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Samantha Knox #2
Rise of the Snake Goddess
Samantha Knox is back for another adventure in this 1920s female-driven mystery-adventure series!
Sam Knox’s second adventure takes her to the island of Crete, just off the coast of Greece, where she discovers the ancient Snake Goddess’s golden girdle in the depths of a cave shrine that has been buried for decades. After having been belittled by her archaeology professor throughout her first college semester, Sam knows this triumph will prove her worth in the field, but before she can take credit for the find, the girdle is stolen and the island is hit with a series of earthquakes that don’t feel quite geological.
Soon Sam, Bennett and Jo are embroiled in a wild hunt―one that takes them to tiny island shops, a glamorous auction party and a near fiery death―to find the girdle before someone can use it to raise an ancient goddess from her slumber. The final battle features gryphons, a labyrinth, the minotaur of legend and lots of snakes. Lots.
Sam Knox’s second adventure takes her to the island of Crete, just off the coast of Greece, where she discovers the ancient Snake Goddess’s golden girdle in the depths of a cave shrine that has been buried for decades. After having been belittled by her archaeology professor throughout her first college semester, Sam knows this triumph will prove her worth in the field, but before she can take credit for the find, the girdle is stolen and the island is hit with a series of earthquakes that don’t feel quite geological.
Soon Sam, Bennett and Jo are embroiled in a wild hunt―one that takes them to tiny island shops, a glamorous auction party and a near fiery death―to find the girdle before someone can use it to raise an ancient goddess from her slumber. The final battle features gryphons, a labyrinth, the minotaur of legend and lots of snakes. Lots.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2022
33 people are currently reading
1725 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Elder Moke
8 books546 followersJenny Elder Moke is the award-winning author of children's and adult literature. She enjoys fast-paced adventures with plenty of mysteries, surprising turns, and laughs along the way. CROSS YOUR HEART AND HOPE HE DIES, a mystery rom-com mash-up, available January 20, 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
January 8, 2024
Samantha Knox is back and ready for another 1920's antiquities-filled adventure, this time on the island of Crete off the coast of Greece.
After the near death drama of the first book, Curse of the Specter Queen, Sam, Bennett and Jo headed back to their normal lives. Sam and Jo now joining Bennett at college.
Sam has been looking forward to possibly being involved in a field expedition to Crete lead by her Archaeology Professor. Unfortunately, the Professor has other opinions and Sam is ultimately excluded from participating.
She's definitely disappointed, but have no fear, you know Sam is going to get all up in it nonetheless.
After Sam, Bennett and Jo discover a letter asking for help with an ancient artifact, as luck would have it, located in Crete, the trio packs their bags and heads out.
Sam will prove to her sexist Professor one way or another that she is worthy of her position in school. As a matter of fact, she just may be the most valuable student he has.
Following a series of clues, Sam ends up discovering the artifact in question, the golden girdle of the Snake Goddess, buried deep in a tomb. Taking the girdle and proclaiming her find is not going to be easy though.
In fact, dangerous incidents begin occurring almost immediately upon the object's retrieval. It's even stolen from Sam and she needs to get it back; to protect it and its legacy.
The Snake Goddess has awakened and she's not happy.
I'm happy to report there's no second book syndrome here!
I actually enjoyed this more than the first book. To me it felt faster in pace and the writing has definitely improved. Overall, a good showing by Elder Moke.
In this installment, I felt like I got to know Sam's character a lot more. Her motivations, aspirations and her steadfast dedication to her education and tasks.
Jo again brought such humor. I love her as a best friend and sidekick. Bennett frustrated me a little bit in this one, but I still like the idea of his relationship with Sam. I also like how their romance doesn't overshadow the other plot points.
I also enjoyed the themes of women's rights and power that Elder Moke brought to this story. The Snake Goddess was the perfect device for allowing that conversation to be had naturally.
I loved the growth Sam displayed in this one as well. She's not a scared, uncertain little girl any more. She's a woman truly coming into her own and I'm here for it.
I really hope we get to go on further adventures with Sam and her friends. I'm not sure how long this series is slated to be, but I'm truly hoping for more.
Thank you to the publisher, Disney Books and Disney Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I really enjoyed this one!
After the near death drama of the first book, Curse of the Specter Queen, Sam, Bennett and Jo headed back to their normal lives. Sam and Jo now joining Bennett at college.
