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A Chase Stinsen Adventure #1
Uncharted
Rayne Marcellus knows what people want, and she’s damn good at getting it. Antiquities is her game, and she’s the best there is, moving in the shadows even as she trades in the light. When an ambitious businessman approaches her to take on a deadlier game than even she’s willing to play, she knows she has to stop him. But she’ll need help…
After a previous betrayal, Chase Stinsen doesn’t want anything to do with Rayne. Chase believes archeology is a tool to understand the past in an effort to help the future and has no use for profiting from the finds of history. But when Rayne proposes they track the legendary Golden Trinity, with the added benefit of helping indigenous tribes, she’s hooked.
Danger lurks around every corner, and their defenses crumble as they have to depend on one another to survive. If Chase can finally trust Rayne again, she might just end up with more than the gold.
After a previous betrayal, Chase Stinsen doesn’t want anything to do with Rayne. Chase believes archeology is a tool to understand the past in an effort to help the future and has no use for profiting from the finds of history. But when Rayne proposes they track the legendary Golden Trinity, with the added benefit of helping indigenous tribes, she’s hooked.
Danger lurks around every corner, and their defenses crumble as they have to depend on one another to survive. If Chase can finally trust Rayne again, she might just end up with more than the gold.
302 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2019
64 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Nyx
21 books120 followersRobyn Nyx is an avid shutterbug and lover of all things fast and physical. Her writing often reflects both of those passions. She lives with her soul mate and fellow scribe. They have no kids or kittens, which allows them to travel to exotic places at the drop of a hat for “research.” She works hard to find writing time, when she’s not being distracted by blue skies and motorbike rides.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 18, 2021
I read this again since the author released a second book in this series independently. I have to say... I am so confused as to why more of my goodreads friends have not read this one. It is really entertaining. With the exception of the use of 'Sweet Lover.' (Which unfortunately sticks around in the second book.
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A couple of archaeologists walk into a tomb...
There is a joke in there somewhere. Actually, there is quite a bit of humor in this adventure filled story of the search for the Golden Trinity. Chase and Rayne have a history. I won't go into it here because it would ruin the fun of learning as it all unfolds. Chase is a by-the-books character who believes in doing things right. Rayne has questionable morals and has made decisions based on how much money and notoriety it has gotten her. They are constantly in competition of unearthing historic finds and completely opposing in what to do with them.
I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I'm not really into history, archaeology, myths, etc. And yet there was just something that kept me interested. It was super annoying to have to do things like LIFE which interrupted my reading.
I loved the two main characters. Rayne and Chase were very different characters and personalities. While there was some good humor and banter between them, there was also a bit of depth as we learn their history.
There were lots of people, challenges, and obstacles on their adventure through the forest. At times it gave me an Indiana Jones feel. That special combination of danger, action, and humor.
Overall, this is exactly what you need to read if you are bored with standard lesbian romances.
I recommend this to everyone who loves to read romance, adventure, enemies to lovers, will they won't they, archaeology, travel, sneaky thievery, humidity, tribes, altruism, action, suspense, trees, maps, and boa constrictors.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
----
A couple of archaeologists walk into a tomb...
There is a joke in there somewhere. Actually, there is quite a bit of humor in this adventure filled story of the search for the Golden Trinity. Chase and Rayne have a history. I won't go into it here because it would ruin the fun of learning as it all unfolds. Chase is a by-the-books character who believes in doing things right. Rayne has questionable morals and has made decisions based on how much money and notoriety it has gotten her. They are constantly in competition of unearthing historic finds and completely opposing in what to do with them.
I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I'm not really into history, archaeology, myths, etc. And yet there was just something that kept me interested. It was super annoying to have to do things like LIFE which interrupted my reading.
I loved the two main characters. Rayne and Chase were very different characters and personalities. While there was some good humor and banter between them, there was also a bit of depth as we learn their history.
There were lots of people, challenges, and obstacles on their adventure through the forest. At times it gave me an Indiana Jones feel. That special combination of danger, action, and humor.
Overall, this is exactly what you need to read if you are bored with standard lesbian romances.
I recommend this to everyone who loves to read romance, adventure, enemies to lovers, will they won't they, archaeology, travel, sneaky thievery, humidity, tribes, altruism, action, suspense, trees, maps, and boa constrictors.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
December 17, 2019
This is the third archaeologist/tomb raider lesfic story I’ve read in less than four months. Granted, the first two are part of the same series but still, that’s a lot compared to how many I had read before, which, if I’m not mistaken, is zero.
The good news is, they’re very different. Not so much the premise – a serious archaeologist, devoted to History and a greedy sexy slightly obnoxious tomb raider – but the tone, the way the story goes, the writing… This is my second book by Robyn Nyx, and while the first one, Never Enough, was really good, it was way too violent for me to really enjoy. This one, though, was much more to my liking.
Chase Stinsen is earnest and determined to unearth the past so everyone can learn from it. For Rayne Marcellus, hidden treasures are meant to be sold. Ten years before Uncharted starts, Chase and Rayne were friends and working together, until Rayne betrayed her partner in favour of a different lifestyle, involving loads of money. But a close encounter with death on a Syrian site encourages Rayne to rethink her priorities and her feelings for Chase. When she’s asked to go after the legendary Mayan Golden Trilogy, she enlists Chase’s reluctant help.
At first sight, both main characters might seem a little cliché, with the serious butch archaeologist on the one hand and the callous femme antiquities finder on the other, but they’re more complex than that. Rayne’s apparent casualness stems from an unloving and exacting childhood and the need to constantly prove herself, to be enough, to be more. Her character growth over the course of the book is remarkable, all the more so as it has begun before she realises it. Chase, on the other hand, doesn’t evolve as obviously but she allows her self-confidence to show more and more, and takes matters in her own hands, both professionally and personally.
While Kaplan’s Easy Nevada series is outlandish and adrenaline-fueled, Nyx’s Uncharted is much more grounded. Not to say it’s not exciting (it is!) but it feels less like a silly but fun adventure and more like the real thing. There’s just enough technical talk to make the characters sound like they really are the experts they’re supposed to be, but not enough to turn the story into a lesson on Mayan mythology.
Nyx did a wonderful job describing the conditions in which the protagonists hunt for the treasure, whether it’s the places, the weather, the ever-present insects… The very first scene takes place in the Paris catacombs and from the first page, Nyx throws the reader in the heart of things. The sounds, the smells, we’re with Chase, not just watching her.
Locating the crux of the story in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest also allows the author to reflect on the logging business – both legal and illegal –, the impact on local populations and on the planet as a whole. Once again, it could have been tedious but it’s not at all, it flows, just part of the story.
The pace is excellent and the secondary characters are as layered as the MCs. I especially love the former military twins with opposite personalities but the same loyalty to Rayne. In a world of greed and callousness, where betrayals abound, that kind of loyalty is just as precious as any treasure and another testament to who Rayne really is beneath the surface.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The good news is, they’re very different. Not so much the premise – a serious archaeologist, devoted to History and a greedy sexy slightly obnoxious tomb raider – but the tone, the way the story goes, the writing… This is my second book by Robyn Nyx, and while the first one, Never Enough, was really good, it was way too violent for me to really enjoy. This one, though, was much more to my liking.
Chase Stinsen is earnest and determined to unearth the past so everyone can learn from it. For Rayne Marcellus, hidden treasures are meant to be sold. Ten years before Uncharted starts, Chase and Rayne were friends and working together, until Rayne betrayed her partner in favour of a different lifestyle, involving loads of money. But a close encounter with death on a Syrian site encourages Rayne to rethink her priorities and her feelings for Chase. When she’s asked to go after the legendary Mayan Golden Trilogy, she enlists Chase’s reluctant help.
At first sight, both main characters might seem a little cliché, with the serious butch archaeologist on the one hand and the callous femme antiquities finder on the other, but they’re more complex than that. Rayne’s apparent casualness stems from an unloving and exacting childhood and the need to constantly prove herself, to be enough, to be more. Her character growth over the course of the book is remarkable, all the more so as it has begun before she realises it. Chase, on the other hand, doesn’t evolve as obviously but she allows her self-confidence to show more and more, and takes matters in her own hands, both professionally and personally.
While Kaplan’s Easy Nevada series is outlandish and adrenaline-fueled, Nyx’s Uncharted is much more grounded. Not to say it’s not exciting (it is!) but it feels less like a silly but fun adventure and more like the real thing. There’s just enough technical talk to make the characters sound like they really are the experts they’re supposed to be, but not enough to turn the story into a lesson on Mayan mythology.
