit i was even a little excited over the fact that both of our main characters were mixed-race!! that’s also something that isn’t very common in YA and i loved it!! i also like the different representation of religion in this book. M and Ash travel through sooooo many different countries and always end up in archeological and sacred sites, and religion and mythology were a huge thing every single time.
overall, i think this book is very unique for the YA scene, and i really enjoyed myself while reading!! if it weren’t for those few plot holes and that ridiculous fight scene near the end, this definitely would’ve had a higher rating for me. thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books!!!!
READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG!!!
https://bit.ly/2AJtm1i
ARC provided from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (thank you St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books!!)
I Do Not Trust You tells the story of an ancient relic of the Egyptian god Set that’s been broken into pieces which have been strategically placed throughout the globe in sacred sites to prevent anyone from acquiring the power to destroy the world. after her father’s death, Memphis, M for short, has inherited a map to these archeological sites, and she’s the only one who knows how to read it. Ash, a member of an intricate cult worshipping of the Egyptian gods, needs M’s map for reasons of his own. but to read the map, he also needs M. the two embark toward a complex series of adventures through archeological and sacred sites to prevent the power of Set from being unleashed.
this book was so much fun!! i went into it absolutely blind, so the plot really surprised me. from the cover i was honestly expecting yet another generic mystery/thriller, but i really like the fact that this was so much more!! despite being pleasantly surprised, though, objectively this was a bit of a lukewarm read. nothing too overwhelming, nothing too underwhelming. for the sake of a comfortable and organized review, i’ll divide this one into positives and negatives.
starting off with the negatives, i think this book had quite a few plot holes. the storyline is way too complicated for the length of this book. that’s a good thing in my eyes, though! i love me a complex, well developed plot. except that in this instance, i think a lot of the details of both the cults and the characters’ lifestyles went pretty much unexplained to the point where it almost felt like the authors actively chose to neglect the details for the sake of saving themselves the bother of just a little bit of world building. most of the magic systems also go completely unexplained, and M, a logical and analytical thinker, actually questions this several times in the book. most of all though i just really REALLY wanted to know where all the money they were using was coming from. these kids were out here buying plane tickets and decoys and staying in fancy hotels and buying expensive clothes to hang out in some PARIS CATACOMBS like nobody’s business!! i know they’re using the cult’s money but why does the cult have so much money!!!!
anyway, on to the positives. like i said, this book was a really fun read!! the jumping between countries may have been monotonous at times since it seemed repetitive at some points, but i really like the fact that Laura J. Burns & Melinda Metz really aimed for this book to be an international thing, and to represent different cultures other than the USA/UK setting for YA books that we’ve grown so used to seeing. i’ll admit i was even a little excited over the fact that both of our main characters were mixed-race!! that’s also something that isn’t very common in YA and i loved it!! i also like the different representation of religion in this book. M and Ash travel through sooooo many different countries and always end up in archeological and sacred sites, and religion and mythology were a huge thing every single time.
overall, i think this book is very unique for the YA scene, and i really enjoyed myself while reading!! if it weren’t for those few plot holes and that ridiculous fight scene near the end, this definitely would’ve had a higher rating for me. thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books!!!!
September 8, 2018
I DO NOT TRUST YOU by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz is a young adult thriller with an intriguing plot, dark secrets and some globe-trotting adventure that could prove deadly to the world if long lost artifacts are brought together in one place.
The fate of the world and the life of one man will be caught up in a race against time as Memphis Engle, a teen version of Indiana Jones teams up with Ashwin Sood, a devout member of an ancient cult with a gift given by the gods to save her father’s life.
These two will face mistrust, different agendas and shocking common enemies as they race to one common goal, to save the planet and prevent a long dead god from coming back to life.
A fun read, filled with tension, mistrust, an over-the-top young heroine and a mysterious young hero, this adventure brings mythology to life with a touch of a budding romance amidst the danger.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's Press!