Sam has been looking forward to possibly being involved in a field expedition to Crete lead by her Archaeology Professor. Unfortunately, the Professor has other opinions and Sam is ultimately excluded from participating.
She's definitely disappointed, but have no fear, you know Sam is going to get all up in it nonetheless.
After Sam, Bennett and Jo discover a letter asking for help with an ancient artifact, as luck would have it, located in Crete, the trio packs their bags and heads out.
Sam will prove to her sexist Professor one way or another that she is worthy of her position in school. As a matter of fact, she just may be the most valuable student he has.
Following a series of clues, Sam ends up discovering the artifact in question, the golden girdle of the Snake Goddess, buried deep in a tomb. Taking the girdle and proclaiming her find is not going to be easy though.
In fact, dangerous incidents begin occurring almost immediately upon the object's retrieval. It's even stolen from Sam and she needs to get it back; to protect it and its legacy.
The Snake Goddess has awakened and she's not happy.
I'm happy to report there's no second book syndrome here!
I actually enjoyed this more than the first book. To me it felt faster in pace and the writing has definitely improved. Overall, a good showing by Elder Moke.
In this installment, I felt like I got to know Sam's character a lot more. Her motivations, aspirations and her steadfast dedication to her education and tasks.
Jo again brought such humor. I love her as a best friend and sidekick. Bennett frustrated me a little bit in this one, but I still like the idea of his relationship with Sam. I also like how their romance doesn't overshadow the other plot points.
I also enjoyed the themes of women's rights and power that Elder Moke brought to this story. The Snake Goddess was the perfect device for allowing that conversation to be had naturally.
I loved the growth Sam displayed in this one as well. She's not a scared, uncertain little girl any more. She's a woman truly coming into her own and I'm here for it.
I really hope we get to go on further adventures with Sam and her friends. I'm not sure how long this series is slated to be, but I'm truly hoping for more.
Thank you to the publisher, Disney Books and Disney Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I really enjoyed this one!
August 5, 2025
3.75 🌟
This wasn’t as good as the first.
While of the characters became more likeable (I enjoyed Joanna as the comic relief and honestly felt like she carried this book). Our main heroine Sam was worse for me. She became so intense. I found some of her actions to be so silly that she felt like a different person from the first book. While in the initial novel Sam was extremely careful, she felt very blinded and selfish in this one. I understand the motivation behind why but that didn’t make any less fun to read.
I also found myself much more bored than the first. While this one got started quickly it went downhill.
I think the main reason I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first one was that there were so many bad things happening that besides Joanna’s humour there were no moments that made me smile or feel good. That feeling of comfort, even for a moment, is something I need in my novels to truly love them. Each event left me with dread and the knowledge that something worse was going to happen. And each introduced character just felt too untrustworthy.
Overall, I enjoy this series for what it is bringing to the genre. I would pick up another for sure in the hopes it can bring the same vibes as the first one did.
This wasn’t as good as the first.
While of the characters became more likeable (I enjoyed Joanna as the comic relief and honestly felt like she carried this book). Our main heroine Sam was worse for me. She became so intense. I found some of her actions to be so silly that she felt like a different person from the first book. While in the initial novel Sam was extremely careful, she felt very blinded and selfish in this one. I understand the motivation behind why but that didn’t make any less fun to read.
I also found myself much more bored than the first. While this one got started quickly it went downhill.
I think the main reason I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first one was that there were so many bad things happening that besides Joanna’s humour there were no moments that made me smile or feel good. That feeling of comfort, even for a moment, is something I need in my novels to truly love them. Each event left me with dread and the knowledge that something worse was going to happen. And each introduced character just felt too untrustworthy.
Overall, I enjoy this series for what it is bringing to the genre. I would pick up another for sure in the hopes it can bring the same vibes as the first one did.
October 7, 2021
**UPDATE: COVER AND PRE-ORDER LINKS ARE LIVE NOW ON INDIEBOUND, AMAZON, B&N, AND INDIGO**
Samantha Knox is back in another archaeological adventure!! Advanced readers copies are available for request on Edelweiss +, and will be available soon on NetGalley.
If you've got questions, comments, or just want to scream with me, drop them here!
Samantha Knox is back in another archaeological adventure!! Advanced readers copies are available for request on Edelweiss +, and will be available soon on NetGalley.
