Review by Booklist Review
Sidney Taylor is suddenly furloughed from her job as a successful historian at the Smithsonian when she receives a mysterious, anonymous letter inviting her back to her hometown of Robbinsville, North Carolina, to "find something." The letter doesn't say what that something is, but with an exorbitant finder's fee, it's a perfect opportunity for Sidney not only to visit her beloved grandmother but also to maybe make a million bucks. She heads for Robbinsville, but her quest for the artifact quickly turns dangerous and decidedly weird. She's drawn back to the 1800s and then even further, to ancient Egypt. But in the biggest shock of all, Sidney learns she's a witch, descended from an Egyptian princess, and, along with her fellow women of color, is a Daughter of Hathor, with very special powers. This is a weird, wacky tale with hints of conspiracy, witchcraft, and the paranormal, but it all leads to a mind-boggling climax that pulls the disparate elements together. Fans of Addison's Enchanted Bay series and those attracted by the supernatural, history, and mystery will enjoy this series starter.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
The latest from "Enchanted Bay" mystery author Addison is a page-turning mix of Dan Brown meets National Treasure with some magic. Sidney Taylor is furloughed from a position she loves at the Smithsonian. As she prepares to leave, she receives a mysterious invitation to find an archaeological treasure. Since the invitation directs her to Robbinsville, NC, where she went to college and still has family, Sidney decides to combine the treasure hunt with a visit to her beloved grandmother. Intrigue and danger build around her search as incredible secrets are revealed about friends, family, and history. Then the story draws to a near-catastrophic climax in which Sidney discovers her true powers and destiny. Addison sketches her characters and setting with fine brushstrokes, highlighting the close relationships between family and friends cutting across lines of race and social standing. She shows the flow of life in a Southern town, expertly intertwined with mystery, magic, and an insidious plot to disrupt life and liberty in the United States. VERDICT Those who enjoy a little history with their magic will find this novel difficult to put down; the plot flows seamlessly from beginning to end. Readers will look forward to the next "Secret Society Mystery."--Pam O'Sullivan
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Black historian on the hunt for an artifact uncovers a sacred sisterhood. Unceremoniously downsized from her job at the Smithsonian, Sidney Taylor decides that her grandmother is due a visit. Sidney's family has been entrenched in D.C. society and politics for as long as she can remember, but something about her Grams' home in Robbinsville, North Carolina, has always felt right to Sidney, who spent happy college years in the small town. Greeted by the smiling face of her Grams, Sidney knows everything will be all right. Meeting handsome Gabe Willoughby, a fellow appreciator of history, doesn't hurt either, though Sidney's soon too distracted by her first love to notice him all that much. That first love is history, now wrapped in a mystery. Abner Robbins, owner of the Robbins Early American Living History Museum & Village, wants Sidney's help locating a lost artifact. President James Madison, working with talented cryptographer Josiah Willoughby, left what amounts to a historical treasure hunt designed to lead players to an item Abner is determined must not be lost forever. Though some of the details seem murky, early successes in the hunt excite Sidney about the case as she learns about the rich history of the Daughters of Hathor and their protection of Scotland's Queen Scota and her lineage. When things grow dangerous, Sidney isn't sure whether someone's trying to get her off the case or there's just some old-fashioned racism and sexism around town. Never thrown from her path, Sidney uncovers what she can, even if some of it is hard to believe. Those who buy into the magic will enjoy the mystery; others may be bogged down by all that history. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