Publisher: Wednesday Books (September 11, 2018)
Publication Date: September 11, 2018
Genre: YA Thriller
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
The fate of the world and the life of one man will be caught up in a race against time as Memphis Engle, a teen version of Indiana Jones teams up with Ashwin Sood, a devout member of an ancient cult with a gift given by the gods to save her father’s life.
These two will face mistrust, different agendas and shocking common enemies as they race to one common goal, to save the planet and prevent a long dead god from coming back to life.
A fun read, filled with tension, mistrust, an over-the-top young heroine and a mysterious young hero, this adventure brings mythology to life with a touch of a budding romance amidst the danger.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's Press!
Publisher: Wednesday Books (September 11, 2018)
Publication Date: September 11, 2018
Genre: YA Thriller
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
June 22, 2018
I enjoyed read I DO NOT TRUST YOU, a young adult novel which takes M and Ash all over the world trying to find all of the pieces to an ancient statue of Set. A cult of Horus worshipers believe that when the statue is reassembled, the world will be destroyed. I received this book for an honest review.
June 7, 2018
A female Indiana Jones with a knack for languages, lost cultures and self-defense goes on a round-the-world search for relics to save the world from an ancient Egyptian sect and curse!
This was a fun, illuminating read that covers archaeology, religion, and history while taking readers on a wild ride to far flung cities. At the heart of the story is 18-year-old Memphis or "M" who is taken in by a well-meaning couple after her father dies. She later learns he could be alive and the key to his survival turns out to be a map with clues to finding lost relics.
Enter one Ashwin or "Ash" Sood who happens to have magical abilities courtesy of an ancient god named Horus. Together, M and Ash must solve the many clues hidden in glyphs at various ancient sites.
After the first two exciting discoveries -- a scene with a crocodile was pretty gnarly -- the rest of the discoveries were not. I enjoyed the history lesson and learning about these ancient cultures, but the romance between Ash and M which was meant to rack up the tension on their mutual trust issues, left me flat. I could understand how Ash admired M, and she found him equally interesting because of his sad backstory, but it goes nowhere.
I give this book 3.5 stars because the amount of research by the author was noteworthy! Thanks to #NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
This was a fun, illuminating read that covers archaeology, religion, and history while taking readers on a wild ride to far flung cities. At the heart of the story is 18-year-old Memphis or "M" who is taken in by a well-meaning couple after her father dies. She later learns he could be alive and the key to his survival turns out to be a map with clues to finding lost relics.
Enter one Ashwin or "Ash" Sood who happens to have magical abilities courtesy of an ancient god named Horus. Together, M and Ash must solve the many clues hidden in glyphs at various ancient sites.
After the first two exciting discoveries -- a scene with a crocodile was pretty gnarly -- the rest of the discoveries were not. I enjoyed the history lesson and learning about these ancient cultures, but the romance between Ash and M which was meant to rack up the tension on their mutual trust issues, left me flat. I could understand how Ash admired M, and she found him equally interesting because of his sad backstory, but it goes nowhere.
I give this book 3.5 stars because the amount of research by the author was noteworthy! Thanks to #NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
September 7, 2018
Top Reasons You Should Give I Do Not Trust You a Try:
1. Fast paced YA mystery that will keep you entertained.
2. Chocked full of mythology and lore.
3. Amazing settings that are drool worthy.
4. A sassy and smart heroine that will be sure to capture your attention.
5. A story rich in history and in depth culture from the Egyptians, to the Romans, to the Greeks.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
1. Fast paced YA mystery that will keep you entertained.
2. Chocked full of mythology and lore.
3. Amazing settings that are drool worthy.
4. A sassy and smart heroine that will be sure to capture your attention.
5. A story rich in history and in depth culture from the Egyptians, to the Romans, to the Greeks.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
September 15, 2018
This really looks like a thriller-y book, but I can tell you it's not.
Seriously though, the title and the cover both scream THRILLER or MYSTERY or ACTION or something along those lines at me... but instead it kind of turned into an international archaeology hunt with some ancient gods thrown in there just because.