Nyx did a wonderful job describing the conditions in which the protagonists hunt for the treasure, whether it’s the places, the weather, the ever-present insects… The very first scene takes place in the Paris catacombs and from the first page, Nyx throws the reader in the heart of things. The sounds, the smells, we’re with Chase, not just watching her.
Locating the crux of the story in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest also allows the author to reflect on the logging business – both legal and illegal –, the impact on local populations and on the planet as a whole. Once again, it could have been tedious but it’s not at all, it flows, just part of the story.
The pace is excellent and the secondary characters are as layered as the MCs. I especially love the former military twins with opposite personalities but the same loyalty to Rayne. In a world of greed and callousness, where betrayals abound, that kind of loyalty is just as precious as any treasure and another testament to who Rayne really is beneath the surface.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 29, 2019
I was thrilled to find out that there would be a lesbian-themed, Lara Croft-style adventure courtesy of Robyn Nyx when an announcement was made. Being a fan of Nyx's writing and storytelling, I was really looking forward to reading it. Thus, when I received an ARC of "Uncharted," I was thrilled with anticipation! Let's just say, Nyx didn't disappoint! In fact, the two MCs, Chase and Rayne, embodied the characterisation of Lara Croft/Tomb Raider (Rayne) and Indiana Jones (Chase), two of the famous fictional archaeological characters whom I've always loved! Not to mention, the archaeological digs/adventures, too! Can't get any better than that, can it?
This story was about the ultimate archaeological find aka treasure hunt, in this case! Just like many other archaeo-adventure I've come across, i.e. Indiana Jones movies, Lara Croft movies, Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile, Treasure Island, King Solomon's Mines movies, National Treasure movies, The Goonies, The Mummy, Prince of Persia, amongst others. Most often than not, there's always a treasure map, rumoured to be authentic and the enticement is always gold! No exception here in "Uncharted." A treasure hunt of something that no one had ever discovered before, something that would change the world. One word: Mayan.
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
**I was given, with much thanks and appreciation, an ARC of this book, by the author, in return for an honest review.
This story was about the ultimate archaeological find aka treasure hunt, in this case! Just like many other archaeo-adventure I've come across, i.e. Indiana Jones movies, Lara Croft movies, Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile, Treasure Island, King Solomon's Mines movies, National Treasure movies, The Goonies, The Mummy, Prince of Persia, amongst others. Most often than not, there's always a treasure map, rumoured to be authentic and the enticement is always gold! No exception here in "Uncharted." A treasure hunt of something that no one had ever discovered before, something that would change the world. One word: Mayan.
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
**I was given, with much thanks and appreciation, an ARC of this book, by the author, in return for an honest review.
March 14, 2021
I was going to start on the Easy Nevada series of books, but I saw Robyn Nyx advertise the second installment of her own similarly themed series, so I decided to try this series first -since I've been wanting to read this authors books for a while.
This has the standard Indiana Jones/Tomb Raider treasure hunter vibes, just with lady loving ladies in the mix! Right from the start Chase and Rayne are rivals. Rayne selling out for money and notoriety, while Chase cares more about the history and meaning of the relics she is sent to discover and research. Their banter is hot, and attraction is sizzling right from the get go. There's a constant narrative from each perspective trying not to think of each other in that way, but constantly going back to it.
It's also mentioned quite a few times that Chase is absolutely the butch, with newly formed muscles and abs, who wears her short cropped hair and no nonsense attitude alluringly well. Rayne is the femme who can do anything in high-heels and a dress, with her long hair cascading everywhere, as she charms and flirts her way around, never taking things too seriously.
At first, I admit to finding it all a bit too superficial... but as the story progressed you start to get to know the characters better, and their histories. Each having their own family issues and insecurities to overcome, with fully fleshed out backstories. Plus how much actual respect is there for each of them, despite their differences, and the hurt of a betrayal that happened 10 years ago.
Both women are on completely separate paths, but when Rayne is made an offer she can't refuse for fear of greater ramifications - and realizes just how far her own morals have slid to even be on that radar - she desperately wants to prove herself to Chase, and everyone else who thinks she is an uncaring goon for hire.
Speaking of goons for hire, Rayne has two twin sister employees that are tank-walls-of-meat, and are ex special ops soldiers, and their banter is amusing, and annoying at the same time lol. They are literally called Ginn and Tonyck. G&T. We also have a friendly guide in Pablo from the area.
We adventure through the amazon rainforest near Brazil, and discover a lot of atrocities happening, and some time spent with a native tribe, which was emotional and impactful. Chase and Rayne are after an ancient Mayan relic, and are trying to get to it before the bad guys. There's the usual jungle and camping adventures, with lots of time to talk and banter along the way.
All in all I found it to be an exciting but also entertaining adventure story, with two hot love interests searching for something more, and I look forward to seeing how the next installment goes!
This has the standard Indiana Jones/Tomb Raider treasure hunter vibes, just with lady loving ladies in the mix! Right from the start Chase and Rayne are rivals. Rayne selling out for money and notoriety, while Chase cares more about the history and meaning of the relics she is sent to discover and research. Their banter is hot, and attraction is sizzling right from the get go. There's a constant narrative from each perspective trying not to think of each other in that way, but constantly going back to it.
It's also mentioned quite a few times that Chase is absolutely the butch, with newly formed muscles and abs, who wears her short cropped hair and no nonsense attitude alluringly well. Rayne is the femme who can do anything in high-heels and a dress, with her long hair cascading everywhere, as she charms and flirts her way around, never taking things too seriously.
At first, I admit to finding it all a bit too superficial... but as the story progressed you start to get to know the characters better, and their histories. Each having their own family issues and insecurities to overcome, with fully fleshed out backstories. Plus how much actual respect is there for each of them, despite their differences, and the hurt of a betrayal that happened 10 years ago.
Both women are on completely separate paths, but when Rayne is made an offer she can't refuse for fear of greater ramifications - and realizes just how far her own morals have slid to even be on that radar - she desperately wants to prove herself to Chase, and everyone else who thinks she is an uncaring goon for hire.
Speaking of goons for hire, Rayne has two twin sister employees that are tank-walls-of-meat, and are ex special ops soldiers, and their banter is amusing, and annoying at the same time lol. They are literally called Ginn and Tonyck. G&T. We also have a friendly guide in Pablo from the area.
We adventure through the amazon rainforest near Brazil, and discover a lot of atrocities happening, and some time spent with a native tribe, which was emotional and impactful. Chase and Rayne are after an ancient Mayan relic, and are trying to get to it before the bad guys. There's the usual jungle and camping adventures, with lots of time to talk and banter along the way.
All in all I found it to be an exciting but also entertaining adventure story, with two hot love interests searching for something more, and I look forward to seeing how the next installment goes!
November 29, 2019
What a wild and exciting ride Robyn Nyx has taken us on with her newest book
Uncharted
. This is the story of Rayne Marcellus and Chase Stinsen. Both are archaeologists, though Rayne works more as an antiquities finder and seller to the highest bidder, while Chase sees her job as a way of finding and preserving the past for everyone. Years before the story begins, Chase and Rayne had been friends and partners, but a betrayal caused a rift between the two that has lasted until the present day. When a very unsavory criminal approaches Rayne with a deadly plot to find a long-missing treasure, Rayne knows she must stop him somehow. But to do this, she will need Chase’s help. Together they must follow a dangerous path through the rain forest to find the treasure called the Golden Trinity before the even more dangerous criminals find them.
This is a very exciting adventure story set in exotic locations and with characters that will grab your interest and your heart. Ms. Nyx did an amazing job with the settings. We feel the heat, the gritty sand and the sweat the characters feel in the desert. We see the majesty of the rain forest in the eyes of Chase and Rayne. We feel the humidity, the bugs, and smell the stink of the mud near the river. Ms. Nyx makes the setting real to the reader through her descriptive words.
I must admit, I did not like Rayne to begin with. She seemed very selfish and self-centered to me, and actually that is a good thing, because that is who she was at the beginning of the tale. As the story continued, I began to see more of Rayne, why she is the way she is. I saw her grow into a better person which shows me how adept Ms. Nyx is at making her characters human and allowing them to grow.
Uncharted is an excellent novel to read if you are into action and adventure books with a lovely romance added to the tale. There is some violence in the story, though no more than you would expect from this type of book. I really enjoyed the story. If you like a novel with a good mix of action, adventure, and romance, I think you will like it too.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
This is a very exciting adventure story set in exotic locations and with characters that will grab your interest and your heart. Ms. Nyx did an amazing job with the settings. We feel the heat, the gritty sand and the sweat the characters feel in the desert. We see the majesty of the rain forest in the eyes of Chase and Rayne. We feel the humidity, the bugs, and smell the stink of the mud near the river. Ms. Nyx makes the setting real to the reader through her descriptive words.
