The Story

Two French soldiers, Captain Morhange and Lieutenant Saint-Avit, are on a mapping expedition in the Algerian desert. After their guide abandons them, they're rescued and taken to a secret, lush oasis city called Ahaggar. It's ruled by the captivating and formidable Queen Antinéa. She claims to be the last descendant of the kings of Atlantis and lives surrounded by the mummified bodies of her past lovers, each preserved as a trophy. The story becomes a tense psychological duel as Antinéa sets her sights on the two men, forcing them to confront their loyalty to each other and their own deepest desires.

Why You Should Read It

Forget dry mythology lessons. Benoît makes the legend feel urgent and dangerous. Antinéa is the brilliant, chilling heart of the book. She's not a damsel; she's a force of nature who uses myth, science, and pure charisma to control everything around her. The book is less about finding a lost city and more about what happens when a powerful myth becomes real and asks something terrible of you. The atmosphere is incredible—you can feel the oppressive desert heat and the eerie, trapped beauty of her palace.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves classic adventure with a dark, psychological twist. If you enjoyed the sense of doomed fascination in The Picture of Dorian Gray or the pulpy, exotic thrill of old serials, you'll sink right into this. It's a quick, propulsive read that sticks with you, mostly because of its unforgettable queen. Just be prepared—you might start looking at your history books a little differently.