So in case you're wondering, THIS IS ABOUT MYTHOLOGY AND NOT A SUSPENSE NOVEL. @me who never reads blurbs and is constantly presuming books are in a different genre...
But moving on from that, I didn't mind the concept of the book, but it was not my favourite read. The main characters were both bland...
Memphis (shortened to M, which really frustrated me for no particular reason) was the very definition of special snowflake syndrome.
And Ashwin just seemed like such a random combination of traits that I couldn't picture him as a real person... I'm pretty sure he had a new personality every second page and he just wasn't working for me as a character.
However, for the most part I was entertained, even if the concept did feel a bit repetitive and I didn't like the characters.
The plot was completely predictable, with approximately 0 plot twists, but I personally didn't mind that element of the novel.
Whilst I haven't said a whole lot of positive things in this review, I did like it and it was not an unenjoyable read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a review copy! All opinions are my own.
Seriously though, the title and the cover both scream THRILLER or MYSTERY or ACTION or something along those lines at me... but instead it kind of turned into an international archaeology hunt with some ancient gods thrown in there just because.
So in case you're wondering, THIS IS ABOUT MYTHOLOGY AND NOT A SUSPENSE NOVEL. @me who never reads blurbs and is constantly presuming books are in a different genre...
But moving on from that, I didn't mind the concept of the book, but it was not my favourite read. The main characters were both bland...
Memphis (shortened to M, which really frustrated me for no particular reason) was the very definition of special snowflake syndrome.
And Ashwin just seemed like such a random combination of traits that I couldn't picture him as a real person... I'm pretty sure he had a new personality every second page and he just wasn't working for me as a character.
However, for the most part I was entertained, even if the concept did feel a bit repetitive and I didn't like the characters.
The plot was completely predictable, with approximately 0 plot twists, but I personally didn't mind that element of the novel.
Whilst I haven't said a whole lot of positive things in this review, I did like it and it was not an unenjoyable read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a review copy! All opinions are my own.
dnf
August 28, 2018DNF at 15%
This book is very unrealistic. It should be a middle grade book, in my opinion. The concept is interesting enough when you read the synopsis, but the execution is poor.
This book is very unrealistic. It should be a middle grade book, in my opinion. The concept is interesting enough when you read the synopsis, but the execution is poor.
October 3, 2018
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
3.5 Stars
A young adult fantasy novel, I Do Not Trust You by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz is about Memphis and Ash and their quest to save M's father and rescue the world from destruction at the hands of Mythological gods. Memphis "M" knows all about reading ruins, archeology trips, and everything related to Mythology. Ash is part handsome partner in crime and part secret cult member. The two don't click easily, but with a goal in mind that helps them both they set out together to find the pieces of a missing artifact.
Ancient lost languages? Check. Creepy cults? Check. A female heroine that readers have been comparing to Lara Croft? Check. COUNT ME IN. I couldn't say no to a book that features mythological fantasy mixed in with reality, taking us on a journey through the present day world, only there's cults that believe in ancient Gods and there's a huge threat of one of them coming back to life. Talk about creating a sense of urgency when it comes to a story. Told from alternating perspective, we get to know both M and Ash in great detail, gaining an understanding of their upbringing, the choices they had previously made, and seeing the thought process unfold as they make decisions that will change their futures.
Though the characters fall in the middle of the young adult and new adult, the story definitely reads like a YA book. I think it's easy enough to follow for Middle Grade and up readers, as much of the mythological concepts are explained in great detail. Plus, it's filled with action, friendship, and a significant message about perseverance and trust. I loved the various locations the two visited, though the timeline seemed quite crazy. I certainly wouldn't be as brave or independent as M! I Do Not Trust You was a fun break in my normal reading and I would recommend it to Mythology and Fantasy YA fans.
ARC provided.