If you've got questions, comments, or just want to scream with me, drop them here!
June 1, 2022
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
November 15, 2021
Fabulous, fun, and clever! Beloved heroine Samantha Knox is at it again, solving ancient puzzles and traveling around the globe with her best friend and her crush. This book features Moke's signature wit combined with an ancient "Indiana Jones-esque" adventure mystery along with nefarious characters and mythical creatures. A fantastic (and well-coiffed) adventure!
I also like how in book two, Samantha Knox grapples less with her past and more with her future. Ambitious and often more intelligent than her professors, she confronts not just a powerful snake goddess and a Minotaur, but her own darker side as well. This struggle add depth to the well-crafted story. Wise-cracking, brave Jo and sensible (handsome) Bennet are, as usual, a pleasure to hang out with. Recommended for everyone!
I also like how in book two, Samantha Knox grapples less with her past and more with her future. Ambitious and often more intelligent than her professors, she confronts not just a powerful snake goddess and a Minotaur, but her own darker side as well. This struggle add depth to the well-crafted story. Wise-cracking, brave Jo and sensible (handsome) Bennet are, as usual, a pleasure to hang out with. Recommended for everyone!
December 16, 2022
I really loved this book so much the characters and the story remind me of The Mummy characters with how each of them interact the story was really great too. The characters were amazing I especially love Sam and Bennet a wonderfully written romance with enough extra things thrown in I liked determined and trying to prove herself Sam and the be careful and do the things right Bennet. I also loved spunky says what she wants Jo she always made every moment with her in it worthwhile. The plot was really interesting it starts with Sam still trying to prove herself only for her to be treated horribly after that other things happen they set out to Crete to help someone other not so great things happen and a snake goddess is unleashed it takes a little while but she is stopped and things are better after that I really want to read more with these characters in it.
June 18, 2022
MISS ELDER MOKE PLEASE NEVER DISCONTINUE THIS SERIES!!!
Literally this was the PERFECT sequel.
Sam is such a girlboss Jo is literally so iconic and Bennett is so sweet. Name a more iconic gallivanting trio I’ll wait.
I loved how this book also featured men I could hate!
I do hope this series will continue because I love these characters
Literally this was the PERFECT sequel.
Sam is such a girlboss Jo is literally so iconic and Bennett is so sweet. Name a more iconic gallivanting trio I’ll wait.
I loved how this book also featured men I could hate!
I do hope this series will continue because I love these characters
June 9, 2022
From fighting Morrigan in Ireland to waking up a goddess in sunny Greece, Rise of the Snake Goddess has all the ingredients to please the adventurers. This time Sam, Bennett, and Jo will have to find a way to survive the wrath of a Goddess, woken up by accident. From a supporting character to a true force of nature, Jo has stolen the spotlight, and I am looking forward to reading more of her.
June 21, 2022
I enjoyed this only because it gave me Indian Jones / the mummy vibes. Without all the brutes and romance.
Romance was very..... Stalking jack the ripper as in like nothing because I'm a lady and idk if he even wants me 🙄 but then you also get the generic rich pretty alcoholic flapper.
Guess the love interest? Yeah the brother of the flatter who is also in the same field as the MC.
I just didn't like the characters at all but the story was fun.
This was the second book which I didn't realize until it was to late 🤷🏼♀️ i don't think I really missed anything tho.
Romance was very..... Stalking jack the ripper as in like nothing because I'm a lady and idk if he even wants me 🙄 but then you also get the generic rich pretty alcoholic flapper.
Guess the love interest? Yeah the brother of the flatter who is also in the same field as the MC.
I just didn't like the characters at all but the story was fun.
This was the second book which I didn't realize until it was to late 🤷🏼♀️ i don't think I really missed anything tho.
July 8, 2022
Rise of the Snake Goddess was an action packed adventure! With mythology, treasure hunts and even a goddess, this book was a lot of fun. Fans of National Treasure and The Mummy should have a blast reading this book!
Our favorites Sam, Jo, and Bennett were together at college. When they intercepted a letter for Bennett's professor, who we met in Curse of the Specter Queen, it led them on an adventure of a lifetime. They ended up of traveling to Crete, yet not everything was at it seemed. Caves, treasure hunters, relics, mythology and puzzles filled the story making this a fascinating read!
