I feel I should start off by saying that I am decidedly not in the target audience for YA and there are times when I really feel that - reading What the River Knows is definitely one of those times. In theory, this book had so much to offer - historical fantasy + magic, with a setting partly in turn of the century Argentina and partly in Egypt - but unfortunately the focus was far too much on the romance plot (decidedly too heavily present to be a sub-plot) rather than the setting, which was a disappointment.

The basic premise is that our teenage protagonist (Inez) is being brought up in genteel luxury in Argentina as her parents keep sloping off to Egypt, where her uncle is an archaeologist and they're his biggest financial supporters. Inez spends her time studying so she can try and persuade them to let her come along at some point, even if her family is more focussed on marrying her off. When news comes that her parents have died, Inez decides that the best thing to do is head for Egypt herself, so she can find out what happened and persuade her uncle that she should stay. There's also a sub-plot around magical artifacts which is triggered by Inez receiving an antique ring.

Unfortunately, on her arrival in Egypt she's met by the other part of the romantic plot (complete with obligatory troubled past and frequent reminders of how good looking and 'brawny' he is, which is an unfortunate choice of adjectives imho) and teenage hormones kick into overdrive and subsume everything else about the plot. There is, naturally, both betrayal and the discovery that her parents weren't quite what Inez thought. There's also, alas, the discovery that this isn't a standalone book but the first of a series with a nasty kicker in the final few pages that could have been foreshadowed more, given the way the book is structured.

All in all, chalk this one up to another book with a pretty cover that I probably wouldn't have bothered finishing if I hadn't got it from Netgalley. It's not bad per se, it's just very uneven in terms of its pacing and focus - I didn't come for teenage instalove, I came for the promise of plot in an interesting setting, so that's what I expect to get more of and What the River Knows didn't deliver for me.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley. This is my honest review of the book in question.

Omg!!! Actually adored this book, I’ve already read it more than once, and will definitely be recommending it to my friends, seriously worth the read.

I was going to give this book four stars BUT THAT ENDING. I NEED ANSWERS AND I NEED THEM NOW 😭😭

Okay, but on a serious note, this book is just so good.
It has great world-building, a wonderful and headstrong female character and a morally grey character.

Can I also just mention the antagonising slow burn that had me on the edge of my seat every time the two characters talked or looked at each other?? 😩

Also, let's not talk about the multitudes of plot twists that had me questioning every damn character except the one I should have been looking at 👀... *I'm still in shock*

I am pretty sure this book is this close 🤏🏼 in putting me in a reading slump (in a good way of course 😂)

After loving Woven in Moonlight and Together We Burn, I was sure I was going to love this book as well.
Alas, What the River Knows was an underwhelming story, with a slow pacing and unremarkable characters. The beginning dragged too much for my liking, with little action and too many descriptions. At some point I was so bored I had to skim through it. Even the characters couldn't hold my attention. It's a pity because it had the premises to be a great story.

Thank you netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this book. I absolutely loved this book. I read it in two sittings, the story telling was so magical and the plot and the characters where just amazing too, I absolutely loved this book. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'What the River Knows' by Isabel Ibañez.

'What the River Knows' is that latest novel from Isabel Ibañez and the concept - and the cover - was absolutely gorgeous and since I loved the previous ARC I had received of her work, I was excited. Sadly, this wasn't my favourite book and I felt like it dragged on certain areas. However I did really love the art work in the book so that's a plus.

A stunning historical fantasy that sucks you in to a beautiful ancient Egyptian setting. I loved the slow burn romance mixed with all the secrets and mystery. Although this had a slow pace I couldn't put this down I was completely hooked and I loved the character of Inez she is an amazing FMC and I loved seeing her grow. I can't wait for the sequel as well because that ending had me so shocked, I'm desperate to see where it will go.

I liked this, the writing was nice and the setting was really beautiful and unique. I wish plotwise there had been a little more action, a lot of it was quite slow but I still enjoyed reading this. It was an easy quick read and definitely entertained me. I also enjoyed the romance a lot, it didn't feel as trope-y as many other romance's do but very natural.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.75-4

Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton for sending the arc in exchange for a review.

After her parent’s deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune but no knowledge of their mysterious lives away from her in Egypt. Desperate for answers, without a chaperone, and without anyone’s knowledge, Inez sails to Cairo to see her archeologist uncle.
Everyone knows magic is fading, trapped in rare artefacts that are being illegally sold and passed on those powerful in greed and money.
Yet, Inez must rely on this ancient magic, somehow linked to Cleopatra, to discover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.

