What an incredible journey! Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this!

Historical fantasy, slow burn, secrets, lies, adventure, magic and Egyptian mythology! I was completely hooked from the start! Inez is one of my favorite FMCs this year! She’s strong and determined and she never stops trying to find out what happened to her parents! The MMC is mysterious and smart and of course my favorite trait… morally grey!! The relationship between our two characters is so perfect!!

That end though…… cliff hangers get me every time!! I can’t wait to see what happens next!!

4.75 stars ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this free ARC, the opinions that follow are my own.

TLDR: If you liked the Mummy, go buy this book! Same vibe, different characters 🔥

I absolutely adored this book! From start to finish, I was deeply invested in Inez and her journey to find answers!
The book is full of so much love and lore from Egypt, it was a delight to learn more about their culture and history. The plot was sooo good — a mix of mystery and archeological adventure! I loved learning more about Cleopatra’s story. I also loved how much of Inez’s culture she brought with her. It made me love her even more!
The romance is true to the era and so delicious! I really enjoyed Whits character and their chemistry. There were so many moments between them that also left me breathlessly cackling.
Now, I must warn thee — it has a killer epilogue. So go in prepared to be thirsty for the sequel. I know I am! 🥵😳🫨

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in return for a fair and unbiased review.

I completely adored this book. The characters? Excellent. The vibes? Immaculate.

The prose really had me feeling like I was getting a glimpse into historical Egypt at a rather unfortunate period in the country's and its people's history (British colonialism). I was fuming along with Inez at the brazen theft and destruction left behind by the British.

Inez is a heroine you want to root for. Her clever wit and resilience is quite commendable.

Whit is unfailingly loyal, brash, and definitely dreamy haha.

The first third of the book is a little slow and could definitely be cut down in my opinion, but the rest of the book was worth it. Some of the twists and turns were obvious to me, but they were still clever.

But let me tell you, the ending had me SHOOK! Completely shook, I tell you. The first book isn't even out yet and I NEED the second one ASAP! Big kuddos to the author for making me feel this desperate for the next one.

This book was compared to The Mummy and I'm sorry to say that I was severely let down when the story wasn't at all like one of my favorite movies of all time. I had been hoping for more action, more adventure, swashbuckling fun, but that's not what this novel was. I thought the setting and characters were a breath of fresh air, but my expectations based on the marketing made me a little disappointed.

What the River Knows is a well researched historical fantasy by Isabel Ibañez. Set primarily in Egypt, she takes us on the defiant coming of age story of 19 yr old Inez as she traverses an unfamiliar land while trying to find answers to her parents untimely deaths.

I stepped out of my comfort zone to read What the River Knows— I'm not a huge fan of fantasy— but I'm so glad that I did. The descriptions had me longing to be standing along the Nile and taking part in the excavation of a temple. The use of magic wove beautifully into Egyptian history, and propelled the story forward.

The characters of Inez, Whit, and Ricardo were well written. Incorporating the use of Spanish and Egyptian into the text was a great enhancement. While the ending completely left my head spinning and second guessing everything that happened, I am anxiously awaiting the next chapter.

My only critique is that this book is a slow burn, and feel that it could have used a little more action in spots. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Publishing date is Oct. 31, 2023..

4 out 5 stars.

This is her best one yet!

Seriously.. reading this made me want to watch The Mummy.

This book has heart stopping adventures, beautiful imagery, slow burn romance, complicated family… it has it all!

I loved the main character, Inez! She was extremely determined to figure out what happened to her parents. She was at times a bit rash but understandably so. I loved her relationship with her cousin or should I say more like her sister? The other relationships she has in her family are super complicated and I felt Ms. Ibañez did such a good job exploring that and making it realistic.

Whit was a favorite of mine. Boy was he something. The tension and banter between him and Inez was golden. I chuckled so much throat reading. I can’t wait to see more of him.

Tío Ricardo was also an interesting guy.

I had my suspicions about who not to trust.. and I was so wrong lol. There’s a mystery going on here as well.