3.5 Stars
A young adult fantasy novel, I Do Not Trust You by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz is about Memphis and Ash and their quest to save M's father and rescue the world from destruction at the hands of Mythological gods. Memphis "M" knows all about reading ruins, archeology trips, and everything related to Mythology. Ash is part handsome partner in crime and part secret cult member. The two don't click easily, but with a goal in mind that helps them both they set out together to find the pieces of a missing artifact.
Ancient lost languages? Check. Creepy cults? Check. A female heroine that readers have been comparing to Lara Croft? Check. COUNT ME IN. I couldn't say no to a book that features mythological fantasy mixed in with reality, taking us on a journey through the present day world, only there's cults that believe in ancient Gods and there's a huge threat of one of them coming back to life. Talk about creating a sense of urgency when it comes to a story. Told from alternating perspective, we get to know both M and Ash in great detail, gaining an understanding of their upbringing, the choices they had previously made, and seeing the thought process unfold as they make decisions that will change their futures.
Though the characters fall in the middle of the young adult and new adult, the story definitely reads like a YA book. I think it's easy enough to follow for Middle Grade and up readers, as much of the mythological concepts are explained in great detail. Plus, it's filled with action, friendship, and a significant message about perseverance and trust. I loved the various locations the two visited, though the timeline seemed quite crazy. I certainly wouldn't be as brave or independent as M! I Do Not Trust You was a fun break in my normal reading and I would recommend it to Mythology and Fantasy YA fans.
ARC provided.
May 27, 2018
Upon the death of her archeologist father Memphis Engel inherits a map that will locate a prized relic. Untrusting of Ashwin Sood, Memphis has no choice but to form an alliance with him. Together they travel through Paris and Norway to the ruins of a temple in Egypt. Thankyou Goodreads for this free book!!!!
November 6, 2018
I believe this was marketed as suspense, well it was in a way but it falls more of under the category of adventure, mystery, and mythology. I was taken aback by the sudden and it completely changes my mood towards it.
At first reading, I was looking for the very thrill of that intense suspense but I was given a different kind, it was okay. I have easily read through and could have finished it in one night but I find certain scenes repetitive and hard to focus on when it gives me that oh, this will happen again.
The story was told under M or Memphis and Ash’s point of views. M is a character filled with such knowledge, she had been traveling and unraveling mysteries with her dad. While Ash is a member of a cult the kind that M takes on so lightly because it was a myth. Or was it?
In an incident, their worlds are brought together by an unfortunate circumstance. Both have no choice but to go stick together, travel the world to find answers and to free the people they love and for their beliefs. But the thing is, them teaming up isn’t an alliance of sort but is filled with humongous distrust towards each other.
And that is where the suspense lies, both characters have trouble with trusting each other. That constant thought of whatever will these two’s endgame be? But coming into a bargain of a deal. They track down ancient pieces that could doom the world or save them all. Even with the deal, they’re holding onto, the suspicion arises still from time to time.
So, finding artifacts that may or may not result in saving the world or dooming the word? Just by the sound of it, it will take you places and if you seek for such adventures of hunting said artifact in old churches, temples, underground catacombs, you’ll enjoy this.
Characters and Script. M is one sharp and smart young woman, she is quick with her wits and buying herself time away from trouble. Ash with a mysterious past and clouded at times by his belief towards the Eye he’s not that bad himself. But don’t let his accent fool you.
The script and banter among characters had me a handful of laughs and vexing. What I liked the most was that the research going on. And the rich void of mythology information we are getting here. The analogy they made in solving which place is next, what about it, and how.
Setting. I Do Not Trust You takes us on traveling the world, from the States to Europe to Asia to Central America. Though the earlier places were depicted as colorful, as I go alone through the end it felt rushed. It lost its latch on me. And I am having a hard time focusing on.
Overall. It gave strong vibes of Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider. It was filled with enigmatic twists and endless adventures. Landing in such a satisfactory conclusion. And rating.
