Where The Library Hides
Isabel Ibanez
4⭐️

Pub Date: 11/5/2024

Eeek! First chapter and my heart already was pounding! Whit and Inez just jumped right in! Their banter was still great although the tension is definitely less now that they're together. Now, I have loved Whit and Inez since book 1 but for some reason, their chemistry went down a little for me. Now there are definitely characters that are suspicious and it broke my heart to know who they were and what their motivations were. There were so many ulterior motives, sinister plans, and betrayal in this book as I would expect in an adventure-y plot in an Egyptian setting.

I didn't have to reread book1 because of how good it was and how much it really stuck to me. I remembered the important parts. And the other things and characters that left my memory, it was very easy to recall them as you read on with this book. You really just jump right back into the plot. This book is just action-packed. The plot is complex in a good way. It kept me guessing. I will say, I enjoyed book 1 better that this one but this is a good, satisfactory ending for this duology.

Thank you @netgalley and @wednesdaybooks for a gifted e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

It was exciting to see how things faired for Inez but Whit became a loathsome character who didn't deserve forgiveness. He loved her, he didn't, he couldn't live without her. His feelings seemed to shift depending on the need and that made him unbelievable. I can't understand why she forgave him. The twist with her dad though was thoroughly unexpected, and also sad. Poor Inez! She was used by everyone and is not a strong feminine character because she was so gullible. I'm glad this wasn't a trilogy!

I was so excited for this book! What the River Knows ended on such a cliffhanger. It has been a long time since I had that feeling where I can't wait to get home to read, but I had that with Where the Library Hides. It was entertaining and dramatic. There were unexpected twists and there was magic and drama. My only complaint is that it took us a long time to get to the library? We didn't even learn about it for ages. Still enjoyed it though!

Thank you so much to Wednesday Books for this e-ARC of one of my most anticipated reads EVER, Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez!!!! The way What the River Knows ended kept everyone awake and screaming, me included, and this book literally picks up right where we left off. I love Inez deeply, but her growth over the last two books was minimal and if anything, nonexistent. Her character has always been prone to taking risks and she continues to do so, but there's no true character arc and/or development for her. Whit is the same way, albeit on a smaller scale. I found that the tension that the author was trying to build was forced and their relationship was fraught with chemistry that was just a bit grating. I feel like if I was on the fence about Inez and Whit, I would not have enjoyed them in this book. Plus, the plot twist was practically thrown in your face. All that to say, I still enjoyed this book a lot and I'm really attached to the characters, but this book fell quite flat compared to What the River knows, in my honest opinion.

Isabel Ibañez delivers a captivating sequel with What the Library Hides, the follow-up to What the River Knows. Set against the sweeping, mystical backdrop of late-1800s Egypt, this novel masterfully intertwines ancient magic, personal redemption, and the fall of once-powerful figures. Ibañez takes readers deeper into the world of Inez Olivera and Whitford Hayes, creating a thrilling conclusion that is every bit as enchanting as its predecessor. As a lover of Egyptian history, mythology, and romance, I couldn’t put this book down. From its rich atmosphere to its powerful emotional arcs, What the Library Hides is a satisfying, high-stakes adventure.

Picking up where What the River Knows left off, Inez Olivera is still reeling from the treachery and near-death experiences she endured during her uncle’s archaeological expedition in Egypt. In this sequel, the tension is cranked up even higher as Inez’s quest for justice takes center stage. Her determination to hold those responsible for her family’s suffering accountable is palpable, but she faces immense obstacles—not the least of which is being a young, unmarried woman in a patriarchal society. As her uncle, Tío Ricardo, insists on sending her home to Argentina for her safety, Inez must find a way to stay and fight for what’s rightfully hers.

Enter Whitford Hayes, the enigmatic British soldier and aide-de-camp to her uncle. The romance between Inez and Whit simmers throughout the book, deepened by layers of loyalty, distrust, and profound emotional stakes. When Whit proposes marriage to help Inez gain control over her inheritance at the end of book one, the story starts in high gear at the beginning of the sequel. What starts as a matter of convenience quickly evolves into something far more complex. The nuanced romance between them is one of the highlights of the novel, offering moments of both heartbreak and hope. Ibañez doesn’t shy away from exploring the tension between love and deception, and watching Inez navigate her growing feelings for Whit while grappling with his secrets makes for a gripping emotional journey.