The characters made this story for me! Jo continued to crack me up with her antics and do what she wanted to do attitude. I loved how she could be so clever! But most of all I loved her and Sam's mended friendship and how they worked together as a team. They were the truest of best friends! Sam continued to impress me with her ability to not quit and her wits! Sam was so clever and smart, the adventure she led us on was one I won't forget!
Shockingly I felt like Bennett was the one who needed to grow the most in this story. He always tried to see the best in others. And while that was an admirable trait, it also led him to put that trust in others blindly that didn't deserve it. I was so happy to see how far he had come from that first page to the last. Plus I loved seeing how much he cared for Sam and his sister, and the lengths he would go to to protect them.
The cast also included characters I absolutely loathed like Theo and one of the other professors, Professor Atchinson. There were others who I didn't know if we should trust or not. It kept me guessing and I loved that each one stood out and felt unique. Finishing that last page, I felt like the message in this book was only you can find your true self-worth. You can't let it be dictated by others and their expectations of you. Only you can forge your own path and love yourself truly. I was so happy that Sam, Bennett and even Jo encompassed those feelings on their journey!
Stories were told, lies were spun and Sam, Jo and Bennett did everything possible to keep themselves not only out of trouble but alive too! There was a secret that came out from the first book that left me dying laughing! It was so perfect lol! So with a smidgen of romance and a ton of adventure, Rise of the Snake Goddess was a story not to be missed!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
"Isn’t that what drew us to this course of study in the first place? The promise of a discovery that would change the world?”
“Last time we discovered something, it nearly ended the world,” Bennett pointed out.
“Are you going to let that keep you from ever seeking adventure again?” Sam asked.
Our favorites Sam, Jo, and Bennett were together at college. When they intercepted a letter for Bennett's professor, who we met in Curse of the Specter Queen, it led them on an adventure of a lifetime. They ended up of traveling to Crete, yet not everything was at it seemed. Caves, treasure hunters, relics, mythology and puzzles filled the story making this a fascinating read!
“It’s a secret passage,” she breathed in wonder.
The characters made this story for me! Jo continued to crack me up with her antics and do what she wanted to do attitude. I loved how she could be so clever! But most of all I loved her and Sam's mended friendship and how they worked together as a team. They were the truest of best friends! Sam continued to impress me with her ability to not quit and her wits! Sam was so clever and smart, the adventure she led us on was one I won't forget!
“Just once in this whole business, Bennett, I do wish you’d understand what I’m trying to do. I wish you’d understand me.”
Bennett looked down in surprise. “Why do you think I don’t understand you?”
“Because if you did, you’d help me, instead of constantly trying to stop me.”
Shockingly I felt like Bennett was the one who needed to grow the most in this story. He always tried to see the best in others. And while that was an admirable trait, it also led him to put that trust in others blindly that didn't deserve it. I was so happy to see how far he had come from that first page to the last. Plus I loved seeing how much he cared for Sam and his sister, and the lengths he would go to to protect them.
These walls weren’t built to keep something out; they were built to keep something in.
The cast also included characters I absolutely loathed like Theo and one of the other professors, Professor Atchinson. There were others who I didn't know if we should trust or not. It kept me guessing and I loved that each one stood out and felt unique. Finishing that last page, I felt like the message in this book was only you can find your true self-worth. You can't let it be dictated by others and their expectations of you. Only you can forge your own path and love yourself truly. I was so happy that Sam, Bennett and even Jo encompassed those feelings on their journey!
The Snake Goddess had risen.
Stories were told, lies were spun and Sam, Jo and Bennett did everything possible to keep themselves not only out of trouble but alive too! There was a secret that came out from the first book that left me dying laughing! It was so perfect lol! So with a smidgen of romance and a ton of adventure, Rise of the Snake Goddess was a story not to be missed!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Want to read
September 5, 202210/06/21
Ahh okay so the cover hasn’t been revealed on Goodreads yet (it was only just revealed on Instagram this afternoon), but oh my gosh it’s absolutely stunning!! And the synopsis!! Sooo cool!
I seriously can’t wait for this one 😍
Ahh okay so the cover hasn’t been revealed on Goodreads yet (it was only just revealed on Instagram this afternoon), but oh my gosh it’s absolutely stunning!! And the synopsis!! Sooo cool!
I seriously can’t wait for this one 😍
June 14, 2022
This one just didn't hit the same as the first book. Bennett is extra annoying. And I don't like snakes.
