Egypt? Cleopatra? Magical artifacts? YES!

The story begins with Inez Olivera traveling to Egypt to find answers for her parents' untimely deaths. Her quest isn't easy, especially when her uncle and his henchman, Mr. Whitford Hayes, continue to thwart her at every turn intent on sending her right back to Argentina. Tensions rise between Whit and Inez which buds into a beautiful romance between the two. I loved Whit. He was a mystery I wanted to unravel, but the more we learned about him, the more questions I had about his past. I also liked Inez, though some of her decision were questionable, especially towards the end. I'm not sure I understood her thought process and I'm not surprised by the way it ended due to her poor planning.

My favorite part was the history, Eygpt, the era. I was fascinated by the description of not only the country in the 1800s, but the ancient sites. We sailed down the Nile! I wish we had more because I loved the glimpses we got of Cleopatra's history. I want to read everything about her now.

In terms of the race to find artifacts, I wouldn't necessarily call it a race. It seemed more like things simply fell into place for Inez rather her go out and hunt for it. The ending was OMG. I'm here for some answers.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader's copy.

I really wanted to like this, and at times I did admittedly, but It’s becoming apparent to me that I’m not so sure I care for the info-dump that happens in books. I also felt that this really wasn’t that much of a paranormal/fantasy story. Again, another book that isn’t for me and that’s okay!

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez offers readers a lush and immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt, filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race. However, while the novel captures the essence of its atmospheric setting and features a determined protagonist, it falls short in certain aspects, leaving the reader wanting more.

Inez Olivera, a member of Buenos Aires' upper society, is thrust into a world of magic and mystery when she inherits her parents' fortune and a mysterious guardian. With a desire to uncover the truth behind her parents' tragic deaths, Inez embarks on a journey to Cairo, where she encounters an infuriatingly handsome assistant and becomes entangled in a larger game that threatens her life.

One of the strengths of the book is Inez's character. She is portrayed as stubborn, determined, fearless, and intelligent, making her a compelling protagonist. The setting of Egypt is vividly portrayed, creating an immersive atmosphere that transports the reader to the historical period. Additionally, the friendship between Inez and Isadora adds a refreshing dynamic to the story.

The author demonstrates careful attention to Egyptian culture, showcasing the result of extensive research. This adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, allowing readers to experience the rich tapestry of the setting.

However, the novel falters in several areas. The pacing and plot progression suffer in the second half of the book, where the story becomes focused on Inez's trust issues, leading to a repetitive and somewhat dull narrative. The magic system is under-explained and feels weak, leaving readers craving more depth and development.

Furthermore, the book leaves the reader with a sense of incompleteness. It would have been preferable to have a self-contained story within one book, rather than extending it to another installment. Additionally, the excessive pages dedicated to describing minute details hinder the balance between pacing, plot progression, and vivid imagery.

While marketed as a historical fantasy, the book leans more towards historical fiction with a sprinkle of paranormal elements. Some readers may find this disappointing if they were expecting a stronger integration of fantasy elements into the narrative.

Overall, What the River Knows is a book with potential, offering a determined protagonist, an immersive setting, and a refreshing friendship. However, it falls short in terms of plot progression, pacing, and the development of its magical elements. The decision to recommend the book ultimately depends on how the next installment unfolds and whether it addresses the shortcomings of this first book.
3.4 rounded down to 3/5.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year (still is, I want to re-read it in print)- and it was more than I dreamed! I knew going in that there's a terrible cliffhanger, I was prepared for that... what I wasn't prepared for were the 50 different plot twists in the last part of the book! The story starts slowly, and then it picks up speed, and picks up more speed, and more...until a whirlwind finale which left my mind reeling!

I've always loved both the time period (1880s) and the location (mostly Egypt, but also Argentina 🥰) so this was right up my alley, but now I fell in love both with the plot and the characters! Oh, the characters! Inez! And WHIT! And the slow burn, swoon-worthy romance 🤎 I'm incoherent still, but I blame staying up until 4 am to finish this, so here's a tagline while I still dream of hidden treasure, Egyptian tombs and the Nile...

