Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curse of the Specter Queen | 2021 | Jenny Elder Moke | Buy |
| 2 | Rise of the Snake Goddess | 2022 | Jenny Elder Moke | Buy |
The Samantha Knox series by Jenny Elder Moke is a YA historical adventure set in the 1920s. Samantha Knox is a bookish young woman who works in her father’s bookshop and finds herself drawn into a world of archaeological mysteries, ancient legends, and dangerous artifacts. The series has a pulp adventure feel, with its period setting and globe-trotting plots.
Curse of the Specter Queen (2021) sends Sam on a quest connected to Irish mythology and the Book of Kells. Rise of the Snake Goddess (2022) takes the action to Crete, where Minoan legends and the myth of the snake goddess come into play. Both books blend historical detail with supernatural elements and a strong central friendship between Sam and her companions.
The two books should be read in order, as character relationships and an overarching plot carry across both stories. The series will appeal to readers who enjoy Indiana Jones-style adventure with a young female lead and a 1920s backdrop.