One of the aspects I loved most about this book is its sense of atmosphere. The world Ibañez creates is rich with the beauty and mystery of Egypt, infused with ancient magic and powerful forces lurking beneath the surface. From the sprawling deserts to the shadowy, magical libraries, the novel immerses you in a world that feels both haunting and full of possibility. Ibañez’s vivid descriptions transport you to another time and place, making every scene feel cinematic. As someone who’s always drawn to stories set in Egypt, What the Library Hides satisfied that yearning for historical adventure and the allure of the unknown.

In addition to its evocative setting, the novel’s themes of redemption and betrayal are particularly compelling. We witness characters who fall from grace, their hidden motives revealed, while others rise as they confront their pasts. I loved how Ibañez gave room for personal growth—characters like Whit, who was initially shrouded in mystery, are fleshed out in a way that makes their redemption arcs satisfying. At the same time, some characters succumb to darker paths, their moral failures laid bare in a way that adds complexity to the story. The emotional stakes are high, and the resolution of these arcs feels well-earned.

The romantic ending was the cherry on top. After all the tension and uncertainty, seeing Inez and Whit’s relationship come to fruition was immensely satisfying. Their journey together is full of twists and betrayals, but the ending left me with a sense of closure and hope. The balance of romance and adventure kept me hooked until the very last page.

In conclusion, What the Library Hides is a thrilling, atmospheric, and emotionally charged novel that delivers everything I loved about What the River Knows, and more. It’s a story of survival, love, and the pursuit of justice, all set against the backdrop of a magical, mysterious Egypt. Isabel Ibañez has crafted a world I would happily return to, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

*I received this book as an arc from Netgalley for an honest review.
The story started off right where the first one left off. This book has so many dangerous high stakes adventures. It definitely keeps you entertained throughout. I really enjoyed the banter even though they barely got along through most of the book. The resolution made sense.
This was a great story overall.

I absolutely loved this book!
This was such a phenomenal sequel to What the River Knows.
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours.
It was immersive, beautifully crafted with seamless prose, filled with heartbreaking and swoon worthy romance and an adventure of a lifetime.
The twists were set up perfectly and my jaw was on the floor. This was such a perfectly executed book and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us in the future!

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

thank you to netgalley for providing me with an arc.

spoilers ahead

Loved! An epic conclusion that continues to world build to allow more books in the future (that seems to be what was hinted at). Isadora! The betrayer!!! I actually thought that Whit would be wrong, as that tends to be a trope I see often, but clearly I was wrong as she ended up getting crushed by a column (or did she???) What a way to go! Death by betrayer your sister and her husband. I did feel like the end was ever so slightly rushed with the whole hidden part of the library, as it was such an intense build up over the books and I wanted more time with that plot. Her father!! I gasped out loud at the reveal of her father not only being alive but being one of the first characters we meet in the book who betrays Inez?? I would love to know more about the magic at play. This was a great sequel and I look forward to reading more from this author.

I really wanted to love Where the Library Hides, especially after thoroughly enjoying What the River Knows. Isabel Ibañez’s writing has always been lush and atmospheric, and she does a beautiful job of bringing Egypt to life in her descriptions. The historical details and mystical elements are certainly intriguing, especially for someone who has visited Egypt, and the romance between Inez and Whit has moments that spark.

However, I found this book slower to start than I’d hoped. The pacing felt drawn out, making it hard for me to fully engage in the story right away. At times, it felt as if the plot was trying too hard to be grand and impactful, which ultimately took away from the natural flow that I loved in the first book.

Despite these challenges, there are definitely moments of magic and beauty, especially as the story reaches its conclusion. For fans of the first book, it is still worth reading to see where Inez’s journey leads, but it didn’t quite capture the same excitement and depth I’d felt before.