I must admit, I did not like Rayne to begin with. She seemed very selfish and self-centered to me, and actually that is a good thing, because that is who she was at the beginning of the tale. As the story continued, I began to see more of Rayne, why she is the way she is. I saw her grow into a better person which shows me how adept Ms. Nyx is at making her characters human and allowing them to grow.
Uncharted is an excellent novel to read if you are into action and adventure books with a lovely romance added to the tale. There is some violence in the story, though no more than you would expect from this type of book. I really enjoyed the story. If you like a novel with a good mix of action, adventure, and romance, I think you will like it too.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
February 15, 2020
This is the second book I’ve read recently where the main characters are a mercenary tomb raider and a respected archeologist. I enjoyed this more because I the connection between Rayne and Chase worked better for me. Rayne Marcellus is a wealthy dealer in antiquities and usually gets the artifact she’s looking for. Chase Stinsen is as often on the same trail as Rayne but can’t let go of Rayne’s betrayal years previously. A ruthless businessman employs Rayne to find a Mayan artifact but the map’s language is Chase’s specialtly. The businessman knows this too.
It’s an exciting ride into the Amazon just on a treasure quest that is also a deadly race. Rayne and Chase’s connection because of the opposing ideologies is a fiery one and manages to stay taught for most of the novel. In spite of the action-packed nature of the novel there is some quick and witty humour, just enough to cut the tension when needed. I appreciated the way Chase and Rayne interacted with each other but in any adventure novel, keeping a romance going is always a difficult task. I think it worked fairly well.
It’s fun, fast-paced and fairly light.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
It’s an exciting ride into the Amazon just on a treasure quest that is also a deadly race. Rayne and Chase’s connection because of the opposing ideologies is a fiery one and manages to stay taught for most of the novel. In spite of the action-packed nature of the novel there is some quick and witty humour, just enough to cut the tension when needed. I appreciated the way Chase and Rayne interacted with each other but in any adventure novel, keeping a romance going is always a difficult task. I think it worked fairly well.
It’s fun, fast-paced and fairly light.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
July 17, 2022
If you‘re looking for a friends/to enemies/to lovers book which has two Laura Croft MCs characters in it, this is the story for you.
I enjoyed the book very much and I‘m looking forward to the next book in this series.
I enjoyed the book very much and I‘m looking forward to the next book in this series.
February 27, 2020
4.5 stars. Definitely my kind of book! I love a good action-packed book, which is exactly what I got with this book. Some of the other reviews spoke of several tomb-raider type of books being released at the same time, but for me this was the first in line, so I was happy to read it. This is the first book I read by this author, but I look forward to reading more of her books.
The book starts off with some raids where the MC’s, Rayne and Chase, are in heavy competition for the treasures to be found. Chase is an archeologist who’s looking for knowledge on the treasures and wishes to put them in musea for everybody to enjoy. Rayne on the other hand, sells the treasures to the highest bidder. Obviously, their work ethics clash, but they also share a history as friends until Rayne betrayed Chase. However, Rayne now needs Chase’s help, as an employer of Rayne crosses the line of even Rayne’s morals. With a small team they leave for the Amazon jungle to recover the golden trinity. Fighting their way through the jungle, searching for clues and trying to avoid a team of mercenaries, Rayne and Chase discover that there is still some serious attraction between them, but their past stands between them.
Rayne is very flirtatious, confident and egotistical, but also very lonely as she has deep rooted attachment problems. At the start of the book I did find her a bit annoying, she was too selfish and shallow, but luckily as the book progresses her personality changes for the better. I loved Chase from the start, she has a good heart and I found her character quite funny as she’s not your typical butch. She yearns to be a hero, with the accompanying physique, but suffers from a short height (something she hates and tries to counterbalance with muscles) and she is a bit awkward at times. The interactions between Chase and Rayne’s two bodyguards, the tank twins, cracked me up.
All in all, if you’re looking for a romance novel with a lot of action, I recommend this book.
The book starts off with some raids where the MC’s, Rayne and Chase, are in heavy competition for the treasures to be found. Chase is an archeologist who’s looking for knowledge on the treasures and wishes to put them in musea for everybody to enjoy. Rayne on the other hand, sells the treasures to the highest bidder. Obviously, their work ethics clash, but they also share a history as friends until Rayne betrayed Chase. However, Rayne now needs Chase’s help, as an employer of Rayne crosses the line of even Rayne’s morals. With a small team they leave for the Amazon jungle to recover the golden trinity. Fighting their way through the jungle, searching for clues and trying to avoid a team of mercenaries, Rayne and Chase discover that there is still some serious attraction between them, but their past stands between them.
Rayne is very flirtatious, confident and egotistical, but also very lonely as she has deep rooted attachment problems. At the start of the book I did find her a bit annoying, she was too selfish and shallow, but luckily as the book progresses her personality changes for the better. I loved Chase from the start, she has a good heart and I found her character quite funny as she’s not your typical butch. She yearns to be a hero, with the accompanying physique, but suffers from a short height (something she hates and tries to counterbalance with muscles) and she is a bit awkward at times. The interactions between Chase and Rayne’s two bodyguards, the tank twins, cracked me up.
All in all, if you’re looking for a romance novel with a lot of action, I recommend this book.
March 1, 2020
What an excellent book and I demolished it in one go! I had such a great time reading Uncharted and would be happy to pick it up again tomorrow. The pace was perfect and felt like I was on the adventure with Chase and Rayne. For the last 30% of this book, my heart was in my chest with all the excitement.
I loved the build-up of Rayne and Chase’s romance. I was really taken with Chase and her kind, honest, and hero-like personality. I think I swooned so hard I nearly fell off the sofa.
Rayne’s character felt like she was on a personal discovery just as much as her archeologic one. Every moment spent with Chase and her steadfastly honest and kind heart, Raynes emotional walls came down, and she let Chase see her true self and vulnerability the way no one ever has.
I was utterly intrigued by this book from the get-go. I found myself wondering if Robyn Nyx would make this into a series as Rayne and Chase have so much more to come in their Treasure Hunting future!
Check out the full review:
https://lesreveur.com/2020/02/29/unch...
I loved the build-up of Rayne and Chase’s romance. I was really taken with Chase and her kind, honest, and hero-like personality. I think I swooned so hard I nearly fell off the sofa.
Rayne’s character felt like she was on a personal discovery just as much as her archeologic one. Every moment spent with Chase and her steadfastly honest and kind heart, Raynes emotional walls came down, and she let Chase see her true self and vulnerability the way no one ever has.
I was utterly intrigued by this book from the get-go. I found myself wondering if Robyn Nyx would make this into a series as Rayne and Chase have so much more to come in their Treasure Hunting future!
Check out the full review:
https://lesreveur.com/2020/02/29/unch...
December 14, 2019
This is my first read from this author and I am actually looking forward to reading more. The two characters were really great and the adventure was exciting enough with highs and lows. I honestly would have liked to know in more detail about their past history and maybe more of the rivalry but it was done well enough and put aside rather quickly. The book actually made me want to play Uncharted or even Tomb Raider again. I will say it ended rather abruptly for my liking but that's just me.
December 14, 2019
This is an action-packed, fun read on the surface, but running through it is a deeper vein of personal and global issues.
Chase is a pumped, morally-straightlaced butch who secretly fumes at her lack of height. She’s admirable and adorable in equal measures. It rankles her that she has an enemy, that she has such deep-seated feelings of irreconcilable ire toward another person—who just happens to be a smoking hot, seductive femme who never fails to light Chase’s boxers on fire.
The action suffers a bit of a lag at around the 40% mark when Chase and Rayne are forced to spend a lot of time together and most of it is spent thinking and talking, thinking some more and talking some more. This is necessary because of the sheer mental gymnastics needed to get over the massive hurdle of the fact that their ideals seem to be polar opposites and they have history which prevents forgiveness and trust. But little by little, they do get over it and, damn does it get hot!
The tension is there from the start and never lets up. I was squirming in my seat at the push and pull of forbidden attraction between them. This is woven expertly into a tense, danger-filled, archeological adventure where baddies loom and unexpected enemies and allies both come out of the woodwork.
Nyx doesn’t shy away from character deaths, both secondary and main, which lends a keen bite of danger to the storyline. The romance and action are present in equal parts in the storyline and I felt the balance was handled well.
