Thank you to Netgalley and the author the an opportunity to review Among the Cursed God's.

I really liked the idea behind this book as it gave me The Mummy vibes. This was a feeling that continued while reading the book as an underlying theme and kept me going to the end.

The romance element was sweet and helped build the characters, although at times felt a bit forced.

Overall, I did struggle a little with getting into this book and at times did have to take a break before continuing. To be fair to the book, I think this is more due to a clash between myself and the theme of the book as it was my first treasure hunt style story I have read.

For those who do like Indiana Jones and the like, this would be recommended.

Victoria is an archeologist for the Smithsonian who’s left behind her life of adventure after her husband died. It’s been over 2 years when she gets the offer to lead a team in discovering an ancient artifact that has the potential to bring back the dead. Full of anxiety from the past, she decides to push herself and get back into her old life by heading to Cusco, Peru in search of a powerful golden chalice.

This book was a departure from my usual reads and I’m so happy I got to experience it! My first time reading a treasure hunting adventure romance and I was living for The Mummy, National Treasure, Indiana Jones vibes. The banter/spice was added in just the right places & I loved how her first night out in Peru she told herself “it’s just one drink, what could happen?” and it turned into the exact opposite of a chill drink 👀

The chemistry between the MCs?? Electric. Grady was swoon worthy and Marcus gave that mysterious bad-boy edge we love to fawn over. Nice perk of this triangle is the FMC getting two nicknames ☺️ + a delicious grovel scene (we love to see it!)

Overall the setting was new and exciting for me and I feel it was researched well. I enjoyed the nods to the books inspo throughout the story and how well paced the plotting was. It kept me engaged and eager to see the conclusion. Would make for a thrilling action movie! 🍿


**Thank you NetGalley, Piper Press & Co., and T.J. Lundin for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.**

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - liked it
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ explicit open door

I received a free eARC from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is my own honest opinion about the book.

Book Review: Among the Cursed Gods by T.J. Lundin
Release Date: 9/15/25

(These opinions are mine, if you don't agree, talk about that on your page)

*Spoilers Ahead*

What I loved:
The relationship between Victoria and SJ. They were fun friends.
The first 30% really pulled me in. The treasure hunt was intriguing.

What I did not love:
The romantic relationships felt incredibly forced. Like it was just there to check the romance box.
After about 70% the book feels like copy and paste of a whole lot of other books and movies and I found it predictable and cheesy.

Among the Cursed Gods - NetGalley ARC Review
Goodreads review posted on: 08/18/2025

This book was a page turner from page one and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole story. Grady and Victoria’s chemistry was amazing from the beginning, as well as the chemistry between Victoria and Marcus.

Victoria is an archeologist that is tasked with finding a rare Cup and Marcus steps in as her bodyguard to protect her from others that are on the hunt, including Grady. Grady and Victoria end up fighting for possession of different treasures to find this Cup.

The ending was exactly what I would have expected for this book and it was a 4.5/5 star ⭐️ read for sure!

A fun story that makes reference to Uncharted. Full of mystery, intrigue, romance, supernatural and some beloved spice! The main character Victoria has some unresolved trauma that we also get to see her grow through in some pretty realistic ways! The men in the story also have some growth and character development, not just plot devices. There is also some exploration of Incan mythology which is always a fun bonus. Thank you to netgalley for the arc!

I was really intrigued by the plot of this book — a treasure hunt with a spicy romance? Sign me up! But unfortunately, this just didn’t come together into a story I enjoyed.

Among the Cursed Gods follows archaeologist Victoria on a journey to Peru where she is tasked with finding a mythical cup that is believed to be able to resurrect the dead. Shortly into her search, she discovers that her team isn’t the only one looking, and the competition is being lead by a recent one night stand.

I think this book suffered from a lack of focus and it tried to be too many things. The idea for the treasure hunt was interesting; the romantic elements hooked me early on and stayed spicy throughout; and there was even inklings of a trauma healing story taking place. But because there were so many things happening, all of the different elements felt incomplete and failed to blend together. The treasure hunt was a huge letdown and made little to no sense at times. The romance became all about the spice. The character development was very surface level and was told (rather than shown) because there wasn’t time for it to evolve organically.

I think the writing style just wasn’t something I enjoyed, and combined with a plot that felt so lacking, this book wasn’t a hit for me.

this was one of the last things I read before I was on a big reading slump and I fear it’s partly to play for that because of how good this was. We need more books like this! This was like a romantic summer action packed movie rolled into a fast paced, spicy romance book with perfect banter. This was like Uncharted meets the Mummy and it just had me sold and on my toes from the very start.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers Piper Press and NetGalley.

This book was a let down for me, I expected more especially on the whole race to discover the cursed artifact by the two opposing sides. I enjoyed the last 30% of the book more however the ending was abrupt for me

This story was like Romancing the Stone with a supernatural edge. Grady’s and Victoria’s first encounter. Let’s just say it’s one night stand turned oh no we’re after the same treasure chaos.

