Challenge Corner discussion

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.

When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and an ancient golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.

With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.

24%(view spoiler)[I am loving this book so far I really love Inez and Whit is interesting so far. The story is great it got off to a amazing start it begins with Inez finding out the supposed death of her parents and going to Egypt to find out more. I am looking forward to where this all goes next. (hide spoiler)]

Jumping in on this one! Starting tonight! I loved Together We Burn, so hoping to have the same experience with this one.

megs_bookrack wrote: "Jumping in on this one! Starting tonight! I loved Together We Burn, so hoping to have the same experience with this one."

yay! Welcome!

Part 1 / 32%

(view spoiler)[interesting story so far

I'm curious as to why Cleopatra stuff seems so attracted to her

The uncle is worrisome. he really seems like he's trying to take care of her but. . .if he got all their money, I don't see much incentive to keep the brother and wife (her parents) alive. Did he need the money to do what he's doing? now it sounds like maybe they died crossing him? or doing something they didn't tell the uncle about?

(Whit) Hayes is just meh for me. I don't love their love/hate situation yet. maybe he'll grow on me while they are on the boat together.

I also think she is really lucky. she's made a lot of really dangerous moves in a country she doesn't know. she's been stolen from and yet she goes out at night to places she has no idea about. yikes (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 / 47%

(view spoiler)[ wow, I'm really torn about her uncle. On one hand, the money really came in handy. On the other, it really seems like he did love them both - her mom and her dad. I can only assume someone else killed them (or they died because they didn't tell him the plans they had and their death was an accident). Or, maybe it was the guy who stole the ring?

Whit is still not growing on me. I'm not feeling their push and pull - and I really wish I did.
Curious if he is already promised though. Didn't he say he's needs to be focused on someone in London? hmmm. . .

I'm glad they are embracing her being on the ship. and curious that Fincastle wouldn't let the two girls talk and kept his daughter completely cut off from everyone. AND that he's a little jumpy with a gun. (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "Jumping in on this one! Starting tonight! I loved Together We Burn, so hoping to have the same experience with this one."

yay! Welcome!"Thank you! I started last night, but fell asleep before I got too far in. Jumping back in now!!

Part 3

(view spoiler)[ WOW! so much in that part! I can't believe her mom was alive! and then she tricked her into giving her artifacts. that was just wild!!

I like Whit a little more - their interactions were better once neither of them were trying anymore

I didn't anticipate the letter either!! What could have happened? and could this be tied to her mom again?

and when Isabel leveled the gun at her chest, I was shocked. so glad that didn't go the way it looked like it was! (hide spoiler)]

Through 9%, to chapter titled 'Whit': (view spoiler)[OMG, I can't believe that guy stole that ring from her and he's going to get away with it. It must be imbued with magic if her father sent it to her. Excited for her go meet back up with her Uncle's handsome employee 😍 💕 (hide spoiler)]

and I'm done

(view spoiler)[ wow, I know I wasn't really feeling Whit but to find out he's a lord AND he's tricked her? All to get to Peter?

I thought it was easy to imagine her believing her mom and then others as her uncle wouldn't share anything with her.

I wonder what we'll discover in book 2. I think I'll read it! (hide spoiler)]

megs_bookrack wrote: "Through 9%, to chapter titled 'Whit': [spoilers removed]"

YES! that part was so frustrating (view spoiler)[ the way he played it off like she was just a hysterical woman who wanted to steal the ring from him! Ugh! lol (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "Through 9%, to chapter titled 'Whit': [spoilers removed]"

YES! that part was so frustrating [spoilers removed]"Right! I've gotten a little behind because I'm reading like six things right now...LOL, but I can't wait to continue, so I can catch up on your thoughts!

Made it to 16% this morning! Okay, so her Tio isn't as bad as I expected him to be. (view spoiler)[It's clear he's supportive of the Egyptian's rights regarding their cultural artifacts, etc. And here I thought he would be a big arrogant jerk. (hide spoiler)]

Finally made it to 25%. This is slow going. It's quite detailed. I am enjoying the characters, but am definitely ready for something more substantial yo start happening!

