Argentina and Egypt! That drew me in immediately. I loved the characters, the history that was thrown in as well. You can connect with our two main characters in a great way as well.
Slow moving read but it keeps you drawn in with the fantastic descriptions of everything. The end felt a tad rushed but my goodness the cliffhanger gets you!!!

At first, I was apprehensive. It took me a bit of time to enter into this book. I was intrigued, but I didn't find myself really getting invested until at least 40% of the way through. This book was set as a "rivals to lovers" romance which I didn't see. Whit and Inez are so fun to watch come together, but I never saw him as her rival. The magical elements blended perfectly with the history presented in the book. I was completely enthralled by the mystery and the tension between the two characters. I DIED at the end. I didn't know I was so close to finishing it and then read the epilogue. I cannot wait to see what the next book will unfold. A solid historical romantasy!

Actual Rating: 3.5

I loved the premise of the book from the blurb alone — it seemed immediately like we would be getting a strong female lead who was on a mission to find the truth no matter the cost.

What the River Knows starts with a letter that Inez receives: her parents are dead and she’s inherited their fortune. All she knows about them is that they were in Cairo and that they were looking for something; with nothing but the letter and a mysterious ring her father had previously mailed to her, Inez travels to Egypt, where she finds out there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than her new guardian is letting on. Her mission only becomes even more complicated when she gets tangled up with her uncle’s handsome assistant Whit — who she only then finds out, is already betrothed.

I was really invested in the plot from the very beginning. How could I not be? We were tossed into an unknown place with Inez, who was a pretty great protagonist. I felt wronged and frustrated when she did, and I felt as nervous as she was when trying to decide who to trust and who not to. However, I’m a bit middle-of-the-road on all the twists and how they ended up. Some did catch me off guard and others were more predictable, but overall I don’t think any of them had enough build-up to give off the right oomph.

I think the world-building could’ve been more robust too. I really loved that magical elements started to be introduced, but it felt like they would appear and disappear at random moments and I wasn’t sure what the rules of it were.

While Inez was a great protagonist and Whit was also a great character, I enjoyed their banter more when it was plot-related (near the first half) and less so when it was romance-related (the second half).

In fact, I think I enjoyed the first half better in general. It was more focused and directed on Inez’s story, while we started mixing in romance and plot twists later in the book and it started to get messy.

Still, I’m invested in the story and I didn’t expect this to be to be getting a sequel! Since it looks like we will be, I’ll be tuning in for sure.

This book moves the entire time and doesn’t slow down. You take an unconventional and unauthorized journey with Inez. She encounters trials and challenges at every turn. A great adventure, fantasy/historical fiction story. I definitely recommend.

I have always loved ancient Egyptian history and thoroughly enjoyed the story. I couldn't put the book down and ended up reading the second half in one sitting;however, I am torn about the ending and the fact that there's a cliffhanger.

I was completely charmed by What The River Knows! The magic system really drew me in, the idea of old magic imprinting on objects and the less they were touched the more the magic held—which brings us to Egypt. A land full of magic and adventure, and of course, secrets.

Inez is drawn to Egypt through a mysterious ring belonging to the last Pharaoh, Cleopatra, that her father had sent her before he and her mother died. Despite her Uncle and his associate, Whit Hayes, wanting her to return to Argentina Inez is determined to get to the bottom of her parents deaths and the mysterious visions of Cleopatra she’s seen from coming in contact with the ring.

I loved Inez and her stubbornness and how it clashed so beautifully with Whit. They made an excellent pair reminiscent of Rick and Evelyn in the Mummy. The world building was excellent and I loved getting to explore Egypt along with Inez. Although I could guess what was going to happen early on and the ending felt a little quick, I still more than enjoyed it and it definitely leaves me eager for the next book!!

Thank you Wednesday books for the arc!!

I wanted to like this one much more than I actually did. Based on the description, I went in expecting fantasy, mystery, and Egypt, but only ended up with one of the three. Given the relatively minor role magic plays, I'd categorize this one as more 'magical realism' than 'fantasy' and while it's technically a mystery, it lacks the suspense needed to make the story compelling. Instead the plot meanders, switching direction several times, with numerous red herrings only serving to further distract. Pacing-wise, it drags. By a third of the way through, I no longer cared about what had happened to Inez's parents; by the 3/4 mark, I was seriously considering skimming to the end. It honestly felt more like a vehicle for the author's soap box on the evils of colonialism and the unfairness of sexism rather than a mystery novel. The descriptions of Victorian Egypt are lovely though.