As the dangers close in and alliances shift, it’s impossible not to root for them even while they try (and fail) to outsmart each other.

The pacing is snappy, the banter fun, and I loved how the setting (Peru and its ruins!) feels like a character in its own right. There are stakes here, both emotional and literal, that kept me turning the pages.

If you’re in the mood for a fun, high stakes adventure with ancient curses, rival treasure hunters, and a romance that sneaks up on you (and them), Among the Cursed Gods delivers exactly that.

For fans of enemies to allies treasure hunts, mythology with teeth, and a dash of forbidden chemistry, this is an entertaining escape.

This was a such good book! I liked a lot the plot and how everything was unfolding towards the middle to the end.

You ever read something that feels like a popcorn movie in book form? That’s this.
Picture this:
An archaeologist, burned out and stuck in neutral, is offered a job too wild to turn down, travel to Peru and find a legendary Cup said to bring people back from the dead. She says yes. Because why wouldn’t you want to swap out dusty museum halls for cryptic ruins and ancient power? Her name is Victoria. She’s sharp, grieving, and tired of feeling like a shadow of herself. And right when she finally shakes off the dust and lands in the jungle, she meets him. A charming stranger. One night. No names. No strings.
Oops. Turns out Mr. Tall, Dark, and Elusive is also after the same artifact.
Now it’s a race. Through tombs. Through betrayal. Through tangled loyalties and a whole lot of what even is happening right now? It’s high stakes, full of puzzles and danger, and not without some very steamy detours, including one unforgettable barn scene I did not see coming
The adventure. This isn’t just romantic tension layered on top of ruins, it’s genuinely exciting. Think The Mummy meets National Treasure, but make it more intimate and emotionally raw. The themes of loss and rediscovery. Vic isn’t just chasing a Cup, she’s chasing pieces of herself. The way the story handles grief and finding purpose again was subtle but sincere. Peru isn’t just a backdrop here; it breathes. The atmosphere was vivid and immersive, damp caves, ancient traps, and all the history whispering from the walls. Things that I thought needed work were, I wanted to root for them more, but some of the dialogue was a little off-key for two adults in their late 20s. Chemistry existed, but the conversations often leaned into immature or awkward territory. Vic’s characterization, she’s introduced as a top-tier academic working at the Smithsonian… yet sometimes her choices didn’t quite match that résumé. Smart, yes, but also surprisingly unsure of herself in ways that felt inconsistent. This was pure escapism. It wasn’t perfect, but it was fun. A little spicy, a little messy, and packed with that old-school action-romance flair we don’t get enough of anymore. If you like your adventure stories with cursed artifacts, unresolved trauma, morally gray hot guys, and an accidental jungle rivalry, you’ll want to add this one to your TBR. Coming October 15th.
You’ve got time to prep your field notes and emotional support machete.

I appreciate Piper Press and Co. for giving me access to the digital galley of AMONG THE CURSED GODS by T.J. Lundin.

I had high hopes for this book. On the surface, it is right up my alley! An archaeologist main character? Check. An ancient, potentially magical, artifact? Check. A romance with a guy who gives Indiana Jones vibes? God, yes please. However, immediately this book missed the mark. The prose is choppy and sometimes makes absolutely no sense, the dialogue is stilted and unnatural, and it honestly seems like it was written (in part or in all, I don't know) by AI.

The premise of this book has a lot of promise, and I genuinely do want to support indie authors, however it seems to me that AMONG THE CURSED GODS needs several more rounds of editing.

Obviously I am in the minority here, and I'm happy for the author that other people are enjoying her book, but I think that even more people would enjoy it if it were more tightly edited.

This started off really promising but, it kind of fell off after 20%. I was still interested enough to read because the premise of a treasure hunt was so much fun. I feel like the storyline with Marcus was unnecessary and it didn’t really do much to drive the story forward. As for Grady, I feel like it was instalove and that’s not something I usually enjoy reading. I wish there was more focus on the treasure hunt, artifacts, and the actual story. While the relationships are import to an extent, this was very relationship driven and not plot driven. I feel like the last 15% was rushed.

Among the Cursed Gods by T.J. Lundin is such a good story. I loved every single second of it. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

Thank you to the author, T.J. Lundin, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Skeptical of supernatural claims, Victoria is motivated to claim this powerful Incan artifact for her employer. Wanting to embrace her refound sense of self, she partakes in a one-night stand, which seems harmless at first until she discovers he is after the same artifact. It’s a race between rivals with growing feelings on the line until deception forces them to become reluctant allies. For if this treasure falls into the wrong hands, it will awaken a far more dangerous threat.

