Rounded up from 3.5 stars

What The River Knows will be published October 31. Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to receive this eARC because of the comparisons to The Mummy and Death on the Nile, the rivals-to-lovers, and the focus on ancient Egypt. Overall, What the River Knows was a solid read, featuring a side of slow burn romance, banter, history, and action and adventure, but stars were deducted for pacing and development.

The novel takes place in 1884, in the same historical world we live in, but with magical realism features. Items are imbued with magic (we aren’t sure how or by whom), but the special artifacts or items impart remnants of that power onto the wielded until the magic fades away. Our main female character is Inez Olivera, whose parents have been away excavating in Egypt off and on for 16 years, as she lives with her Aunt and two cousins in Argentina. When Inez turns 18, she receives devastating news that her parents are gone. She decides to flee Argentina and make the journey to Egypt to meet with her Uncle and find out what happened to her mother and father.

Enter Whitford “Whit” Hayes, a handsome Englishman who works for Inez’s Uncle, doing some shady side jobs. Whit and the Uncle try to make Inez go back to Argentina, but she has her own plans. Without giving away the plot, chaos ensues, and we are thrust into a vivid depiction of Egypt and trying to find not only the lost tomb of Cleopatra, but also the truth of what happened to her family.

I appreciated the descriptions of Egypt and found myself transported back to the age of exploration, being carted down the Nile on the Elephantine. I felt like I was seeing Egypt and the tombs as if I saw them in Inez’s paintings. The book addresses the plundering of tombs and stealing of artifacts by the English, and it was evident that Ibañez did a lot of research.

I wish the magic system was more thoroughly explained. Yes, there are magicked artifacts that give their power to the person who possesses them until the power is gone, but how does that process work? Who can impart the magic? Why did it stop? I thought the concept was very interesting, but I had unanswered questions.

I also wanted to know more about Whit’s backstory with his family because it would have given the a more complete understanding of his mood changes and the familial obligations he was under.

I liked that Inez was an obstinate, headstrong girl, willing to put herself in harm’s way to find out the truth. She was too trusting of others and not of herself, though, but I can understand why.

Whit was brooding, moody, and clearly struggling with what he endured in his past. But, the banter and chemistry between him and Inez was good. I’d read the second book if there’s more of his POV in it.

The pacing suffered from inconsistency. The beginning of the book was interesting, and then it slowed down in the middle for a while. The pacing picked up a bit again when Inez stowed away on the Elephantine, and then I felt the last 20% of the book was rushed. There was one particular character whose inclusion was only to serve a specific plot point, and I did not care to see the reunion cut short so quickly and graphically. I thought the novel and plot could have been better served in a different way with the same effect.

The epilogue was abrupt, and the cliffhanger was confusing. I had to use the search feature on my Kindle to remember a character, mentioned only once before, during an important scene. So, I wish there had been more of an emphasis or foreshadowing here because the cliffhanger wouldn’t have felt so far afield and simply a vehicle to set up a sequel.

Overall, I would probably read the second book. I thought it was a standalone when I received it, but it clearly isn’t. While this wasn’t a five star book for me, others really love it. If you like Egyptian history, magical realism, and adventure, it might be for you!

TWs: misogyny, racism, murder, gore, imperialism, betrayal, infidelity, gun violence, substance abuse.

Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC!
Expected publication: October 3, 2023

What I liked:
The setting is late 1800’s Egypt which I was really excited about! From the lovely descriptions of the markets in Cairo to the excavation site in Philae, I was consistently impressed by the immersive writing.

Inez is an incredibly stubborn and strong-willed fmc. I loved that she had agency and took charge of her own decisions and actions!

I liked how the relationship developed between Inez and Whit (mmc). It didn’t feel forced and I enjoyed their banter and will-they-won’t-they moments. There are a few snippets of Whit’s POV throughout the book but I wish there was more!

This reads as a historical fiction with a few elements of fantasy. The “magic” in this book is relatively simple and consists of items and trinkets with magical properties and Inez’s connection with Cleopatra.