One thing I noticed was (and this is a big spoiler) when the bad guys capture certain people, yes they are mistreated and it is very scary and tense, but rape is not the go-to action of men against women and I really liked that. The bad guys are sufficiently bad without promoting rape culture, and Nyx pulls it off in an organic and believable way.
Overall, a really meaty, satisfying read with a lot of female and lesbian empowerment.
My rating: 4.75 stars
ARC received via NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
Chase is a pumped, morally-straightlaced butch who secretly fumes at her lack of height. She’s admirable and adorable in equal measures. It rankles her that she has an enemy, that she has such deep-seated feelings of irreconcilable ire toward another person—who just happens to be a smoking hot, seductive femme who never fails to light Chase’s boxers on fire.
The action suffers a bit of a lag at around the 40% mark when Chase and Rayne are forced to spend a lot of time together and most of it is spent thinking and talking, thinking some more and talking some more. This is necessary because of the sheer mental gymnastics needed to get over the massive hurdle of the fact that their ideals seem to be polar opposites and they have history which prevents forgiveness and trust. But little by little, they do get over it and, damn does it get hot!
The tension is there from the start and never lets up. I was squirming in my seat at the push and pull of forbidden attraction between them. This is woven expertly into a tense, danger-filled, archeological adventure where baddies loom and unexpected enemies and allies both come out of the woodwork.
Nyx doesn’t shy away from character deaths, both secondary and main, which lends a keen bite of danger to the storyline. The romance and action are present in equal parts in the storyline and I felt the balance was handled well.
One thing I noticed was (and this is a big spoiler) when the bad guys capture certain people, yes they are mistreated and it is very scary and tense, but rape is not the go-to action of men against women and I really liked that. The bad guys are sufficiently bad without promoting rape culture, and Nyx pulls it off in an organic and believable way.
Overall, a really meaty, satisfying read with a lot of female and lesbian empowerment.
My rating: 4.75 stars
ARC received via NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2021
Treasure hunting is serious business. All that double crossing and woah... the drama! I loved it. Chase and Rayne are such endearing characters for different reasons and I couldn't help but root for their relationship to lead to more.
This was a really fun read and I can't wait to read the next book as soon as I finish writing this.
This was a really fun read and I can't wait to read the next book as soon as I finish writing this.
November 9, 2022
4,5 stars
I really liked this one. It was a lesbian Indiana-Jones-style story with fun characters and storyline and great chemistry between the MCs.
Can definitely recommend .
I really liked this one. It was a lesbian Indiana-Jones-style story with fun characters and storyline and great chemistry between the MCs.
Can definitely recommend .
December 6, 2019
This is one of those books that takes a little time to find its feet, but once it does, what a ride!
In another life, I think I might have been a happy archaeologist or an equally happy anthropologist. Chase Stinsen is everything I would hope to be in that other life. Except hurt. Rayne Marcellus has hurt Chase in the past, and that betrayal sets the tone for much of Chase's interaction with her fellow treasure-hunter. So we have angst ahead. But buckle up tight, fellow readers, because we're about to go on a wild ride at a breakneck speed with bad guys breathing down our necks!
Nyx can turn a phrase and craft a line so well that her skill shines through where you least expect it. Like this one, 'The man's skin looked like tanned, lived-in leather.' Brilliant! Or this line,
'His spirit ran through him in braids of stainless steel.'
And for anyone who read and enjoyed Brey Willows's book 'Spinning Tales', there's this, "...cute little cottage I rented in New York. I probably shouldn't have taken it, but I left a note and some money. Rayne drifted to the unusual little place on top of a boring old apartment block.'
I nearly squealed when I read that literary version of an Easter Egg.
And I was pleased to find a gem hidden deep inside the book that not only explains much of why Rayne is, but something I say frequently myself. "Parents teach us how not to be just as much as they teach you how to be in this world."
All of those nuggets aside, Nyx's book is like a roller coaster. Slow at first but once we reach the pinnacle, it's all we can do to hold on while we're rocketed through the jungle, taken captive and try and outrace a pissed off, money-hungry egomaniac. Oh, and his buddy that has a reputation for cruelty. Mistrust, hurt feelings, egos and enemies abound in this novel. Death, too.
If you have a thing for archaeology, kick-ass characters, a race against, well...everything and WLW...this is the book for you!
In another life, I think I might have been a happy archaeologist or an equally happy anthropologist. Chase Stinsen is everything I would hope to be in that other life. Except hurt. Rayne Marcellus has hurt Chase in the past, and that betrayal sets the tone for much of Chase's interaction with her fellow treasure-hunter. So we have angst ahead. But buckle up tight, fellow readers, because we're about to go on a wild ride at a breakneck speed with bad guys breathing down our necks!
Nyx can turn a phrase and craft a line so well that her skill shines through where you least expect it. Like this one, 'The man's skin looked like tanned, lived-in leather.' Brilliant! Or this line,
'His spirit ran through him in braids of stainless steel.'
And for anyone who read and enjoyed Brey Willows's book 'Spinning Tales', there's this, "...cute little cottage I rented in New York. I probably shouldn't have taken it, but I left a note and some money. Rayne drifted to the unusual little place on top of a boring old apartment block.'
I nearly squealed when I read that literary version of an Easter Egg.
And I was pleased to find a gem hidden deep inside the book that not only explains much of why Rayne is, but something I say frequently myself. "Parents teach us how not to be just as much as they teach you how to be in this world."
All of those nuggets aside, Nyx's book is like a roller coaster. Slow at first but once we reach the pinnacle, it's all we can do to hold on while we're rocketed through the jungle, taken captive and try and outrace a pissed off, money-hungry egomaniac. Oh, and his buddy that has a reputation for cruelty. Mistrust, hurt feelings, egos and enemies abound in this novel. Death, too.
If you have a thing for archaeology, kick-ass characters, a race against, well...everything and WLW...this is the book for you!
December 30, 2019
Chase Stinsen, archaeologist locating finds that should be shared with the masses. Rayne Marcellus, locating finds that should be sold to the highest bidder. Ten years prior Chase and Rayne worked together until Rayne betrayed her. From the start, they were not getting along but a slight interest is alluded to below the surface. Although Rayne flirts from the start of the read she does show concern and professional respect for Chase. Chase may also be interested but she is afraid to risk and trust. What is also interesting about this read is how the landscape, conditions, and indigenous people are described and respected. I enjoyed how the story unfolded especially in conjunction with the secondary characters (some good, others not so much) most definitely entertaining were the sisters, G & T. I was engaged from start to finish. The educational parts were informative and I now know more about archaeological finds then I knew before which in my opinion is a good thing.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
December 26, 2020
I loved the adventure. I was addicted from the beginning. I had to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. So many questions that need to be answered. Would Chase and Rayne finally make up and come together? Would the tank twins survive and escape capture? I fell in love not only with Chase and Rayne, but also Gin and Toynck aka the Tank Twins as Chase dubbed them. I thought Chase’s motherly relationship with Noemie was heart warming. I hope we get another book. I’d love to see what everyone is up to and how Chase and Rayne’s relationship is fairing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2024
Rounding down because the pacing was quite a bit off for me.
There was a lot going on, maybe too much at times, that it was hard to connect with either of the two main characters. I would have almost preferred just one POV to add a little suspense to potential betrayals.
The other thing that bothered me about the book was the archeology. The adventure seemed to follow old Mayan civilization in Brazil? Which doesn't seem accurate based on my limited knowledge. The other issue was that the term Indian was used to identify the indigenous people living in the are quite frequently. The indigenous people were also referred to as weak and helpless in the face of "white invaders" with their guns.
I think if you just want an action level movie adventure, you might enjoy this, assuming you're not uncomfortable with the internal monologues. However, if you want to feel immersed in South American culture and history, I would suggest finding an ownvoices author. There are a number of queer South American authors that will provide a more accurate and honest experience of their culture and the horrors of colonisation.
There was a lot going on, maybe too much at times, that it was hard to connect with either of the two main characters. I would have almost preferred just one POV to add a little suspense to potential betrayals.
The other thing that bothered me about the book was the archeology. The adventure seemed to follow old Mayan civilization in Brazil? Which doesn't seem accurate based on my limited knowledge. The other issue was that the term Indian was used to identify the indigenous people living in the are quite frequently. The indigenous people were also referred to as weak and helpless in the face of "white invaders" with their guns.
I think if you just want an action level movie adventure, you might enjoy this, assuming you're not uncomfortable with the internal monologues. However, if you want to feel immersed in South American culture and history, I would suggest finding an ownvoices author. There are a number of queer South American authors that will provide a more accurate and honest experience of their culture and the horrors of colonisation.