December 25, 2023
I preferred the first book over the second, however, it was still a good read.
December 29, 2022
Shoutout
A shoutout to my wonderful cousin who purchased this book for me on a family vacation after seeing how excited I was about it.
Reading Out Loud
I have made it a point to read all of Joana's dialogue out loud in an English accent (even though I know she's American) because her part is that much fun! I did it with the first book as I sat outside on the porch in the heat of the summer, and I did it with the second as I lounged in luxurious baths while snow was falling. Needless to say, she is still my favorite character.
Indiana Jones!
I want this to be a Netflix series already! It is the perfect girl-Indiana Jones we've all been waiting for (without taking away from the actual Indiana Jones, obviously)! The perfect blend of mythology and adventure that I have been so hungry for. If you haven't read these books, I urge you to! Sam is a perfect heroine, as she has flaws and isn't necessarily the type of person one would initially screen as main-character-material for a franchise. I love her because she is broken and makes mistakes just like the rest of us. She takes a step further by acknowledging her mistakes and apologizing to her friends when it is appropriate to do so. Sometimes she is a scaredy-cat, sometimes she is a know-it-all, sometimes she can't see past her own supposed limitations...I love that someone like her gets to shine. It's a testament to all of us mousy bookworms out there. (Hint: yes, I do mean myself included, haha)
Romance & Friendship
We get both–but the romance isn’t a main focus that gets annoyingly out of hand or spot-lighted, and the friendship is #goals. This is why I am writing my own novel: pure, genuine, wholesome friendship. It is always sorely lacking in literature and I always crave more of it. This is what more books should highlight! Friendship that isn't tainted by unnecessary sexual tension or only when it is convenient. Praise to the author for giving us friends!
3.5/5
Star rating rounded up for Joana.
A shoutout to my wonderful cousin who purchased this book for me on a family vacation after seeing how excited I was about it.
Reading Out Loud
I have made it a point to read all of Joana's dialogue out loud in an English accent (even though I know she's American) because her part is that much fun! I did it with the first book as I sat outside on the porch in the heat of the summer, and I did it with the second as I lounged in luxurious baths while snow was falling. Needless to say, she is still my favorite character.
Indiana Jones!
I want this to be a Netflix series already! It is the perfect girl-Indiana Jones we've all been waiting for (without taking away from the actual Indiana Jones, obviously)! The perfect blend of mythology and adventure that I have been so hungry for. If you haven't read these books, I urge you to! Sam is a perfect heroine, as she has flaws and isn't necessarily the type of person one would initially screen as main-character-material for a franchise. I love her because she is broken and makes mistakes just like the rest of us. She takes a step further by acknowledging her mistakes and apologizing to her friends when it is appropriate to do so. Sometimes she is a scaredy-cat, sometimes she is a know-it-all, sometimes she can't see past her own supposed limitations...I love that someone like her gets to shine. It's a testament to all of us mousy bookworms out there. (Hint: yes, I do mean myself included, haha)
Romance & Friendship
We get both–but the romance isn’t a main focus that gets annoyingly out of hand or spot-lighted, and the friendship is #goals. This is why I am writing my own novel: pure, genuine, wholesome friendship. It is always sorely lacking in literature and I always crave more of it. This is what more books should highlight! Friendship that isn't tainted by unnecessary sexual tension or only when it is convenient. Praise to the author for giving us friends!
3.5/5
Star rating rounded up for Joana.
June 27, 2022
3.5⭐
It was okay. Sam infuriated so much in this one. I think she infuriated me in the first one as well. Can't remember it. But I get her emotionally in this one but her recklessness was costing others as well so I was agreeing with Bennett but understood her too. The last brainstorming they did on the labyrinth was eye rolling ott. I fell in love with these characters in the first book so I liked it anyway. Thank the writer for not creating any unnecessary drama between them. Overall it was a good sequel. And surprisingly I didn't feel lost and quite remember pretty much every important stuffs.