Overall, Where the Library Hides is a decent conclusion to the series, even if it didn’t fully meet my expectations. I hope others may find it more captivating than I did!

After the cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers, it was such a joy to come back to Inez's world and see her adventure all the way through! There is a great balance of the swoony romance, the adventure, and the tense, now-avenging mystery and it is a fun, exciting book that you could easily finish in just a couple of sittings! I will absolutely miss this world.

I absolutely loved What the River Knows, and the cliffhanger at the end had me eagerly waiting and watching for the sequel. I confess I was sadly disappointed by the Where the Library Hides. The first book went from being an Indiana Jones and The Mummy mashup (which was so good), to a sequel that lacked characters with depth and substance.
In book two, I thought Inez would grow and learn from her impulsive mistakes, but she remained static and frustratingly selfish and naive. Her character never developed into the intelligent woman the author claimed she was supposed to be. In addition, her relationship with Whit felt superficial and flat.
I enjoyed the duel perspective and found myself looking forward to the times when we saw things from the lens of Whit. But all conflicts and plot twists felt a bit contrived.
All in all, I’d say Where the Library Hides is a 2.5 star rating rounded up to 3.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An entertaining read, though I wanted more out of this duology in terms of plot and substance.

These books are a bit too mired in romantic subplot for my taste, but if you like that sort of thing, you’ll probably enjoy these more than I did. Unfortunately this aspect of the story really takes over the second book, and I got bored quickly with all the I love you, I hate you, I love you again back and forth. It feels contrived and wastes pages that could have been spent deepening the central plot, which is far more intriguing and worthy.

I wish we’d gotten a lot more setting and a lot more archaeological history than we do here. It almost feels like an afterthought, which is a shame because what we do get of this is quite good. I also would have liked to see a better developed magical system. This one seems to come and go on a whim when it’s convenient, and I think it would have been a much better story had it either leaned into the fantasy aspects with more dedication or simply been grounded firmly in the real world.

I liked the characters and the writing is lovely, but this wasn’t quite what it needed to be in terms of plot and theme. Might be a good pick for younger YA readers, especially those focused on romance.

I loved this title as much as I loved the first in the duology. I appreciated the historical aspects and the imagery. Thanks for making available!

This is a perfect example of a sequel done right! My gosh I devoured this!
The pacing was great, all the questions from book 1 got answered, we got to see more emotions from characters and it was really lovely to see characters not try and excuse their actions but show with more actions how they would continue to try and be better!
One thing I also loved was that this picked up right after book 1. I’m not a fan of time jumps when it’s just 2 books so getting back into this world and not feeling like I missed months was amazing!

4.25⭐️2.75🌶️

Book 2 in Duology
New Adult Romantasy
Dual POV
Historical fantasy
Magical realism
Egyptian Setting
Coming of Age
Hispanic Heritage
Mystery
Secrets
Grief
Banter

*Closed door romance


Where the Library Hides picks up exactly where the first left off. And the characters are so strong and set up in rhe beginning that it’s like I read book 1 yesterday, when I actually read it months ago.

I found the atmosphere a little less defined in this portion of the duology. There was so much going on that I am afraid the author didn’t spend as much time immersing us in the setting. The Library centric plot point, which could have been such a sensory experience, wasn’t even brought up until later in the book. It’s hard to not notice, when book 2 had SO much of the river in the book.


The foreshadowing was a bit more smack you in the face, you can’t miss it, than I prefer. Twists were obvious chapters in advance. Even most of the characters seemed to see things coming while Inez fell backwards a bit backward and back into the naivety I thought she left behind in book 1. But, she is also a 19yo.

There was a tiny bit of an opening for a spin-off, and I’m not sure if I’m looking forward to that or not.

Overall, I really did love this bingable duology!


Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books for an Advanced eReader Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Amazing book! Isabel Ibañez is easily one of the best writers of young adult literature. I remember Ibañez documenting her research trip to Egypt for this very series. To finally be able to read it is the best gift ever. For all the children who were interested in Ancient Egypt as a kid, this book is a love letter to you, the reader. Our library has purchased a copy and I will be promoting this series to everyone--it's that good! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for this advanced reader copy.

