Archaeologist and explorer Annja Creed’s fascination with the myths and mysteries of the past leads her to a crypt in the caves of France, where the terrifying legend of the Beast of Gevaudin hints at the unimaginable. What she discovers is shattering: an artifact that will seal her destiny; a brotherhood of monks willing to murder to protect their secret; and a powerful black-market occultist desperate to put his own claim to centuries-old blood money. Annja embarks on a high-tension race across Europe and history itself, intent on linking the unholy treachery of the ages with the staggering revelations of the present. But she must survive the shadow figures determined to silence her threat to their existence. - from Goodreads.com
This series has been keeping me busy much of the past few weeks. A little background on this series: Alex Archer is a 'house name', and the books are actually written by several authors over the course of the 61 books currently in the series. Currently I am on book #30, so this review is covering more of the series overall, than each book (too much writing for me). I did include the cover, and ploy outline for book #1 above, to see if you are interested in reading.
A young, educated, beautiful woman finds a missing piece to an infamous sword and becomes Joan of Arc re-incarnated in the current day and age. Well, not re-incarnated, but able to mystically carry an old British style broad sword and make it appear/disappear at will, this sword that was supposedly Joan's. Also she meets Roux and Garin, who claim to have lived since Joan's time, over 500 years prior.
Annja is an archeologist at heart, but was offered a job on a television show called Chasing History's Monsters which help in some of these books by providing her a place to search out a fabled monster, which usually leads into a new escapade. Not all of the stories have ruthless bad men trying to thwart Annja's every move, but it happens. The treasures and stories she does seek out, also don't always end up like we think they would.
Each of this books are able to be read as a stand-alone, but by reading them in order, you get a better feel for how Annja 'becomes one' with the magic of the sword, and learns it powers and capabilities. Also, the relationships between Roux, Garin and Annja as it develops over time. Each book does focus on an artifact, or treasure, or fable, from history or mythology.
I really enjoy most of these stories. There is usually some good action, be it fighting or just daring the traps of the location they are in. Sort of like a James bond spy-type and Indiana Jones movies bashed into each other. In a few there are some brief romance scenes, but for Annja, most of her time is spent dealing with what comes her way, rather than settling down - if the sword would let her. Reading the books through in order, you can see a different writing style, as the authors switch back and forth throughout. But each is still a fairly fast read, and easily understood. Young Adults would be able to enjoy without worries of sexual scenes, or explicit foul language throughout.
Overall I recommend if you like action stories with a bit of history/mythology and lots of guessing as to if it is true or not. I was able to finish usually one book in about a three hour period, so maybe plan an afternoon for a book!
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