Kathleen O’Neal Gear’s Cries from the Lost Island followed Hal and his friend Robert after they find their friend Cleo murdered, and set out to grant her last request. Cleo claims to be the reincarnation of Cleopatra. They set out with archaeologist Dr James Moriarty to visit Egypt in hopes of finding the legendary graves of Cleopatra and Marc Antony. 

I loved Roberto. He was pagan and cast spells at times (off page). Those outcomes came to pass, and while it could have been coincidence, it’s more magical to think he really did. He’s practical though, and doesn’t believe just anything. Really, it’s like magic as science.

I loved the history and the archaeology! I’m a big fan of the Gears’ First North Americans series and offshoots. Egyptian myth is fascinating and Egyptology equally intriguing. This was the first book I’ve read by Kathleen alone, and I found the tone quite different! In fact, I almost shelved reading it at the time because it didn’t ‘feel’ like a Gear novel. I’m glad I stuck with it after all. It’s given me an even greater appreciation for the Gears’ writing. 

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkeley/DAW for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.