December 3, 2019
Is a thrilling adventure story that will have you already protecting yourself from gunfire in Chapter 2 and, before you know it, off across the world to search for treasure.
Chase Stinsen is a female Harrison Ford, but a lot sexier. She is very fit and a hot butch to boot. Her ethical stance is to ensure that archaeological treasure that is found is made freely available to the world. She works alone.
Rayne Marcellus is her opposite in several ways. She is a femme but also very fit and physically as capable as Chase. However, her ethics mean that Rayne works for clients and will sell treasure to the highest bidder. She employs twins, Ginn and Tonyck, who are like ‘brick walls’ and her ex-military muscle.
Previously, Rayne had beaten Chase to four treasure finds; thus there is a certain amount of animosity between them, which is on a slow burn. They are both considered the best at their jobs. The real story begins when Rayne needs Chase's help to decipher a treasure map, and together they embark on an expedition racing against evil forces.
It is a story full of action which will keep you enthralled and turning the pages. Yes, it has one or two raw moments, but these are needed to make the story; Robyn is so very good at articulating these and thus ensuring the realism of the race to find the treasure. I think one of my highlights is the contrast between the status of Chase as hero and Rayne as her anti-hero. As a reader I found I was rooting for Chase all the while at the start and hoping Rayne and her muscle would lose out. That was soon changing to praying that Chase and Rayne together would be victorious against evil forces. It is such very good character development.
Can you tell I loved this? We need many more adventure stories like this in the lesfic world!
Chase Stinsen is a female Harrison Ford, but a lot sexier. She is very fit and a hot butch to boot. Her ethical stance is to ensure that archaeological treasure that is found is made freely available to the world. She works alone.
Rayne Marcellus is her opposite in several ways. She is a femme but also very fit and physically as capable as Chase. However, her ethics mean that Rayne works for clients and will sell treasure to the highest bidder. She employs twins, Ginn and Tonyck, who are like ‘brick walls’ and her ex-military muscle.
Previously, Rayne had beaten Chase to four treasure finds; thus there is a certain amount of animosity between them, which is on a slow burn. They are both considered the best at their jobs. The real story begins when Rayne needs Chase's help to decipher a treasure map, and together they embark on an expedition racing against evil forces.
It is a story full of action which will keep you enthralled and turning the pages. Yes, it has one or two raw moments, but these are needed to make the story; Robyn is so very good at articulating these and thus ensuring the realism of the race to find the treasure. I think one of my highlights is the contrast between the status of Chase as hero and Rayne as her anti-hero. As a reader I found I was rooting for Chase all the while at the start and hoping Rayne and her muscle would lose out. That was soon changing to praying that Chase and Rayne together would be victorious against evil forces. It is such very good character development.
Can you tell I loved this? We need many more adventure stories like this in the lesfic world!
September 18, 2023
Book blurbs can be dangerous things, often teasing or exaggerating the aspects of a story that drew you to the book in the first place. You anxiously crack the spine, expecting a character or a theme to dominate the narrative, only to find they’re a small part of something almost completely different. This is especially true of adventure novels where the actual adventure – call it archaeology or tomb-raiding – is little more than window dressing for a contemporary thriller that’s reluctant to get its hands dirty.
Every once in awhile, though, you find that perfect book that delivers exactly what you expected, in exactly the manner you hoped – and that book is Uncharted. Seriously, I went into this with unrealistically high hopes, knowing that there was a romance to deliver on here as well, and somehow Robyn Nyx still went over-and-above. Hands down, this may be the most fun I’ve had between the covers of a book all year.
Before I get to the adventure, however, I have to talk about Rayne Marcellus (tomb-raider) and Chase Stinsen (serious archaeologist), ex-lovers turned bitter rivals who actually make the old enemies-turned-lovers trope work. First of all, they are both fully-developed characters with a shared backstory, motivations to which the reader can relate, and their own distinct, likable charm. I liked the way they sort of played against and flipped the typical butch/femme stereotypes, and how they were both aware of doing it. Along with Gin and Tonyck, the twin mercenaries who slowly come to respect Chase as much as their boss, these are kick-ass women who we have no trouble believing capable of taking on even the darkest, most violent aspects of the adventure.
As for Rayne and Chase’s relationship, there was not a single moment of their interactions that felt tedious or forced, not a single aspect of their movement through fighting, flirting, resisting, and romancing that didn’t ring true. Nyx made me believe that they belonged together, and had me cheering for their romance as strongly as I was their search for lost treasure. There’s so much passion and intensity there, so much sexual energy in a simple kiss or caress, that even the other characters aren’t immune to a little voyeuristic excitement.
Now, getting back to my complaint about actual adventure and archaeology within the genre, Uncharted starts and ends with tomb-raiding adventure, explores a third excavation in between that is both significant and pivotal, and incorporates an extended jungle adventure along the way, complete with bugs, snakes, Mayans, and more. This just doesn’t pay lip service to the adventure, it’s almost entirely an off-the-grid, in-the-wild, underground adventure. Yes, it is mostly x-marks-the-spot fantasy, driven by an ingenious treasure map and series of clues to the final puzzle, but there is enough genuine archaeology to make the fantasy feel real – and as a tomb-raiding adventure fantasy, this is fantastic!
Perhaps even more notable, and certainly of more interest for me, the entire adventure is female-driven and female-focused. Chase’s driving passion, the quest that leads her to the pivotal confrontation with Rayne, is the discovery of Queen Zenobia’s tomb. She hopes to find evidence that supports her as a feminist icon who died a hero, a fact that will erase the Roman lies of her submissive fate. Deep in the jungle, it is a matriarchal tribe that they encounter, with three old women who respect Rayne and Chase as sisters (or perhaps daughters), and who trust them to stand against the men who seek to befoul the treasure. As for that treasure, the MacGuffin of the Golden Trinity, without saying too much, it is intimately connected to female power and the feminine divine. What it is and what it stands for should not be a huge surprise to anybody paying attention, especially if they’re fans of the genre, but that doesn’t make it any less powerful.
And all of this is presented against the backdrop of terrorism, war, deforestation, and other crimes of men against both humanity and nature. No safe, often cheesy, portrayals of old-school Nazis or Soviet Communists here, Nyx plucks her villains from the here and now, and reminds us of what Rayne and Chase are fighting against as well as for.
Well-written, with engaging characters, action-packed adventure, sexual chemistry that’s off the charts, and a feminist mythology that is far more fascinating than the typical overdone Biblical nonsense, Uncharted was not just everything I hoped it might be, it was far more. Seriously, it has all the flash and fun of Lara Croft, Sydney Fox, Annja Creed, or Amelia Peabody, but with far more substance. I really hope this isn’t the last we see of Rayne & Chase, because I desperately need more.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2022/...
Every once in awhile, though, you find that perfect book that delivers exactly what you expected, in exactly the manner you hoped – and that book is Uncharted. Seriously, I went into this with unrealistically high hopes, knowing that there was a romance to deliver on here as well, and somehow Robyn Nyx still went over-and-above. Hands down, this may be the most fun I’ve had between the covers of a book all year.
Before I get to the adventure, however, I have to talk about Rayne Marcellus (tomb-raider) and Chase Stinsen (serious archaeologist), ex-lovers turned bitter rivals who actually make the old enemies-turned-lovers trope work. First of all, they are both fully-developed characters with a shared backstory, motivations to which the reader can relate, and their own distinct, likable charm. I liked the way they sort of played against and flipped the typical butch/femme stereotypes, and how they were both aware of doing it. Along with Gin and Tonyck, the twin mercenaries who slowly come to respect Chase as much as their boss, these are kick-ass women who we have no trouble believing capable of taking on even the darkest, most violent aspects of the adventure.
As for Rayne and Chase’s relationship, there was not a single moment of their interactions that felt tedious or forced, not a single aspect of their movement through fighting, flirting, resisting, and romancing that didn’t ring true. Nyx made me believe that they belonged together, and had me cheering for their romance as strongly as I was their search for lost treasure. There’s so much passion and intensity there, so much sexual energy in a simple kiss or caress, that even the other characters aren’t immune to a little voyeuristic excitement.
Now, getting back to my complaint about actual adventure and archaeology within the genre, Uncharted starts and ends with tomb-raiding adventure, explores a third excavation in between that is both significant and pivotal, and incorporates an extended jungle adventure along the way, complete with bugs, snakes, Mayans, and more. This just doesn’t pay lip service to the adventure, it’s almost entirely an off-the-grid, in-the-wild, underground adventure. Yes, it is mostly x-marks-the-spot fantasy, driven by an ingenious treasure map and series of clues to the final puzzle, but there is enough genuine archaeology to make the fantasy feel real – and as a tomb-raiding adventure fantasy, this is fantastic!