What I didn’t like:
I had huge problems with the pacing. Inez’s indecisiveness about who to trust was reasonable up to a certain point, but I think it took up too much of the story and it became tiring to read. Barely anything happens until towards the end of the book. I still found the overall plot to be enjoyable though!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Isabel did a fantastic job with the research. I never once doubted her knowledge of Egypt. I never felt pulled away from the story either. It was captivating. I felt like I was in 1880s Egypt while I read it. The characters and the settings were so vivid and described so well but not too much. I felt like I was in a tomb when the characters were. It really was incredible to read. It almost felt like I was reading history. I know she based some characters off of real people and some things off of reap events from the time period. The whole story was so well executed. The romance was icing on the cake.


Spoilers ahead





That ending!!!!! That was such a cruel cliffhanger and plot twist. I can't even. I need the next book!!!!!

This was such a fun book to read. I love the plot and the characters. The author did a great job. I love the banter, and the rivals to lovers trope.

Holy cow! This ending left me speechless! Just... I honestly don't know exactly what is happening, but I'm so excited to find out in the sequel. This was so good. So good. I love this book from beginning to middle to end. Absolutely great storytelling that kept my attention the whole time.

Plus, Egypt! Egypt going through major changes. The British are colonizing and taking over government jobs. Egyptians themselves now have very little power in their own country. It's become a popular tourist destination and for explorers ready to make big money on the priceless "treasures" to be found in hidden tombs.

All of this is being well described as the heroine takes a ship to Alexandria from Buenos Aires to find out the truh behind her parents' death. However, she finds out so much more than she expects but deals with everything with strength and endurance. I have to mention Whit, ruggedly handsome, British, sarcastic, and yet there's more to him than you may think!

Amazing read!

Out October 31, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

A lush magical fantasy that will fill you with wanderlust if only you could put down the book to do so.

Huge book hangover after this one. Mummy meets Tomb Raider meets Princess Bride. Lies, deceit, Egyptian artifacts, Cleopatra, magic, twu wuv, fights, death. It’s got it all.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved everything about this book except the ending--because it ended in such a cliff hanger and I had no idea that it wasn't a stand alone. I loved the adventure, the light fantasy, the historical aspect of Cleopatra, secrets, lies, mystery, the romantic tension and family drama. This book has everything that I look for. It was quick paced and exciting. Our protagonist is spunky, resourceful, and brave. I highly recommend this captivating novel. We will definitely be purchasing this for our library.

A story based in Egypt is hard to resist. This novel gives us a brave and young woman from Argentina who travels to Egypt to discover what happens to her parents. The setting gives us the privileged living in nice hotels with their sights on archeological finds. We get to experience both worlds in the late 1800s which adds to the interest in this story.

There is a mix of magic, mystery and secrets throughout the book. One is not sure whom to believe as all eyes are set on discovering Cleopatra's tomb. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

I would recommend this book for those that like adventure, a bit of magic and intrigue. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel.

What the River Knows is a beautifully written beginning to a series. The plot moves slowly at times but allows the readers to get to know each character and their layers. I'd definitely recommend this for a good autumn mystery but would be hard-pressed to describe it as similar to Death on the Nile the only similarity between the two seems to be Egypt.

Escapism at its finest.

I thought this book was a cute and exciting read. I loved the main characters Inez and Whit, one headstrong and stubborn, and well, the other just as much. All of the details and historical facts the author provided did a great job setting the tone for this book. I felt like I needed to wipe the dust, sand, and dry heat off me while I read. For a YA novel, this wasn’t as fast of a read as I anticipated, but I still really liked it nonetheless. I knew there was going to be a second book, but at the time couldn’t fathom how much more a second book could cover. But after reading the cliff-hanging ending, I knew I would have to pick up the second as soon as it becomes available!

A slow burn romance and an intriguing mystery, all set in 19th century Egypt- I couldn’t ask for more if I tried. The premise stated “The Mummy” meets “Death on the Nile”, and if that doesn’t get you hooked, I don’t know what will!