In addition to the underwhelming plot, I found the characters to be pretty lacking as well. Inez is overly naive and annoying, while Whit is not nearly as charming as we're repeatedly told he is. All the rest of the characters just feel flat. The book also suffers from the standard YA trope of insta-love, but chemistry between our leads is non-existent and almost every interaction feels forced. I was over it a quarter of the way through the book; watching it the rest of the time was painful.

If you're looking for a captivating whodunnit set in Egypt, this isn't it. Several other authors have done this better including Agatha Christie (used in the comps). I'd suggest trying one of those instead.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. A copy of this review also appears on Goodreads.

I loved this. I was so sucked into this story from the get-go with the different historical aspects that the story explores and the mystery of the parent's death, combined with Inez and Whit really capturing my heart made this an unputdownable read. Stunning cover and story to match! I can't believe I was left on such a cliff-hanger--I'm eagerly awaiting the next one!

I'll read anything Isabel Ibañez puts out. And even more so after this one. Though I don't know that I can forgive her for leaving me on such a cliffhanger! I got to nerd out on the historical aspects that Isabel expertly woven into Inez's story– this book is a vibe. The intrigue from the mystery of her parent's death makes me keep turn the page, as well as all the banter and chemistry between Inez and Whit. Can't wait for the next one!!

I'm struggling to rate this book because it was a clear 5 stars for me until the very very end - that ending wrecked me in the worst way with that cliff-hanger - there will be a sequel, right?! Like it took all my wonderful emotions and drowned them in the Nile.

I just loved this story - the characters, the adventure, the location! I just didn't want to put it down. The characters are complex and everyone keeps you guessing. While I did wonder if <spoiler> Inez's mom was running some kind of a scheme, I didn't really figure it out until she appeared in Inez's tent that first night, and I was shocked with Inez when she left her behind and then kidnapped her cousin! Like who is this woman?!</spoiler> I was shocked when <spoiler>Elvira was shot, I thought for sure the author wouldn't crush us that hard, but no.</spoiler> I was constantly trying to figure out Whit while also falling for him just like Inez was.

My only real qualm is that there were some descriptors that were kind of annoying and repetitive. Like how many times do we need to point out that Whit's stomach is flat or "the hard line of his leg". Like we can just say stomach or leg without that extraneous stuff over and over.

And if/when there is a sequel and <spoiler> Whit ends up being a bad guy, I will cry very real tears, because Whit and Inez are just... everything x100. I just can't believe that Whit has been playing Inez, he's got something else in the works to help her out and get to marry her, I just know it must be true!</spoiler>

But for real, how long do I have to wait for the sequel. Can it come out the day after this book is released, pretty please?!

Egypt. Sarcophagi. Magic. Treasure.

This book has it all!

We hear so many things about Egypt being the most advanced ancient civilization but there is so much unknown! This YA Fantasy novel incorporates versions of real people, real legends, and puts a magical twist and some drama to bring it all together, even, a little romance.

I am so glad that this book is part of a duology because the story brought me in and really left me wanting to know more.

This book has soooo much potential, but it's really repetitive and slow. Inez is likable and independent, but her constant (did I mention repetitive) questioning of everything slowed the plot down. There's a magical element to it, but I feel like Ibanez should have either eliminated that or gone deeper into it. It was just kind of there. I would also have liked if we had more of Cleopatra or more of her story...

Overall, this book is just a set of up for the sequel.

Immersive and diverse fantasy with a subtle magic system. History plays its own magical role in Ibanez's book. After a slow start, readers will get pulled into this story with its rich Egyptian threads. At times the magic system is too understated and unexplained, but this may make it accessible for readers new to fantasy. The romantic pairing has excellent tension and the cliffhanger ending will leave you begging for the sequel!

Ohhhh, this is II's best book to date! I'm very impressed with this.

And it's not just the ancient Egyptian history, the vibrant archeological atmosphere, or the mysterious characters with questionable motives. It's that II's storytelling has matured and developed. It was never terrible, but you can tell she has really come into her own writing with this story and that makes it all the more enjoyable.

As far as a first book in a series goes, this has everything you need - 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 can't wait for the sequel!