Perhaps even more notable, and certainly of more interest for me, the entire adventure is female-driven and female-focused. Chase’s driving passion, the quest that leads her to the pivotal confrontation with Rayne, is the discovery of Queen Zenobia’s tomb. She hopes to find evidence that supports her as a feminist icon who died a hero, a fact that will erase the Roman lies of her submissive fate. Deep in the jungle, it is a matriarchal tribe that they encounter, with three old women who respect Rayne and Chase as sisters (or perhaps daughters), and who trust them to stand against the men who seek to befoul the treasure. As for that treasure, the MacGuffin of the Golden Trinity, without saying too much, it is intimately connected to female power and the feminine divine. What it is and what it stands for should not be a huge surprise to anybody paying attention, especially if they’re fans of the genre, but that doesn’t make it any less powerful.
And all of this is presented against the backdrop of terrorism, war, deforestation, and other crimes of men against both humanity and nature. No safe, often cheesy, portrayals of old-school Nazis or Soviet Communists here, Nyx plucks her villains from the here and now, and reminds us of what Rayne and Chase are fighting against as well as for.
Well-written, with engaging characters, action-packed adventure, sexual chemistry that’s off the charts, and a feminist mythology that is far more fascinating than the typical overdone Biblical nonsense, Uncharted was not just everything I hoped it might be, it was far more. Seriously, it has all the flash and fun of Lara Croft, Sydney Fox, Annja Creed, or Amelia Peabody, but with far more substance. I really hope this isn’t the last we see of Rayne & Chase, because I desperately need more.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2022/...
December 18, 2019
What an adventure!
Chase and Rayne have the ultimate rivalry in their field of treasure hunting. As an archaeologist and an antique expert both view tomb raiding differently but have to learn to work together when the opportunity of a life time presents itself. Chase isn’t overly thrilled about accompanying Rayne, especially after learning who they are working for and perhaps against, but she goes along for the wild ride, and both Chase and Rayne come away from the whole experience with more than they could have imagined.
I adore Robyn Nyx’s books because the stories bring something different, and strong characters. Uncharted was no exception, as an epic adventure, with suspense, mystery, twists and turns and the wondrous feeling that you were really out there having this experience with Rayne and Chase. It was so immersive and just gave me an opportunity to really experience the adventure. The imagery was so vivid, the descriptions and detail giving great detail to learn exactly what Chase and Rayne are learning about the treasures they seek. What I loved most was the fast pace and the interactions, not only between Chase and Rayne, but also with the entire cast that contributed to making this a story with heart and meaning, rather than just an adventure.
This was just so much fun! There wasn’t a moment you wouldn’t enjoy, even when things are getting a bit close to the wire and gritty, you could just feel how amazing the story was.
These two, honestly they were something else! Talk about a love hate relationship. Chase and Rayne’s rivalry really drove the heart of this story and made it special. The banter was uplifting and fun, and that underlying attraction undeniable and creating a great tension between them at all times. It was all that history between them giving them an extra layer of mystery and depth to really leave you wanting to know more about both of them. At their hearts they were both similar in so many ways, and although Rayne puts on a tough exterior you got snippets of vulnerability that had me, in the end, loving her just as much as I had first loved Chase.
Amazing, epic adventure that I highly recommend and will leave you wanting more!
Chase and Rayne have the ultimate rivalry in their field of treasure hunting. As an archaeologist and an antique expert both view tomb raiding differently but have to learn to work together when the opportunity of a life time presents itself. Chase isn’t overly thrilled about accompanying Rayne, especially after learning who they are working for and perhaps against, but she goes along for the wild ride, and both Chase and Rayne come away from the whole experience with more than they could have imagined.
I adore Robyn Nyx’s books because the stories bring something different, and strong characters. Uncharted was no exception, as an epic adventure, with suspense, mystery, twists and turns and the wondrous feeling that you were really out there having this experience with Rayne and Chase. It was so immersive and just gave me an opportunity to really experience the adventure. The imagery was so vivid, the descriptions and detail giving great detail to learn exactly what Chase and Rayne are learning about the treasures they seek. What I loved most was the fast pace and the interactions, not only between Chase and Rayne, but also with the entire cast that contributed to making this a story with heart and meaning, rather than just an adventure.
This was just so much fun! There wasn’t a moment you wouldn’t enjoy, even when things are getting a bit close to the wire and gritty, you could just feel how amazing the story was.
These two, honestly they were something else! Talk about a love hate relationship. Chase and Rayne’s rivalry really drove the heart of this story and made it special. The banter was uplifting and fun, and that underlying attraction undeniable and creating a great tension between them at all times. It was all that history between them giving them an extra layer of mystery and depth to really leave you wanting to know more about both of them. At their hearts they were both similar in so many ways, and although Rayne puts on a tough exterior you got snippets of vulnerability that had me, in the end, loving her just as much as I had first loved Chase.
Amazing, epic adventure that I highly recommend and will leave you wanting more!
March 23, 2020
With two leads who fight for dominance in life and in the bed, the leads of Uncharted, Rayne Marcellus and Chase Stinsen, are opposites in nearly everything. Rayne is a treasure hunter reminisce of Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, a femme fatale type of character who will do whatever needs to be done to get the treasures her black market clients desire, from ancient artifacts or rare jewels. However, these are the same things that Chase is after, but with more honorable intentions of giving her finds back to people they belong to. Betrayals seem to be a common occurrence for these two women, yet something else is there, a longing and passion that they can't quite deny. With the common desire to find a rare artifact in the jungles of the Amazon, they discover over time that each have their own troubles that have lead them to making a choice that may change them forever, that is if they survive.
The characters are the typical femme/butch type, with added side characters named Ginn and Tonyck, Rayne's twin body guards. I didn't particularly care for the twins much. Tonyck especially was an annoyance I thought, and her attitude toward Chase often ruined the scene for me. However, this may have been the author's intent in creating such a character that is like a thorn in one's side to the point that one has to sympathize with Chase.
The adventure idea of chasing for a rare item even rarer than supposed riches of El Dorado, the famed mythological city of gold, is also a trope I have seen used often but the execution in the story for the treasure was interesting enough that I enjoyed it, especially the details of their journey. It was as if I were standing right in the midst of everything, such as meeting the native indians and experiencing the jungle night life.
Overall, a pleasant read with plenty of action, adventure, passion, and betrayal. I definitely will be recommending this book to friends who love this type of content!
The characters are the typical femme/butch type, with added side characters named Ginn and Tonyck, Rayne's twin body guards. I didn't particularly care for the twins much. Tonyck especially was an annoyance I thought, and her attitude toward Chase often ruined the scene for me. However, this may have been the author's intent in creating such a character that is like a thorn in one's side to the point that one has to sympathize with Chase.
The adventure idea of chasing for a rare item even rarer than supposed riches of El Dorado, the famed mythological city of gold, is also a trope I have seen used often but the execution in the story for the treasure was interesting enough that I enjoyed it, especially the details of their journey. It was as if I were standing right in the midst of everything, such as meeting the native indians and experiencing the jungle night life.
Overall, a pleasant read with plenty of action, adventure, passion, and betrayal. I definitely will be recommending this book to friends who love this type of content!
June 12, 2022
I'm sorry I talked this much, but I got a tad carried away.
At first I wasn't much into it, having slept only 3h and getting cranky may be the reason, we'll never know haha. But after after the 25%, Rayne stopped being a smug arse and I slept like a baby, I was hooked. At 70% was dreading its end, even knowing there's a second book.
Really, Rayne got me so riled up, if I was Chase in that Syria tomb in 2019 I'd pick anything looking like a metal bar and hit the thing they were looking until it ended in small pieces, out of spite. If she couldn't have things her way the other people shouldn't either considering what they brought to the place. Up to 25% I really wasn't having it with Rayne, I felt her behaviour as if it was personal... Oh, Freud! Chase, however, was the kind of heroine I usually love, don't get me wrong I love antiheros, but there's something else about honour, unpretentiousness and humility that gets me going. Their chemistry was great, even when antagonising each other you could feel it.
I loved the whole expedition aspect of it, most of the time there was an undercurrent of tension going on because you're expecting the villain to show up but you don't know if it'll be at the classic 80% mark or not. Read and find yourself when they show up.
I'll confess something, I've read it because this was a great book, but half the fun was seeing if Robyn would make any mistake about Brazil that I'd be able to check lmao. And let me tell you something, I think Robyn did a superb work with realistic descriptions of scenery and people with a good touch of mythology/fantasy to make things even more exciting. I don't know if ever had the chance to visit our neck of the woods (literally or not), but if not I'm even more impressed.
