First of all, Celeste is a badass. You don’t need to be a mom to read this at all but being a mom myself and reading the love she has for Egan and how she would do ANYTHING to keep him safe is amazing. Christina did amazing writing this book with the story line and side characters. And the MMC, LOVE him. Definitely a true enemies to lovers story but I enjoyed everything about their relationship and watching it build. The plot twist at the end, you’ll never see it coming, I didn’t for sure. My jaw dropped! I’ll be impatiently waiting for book 2!

I found Scarab to be an absolutely gripping read and a fantastic introduction to Christina Evers’ writing. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into a brutal, dangerous world filled with tension, secrets, and characters I couldn’t stop thinking about even after I’d ended the book.
Celeste was a brilliant protagonist shes fierce, determined, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect her son. Her journey across a harsh and unforgiving landscape kept me fully invested, and I loved watching her strength shine through even in the darkest moments.
The dynamic between Celeste and the Captain was easily one of my favourite parts of the book. The reluctant alliance, simmering tension, and growing trust between two people who should have been enemies created the perfect slow burn romance. Every interaction had me desperate for more.
The world building was immersive, the pacing kept me turning pages, and the blend of action, danger, mystery, and romance worked beautifully. I especially enjoyed uncovering the ancient secrets hidden beneath the wider conflict and seeing how they shaped the story.
This was one of those books that completely captured my attention and left me eager for more. Christina Evers is a new to me author, but after this, I’ll definitely be looking out for her future releases. This book has imprinted on me and I will be shouting about it to everyone📚✨

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 📚✨🦂

This book is SOOO GOOD! Christina Evers knocked this one out of the park. And now I am DYING for book 2!

I can feel how hot the desert is and the sand on my skin. I felt everything our FMC was going through as a mother. I felt her fear, her trepidation, and her locking away her humanity to save her son. I felt the Captain’s battle between duty and keeping her safe.

This is not a book where the magic is obvious and everyone is wielding it at each other. This is a book about discovery, where the stories of old may not be as we know them, and the people we most fear are the ones we need to trust

Character Development: 5/5 ⭐️
Plot: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Clifffhanger 10/💀

Let me just say, I was absolutely crushed that this story didn’t go on for another 40 chapters and there is going to be a wait for the next book.
Scarab, for me, conjures up bits of The Mummy, Indiana Jones and epic movies like Lawrence of Arabia while also having a modern twist and dystopian flares of Max Max and packaging it all up in a militaristic, romantasy adventure.
I don’t normally reach for military leaning stories, but I’m so glad I did because I’m still thinking about this days after finishing my read.
What also took me by surprise about this story was the themes of motherhood running through this book. Obviously Celeste is a mother and it’s a fictional story, but you could feel her tension. You could feel her protectiveness. You could feel her overstimulation as a mother, and the drive that she has to protect her son. I have two boys, and it just sat with me her need to do everything and her power to protect him while also trying to hold on to your own sanity when I feels like thing are crumbling. You could feel the weight of Celeste choices with how she was balancing her protectiveness of Egan and the need for survival; reading it felt like a physical thing.
I enjoyed following the relationship between Celeste and Aemory grow and change. I think they’re were well written and with the ending, I can’t wait to see how Aemory’s plans and motives move forward with the story and what is in store for them both.
I think Merrick is a fantastic villain. He doesn’t take up a lot of pages in this part of the story, but he’s so well written that you know when he is around it’s going to be bad and I can’t wait to see what his insidious plans are in the next book.

This one was fantastic! This was really engaging from start to finish. I would absolutely check out more from this author. I would recommend this one to my followers.

Ok, first of all, EXCUSE ME?! I kept tapping my Kindle yelling “THAT CAN’T BE IT”! Ugh! This book was SO good. I cried, and laughed, and cried again, and cried some more. The fantasy element isn’t overpowering but just enough to make it mystical and intriguing. The FMC, Celeste, don’t f*ck with her. No one is scarier than a mom protecting her child(ren). She’s amazing, smart, strong both mentally and physically, and she’s so damn fierce. As a mother, I connected with her on some level and I admire her character. The MMC is tactical and so mysterious I still don’t have him figured out! Captain Devereaux is intelligent and skilled in many ways 😉, who wouldn’t melt for him? The plot is so intense I was literally on the edge of my seat turning pages like I was on the back of a horse with them! Reading Celeste in action was like if John Wick and Deadshot raised a daughter. The romance is a sloooow burn and so delicious. And that ending…my jaw dropped. I’m still upset. Phenomenal book. Eagerly awaiting book two!!

