Publishers Weekly
10/09/2023
Ibañez (Together We Burn) presents a captivating historical novel full of magical intrigue and archaeological adventure, set in 1884. Argentinian and Bolivian 19-year-old Inez Olivera wants nothing more than to join her parents on one of their mysterious archaeology trips that take them to Egypt six months out of the year, leaving her in Buenos Aires with her aunt and cousin. But when news of her parents’ disappearance and deaths arrives, Inez is left with an inherited fortune and a reticent uncle who refuses to provide information on her parents’ vanishing. Thus, Inez boards a ship to Cairo seeking answers and is met at the port by Whitford Hayes, her uncle’s handsome yet exasperating English assistant, who’s been instructed to send her home. Not one to be deterred easily, Inez disguises herself as a crew hand and stows away on her uncle’s boat that’s heading toward the Nile—and, hopefully, toward the truth. A lively cast and a heaping helping of banter-filled romance radiate from this seamless blend of history, mystery, and mythology. Inez is a resourceful, headstrong heroine whom readers can’t help but cheer on as she single-mindedly pursues her goals and uncovers secrets bigger than she ever imagined. Ages 13–up. Agent: Sarah Landis, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
"Expertly plotted, explosively adventurous, and burning with romance. What the River Knows is a pulse pounding archeological hunt that exquisitely weaves together glittering pieces of history with fascinating mythology. This book should come with a seatbelt, because you’ll will want to buckle up for this brilliant ride." - Stephanie Garber #1 New York Times bestselling author of Once Upon A Broken Heart
"Take a plucky heroine, a historically grounded Indiana Jones-esque adventure through Ancient Egypt, and add a surprising dollop of magic — it’s a recipe for a delightful read." - Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"Phenomenal. This is a book that truly deserves that word. What the River Knows has it all—page-turning mystery, adventure, intrigue and betrayal, laugh-out-loud banter, and slow-burn romance with characters that jump off the page. I am a fan for life." - Mary E. Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of The Remnant Chronicles
"What The River Knows is a historical adventure ripe with delicious twists, swoony angst, and sassy wit that is as thrilling as it is insightful." - J. Elle, New York Times bestselling author of Wings of Ebony
"A sweeping historical fantasy brimming with adventure, romance, and richly researched lore, What the River Knows is a treasure of a book. Ibanez’s worldbuilding is masterful, and the chemistry between her characters is swoon worthy." - Elizabeth Lim, New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes
"With vivid descriptions, singular magic, and shocking betrayals, What the River Knows is a thrilling adventure the whole way through. Add in a swoon-worthy romance and Ibañez’s beautiful prose and this is a journey readers will eagerly go on." - Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches
"Luminous and enchanting, What the River Knows gleams with dangerous secrets, a clever heroine, ancient tombs, and a mystery that readers will be eager to unravel. A romantic, spellbinding adventure." - Rebecca Ross, internationally bestselling author of A River Enchanted and Divine Rivals
"Intricately threaded with real history, What the River Knows is romantic, adrenaline-soaked, and gleaming with clandestine magic. Opening like a dusty puzzle box, it reveals a spirited heroine, her prickly love interest, and an adventure that will spirit you away to the serpentine waters of the Nile. A masterpiece.” - Ava Reid, internationally bestselling author of The Wolf and the Woodsman
“Magic and mystery, quests and romance sparkle in Ibañez’s dazzling historical adventure novel. Prepare to be whisked on a whirlwind ride to the glittering banks of the Egyptian Nile by a plucky, courageous heroine!" - Amélie Wen Zhao
"Fast-paced yet lyrical, with twists that keep you flying through the pages while Ibañez's evocative prose makes you want to savor every sun-drenched paragraph, What the River Knows is a truly enchanting work of storytelling. All the stars." - Heather Fawcett, author of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
"A romantic, heart-pounding adventure." - Kirkus
"A novel that exquisitely depicts both its characters and the world around them...the story will sweep readers away with its cinematic details, its touches of magic, and a dash of romance." - Booklist, starred review