Inez Olivera must choose: leave Egypt or marry Whitford Hayes. After the events of book one, Inez cannot leave Egypt, but can she trust Whit with her plans, or her heart?
Where the Library Hides is the stunning sequel to What the River Knows, full of adventure, romance, betrayal and hidden discoveries.

Where the Library Hides is a fun conclusion to the book What the River Knows. It continues where the previous book left off and follows Inez and Whit as they search for Inez's mother and the stolen artifacts. The story was engaging and I was eager to find out what happened next. I throughly enjoyed this book and the duology as a whole!

Review:



I was excitedly anticipating the return of Inez, one of my favorite YA heroines with her wit and rebellion, as well as, reading past the cliff-hanger from book one.

I LOVED the betrayal from Whitford, though I was disappointed that it didn’t lead to more of an estrangement between the two; I was hoping for more of a “camping” scenario where they are truly separated. There was angst, but there was no real threat that they weren’t going to end up together. As I was reading about the deception and when Whit stole all of Inez money, I had to wonder “why all?” Taking ALL seemed like it was intended to hurt Inez, it didn’t seem to make sense that Inez had the perfect inheritance amount to save Whits sister (who was so insignificant to me that I cannot remember her name).

I also did love the Cleopatra flashbacks, and wished for more in-depth visions, maybe even an actual interaction with Cleopatra since she was such a strong magician.

Now on to the unfortunate details of why this book did not deliver:

1. I still don’t know where the library hides. I was getting so lost with where the events were happening. I could not picture it, and sadly, all the hopes of having another grand adventure with Inez fell so flat that I could barely keep reading. I did not feel as though we were on to a discovery of any sort. When discoveries were made, they seemed so… superficial. I was rolling my eyes most of the time or didn’t even care/know what they were referring to. It didn’t feel clever or cunning like it did in book 1.

2. Isadora. Wow. I cannot express my disdain for this character. She took up way to much of the book for no reason. Inez already has a mother who betrayed her and a missing father, a husband who stole all her money and a dead cousin. Did we really need a mystery sister who tries to also murder her? Don’t we already have enough?

3. Cayo. What a bizarre and not-so-welcome twist. I was really rooting for Cayo to show up and be the ONE PRO-INEZ character since literally every person who ever met Inez is either dead, betrayed her, or in prison. But the author thought that even though Inez is portrayed as a loving and trusting person, we need to have her father also *takes mask off* reveal that he is also an artifact smuggler who, coincidentally, has no love for Inez and tries to kill her. What I cannot believe is what complete bad luck Inez has. It’s so out there and goes against every reference to Cayo thus far, that this in itself feels like a farse. Why did the author need yet ANOTHER family member to betray Inez? It was too much and, frankly, unrealistic.

4. Plot line. There was a lot of plot lines that created to much noise. I would have loved it just to be Whit and Inez trying to find the library and in doing so, saved or discovered Cayo and brought justice to Lourdes. There were too many distractions which made it hard to follow and hard to enjoy.



I do appreciate the opportunity to read Where the Library Hides. Though it did not deliver to my expectations, I will continue to follow Isabel Ibanez in her writing journey because of how wonderful book one was.

The perfect follow up to What the River Knows!

I loved everything about this story. This book wraps up all of the loose ends that we were left with in What the River Knows. We dive a little deeper into how the magic works and we get to see our characters go through some pretty transformative events in the short timeline of this story. The character arc for Inez was so well done. The traumas she experienced in such a short amount of time really changed her, and we saw how that played out on the page. She's still young, she's still impulsive, but she also realizes a lot about her life and how she can be happy in her future. While the timeline is short, we really get to see her grow up.

What I thought was done well here was the balance of twisty reveals and anticipation for things you know are coming. One betrayal was obvious (Whit kept telling us, so we knew something was up) but the details really built anticipation for how our characters would learn of said betrayal. Another twist came absolutely out of left field! I loved the way it handled the concept of how power corrupts, the commentary on women's rights, and the atmosphere of Egypt in 1885.