I don't think that this sequel was as good as the first book unfortunately, but I still love these characters and the world and i was entertained the whole time soooooo rounding up it is

This sequel didn't really go the way I expected.
Before I continue if you haven't read the first book definitely don't read this review and I'm gonna try to keep this as spoiler free as possible. Now buckle up, it might be a long one.

So the book starts exactly where the first one ended. The prologue is literally a continuation of the last chapter of What the River Knows before the epilogue.
Interestingly, Inez didn't react to the marriage proposal the way I thought she would which was a nice surprise. I honestly thought she'll jump blindly into the marriage without thinking it through (I mean, hello! It's Whit, I wouldn't have blamed her lol) especially given the intensity of her feelings. But she actually took her whole situation into consideration and was hesitant to make that kind of commitment. This was a nice change from her usual reckless behavior and I appreciated her development after everything she went through in book one.

Now, I have several issues with this sequel.
I cant believe I'm saying this but the first half of Where the Library Hides was pretty frustrating and that came mostly from Whit.
I wanted to throttle him during the first ~200pages, hell I was barely rooting for him, he really, really pissed me off. But what pissed me off even more than his betrayal (I don't even think this is a spoiler because if u have read the first book u know this is coming just not how or when) was not only the utter lack of apology after she found out, apology for hurting Inez not so much anything else, but also the way even, me the reader, couldn't tell what he was feeling about the whole situation.
Isabel gave us his POV but when it came to what Whit felt towards Inez and the situation they were in, his POV was sooooooo vague, too vague, we are as in the dark as Inez is.
I missed the build up and tension that we had in the first book. Whit's inner conflict regarding Inez, especially when their relationship evolved in later stages, was delicious. The whole "I want her, but I shouldn't, I will ignore that, I will stay away from her, OH, but I can't!" was just so good, and so well done. That's completely missing in he sequel and it could've been done in a similar way after what happened between them.
I suspect that, to a point, Isabel did it on purpose especially with what's revealed later on. I think maybe she wanted to have a big moment where his true feelings were revealed but the build up to that was missing because we literally don't get any indication until we get there and because of that, in my opinion, the romantic plotline suffered.

I was expecting WTLH to be different in tone, and the first half of the book certainly focuses more on the emotional impact rather than much of anything else happening. Which I don't mind, I didn't think there will be banter on every other page but again, because of the way Whit's chapters were written in the end I was frustrated at least half of the time. The magic i felt when i was reading WTRK was not really there. (I'm not gonna lie though Isabel tugged on my heart strings more than once, this book was definitely more emotional that the first)

I also thought that Inez will focus on looking for her father and then looking for the library given the title and what was hinted but neither of those things happens the way i thought they would and neither was a major plotline which was even more surprising.

The second half of the book, or after part III, is where it got really good. That was, i would say, the turning point for the story.
The plot was unquestionably more exciting and interesting, the tension was also much better and I love that we finally start to see past Whit's defenses—we get glimpses of vulnerability that I wish we saw earlier in the book.
There is a very big moment in this second half which brought me tears (happy tears!) and i was really expecting something like this to happen if Inez was ever going to forgive Whit. The reveal was a little abrupt since we don't see a build up from the beginning as i mentioned but I still loved it and I was honestly even hoping for something like it.

Speaking of reveals and twists there were a bunch in this book that shocked me, some more than others, though I have to admit that the 2 major twists were so crazy they felt a little far-fetched.

Regardless, I was super entertained the whole time, as I mentioned earlier and the second half managed to make up for my frustration during the first.
One of my absolute fav chapters was the one where they went to the Lighthouse—it was adventurous, it was dangerous, it was intense. I really thought the whole book will be like that, just nonstop adventure, but that wasn't really the case.
Loved the ending and the epilogue made me cry. I can't believe this is the last we see of Whit and Inez though I truly hope that spinoff teased at the end of the book really happens.

eternal gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

To be honest, the first book felt lacking. I wanted more, more explanation of the fascinating magic instead of using it whenever there was no other way to explain something. I wanted more passion, and more understanding of her parents. I wanted Whit to have certain motivations. I wanted there to have been a better editing job that would have helped her be more clear and concise in the right moments (some mystery is expected!)

