It’s been a while since I spite read something and I was supposed to stop doing it some I’m doubly upset this book caused a setback. I’m not even finished the book but I just have to start this out before I lose it. Where to begin? Ah yes. Whit. I’m gonna say what a bunch of 1-2 star reviews have said: RICK O’CONNELL WOULD NEVER! Literally there was already a built in, more easily forgivable betrayal storyline: the philosopher stone scroll??? Whit could’ve stolen the scroll or even taken a trinket or two here and there to send money to his family. But seducing Inez, convincing her to marry him, SLEEPING WITH HER, and then robbing her of EVERY CENT??? Goodbye. You’re telling me that her ALL of her fortune, which I’m led to believe could partially fund a small nation, was required to save your sister from being married off? That you would send all that money where your gambling addict father would have access to? Boi BYE. It’s the 19th century, their relationship imbalance was already incredibly predatory. And then he has the nerve to say he isn’t sorry, that he’d do it again, and that he cared more for the artifacts than Inez? Throw this man into the trash. Their banter was cute in the first book but every interaction was tainted in this book. I kept rolling my eyes at this man who somehow raised in privilege and just happened to be in the British Army for 5 years means he can do all this spy shit? When he was a straight up drunk for years before Inez’s uncle found him? Also, just because you mistrust and suspect everyone does not mean you have an excellent judge of character. It just makes you an ass. Truly this book is a cautionary tale to never trust a white man. 

Then there’s Inez. I’m so sick of a helpless incompetent FMC when she supposedly is intelligent and capable. She’s obsessed with Egypt but never takes the time to learn anything about it? The history? The language? The geography? Girl, what. And please. The two of you have known each other for 2 months. Please, I’m begging you have some self preservation and an ounce of dignity. 

Then there’s the whole orientalism of it all. Amazing how there’s no Egyptians of real note or substance in this book. Just ridiculous all these white people (including the white Latinos who have European values) know better than Egyptians what to do with their artifacts. And while we’re on it, get that white colonizer British soldier outta my face. Fucking Whit. 

Honestly Whit, you should’ve just murdered your dad and made it look like an accident. Inherit and become your sister’s guardian. Sell your family estate you don’t care about and move to a nice respectable manor that’s cheaper to manage. Use Inez’s inheritance to slowly pay off your father’s debts. Make some smart investments and make more money for your mother and sister’s upkeep. The end. 

Plot Twist Spoiler

So this was ruined for me in a review that wasn’t tagged nor did it have a written spoiler warning but here’s your warning. 

I don’t know a lot about 19th century probate law, but if Inez’s father was alive, then Inez didn’t have an inheritance which means Whit had no right to it. Does the money not have to be returned otherwise it’s fraud and theft? And also, her dad being a villain was yawn. After her mom and him hiding, I was thinking he was the real owner of the Gate. Why have a child? What’s the reason for being evil? 

I’ve finished the book now. So I’m back. 

Isadora never should’ve been a villain or died. And of all the people that should’ve been dead but turned out they were alive, could Inez’s cousin not have been one of them? 

“INEZ YOU’RE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!” You disgust me, Whit.

And now Arabella is in Egypt are you joking 😭😡 you legit could’ve kidnapped your sister instead of stealing Inez’s inheritance. There were about a half a dozen other solutions. 

2 stars only for the Cleopatra storyline.