At first reading, I was looking for the very thrill of that intense suspense but I was given a different kind, it was okay. I have easily read through and could have finished it in one night but I find certain scenes repetitive and hard to focus on when it gives me that oh, this will happen again.
The story was told under M or Memphis and Ash’s point of views. M is a character filled with such knowledge, she had been traveling and unraveling mysteries with her dad. While Ash is a member of a cult the kind that M takes on so lightly because it was a myth. Or was it?
In an incident, their worlds are brought together by an unfortunate circumstance. Both have no choice but to go stick together, travel the world to find answers and to free the people they love and for their beliefs. But the thing is, them teaming up isn’t an alliance of sort but is filled with humongous distrust towards each other.
And that is where the suspense lies, both characters have trouble with trusting each other. That constant thought of whatever will these two’s endgame be? But coming into a bargain of a deal. They track down ancient pieces that could doom the world or save them all. Even with the deal, they’re holding onto, the suspicion arises still from time to time.
So, finding artifacts that may or may not result in saving the world or dooming the word? Just by the sound of it, it will take you places and if you seek for such adventures of hunting said artifact in old churches, temples, underground catacombs, you’ll enjoy this.
Characters and Script. M is one sharp and smart young woman, she is quick with her wits and buying herself time away from trouble. Ash with a mysterious past and clouded at times by his belief towards the Eye he’s not that bad himself. But don’t let his accent fool you.
The script and banter among characters had me a handful of laughs and vexing. What I liked the most was that the research going on. And the rich void of mythology information we are getting here. The analogy they made in solving which place is next, what about it, and how.
Setting. I Do Not Trust You takes us on traveling the world, from the States to Europe to Asia to Central America. Though the earlier places were depicted as colorful, as I go alone through the end it felt rushed. It lost its latch on me. And I am having a hard time focusing on.
Overall. It gave strong vibes of Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider. It was filled with enigmatic twists and endless adventures. Landing in such a satisfactory conclusion. And rating.
dnf
October 3, 2019DNF
Copy kindly received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Nope, not happening. Not liking the feel of this, right from the start. rereading the synopsis doesn't give me any interest any more either. Guess this one has been on my NG shelf for too long.
Copy kindly received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Nope, not happening. Not liking the feel of this, right from the start. rereading the synopsis doesn't give me any interest any more either. Guess this one has been on my NG shelf for too long.
December 7, 2018
I had such high expectations here and somehow the book just ended up so MEH. The characters lacked depth but really the plot line just was not engaging for me. Way too analytical and not enough fun or plot twists.
Sadly was let down by this book but wound up giving it three stars just because it was so original and had some cool mummy I dig up old fossils vibes that I would normally be so about! Three stars for originality but unfortunately did not impress.
Full review on the blog: https://bubblybooksblog.blogspot.com/...
Sadly was let down by this book but wound up giving it three stars just because it was so original and had some cool mummy I dig up old fossils vibes that I would normally be so about! Three stars for originality but unfortunately did not impress.
Full review on the blog: https://bubblybooksblog.blogspot.com/...
September 11, 2018
Just surfacing above the depths from the loss of her father, Memphis Engle is still a force to be reckoned with. From the brief introduction to M, the reader learns how worldly and knowledgeable she is. Even more so as we get to know her, M could never be confused for an average American teenager. She's tenacious, cultured, traveled, selfless, and fully trained if the need to take down an opponent should arise.
Enter Ashwin Sood...he comes to M with the news that her father is not actually dead. Though it takes some convincing and M is still not willing to trust this young man, she finds herself reluctantly believing him. Unwilling to just blindly hand over the map Ash needs in order to find missing pieces of an ancient figure, which will hopefully equal the release of her captive (but alive) father, M leads the way as the two trek across the globe.
Akin to a teenage Lara Croft, or young and female Indiana Jones, M's knowledge of ancient cultures, languages, myths, and religions is enviable and fascinating. She fulfills duel roles in the book as both seeker and wise one—all the while, hanging onto the hope that she can successfully rescue her father.