He’s stealing artifacts. She’s stealing his heart.
Together, will they fall prey to the cursed gods?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This book is like Uncharted meets The Mummy meets National Treasure 2 (yes, specifically the second one) and I am so here for it. The quest for the treasure and all the clue hunting was so much fun. I love books that have puzzle plot lines like this. The twist on Incan mythology (for someone who knows little to nothing about Incan culture) was super interesting. The book starts off quickly with the one night stand turned competition, but I love how he rebuilt their trust as they began to work as allies. And that ending?! I absolutely want to go on the next treasure hunt. When's book 2?

Review is posted to Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review. So this book was such an action packed adventure right out of the gates. I really enjoyed Victoria coming into her own after loss and learning to rely on herself. I also loved that most chapters were from Victoria’s viewpoint, but we still got a handful from Grady’s POV. Overall I really loved this book it had the right amount of action and spice. I would recommend for people who loved the Raiders of the Lost Heart series. My one complaint is personally hate the pet name Sugar. Everytime that was used it took me out of the story a bit and I had to roll my eyes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Among the Cursed Gods was such a fun, fast-paced read. It gave me big Uncharted and The Mummy vibes — ancient curses, artifact hunting, and non-stop adventure. I didn’t expect to get pulled in so quickly, but it starts with action and just keeps going.

Victoria’s dealing with the loss of her husband and ends up on this wild trip to Peru, trying to find herself again while being thrown into danger, mystery, and a bit of a love triangle. I liked that she felt real — strong, but still working through things. Her character growth really stood out to me.

There’s a good mix of tension, banter, and mythology, and it kept me guessing the whole way. It’s definitely a bit outside my usual genre, but I had a great time with it.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

🌟4.5/5 stars! - This book gave all that it promised to the adventure craving, spice loving and myth loving reader!🐻
From the very first chapter, Among the Cursed Gods had me hooked!
A strong, sharp and extremely competent heroine working for the Smithsonian? Yes please! We love to see a woman living her archaeologist dreams! Throw in a cursed artifact, a high-stakes treasure hunt, and a setup straight out of The Mummy? I was sold immediately.

Now let’s talk about the broody bodyguard. Because WHO doesn’t love a morally grey protector who calls you Princesa? (Extra swoon!) Yes, he’s stoic, sharp, and brooding, but he’s also soft and sensitive in the “BUT MOTHER, I LOVE HIM” kind of way. The banter? On fire. The romantic tension? Insanely good.
Oh, and the barn scene? That naughty little moment felt ripped straight from a bodyguard-trope-loving girl’s fantasy.
As for our good friend Grady…well, let’s just say there’s a lot of him to enjoy. Charm, chaos, and an energy that throws a delightful wrench into an already simmering dynamic.

Plot-wise, it moves a little fast, which works perfectly with the adrenaline of a cursed adventure. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, the ending takes a few unexpected and thrilling turns that keep you on your toes in the best way.

Also, a MOMENT for the author’s note. I deeply appreciated that Lundin acknowledges taking liberties with the mythic elements - it shows awareness and intention, and it gently preempts any nitpicking from mythology purists.

All in all, this book is a spicy, adventurous, swoony gem, and my only question is: WHEN DO WE GET BOOK 2?!

(Reviews already posted to instagram, tiktok and goodreads!)

Thank you to NetGalley, Piper Press & Co, and T.J. Lundin for the providing an e-arc of this title in exchange for an honest review!

This was a super fun and fast-paced story following Victoria, an archeologist who has settled into a quiet routine over the last 3 years working at the Smithsonian. When she’s approached with a job offer to travel to Peru and uncover an artifact, an ancient Cup with claims of being able to bring people back from the dead, she recognizes it as an opportunity to get herself out of her comfort zone and begin reclaiming the life and sense of adventure she’s lost. Landing in Peru, she meets a handsome, and somewhat mysterious, stranger who she has a one night stand with, only to find out later that they’re both hunting the same piece of treasure. A race to find the Cup ensues, and Vic finds herself questioning the mission, her beliefs, and her loyalties, culminating in a very Uncharted-esque hunt through ancient ruins that will keep you on your toes.

The Good:
Where this book shines is with the treasure hunt. As an avid Romantasy reader, I don’t encounter many high-stakes treasure hunts in this kind of setting, making it such a fun read. I also really enjoyed the themes of grief and rediscovering yourself after loss. I think the author did a good job navigating this.

The Less Good:
Where I think the book struggles is primarily with the dialogue, especially between the love interests. I found a lot of the conversations to be a bit cringey and lacking in maturity for what are supposed to be characters in their late 20’s. Additionally, Victoria is described as being very smart and educated, but her lack of confidence and some of the choices she makes doesn’t align with where she should be at this point in her career and her intelligence level.

Overall, I had fun with this book and would recommend it for someone looking for a fun and fast-paced adventure!

Thank you to NetGalley, T.J. Lundin, and Piper Press & Co. for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

thank you to t.j. lundin & netgalley for an arc of this book. all opinions are my own. ♡

₊˚⊹⋆ first thoughts: ummm lovers to rivals?! summer action movie vibes really sold me on this one