Isabel Ibañez's "What the River Knows" is a captivating blend of historical fantasy and adventure that sweeps readers into the heart of 19th-century Egypt. The story follows the determined and headstrong heroine, Amaris, on a quest to uncover the truth about her parents' mysterious deaths. With rich, evocative prose and a strong sense of place, Ibañez brings the setting to life, immersing readers in the vibrant culture and mystique of ancient Egypt.

The novel shines in its world-building, with lush descriptions and well-researched historical details that ground the fantastical elements. The plot is fast-paced, filled with twists and secrets that keep you turning the pages. Amaris is a compelling protagonist—brave, flawed, and deeply human—making her journey both thrilling and relatable.

However, while the story is engrossing, some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, and the romance, though sweet, sometimes overshadows the main narrative. Despite these minor drawbacks, "What the River Knows" is a delightful read for fans of historical fiction with a magical twist.

I enjoyed this book very much. I appreciated the historical context because I love learning through fiction. The second half? I couldn't put it down. However, the first half of the book felt like it could have been much shorter. I just couldn't get into the beginning - I wasn't connecting and so it took me months to get to the halfway point (and then I finished the rest in less than a week). I will definitely be reading the final book to see how the story ends.

The world building. The writing. The characters. I am in love with every aspect of this book. The last 150 pages had me so anxious and ready to get to the end but once I finished, I needed more. Absolutely amazing.

This book had sooo much going for it. It could have been all I wanted and more. Unfortunately, it fell severely flat of my expectations. (Her first book remains my favorite by far and no others have lived up to the hype.) The ancient Egyptian, Mummy-esque plot and romance lured me in and I was excited for this book. While this was not an overtly bad book, it just really wasn't what I was looking for. The plot was a little slow with lower tension than I wanted for most of the book, the magic was confusing and not a highlight, and the romance was just okay. The end ramped up a bit and took a few unexpected turns, so that, at least, was pretty interesting. I haven't decided yet if I plan on continuing this duology.

What the River Knows is full of interesting characters and a mystery that will keep you guessing. The twists were hard to predict and left me eager for the next book!

A beautifully written historical fiction book for teens infused with magic and a simmering enemies to lovers trope. This is perfect for fans of The Mummy and anything by Stephanie Garber.

I usually don't read historical fiction, but I was drawn to this one because it is historical fantasy in Egypt. The mystery of the story that drove the main character was interesting. I don't know much about The Mummy movies or Death on the Nile, but I think I see the inspiration from both. It was cool to have real Egyptian history and figures in this novel. Although, I think I would've liked more magic.

Five Huge Freaking Stars

The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in this lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.

Why do I do this to myself?! Why do I get a book I know I'll love and sit on it? Michelle told me to read this book OVER a year ago. OVER A YEAR! Why didn't I do it? I'm terrible, that's why.

This book was an entire adventure and I ADORE the characters. ADORE THEM! Inez is so cool and Whit is...OMG I love him.

Inez lives with her aunt and cousins while her parents spend most of the year in Egypt treasure hunting with her uncle. One day Inez receives a letter from her uncle letting her know that her parents have disappeared into the desert and are believed to be dead. He is now her guardian. Inez decides that she needs answers, she wants to know what was so important to her parents that they, essentially, abandon her. So she sneaks off and heads to Egypt for answers. The adventure and chaos that ensues is GRIPPING. At no point did I want to pause my reading of this story. I guess, one good thing about waiting so long to read this is not having such a long wait for the conclusion because that cliff is going to keep me SICK until I'm let off of it!

I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE but especially if you like a really good YA, Fantasy, Mystery, Historical Fiction.

Note: this book was selected for Book of the Month Club's November 2023 pick.

I remain firmly convinced that in order to build a fantasy world with magic, there needs to be a lot of rich detail to make it work for the reader. I noticed quickly that within this world, I did not fully understand the 'magic' and its use/rules within the world I was attempting to submerge myself within. At first, I thought it would eventually start to unravel and make sense, but unfortunately it never did. To me, this was a big downfall for the novel as a whole. It just made it hard to fully engage when I didn't have enough answers.

Setting that aside, I do like a good mystery and 'rivals to lovers' is a good trope to work with in YA. On this, the book delivers somewhat in the middle. The romance is a bit... no, I guess the romance is very much forced. Our heroine isn't given many options for suitors (due to the mystery, setting, etc.) and actually very quickly just decides she likes a guy who, let's be honest, does very little to earn that sudden desire she has for him.

The mystery itself was decent, and it did allow you to keep guessing throughout the story. But by the end of the book, I felt like I was running out of steam with this book, almost as if I was ready for the ending and to be done-done with the book. Come to find out, it appears this is part of a series, and that was a twist I wasn't ready for. I kind of wanted to set this aside and have a conclusion, you know?

Now, did I enjoy it? For the most part, yes, even though there were moments that I felt the style of writing could have been improved upon (just certain passages and such). I think if you can get over not understanding the magical components of the book, you're going to enjoy it more than I did. However, that seemed to really knock me off my balance with this one.