I was with Inez trying to figure out what was going on and who was involved.

There is a scene that I did not expect and my jaw just dropped! I was not prepared for that occurrences towards the end.. and no, I’m not talking about that jaw dropping cliff hanger!! I literally had to go back and reread the epilogue like..whaaat? Did I miss something?

I’m so excited to read book 2 because that ending… I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT MEANSSSS

Overall, I loooved this book! I did not want to put it down. It has romance and adventure with wonderful descriptions of Egypt and artifacts, as well as the food and culture.

I highly recommend! I only read one of Ms. Ibañez’s book and it was not my favorite.. but this! THIS. So much better and more of my cup of tea! Definitely check this one out! If you weren’t a fan of her other writing, this is so different and much better.

Thank you to Netgalley and St.Martin’s Press & Wednesday Books for gifting me an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

This has been one of my top two fav reads this yr! I forced myself to read it slow the more it progresses because I didn’t want to leave the characters behind. The world building, the characters, the tension, the conflict, the twists and turns…. Ugh. Absolutely obsessed. Every time I picked up this book, it was such a treat. Like that little chocolate you find on your hotel room pillow at night! I loved the ending, I loved how the story ended. Like what?!? I was sad to leave this work temporarily but glad I’ll have the opportunity in the (hopefully soon) future to be with these characters again. I need to know what happens!!

Holy buckets! I was excited to read this book- who doesn’t love Egypt?- but I was blown out of the water by how much I loved it. The characters were incredible- I was immediately drawn to Inez, the main character, and her struggles. She was very relatable and I loved her background. The plot was fantastic, I loved the magic system as well. There were so many twists and turns- I did see some coming, but not all! I’m actually do mad that I have to wait for the sequel now. I 1000% recommend this for anyone who likes mysteries, magic, and Egypt.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Do you like your fantasy mixed with historical fiction (plus adventure, mystery, and a little romance)? Were you super into The Mummy and Indiana Jones? Then give this book a try!

Set in the 1880s, magic has mostly been lost, but some objects still hold on to it. The less they have been handled, the more magic they still contain, making ancient artifacts especially desirable. Inez is upper-class Argentinian-Bolivian and is used to her archeologist parents being gone on digs in Egypt most of the time. When she receives a letter that they've disappeared on a dig and are presumed dead, she sets off for Egypt herself.

Inez is a fantastic character - determined, clever, and full of heart. She's much more interested in finding out what happened to her parents at any cost than acting like a proper young lady. Whit is charming, but also brooding and clearly dealing with some past baggage. I loved that no matter how frustrated he got, he still looked after her safety.

I found the writing to be beautiful and the story captivating. The bits of ancient Egyptian history, the descriptions of everything from clothing to artifacts that painted such a clear picture, the Spanish and Arabic phrases... all came together to really immerse you in the adventure.

Y'all, I'm pretty sure I gasped two or three times in the last chapters of this book. I didn't realize this is the first of a duology, but I absolutely need to know what happens next!

4.5 STARS

Oh, let me tell you, I'm seriously blown away by this one.

It's not just the captivating Ancient Egyptian history, the lively archaeological backdrop, or the enigmatic characters with their shady motives – it's the clear evolution of storytelling that shines. It's crystal clear Isabel Ibañez truly found her voice with this tale, and that's what makes it such a satisfying read.

Speaking of satisfying, for a first book in a series, this ticks all the right boxes – an exciting setting, a gripping plot, characters you can't help but root for, and some top-notch writing. That cliffhanger of an ending? I NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING. It definitely got me hooked and now has me impatiently waiting for the sequel! And this one isn't even out yet... What have I done to myself???

⚠️ TW: death, murder, violence, alcoholism, gun violence, kidnapping, sexism, blood, emotional abuse

I grew up loving Indiana Jones and later The Mummy. I was excited to read this historical fantasy with elements of mystery, adventure, and romance. This book delivered on the elements of this description, but I wanted to like it more than I did, Firstly, it ended in a way that begs for further explanation. One could argue that this is a good thing: I did end up wanting more or one could argue that it leaves one unsatisfied. One would have to read it to see which camp one would belong.
Further, I wonder what an audiobook would add to the story: sometimes I notice that an inspired performance breathes life in staid words.