📖 Read if 📖 :
✔️ You like historical fiction mixed with mystery, thrill, and romance
✔️ Learning about ancient Egypt sounds delightfully interesting
✔️ You don’t mind books ending on a twisting cliff hanger!

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. The setting is immersive, the characters felt real, the twists are shocking-it's a truly magical story (literally and figuratively).

It's 1884 and when learning of her parents death, Inez travels alone to Egypt to meet up with her uncle and find out the truth behind her parents demise. The story is told through 2 points of view: Inez (about 90% of the story) and Whit (about 10%). Inez is such a fiery character. I love her fierceness, her determination, and her ability to face her fears and trauma head on. My heart broke for her at points and I cheered her on at others. Whit is such a complex character and you never really know what he's up to. The banter between the two is amazing and I can't wait to see where there story takes them. There were some truly shocking twists and I loved every second of it...until the end. Going in I had no idea this was the first in a series/duology. The cliffhanger is MASSIVE and I cannot wait to see where this story goes next!

While there are magical elements (which I love) , this story reads more like a historical fiction (which I also love) and the details are meticulous. Diving into ancient Egyptian culture isn't something I have done and it was such a great setting for this story. The details make you feel like you are navigating the Nile and exploring ancient tombs with the crew. This book is truly amazing and while I was expecting this to be a standalone, I am excited to dive into this story again when then next book is announced.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday books for the eARC.

First and foremost thank you to publishers, and of course to Netgalley for the review copy of this book. I am a sucker for anything Egypt related and this book did not disappoint at all. I enjoyed the lara croft type feel to this book as well. I think its going to be a sleeper hit! The romance was subtle and still really fun. I am hoping for more from this author. I loved all the fun touches of adventure. Solid 4 stars

YA Historical Fiction with a splash of romance, a splash of fantasy, and a hearty dose of adventure.

This is a great read for anyone who loves Egypt, mysteries, a heroic MMC, and a strong-headed FMC. Our heroine, Inez, travels to Egypt to solve the mystery of her missing (presumed dead) parents, and ends up wrapped up in an expedition to find Clepatra's tomb, with a hearty sprinkling of danger along the way. The pacing in this one felt a little funny - starting off quickly, moderate speed in the middle, and then a runaway train until the cliffhanger at the very end. If you liked the balance of history, magic, and romance in Divine Rivals, I think you're going to love this. (I could have used a dash more magic, but I'm happy with what I got!)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

When I read the pitch for this novel — 'The Mummy' meets 'Death on the Nile' in a historical fantasy set in Egypt and filled with adventure, an enemies-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race — I was 100% in — and reading the book only firmed up that commitment. (You should also know that the book opens with a very sweet hand-drawn map of Egypt. BONUS.)

Our heroine Inez Olivera is a firecracker. Seventeen years old and living in 19th-century Buenos Aires, she's the only child of wealthy, adventurous parents who spend most of their time on expeditions on the other side of the world. When the story opens, she's hiding in an old potter's shed, waiting for a letter, and drawing in her sketch pad. Here's a bit of the prologue:

'I glanced at the sketch pad propped against my knees and made myself more comfortable in the ancient porcelain bathtub. The remnants of old magic shrouded my frame, but barely. The spell had been cast long ago, and too many hands had handled the tub for me to be completely hidden. That was the trouble with most magic-touched things. Any traces of the original spell cast were faint, fading slowly... but that didn't stop my father from collecting as many magically tainted objects as he could. The manor was filled with worn shoes that grew flowers from the soles, and mirrors that sang as you walked by them, and chests that spewed bubbles whenever opened.'

Sadly, when the letter arrives, she learns that her parents have died.

Inez inherits their fortune and then, convinced their death isn't the tragic accident it appears to be, she secretly sails to Cairo with her spunky attitude, her sketch pads, and a magical gold ring her father sent her for safekeeping. In Egypt, she checks into the iconic Shepheard's Hotel, beloved by British tourists of the time for its stained glass windows, Persian carpets, and lush gardens. In the book, it's where Inez's parents were last seen. With her home base at the hotel, she gets into mischief as only a precocious young lady can. There's old-world magic, unexpected romance, and the revelation of secrets.