Scarab…if there was an award for a summer blockbuster, but make it bookish, THIS book would be it.
I hated to put it down to attend to adult responsibilities. I finished it this morning and wanted to read it again for the first time. The adventure keeps your heart pumping while the connection between mother and son keeps it breaking. This FMC is built like no other. Her writing creates imagery that transports the reader beyond the page. You can visualize every environment. Christina has a way with making you fall for the side characters as well as Aemory, our MMC. Refreshing and entertaining with swoon worthy tension. Book 2 please!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I absolutely loved this story!!! ♥️ As a debut novel and introduction into Christina’s writing, I found this book to be well written and gripping from the very first page. You can feel the danger from the very first page. This books has it all- enemies to lovers, slow burn, danger, ancient secrets, amazing world building, and a plot twist I never saw coming at the end. The romance… The Captain and Celeste … swoon! This book is living rent free in my head now.

"but a mother hunting for her child could scorch the world"

Absolutely loved this book. A mother's epic hunt for the most important thing she has lost....her son. This book centers around Celeste and her brutal journey to find the son that has been taken from her in a war. Magic, themes of Egyptian symbols, and a slow burn romance that centered on healing and safety....I loved this book from start to finish. The true love story is Celeste and her little boy Eagan. I can't wait to see how this book plays out. The cliffhanger made me scream! 100% 5 stars!!!

Okay wow holy debut!!!!!!!!

This was AMAZING. The writing, the setting, the characters. This was so unique, and so interesting.

More detailed review to follow once I’ve collected my thoughts!!

Wonderful fantasy style book ☺️

Great characters like Celeste 💛

Wonderful storyline and great unique details 📖


Love the strength of characters and dialogue

Evers does a fantastic job of making you feel like you’re right beside the FMC on her harrowing journey through the dessert. This book has something for everyone, from magic and mystery, to a slow burn budding romance, to military turmoils. The author’s debut novel twists and turns in ways that make it a definite page turner and leaves you asking for the next one

Thank you to Net Galley and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

When I read the description of this book, I knew I had to read it. And I am so glad I did. As a mother like Celeste, I do anything for my child and that’s what I saw in this book. A mother’s love is something out of this world.

This book was so intriguing and tense, that it kept me guessing until the end. Which was disappointing as I’d didn’t want the book to end and now have to wait until book 2!

Highly recommended! 4.5 stars

Firstly, thank you Netgalley and Publisher for giving me the opportunity to Arc Read this book.

4.5 ⭐️ round up. Will definitely be continuing this series.

Celeste has one determination. Find her son. Running from The Coalition and the Captain hunting her, she has to choose the lesser evil in order to survive.

This is a Dark Romantasy with an action packed journey, good plot, easy to read world building, and it's magical system. For a Debut Novel, there's s no nonsensical filler in this book. Which by the way, is such a plus one. Slow burn with tension and yearning. 0.5 🌶 level. Check for TW.

Character vibes
The FMC gave me Evie O'Connell with a dash of Sarah Connor lol. The MMC, of course he's a Rick O'Connell.

I thought I'd have trouble reading this as a mom, but it was more empowering than anything.

Celeste's devotion and love for her son is so evident on the page. He is her motivation for every thought and action. Her trauma history has definitely caused her to build her walls high in order to protect them.

Aemory immediately recognizes her motives and works to help her achieve her one goal: find her son. He is so patient with her until he can gain her trust, but I think that's also what makes me so angry with his actions in that cliffhanger.

This book isn't even out yet and I already want to read the next one. My emotions are a mess and I have so many questions.

I loved this book. It gripped me from the first sentence and hasn’t let me go even though I finished it. In two days mind you.

I can’t wait to see what happens next…oh my word what a ride.