It was okay. Sam infuriated so much in this one. I think she infuriated me in the first one as well. Can't remember it. But I get her emotionally in this one but her recklessness was costing others as well so I was agreeing with Bennett but understood her too. The last brainstorming they did on the labyrinth was eye rolling ott. I fell in love with these characters in the first book so I liked it anyway. Thank the writer for not creating any unnecessary drama between them. Overall it was a good sequel. And surprisingly I didn't feel lost and quite remember pretty much every important stuffs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2025
okay i did end up enjoying the ending and the way that the story and characters ended up. im glad that most of the characters did some introspection because everyone was annoying the hell out of me. bennett and sam are cute and im glad they talked about their insecurities because their tension during this book was terrible. and im lowkey proud of sam for putting them in their place sometimes those rich kids needed it. omg when joanna went off on sam i was so mad (she was right in that instance but joanna is NOT one to talk even tho i like her). anyway 3 stars because i should not have to read 60% of the book before something gets interesting.
September 16, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
I don’t know if I wasn’t in the right mood for this kind of story but I felt like I had to push myself to read through the majority of this book. Thankfully the last 25ish% managed to keep me entertained and didn’t make me regret pushing through.
If you love stories like The Mummy or Indiana Jones but want one with a more feminist and woman empowering take, then this is the series for you.
I just wish the feminism could have came with a little less of the misogynistic professor making an appearance. And for as much as I liked Bennet in the first book, he just irked me so much this time around.
I still had fun along the journey, just not as much as the first.
I don’t know if I wasn’t in the right mood for this kind of story but I felt like I had to push myself to read through the majority of this book. Thankfully the last 25ish% managed to keep me entertained and didn’t make me regret pushing through.
If you love stories like The Mummy or Indiana Jones but want one with a more feminist and woman empowering take, then this is the series for you.
I just wish the feminism could have came with a little less of the misogynistic professor making an appearance. And for as much as I liked Bennet in the first book, he just irked me so much this time around.
I still had fun along the journey, just not as much as the first.
July 20, 2022
i love the use of greek mythology in this installment of the samantha knox series! again i had issues with the characters tho. i love jo, she is a hoot. this time i liked bennett! he just seemed like a tired dad who did not recover from the events of the last book. and sam was so violently obnoxious ❤️
August 5, 2022
i liked this a bit more than the first one, but i was still underwhelmed. i do wish there was going to be another book in the series though because they're still a fun and fast time.
August 15, 2022
It might have taken me forever to read this, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy myself while I was! I love this series. It’s so fun and interesting, and a great way to escape.
January 4, 2023
I absolutely adored the first. This one felt a bit lacking. Was ok.
April 29, 2023
This was a fun adventure, full of friendships, archeology, goddesses and consequences.
May 19, 2024
I absolutely love the setting of this book and I love the characters. I think that the world of the 1920s was represented really well and the addition of magic and mythology was phenomenal. Joana is forever my favorite character and I love following our trio on various adventures. "Do not let yourself be so afraid of mistakes that you do not undertake the journey at all. Mistakes are necessary on the path to wisdom."
September 27, 2022
I actually enjoyed the second book more than the first. The story was really great! And just like the last it was filled with fun and adventure. I hope there will be more Sam Knox to come in the future! 😁
January 16, 2022
A good sophomore effort but it just didn't have the thrill of the first in the series. Looking forward to seeing what comes next though...
July 4, 2022
I absolutely adored Curse of the Specter Queen and was so excited to read Rise of the Snake Goddess, but … it just didn’t deliver in the same way that the first book did.
I can succinctly identify the problem I had with Rise of the Snake Queen: Samantha freaking Knox.
In book one, Sam’s character felt so well rounded. She struggled with being stuck in her small town and the semi-estrangement from Jo. We saw her really come to life as the mystery unfolded and she continued to prove her intellect and sharp analytical skills over and over again.
Despite the character building in book one, book two immediately starts with Sam being a pain in the butt. Sam is bitter, reckless, obsessed with proving her by making a world famous discovery, and selfish. She doesn’t ever really stop to think any plan through or even how it might impact Jo and Bennet. She has a chip on her shoulder and all she really cares about is proving that she is the smart and the best at everything. The rekindled friendship with Jo and the relationship with Bennet are soured by Sam’s resentment towards the siblings for their upbringing and wealth, even though Sam has obviously benefited greatly from their father’s generosity towards her. Despite Sam not even being Mr. Steeling’s own child he has paid for so many things for Sam and has even pulled strings to ensure she is granted access to opportunities she would not have had access to on her own. Poor Bennet gets punished repeatedly by Sam for trying to be levelheaded, responsible, and safety minded, simply because she thinks he “doesn’t understand her” while she is once again being reckless and obsessive over earning archaeological fame. I understand Sam’s behavior gets worked into the plot, but it was just so unpleasant to read for the entire book. The whole “woe is me, no one understands me or my genius” trope is obnoxious and tired at this point.
