give me magical archaeology or nothing

This piece of literature has been compared to both Indiana Jones and The Mummy. If the cover wasn't enough to make me at least pick it up, this description was enough. This is the kind of historical fiction I'm hoping to see and find more of because it was brilliantly researched and had elements of my beloved fantasy genre weaved into the plot. So it's basically the archaeological period piece I didn't realize I needed. One of the smallest details about this book that isn't even an aspect of the actual book itself are the featured portraits of the two main characters, Inez and Whit. They're fashioned in a sepia kind of hue to match the 19th century setting, and allowed me the massive privilege of being able to picture them in detail while reading the book. I lost track of how many times I flipped back and forth to remind myself of their features, and it made my reading experience that much more enjoyable. This publishing decision is one I will not compromise on when my own book eventually finds its way to shelves. But anyways---onto the actual book. The first of four parts is, honestly, a little slow. The prologue wastes no time in making it clear that the inciting incident is the news of the main character's parents' untimely deaths, and the first chapter sees Inez, grieving and desperate to find answers concerning how her parents came to pass, on a boat from Buenos Aires to Egypt. I'm a sucker for banter, and this novel certainly doesn't curb Inez's and Whit's interactions. Mr. Whitford Hayes is a fantastic love interest and troubled rogue, British and brawny and, of course, handsome. I appreciated the romance that blossomed in a slow burn fashion across these pages because plenty of moments of clear attraction and tension sustained the relationship Inez and Whit form while excavating with Inez's elusive uncle, Ricardo. I won't include any detailed spoilers, but I saw the plot twist coming from a mile away. Granted, it was fairly more complicated beneath the surface than I could've expected. I'm not sure if my foresight came from my reading of many many books or the author's reliance on a certain kind of relationship Inez has with another character, but I was thoroughly suspicious for quite some time. The dramatic reveal and events that follow still managed to be dramatic, and I was wrapped up enough in the stakes of the story to not even entertain the thought of DNFing. A significant amount of my interest in this book is grounded in that fusion of historical fiction and fantasy I mentioned. The magic system is unique and described beautifully in the first few pages of the entire thing, setting readers up for what the rest of the novel offers. And the cliffhanger? I was left thoroughly dangling with my jaw on the floor. Iron Flame had a pretty solid ending as well, but this one beats it by just a tad. I appreciate the author's Internet presence because, thanks to her posts, I know I can have the sequel, Where the Library Hides, in my hands on November 12th, and that it takes place almost immediately after the events that ended the first book. This was a lovely book to end 2023 with, putting me at 47 books for the year according to my Goodreads!


Some of my favorite quotes from What the River Knows:

"'Has anyone ever told you that it's abominably rude to sneak up on someone?'
He eyed me quizzically. 'The military encouraged it.'
'Are we at war? I had no idea.'
'Britain is at war with everyone.'"

"'I thought you had scruples.'
Without skipping a beat, he said dryly, 'I only know how to spell the word.'"

---