To start with the sequel I was profoundly disappointed. I wanted Whit to want the papyrus so he could cure his sister's hidden ailment, I wanted them to find a way to bring Elvira back, I wanted all these things and they were not there.

Once I got past my own expectations, I started to enjoy the story.

This one lacks the archeological dig setting, taking place almost entirely in cities but it was still an excellent setting.

Once I relaxed my wants for the characters, I enjoyed their journeys. The twists and turns left me gasping and so excited to read more.

I did enjoy this one, despite my own ideas and predictions.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC!

Isabel Ibañez is an author to watch out for. Her books will legit tear you apart but its okay because they're so good that you will just keep coming back for more. What the river knows was a standout ya novel for me, and its sequel was no less impressive. The characters are so wonderful, and the dynamics were really incredible. I'm sad it's over, but I can't wait to read whatever comes next.

"Where the Library Hides" by Isabel Ibañez is an absolute gem that wraps up the story from "What the River Knows" in the most thrilling way possible! Set against the stunning backdrop of 1885 Egypt, this lush historical fantasy has everything: adventure, mystery, and a riveting rivals-to-lovers romance that will leave you breathless.

Inez Olivera’s journey is nothing short of captivating. Reeling from her cousin Elvira's murder and her mother’s betrayal, Inez is thrust into a whirlwind of emotions. You feel her struggle as she faces a tough choice: marry the dashing but infuriating Whitford Hayes or risk everything.

Ibañez has a gift for creating vivid settings, and Egypt truly comes alive in her hands. The rich descriptions transport you to bustling markets and sun-soaked landscapes, making you feel like you’re right there with Inez. It’s a world filled with secrets and shadows, perfectly mirroring Inez’s own journey of self-discovery.

The stakes are sky-high, and just when you think you know where the story is headed, Ibañez throws in twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. The emotional depth and character growth are woven beautifully into the narrative, making this not just a romance but a powerful tale of resilience.

Overall, "Where the Library Hides" is a must-read that beautifully balances suspense, heart, and a touch of magic. Isabel Ibañez has crafted a mesmerizing conclusion that will stay with you long after the last page. If you love immersive storytelling and unforgettable characters, this novel is an absolute treasure!

This book was a wonderful action packed and twisty follow up to What the River Knows! So glad it started off right where the first book left off and we weren’t left wondering too long about that cliff hanger. Although I missed the archaeological dig and discovery aspect from River, the action in this was fast paced and fun! And wow, I didn’t see those twists coming! Loved this book!!

This was a great follow up to the first book. Didn't lose momentum, had new twists and turns, and was a great read. The pair of books are delightful and I definitely recommend them.

First l'd like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Isabel Ibanez for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a love song to the heart of a little girl that wanted to grow up to be an archaeologist. Thank you for taking us along on Inez's journey through self reliance and the mystery surrounding her parents. Every plot twist actually surprised me even! The mysteries of Cleopatra added a hint of curious wonder about those we never truly knew. I cannot wait to purchase my copy once it's released!

A captivating read for fans of lush historical fantasy, magical realism, and epic romance, particularly those who delight in immersive stories set in ancient Egypt, rich in adventure, mystery, and forbidden love.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book! Having just finished it and given some thought to my review, I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars.

I seriously loved and adored this book. Egypt has always been a big love of mine, especially Ancient Egypt and that’s why I fell so heavily in love with book one and that love continued into book two. I don’t want to spoil this book, but the action truly does continue into this one and the mystery of Inez’s mother (and father) does too. Whit and Inez continue their story and continue working to try and recover Cleopatra after the events of the last book and oh boy do things get real SUPER fast. The action was perfect I felt and the chemistry and relationship between Whit and Inez continued to grow from book one. Without spoilers, again, these two have a super complicated relationship and while Whit is by no means a perfect man, or necessarily a good choice for Inez given his actions in this book, I absolutely adore them together and the clear love they have for each other. Honestly, the exploration of relationships in this book - especially Inez’s relationships - were great; I adored finding out about all of these complicated relationships and without spoilers, my poor Inez, the girl needs a big hug.