All in all, I would rate this a 3.5 out of 5.

What the River Knows is a historical fantasy with mystery, magic, and maybe a bit of murder. Inez explores the country she always dreamed of seeing, faraway Egypt, which took her parents time, and hearts, from her. When they disappear, she seeks to find out what happened and learn more about an unknown uncle. It’s got a bit of romance, intrigue, and history.

I really wanted to like this book, but it fell short for me. The characters were clearly trudging along very clear plot lines, and because of that they felt one dimensional and their choices were inconsistent and unrealistic at times, which took me out of the story.

The ending felt less like a cliff hanger and more like a few chapters were ripped out of the end of the book. There’s a line between lining up the sequel and completely unresolved, and this book crossed it.

I did find the descriptions very beautiful; the world the author painted was lovely and invoked a magic of its own. Overall it missed the mark for me, but there are some good elements that some people will enjoy.

The author's description of this book on social media is spot on. I enjoyed this book so much and the plot twist! Is is too much to expect the sequel the same time as the first book release?

Hands down this book blew me away. The wit. The charm. The magic. The archaeology?! Inez's story of coming to Egypt to find her parents after they disappeared on a dig had me hooked. It was the perfect amount of mystery and the ending was a cliffhanger I never saw coming! What a twist!

Highly recommend adding October 31st to your calendar to purchase when it comes out!

The perfect fall read.

Thanks to #NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy. Also thanks to Isabel Ibanez who has been such a delight to follow on instagram.

Can't wait for book 2!

Ok so real talk... When I picked up this book I expected a one off historical fiction book, but I was not disappointed! In reality, this is the first in a series of historical fantasy books following a Latina protagonist as she goes to Egypt to learn more about the death of her parents. It wasn't until the last handful of chapters that I was going to be left on a cliffhanger, and not have a resolution.

The story definitely leans more heavily into the historical fiction side for this first installment, but I loved reading about the culture clash in Egypt as a result of colonialism and the complex feelings different characters had towards what was happening. Based on the foundations and hints left in this novel, I can already picture how the fantasy elements will become a bigger part of the story as it continues.

Overall a really fun and engaging read! Cannot wait for Book 2.

Book: What the River Knows
Author: Isabel Ibanez
Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars

I want to thank the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC. I know as soon as I saw the premise of this one, it would going to be the perfect book for me.

In this one, we follow Inez, whose people love Egypt more than it seems her. They are gone all the time, leaving her to deal with Argentinian high society. Like her parents, she is very much interested in all things ancient Egypt. Then, she receives a letter telling her that her parents are dead. Inez breaks society’s rules and sets off for Egypt herself. She ends up finding more than she thought she would. She finds the influence of the British and their devastating impact on Egyptian culture, Egyptian artefacts being removed from the country, and magic. Just when Inez thinks she has everything under control, it gets worse. The Nile is calling to her and wants to reveal all of its secrets-including those of possible murder and treasure.

Ancient Egypt is my favourite ancient civilisation. The pyramids, the pharaohs, and the beauty of it pull me. One of the many reasons that I had such a good time with this was because the characters in this book are looking for Cleopatra’s tomb. I am probably not being original at all when I say that Cleopatra is my favourite pharaoh. The characters are drawn to them because of her education, her impact on the Egyptians, and the fact that she dared to stand up for Rome. Much of this book focuses on her last days as pharaoh and trying to figure out what went down there. There are also hints of magic woven into Cleopatra. Following the characters on their quest and getting to travel through Egypt was just amazing. Not only are they looking for Cleopatra, but there is also the fact that people are taking these objects out of Egypt and many of them are never brought back to the country. I am very much against this. These ancient artefacts are a part of Egyptian history and deserve to be kept there. This argument is woven into the book and questions about what is wrong and what is right are constantly being brought up.

