I have never read anything like this before! The historical fantasy had me intrigued from the beginning-magic, adventure, romance in Egypt.
It’s rivals-to-lovers and I laughed out loud at their bickering and fell hard for their love story.
Inez heads to Cairo searching for answers about her parent’s deaths. Her dad had sent her a ring with old-world magic and she wants to find out why. Whit is tasked to get her back to Buenos Aires and her stubbornness to follow him was entertaining.
Definitely a top read this year for me!

This book was such a good read! Something different from what I normally read but now I want to read more historical fiction and I want to learn more about Cleopatra. I enjoyed that the love interest wasn’t the main plot line but instead Inez was determined to find out what happened to her parents in Egypt. Such a great story but I want to know what happens next!!
Thank you Net Galley for letting me read this before it’s release.

was so excited to get approved for this arc!

"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." SAY LESS!

Upon the news of her parents deaths, Inez travels to Egypt to discover the truth and why her parents fell in love with this country. After a less than enthusiastic reunion with her uncle, she at times begrudgingly teams up with his assistant Whit, to uncover the truth about her parents and Cleopatra.

The Mummy vibes were definitely there. I loved the descriptions of Egypt and the tombs. There's a great deal of the history of Egypt and the control of Britain. I thought the pacing could've been better at times. I wasn't sure where exactly this story was heading and I felt like I was skimming for the next THING to happen.

I know it's relevant to the time period, but I was so glad when Inez stopped referring to Whit as "Mr. Hayes". The banter was definitely there but at times I felt that the romance was lacking. During the high stakes moments it absolutely hit, but I guess I wish there had been more buildup of genuine feelings? THAT ENDING THOUGH?!? I absolutely need the sequel.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc.

The Mummy meets Death on the Nile? Had me desperate to read this book the moment I saw it. And this book is beautifully written, with some really lovely settings.

Unfortunately I found I hard to get into the story. I think this just wasn't the book for me!

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review

Inez Olivera abandons her home in Argentina to discover the truth about her parents’ deaths in Egypt. From the very first page, Inez immediately struck me as a savvy young woman capable of lying and deceiving in order to skirt her way around society’s strict standards in the 1800s. I admired her tenacity and courage to set out on such a journey on her own. Especially as she reaches her destination and must face her aloof and mercurial uncle. That’s why I was disappointed when these admirable qualities pretty much disappeared halfway through. Once she’d accomplished infiltrating her uncle’s archeological team, I found she became simpering and naive. Although the poor girl couldn’t seem to catch a break. She was dealt blow after blow all while not being able to do much about her circumstances, which was a little frustrating since I wanted to root for her and the love interest so badly.

I typically fall head over heels for roguish broody love interests, and I wanted to love Mr. Whitford Hayes after his very first run in with Inez on the docks. But (to me) he didn’t have that little dollop of pain that typically drives their impulsive need to love hard and protect at all costs. Or at least we haven't discovered it yet. I didn’t find that his short POVs gave us any insight into his supposedly horrid past or true motivations, except for one conversation between him and Inez. And after that short epilogue, I was left feeling more confused about him; even if he instantly became more interesting.

The pace seemed to ebb and flow like the Nile River itself. At times it was lush with adventure and excitement. While at others it focused on the slower but nuanced aspects of 1800s society. Given how the story starts off with an enchanted ring and escalates to Inez forming a super cool connection to Cleopatra, I expected there to be a touch more magic. Also, I’m a little disappointed there wasn’t at least one booby trap. There was one major turn that really shattered my heart. The consequences of which weren't really felt as the ending snuck up on me! Overall, I loved with the descriptive setting of historical Egypt, the alluring connection to their last pharaoh, and every sprinkle of magic we were given.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for granting my request for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a new author for me and it didn’t really hit home. I was a fan of the characters but the writing style was just not for me. I think a certain type of person will really love this book.

This immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt is filled with adventure, a slow burn romance, and a dangerous quest.

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera has a cushy life in upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires. But she longs for adventure, her curiosity begs to explore. Her parents constantly leave her behind to do so themselves and she itches to travel. To immerse herself in a world of puzzles and the magic that lingers from generations past in objects yet to be uncovered.

When she receives notice of her parents' untimely deaths with little explanation, Inez inherits their massive fortune and her mysterious new guardian is an Uncle she hardly knows, an archeologist in Egypt that was funded largely by her parents' fortune. At a loss and desperate for answers, Inez sails to Cairo alone despite the risks and fact that unmarried women should always be chaperoned. She takes sketch pads and a golden ring her father sent to her for before he died, full of magic and no explanation. When she arrives, she's immediately instructed to leave but this plucky heroine doesn't take no for an answer and she soon finds herself caught up in much more than she anticipated. Schemes, politics, and a pawn in a larger game that will likely get her killed.

This was so well done, with a page-turning plot and mysteries to uncover this book kept me up late into the night to uncover more, just as our characters do digging into lost tombs and uncovering artifacts full of history and magic.