All the stars! ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

5/5 STARS

WOW. I could not put this book down! The twists and turns were all so addicting. This book is packed with adventure, slow burn romance, unexpected twists and turns that leave your jaw on the floor. I absolutely can't wait for the sequel in 2024.

The main character Inez, lives in Argentina while her parents travel to Egypt - so she doesn't get to see them very much. She receives a letter from her uncle that shares the unfortunate news that her parents have died in the desert. Inez goes to Egypt to get closure and get the full story of her parents death. Little does she know what surprises await her in Egypt......

The Mummy was my bi-awakening, so you put "the mummy" in any description. I'm there. I can feel the inspiration in the book, with a sweep of historical fantasy.

This book came at such a great time after I'd watched the National Treasure show and The Mummy for the first time! I loved reading about Egypt and the different places Inez traveled. The plot twists in this book absolutely GOT me--I have to know what's going to happen next to Inez and Whit! I'll be honest, I was here completely for the romance so I ended up skimming the chapters from Whit's perspective. And I was absolutely devastated by Elvira's death. I wasn't expecting it to go that far, and I really wish there would've been a little more about Inez processing that horrific experience. Overall it was a great read! I can't wait to find out what happens next!

This is a 19th century historical fantasy following Inez, who has just learned that her parents have died under mysterious circumstances while doing archaeological work in Egypt. Against the wishes of her new guardian, she travels from Argentina to Egypt to find out what happened to them.

This was described as The Mummy meets Death on the Nile, which... kind of? I think Death on the Nile was really only thrown in there because a significant portion of the book takes place on a boat, but that's neither here nor there. This is extremely fun and fast paced, with an action/adventure romcom vibe and lots of twists and turns. I did predict every twist except the final one that leaves the reader on a pretty big cliffhanger, so while none of them were shocking, they did keep things interesting and moving forward.

I usually really prefer a character-driven story, but this was a bit of a new experience for me in that I liked the characters (and the romantic pairing), but looooved the setting. Normally that wouldn't be enough for me, but I felt completely immersed.

This is technically written as dual POV with Inez and the eventual love interest, Whitt. However, I wanted so much more from Whitt's POV. I think we got, maybe, a cumulative 15-20 pages from his POV, and it mostly felt like it was there to fill in the gaps in scenes where Inez wasn't present as opposed to giving us greater insight into his character. But Whitt is a fun character, so I still enjoyed it, but am hoping for more depth in the next installment in the series.

Speaking of series... this ends on a pretty big cliffhanger. So, go into it knowing that you're going to finish this and feel desperate for more information. This is fine for me, because I'm really looking forward to re-reading this closer to when the next installment is released (which I believe is coming in 2024).

**eARC provided by Netgalley and Wednesday Books

You had me at The Mummy meets Death on the Nile!

Needless to say, this is a fun exciting and unique read! I found this to be a refreshing premise compared to so much else that is out.

Ibanez paints such an immersive, beautiful and rich world. How intriguing to learn all about Egyptian history and feel like you are right in the world as you read. The first half of the read moved quickly and was paced well. The last half felt rushed and I had to go back and read to know what was going on. Seemed too quick. I also wished I had more of Whit's POV then we got. I don't feel like I know his character like I should. But that could also be the point. Also the CLIFFHANGER. I read this as a standalone so I was thrilled to know there would be a second. But alas, now we wait.

Read if you like:
- main character that is likable
- immersive settings and lush descriptions
- action packed
- history of Egypt and all things archeology
- great chemistry of mc and love interest characters

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for an ARC!

This gorgeous atmospheric read is set in Egypt in the 1800s with enemies to friends to lovers. I adored Inez and her determination to follow her heart to Egypt and find out what happened her parents. Whit might be my new book boyfriend, him calling her by her last name…😍 Can’t wait to see where their adventures take them next!

Loving this ARC out in November. Seriously do yourself a favor a preorder!

"I traveled here all on my own,” I said. “Lied through my teeth to anyone I met, disobeyed my uncle at every turn. What makes you think that I’m wise?”

I am such a fan of Inez. We follow along with Inez as she travels to Egypt after her parents' disappearances. Although she wants to stay to find out what's happened to her parents, her uncle and Mr. Hayes have other plans. Inez is strong-willed and sharp-tongued. She's hilarious and she had me laughing at the games she played with Mr. Hayes in the beginning.