With the constant location shifts, quickie cultural lessons, and back-and-forth points of view between Ash and M, this book was begging to be read speedily. I loved the balance of science and religion—even some supernatural thrown in the mix, and found I Do Not Trust You to be exciting, fast-paced, and so intriguing...and was hanging on to nearly every page. If this is the beginning to a mystery-solving, quest-taking duo—I'm in!
As a side note, I do want to comment on both the title and the cover. Glancing at the cover and reading the title in that bold text, this seems to be more along the lines of I Know What You Did Last Summer, or even a book about a cheating partner—nothing about it really shows or represents the book inside. I even asked two other people to guess what this book was about by just showing them the cover, and they were surprised by my dismissal of their guess and the actual summary. I have seen other covers that retain the cover design but the title has changed to The Lost Map of Chaos, and while I suppose that's an improvement, I think it's a slight one. Granted, I'm not full of suggestions here, but as it stands this book is not served by the current cover or title and would benefit, in my opinion, from a change to both.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book, nor the content of my review.
Enter Ashwin Sood...he comes to M with the news that her father is not actually dead. Though it takes some convincing and M is still not willing to trust this young man, she finds herself reluctantly believing him. Unwilling to just blindly hand over the map Ash needs in order to find missing pieces of an ancient figure, which will hopefully equal the release of her captive (but alive) father, M leads the way as the two trek across the globe.
Akin to a teenage Lara Croft, or young and female Indiana Jones, M's knowledge of ancient cultures, languages, myths, and religions is enviable and fascinating. She fulfills duel roles in the book as both seeker and wise one—all the while, hanging onto the hope that she can successfully rescue her father.
With the constant location shifts, quickie cultural lessons, and back-and-forth points of view between Ash and M, this book was begging to be read speedily. I loved the balance of science and religion—even some supernatural thrown in the mix, and found I Do Not Trust You to be exciting, fast-paced, and so intriguing...and was hanging on to nearly every page. If this is the beginning to a mystery-solving, quest-taking duo—I'm in!
As a side note, I do want to comment on both the title and the cover. Glancing at the cover and reading the title in that bold text, this seems to be more along the lines of I Know What You Did Last Summer, or even a book about a cheating partner—nothing about it really shows or represents the book inside. I even asked two other people to guess what this book was about by just showing them the cover, and they were surprised by my dismissal of their guess and the actual summary. I have seen other covers that retain the cover design but the title has changed to The Lost Map of Chaos, and while I suppose that's an improvement, I think it's a slight one. Granted, I'm not full of suggestions here, but as it stands this book is not served by the current cover or title and would benefit, in my opinion, from a change to both.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book, nor the content of my review.
September 11, 2018
ARC provided by Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review
I Do Not Trust You completely surprised me in the best of ways. What I initially thought was going to be a YA thriller turned into a fast-paced urban fantasy with supernatural elements. I was loving the action, adventure, and non-stop globe-trotting. This book is seriously an archeology enthusiast’s dream, and would be perfect for fans of The Mummy, Indiana Jones, and the Robert Langdon novels (The Da Vinci Code, Inferno) by Dan Brown.
I Do Not Trust You follows Memphis (“M”), an 18 year-old student living in Boston with her new guardians. M’s father was tragically killed in an accident, and M is still coping with the aftermath of his death. M and her father had a very close relationship. As an archeologist, he and M traveled the world together ever since M could learn how to walk. She joined her father on several digs and expeditions, learning multiple languages and how to read ancient glyphs. M is basically a living and breathing encyclopedia who can tell you everything there is to know about world-wide mythology and cultures. She also knows a thing or two about self-defense.
Everything changes the day Ashwin (Ash) approaches M with some shocking news: Her father is still alive and he needs her help translating a map that could be the key to saving her dad (and, uh, the world.) Ash is part of a cult that worships Horus, the Egyptian god who seeks revenge on Set. But Ash is keeping several secrets of his own and he’s not willing to let M out of his sight.
