The Smoke Hunter

Jacquelyn Benson

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'The Smoke Hunter' by Jacquelyn Benson follows the story of Eleanor Mallory, a determined and courageous young woman in 1898 who embarks on an adventurous journey to a lost city in Honduras. Facing challenges such as sexism and mysterious artifacts, Ellie is accompanied by a partner, Adam, who respects and teaches her rather than belittling her. The plot, reminiscent of Indiana Jones, is fast-paced and filled with evil villains, historical elements, and a touch of the supernatural, all set in a lush landscape inspired by Edwardian culture and mythology from Aztec and Mayan civilizations.

Characters:

Characters are diverse in roles but generally appear with limited depth, making some interactions feel less impactful.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is rich in imagery and engaging, reminiscent of classic adventure tales, although it may lack some depth in character development.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows a female archaeologist on a thrilling adventure to find a lost city, enriched by mythology and historical context, although it ends rather abruptly.

Setting:

The setting is vividly described, situated in a historical context that enhances the adventure feel of the narrative.

Pacing:

The pacing of the narrative maintains reader interest with solid action sequences, though some aspects may feel hurried.

ELEANORA MALLORY SAT IN the office of Mr. Henbury, assistant keeper of the rolls, waiting to be fired. It was morning, and the narrow, high-ceilinged room was silent save for the drumming of the rain ...

Notes:

The novel is set in 1898 in British Honduras, now known as Belize.

The main character, Eleanor Mallory, is a wannabe field archaeologist.

Ellie starts as an archivist at the British Museum but seeks adventure outside of her mundane job.

The story is inspired by South American myths and ancient civilizations like the Aztecs and Mayans.

Ellie's journey includes a treasure map and encountering both good and bad characters on her adventure.

The book combines elements of historical fiction, adventure, and a hint of romance.

The author, Jacquelyn Benson, is noted for her vivid and descriptive writing style.

Readers compare the book's feel to adventure films like 'The Mummy' and 'Indiana Jones'.

Ellie's character struggles with societal expectations of women during her time.

Some readers felt that the romantic relationship in the book was superficial and focused too much on physical attraction.

The book is the author's debut novel and shows potential for character and plot development in future works.

The ending of the book is left open, leading to speculation about potential sequels.

Characters like Adam Bates are criticized for being overly idealized and one-dimensional.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include potential triggers related to gender themes, sexism, and some violent contexts during the adventure.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in The Smoke Hunter, with a focus on attraction and character interactions but also critique around the depth of these connections.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

"Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft" in this debut and engrossing action thriller with the fate of the world in one person's hands ( RT Book Reviews).

Frustrated suffragette and would-be archaeologist Ellie Mallory stumbles across a map to a city that shouldn't exist, a jungle metropolis alive and flourishing centuries after the Mayan civilization mysteriously collapsed. Discovering it would make her career, but Ellie isn't the only one after the prize. A disgraced professor and his ruthless handler are hot on her heels, willing to go any extreme to acquire the map for themselves.

To race them through the uncharted jungle, Ellie needs a guide. The only one with the expertise is maverick surveyor Adam Bates. But with his determination to nose his way into Ellie's many secrets, Bates is a dangerous partner.

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