The author has such a way with words. I was able to feel every emotion coming from Inez. There were times I wanted to skip ahead just to find out what happened. The imagery used to describe the scenery was extraordinary. I found myself so engrossed that I didn't want to come back to the real world.

The twists and turns were great. Once I got to the ending... You guessed it, cliffhanger. Ahhh there better be some kind of closure coming!

Thank you NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy of the book for an honest review. Any quote(s) used in my review have been uncorrected.

What a captivating blend of mystery, ancient Egyptian mythology, historical fiction, romance, and magical elements! Almost a five-star read for me, as it beautifully paid tribute to ancient Egyptian artifacts and seamlessly combined different religions, cultures, and myths into a mesmerizing mosaic. I especially enjoyed the character of Inez Olivera, a young, naive, yet determined and intellectually voracious adventurer.

However, I must admit that the pacing of the story was a bit slow. In the first half of this lengthy journey, we were bombarded with history lessons, enlightening us about Eastern culture and ancient Egypt's awe-inspiring wonders. Thankfully, the mystical atmosphere and the well-crafted magical system provided enough substance to keep me engaged, even during the less action-packed and more informative parts. As expected, the second half picked up the pace, becoming more action-packed, twisty, and heart-throbbing. It left me with the impression that the author had saved the best parts for last, but patience was required to reach them.

The other aspect that left me exclaiming aloud was the cliffhanger ending! I was unaware that this book was the first in a series, and the surprising conclusion left my mouth agape. Will I read the second book to see how things unfold? Absolutely!

Now, let's delve deeper into the plot and characters:

At the tender age of 17, Inez finds herself neglected by her selfish and ambitious parents, who prioritize exploring ancient magical artifacts around the tombs of Egyptian queens and pharaohs. Left under the care of her aunt, Inez's parents spend most of their time in Egypt until they are declared lost and presumed dead. Inez's uncle Ricardo becomes her guardian.

Inez doesn't handle the news of her parents' demise well. Determined to uncover the truth behind their death and find closure, she flies directly to Egypt to face her uncle, who is far from thrilled to see her. His infuriatingly handsome assistant, Whit, has every intention of sending her back to Argentina.

However, Inez proves to be both determined and resourceful, utilizing her deep knowledge of art and her ability to connect with ancient magic to earn her place in the crew. As she delves deeper into the ancient history and the mystery surrounding her parents' demise, she soon realizes that some secrets may be better left buried.

The blossoming, passionate romance between the enigmatic Whit and Inez stands out as one of the book's highlights. Although I had some reservations about Whit's motives and his true intentions towards Inez, their chemistry was undeniable.

I am deducting one star for the slow and dragging beginning and the cliffhanger ending, which left me slightly frustrated as I had expected a more conclusive resolution. Now, I must wait for at least a year, in the best-case scenario, for the release of the next book if it turns out to be a duology, to finally obtain the closure I anticipated.

As a devoted fan of the author's writing, I sincerely hope she won't keep us waiting too long. I'm already crossing my fingers in anticipation.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for providing me with this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

First of all, the premise of this book sounded so good. I liked Woven In Moonlight by her so I was excited to give this one a read. It was a decent book that kept me interested. Inez and Whit's dynamic was the driving source in this book. They made me want to keep reading. I would have even wanted to see more from Whit's POV because he was such a complex character.

The plot felt stagnate, though. I felt like Inez didn't gain any ground until about 60% of the way through the book. And yes, there was a good twist that went along with that, but leading up to that was kind of slow. The climax brought everything together but the epilogue made me want to groan.

Also, I was surprised at how much language was in this book.

That said, I'd read the next book in the series and try more books by this author.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this arc! For anyone who loves The Mummy you will love this! I've always been a fan of Egypt history and The Mummy is one of my favorite movies and this book hit all the marks! The ending left on a cliffhanger!! Def recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Summary
Inez is a young woman from Argentina who only sees her parents twice a year. During the other half, her parents are in Cairo exploring hidden tombs and finding treasure. But when she receives a letter that her parents have died, and she is now in the custody of her uncle, she escapes to Egypt to try and find out what happened to her parents. Inez meetings friends and foes along the way and is continually learning who can and cannot be trusted. It is a whirlwind of back and forth, but in the end… We are left awaiting the second book.

