What the River Knows is a solid YA historical mystery with an okay romance. 

First, let's get this out of the way: yes, this is being compared to The Mummy. Yes, I can absolutely see why it is. No, it is not worthy of that comparison whatsoever. In fact, that comparison does this book an absolute disservice, because all the reader (me) will do is imprint the main characters with Evie and Rick, and these young adults do NOT live up to those lofty expectations.

Inez is a headstrong young woman who leaves home and races off to Egypt when she receives word that her parents have died. Egypt kept her parents for half the year, leaving Inez at home in Argentina and yearning to be with them and their adventurous lives. When she arrives in Egypt, she is met with her Uncle (now her guardian) and his right hand man, the brawny and dashing Whit. Inez stubbornly finds ways to stay in Egypt instead being sent back home, and is wrapped up in the mystery of her parents' deaths and the treasure they sought.

It's a good story with a decent mystery and a little bit of magic to give it some fun flavor. Ibanez did a lot of research for the time period and it shows in the text; Egypt is rendered in loving detail. There is also commentary on the various practices of colonizer countries coming in and taking her history away, on how Egyptians themselves were pushed out of studying their own history and archaeology. Those were great positives for this novel.

The mystery itself was serviceable; about 50% through I could see where the majority of it went. I DO have to give Ibanez credit for doing a few things in the climax that truly surprised me. I didn't see a few big moments coming, and I was struck with the shock and weight of them and the effects they had on the characters. 

As for the characters...that was probably my least favorite part of this novel. Inez was headstrong and stubborn, but at times she crossed waaaay over the line into ignorant and stupid. Whit was annoying in how obviously the author tried to make him seem dashing and charming but also hiding inner turmoil. After the tenth time he was described as leaning/lounging against a wall/doorway with arms crossed over his chest/stomach and his ankles crossed, I wanted to throw my kindle across the room. It's so plainly obvious that he's supposed to be a Rick O'Connell type, but unfortunately he has NONE of the natural charm Brendan Fraser had in the role.

The budding romance between Inez and Whit was okay. It felt forced at times because the characters felt like they were being forced into playing roles already set for them by the author instead of seeing it happen organically. I didn't care whether they liked each other or not, but it didn't really ruin anything for me. 

I would recommend this book for anyone that finds the plot/ideas intriguing AND likes a strong romance. Like I said, the story and mystery itself is decent, and the character issues are things I've had issues with in any novel. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this! What the River Knows will be available on October 31st.

I'm going to go re-watch The Mummy for the 200th time now.