What the River Knows
- Jan 12, 2024
- 2 min read
[A quick note: This was one of my HIGHEST anticipated reads of autumn 2023. I was so keen for it just based on the description alone. There aren’t a lot of Egypt based fantasy books. It’s such an underrated setting! Plus, I grew up obsessed with The Mummy movies. Like, OBSESSED. So when this was tagged as The Mummy meets Death On The Nile, I knew I needed to read it.]
“If I left, I’d never understand what brought them here, year after year. To learn who they were so I wouldn’t forget about them. If I left, I’d never learn what happened to them. Curiosity burned a path straight to my heart, making it beat wildly. More than anything, I wanted to know what was worth their lives. If they thought of me at all. If they missed me.” —Isabel Ibañez
This book has ALL THE VIBES. I wanted something that felt a little like The Mummy with all the archeology aspects. This delivered! From Cairo to Philae, this is packed with Egyptian settings that will whisk you away. Also, can we take a moment appreciate that the author did go to Egypt while writing this?!
I loved reading a story with a South American character, seeing all her cultural influence woven into the writing. Inez Olivera is part of the glittering upper society in Buenos Aires. She discovers that her parents are killed while on an archeological expedition to Egypt. She wants answers, so she journeys there (unchaperoned, gasp!) and meets the dashing but infuriating Whittford, who works for her uncle. Her uncle thwarts her at every turn, insisting that she return home, that Egypt isn’t safe for a young lady like her. Yet, she persists. It’s her tenacity that I loved so much, the way she always finds a work around. She was such a great character and it was fun seeing her growth!
I also loved the romance that develops between Inez and Whit. Whit has secrets, and Inez is determined to see through his exterior. Despite their forbidden feelings, they find themselves falling for each other. sigh Whit is a great morally gray character and I cannot wait to see what devilish things he’s up to in the second book.
As for the plot, I loved it! A trip down the Nile. An archeological dig to discover Cleopatra’s tomb. A shocking betrayal. It’s all there! I struggled to put this story down. I wanted answers about Inez’s parents, I wanted the adventure of discovery, I wanted to see the romance bloom. The balance was perfect.
I cannot wait for the second book. The little epilogue cliff hanger KILLED me. I’m going to die waiting.
𝑴𝒀 𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮: 𝟓⭐️
This reflection on "What the River Knows" is so beautifully written and really resonates with the idea of navigating life's unpredictable currents. It reminds me of a time last year when I felt completely adrift after a sudden career shift. I was struggling to find my footing and realized my old CV just wasn't cutting it in such a competitive market, so I spent weeks searching for the Best Resume Writing Service in the USA to help me translate my journey into something meaningful for employers. Just like the river, sometimes we have to let go and trust the right experts to help us find our way to the next chapter. Thank you for such a poetic piece!
I really enjoyed this piece the way you weave imagery, reflection, and quiet wisdom made me feel like I was right beside the river, thinking about life’s currents. I was reading it during a busy study week, and honestly, there were moments I wished someone could do my online exam just so I’d have extra headspace to slow down and truly savour thoughtful posts like this without feeling rushed.
Reading your reflection on What the River Knows really made me pause and think about how nature teaches patience and perspective, especially when life feels rushed. I remember needing online class help during a tough semester and how stepping outside and slowing down made everything clearer. Your post reminded me that sometimes looking at the world gently can shift how we approach our own challenges.
I read through the Miscellaneous page, and it looks like a newsletter area with lots of little blog posts and book ideas from Melissa Mitchell, including fun reading lists and quick thoughts on different topics. It made me think of the time I had to finish work super fast for school and even asked someone to boldly do my online marketing exam for me in a group chat when I was stressed. I liked how this mix of short posts felt easy to scroll and think about things I want to read more of later.