Big Picture Plot
Cleopatra’s tomb still has not been found. Inez’s uncle is set on finding it and set on sending her back to Argentina. However, her gift of art and connection to old world magic help her win her way into the crew and help to discover underground tombs.

Individual Character Musings
Inez struggles to find her way in life, always heartbroken that she is left behind, while her parents leave for Cairo every 6 months. However, she has a stubborn spirit, but is naïve to the world. Inez has many new experiences on her journey to find out what happened to her parents.

My Take
I loved the Egyptian history and rich descriptions of the setting that this book took place in. I also really loved how Ibanez incorporated multiple cultures into this book; it was well done, and Cairo was a perfect place to see a melting pot of cultures and languages. I did feel like I was whiplashed throughout the story, especially with Whit. He gave me a lot of red flags (see highlights & comments below) and, just like Inez, I was left wondering what his intentions were throughout the entire novel. There were also moments where it felt as if Whit was doing things to Inez because he is a man and has no self-control, and that Inez was supposed to enjoy it; this made me have MAJOR red flags. I can get that this is meant to sully his character and prepare you for the story to unfold how it did, but it made me uncomfortable and left wondering if young girls reading this would hope for that kind of toxic attention. The book was slightly slow moving for the first and did not seem to offer enough interest to keep me going until 60% of the book was done; then I felt as if I was, once again, whiplashed by all of the action and turmoil.


Would I Recommend?
I am not sure. I think I would like to see how the second book turns out before I make any promises. I would like to see how Ibanez detangles the Whit situation.


Rating: 3 stars

Highlights and Notes

• I devoured the various volumes from Description de L’Egypte and Florence Nightingale’s journals while traveling through Egypt, to Samuel Birch’s History of Egypt.
• If I recalled correctly, the last classic she tried to read had bitten her finger. Blood had stained the pages and the magic-touched book escaped out the window, never to be seen again. Though sometimes I still heard yips and growls coming from the sunflower beds.
• Animal droppings adorning the street.
• That intuition of his. I swore it was going to get me in trouble one day. I didn’t want to discover things I liked about him. A terrible thing to like someone you didn’t trust.
o Foreshadowing???
• He drank too much and probably flirted with every woman he met. It was hard to feel special if I was just a drop in the bucket. But he had saved my life. Cared to make sure if I was comfortable. Took my side in arguments with my uncle.
o This feels toxic. Red flag.
• My cheeks warmed as I stood, turning, and scrambling toward the opening, desperate to create distance between us. Miles would been preferable, but I’d settle for my room. I’d made a terrible mistake
• Whit still wouldn’t talk about the years he spent in the military, nor would he say much else about his family, but an easy camaraderie existed between us. He sought my company whenever there was any free time. I counted on him to bring me dinner when the hour grew late and I still hadn’t finished a particular sketch, and I always made sure his coffee was hot in the morning. It wasn’t everything, but at least we had a few smalls things between us that felt real.
o Nowhere had any of this happened. This felt like a fabricated part of the relationship.
• “I know when you are, Olivera,” Whit said. “You wear everything on your face.”
• He placed my hand on his heart. I felt its steady force under my fingers and I shivered. “Because I want one memory with you dancing. One thing that’s mine before we part ways . . .”
o I’m glad that’s what HE wants… what about Inez?!?
• “Inez,” he whispered slowly. “You’ll have to forgive me for what I do next.” The moment his mouth covered mine, every thought, every worry fled from my mind.
o Consent????

3.5

What the River Knows is a young-adult historical-fiction fantasy novel - where although magic is practically non-existent there are traces and a few individuals that can see, hear, or feel those traces and even fewer who can wield the magic. As each magical artifact exchanges hands the traces become fainter and fainter until they no longer exist. If one was looking to find an artifact that had not been touched since ancient times where else would one look but Ancient Egypt and within the tombs of the pharaohs and queens? That is where Inez Olivera's parents have been for the majority of the last 17 years and when Inez gets word that they are missing and presumed dead she rushes to the land they loved and to understand the parents she barely knew.

