Reviews with content warning for Cursing - What the River Knows

A rich and intriguing setting, combined with an interesting premise, but executed rather too slowly to be a true banger.

I was absolutely sold on this book when I bought it, eager to read something taking place in early twentieth century Egypt, and focusing on archeology. It's a theme and setting which is criminally underused in books and movies. Combine that with a tagline indicating it is similar to The Mummy, and I was incredibly excited.

Sadly these expectations were also a bit of a downfall for this book.
Although it is in no means a bad story, it is really quite slow to start. And focuses more on background, myth, legend etc. than it does on action. Which doesn't vibe with the earlier comparison to the Mummy movies.

The characters are interesting enough and there are some interesting plot twists. But overall the story does still feel very Young Adult, using a lot of the typical tropes that go in there. Combining that with the lack of expected action, and the book fell a little short to me.

Although most of the book was quite slow, the final 50 to 80 pages were definite roller coaster. Providing a lot of plot twists and interesting cliffhanger, which was a welcome change after the rather slow start.

So overall, this book isn't perfect, but I did enjoy my time reading it. And with the cliffhangers at the end, I'll be sure to pick up the second book in the series when it comes out.

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lakinglaze's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

First off, thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book. I’m so grateful and have now bought two separate editions of my own and the audiobook because I loved it so! Isabel Ibañez did such an incredible job with this novel! 🥰

I absolutely loved everything about the story. As a trained archaeologist myself, it hits very close to my heart! Inez’s strength drew me to her side and never let go. Whit’s charisma and ‘wit’ty banter had me falling right in love with him. The story was exciting, mysterious, adventurous, fun, devastating, shocking, and left me gasping for more! November won’t arrive soon enough!

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lizzydreadful's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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mattyroh07's review

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adventurous emotional informative mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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kirstenpod_'s review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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whatbeccareadnext's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Every so often a YA book comes along that blows me away, this is one of those books. Isabel wove an incredible story full of intrigue, mystery and a hearty sprinkle of romance. The Egyptian setting was so rich and vivid, I could completely imagine myself there.

Mostly though.. THAT ENDING Isabel?!?! Who do I need to bribe for book 2?

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bringmybooks's review against another edition

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adventurous informative mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Thank you to Edelweiss, Wednesday Books, & Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.

B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷

“The Mummy meets Death on the Nile” could not be more Lindsey booknip if it tried and THIS WAS SO CLOSE but there’s one thing that kept pulling me out of the story over and over and over and over again and it’s this:

I absolutely cannot stand when plot points that don’t make sense are allowed to continue without being genuinely questioned by the MC because them being in the dark it’s what’s needed to move the plot along. Drives me beyond bonkers and there was a lot of that + “I can’t tell you” in here.

Okay, that being said - once I set that aside and just leaned into the suspense of disbelief, this was a pretty fun book with lots of interesting history and plenty of delicious tension between the two main characters.

Also, the cliffhanger …..??? what does it MEANNNNN

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