I have tried to enjoy this book. Based on the description, this book should be on my favorites list, but it just isn't for me. I read it as an eARC (Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the E-Galley of this work in exchange for my honest review), and checked out the audio book and still I just can't get into the plot, the romance, the pacing. I know this book is beloved by some, and if you read the description and think it ticks all your boxes, then by all means read this book. Sadly, for me it just didn't work.

Compelling characters, twists I didn't see coming, and intriguing mystery and an ending that had me begging for the next book!

✔️ Rivals to lovers
✔️ Forbidden romance
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Historical romance
✔️ Slow burn
✔️ The Mummy (1999) vibes

All things I love dearly & I feel so lucky to have read it early.

The blossoming, passionate romance between the enigmatic Whit and Inez stands out as one of the book's highlights.

Fun setting, engaging plot, likeable characters, and great writing - to get invested in the story. and, with that ending, I know I'm hooked and cant wait for the sequel!

This was a DNF for me, I just couldn't get into the characters and storyline even though it sounded like a lot of fun!

My only concern with this book, which could be seen as a good thing is the slower pacing which allows for deeper character development and thematic exploration, fostering a more immersive reading experience.

This was, unfortunately for me, a DNF. I plan to try again at some point, but it was a bit too slow in the beginning for me to dedicate any more time to trying to get through it.

"What the River Knows" by Isabel Ibañez offers a compelling blend of historical fantasy and adventure, set against the evocative backdrop of nineteenth-century Egypt. The premise promises an intriguing mix of "The Mummy" and "Death on the Nile," and for the most part, it delivers on this blend of mystery, romance, and ancient magic.

The story follows Inez Olivera, a young woman from the elite society of Buenos Aires, who finds herself drawn into a world of old magic and secrets after the mysterious deaths of her parents. Inez's journey to Cairo, armed with her sketch pads and a magical golden ring, is filled with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to the bustling streets and ancient ruins of Egypt. The historical and cultural details are lush and immersive, making it easy to visualize the setting.

Ibañez excels in creating a rich atmosphere and a sense of adventure. The elements of magic interwoven with historical fiction are intriguing, and the central mystery keeps the reader engaged. However, the pacing can be uneven at times, with some sections dragging while others feel rushed.

The characters are a mix of compelling and frustrating. Inez is a strong protagonist, determined and resourceful, though her development sometimes feels inconsistent. The rivals-to-lovers romance with her guardian’s assistant adds a layer of tension and charm, but it occasionally veers into predictable territory.

What the River Knows is a plot-driven tale that’s reminiscent of The Mummy with ever-so-slight a touch of Bridgerton (for the high-society, historical romance elements) but with a Latina lead.

While the vibes are an A+ —archaeology meets action with an anti-imperialist lens— the actual execution at times left me wanting. During my read, I kept picturing the book as movie scenes instead. I think the novel suffers a bit from its medium; it seems to want to be this action-packed drama, but it suffers from its info-dumping feeling out of place and its dialogue feeling unpolished. In my opinion, a TV show would allow the plot to shine in a way that feels more genuine and might give the audience more time with the characters (and a better understanding of the leads’ chemistry, which sometimes feels awkward in the novel version). As it stands, I found myself wanting to connect more with the characters. The stakes were high because of the book’s high concept (what’s at threat is ultimately the Egyptian cultural legacy) but the sub-plots that relied more on interpersonal conflict (like the MC’s parents disappearing) fell flat because the characters do not feel fully realized.

Overall, it’s worth a read if you want a fresh take on the Mummy that has something to say about British colonialism. And definitely pick up a copy if you’re the type of reader who values settings that act as a character.

I did enjoy this one! I liked the characters, the plot, the writing. It was very enjoyable! I don’t know if I’d pick up the sequel but I know that this was a good read.

What a journey! This read is so immersive that I didn't want to come out of it at the end. The author's descriptions are vivid and lively and make you yearn for a place you've never seen like it's your home. The characters feel so vibrant and real - like a bunch of people you know or would really like to know. I love that the author boldly wrote such a variety of complicated relationships, yet none of them felt tropey or flat. Almost every type of love and heartbreak are included somewhere in these pages and they all shine on their own. While I do wish we'd gotten a little bit more of the fantasy elements, the action and adventure really made up for it. The twists were twisty and the hits never stopped coming, right until the last page. Can't wait to pick up the sequel later this year!

⚱️I was excited about this book! I was drawn in by its unique premise and the promise of a rivals-to-lovers story with an Indiana Jones/The Mummy feel. The stunning cover art only heightened my excitement.

⚱️Regrettably, the novel fell short of my expectations. While the core story had potential, it was marred by two significant issues: purple prose and repetitiveness. The excessive length—stretching at least 100 pages beyond necessity IMO—detracted from the overall experience. The first half of the book seemed preoccupied with travel details and complaints, leaving little room for genuine engagement.

⚱️Even though the book is categorized as young adult, the main female character came across as overly naive, especially within the context of the love story. It was awkward to read.

⚱️Furthermore, the promised parallels to Indiana Jones and The Mummy were disappointingly scarce. The connections felt tenuous at best, failing to deliver the adventurous spirit I had hoped for.

⚱️While the book had potential, its execution left me wanting. I’m genuinely bummed that I didn’t enjoy it more.

Thank you @netgalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.