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Cover of Arrow of Fortune

Arrow of Fortune

by Jacquelyn Benson

🌶️fade to black·spoiler·Raiders of the Arcana #3

Why Read This?

An adventure romance that reads like Indiana Jones in book form, with two perfectly balanced romance arcs -- one established couple navigating vulnerability and one opposites-attract fake engagement that sizzles with banter. Rich Indian mythology and genuine anti-colonial themes elevate it beyond standard treasure hunts.

Synopsis

A well-behaved lady historian ought to avoid haunted Indian forests… not plunge into them seeking an invincible weapon of the gods. Ellie Mallory didn’t exactly volunteer to prevent the most dangerous artifact of the Ramayana from falling into the wrong hands—but if one has been coerced into an adventure, the least one can do is bring along a few friends. Constance Tyrrell has new daggers stuffed in her garters, a thirst to discover everything India has to offer… and absolutely no interest in Dr. Neil Fairfax, Ellie’s scholarly stepbrother. Meanwhile, Neil finds himself wrangling a magical sword along with his increasingly tangled feelings about a certain doe-eyed danger gnome. Then there’s Adam Bates—handy with a machete, perpetually shirtless, and about to face some unsettling ghosts of his past. Together, they must follow the footsteps of an ancient hero from the festivals of Puri to the shadowy depths of a legendary forest, racing a brutal colonial administrator with allies of his own—including the complicated and mysterious Mr. Jacobs. It will take all Ellie’s resources—from a working knowledge of practical chemistry to a highly excitable dog—to beat a new sort of demon to the place where a holy power has lain hidden for two thousand years… alongside the secret history of the woman at the heart of India’s greatest story.

At a Glance

4.36 ★ Goodreads
Spice Level🌶️fade to black
Endingspoiler
PairingM/F
Romance Pacingslow burn

Top Tropes

fake engagementadventure romanceforced proximity

Mood

adventurousthrillinghumorousromanticepic

Book Details

Goodreads Rating

4.36 ★

Published

2025

Primary Genre

Fantasy

Pairing

M/F

POV

Multi-POV

Romance Pacing

Slow Burn

Cliffhanger

spoiler

Audiobook

Available

Yes

Tropes

RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

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Mood & Vibe

Mood

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Characters

FMC: bookworm/scholar sign in to unlock

Spice Details 🌶️

tension / anticipation focus sign in to unlock

violencedeathparental abusecolonialismracism/bigotrygrief

World & Setting

steampunk / gaslamp sign in to unlock

Reading Context

intellectual satisfaction sign in to unlock

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