Review of Easy Nevada and the pyramid’s curse by Georgette Kaplan

This book is part one of ‘The Cushing-Nevada chronicles’ series which follows the adventures of archaeologist Dr. Candice Cushing and maverick treasure hunter Easy Nevada. They are both interested in digging the secrets of a mysterious pyramid in Sudan: Candice for widening the country’s heritage, Easy for her own materialistic interests. As a group of religious extremists get involved in the hunt, both women become unlikely allies to try to unearth the pyramid’s secrets without dying in the process.

To say that this is an action book is a huge understatement. Wild adventure, crazy non-stop action and characters constantly on the move is a better definition. The author plays with the opposites well: Candice is a mixed-race, Sudanese-British archaeologist, allegedly straight and eager to play by the rules, while Easy is white, American, lesbian, womaniser and daredevil. Both characters’ voices are well developed and distinctive. As scene after scene of dangerous adventures goes by, Candice teaches Easy world history while Easy teaches Candice extreme banter and her skills in handling weapons.

“If you were my student, I’d fail you,” Candice muttered to the retreating back. Ahead, the floor had caved, leaving a four-foot gap. Nevada cleared it in one jump. “If you were my professor, I’d sleep with you and get a good grade.” (Chapter 6)

Their chemistry builds up slowly but surely and even though there’s no time for many romantic developments in this book, there’s a promise of more in the next one.

The story is written from different point of views, including the villains, but mainly focuses on both main characters. Although there is a partial resolution of the plot, the whole adventure is not finished and a sequel is scheduled for 2019 called ‘Candice Cushing and the lost tomb of Cleopatra’.

I’ve read the ‘Scissor link’ series by this author but this book is by far her best. Overall, an action-packed thriller filled with witty dialogues and great landscape descriptions. 4.5 stars.

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.