Review: What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

I received this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
Series: Secrets of the Nile #1
Published by Wednesday Books on 2023-10-31
Length: 416 pages
Reviewing eARC from Netgalley
Rating:
Reading Challenges: #NGEW2023, 2023 New Release Challenge, COYER 2023

The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in What the River Knows, Isabel Ibañez's lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt and filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents―who frequently leave her behind.

When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and a golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.

With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance―or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.

What the River Knows is the first book in the thrilling Secrets of the Nile duolog

Such a fun and unique read! What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez is an immersive historical fantasy that takes the readers on an adventure from Buenos Ares to the Nile River. Inez Olivera is a young woman on the cusp of adulthood who has just received word that both of her parents have died, inheriting their fortune and winding up under the custody of her estranged uncle. Needing answers to what happened to her parents, Inez sets out on a journey that takes her far from home into a world she’s always dreamed of. What she finds is very different from what her parents told her about and all the more exciting for it.

Inez is an interesting character to follow. She is quite naive about how the world works having been sheltered by her parents and aunt. Now she finds herself in a position to leave all she’s ever known for the dream she’s always had, and she takes that chance. I love her spirit and how she refuses to give up without answers. However, her naïveté brings a lot of trouble for herself and those around her.

When she arrives in Alexandria, Egypt, she is met not by her estranged uncle, but by his handsome yet infuriating assistant Whitford Hayes who is there to send her back on the next boat. I love Whit as much as I do Inez, and part of the story is from his perspective. He is working with Inez’s uncle as an archaeological assistant. He basically does whatever work is required of him, including playing babysitter to Inez. Not much is known about his past or his intentions which keeps Inez at arm’s length because she isn’t sure if she can or should trust him.

The plot of this one moves at a relatively steady pace. There is constantly something happening in the story with Inez or Whit or both. The magical elements of the story add to the mystery surrounding the pyramids and ruins they are studying. I love how Ibañez weaves history into this story creating her own world with its own rules seamlessly. The magic the historical artifacts carry and how they affect Inez and others in the story are perfection!

Overall, I really enjoyed What the River Knows. Inez and her quest to find answers is easy to follow. The mystery adds to the suspense rather than detract from it. Whit’s own past and intentions add to the mystery. The budding relationship between them also adds some tension to the story. If you enjoy Ancient Egyptian history, fantasy with a slight touch of romance, and mystery, I highly recommend it.

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