WHAT IN THE WORLD?!

I received a free E-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my full, honest review of this YA fantasy with romance!

I’m not sure why I put off reading this for so long— I believe the idea of reading Egyptian fantasy intimated me because it was something I was very unfamiliar with. However, Ibañez writes this compelling story in such a way that the world building is so easily tangible. Her writing is beautiful as well, it makes me want to go back and see whatever else she was written!

I am undone by each character in this book. Grown to love each of their qualities, and honestly, this is some of the best romance I have read in a fantasy book. It’s hard to come by because so much of what you read now is corny and predictable, but this blew me away. Truly.

Of course, I need a book 2 immediately. What kind of build up and cliffhanger was that?! Unprompted 😭💔 But since I am reading and reviewing this story MONTHS BEFORE it comes out, I foresee me having to wait quite a while to have all the answers!

Pinterest board inspiration!!!
https://pin.it/6jRZNUY

First off, thank you as always to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for allowing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Have you ever wondered what The Mummy movie and Death on the Nile would read like in book format? Look no further!!

The story follows a young woman named Inez as she travels from the safety of Buenos Aires, where she has spent all of her life, to the wild deserts of Egypt after the sudden death of her parents. Soon after landing in Cairo however, Inez learns that not everything is as it seems when it comes to her parents mysterious deaths. With the help of a young Whit (Mr. Hayes), Inez learns that in a world of hieroglyphs and sands, that not everyone is who they say they are.

As soon as I got drawn into the world of Egypt, and the life of both Inez and Whit (Mr. Hayes), I could not tear myself away. The Egyptian mythology and lore, and the scents and sounds of Egypt/The Nile pulled me in immediately. The flavors of this book are so incredibly bold and refreshing, and now I’m upset that I have to wait for book two!

Lord help me while I wait for part two of Inez and Whit’s story with an ending like THAT!

Characters: 9, Inez was a fantastic MC- emotionally mature and confident, mischievous, but deeply trusting and realistically naïve. Whit, Tio Ricardo, Abdullah, even Kareem were all developed and believable characters. I was curious and compelled to see where all of their stories would go, and the ending has left me with more questions than answers. The aspect of grief (and stress) was handled really well and realistically, especially given South American cultures and what I know of grief and family in them.

Atmosphere: 9, Can we take a moment to appreciate the absolute gorgeousness of this cover? The setting is 1880s Egypt, and even though this is an historical fantasy it leans heavily into historical fact, namely that of Britain bombing and then colonizing Egypt and causing lasting damage to the culture, archeology, and history of the region. Though the setting is Victorian, it takes places in Egypt, and the juxtaposition of Egyptian culture and British/Argentinian culture (especially expectations for unwed women in that era) was lovingly played with. Rather than hide behind pat 'manners and expectations' plot tropes, given the era, the narrative dives right into the meat of the story, its mystery and danger. I felt the emotional drives, the described beauty of the Nile, and even the vitality of the food described within it.

Writing: 9, The writing was crisp with an excellent balance between description, inner monologue, and external dialogue. Emotions were telegraphed without any mind-reading by the MC, and there were moments where both the MC and the readers were unraveling the mystery together. The pacing was good, the word choice was fresh and expressive, and it flowed very naturally while I was reading.

Plot: 10, What a ride this was! Some things were expected, such as the pushback Inez got from everyone after she arrived in Egypt and decided she'd insert herself into the dig, or the development of the romance between Inez and Whit (which was also delicious and its tension). But after the 75% mark, it was a wild ride of surprises for me. Even after I thought all the surprises and reveals were over, and we were in the dénouement, the author hit me with more. I was so shocked that I immediately researched when the sequel will be out (because I am reading that one, hell or high water, ASAP).

Intrigue: 10, see above. Plus, the Egyptology aspect was so lovely, it inspired me to do research, to make an Egyptian dish for my friends, to re-watch The Mummy (for the vibes), and to add the author's other works to my TBR list.

Logic: 9, I really liked the world building and the marrying of magic with history in this. The fact that magic is an artifact of the past, not a current practice, led a delightful depth to the atmosphere and plausibility to otherwise difficult plot corners. The characters acted in accordance with their motives, both known and later revealed, as well.

Enjoyment: 10, I really loved reading this and I can't wait to continue the duology.

*I received a copy of this as an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for my review.

A nice addition to the young adult genre. Historical fiction is not often at in Egypt and it was a delight to read. I'm not sure how I felt about the ending.

What the River Knows is a gripping tale following a young Argentinian women through her journey to Egypt in 1884 following the news of her parents’ death. With hopes to uncover the truth of what really happened, Inez finds herself not knowing who to trust.

Ibañez expertly wove Egyptian history and magic, making for an informative but fun read that I devoured in three days. I especially loved the snarky love interest. (The best kind of love interests, in my opinion.)

The book had a beautiful mix of being plot-driven and character-driven through a lot of action and dialogue. The story itself is so beautiful so I supposed I expected some more flowery or poetic language to strengthen the feelings the author communicated in each scene.

Overall, I loved this book and I am already anticipating the sequel!