The main reason why I can’t give this book 5 stars is that the plot was just really missing something for me. Book one had a lot of focus on Cleopatra and her tomb and its discovery and I was so hoping for more of that in this book. And while the plot very much still focused on Cleopatra, it was lacking a lot of the archeology and that Ancient Egypt vibes from book one. While this book has a bit of a bigger focus and shift to the Library of Alexandria, which makes sense given the direction the plot takes, I felt like that focus wasn’t enough and that Inez and Whit should have spent more time in this area than what we actually got. The main Library part was done in about 70 pages or so with very little exploration of it as this was where the climax of the plot all happened and it just felt super rushed over and rushed through which was very disappointing to me both as a reader and as an avid “the burning of the Library of Alexandria keeps me up at night” kinda person. I felt like the pacing in the beginning was quite slow too, things didn’t start to really pick up until 100 pages in which I felt a little put off by. However the twists and turns in this book was top notch, each twist had me in shock and immediately reading more to see how the twists played out and how Inez would react to them.

I was also hoping for a bit more of an explanation as to the “magic” in this world. With it being the second book and the last of this duology I was hoping that the author would give us just a little bit more insight and explanation as to the magic that’s left in this world, but it never happened. While high fantasy is my real love in reading, I wasn’t expecting a high fantasy type of magic in a young adult book by any means, but since magic is an integral part to the plot of the duology, I found myself wanting to know just a little bit more about how it worked and how it came about and why it’s no longer as prominent in the world, how magic-touched items came to be, who imbued the items with magic, etc. I truly feel like this is a missed opportunity to expand this fantasy world just a little bit more by the author.

Overall, I truly loved this book, I just wish that Inez and Whit had more time with the Library and doing archeological type stuff there together like they did with Cleopatra’s tomb in book one. The ending also felt a bit rushed and unfinished which was disappointing to me; it felt like we still had another 20 or so pages to go when the epilogue hit and ended so quickly. My arc copy on NetGalley only had 330 pages while Goodreads is showing the hardcover as 400 pages, so maybe there’s more in the finished book, fingers crossed! Also, personally, I do feel like this easily could have been a trilogy with the plot moving onto the Pyramids of Giza, especially since it’s mentioned in the ending notes that Inez and Whit go there anyways; the ending was just truly that rushed to me that it feels like we SHOULD have one more book. The wrap up with Inez’s mother (and father) easily could have gone on for another book without feeling like it’s being drawn out and dragged on too much, but that’s just my personal opinion.
I’m also selfishly hoping that the tidbit in the end of Arabella going to Egypt and having her own adventures means we might still be coming back to this world again, so my fingers are crossed for this too!

Again, thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read the arc of this book!

"When the Nile knows a secret, the desert will soon know it, too." (Ethiopian Proverb)

Isabel Ibanez continues the flow in her second book in the Secrets of the Nile Series. If you've had the pleasure of reading What the River Knows #1, then you're already perched at the ready for this one. I'd encourage you to read the first book in order to get a feel for these characters and a heads-up on the circumstances.

Inez Olivera has had many stamps on her travel itinerary in 1885. She's left the comfort of Buenos Aires by ship to arrive in Cairo and then Alexandria. Inez is trying to follow in pursuit of her archaeologist parents. Inez has always been close to her father. She arrives at their hotel rummaging through their things for a simple clue.

Her Uncle Ricardo is up in arms at her arrival. Keeping Inez under control is a monumental effort. Inez has a locomotive personality. Isabel Ibanez has created one feisty character while adding magical elements to this storyline. After all, her parents may have known the location of Cleopatra's tomb with all its regality. Inez has a gold ring in her possession given to her by her father. What is the actual source of this intriguing piece of jewelry?

We'll have the addition of Whitford Hayes, a former British military stained by rumors of being a defective. Whit and Inez seem to have a destiny. Stay tuned for the coming events. It's a wild ride down the Nile into highly dangerous waters. Isabel Ibanez sees to it.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Publishing Group and to the talented Isabel Ibanez for the opportunity.

I am always nervous to begin reading sequels, especially when I really loved the first book in a series. I have been burned so many times by poor writing, hasty publishing deadlines, and unfulfilled ideas. After my surprising enjoyment (or rather, not so surprising, in hindsight, but that's what it's there for) of What the River Knows, I was elated to receive the ARC for Where the Library Hides, but was anxious to start.

