Reviewed by Larissa
TITLE: The First and Last Adventure of Kit Sawyer
AUTHOR: S.E. Harmon
NARRATOR: Joel Leslie
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 10 hours and 10 minutes
RELEASE DATE: May 14, 2024
BLURB:
In the archaeology community, Christopher “Kit” Sawyer’s family is a legacy. And while he may be a historian, not a treasure hunter, he thinks he does a pretty good job of living up to the Sawyer name. He’s a book-smart research fanatic and does his best work at his tidy desk. No fedora and whip for him, if you please—a nice cup of coffee and a comfy chair will do. But decoding an ancient relic soon gives him more adventure than he bargained for.
Unwittingly, he unleashes a force he doesn’t know how to control. And now he has to reunite the relic with a powerful Aztec God. The trouble with that? Kit doesn’t where to find the Tlaloc’s temple. No one does, in fact. Finding it could be a discovery for the ages. It could also lead to his untimely death. So…yay? But it’s not like he has a choice. So off to the Mexican jungle he goes.
At least he isn’t going alone.
Ethan Stone, former stepbrother and overall pain in the rump, horns in on the expedition. An experienced archaeologist, he’s only coming along at their grandfather’s request—which annoys Kit to no end. But he knows Ethan is just the right person to get them through the jungle safely. It’s just too bad someone is trying to beat them to the temple. And he’s willing to do anything to get there first.
Ethan thinks Kit is in over his head. Kit is secretly afraid he just may be right. In manners of archaeology…and manners of the heart….
REVIEW:
S.E. Harmon’s writing never disappoints and when paired with a refreshingly original plot that appeals to anyone, you get The First and Last Adventure of Kit Sawyer – a story I could read and listen to on repeat. Joel Leslie adds his magical narrative interpretation to this inspired story on the audiobook and it is mesmerizing.
While ostensibly a spin on Indiana Jones, it’s really Indiana Jones-adjacent, or to quote Kit: “Maybe I could be Ohio Jones, his slightly less fantastic cousin”. Trust me Kit: you are every bit as fantastic in your own unique way. Character development here is perfectly done, and the world-building is truly breathtaking – intricate details coaxing vibrant pictures of the scenes in the mind’s eye. But my favorite part is our leading men, former stepbrothers Kit and Ethan, who are fascinating, endearing and so perfect for each other.
Harmon packs a little of everything into this story – adventure, found family, yummy romance, some tense moments and a touch of the supernatural. This is a story anyone could enjoy, and while on paper it is a delight, Leslie’s interpretation, spot-on delivery, and consummate skill make this an unforgettable aural experience, one I will queue up again and again. There’s a hint at a sequel and I truly hope that pans out because Kit and Ethan and their love and adventures need more time in this world. The First and Last Adventure of Kit Sawyer is an audiobook I highly recommend.
RATING: 
BUY LINK:
[…] Reviewed by Larissa […]