There was a thing here or there but I wouldn't expect any foreigner to know it, most natives wouldn't know either because is sort of recent and they don't care, but nothing that took the awesomeness of the story. To be fair, I quite enjoyed it because it made sound like the gringos the characters were. And IMHO the stuff made sense to the understanding and flow of the story even if not in use anymore.
Now, stop reading here if you don't want to read sad bits or spoilers.
It's sad to think if it was a real life treasure and they took it to the national museum it all would be lost by now with the fire that burnt the building in the end of 2018, an incalculable loss of most its collections, everything to ashes.
Another thing that got to me was something Effi said "This land will one again be protected". Not knowing yet that she gave a shit to what happened to the forest and the environment as a whole, I started to laugh because that's what I hope one days is achieved, but we're so far from it. Robyn couldn't ever have predicted we were in the verge of spiralling, environmentally and otherwise, with our wanna be trump all but screaming "it's free real estate" over the legal Amazonia. In addition to that, trying hard to take away the land rights of countless indigenous people.
All the organisations like Funai and Ibama (they're responsible to inspect, monitor, control and fine anything related to the environment) were basically striped of its power, left with skeletons of personnel and cuttings on funding, in addition to legislative changes, making laws more lax to exploitation. With a rise of crimes against the indigenous population. I mean, the crimes against them never stopped, but I dare say the last few years have been some of the worst since the Portuguese came invading their home.
At first I wasn't much into it, having slept only 3h and getting cranky may be the reason, we'll never know haha. But after after the 25%, Rayne stopped being a smug arse and I slept like a baby, I was hooked. At 70% was dreading its end, even knowing there's a second book.
Really, Rayne got me so riled up, if I was Chase in that Syria tomb in 2019 I'd pick anything looking like a metal bar and hit the thing they were looking until it ended in small pieces, out of spite. If she couldn't have things her way the other people shouldn't either considering what they brought to the place. Up to 25% I really wasn't having it with Rayne, I felt her behaviour as if it was personal... Oh, Freud! Chase, however, was the kind of heroine I usually love, don't get me wrong I love antiheros, but there's something else about honour, unpretentiousness and humility that gets me going. Their chemistry was great, even when antagonising each other you could feel it.
I loved the whole expedition aspect of it, most of the time there was an undercurrent of tension going on because you're expecting the villain to show up but you don't know if it'll be at the classic 80% mark or not. Read and find yourself when they show up.
I'll confess something, I've read it because this was a great book, but half the fun was seeing if Robyn would make any mistake about Brazil that I'd be able to check lmao. And let me tell you something, I think Robyn did a superb work with realistic descriptions of scenery and people with a good touch of mythology/fantasy to make things even more exciting. I don't know if ever had the chance to visit our neck of the woods (literally or not), but if not I'm even more impressed.
There was a thing here or there but I wouldn't expect any foreigner to know it, most natives wouldn't know either because is sort of recent and they don't care, but nothing that took the awesomeness of the story. To be fair, I quite enjoyed it because it made sound like the gringos the characters were. And IMHO the stuff made sense to the understanding and flow of the story even if not in use anymore.
Now, stop reading here if you don't want to read sad bits or spoilers.
It's sad to think if it was a real life treasure and they took it to the national museum it all would be lost by now with the fire that burnt the building in the end of 2018, an incalculable loss of most its collections, everything to ashes.
Another thing that got to me was something Effi said "This land will one again be protected". Not knowing yet that she gave a shit to what happened to the forest and the environment as a whole, I started to laugh because that's what I hope one days is achieved, but we're so far from it. Robyn couldn't ever have predicted we were in the verge of spiralling, environmentally and otherwise, with our wanna be trump all but screaming "it's free real estate" over the legal Amazonia. In addition to that, trying hard to take away the land rights of countless indigenous people.
All the organisations like Funai and Ibama (they're responsible to inspect, monitor, control and fine anything related to the environment) were basically striped of its power, left with skeletons of personnel and cuttings on funding, in addition to legislative changes, making laws more lax to exploitation. With a rise of crimes against the indigenous population. I mean, the crimes against them never stopped, but I dare say the last few years have been some of the worst since the Portuguese came invading their home.
December 12, 2019
Nyx does a great job in encapsulating what fans of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft love about those franchises. In this case, there's both an Indy and a Lady Croft type character in here and it is such fun to see.
Chase Stinsen is our Indy - she has a strict code about finding artifacts and either preserving them or handing them to museums for public consumption. She has a rival who she has the hots for, Rayne Marcellus the wealthy and morally ambiguous tomb raider. Both women are kind of in love with the other, but there's the pesky problem of Rayne stabbing Chase in the back on their first team up. Ever since, they've been racing each other to get to artifacts before the other. But then Rayne gets a job that even crosses her sensibilities, and she asks Chase to help her save the people who are connected the most deeply to the treasure in question.
I love that Chase and Rayne are so different, yet are obviously the same in so many ways. They don't realize it, but this is one of the main causes for their clashes throughout the book. There's also almost instant chemistry which is helped by the characters' history with each other, so it never feels too forced. The side characters are fun, especially Rayne's bodyguard twins who are loyal to her beyond the paychecks they receive from her. There are a couple of plot points that were very predictable, but I thought they were well placed and gave just an extra sense of danger to the adventure.
I think this was a solid romantic adventure with some really great pacing and world building - you can tell that there was some research put into the book, based on some of Chase's and Rayne's behavior around their finds. There's also the way Chase - and Rayne, when her skills are needed- goes about unraveling the mystery involving the "Golden Trinity - it feels very methodical and academic, even if the treasure seems out of this world. I also thought it was great that these hot, sexy, brainy women are nerds at heart and I love them for it. Also, the ending, as cheesy as it was, was very sweet and sexy.
Have fun with this one, folks, its a great ride.
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review
Chase Stinsen is our Indy - she has a strict code about finding artifacts and either preserving them or handing them to museums for public consumption. She has a rival who she has the hots for, Rayne Marcellus the wealthy and morally ambiguous tomb raider. Both women are kind of in love with the other, but there's the pesky problem of Rayne stabbing Chase in the back on their first team up. Ever since, they've been racing each other to get to artifacts before the other. But then Rayne gets a job that even crosses her sensibilities, and she asks Chase to help her save the people who are connected the most deeply to the treasure in question.
I love that Chase and Rayne are so different, yet are obviously the same in so many ways. They don't realize it, but this is one of the main causes for their clashes throughout the book. There's also almost instant chemistry which is helped by the characters' history with each other, so it never feels too forced. The side characters are fun, especially Rayne's bodyguard twins who are loyal to her beyond the paychecks they receive from her. There are a couple of plot points that were very predictable, but I thought they were well placed and gave just an extra sense of danger to the adventure.
I think this was a solid romantic adventure with some really great pacing and world building - you can tell that there was some research put into the book, based on some of Chase's and Rayne's behavior around their finds. There's also the way Chase - and Rayne, when her skills are needed- goes about unraveling the mystery involving the "Golden Trinity - it feels very methodical and academic, even if the treasure seems out of this world. I also thought it was great that these hot, sexy, brainy women are nerds at heart and I love them for it. Also, the ending, as cheesy as it was, was very sweet and sexy.
Have fun with this one, folks, its a great ride.
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review
January 16, 2021
Author extraordinaire Robyn Nyx, once again delivers another superb wlw book to sink your teeth into.
Unchartered is just the right mix of adventure and romance with an enemies to lovers/second chances theme.
Throughout the story the author weaves a fine balance of action, danger and love, punctuated in all the right places with humourous banter and sexual innuendo.
These interactions between Chase and Rayne give levity to the more angst filled parts of the story without diluting the excitment of searching for The Golden Trinity.
Chase and Rayne start out in contempt of each other but their journey together has a redemptive nature. Both of these main characters are multifaucted, with their own histories and hangups that are somewhat processed on their adventure - ultimately allowing us to see their emotional walls start to come down.
The author is deft at fully fleshing out any secondary characters. I felt like i knew Tonyck, Ginn and Pablo as much as the main characters which adds layers to their interactions and the story as a whole.
Nyx writes unashamedly strong women loving women characters and like all of her previous works Nyx isn't afraid to tackle hard topics. Uncharted delves into the plight of the Amazon and it's indigenous people with a range of food for thought; deforestation, illegal logging, the ethics and morality of the antiquities trade to name but a few.