When I first heard this book being compared to The Mummy, I knew I had to read it. And while I absolutely see the similarities and think that it is relatively comparable, it just wasn’t as captivating to me as those movies are. Maybe I went in with different or too high expectations, but I just didn’t love this as much as I was hoping.

The main character in a lot of ways reminds me of Evelyn from The Mummy, she is independent, an adventure seeker, and an anomaly for her time. But in other ways I found her to be rather docile and timid and immature. I also didn’t really find the romantic interests in the story to be very passionate or endearing. I never really felt fully connected with nor empathetic towards any of them.

The setting and the historical context was very well crafted. I was hoping for more emphasis on Egyptian mythology, which is also so fascinating to me. I was hoping for the fantastical side of things to take more of a forefront in the story. It wasn’t as fleshed out or prominent as I was hoping. It borders more towards magical realism to me than true fantasy. So for my personal reading tastes this was rather disappointing.

My biggest issue was the pacing of the plot. It was really slow. If you like stories that take their time grounding you in the world and the characters, then you may love this aspect of it. But for me, there wasn’t anything that swept me away into the events of the story. I needed something more urgent driving the story from the beginning to keep me intrigued in the outcome. I wanted more excitement and adventure and mystery than it was giving.

I feel like this story had so much potential that it just didn’t quite live up to for me. There was so much promise in the concept that I wasn’t executed in an engaging way. I think a lot of readers will really love this book, especially fans of Ibañez’s previous books. But I do think the comparison with The Mummy may end up polarizing a lot of readers’ expectations and the realities of the story. I went into this book thinking it could definitely be a five star read for me, but sadly I’m settling with three.

What the River Knows is a YA historical fantasy about Inez Olivera who escapes to Egypt to uncover the mystery surrounding her parents deaths. The book took a few chapters to draw me in, but picks up halfway through, and then the twists and turns are rapid fire.

Ibanez’s descriptions paint a lavish picture of Egypt, showing the extensive research she did. I truly felt as if I were walking the streets of Cairo, sailing down the Nile, and exploring the temples in Philae alongside Inez.

I particularly enjoyed the magic system. Its description was intriguing from the first chapter and it continued to grow in depth and originality throughout the book.

The mystery surrounding Inez’s parents was intriguing and the twists kept me guessing until the very end. Note that this is the first book in a duology, and the story does end on quite the cliffhanger.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is one of my top reads of the year. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical adventures with a twist of magic, slow burn romance, or fans of The Mummy and Death on the Nile.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday for the digital arc! All opinions are my own.

“It wasn’t a bad life, but it wasn’t the life I wanted.”

From the outside, Inez Olivera seemed to be the girl who lived a life of peak luxury. Hailing from a wealthy family in Buenos Aires where her life is nearly planned for her, she dreams of being able to explore the world with her parents who often leave her behind. Since her days as a child, it was not uncommon for Inez’s parents to travel to Egypt for extended stays, resulting in a majority of her childhood overseen by her aunt and cousins. Now an adult, Inez hopes one day to join her parents on an expedition. Little did she know that her dream may not come true in the way she had hoped.

After Inez receives a letter informing her that her parents have passed away and she is left with an inheritance, she plans to journey to Egypt to seek the truth behind this revelation, holding close to a ring that her father sent her before his death which holds more secrets than she knows. Arriving in Cairo, Inez would have little idea what was ahead of her in her search for answers.

This book was an incredibly fun read. It features a charming cast, subtle magic, and beautiful descriptions of the Egyptian landscape while also mixing in some grand thrills. It also shows some slight implication on the effects of colonization and tourism as well which to me was interesting.

Inez is a girl who has wanted a chance to be free from the grasp of upper society courting and meetings to catch a glimpse of the life her parents lived. She is resourceful, stubborn, and witty. Her quick-wit and charm help her traverse from Buenos Aires to Egypt and even escape from unwanted attention. Her stubbornness and quick-trusting of others certainly made it an interesting interaction with the numerous individuals she encountered. I enjoyed her personality and can definitely see traces of Evie from The Mummy.