My smaller gripe with book two is that the riddle solving, code breaking, and overall discovery which helped book one to shine were just not present in this installment. The plot was kind of 1. Discover something of archaeological significance (and find it a bit too easily, at that), 2. Sam is reckless and fights with Jo and Bennet nonstop for about 60% of the book, 3. Mystical things happen and Sam only discovers the pattern/answer/solution because the things have happened and not because she worked them out from the clues she has found (probably bc there were no clues this time around). The actual mystery was not as well formulated or tied together this time, which was really disappointing.
I rated Curse of the Specter Queen 4 stars when I read it last year, but I remember thinking it was a solid 4-4.5 star read for me. Rise of the Snake Goddess is 3-3.5 stars (I’m sad it’s so low bc I genuinely really like this series). Even though this series definitely suffers with the dreaded book two curse, I’ll be excited to continue reading the series as it comes out.
I can succinctly identify the problem I had with Rise of the Snake Queen: Samantha freaking Knox.
In book one, Sam’s character felt so well rounded. She struggled with being stuck in her small town and the semi-estrangement from Jo. We saw her really come to life as the mystery unfolded and she continued to prove her intellect and sharp analytical skills over and over again.
Despite the character building in book one, book two immediately starts with Sam being a pain in the butt. Sam is bitter, reckless, obsessed with proving her by making a world famous discovery, and selfish. She doesn’t ever really stop to think any plan through or even how it might impact Jo and Bennet. She has a chip on her shoulder and all she really cares about is proving that she is the smart and the best at everything. The rekindled friendship with Jo and the relationship with Bennet are soured by Sam’s resentment towards the siblings for their upbringing and wealth, even though Sam has obviously benefited greatly from their father’s generosity towards her. Despite Sam not even being Mr. Steeling’s own child he has paid for so many things for Sam and has even pulled strings to ensure she is granted access to opportunities she would not have had access to on her own. Poor Bennet gets punished repeatedly by Sam for trying to be levelheaded, responsible, and safety minded, simply because she thinks he “doesn’t understand her” while she is once again being reckless and obsessive over earning archaeological fame. I understand Sam’s behavior gets worked into the plot, but it was just so unpleasant to read for the entire book. The whole “woe is me, no one understands me or my genius” trope is obnoxious and tired at this point.
My smaller gripe with book two is that the riddle solving, code breaking, and overall discovery which helped book one to shine were just not present in this installment. The plot was kind of 1. Discover something of archaeological significance (and find it a bit too easily, at that), 2. Sam is reckless and fights with Jo and Bennet nonstop for about 60% of the book, 3. Mystical things happen and Sam only discovers the pattern/answer/solution because the things have happened and not because she worked them out from the clues she has found (probably bc there were no clues this time around). The actual mystery was not as well formulated or tied together this time, which was really disappointing.
I rated Curse of the Specter Queen 4 stars when I read it last year, but I remember thinking it was a solid 4-4.5 star read for me. Rise of the Snake Goddess is 3-3.5 stars (I’m sad it’s so low bc I genuinely really like this series). Even though this series definitely suffers with the dreaded book two curse, I’ll be excited to continue reading the series as it comes out.
May 17, 2022
I absolutely love this book series! Working in the field of archives and history, watching Sam and her friends in both book 1 and book 2 made my little heart so happy. Sam is in her first year of university, but she faces a lot of difficulties being taken seriously as a young woman and in the aftermath of what happened in Dublin. When Sam is denied an opportunity to study abroad by a sexist professor (who infuriated me throughout the novel, though he gets what's coming to him), she leaps at the chance to prove her worth to the field of archaeology by retrieving the ancient Snake Goddess's girdle, but in doing so she is propelled in a wild hunt filled with imposters, glamourous parties and ancient Greek myths come to life as the Snake Goddess rises from her slumbers and shakes the earth literally on its foundations. Moke's novels have a special quality about them in that she brings to life fascinating and endearing characters and combines it perfectly with historical intrigue and adventure. It's so easy to empathize with Sam as a woman who yearns to prove her worth in a world dominated by patriarchal privilege, and you can't help but adore her. Joana wins my prize in this book as my favorite character though, with the same loveable snark and sass that she delivers in the first novel evident once again in the second. And the friendship between the two girls is so rich. I enjoyed seeing Bennett challenged both as a man who has benefitted from that privilege loving a girl who struggles to be taken seriously and in their relationship. I also really loved the nuance with the Snake Goddess and how that overarching theme of women's rights and worth ends up playing out with Sam. It is ruthless male ambition that is the true villain of the novel as opposed to just one character. In the end, RISE OF THE SNAKE GODDESS is a story about feminism and not allowing your worth to be dictated by anyone other than yourself, and it marks a delightful addition to Samantha Knox's adventures!
