Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nefertiti’s Heart | 2013 | A.W. Exley | Buy |
| 2 | Hatshepsut’s Collar | 2013 | A.W. Exley | Buy |
| 3 | The Unicorn’s Tail | 2014 | A.W. Exley | Buy |
| 4 | Nero’s Fiddle | 2014 | A.W. Exley | Buy |
| 5 | Paniha’s Taniwha | 2016 | A.W. Exley | Buy |
| 6 | Moseh’s Staff | 2015 | A.W. Exley | Buy |
| 7 | Nessy’s Locket | 2018 | A.W. Exley | Buy |
| 8 | The Seer’s Eye | 2019 | A.W. Exley | Buy |
| 9 | Rahotep’s Last Breath | 2020 | A.W. Exley | Buy |
The Artifact Hunters series by A.W. Exley drops readers into a steam-powered Victorian England where ancient artifacts hold real and dangerous power. Cara Devon, the series protagonist, is drawn into the world of artifact hunting after discovering Nefertiti’s Heart, a mechanical device with a dark history. From there, each book sends her after a different relic tied to a famous historical figure, from Hatshepsut’s Collar to Nero’s Fiddle to Moseh’s Staff.
What keeps the series moving beyond the treasure-hunt plots is the relationship between Cara and Viscount Nathaniel Lyons, which develops across all nine books. Exley balances action, mystery, and romance without letting any one element overwhelm the others. The steampunk world-building is inventive without being overcomplicated, and readers who enjoy strong female leads in historical fantasy settings will find plenty to like here. The series ran from 2013 to 2020, giving Exley room to expand the mythology and raise the stakes with each new artifact.