"A whimsical, adventure-filled fantasy." —Woman's World
"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
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)
