Review by Booklist Review
Moore's sophomore novel mixes romance and history into an adventure tinged with ethereal magic. Margot is on a class trip to an archaeological dig in Pompeii, where she's hoping to find a mythical object--the Vase of Venus Aurelia--based on a journal written by a mysterious archeologist, Van Keane, who went missing in 1932. As the curious, determined teen follows Van's clues to a hidden corner of Pompeii, she stumbles on the location of the vase--and, improbably, Van himself, who had been magically imprisoned nearly a century ago. Readers will swoon and laugh as Margot and Van, who start off with a testy relationship dynamic, embark on a series of vividly described adventures in their journey to find the artifact, which Margot believes will solve deeply rooted problems in her life. Amid the lively escapades, readers will come away with a deep understanding of the characters' motivations and feelings in a novel both grounded in self-discovery and delivering an entertaining, romantic quest.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--In Moore's latest, Margot is on the hunt for the mythical Vase of Venus Aurelia while on a summer class trip to Pompeii. Reportedly, this vase will give its holder love and adoration, which Margot is desperately seeking from her father and classmates. Though this relic has not been seen by anyone other than lost teenage explorer Van Keene in 1932, Margot is determined to find it with the aid of Van himself, or rather through his journal. Unexpectedly, she finds Van as a statue and her presence alone seems to bring him back to life. Van, unaware that any time has passed, is determined to find that elusive vase. He will have to adjust and accept the help of an amateur treasure hunter. The characters are humorous, sarcastic, and relatable while getting into situations that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. VERDICT A fun romantic adventure with a bit of magical realism. Great for fans of the film The Mummy and novels like Holly Rose's Until the Stars Fall.--Leigh Verburg
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Amateur archaeologists race to claim an allegedly magical Roman relic. Margot Rhodes isn't exactly famous for her follow-through; she's quit activities from watercolor painting to taekwondo. So it's no surprise that her snooty boarding school classmates are more than a little skeptical when she impulsively applies for and is accepted into a six-week archaeology summer class in southern Italy. Armed with a special volume from her school library--the personal journal of archaeology wunderkind Van Keane, who tragically died in a 1932 dig site collapse in Pompeii--Margot is determined to find the missing pieces of the Vase of Venus Aurelia that Van was searching for. But when she stumbles upon a marble statue that eerily resembles the boy whose words have captured her heart, she gets more than she bargained for. Her discovery awakens the long-frozen Van, who's decidedly less poetic and a great deal surlier than his journal let on. The two become unlikely partners in the hunt for the vase and must prove themselves worthy of the treasure by completing tasks that test their wits and courage before their competitors--and the curse that turned Van to marble to begin with--beat them to it. Unfortunately, Moore neglects the setting's potential, and the story's minimal attention to detail undermines its rich historical aspects. Plot holes and unconvincing villains also weaken the story, but Margot and Van's banter and chemistry are engaging. Main characters are cued white. A fun but insubstantial genre mashup.(Romantic adventure. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
