What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez weaves a captivating tale with lush, evocative prose and rich historical settings that transport readers to another era. While praised for its vivid descriptions and emotional depth, some critics find the pacing uneven and certain plot twists predictable. Overall, it's an engaging read for fans of historical fiction with a touch of romance.

Fans of rich historical fantasies like The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi and adventures akin to The Mummy will relish What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez. Ideal for those who appreciate intricate world-building, archaeology, and a blend of magic and history set against the backdrop of 19th-century Egypt.

Published in 2023, Isabel Ibañez’s young adult historical fantasy novel What the River Knows is the first installment in the Secrets of the Nile duology. It follows Inez Olivera, a young heiress from Buenos Aires, as she embarks on a harrowing quest in 19th-century Egypt to uncover the truth behind her parents' mysterious disappearance, navigating treacherous landscapes and ancient magic alongside her love interest, Whitford Hayes. Contains depictions of gun violence, homicide, and alcohol addiction.

Isabel Ibañez

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Secrets of the Nile

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Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore What the River Knows and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

What the River Knows Summary and Study Guide

Background

What the River Knows Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “A World Away”

Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 6

What the River Knows Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 7-12

What the River Knows Part 1, Chapters 7-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Up the River”

Part 2, Chapters 13-17

What the River Knows Part 2, Chapters 13-17 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Jewel of the Nile”

Part 3, Chapters 18-22

What the River Knows Part 3, Chapters 18-22 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 23-29

What the River Knows Part 3, Chapters 23-29 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Lost Among a Thousand Minarets”

Part 4-Epilogue

What the River Knows Part 4-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

What the River Knows Character Analysis

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Themes

What the River Knows Themes

Symbols & Motifs

What the River Knows Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

What the River Knows Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

What the River Knows Essay Topics

What the River Knows

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read What the River Knows?

Reading Age

Book Details