I should not have been. Readers, Ibañez has written a triumphant, rollicking sequel that not only lives up to part 1, but, perhaps, surpasses it. What the River Knows was much like a river -- frantic in stretches, but also luxurious and slow when needed, to situate us readers into Inez's character and world. Here, we are deeply ensconced in both Inez and Whit's perspectives, with the tensions ratcheted and the secrets bigger. Where the Library Hides has a much more frenetic pace, but also has more emotional twists and payoffs that kept it from going stale.

Sure, some things I could quibble over, but having just finished it a few minutes ago, I can hardly remember the flaws. Instead, I am sad the adventure is over and am recalling most of it quite fondly.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

i am so in love with my two idiots - and what a tangled web of a book!!!!! this duology was so fucking good, mummy fans take note. i was devouring every page

3.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this duology- though I wish I’d been able to read the two books back to back. So much happened in the first book that it was a bit difficult to remember all of the characters and events that had taken place. I love the relationship between Whit and Inez, and the author did a great job building up some angst and heartbreak. However, the resolution seemed a bit abrupt considering she said she’d never forgive him. I was definitely surprised by some of the events in this book, but the seemed completely out of the blue and unrealistic based on the picture painted from the first book. Magic was also a bit more prevalent in this story than the first. It was definitely an entertaining read, but upon reflection, there are a lot of disconnects between the tone and story of the first book and this one. Regardless, I did enjoy it if I don’t think too deeply about it.

This kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The twists and turns, and drop ins from family members that we had only met in mention during the first half of this story. It kept me chuckling, and I feel like the story as a whole wrapped up very nicely. There's a big story twist that I didn't see coming, and it gave another added layer of complexity that was needed to the plot.

It picks up literally less than a day after the cliffhanger from "What The River Knows", and if you're looking for a mysterious action/adventure for your teen. This book is for you. The banter between Whit and Inez is there, if not more so; and the author kept with a traditional young adult by doing a fade to black. Which fits the time frame she has placed this story in and the genre she's writing.

Who's ready to go back to Egypt?

Yet again, I've fallen in love with an Isabel Ibanez novel! Many times I read a second book in a series and lament my dying expectations when it doesn't deliver like the first in the series...that is not the case here.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, & St. Martin's Press for the eARC in return for an honest review. HONESTLY, I don't know why more people aren't fawning over this author's books. "Together We Burn" was absolutely marvelous. "Woven in Moonlight" has my heart...I just can't recommend this author enough. Please trust me when I say you won't be disappointed. I am not even going to talk about the fact that Inez is one of the best written FMC that I have EVER read. I won't elaborate on how impossibly attractive Whit is as a MMC. I'm especially not going to become over excited and wordy when describing the delicious writing, imagery, dangerous and enthralling escapades, and witty banter that makes the reader continue turning pages at 3AM and foregoing much needed sleep. No, I am going to let this story speak for itself.
Trust me, BUY book 1 and PRE-ORDER book 2!!! You won't be disappointed!

NO REGRETS!!!!
5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to St. Martin's press for this digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've been impatiently waiting for this book ever since the cliffhanger I was left on in the last one! This was the perfect finale for this duology.

Inez and Whit's story pick up right where we left off in the first book and we dive right into a new adventure and uncover some new secrets. The character tension is palpable.

There is a lot of improvements in the writing from book one. The pacing is much better. Inez, is showing a lot more emotions (although stubborn as always). I also feel like the magic system is explained more, even though the magical elements take more of a backseat in this story. And Whit's POV had a lot more depth than what we got from the last book.

All in all - get ready for an exciting story where you're unsure what the true intensions are for each character. I was hoping I my instincts wouldn't steer me wrong on this one.

I hope you enjoy having your eyes glued to each page because you won't want to put this down!

What the River Knows was one of my favorite books of last year and I'm happy to report that the sequel did not disappoint!
Inez and Whit are back and reeling from Lourdes' betrayal in the first book. Together - with some side characters from the first book - they need to figure out where Cleopatra's stolen artifacts went before they can be sold off. Where the Library Hides brings back the same high stakes adventure, adorable banter, and sneaky twists that I loved in the first book, all against the beautiful Egyptian setting Ibañez depicts.

