Review of Not What Meets the Eye
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ken4512
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Review of Not What Meets the Eye
[Following is a volunteer review of "Not What Meets the Eye" by Matrika Hay.]
Matrika Hay's historical fiction Not What Meets the Eye is her debut novel, a gripping historical fantasy of archeological mysteries, action, and adventure set in a highly imaginative fictitious world.
The principal character of the story is Antosha Scarlett, an archaeologist who lives in the coastal city of Avíola Viete and works for the Museum of Natural History. Antosha travels around the world in search of ancient artifacts. Her life takes a sudden and dangerous turn when she returns from a trip and barely escapes an assassin's attack in the museum.
She has no time to track down her attacker or to pursue the reasons for the attack because she has just been invited to work on the site of the legendary Lost City of Shian by the world-famous archaeologist, Tombask Wilshire. Antosha's reputation as an expert archeologist is growing. She accepts, although she is haunted by the memory of her parents’ mission, who lost their lives at The Lost City excavations when Tombask invited them to work with him many years ago. Antosha was a very young girl at the time but her interest in archeology was sparked by her parents, highly regarded archeologists known for their abilities in deciphering the ancient past.
Antosha boards a ship bound for Cassa Village, not far from the inland jungles, the ultimate site of the Lost City of Shian. She and another traveler, Nathious Swanson, become friends. But life again takes another perilous turn when while at sea, she is again attacked by assassins. With the help of Nathious, she escapes again.
I enjoyed reading Matrika Hay's historical fantasy of archeological mysteries because it is a well-crafted character-driven story, and I particularly liked the challenging situations faced by the characters. I liked the grit and determination of the central character, Antosha Scarlett, as she applies her archeology expertise and sharp mind to learning more about the past and also when her very life is in peril.
The title of the novel Not What Meets the Eye aptly describes the hidden mysteries of ancient artifacts and several of the characters in the story! For some, the quest to find ancient ruins is driven by curiosity and to understand the past but some are driven by greed, to possess the magical powers rumored to be held by ancient relics and mythical gods.
I liked the complexity of multiple characters in this story and how the drama of interactions between Antosha and the other characters emerges with every chapter. There are specific chapters for Antosha's character development and the other characters who play a prominent role in the overall story. Every chapter adds depth to the story because each chapter is action-packed, and interwoven with thoughts, emotions, and flashbacks. And with every chapter, the story twists and turns, and the mysteries intensify!!
I loved the evocative descriptions of the fictitious world that Matrika Hay creates in the novel. The characters come alive in a world that flows from the modern to the ancient. There are many museums, busy ports, dense jungles, and the magic and lure of legendary ancient ruins!
I think this debut novel is above average, an amazing and very well-crafted story. I am rating the novel 4 out of 4 stars. All in all, I greatly enjoyed reading Matrika Hay's historical fantasy Not What Meets the Eye for its archeological storyline, its memorable characters, and the major themes of loyalty, love, friendship, and sacrifice. I recommend the novel to readers who enjoy stories about ancient ruins, archeology and fantasy.
******
Not What Meets the Eye
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Matrika Hay's historical fiction Not What Meets the Eye is her debut novel, a gripping historical fantasy of archeological mysteries, action, and adventure set in a highly imaginative fictitious world.
The principal character of the story is Antosha Scarlett, an archaeologist who lives in the coastal city of Avíola Viete and works for the Museum of Natural History. Antosha travels around the world in search of ancient artifacts. Her life takes a sudden and dangerous turn when she returns from a trip and barely escapes an assassin's attack in the museum.
She has no time to track down her attacker or to pursue the reasons for the attack because she has just been invited to work on the site of the legendary Lost City of Shian by the world-famous archaeologist, Tombask Wilshire. Antosha's reputation as an expert archeologist is growing. She accepts, although she is haunted by the memory of her parents’ mission, who lost their lives at The Lost City excavations when Tombask invited them to work with him many years ago. Antosha was a very young girl at the time but her interest in archeology was sparked by her parents, highly regarded archeologists known for their abilities in deciphering the ancient past.
Antosha boards a ship bound for Cassa Village, not far from the inland jungles, the ultimate site of the Lost City of Shian. She and another traveler, Nathious Swanson, become friends. But life again takes another perilous turn when while at sea, she is again attacked by assassins. With the help of Nathious, she escapes again.
I enjoyed reading Matrika Hay's historical fantasy of archeological mysteries because it is a well-crafted character-driven story, and I particularly liked the challenging situations faced by the characters. I liked the grit and determination of the central character, Antosha Scarlett, as she applies her archeology expertise and sharp mind to learning more about the past and also when her very life is in peril.
The title of the novel Not What Meets the Eye aptly describes the hidden mysteries of ancient artifacts and several of the characters in the story! For some, the quest to find ancient ruins is driven by curiosity and to understand the past but some are driven by greed, to possess the magical powers rumored to be held by ancient relics and mythical gods.
I liked the complexity of multiple characters in this story and how the drama of interactions between Antosha and the other characters emerges with every chapter. There are specific chapters for Antosha's character development and the other characters who play a prominent role in the overall story. Every chapter adds depth to the story because each chapter is action-packed, and interwoven with thoughts, emotions, and flashbacks. And with every chapter, the story twists and turns, and the mysteries intensify!!
I loved the evocative descriptions of the fictitious world that Matrika Hay creates in the novel. The characters come alive in a world that flows from the modern to the ancient. There are many museums, busy ports, dense jungles, and the magic and lure of legendary ancient ruins!
I think this debut novel is above average, an amazing and very well-crafted story. I am rating the novel 4 out of 4 stars. All in all, I greatly enjoyed reading Matrika Hay's historical fantasy Not What Meets the Eye for its archeological storyline, its memorable characters, and the major themes of loyalty, love, friendship, and sacrifice. I recommend the novel to readers who enjoy stories about ancient ruins, archeology and fantasy.
******
Not What Meets the Eye
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Last Rival by Kyle Palmer
