November 23, 2023 Abigail Singrey

Book Review: What the River Knows

The YA Indiana Jones with a female heroine

About the Book

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez

Genre: YA Fantasy

Book Review

This book was an instant favorite.

Magic, archeology and a simmering romance combine to make a five-star read in this YA historical fantasy.

When Inez’s parents mysteriously disappear, she travels to the one place they’d never allowed her to go: their archeological digs in Egypt. Her only clue’s a mysterious ring filled with magic that her father sent to her shortly before his death. It’s importance is confirmed when it’s immediately stolen from her on the train as soon as she arrives in Egypt. Suspicious of everyone, but most of all her uncle, Inez is determined that no one will send her home until she finds out the truth. She’s almost met her match in the handsome Whit, assigned to get her on the boat back to Peru, but she bests him at every turn.

Whit’s relationship with Inez makes the book. He’s mysterious, with a shady past, and so protective of her. They can’t stop bickering and bantering, even after he saves her life. Inez’s ability to see through his mask allows him to find room for her in his heart of gold. But his die-hard loyalty to
Inez’s uncle often puts them on opposite sides.

This has a great cast of suspects – Inez’s uncle, gem merchants, a potential artifact smuggling ring, and a challenging race to be the first to find the tomb of Cleopatra, a secret Inez’s parents may have died for.

This is the perfect Indiana Jones retelling with a strong female heroine.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book.

Need more to read? Find all of my fantasy recommendations here.

Abigail Singrey

Abigail Singrey is a storyteller, brand strategist and confirmed bookworm. She's the kind of person who wants to stop and pick up every stray dog by the side of the road and buy every book in Barnes and Noble.