🇪🇬 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!

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Inez's parents have been leaving her home in Buenos Aires her whole life to go off adventuring in Egypt. She has always wished and longed to be able to go with them to see what they love so much about the country. When one day she receives a distressing letter, she knows now is her chance to go to Egypt to get some answers for herself.

Wow I loved this! I have always been fascinated by the history of Egypt, and this book makes certain aspects of it come alive. I was not expecting it to be a mystery, but that part of the book was the most entertaining. The twists were great and I couldn't put this book down! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Egyptian fiction.

What The River Knows is an exciting magical fantasy that delves into the world of old magic and the mysteries of the Last Pharaoh of Egypt. Filled with lush storying telling this book pulls you in.
Inez comes from a wealthy family but does not want the life that is expected of her. She wants to travel with her parents to Egypt where every year they spend most of their time returning now and then to visit Inez.
Soon Inez learns of her parents disappearance and ultimately their assumed deaths. She finds herself now a wealthy woman however she does not have access to her money until she is wed. She decides to travel alone to Egypt to confront the uncle her parents worked with.
Along the way she stumbled upon mysteries and magic surrounding Cleopatra.
Her parents uncovered something that may have gotten them killed.
Will Inez suffer the same fate or will Cleopatra reach out to her across time and magic to help finish want her parents started.

I want to thank #Netgalley for the opportunity to read #WhatTheRiverKnows by #IsabelIbanez

This book is pure gold.

It kept me engaged from the first page, sucking me right into this lush world Ibanez created. This is the first historical fantasy I've read this year, and it reminded me why I love the genre. The vivid detail of the world coupled with the family secrets, mysteries, and twists put this one at the top of my list of favorite reads for the year.

The characters were all wonderful and layered with complexities. Even when I thought I had them figured out, Ibanez would reveal something that would leave me second guessing everything I thought I knew. And the cliffhanger? The best one I've read in quite some time (but I need the sequel immediately because omg).

I flew through this book and found opportunities throughout the day to sneak my phone to read a few lines. It was such a fun adventure, and one I will revisit for sure!

5/5 stars

This was okay. Its got a solid plot and an intriguing mystery, but the entire thing is bogged down by a romantic storyline that I found grating in its poor execution. First, the good: Ibanez writes incredibly detailed settings, and I felt fully immersed in this version of Egypt. I can see where some might want more world building re: the inclusion of magic and how it's impacted the world (apparently not much??), but I was comfortable just rolling with it. Again, the overall mystery is well done even if some of the red-herrings are perhaps a bit too obvious. And I am curious enough to be interested in reading the sequel. Comparisons to the Mummy series are probably apt--or at least what the author was shooting for.

But, ugh, the romance. All of their interactions felt so artificial and overly done. Every single tone of voice and shift of stance is detailed in such a way it felt very much like telling and not showing. I know she was going for Austenian-banter and annoyance-turned-to-love and can't you just feel the tension? But that's a type of relationship that requires some subtlety, some reading between the lines, and that is not what we got here. This guy could not have been more amused by our protagonist. So many smirks, so many crossed arm wall leans--it all came across as repetitive and trying too hard. All of that said, we still know very little about Whit and the ending of the book presents a possibility for their relationship to be presented in a different light in which case I might be able to forgive its overall awfulness. But that remains to be seen.

Overall, a mixed bag, but I'll probably pick up the sequel. It will at least be worth the skim!

ARC provided by NetGalley.

I’m not typically a historical romance girly, but What the River Knows was absolutely phenomenal. The twist ending absolutely threw me. I’m not kidding, it left me staring blankly at my kindle for several minutes, which was quickly followed by utter despair at the knowledge that it’s the beginning of AUGUST and this book doesn’t even RELEASE until HALLOWEEN! Which means HOW MUCH LONGER MUST I WAIT TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS TO INEZ????
We’re calming down. This doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, per se; it’s nicely wrapped up, but boy is that surprise at the end a whopper.
Seriously cannot wait to find out where book 2 takes us. I’ll be impatiently waiting, hoping against all hope that Isabel Ibañez throws us another curveball. IYKYK.

WHAT THE RIVER KNOWS by Isabel Ibanez is a wonderful historical adventure set in the late 1800s. Our protagonist is a well brought up young lady of 18 who finds herself on adventure of a lifetime. This is not a predictable story. There are many twists and turns that leave you guessing what will happen next. I won't give anything away, but I will say I liked this book so much that I stayed up all night reading it. I highly recommend you check out book.

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

TW: abandonment, alcohol, blood, colonization, confinement, death, death of a loved one, emotional abuse, gore, grief, gun violence, injury/injury detail, kidnapping, sexism, violence.

Immersive and magical, this was a delightful book - albeit suffering from a slow start.

It took me a bit to find my rhythm with the story, but once I did, I found that I didn't want to put it down. It was unique and yet familiar at once, in a way that reminded me of watching VHS on the floor of my bedroom in the dark as a child. Which is such a highly specific memory and yet there it is. Despite the fact that I knew exactly how the story was going to unfold from the beginning, it didn't feel predictable; rather, I felt excited to guess things (and satisfied when I was correct.)

I did - however - struggle with certain characterization a bit. It felt very... inconsistent. And while I understand the deeper implications from some characters, it sometimes felt like they couldn't decide what they wanted to be. Maybe I wish they had been fleshed out a bit more or that they had been more present in the book, such as Tío Ricardo.

As for the comparison to the Mummy, I have actually never seen the films (an absolute oversight on my part, I'm aware) but I could definitely feel a similarity to the little I know about the film series and the book (specifically that one scene everyone shares where Brendan Fraser tosses the woman over his shoulder.)

Overall, as I said, this was delightful and the cliffhanger! I already need book two, which is unfortunate since book 1 isn't even out yet. I'm so grateful I got the chance to read this as an ARC and it's definitely going to be one I recommend.

All the stars in the Egyptian sky for this epic fantasy adventure!!! Isabel did such a fantastic job of combining history with magic and I ADORED EVERY SCENE. Literally felt cinematic like I was watching a movie 🎥 It gives National Treasure The Mummy Indiana Jones Death on the Nile but with a little fantasy magic ✨ It will gut you in the best way and leave you craving more.

Here’s what to expect:
✨ slow burn
✨ door frame leaning + smirk 🫠
✨ strong willed FMC + strong willed MMC (did I mention he’s hot and British)
✨ rivals to lovers
✨ forbidden romance
✨ historical time period + fantasy
✨ travel across Egypt
✨ treasure hunting
✨ touch her and 💀
✨ forced proximity

I devoured this and don’t know what to do with myself now. TBR this immediately. (TBR is now a verb.)

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!