Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Finding Alexander
AUTHOR: Pandora Pine
NARRATOR: Michael Pauley
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
RELEASE DATE: June 20, 2019
LENGTH: 7 hours, 12 minutes
BLURB:
Indiana Jones meets Clark Kent in this modern-day treasure hunt.
Archaeologist Cairo Vanderbilt was born to be a treasure hunter, whether he liked it or not. When his famous father dies in search of the tomb of Alexander the Great, Cairo picks up the trail to find the world’s most famous lost treasure. Having failed once before, he’s determined to find Alexander’s remains and fulfill his family’s legacy.
History blogger Dillinger DeCosta has only written about the past from the safety of his South Boston office. After hearing Cairo speak about the coming expedition on the evening news, he
wants to join the hunt for Alexander and finally be on the front lines of history-in-the-making. By offering to come along, Dillinger is taking a huge risk, but he’s banking on an even bigger reward.
Hot on Alexander’s trail, Cairo and Dillinger discover sparks between them that ignite unexpectedly. One of the men has a secret that may threaten not only the success of the expedition, but their new relationship as well. If they can’t find a way past the challenge that lies between them, they might just lose the greatest treasure of all.
Each other.
REVIEW:
Just like it says in the blurb, Finding Alexander is a modern day Indiana Jones adventure where we join Cairo and his twin brother Memphis, and their best friend Magnus in Egypt looking for Alexander the Great. A king who’s resting place have long been lost to the world. Along for the adventure is historian and blogger Dillinger who’s only been writing about history and historical sites, but never been there. When Cairo and Dillinger first meet it doesn’t go all that well but as time pass and they start to get to know each other they realise they have more in common than they first thought. They both have something to prove to the world, at least that’s what they believe. But in all honesty they only have to prove something to themselves, find themselves and letting go of the past. And along the way the might also find that special someone neither was searching for.
Listening to this book was fun, not in the laughing kind of way, but more in the sense of adventure and exploration. History has never been my thing, it has always bored me to tears when teachers tried to force me to remember dates of passed kings, historical battles and what not. It never stuck. This book however was interesting, I loved the history of it unearthing more of it. I also loved our main and side characters, their shared love for history and drive to find the lost treasures of the world. Not for the glory, or well not only for the glory but more for the history of it. Learning more of the past and sharing it with the world.
I love the sense of place that Pandora Pine created with this book. It really felt like you were in Egypt searching for clues in the sand, the excitement and the rush. But I also appreciate how she (and Pauley) managed to convey the history of the place. While listening you weren’t just in Alexandria, Egypt present day, with all the modern technology we could carry. But you also sensed and felt the history of the place, of all the thousands of years passed since it was built. Ancient tomb after ancient tomb, lives lived and gone. Few books anchor you that much to the setting, that you can see and feel it so clearly, and it was one of the things I loved the most with this book.
It comes as no surprise that Michael Pauley delivered a wonderful performance of this book. As I previously mentioned he and Pine really transports the listener to the halls of history. Pauley makes you feel the elation of each clue they find, the wonder of the ancient script, the reverie. He makes you feel all of it every single second you spend listening to this book.
I don’t know if this will turn into a series or not, but I for one sure hope so because I’m not finished digging around in the sand looking for clues from the past.
RATING: 
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