Review: The God's Eye (Lancaster's Luck #3) by Anna Butler

Rafe Lancaster is reluctantly settling into his role as the First Heir of House Stravaigor. Trapped by his father’s illness and his new responsibilities, Rafe can’t go with lover Ned Winter to Aegypt for the 1902/03 archaeological digging season. Rafe’s unease at being left behind intensifies when Ned’s fascination with the strange Antikythera mechanism and its intriguing link to the Aegyptian god Thoth has Ned heading south to the remote, unexplored highlands of Abyssinia and the course of the Blue Nile.

Searching for Thoth’s deadly secrets, Ned is out of contact and far from help. When he doesn’t return at Christmas as he promised, everything points to trouble. Rafe is left with a stark choice – abandon his dying father or risk never seeing Ned again.

All I have to say is that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this historical steampunk trilogy!



Rafe is a quasi-antihero, really only wanting to live his life in peace, unencumbered by responsibility except for his own person and his lover Ned. However, life often never complies, and he finds himself the heir apparent to an important political house that supports the Royal family and helps govern Britain. Having never catered to house politics, he finds himself smack dab in the middle of it all, neck deep sooner than he expected as his father falls ill, and Rafe must take on more duties and start navigating the delicate balance between allies and enemies.



Such obligation is a burden, because it also means Rafe can’t join his lover Ned, on his yearly trek to Aegypt. When Ned comes up missing, Rafe has no choice but to go and find him, whether it’s a prudent thing to do or not. Ned takes top priority, and damn anyone who stands in his way.



As with the first 2 books, this has plenty of political intrigue, not only at home but internationally as well. Apparently, Ned is after a valuable artifact that could be turned into a deadly weapon, one that the crafty Germans want for themselves, and it’s a race against time to see who gets there first.



So ensue action of course, twists and turns, familial feels, and quite the setup regarding ancient Aegypt mythology bringing an impressive theorization to life. There's a cold practicality running throughout this book, but Rafe and Ned never let their vaulted status compromise their integrity. They’re a great romantic pair especially when they conspire and work together, and I loved watching Rafe come into his own to be a formidable leader who will always put his family and friends first no matter the consequence.



Maybe Butler will get a second whim to write more about this duo when they rule Britain together. If only! For sure, I’d gladly be ready to reimmerse myself again in this world and their further adventures should she decide to do so!



Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review!