I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

How did I feel about this book? Short answer: it's complicated. There were aspects that I really enjoyed, like the mythology and archeological sites, but I needed to suspend a lot of belief for this book to work. I also felt like the story progressed with very little conflict, despite the direness of their situation. Everything had a simple solution, and I would have preferred more risk and excitement. I love it when characters overcome challenges and obstacles!

I could tell the authors did a lot of research regarding the temples and various other sites Memphis and Ash travel to, but I was a little iffy on the language of Horus. I wish there has been more details surrounding this hidden language that only three people knew how to read. Was this a language the authors made up themselves, or was is based on fact and history? The language itself was never elaborated on, so I'm not sure about the specifics. Also, why were there only three people that could decipher the language, and how did her father learn? Maybe I missed something.

I wasn't fond of referring to Memphis as "M," but that was her preferred nickname for the majority of the book. It was just a weird thing to think as I read, and I actually like the name Memphis. She says only her friends and family call her M, but she never explains why.

Whenever Ash and M found themselves in a difficult situation, it was too easy for them to find a solution. They needed to search for an artifact that was underwater, and M happened to know a lady with a boat full of the equipment they would need. This lady also happened to be living in exactly the right place, and M was able to phone a friend. Speaking of the boat, Ash mentioned it belonged to a university and not the woman herself, but they never addressed what happened when they returned with a damaged boat. They were obviously able to get back to land, but how did they explain what happened?

When they were at another location, they thought the airports were being monitored and were afraid to buy plane tickets. Unsurprisingly, M knew a guy who knew a guy, and they were able to score seats on a private plane. It was too easy. Her phone seemed to full of endless contacts that could solve their every problem. Why weren't any of these people mentioned before? Why did she only think about them when Ash couldn't just throw money at it?

It also bugged me how quickly M and Ash were able to solve the riddles left in the hieroglyphs. They sped through the ancient map with relative ease, even though she's been working with Mike (this really random person she only ever texts for information) for nearly a year after her father's death. Additionally, this map is something her father worked on for years prior to his death, but they're able to solve it in a matter of days.

Ash's personal story had too many holes, and I'm surprised M wasn't able to see through them. The title is also misleading, because it's clear from the start that these two trust each other, even if they won't admit it out loud. They may have had two different motivations, but they were a team. Ash also has a unique quality that allows him to save M from two Nile crocodiles (very unrealistic part of the story), yet he doesn't use this same quality on the enemies they face. Why wouldn't that have been his first thought?

My feelings for I Do Not Trust You are complicated. It's probably not a book I will read again, but it was mildly entertaining while it lasted. (Side note: I think this book is listed as YA, but she's 18 and he's older, so I'm going to go with NA on this one.) Oh, and everyone uses Google a lot.

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on September 22, 2018. ( )

Put me in mind of Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, as I read the story of M and Ash trying to find ancient relics around the world to save her dad or help his sect (depending on which character's motivation you consider). ( )

Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.

3.5 Stars

A young adult fantasy novel, I Do Not Trust You by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz is about Memphis and Ash and their quest to save M's father and rescue the world from destruction at the hands of Mythological gods. Memphis "M" knows all about reading ruins, archeology trips, and everything related to Mythology. Ash is part handsome partner in crime and part secret cult member. The two don't click easily, but with a goal in mind that helps them both they set out together to find the pieces of a missing artifact.

Ancient lost languages? Check. Creepy cults? Check. A female heroine that readers have been comparing to Lara Croft? Check. COUNT ME IN. I couldn't say no to a book that features mythological fantasy mixed in with reality, taking us on a journey through the present day world, only there's cults that believe in ancient Gods and there's a huge threat of one of them coming back to life. Talk about creating a sense of urgency when it comes to a story. Told from alternating perspective, we get to know both M and Ash in great detail, gaining an understanding of their upbringing, the choices they had previously made, and seeing the thought process unfold as they make decisions that will change their futures.

Though the characters fall in the middle of the young adult and new adult, the story definitely reads like a YA book. I think it's easy enough to follow for Middle Grade and up readers, as much of the mythological concepts are explained in great detail. Plus, it's filled with action, friendship, and a significant message about perseverance and trust. I loved the various locations the two visited, though the timeline seemed quite crazy. I certainly wouldn't be as brave or independent as M! I Do Not Trust You was a fun break in my normal reading and I would recommend it to Mythology and Fantasy YA fans.

ARC provided. ( )

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was offered a copy of this book for review, and I'm glad I got around to reading it. I love stories based on mythologies, and I have a thing for scavenger hunt-type stories around the world. I Do Not Trust You is about two groups worshipping Egyptian gods fighting each other for their own god, but it also addresses other cultures, other gods, and what makes something sacred.

I admit that the beginning was a little tough - being introduced to M, who has a unique name, goes by her initial, and knows history even better than her teacher made me roll my eyes super hard, but in the end, both she and Ash grew on me.

This book also had several plot twists that I appreciated - some I figured out in advance, some I didn't, but I liked how they complicated the story and the relationships between the characters. (Mike is the best!)

I can't really speak for the accuracy of all the historical facts and mythological stories, but this book is either very well-researched or very imaginative, because the stories work well with the puzzle.

In short, this is a fun adventure that I recommend if you like mythological scavenger hunts. ( )