"A lively cast and a heaping helping of banter-filled romance radiate from this seamless blend of history, mystery, and mythology." - Publishers Weekly
"A lush historical fantasy set in nineteenth-century Argentina and involving the search for Cleopatra’s tomb, What the River Knows deliciously mixes romance and adventure." - Paste Magazine
"With an adventurous treasure hunt, a perilous mystery, and a character-driven romance set in a unique historical moment, this is Ibañez’s best work yet." - School Library Journal, starred review
School Library Journal
★ 12/01/2023
Gr 8 Up—Ibañez returns with the start of a spellbinding historical duology set during the 19th-century rise of Egyptomania, where lingering magic still infuses old—and ancient—objects. Just before Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera turns 19, she receives a package from her father containing a gold ring imbued with old magic and no note. Instead of birthday wishes and an invitation to join her parents in Egypt, the only letter Inez receives from overseas is an official notification that her parents have been declared dead. With no details forthcoming, she embarks alone to Cairo to find her uncle and investigate what her parents were working on in the desert. She is blocked at every turn by her uncle and his handsome, aggravating assistant Whitford Hayes, who seem determined to keep her away from their mysterious archeological expedition. In Egypt, Inez realizes the gold ring has left her with a magical resonance that may lead her to answers about her parents—or it could get her killed. Ibañez's lush and complex world is overflowing with historical details, including a subtle emphasis on the consequences of Egyptomania on native Egyptians. Inez and Whit's chemistry is undeniable, and their banter is delightful; they both remain dedicated to their own goals as the romance develops. Characters are diverse in race, religion, and ethnicity, bringing historical Argentina and Egypt to life. VERDICT With an adventurous treasure hunt, a perilous mystery, and a character-driven romance set in a unique historical moment, this is Ibañez's best work yet. Make space in all YA collections.—Emmy Neal
JANUARY 2024 - AudioFile
Ana Osorio's narration has hints of Spanish accents, which reflect the Argentinian-Bolivian background of 19-year-old Inez Olivera. Osorio stresses Inez's emotions--her longing for adventure and for her parents, who spend six months a year in Cairo. Their deaths propel headstrong Inez's journey to Egypt, where Osorio gently describes the lavishness of its nineteenth-century hotels and antiquities. She infuses her narration with Inez's feelings as she discovers her attraction to Whit, who works for her uncle. Periodically, Ahmed Hamad delivers Whit's chapters, adding clarity to his viewpoints. Twists and turns mark this audio, which includes an epilogue that sets the stage for a planned sequel. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2023-09-09
In 1884, a 19-year-old Argentine and Bolivian heiress sets sail to investigate the mysterious deaths of her parents in Egypt.
Inez Olivera grew up in Buenos Aires largely without the presence of her mother and father, who often were in British-ruled Egypt, assisting Tío Ricardo, her archaeologist uncle, with his expeditions. When word comes that Inez’s parents have disappeared in the desert and are presumed dead, she intends to find out exactly what happened to them—much to the chagrin of secretive, smoldering Whitford Hayes. Former British soldier Whit works for Tío Ricardo, who orders him to send the reluctant Inez back home for her own safety. But Inez repeatedly and craftily evades this demand. She realizes that a golden ring her father sent from Cairo before he disappeared has imprinted her with magic that may help unearth Cleopatra’s tomb. Tío Ricardo, a historical preservationist who opposes colonial exploitation, is desperate to find it before greedy treasure hunters can rob Egypt of its artifacts. As the story unfolds through Inez’s and Whit’s alternating points of view, the chemistry between them sizzles, and they run into danger and deception at every turn of their epic quest—all while remaining unsure if they can even trust one another. Extensive worldbuilding in the first half pays off with a fast-paced conclusion laden with shocking twists. A jaw-dropping cliffhanger in the epilogue will leave readers deliciously questioning everything and hungering for the sequel.
A romantic, heart-pounding adventure. (map, timeline, author’s note) (Historical fantasy. 13-18)
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