What the River Knows

A Novel

By: Isabel Ibañez

Narrated by: Ahmed Hamad, Ana Osorio

2023 School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in What the River Knows, Isabel Ibañez's lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt and filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.

When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and a golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parents' disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.

With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parents' disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.

What the River Knows is the first audiobook in the thrilling Secrets of the Nile duology.

"Expertly plotted, explosively adventurous, and burning with romance." - Stephanie Garber #1 New York Times bestselling author

"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

A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books.

©2023 Isabel Ibañez (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

Long-listed, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, 2023

"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

Fun YA book!

Great book for the YA audience. Performance is energetic and helps bring the characters to life. Story is fun and engaging with few dull moments. Seems like the author has done a lot of research into Egypt and it makes me want to travel there.

Mind blowing writing and narrating

I loved absolutely everything. This novel was captivating! Adventure? Heart wrenching plot? Historical tidbits? Ugh. Just so so good.

Great author and good read

5/5 easy to follow book, with great narrator and interesting characters. Recommend for an easy read

Pretty good.

I love Ancient Egypt and any book that can combine it with fantasy and magic. I have been waiting to read this until the second book comes out. And I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately I started the second book and finished it before rating either. This book was good. The second was not.

Intriguing story

Loved the story and the narrators really gave it life! Can’t wait to hear the next book!