50% (view spoiler)[It took awhile to get back to this reading is slow this month but I am still loving it. I love Inez and Whit is intriguing looking forward to learning more soon. The story is interesting there is a great mystery and Inez has found out for certain her Uncle is the murderer of her parents. I am looking forward to where all goes next. (hide spoiler)]

At 46%:(view spoiler)[IDK what to think. I feel for Inez. Why did her parents abandon her for their life in Egypt? They could have kept her with them. Also, I hope Tio Ricardo doesn't turn out as bad as he currently seems. There must be an explanation for the murderer comment in her Mom's journal. (hide spoiler)]

60%: (view spoiler)[Part of me thought this little twist was going to happen. I wish for Inez it was both parents, but to see her Mom again is like a dream come true. Still hoping there is some sort of misunderstanding with Tio Ricardo. Is he really a murderer? (hide spoiler)]

72%(view spoiler)[This book is a great read so far there are many things that just don't seem right will find out more the further I get into the story. I like Inez and I do like Whit as well there are many mysterious things about him the romance is ok right now there is his betrothed that put a stop to all romance for now that may change. The story is interesting there are many things that seem out of place Inez's mother is alive and many things seem off not sure what to believe will find out more when I get further in the story (hide spoiler)]

100%(view spoiler)[I loved this book it really kept me guessing all the way to the end a life was lost and the future seems uncertain. The characters are great I loved Inez and am not very certain of Whit many things don't add up. So many unanswered questions looking forward to the sequel. (hide spoiler)]

At 65%: I have no clue who the bad guy really is.
The author is pointing me in one direction, but I am not buying it 100%.
There's always more to the story...
Also, (view spoiler)[now that Cleopatra's tomb has been discovered, I think people, like Inez's Mom's, true colors are about to sine through. (hide spoiler)]

At 73%: Ughhhhhhhh
(view spoiler)[Poor Inez. I knew her Mom was up to no good. She should have never trusted her. Her mother essentially abandoned her. Why would she pit trust in her now? Poor thing. (hide spoiler)]

At 83%: Ohhhhhh, it's New Year's Eve! How fun! I love holidays in stories, however (view spoiler)[Whit cannot return to London to get married! He just can't. I am hoping Inez can convince Tio Ricardo to ket her and Elvira stay. They need to start looking for her Dad ASAP! I am really, really hoping he is still alive after thr shit with her Mom, she really needs him... (hide spoiler)]

At 87%: (view spoiler)[A kiss on the cheek!? For New Year's Eve!? I'm fuming 😄😄 (hide spoiler)]

At 94%: just when you think Inez can't possibly get in any more trouble...

I'm finally done! Even though it took me just under a month to read (I read multiple books at a time, so it does generally take me a little longer anyway), I still really, really enjoyed this. I haven't written my full review up, but hope to get it up this weekend.

It's funny, I actually thought this was a standalone. I see now there is a series title, but I think when I got my ARC, a million years ago that was up yet.

Boy, what an ending. I can't wait for the next book!

Cindee wrote: "100%[spoilers removed]"I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel as well, Cindee! We have A LOT of unanswered questions now. That final bit. OMG, was so not expecting that!!!

I haven't been able to get to this one, but planning to over the holiday

Elizabeth wrote: "I haven't been able to get to this one, but planning to over the holiday"
I hope you enjoy it, Elizabeth. It's a bit of a slow burn, which I don't mind, but I think overall, it's a really well told story. I'm looking forward to your thoughts!

28% (view spoiler)[ I had a hard time getting into this one. Inez felt really reckless. Like the single-minded focus on getting to Egypt felt impulsive, even if it was to investigate her parents' death.

Still, I am curious about what happened to them. spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

54% (view spoiler)[ Ooh, this is interesting. I do like the little nod to Clepotra as a Spellcaster, but I wish there was more details on the magic or magic in general. I'm more interested in what Whit is up to than Inez. (hide spoiler)]

80% (view spoiler)[ With everything that happened, I'm not surprised they want to send Inez back home. I've struggled with Ibanez's last two books because I find myself agreeing with the adults and that's no fun. She betrayed them, no wonder they can't trust her. (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[ I liked the descriptions but I found Inez a little annoying. I also didn't quite understand why her mom went rogue so suddenly.

I think it may be a slow burn by the end of the duology, but it seems like Whit is planning to use Inez to find the scroll he needs. I'm interested in learning more, so I'll probably read the sequel. (hide spoiler)]