I loved the Indiana Jones-esque vibes with The Mummy action and a touch of Bridgerton.

So far, her best book to date!!! I loved it, it was vibrant, mysterious and written in a true story telling nature

🇪🇬 BOOK / REVIEW 🇪🇬

I absolutely freaking LOVED #whattheriverknows by @isabelwriter09 🥹 I was actually devastated when this book ended because I truly looked forward to reading it every day. Thanks to @netgalley and @wednesdaybooks, I snagged an #ARC and moved this up to the top of my list because of so many positive reviews on #booktok.

This one EXCEEDED my expectations. Full transparency - this is the definition of a #youngadult #lightfantasy read. There was zero steam (which if I am honest would have been a welcomed addition to the story, but may have cheapened it a little). Also, this book felt insanely "real," which is why I struggle with putting this one wholly in the #fantasy category.

Either way, I absolutely flipping adored it. I was swept away to Cairo and the Egyptian tombs in my mind. I also got a great history lesson while reading this, which I loved.

It's fast paced and definitely bingeable. I am desperate to know what happens next for Inez and Whit 😭😭😭 I need more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

They say don't judge a book by its cover, but I'll confess that this cover grabbed me immediately - what a gorgeous, sumptuous image that perfectly captures the world within. The premise was so intriguing - an inheritance, a mysterious guardian, archelogy, Egypt, old world magic... and fortunately the actual execution was spellbinding as well! The storytelling is lush and evocative, with the heady world of Egypt coming alive. Our protagonist is well developed and worth following. The mystery and adventure are well crafted and paced, neither too slow nor too quick to build. This is truly a book to get lost in and one I will recomend.

Okay. Reviewing this is really hard. I am a fast reader, to be certain. And although this was a thrilling book, its pace was kinda slow. I think they got a bit too concentrated in the romance(it was great).
Let’s Start with the Characters. Inez is curious and fun. She smart, she is the heroine you want to read about. Her character development was kinda great. Then the love interest, Whit, he is a bad boy, but way more calm than Inez. Perfect Chemistry.
The side characters are fantastic too(especially Isadora).The worldbuilding is incredible. Books about Egypt have always come near my mind. I read the Kane Chronicles as a child. I am so exited for the sequel! 4.75 out of 5.

This is one HELL of a fun book!
If you are like most people and have wistful memories of 1999’s The Mummy, this book will help you get back some of that nostalgia, but still tell a fun and completely unique story on its own.
The romantic rush of the time when the world was discovering so many of Egypt’s secrets was so perfectly captured- the heat, the food, the clothing, the melange of languages and races all working together, the profound awe of discovering and standing in a temple that is thousands of years old, the way the Nile is literally the life of Egypt, etc. I kept having The Mummy soundtrack in my head while reading because the visuals Ibañez managed to evoke really dropped me right into the setting.
What is extra incredible is Ibañez never lets the reader forget the violence most of these “Egypt-loving pioneers” did to this country by looting their artifacts and using Egyptian labor without giving them any say on how their own country’s artifacts should be treated. She shows how incredible Egypt and this period of discovery was, while also lamenting the way the major world powers took advantage of the situation in order to line their pockets. It was expertly done.
The characters in this were also incredible. The main character, Inez, is a believable girl who is neither too smart/dumb, strong/weak, trusting/cautious. She was raised in a very unique circumstances and was so brave when it was needed, but would make mistakes because of her naïveté and youth. Whit is still very enigmatic, but his character is starting to shape up in such a fun “morally grey” way, and Inez’s uncle is infuriatingly believable when you learn more about his motivations as the book goes on.
The magic system in this was so unique and fun, and I hope it is dealt with more in the future books, because it definitely took a backseat to everything else happening in the story. This is obviously written to be the first in a series and you can believe I’m already signing myself up for book 2!
The story is marketed to YA, and I think that’s appropriate and fine, but it’s definitely enjoyable for adults as well.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a free digital ARC of this! There were some slight editing errors, but I received an un-corrected proof so I’m hoping that is smoothed out before publication. I loved What the River Knows, and I anticipate it having wild success!

Set in 1884, “What the River Knows” follows the adventures of Inez, a young woman from Argentina wanting to claim her inheritance and unveil the truth of her family. Ibañez wrote a dazzling adventure filled with magic, intrigue, and romance. The storytelling brought the atmosphere to life. Ancient Egypt, mystery, magic, adventure… What more could you want?

Thank you net galley and the publishers for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t have enough good things to say about this book. It felt like a love child between The Mummy and National Treasure. It was so full of action, and history, a dash of romance, I just wanted to keep reading. My only complaint is the mystery that I’m left with as I wait for the sequel. I sought this book out because it was recommended by Rebecca Ross, and I’m so glad I did. The research and effort it too in writing this is incredible and the author did a wonderful job. If you ever had an Egypt fixation as a kid, this one is for you.

