Day’s YA: WHAT THE RIVER KNOWS

WHAT THE RIVER KNOWS by Isabel Ibañez
9781250803375
10/31/2023
Wednesday Books
Ages 13-18

E-galley available on Edelweiss and NetGalley

Inez has lived her whole life in Argentina, while her parents spend half of every year in their favorite place in the world, Egypt. Inez misses them terribly when they are gone, but despite her pleading, they’ve never let her join them. When Inez receives word that her parents have died in the desert, she makes the journey across the ocean in an attempt to learn the truth about their deaths. But when she arrives in Egypt, she’s met with her prickly uncle, Ricardo (who is an archaeologist and also now her guardian), and his handsome assistant, Whit (whose only job seems to be to annoy Inez). Tío Ricardo refuses to tell Inez anything about her parents, and instead insists that she turn around and head straight back to Argentina, but that is simply not an option if Inez wants answers. Rather than board the ship bound for Argentina, Inez sneaks onto a boat that is heading down the Nile, and soon learns that there is much more to her parents’ disappearance than what she had been told. As ancient tombs and artifacts are uncovered, so are deep, dark secrets, and Inez is determined to bring everything to light.

With lots of adventure, romance, and a little bit of magic, WHAT THE RIVER KNOWS is an immersive duology opener that will transport you to the waters of the Nile River. While you’re there, you’ll go on a treasure hunt for the truth right alongside Inez, solve the mystery of her parents’ death (mostly…), and perhaps fall in love along the way. The slow-burn romance between Whit and Inez is rife with unmatched witty banter, and the chemistry between them could be cut with a knife. If you loved the lush historical fantasy vibes of DIVINE RIVALS by Rebecca Ross or the ancient magical treasure hunt of THE GILDED WOLVES by Roshani Chokshi, WHAT THE RIVER KNOWS is sure to sweep you away.

Happy reading!
<3 Emily

YA Resources:
2024 Books for Teens
2023 Books for Teens
Day’s YA Archives
2023 Adult Books for Teens