M is obviously super sketched out by this but she wants nothing more than to get her father back. And so begins a whirl-wind journey of M and Ash traversing the globe to find ancient clues that could help them achieve their own goals (and possibly save the world from total destruction.)
Like I said, I was living for the world traveling. You get to read about so many different cultures and places! I won’t give away any of the locations since it would be a bit spoilery, but there were several times when I’d put the book down just so I could google and learn more about the different cities and gods mentioned. Every time M would start getting “in the zone” translating glyphs, my heart was like, “Yasss, girl!”
There are so many important and relevant themes I loved as well, such as family bonds (and found families), loyalty, trust, and science vs. religion. Both M and Ash have polar opposite viewpoints when it comes to faith, and I loved how they both learned and grew from each other’s experiences. I was also loving the Egyptian mythology, and how so many other cultures in the world have similar mythos that intertwine with others.
Overall I Do Not Trust You is a solid YA read with lots of action and a budding romance. I wish there was a bit more in-depth information about each location they visited, because at times I felt things got a little too fast-paced. I also feel the need to mention that there was one line by Ash that bothered me, where he talks about some negative stereotypes about a certain country. But I love that this book is a standalone and everything was wrapped up nicely without a crazy cliffhanger. And I’d be totally for reading a sequel if the authors ever decide to explore this world again!
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I Do Not Trust You completely surprised me in the best of ways. What I initially thought was going to be a YA thriller turned into a fast-paced urban fantasy with supernatural elements. I was loving the action, adventure, and non-stop globe-trotting. This book is seriously an archeology enthusiast’s dream, and would be perfect for fans of The Mummy, Indiana Jones, and the Robert Langdon novels (The Da Vinci Code, Inferno) by Dan Brown.
I Do Not Trust You follows Memphis (“M”), an 18 year-old student living in Boston with her new guardians. M’s father was tragically killed in an accident, and M is still coping with the aftermath of his death. M and her father had a very close relationship. As an archeologist, he and M traveled the world together ever since M could learn how to walk. She joined her father on several digs and expeditions, learning multiple languages and how to read ancient glyphs. M is basically a living and breathing encyclopedia who can tell you everything there is to know about world-wide mythology and cultures. She also knows a thing or two about self-defense.
Everything changes the day Ashwin (Ash) approaches M with some shocking news: Her father is still alive and he needs her help translating a map that could be the key to saving her dad (and, uh, the world.) Ash is part of a cult that worships Horus, the Egyptian god who seeks revenge on Set. But Ash is keeping several secrets of his own and he’s not willing to let M out of his sight.
M is obviously super sketched out by this but she wants nothing more than to get her father back. And so begins a whirl-wind journey of M and Ash traversing the globe to find ancient clues that could help them achieve their own goals (and possibly save the world from total destruction.)
Like I said, I was living for the world traveling. You get to read about so many different cultures and places! I won’t give away any of the locations since it would be a bit spoilery, but there were several times when I’d put the book down just so I could google and learn more about the different cities and gods mentioned. Every time M would start getting “in the zone” translating glyphs, my heart was like, “Yasss, girl!”
There are so many important and relevant themes I loved as well, such as family bonds (and found families), loyalty, trust, and science vs. religion. Both M and Ash have polar opposite viewpoints when it comes to faith, and I loved how they both learned and grew from each other’s experiences. I was also loving the Egyptian mythology, and how so many other cultures in the world have similar mythos that intertwine with others.
Overall I Do Not Trust You is a solid YA read with lots of action and a budding romance. I wish there was a bit more in-depth information about each location they visited, because at times I felt things got a little too fast-paced. I also feel the need to mention that there was one line by Ash that bothered me, where he talks about some negative stereotypes about a certain country. But I love that this book is a standalone and everything was wrapped up nicely without a crazy cliffhanger. And I’d be totally for reading a sequel if the authors ever decide to explore this world again!
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