The characters are so well done. I loved Inez. She comes across as your typical high-society young woman who wants to break free. Yes, this is true, but there is more to it than that. At the end of the day, she just wants to be with her parents. They have left her behind and given her their love of all things Ancient Egypt. Yet, they never take her with them and never share that part of their lives. She feels abandoned and unloved. Oh, yes, they do bring her back gifts and stories, but they always end up leaving her behind. When she finds out that they are dead, it crushes her and she has to know what happened to them. No one wants to give her any answers and no one will let her find out why they died. She has to take matters into her own hands. No, she didn’t think the whole thing through, but the drive to know what happened pushed her. This does get her into trouble, but her actions make sense. You will see what I am talking about when you pick up this book.

I also enjoyed Whit a lot too. He is on his second chance and we don’t know why. He has been given another chance at life by Inez’s uncle. He’s a drunk and has these walls up. Like with Inez, once you get to know him, these walls make sense. His past has greatly influenced his character and it shows. Trust me, whenever I say that it shows. He and Inez are the perfect balance for each other.

That final twenty-five percent, though, wow. Take about an amazing rush to the end. I am not saying that the ending is rushed by any means. The way Isabel brings it home will leave you walking away satisfied. It is heartbreaking and difficult and is the perfect set-up for the second book. It’s gripping and nonstop action. I’m not talking about it being over-the-top action either. The fact that when the characters are put in danger and the fact that Isabel has made you care so much for them will make it difficult to put this book down. I didn’t realize just how much I cared for the characters until I got to that final twenty-five percent.

Overall, I am very pleased that I read this one. If you are looking for a high-stakes book with strong characters and an Egyptian backdrop, I highly encourage you to give this a go.

This book comes out on October 31, 2023.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/4nx7MmPo87U

Like many other Millennials who grew up loving and watching THE MUMMY, I was super excited to review WHAT THE RIVER KNOWS by Isabel Ibañez! Thank you, NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the arc in exchange for my honest feedback.

WHAT THE RIVER KNOWS is a genre buster with a bit of historical fiction, a tad fantasy and romance, and a great deal of mystery and adventure rolled into one bundle of fun. The story follows spunky Argentinian Inez Oliviera as she journeys to Egypt in search of answers regarding the suspicious death of her parents. Set in the 1880s when Britain was trying to loot as many Egyptian artifacts as they could, Inez is not only traversing the Nile to find out what happened to her parents but also navigating the complicated politics involved in the family business of cataloging precious Egyptian artifacts. Inez, though a foreigner herself, dislikes what Britain is doing to Egypt and wants everything they discover to stay in Egypt out of principle.

I liked Inez as a character very much, especially because she isn't one of those heroines who is instantly good at everything. Her character has some modern sensibilities, but I really appreciate that she felt more like a young woman from the 1880s who is still mostly governed by social norms and desires, albeit with a lot of flair thrown in. These traits make her daring escapades all the more fun and admirable, especially when you imagine that she's wearing a corset while galavanting around Egypt!

I enjoyed lots of things about this book--the slow-burn romance between Whit and Inez (Did anyone else keep picturing Brendan Fraser as Whit in their head?), the descriptions of the food(!), the sweet relationship between Inez's cousin, Elvira, and herself--but the way Ibañez depicted Egypt in all of its gorgeous glory was what I loved most. You can tell that Ibañez genuinely loves and appreciates the country she set her novel, especially its people.