I had a somewhat hard time getting into this book initially. It was a little slow at the beginning as relationships between Inez and all the other characters in the book and the world itself were established. However, it did eventually draw me in and I enjoyed it overall. The many plot twists and Inez's growth throughout make it an enjoyable book. I hope that there's a sequel!

I have never read anything like this before! The historical fantasy had me intrigued from the beginning-magic, adventure, romance in Egypt.
It’s rivals-to-lovers and I laughed out loud at their bickering and fell hard for their love story.
Inez heads to Cairo searching for answers about her parent’s deaths. Her dad had sent her a ring with old-world magic and she wants to find out why. Whit is tasked to get her back to Buenos Aires and her stubbornness to follow him was entertaining.
Definitely a top read this year for me!

This book was such a good read! Something different from what I normally read but now I want to read more historical fiction and I want to learn more about Cleopatra. I enjoyed that the love interest wasn’t the main plot line but instead Inez was determined to find out what happened to her parents in Egypt. Such a great story but I want to know what happens next!!
Thank you Net Galley for letting me read this before it’s release.

was so excited to get approved for this arc!

"The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in this lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race." SAY LESS!

Upon the news of her parents deaths, Inez travels to Egypt to discover the truth and why her parents fell in love with this country. After a less than enthusiastic reunion with her uncle, she at times begrudgingly teams up with his assistant Whit, to uncover the truth about her parents and Cleopatra.

The Mummy vibes were definitely there. I loved the descriptions of Egypt and the tombs. There's a great deal of the history of Egypt and the control of Britain. I thought the pacing could've been better at times. I wasn't sure where exactly this story was heading and I felt like I was skimming for the next THING to happen.

I know it's relevant to the time period, but I was so glad when Inez stopped referring to Whit as "Mr. Hayes". The banter was definitely there but at times I felt that the romance was lacking. During the high stakes moments it absolutely hit, but I guess I wish there had been more buildup of genuine feelings? THAT ENDING THOUGH?!? I absolutely need the sequel.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc.

The Mummy meets Death on the Nile? Had me desperate to read this book the moment I saw it. And this book is beautifully written, with some really lovely settings.

Unfortunately I found I hard to get into the story. I think this just wasn't the book for me!

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review

Inez Olivera abandons her home in Argentina to discover the truth about her parents’ deaths in Egypt. From the very first page, Inez immediately struck me as a savvy young woman capable of lying and deceiving in order to skirt her way around society’s strict standards in the 1800s. I admired her tenacity and courage to set out on such a journey on her own. Especially as she reaches her destination and must face her aloof and mercurial uncle. That’s why I was disappointed when these admirable qualities pretty much disappeared halfway through. Once she’d accomplished infiltrating her uncle’s archeological team, I found she became simpering and naive. Although the poor girl couldn’t seem to catch a break. She was dealt blow after blow all while not being able to do much about her circumstances, which was a little frustrating since I wanted to root for her and the love interest so badly.

I typically fall head over heels for roguish broody love interests, and I wanted to love Mr. Whitford Hayes after his very first run in with Inez on the docks. But (to me) he didn’t have that little dollop of pain that typically drives their impulsive need to love hard and protect at all costs. Or at least we haven't discovered it yet. I didn’t find that his short POVs gave us any insight into his supposedly horrid past or true motivations, except for one conversation between him and Inez. And after that short epilogue, I was left feeling more confused about him; even if he instantly became more interesting.

The pace seemed to ebb and flow like the Nile River itself. At times it was lush with adventure and excitement. While at others it focused on the slower but nuanced aspects of 1800s society. Given how the story starts off with an enchanted ring and escalates to Inez forming a super cool connection to Cleopatra, I expected there to be a touch more magic. Also, I’m a little disappointed there wasn’t at least one booby trap. There was one major turn that really shattered my heart. The consequences of which weren't really felt as the ending snuck up on me! Overall, I loved with the descriptive setting of historical Egypt, the alluring connection to their last pharaoh, and every sprinkle of magic we were given.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for granting my request for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a new author for me and it didn’t really hit home. I was a fan of the characters but the writing style was just not for me. I think a certain type of person will really love this book.

This immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt is filled with adventure, a slow burn romance, and a dangerous quest.

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera has a cushy life in upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires. But she longs for adventure, her curiosity begs to explore. Her parents constantly leave her behind to do so themselves and she itches to travel. To immerse herself in a world of puzzles and the magic that lingers from generations past in objects yet to be uncovered.

When she receives notice of her parents' untimely deaths with little explanation, Inez inherits their massive fortune and her mysterious new guardian is an Uncle she hardly knows, an archeologist in Egypt that was funded largely by her parents' fortune. At a loss and desperate for answers, Inez sails to Cairo alone despite the risks and fact that unmarried women should always be chaperoned. She takes sketch pads and a golden ring her father sent to her for before he died, full of magic and no explanation. When she arrives, she's immediately instructed to leave but this plucky heroine doesn't take no for an answer and she soon finds herself caught up in much more than she anticipated. Schemes, politics, and a pawn in a larger game that will likely get her killed.