Our other major protagonist is Whitford Hayes, or Whit. Whit is a man who has his own demons to face and is constantly showing up in Inez’s world once she arrives in Cairo. Under the employment of Inez’s uncle, he is to ensure that Inez is promptly taken care of and this sets off an interesting rivalry friendship that becomes a slow-burn romance.
Unfortunately for me, the more I read, the less I liked Whit and I think a lot had to do with the banter between him and Inez which to me felt incredibly repetitive. Every time these two were together it just felt to be the same conversation which really made this book feel longer. Occasionally we are given Whit’s POVs and I think the book would have benefited from more than we got. He isn’t a bad character, but I did not vibe with his personality.

We also meet a fun mix of side characters, as well as getting to know a bit about Inez’s family in Buenos Aires. These secondary characters certainly add more charm and mystery to this novel and I genuinely wish some would have gotten more time dedicated to them.

The magic system as I mentioned was subtle and it is more “magical realism” than fantasy in this regard. I say this in the sense that magic is only tied to various relics and artifacts that are thousands of years old and have limited power. These artifacts hold traces of magic from those known as Spellcasters. Each artifact holds a unique magical trait, such as being able to purify water. Smaller relics often diminish their magical effects as more contact is made by different people. I found it unique how magic had become something lost to history but still was relevant in the lives of people in the current era. I hoped to see a bit more backstory on how relics became enchanted as the explanation does not provide much.

The topic of tourism and collection of antiquity is relevant throughout this story. It provokes an interesting perspective on how outside territories try to assert their dominance in the name of curation and collection of ancient artifacts as well as a tourist hub and its effect in the country. The implication of tomb raiding for profit and preservation is one that hangs over this tale. I suggest it would make for an interesting discussion for a book club!

The pacing in the book felt sluggish at times. The first half of the book had excellent pacing but to me, the second half felt longer than it needed to be. While we had some great scenes in the second half, some felt unnecessarily long. I personally feel this book could be about 30-40 pages shorter with nothing major missing. The overall plot was very interesting and I will admit I did not see the plot twist coming. I was slowly putting pieces together in my mind but the twist definitely had me.

What The River Knows is certainly a fun ride and a great homage to its inspiration of The Mummy and Death on the Nile. If you like a mystery set in nineteenth-century Egypt, I encourage you to check this book out and enjoy the trip through Egypt. Ibañez is able to paint gorgeous Egyptian landscapes and scenes, making you feel like you are truly visiting the bustling streets of Cairo and navigating the path of the Nile while weaving in complex thriller elements to keep you on the edge of your seat.

3.5/5 stars

Huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for a review

3.5 stars

I loved the premise of this story. A heiress in a tropical country going on an international archeological adventure. I’ve never watched/read The Mummy or Death on the Nile but I think What the River Knows is in that vein. The parts in Alexandria in the hotel reminded me of A Gentleman in Moscow and the Grand Budapest hotel. That was probably my favorite section, especially the scene at the market and cafe. I loved Whit there I hope we see more of that side of Whit next book.

My biggest issue is I wasn’t very attached to the characters. It was exciting that you couldn’t trust anyone Inez met but I wanted to uncover more this book. I felt like nothing much happened other than very predictable who-dun-it plot twists. I really loved the Cleopatra focus but I’m really unclear about the magic. I feel like it was underutilized this book and it felt more like a historical mystery rather than historical fantasy romance.

I’m not sure if my issues were because the ARC still needs to go through more drafts. I’m looking forward to the next book and I hope it’s more satisfying.

I am about 30% through this book and unfortunately decided to not finish this one.

It is a bit difficult for me to understand the book's contents; it is not horrible, it is simply that I do not think this book is for me. yet I believe this book will be more fascinating to readers who favor fantasy with historical fiction as sub genre than I am. Who knows, maybe the next time I try to read it, I will be more drawn in.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for providing me with this ARC.

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*

This was one of the best books I've read this year, for sure. It had so much to keep me interested: Egypt, Cleopatra, archeology, and magic. Inez was also a really fun protagonist, and her interactions with Whit (and keeping him on his toes) had me chuckling at times. I really felt like Inez didn't know what was going on, and her flailing around trying to put the pieces together felt so much more real than just having her miraculously find exactly what she's looking for. I did feel as though I knew exactly what the twist was going to be, and then there was another that completely caught me off guard. I also appreciated her uncle's desire to keep track of every item that they discovered, instead of just sending things off to London (as was typical in this time period), and the discussion around how actual Egyptians would feel about watching their own history be stolen away by the British. I did want to know more about the magic, but it feels as though that might be discussed more in a second book, which I eagerly await!