January 5, 2023
DNF at 60%.
This first novel was so fun, so nuanced. I fell in love with the characters, the plot, the mystery. This has turned into a pseudo-political mouthpiece that I was frankly glad was missing from the first. I know that the 1920s were not IDEAL for women in intellectual fields. But the villainry is so cartoonish, it's actively painful to read through his misguided, very obvious sexism.
What's worse is that the viewpoint on the Snake Goddess is demeaning "mother goddess" figures for being solely about hearth and home (when there is nothing wrong with this choice, and it's a pretty regressive "feminist" mindset), acting as if there is nothing more to these figures or that we assume as much (untrue, I will stan for Aphrodite and Hestia until I die).
Samantha is also wildly out of character through the majority of the book I read, having gone from empathetic, quiet, studious, smart, and really caring to...well smart and that is her only personality now. She cares more about her own reputation, proving herself to this cartoonish villain while acting quite a bit like him. This is called out by another character in text and it...still changes nothing about her behavior despite her flash of self-doubt. Gone is the kindness, gone is the empathy. She is the token strong female who...apparently no longer serves much of a purpose beyond this soapbox?
It's disappointing, because Greek mythology is so much more my wheelhouse over Celtic, but I found the first book to be far more solid, more likeable, and fun. This just kept getting more and more irritating to try and finish.
This first novel was so fun, so nuanced. I fell in love with the characters, the plot, the mystery. This has turned into a pseudo-political mouthpiece that I was frankly glad was missing from the first. I know that the 1920s were not IDEAL for women in intellectual fields. But the villainry is so cartoonish, it's actively painful to read through his misguided, very obvious sexism.
What's worse is that the viewpoint on the Snake Goddess is demeaning "mother goddess" figures for being solely about hearth and home (when there is nothing wrong with this choice, and it's a pretty regressive "feminist" mindset), acting as if there is nothing more to these figures or that we assume as much (untrue, I will stan for Aphrodite and Hestia until I die).
Samantha is also wildly out of character through the majority of the book I read, having gone from empathetic, quiet, studious, smart, and really caring to...well smart and that is her only personality now. She cares more about her own reputation, proving herself to this cartoonish villain while acting quite a bit like him. This is called out by another character in text and it...still changes nothing about her behavior despite her flash of self-doubt. Gone is the kindness, gone is the empathy. She is the token strong female who...apparently no longer serves much of a purpose beyond this soapbox?
It's disappointing, because Greek mythology is so much more my wheelhouse over Celtic, but I found the first book to be far more solid, more likeable, and fun. This just kept getting more and more irritating to try and finish.
February 25, 2022
Samantha Knox is back for more adventure. I enjoyed this sequel even more than the first!
After being denied a place on the university archeological dig, Sam finds a letter addressed to her indisposed professor asking for help. Sure she can unravel the mystery, Sam sails off to Crete with Jo and Bennett at her side.
This story kept me on the edge of my seat, I could hardly put it down.
Definite Indiana Jones/The Mummy vibes here! Would recommend to lovers of history, adventure, and kickbutt women.
While you don't need to read the first book to enjoy this one, it would definitely help to get to know the characters and see their growth.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC for review.
After being denied a place on the university archeological dig, Sam finds a letter addressed to her indisposed professor asking for help. Sure she can unravel the mystery, Sam sails off to Crete with Jo and Bennett at her side.
This story kept me on the edge of my seat, I could hardly put it down.
Definite Indiana Jones/The Mummy vibes here! Would recommend to lovers of history, adventure, and kickbutt women.
While you don't need to read the first book to enjoy this one, it would definitely help to get to know the characters and see their growth.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC for review.
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