If you've got this far and are wondering what sets Uncharted apart from other adventure style books, for me it's undoubtedly the ability that Nyx has to craft exquisite sentences.
Just one of my favourites, '... Rayne still saw the escaping drops of liquid sorrow fall from Chase's face...', perfectly depicts Nyx's writing talent. The skill to elevate even the simplest of reactions to the next level, to draw a reader into the story as if you were there, experiencing it yourself.
Oh and if you've been lucky enough to read Robyn Nyx's wifes books written by Brey Willows, you'll have fun hunting the easter eggs in Uncharted!!
Unchartered is just the right mix of adventure and romance with an enemies to lovers/second chances theme.
Throughout the story the author weaves a fine balance of action, danger and love, punctuated in all the right places with humourous banter and sexual innuendo.
These interactions between Chase and Rayne give levity to the more angst filled parts of the story without diluting the excitment of searching for The Golden Trinity.
Chase and Rayne start out in contempt of each other but their journey together has a redemptive nature. Both of these main characters are multifaucted, with their own histories and hangups that are somewhat processed on their adventure - ultimately allowing us to see their emotional walls start to come down.
The author is deft at fully fleshing out any secondary characters. I felt like i knew Tonyck, Ginn and Pablo as much as the main characters which adds layers to their interactions and the story as a whole.
Nyx writes unashamedly strong women loving women characters and like all of her previous works Nyx isn't afraid to tackle hard topics. Uncharted delves into the plight of the Amazon and it's indigenous people with a range of food for thought; deforestation, illegal logging, the ethics and morality of the antiquities trade to name but a few.
If you've got this far and are wondering what sets Uncharted apart from other adventure style books, for me it's undoubtedly the ability that Nyx has to craft exquisite sentences.
Just one of my favourites, '... Rayne still saw the escaping drops of liquid sorrow fall from Chase's face...', perfectly depicts Nyx's writing talent. The skill to elevate even the simplest of reactions to the next level, to draw a reader into the story as if you were there, experiencing it yourself.
Oh and if you've been lucky enough to read Robyn Nyx's wifes books written by Brey Willows, you'll have fun hunting the easter eggs in Uncharted!!
April 12, 2020
This was a spectacular adventure! Chase and Rayne both recover artifactes, but thru two very different methods and for different reasons. Their chemistry was very enjoyable to read. Chase and Rayne have known each other for a long time, however after Rayne betrayed Chase, they became enemies. I am a big fan of enemies to lovers because the angst between the characters feel more natural and smooth, and usually full of banter.
The adventure was fun and exciting. Very much reminiscent of Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider. I have to say, I haven't read many adventure romances like this, but I will correct that immediately. It was a lot of fun to go thru the jungle and watch the characters solve the clues. I also liked that the author addressed the impact of foreigners on the environment and the natives. It's not easy to read but it gives weight and doesn't cover up the realities.
I do wish that the epilogue was longer. The book ends in a good spot to be complete, but I want so much more. Hopefully there will be a sequel because seeing how Chase and Rayne tackle their relationship once they are out of the life and death situation. I have so many questions and would love to see their relationship grow. Also, more adventures are always welcomed!
All in all, I would recommend this book to adventure lovers or fans of Tomb Raider!
The adventure was fun and exciting. Very much reminiscent of Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider. I have to say, I haven't read many adventure romances like this, but I will correct that immediately. It was a lot of fun to go thru the jungle and watch the characters solve the clues. I also liked that the author addressed the impact of foreigners on the environment and the natives. It's not easy to read but it gives weight and doesn't cover up the realities.
I do wish that the epilogue was longer. The book ends in a good spot to be complete, but I want so much more. Hopefully there will be a sequel because seeing how Chase and Rayne tackle their relationship once they are out of the life and death situation. I have so many questions and would love to see their relationship grow. Also, more adventures are always welcomed!
All in all, I would recommend this book to adventure lovers or fans of Tomb Raider!
December 27, 2019
I enjoyed this well written book which has elements of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft and those programmes on National Geographic Channel about lost civilisations. Chase is an archaeologist with principles and Rayne wouldn’t know a principle if one of her bodyguards (Ginn and Tonyck - nice!) threw it at her. The book has some genuinely tense moments, some great humour and an exciting denouement. The side characters were well drawn especially the indigenous people but I felt some did not act in keeping with the way they had been developed. No spoilers here.
The main characters spar and dance around their growing attraction and there is rarely an opportunity to try and discover what they want from each other as they are continually running towards one or other treasure or away from bad people. The danger scenes are pleasingly crafted and give a nice tingle on whether Chase and Rayne and all of their little entourage will survive and I liked the ending which perfectly resolved the conflict which had been set up.
Overall recommended if you like a good story, well told, with interesting characters and a little bit of danger mixed in with some romance. I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
The main characters spar and dance around their growing attraction and there is rarely an opportunity to try and discover what they want from each other as they are continually running towards one or other treasure or away from bad people. The danger scenes are pleasingly crafted and give a nice tingle on whether Chase and Rayne and all of their little entourage will survive and I liked the ending which perfectly resolved the conflict which had been set up.
Overall recommended if you like a good story, well told, with interesting characters and a little bit of danger mixed in with some romance. I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
January 15, 2020
This book was better than expected.. and I expected it to be great!
Chase Stinsen and Rayne Marcellus are in the same field of work although their purposes for it are very different. Once partners and now enemies, Chase agrees to work with Rayne and look for the Golden Trinity.
Let me start by saying how sexy both main characters are, both in there unique and different ways. Moreover, they are both intellectual and badasses. Therefore, it is no surprise that their chemistry was insane and it was like that right from the start.
This book is sexy and full of adventure and action. Robyn did an amazing job - you actually feel like you are there with them every step of the way.
Loved it!
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Chase Stinsen and Rayne Marcellus are in the same field of work although their purposes for it are very different. Once partners and now enemies, Chase agrees to work with Rayne and look for the Golden Trinity.
Let me start by saying how sexy both main characters are, both in there unique and different ways. Moreover, they are both intellectual and badasses. Therefore, it is no surprise that their chemistry was insane and it was like that right from the start.
This book is sexy and full of adventure and action. Robyn did an amazing job - you actually feel like you are there with them every step of the way.
Loved it!
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 25, 2024
no notes. the adventure was full of fun action, intriguing puzzles and a fun revisionist history of the Mayans and other indigenous groups in Brazil.
Chase and Rayne, two equally capable archeologists with a competitive streak, are everything. the battle of wits, the flirty banter, the naughty inner monologues, the "just make up and kiss already!", the growth, their understandings of each other...ugh disgunstingly delicious. Pablo was a real one and we have him to thank for being living proof to Chase that Rayne was capable of compassion but also for being the biggest shipper and, to quote him, making the pair realize that "you women need to get a room"😂
Looking forward to the sequel!
Chase and Rayne, two equally capable archeologists with a competitive streak, are everything. the battle of wits, the flirty banter, the naughty inner monologues, the "just make up and kiss already!", the growth, their understandings of each other...ugh disgunstingly delicious. Pablo was a real one and we have him to thank for being living proof to Chase that Rayne was capable of compassion but also for being the biggest shipper and, to quote him, making the pair realize that "you women need to get a room"😂
Looking forward to the sequel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2021
Fun time scratches Mummy-esc itch
I've been searching for a F/F romance that shares DNA with the movie the Mummy with action comedy and a romance all wrapped together and this book does all of that! I love the dynamic between the mains and the slight friends to enemies to lovers vibes. The tension is there. The supporting cast was great too!
And honestly it was just a relief to give an archeology/tomb raider type book that wasn't blatantly racist. I've been burned a couple times by other books in this small niche.
I've been searching for a F/F romance that shares DNA with the movie the Mummy with action comedy and a romance all wrapped together and this book does all of that! I love the dynamic between the mains and the slight friends to enemies to lovers vibes. The tension is there. The supporting cast was great too!
And honestly it was just a relief to give an archeology/tomb raider type book that wasn't blatantly racist. I've been burned a couple times by other books in this small niche.
Read
February 20, 2020Nyx has written a fast-paced thriller that's easy to enjoy. Part Tomb Raider part angsty history, there's a little bit for everyone.
Nyx's writing style is engaging, the characters are interesting and the plot provides some fun for the reader. In particular, the environment has been constructed in a realistic and relatively detailed way.
I would have preferred more detailed character development but overall, a good read.
I received an ARC for an honest review
Nyx's writing style is engaging, the characters are interesting and the plot provides some fun for the reader. In particular, the environment has been constructed in a realistic and relatively detailed way.
I would have preferred more detailed character development but overall, a good read.
I received an ARC for an honest review
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