Inez is the narrator, and she's an excellent companion for adventure.

I'll be featuring this book on the November 3 episode of my podcast The Library of Lost Time (https://strongsenseofplace.com/library).

Thank you Netgalley for providing me an electronic copy of this gem. This story starts in Argentina and moves to Egypt an the end of the 19th century. Someone mentioned that this book gave them The Mummy vibes and I would have to agree. Thombs explorers, secrets, lies and deceit, a little romance and a head strong female protagonist. What is not to love? Perhaps the huge cliffhanger at the end!? I need book #2 ASAP! 4.5 stars.

Heads up y’all: this story is addictive and ends in a cliffhanger, without its sequel yet published.

With her parents gone, our Argentinian main character Ines travels to Cairo, where they spent most of her life. In working alongside her uncle, trying to discover Cleopatra’s tomb, she discovers she knew very little about her parents. She flies by the seat of her pants and figures out how to make her way into an archeological dig in a foreign country, where she doesn’t speak the language and, where she’s been explicitly told she’s not welcome had me cheering for her intrepid spirit.

The book feels quick paced to start, lags a tad in the middle and then speeds to a break neck pace that will have you refusing to tear your eyes away from your reading. It’s full of adventure (escaping a crocodile! Explosives! Kidnap!) and so many richly described vibes that it felt like a completely immersive experience for me.

There is a PG love interest that takes until page 373 of 406 to come to fruition, so if slow burn and banter is your thing, run don’t walk. He’s completely smitten by her headstrong will and impropriety in service of her aim. But oh for the love of Isis, that CLIFFHANGER. I can’t wait for the next in the series!

I’d recommend this to someone who
- grew up watching the Mummy
- likes some class consciousness with their historical fiction
- loves a headstrong FMC and a roguish “take your hands off her” kind of MMC
- doesn’t need terribly strong scaffolding around the magic system

However please keep in mind that this author is willing to kill off her characters, so don’t get TOO comfortable (and check trigger warnings), as plot lines that begin rather lightly turn dark rapidly at the last 20% of the book.

What the River Knows is my first Isabel Ibañez read, but it will not be my last! Every word in this book felt magical. Inez is a fantastic main character and the chemistry between her and Whit was perfect! The air of mystery surrounding all of the characters really added to my intrigue and kept me invested in the book. I also really enjoyed the ancient Egyptian history that was woven throughout the story. The transitions between settings was very smooth and really exciting. I had so much fun reading this book, which is not always how I feel even when I enjoy a book. I enjoyed the sharp banter and the archaeological aspect that was prominent in What the River Knows. This book had a lot of twists and I truthfully did not see most of them coming. I am anxious for the next book to come out already because the last chapter left me sweating. I really enjoyed the unpredictability of this book and want to reiterate how much fun I had reading this!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the e-ARC of What the River Knows! I have already preordered my copy because I will definitely be re-reading this!

This was a solid 3/3.5. I loved the premise but was disappointed with the pacing, character development, and magic. The book started strong but dragged in the middle, especially for a book that clearly has a sequel coming. The cliffhanger ending made up for some of it, but I wasn’t as invested in Inez by this point for it to fully do so. She became frustrating, especially with obviously missing what I felt was an obvious “twist” and even more so for the “will they, won’t they” with Whit. Many of their time interactions felt cringy and forced when the more interesting part of the story was the history:
/artifacts, parents mystery, and politics. While I loved the historical society information and accurate portrayal of Egypt at this time, the magic added felt random and underdeveloped. I was intrigued right away by the power passing through objects, but this soon became a side note, used only when needed for the plot. I’m hooked enough to want to know more in the sequel but felt there were many areas to tighten up for a more satisfying read.

If you're in the market for a slow burn, banter filled adventure, with a touch of magic look no further. Giving The Mummy, Indiana Jones, and Death on the Nile vibes. This novel is immersive, humorous, high stakes, and full of betrayal. Featuring a slow burn yearning fueled romance with well written banter. Whit is the perfect swoony, exasperated book boyfriend.

Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Spunky FMC