What the River Knows

The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in this lush, immersive historical romantasy set in 19th century Egypt, filled with adventure, laugh-out-loud banter, a slow-burn rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.


A divine exploration. A deadly secret. A desire she can't escape.

In the glittering society of nineteenth-century Buenos Aires, Inez Olivera has everything, except the one thing she really wants: her parents, who frequently leave her behind on their globetrotting adventures.

Then she receives a terrible letter: her parents have passed away in mysterious circumstances. Determined to uncover the truth, she sets sails for their last port-of-call, Cairo, bringing only her sketch pads and an ancient ring that her father sent to her for safekeeping.

But upon her arrival in Egypt, the ring flares with ancient magic, and Inez is thrust into a treacherous game that could threaten her life - and into the path of her new guardian's infuriatingly handsome assistant, who seems determined to thwart her at every turn . . .

Review

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

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

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

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

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

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, author of the Blood Heir trilogy

About the Author

Isabel Ibañez is a USA Today, Indie, Sunday Times, and #1 New York Times bestselling author of whimsical historical fantasies for teens and adults. She has written many highly acclaimed novels, including Woven in Moonlight, which is listed among Time Magazine's 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time and was a finalist for the William C. Morris award, as well as the bestselling Secrets of the Nile duology, Together We Burn, and Written in Starlight. She is the proud daughter of Bolivian immigrants and has a profound appreciation for history, traveling, and writing stories where her characters are often running for their lives. She currently lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with her family, their adorable golden doodle, and an overwhelming amount of books.