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A review by bookishflower
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
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? No
5.0
Thank you Hodderscape for providing me with an uncorrected arc.
It will come as no surprise to anyone that I love a historical setting with magic, but make it inspired by ‘The Mummy’, light academia, rivals to lovers, and where everyone has secrets and agendas, I’m instantly in.
I was a little nervous going into this when I saw it advertised as for fans of ‘The Mummy’ with how much I absolutely love the 1999 cult classic, but I had no reason to worry.
Inez is headstrong and loyal, and Whit is evasive and flirtatious. I can see the inspiration from Evie and Rick- albeit younger versions of themselves-while they remain distinctly their own characters in their own right. Their antics were hilarious, ‘the touch her and you die’ and reference to locking Evie in her room were greatly appreciated too ;)
This has such an intriguing magic system where the art of magic is lost but remain in objects of the past, making their archeology and the discussions on colonialism even more fascinating.
The mystery was a fun element running throughout the book, and while I guessed the twist I didn’t mind one bit. That is until the ending twist, that I didn’t see coming for the life of me, which made me want to read it again immediately. Seriously, I need the second book to put me out of my misery!
It will come as no surprise to anyone that I love a historical setting with magic, but make it inspired by ‘The Mummy’, light academia, rivals to lovers, and where everyone has secrets and agendas, I’m instantly in.
I was a little nervous going into this when I saw it advertised as for fans of ‘The Mummy’ with how much I absolutely love the 1999 cult classic, but I had no reason to worry.
Inez is headstrong and loyal, and Whit is evasive and flirtatious. I can see the inspiration from Evie and Rick- albeit younger versions of themselves-while they remain distinctly their own characters in their own right. Their antics were hilarious, ‘the touch her and you die’ and reference to locking Evie in her room were greatly appreciated too ;)
This has such an intriguing magic system where the art of magic is lost but remain in objects of the past, making their archeology and the discussions on colonialism even more fascinating.
The mystery was a fun element running throughout the book, and while I guessed the twist I didn’t mind one bit. That is until the ending twist, that I didn’t see coming for the life of me, which made me want to read it again immediately. Seriously, I need the second book to put me out of my misery!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail