Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

79 reviews

morethanmylupus's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This is such a fun book. Inez is smart and spunky. I enjoyed watching her thwart the patriarchal men over and over again. The story has a mix of archaeology, some high-level Egyptian history, and a healthy dose of adventure as Inez tries to escape some shady people. I can't wait for book 2 in this series. The role of the British in Egypt and the concept of colonial archaeology of another people's land and history were incredibly irritating but they're clearly depicted as negative in the book, so this wasn't a deterrent for my enjoyment.
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themelleh's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious 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

3.5

I am so grateful to the author, publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. My review is 100% my own and honest.

A book set in Egypt, with an Argentinian protagonist and we get to explore Egyptian tombs in the late 1880’s? I actually really enjoyed the first half but the last quarter felt so rushed. Getting to know Inez was a pleasure but the last few pages weren’t actually enjoyable at all. 

I will read a sequel just to see what happens, but I’m not happy at the moment. I hope we get more on the magic in the world because it’s fascinating and it felt like it was just peppered in for effect but not really given much of a muchness about it. 

As I do my reviews as soon as I finish the book it’s hard not to scream spoilers but I am not okay with the last 20-30 pages.
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bessadams'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? Yes

4.5

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maidinnah's review against another edition

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adventurous informative mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

There were many things I enjoyed. The setting of 1880s Egypt is alluring, further bolstered by the author’s lush descriptions. I enjoyed the romance — Inez is spunky with Whit matching her banter tit-for-tat. The bits of magic were cool. It was a fun read, with some pretty wild twists and turns, fitting for a book set on the longest river in the world. So fun, that it pains me to not give a higher rating.

The repetitiveness of some of Inez’s internal dialogue was grating. Her actions were unbelievably, frustratingly absurd. The ending was unsatisfying in that
we ended up right where we started, with not much progress beyond discovering Inez’s mother’s betrayal and a major character death. Ricardo is still trying to send Inez back home, Whit is heavily drinking, and Inez is clamoring for answers.
Despite my overall lukewarm reception of the book, I enjoyed it enough to where I do plan to read the sequel. To further set expectations, What the River Knows is a YA romance set in 1880s Egypt, not a novel about 1880s Egypt with dashes of romance. 
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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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daniparvu'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? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is one of my favorite books of the year and, considering it's two weeks out from NYE and the very long list of books I've read this year, that is saying something.

This book draws you in quickly and holds you fast the entire story. My only complaint is now I have to almost a year for the conclusion.
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cassielaj's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad 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

4.75

So close to being 5⭐️ because I loooved this. The first part was a bit slow, but once part two came around, things picked up and never stopped. From page 111 to the end, I didn’t want to put this book down (I do have a job, so I had to. Boo). Inez is such a good main character — smart and spirited, but still so clearly young and naive. The tension and mystery throughout kept me guessing: there were a few things I guessed, but plenty of others that surprised me (the ending?! What?!). I loved the other characters as well: Whit is the perfect complement to Inez, Ricardo is fascinating, and I can’t wait to see more from some of these smaller characters in future books. As a start to a series, this book is really strong — I want the next one asap! 
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jberg216's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious 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

This book was so fun! Since I was a kid, I've loved Egyptian history and this book really scratched that itch. There was some great Cleopatra history that I enjoyed reading. In addition, I loved Inez as a character. She was full of spunk and sass. My kinda girl! I also enjoyed Mr. Hayes and some of the side characters. They felt very real and lived in. I was truly invested in their journey. 

The book kept me interested and I couldn't wait to keep reading every time I had to stop. It had it all, a slow burn romance, magic, and intrigue. I wasn't the biggest fan of the magic in the story but it didn't take away from the story so I didn't mind it much. I was also able to guess one of the major twists about halfway through, but even that I didn't mind because I was enjoying the journey. 

And can we talk about that ending!?!? The epilogue was INSANE! I can't wait for the sequel! Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for my copy. I really enjoyed and I can't wait to read more from this author. 
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samihah's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I really, really enjoyed this book. Couldn't get enough and I read it as fast as my time allowed me too. The setting was so immersive and the writing beautifully descriptive, rich and vibrant. I loved Inez.. most of the time. I loved her and Whitford's banter. Also really loved the Egyptian setting and how mysterious the story is.
Once Elvira came to Cairo, the plot slightly went downhill though and the ending was very much out of left field.
I'm a bit dissapointed and unsatisfied overall. But still highly recommend this book! It's definitely worth the read.
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elizabeth_lepore's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

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