What I LOVED
-Inez & Whit navigating a new side of their relationship and learning how to better support each other (plus their banter is still top tier)
-Bringing some side characters from the first book along for the ride and fleshing then out a bit more. I really enjoyed getting to know them more and seeing how their personalities changed the dynamic of Inez and Whit.
-Inez is still so messy, I love her. Never have I been so connected to a main character with no survival instincts. I mean this is the nicest way: this girl is an enigma to me. She is too curious and too trusting, she tries to hold grudges but simply cannot, she constantly overestimates her own abilities in getting out of a tricky situation. She LOVES making little plans and then not telling anyone what she's up to. I can understand how this might be frustrating for some people, but I think it makes for a truly chaotic and fun reading experience.
-Mystery on mystery! While I did miss the excavation and discovery underscoring the first book, it was fulfilled by a focus on tracking down clues and unveiling hidden identities. The mystery element felt stronger in this book and there were a few good twists that left me shook.
-More Whit POV. Absolutely no one is doing it like this guy. He is snarky and annoyed and probably going to knock someone unconscious, but he also has his own little agenda that was interesting to learn more about
-The ending. Finales are tough. Wrapping up a bunch of different mysteries is tough. But I was genuinely pleased with the ending. There was an exciting fight that left me on the edge of my seat the whole time, emotional beats, and a satisfying conclusion that ties up everyone's stories.

What I thought was Meh
-The magic system DID get more attention and was more fleshed out, but I still think it's more of an after thought to the series. With Cleopatra's scroll being more important in this book, I would have loved to see more alchemy in practice - other than dream sequences. My biggest gripe is why magic-touched items aren't more popular to be excavated and sold? I understand that there are less in the world now, but how come traders don't seem interested in them? It just feels like only a handful of people care about magic when it should be more sought out?
-One of the twists seemed like a rehash of one of the major twists in the first book. Once again Inez proves that her instinct to trust someone is going to end up hurting her. I kept thinking "surely this won't happen again, right?" And then it did. This was ultimately what made this book a little less enjoyable than the first for me. I just felt like Inez didn't grow or learn anything from her experiences. And the fallout from the twist didn't seem to have much consequence. A bigger twist towards the end overshadowed the first and made all the attention it got feel like a waste. This time around I was hoping Inez would learn better instincts or end up having been right for once.

Overall this was a terrific close to a beautiful duology! The pacing felt much better than the first book and I genuinely could not stop reading at some parts because I had to know what was going to happen. It was fun and exciting and interesting and all wrapped up in a satisfying way.

This was such a strong conclusion to the Secrets of the Nile duology. Inez is hands-down one of my favorite main characters. I loved the archaeology aspect of this series, and I really wasn't expecting to enjoy the romance as much as I did. Book 2 definitely ups the angst, but I didn't mind. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

One thing about Isabel Ibanez - this woman can write a realistic enemies-to-lovers with ALL the angst and authenticity like absolutely no other author I've found. Enemies-to-lovers is a popular trope, and for good reason, but 9 times out of 10, it's manufactured hate/angst with no true basis in reality and often with a MMC whose actions and thoughts are a far cry from what a typical man would say or do, falling for the FMC way too quickly or thinking only of her at all times. Not so with Ibanez.

In this sequel to "What the River Knows," we are once again immersed in the world of Inez Olivera and Whitford Hayes, two characters who feel achingly real, with realistic thought patterns, dialogue, and motivations. You find yourself rooting for both, even when their interests don't necessarily align. The story picks up where the previous novel left off and doesn't let up from there. Everything about this novel (and its predecessor) is masterful: the plot and pacing, the depth and complexity of the characters, the tension and intrigue, the absolutely incredible world-building.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in romance, historical fantasy, historical fiction, or just a truly well-written YA novel.

Isabel Ibanez is a must-read, and her works are an auto-buy for this reader and teacher. I will surely be purchasing a copy or two of this sequel for my classroom library.

This was such a great follow up to book 1 and the perfect ending to the series. I couldn’t put it down from the dedication, through all the twists and finally the happy ending. For fans of the Amelia Peabody series who also love a touch of magic, this series is a can’t miss!