Among Cursed Gods by T.J. Lundin

You ever read something that feels like a popcorn movie in book form? That’s this.

Picture this:
An archaeologist, burned out and stuck in neutral, is offered a job too wild to turn down, travel to Peru and find a legendary Cup said to bring people back from the dead. She says yes. Because why wouldn’t you want to swap out dusty museum halls for cryptic ruins and ancient power? Her name is Victoria. She’s sharp, grieving, and tired of feeling like a shadow of herself. And right when she finally shakes off the dust and lands in the jungle, she meets him. A charming stranger. One night. No names. No strings.

Oops. Turns out Mr. Tall, Dark, and Elusive is also after the same artifact.

Now it’s a race. Through tombs. Through betrayal. Through tangled loyalties and a whole lot of what even is happening right now? It’s high stakes, full of puzzles and danger, and not without some very steamy detours, including one unforgettable barn scene I did not see coming

The adventure. This isn’t just romantic tension layered on top of ruins, it’s genuinely exciting. Think The Mummy meets National Treasure, but make it more intimate and emotionally raw. The themes of loss and rediscovery. Vic isn’t just chasing a Cup, she’s chasing pieces of herself. The way the story handles grief and finding purpose again was subtle but sincere. Peru isn’t just a backdrop here; it breathes. The atmosphere was vivid and immersive, damp caves, ancient traps, and all the history whispering from the walls. Things that I thought needed work were, I wanted to root for them more, but some of the dialogue was a little off-key for two adults in their late 20s. Chemistry existed, but the conversations often leaned into immature or awkward territory. Vic’s characterization, she’s introduced as a top-tier academic working at the Smithsonian… yet sometimes her choices didn’t quite match that résumé. Smart, yes, but also surprisingly unsure of herself in ways that felt inconsistent. This was pure escapism. It wasn’t perfect, but it was fun. A little spicy, a little messy, and packed with that old-school action-romance flair we don’t get enough of anymore. If you like your adventure stories with cursed artifacts, unresolved trauma, morally gray hot guys, and an accidental jungle rivalry, you’ll want to add this one to your TBR. Coming October 15th.
You’ve got time to prep your field notes and emotional support machete.