This was so well done, with a page-turning plot and mysteries to uncover this book kept me up late into the night to uncover more, just as our characters do digging into lost tombs and uncovering artifacts full of history and magic.

I loved the Indiana Jones-esque vibes with The Mummy action and a touch of Bridgerton.

So far, her best book to date!!! I loved it, it was vibrant, mysterious and written in a true story telling nature

🇪🇬 BOOK / REVIEW 🇪🇬

I absolutely freaking LOVED #whattheriverknows by @isabelwriter09 🥹 I was actually devastated when this book ended because I truly looked forward to reading it every day. Thanks to @netgalley and @wednesdaybooks, I snagged an #ARC and moved this up to the top of my list because of so many positive reviews on #booktok.

This one EXCEEDED my expectations. Full transparency - this is the definition of a #youngadult #lightfantasy read. There was zero steam (which if I am honest would have been a welcomed addition to the story, but may have cheapened it a little). Also, this book felt insanely "real," which is why I struggle with putting this one wholly in the #fantasy category.

Either way, I absolutely flipping adored it. I was swept away to Cairo and the Egyptian tombs in my mind. I also got a great history lesson while reading this, which I loved.

It's fast paced and definitely bingeable. I am desperate to know what happens next for Inez and Whit 😭😭😭 I need more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

They say don't judge a book by its cover, but I'll confess that this cover grabbed me immediately - what a gorgeous, sumptuous image that perfectly captures the world within. The premise was so intriguing - an inheritance, a mysterious guardian, archelogy, Egypt, old world magic... and fortunately the actual execution was spellbinding as well! The storytelling is lush and evocative, with the heady world of Egypt coming alive. Our protagonist is well developed and worth following. The mystery and adventure are well crafted and paced, neither too slow nor too quick to build. This is truly a book to get lost in and one I will recomend.

Okay. Reviewing this is really hard. I am a fast reader, to be certain. And although this was a thrilling book, its pace was kinda slow. I think they got a bit too concentrated in the romance(it was great).
Let’s Start with the Characters. Inez is curious and fun. She smart, she is the heroine you want to read about. Her character development was kinda great. Then the love interest, Whit, he is a bad boy, but way more calm than Inez. Perfect Chemistry.
The side characters are fantastic too(especially Isadora).The worldbuilding is incredible. Books about Egypt have always come near my mind. I read the Kane Chronicles as a child. I am so exited for the sequel! 4.75 out of 5.

This is one HELL of a fun book!
If you are like most people and have wistful memories of 1999’s The Mummy, this book will help you get back some of that nostalgia, but still tell a fun and completely unique story on its own.
The romantic rush of the time when the world was discovering so many of Egypt’s secrets was so perfectly captured- the heat, the food, the clothing, the melange of languages and races all working together, the profound awe of discovering and standing in a temple that is thousands of years old, the way the Nile is literally the life of Egypt, etc. I kept having The Mummy soundtrack in my head while reading because the visuals Ibañez managed to evoke really dropped me right into the setting.
What is extra incredible is Ibañez never lets the reader forget the violence most of these “Egypt-loving pioneers” did to this country by looting their artifacts and using Egyptian labor without giving them any say on how their own country’s artifacts should be treated. She shows how incredible Egypt and this period of discovery was, while also lamenting the way the major world powers took advantage of the situation in order to line their pockets. It was expertly done.
The characters in this were also incredible. The main character, Inez, is a believable girl who is neither too smart/dumb, strong/weak, trusting/cautious. She was raised in a very unique circumstances and was so brave when it was needed, but would make mistakes because of her naïveté and youth. Whit is still very enigmatic, but his character is starting to shape up in such a fun “morally grey” way, and Inez’s uncle is infuriatingly believable when you learn more about his motivations as the book goes on.
The magic system in this was so unique and fun, and I hope it is dealt with more in the future books, because it definitely took a backseat to everything else happening in the story. This is obviously written to be the first in a series and you can believe I’m already signing myself up for book 2!
The story is marketed to YA, and I think that’s appropriate and fine, but it’s definitely enjoyable for adults as well.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a free digital ARC of this! There were some slight editing errors, but I received an un-corrected proof so I’m hoping that is smoothed out before publication. I loved What the River Knows, and I anticipate it having wild success!

Set in 1884, “What the River Knows” follows the adventures of Inez, a young woman from Argentina wanting to claim her inheritance and unveil the truth of her family. Ibañez wrote a dazzling adventure filled with magic, intrigue, and romance. The storytelling brought the atmosphere to life. Ancient Egypt, mystery, magic, adventure… What more could you want?

Thank you net galley and the publishers for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t have enough good things to say about this book. It felt like a love child between The Mummy and National Treasure. It was so full of action, and history, a dash of romance, I just wanted to keep reading. My only complaint is the mystery that I’m left with as I wait for the sequel. I sought this book out because it was recommended by Rebecca Ross, and I’m so glad I did. The research and effort it too in writing this is incredible and the author did a wonderful job. If you ever had an Egypt fixation as a kid, this one is for you.