Thank you, Ms. Ibañez, for writing this beautiful book. It hit close to home for me because my father and I loved learning about Egypt together, and we were *this* close to adopting a camel to live in our front yard. Thank goodness we didn't, but my memories of our Egyptian dreams still hold fond memories for me. I think Inez enjoyed daydreaming about Egypt with her father too.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I love historical fantasy, and I also, like many, had an Egyptian history phase as a child, so it was very appealing in that sense. I didn’t realize it wasn’t a stand alone, however, so that surprised me. But I’m definitely going to read the sequel, which should tell you enough about how engaged I was with it. There were some issues with pacing in the last quarter of it, but those may be addressed by the time of the final published version.
It’s like, the adventure and history of the Mummy along with all the sweet slow burn romance of a good YA duology. I thought Inez and Whit had good chemistry. I found both the ancient Egyptian history and the British/Argentinian/other countries controlling Egypt history also interesting.
All about Egyptian artifacts, how they were often smuggled into countries that didn’t deserve them, bought by the rich. How family and friends and maybe even lovers? might betray you for money.
And while I thought Inez was too hard on herself and put up with shit she shouldn’t have had to take from others, she was an admirable heroine and I liked her pluck.
All in all, a solid 4.25 stars.

Dive into the enchanting waters of What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez, where magical realism meets historical fiction, casting a mesmerizing spell on an unexpected romance. This book is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered, sprinkled with peculiar characters and a trail of intrigue.

Ibañez's prose flows as smoothly as a river itself, blending the ordinary with the extraordinary in a way that leaves you spellbound. With quirky touches, the novel captures the essence of mysterious travel abroad during the height of Egyptian colonization and the low of tomb raiders. The story's charm lies not only in its magic but also in the connections it weaves between families it weaves. What the River Knows is an irresistible blend of reality and wonder, a tale that'll have you questioning what you know and believing in what you don't.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for the advanced reader copy via NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

This book is practically perfect and everything my romantic, fantasy loving, archaeologist heart needed!

This book follows Inez Olivera, a young, Bolivian-Argentinian woman who is searching for answers about her parents’ deaths. They spent months away from Inez every year travelling Egypt - excavating ancient ruins and enjoying high society in Cairo. But after their mysterious disappearance, Inez is determined to find out the truth. But her arrival in Egypt is less than pleasant. Tío Ricardo, her mother’s brother and now her guardian, does not want Inez poking around. His assistant, the handsome and infuriating Whitford Hayes, is tasked with keeping an eye on her and keeping her out of trouble. However, Inez can sense magic bound to objects, and her uncle suspects she can be of use as they try to find the final resting place of one of the greatest Pharohs of ancient Egypt. But as Inez searches for answers, she uncovers secrets much more dangerous than ancient tombs and treasure.

This book is incredible! A gloriously written fantasy, with a plucky heroine, a roguish yet protective love interest, and a mystery that unfolds bit by bit, all set in 19th century Egypt. It is a fun read and an exciting adventure. There are thrilling twists and turns, and the slow burn romance between Whit and Inez is excellently done. The atmosphere is captivating and is the perfect setting for this historical fantasy.

The characters were also wonderfully written. Inez is a curious, headstrong young woman who is striving to find answers in a society that still treats women as delicate objects, best left at home. She is naïve and inexperienced, yet determined and intellectually bright, and willing to brave whatever it takes to get to the bottom of her parents’ disappearance. Whit is secretive, a bit of a rogue, and has his own demons. Not to mention he is working for her uncle, which makes trusting him difficult when we don’t fully know his motives. Like Inez, I want him to open up those walls he has built around himself and share some of his truth with her. The plotline with Cleopatra was great, and I think positioning the story around Inez, a young woman, and one of the greatest female leaders was a nice choice and showcased the strength of women across time.

One thing I also really appreciated is how Ibañez does not shy away from the inherent issues with colonialism and imperialism in archaeology, and how the destruction of archaeological sites and illegal trade of artifacts impact local cultural heritage. The impact of these issues are clearly shown in the book, and we know the historical fallout from the French and British occupation of Egypt. The destruction and misappropriation of cultural heritage is an issue that archaeologists are grappling with in different communities around the world today, and I appreciated how it was presented in this book. There is also a challenge in not overly romanticizing 19th century Egypt, but instead presenting it in a way that highlights the tension between the local communities and the tourists and Europeans/Americans. Again, Ibañez does this well and I think is careful in her portrayal of the different cultures and traditions of the region.

All in all, this was a fantastic book and I am so excited to read the sequel!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for this electronic Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest feedback.