When Inez arrives she finds her uncle is the exact opposite of looking forward to seeing her and that besides a million secrets being withheld, 19th century Egypt is pretty dangerous - as are most industries that deal in priceless items.

Initially, I really liked this novel. I had an immediate connection to Inez - she was left in the care of her aunt in Argentina while her parents live the majority of their lives in Egypt. The small magical elements were at first easy to understand but then elements were added that complicated the system but didn't explain it. Beyond a few plot points, almost nothing happens for a huge chunk of the novel. We just continue to cover the exact same ground - Inez is in Egypt and both Whit and her uncle keep trying to get her to go home, she keeps asking them for information about her parents, or about themselves, or about Egypt and they keep telling her to just go home.

This is obviously set up to be a series, but this first novel did not hook me enough to continue the series. I really had to push myself to even finish this one, but I appreciate all of those who loved it and am happy to see a historical fantasy novel taking place in Egypt.

This is an immersive and captivating historical fantasy that will transport readers to the enchanting world of ancient Egypt. With its intriguing plot, well-developed characters, and a touch of magic, this book is a must-read for fans of adventure, romance, and mystery. This is a captivating and well-crafted story that combines history, adventure, romance, and magic into a thrilling package. Isabel Ibañez's writing style is immersive and descriptive, allowing readers to vividly imagine themselves in the world she has created. With its compelling characters and enthralling plot, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking an exciting and enchanting journey into ancient Egypt.

Loved the slight touch of fantasy mixed with history. Seriously swooning over the progression of Inez and Whit’s relationship. Dying over all the secrets and that Cliffhanger!!!! I loved this book!

I really enjoyed this! It had everything I look for - action, romance, rich world building and a strong female lead.

The writing was great, and I found myself totally immersed in the story and always wanting to read just one more chapter before I put it down.

It will be a long wait for the sequel after that cliffhanger!!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc copy!

4 ⭐️

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't expecting that ending!

Plot

A young woman from Buenos Aires named Inez Olivera is of Bolivian and Argentine descent and inherits both a mystery guardian and her parents' wealth. With her sketchbooks and a golden ring her father left her for safekeeping, she sets out for Cairo. As she travels, she learns that her guardian misled her about the circumstances of her parents' abduction. Inez must rely on ancient magic to discover the truth because her guardian's helper is obstructing her, or else she runs the risk of becoming a pawn in a deadly game.

The plot of the book was interesting. The pacing was a little slow in the beginning, but after the middle it gets better. The twists, well some of them were actually predictable while others not so much. I was really surprised with the ending. I thought this novel was a standalone, but I'm pretty sure this will be at least a duology, there's still so many questions left unanswered.

Characters

Inez Olivera

There were moments when she was a bit reckless and stupid, but in general I like her. She is a girl that just wants to know what happened to her parents and wants to know the truth.

Whit

I love Whit. He is sarcastic, funny and a complete mystery to me. I'm sad for him and for his past, but there's still so many things that I don't know about him. The ending left me question his actions and some of his decisions.

Ricardo

Ricardo is Inez's uncle and I really like him. Yes, he can be a little cold and bad with Inez, but at the same time I also think the reader can understand why he acts the way he acts with her.

Lourdes

She is still a huge mystery to me. I want to know what happened to her in past, what will happen to her. But, I really despise her.

Writing

I like Isabel's writing. It is good, simple and easy to follow. I love some quotes and the dialogue between the characters. My favorite part was definitely how she described Egypt.

World-Building

I think the reader can see that the author made a lot of research to write this book. I loved how she described the Ancient Egypt. It was well done.

The only problem that I have with the world-building is the magic system. For the most part, it came out of nowhere and I felt extremely confuse in some parts. I think the novel would have been better if the author didn't add any magic system.

Romance

I really loved the romance between Inez and Whit. Their interactions were so funny. I love how the author did their enemies to lovers arc. However, after reading the epilogue I really want to read the next book and see what will happen between them next.

Final Thoughts

I cannot wait for the second book. There's still so many things that I want to know.