✨BEST BOOK OF 2023 SO FAR✨

At the half way mark of 2023, with 50 books read so far, this is HANDS DOWN the best book I’ve read this year!!!

I must have a thing for Latinas traveling across the Atlantic in the late 1800’s with determination in their eyes!! (I’m talking about you, Luz Alana!)

Set in Egypt 1884, you can feel Inez’s unfamiliarity with the place, can feel the magic created by the ancient objects surrounding her, and feel the historical significance of where she has ended up.

We are put through her mistrust of multiple characters, and experience her own unfortunate missteps (and there were MANY). I read with my eyes wide and my hand on my heart because I just didn’t know what was going to happen next!

And the ending. THE FREAKING ENDING.

I can’t. I have all the words and thoughts, but I can’t share it because this was an ARC through @netgalley !!!

Phenomenal. Mysterious. Exciting.
Just everything.

What The River Knows was a beautiful, well-written historical fantasy, and I found it to be a highly engaging read. I spread out my perusal of the ARC over several weeks, and I liked that it was a story I could check in and out of as needed without feeling the need to recap every time I returned.

What initially drew me to the book (aside from the gorgeous cover & title) was the fact that in what is quickly coming to feel like an oversaturated market, Ibañez really approached the fantasy genre with an unlikely angle which kept it really fresh in its feel. The descriptions were immaculate and alluring, the characterizations were layered and full of heart, and the banter was simple & witty in a way that I hadn't realized I was missing till I got to observe Inez and Whit.

Some of the narrative choices did come off a bit disjointed, like much of the Cleopatra plot, but nothing drastic enough to pull from my overall enjoyment. (Although, I am curious to see if any of those are noted/changed during the editing process.) Another thing I did want to mention was that there were a lot more romantic-action-drama moments than I was expecting coming into this book. It's not something I was prepared for coming into a historical fantasy, but I didn't necessarily dislike it. I will say though, there are a lot of sections that read like they were written with a trajectory in mind...almost like a game plan for a film adaptation. Again, not bad - just unexpected.

Also, I was ABSOLUTELY NOT PREPARED for the cliffhanger ending. I fully thought this was a standalone until I got to the end, was promptly & rudely shocked, and am eagerly anticipating a follow-up ASAP thankyouverymuch.

This book!!! I loved it from the very beginning. I've loved Egyptology since I was a little girl so I knew I had to read this book and it didn't disappoint. I loved the characters and the twists in the storyline. I thought Ibañez created this setting of 1880s Egypt so beautifully - it was so vivid and I found myself looking up various places as the story moved from one spot to another. The accurate history woven through the plot was so fascinating - showing how deplorable the foreigners were in pillaging a nation's historical artifacts. I loved the slow-burn romance as well as the fantastical/magical elements that were woven into this fabulous adventure story. I don't know how I'm going to wait for the sequel!!!

Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I first have to say this book is extremely refreshing! I have been enjoying mythology but I feel most have been Greek. So, this being Egyptian mythology was a great change of pace. I personally do not know a lot about Egyptian mythology but this was an amazing book. I do feel this was geared toward a young audience, even for YA. The FMC, Inez, was enjoyable and definitely feisty. There are some aspects that are very overdone in YA. Such as, the MMC as cocky and brooding. But, it wasn't too distracting from the rest of the story. The magic system could have been better fleshed out and adhering to its own rules. Overall I would give it a 3.5/5

What I liked:
What the River Knows is a historical young adult fantasy novel set in Cairo and the hunt for Cleopatra's tomb. The magical realism elements are what hooked me and kept me reading. Inzez is a strong character, who detests being left behind, is fraught with worry over her parent's disappearance and possible death, and she very reckless at times. The budding romance between her and Whit was sweet and unexpected but worth reading about. I felt like I was on a trip and seeing things, I knew I would never see in my lifetime. The historical aspects and the hunt for Cleoptra's tomb created an excellent setting for a young adult historical fantasy novel.
Final Verdict:
What the River Knows has moments of romance but twists that involve death, betrayal, and mortal peril for our characters. I was on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out how Inez would get herself out of this predicament. The ending leaves us wanting more, and I can't wait for the sequel.

Wow! This book is a fantastic combination of mystery, action-adventure, and history sprinkled with magic and romance in Isabel Ibanez's gorgeous prose. It is a master class in limited dual-POV. Definitely Inez's story with quick switches to Wit's POV at just the right times. The book is the first in a duology and so ends on a cliffhanger that literally made me gasp, but it is also a complete story on its own. Don't miss the author's note and acknowledgments which discuss historical details and the author's research trip. Fascinating. Make sure you look up content notes before reading as there are some very disturbing things happening on page, especially near the end. And on a final note, I can't for the life of me figure out how this is being marketed as YA. The ages of the characters, the situations they face, the life issues they're working through--it does not strike me as a YA story. I loved it and have already ordered a hard copy, but it will definitely be sitting on our adult bookcase at home. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read early. Highly recommend!