“Cleopatra commanded a fleet, battled insurrections, controlled Egypt's vast wealth, and survived famines. All that and history likes to portray her as a mere slip of a woman, a saucy vixen luring men to their downfalls.”

The discussions on culture and other forces coming to take over and control what doesn’t belong to them with such purpose and demand poised this entire narrative. It speaks to a wider problem of the powerful thinking they are entitled to what isn’t there’s - to domesticate, to extend, to civilise. This is in the facade of tourism, preserving history, prosperity, greed, and of course, money.

Papá had raged about all the ways Egypt was being reshaped. Managed by a foreign country who looked down at the locals, appalled at the audacity that they might want to govern themselves. He constantly worried foreigners would strip and loot every archaeological site before he could visit.

There is rivals-to-lovers in the guise of a charming British boy called Whit, who hides a darker past behind quick smiles and jokes. He matches Inez’s wit, her tricks and hijinks, her slyness, and her utter disregard for propriety.

“How is it that a moment ago, I wanted to strangle you, but now I feel like laughing?"
"It's part of my charm."

P.s make sure to read on a full stomach because the mouthwatering descriptions of the foods they eat! Yum. Also, there are illustrations!!! As if you need anymore incentive to read this.

Initially, this was going to be a strong 4 plus stars, but the last 20% let me down. It felt too rushed and offset the rest of the story. And then the ending cliffhanger was such a twist that it frustrated me.

This book was evocative, slow-moving, and beautifully soothing and contemplative. The writing absorbs you and claims your heart.

Since The Mummy (1999) is considered part of bisexual lore, I felt it was my obligation to read this book and man, it did not disappoint. What the River Knows was full of fantastic characters, lush descriptions and a cliffhanger that made me scream into my pillow.

From the start, however, I wished this was an adult fantasy. The naivety of the main character was oftentimes hard to read. and my frustration grew as she was betrayed and fooled time and time again. I'm hoping that Inez is much more capable in the next instalment and that Ibañez is able to dig a bit deeper into the souls of her characters.

I also felt like her mother's deception was not alluded to enough and revealing her to be the mastermind came out of nowhere. Not enough. clues were laid for the central mystery surrounding her parents demise and I felt like the mystery plot was sometimes neglected in favour of other subplots.

I did love Whit as a character and his relationship with Inez was so fun to read. Their banter and the tension between them was impeccable. I do find, however, that Whit reads like an American and not British. His words and mannerisms felt at times too colloquial and I kept hearing Brendan Fraser's Rick in my mind. The author needs to take more care to not have her characters sound too Americanized.

The magical worldbuilding did lack a bit and I'm hoping that that is expanded on in the sequel.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. I went into it thinking it would be a standalone so the cliffhanger did catch me off guard but the setting, characters and storyline are all very compelling. I can't believe I have to wait until 2024 to know what happens.

A brilliant read with excellent description and I loved the character of Inez, which was especially well drawn. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the novel.

I can’t, I just can’t deal. I need to process after that jaw dropping ending. I never really got the whole ‘screaming, crying, throwing up’ thing until I read this book. Pure perfection.

What the River Knows is a stunning historical fantasy with a seductive slow burn romance that is sure to enrapture from the first page. With secrets and betrayal around every corner, even when you think you know the truth, one tiny detail will shake you to the core.

I ADORED this book. The detail was exquisite; the depth and layers of the plot unparalleled. The atmosphere and emotion were conveyed exceptionally, I felt as though I were wandering through those temples with Inez. The descriptive imagery was so strong I could visualise the entire setting in my mind so vividly. The pacing was slow but it felt like sinking into a hot bath, so comforting and not at all boring. And the romance! The snarking and the lingering glances, whew!

Isabel is my favourite author and I was so excited to read this book before publication. WTRK is by far one of my favourite books I have ever read and I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel. Thank you so much Isabel for writing this incredible story and to hodderscape for approving my request.

The tagline of mummy meets death on the Nile sounded absolutely ideal to me!!!
With this book I felt fully immersed in the history and despite the fact that it’s more YA than I’d usually read I loved it! Also I’m a sucker for any mention of ancient Egypt and archeology!
I’s a long read but so worth it!