Where the Library Hides

I adored What the River Knows and after that cliffhanger, I had to request this book and immediately dive back in!

I just love the characters of Inez and Whit and they are one of those book couples that will stay with me and that will remain one of my favourites. One character was very annoying the whole book and I don't know if this was what distracted me a little, because while I was still hooked on this book, there was something missing for me and I can't quite put my finger on what it was.

But there were twists I didn't expect and I really loved being surprised!

I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first (which I obsessed over), but I still did like it overall.

4.5⭐

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton, Hodderscape and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Where the Library Hides picks up from where What the River Knows left off. With adventure and perilous journeys, from the sweeping temples of Philae to the hidden library of Alexandria this breathtaking sequel in historical Egypt has every bit of action and romance that made me fall in love with the first book.

I felt so much for Inez in this sequel, the hurt, the grief and tribulations she has to endure are heartbreaking. And whilst her kind heart can make her naive at times her warmth and determination to do everything she can for the people she loves shines through. She has steadfast become one of my favourite characters I've got to read about.

Whit is as complex and brooding as ever. Not every decision he makes pays off. He's stubborn and sometimes an idiot. But his actions and the dangers he leaps to for Inez was everything. The lengths he would go for her were redeeming and full of love.

I was also genuinely shocked at some of the plot twits in this book. I was at the edge of my seat.
Beautiful. Breathtaking. No words.

Thank you Hodder & Stroughten for letting me read my most anticipated sequel of the year. I had the most incredible experience reading this.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
OMG! This duology is simply perfection! Where the Library Hides was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it did not disappoint.
I love nothing more than a historical setting that makes me feel like I’m in an Indiana Jones movie. From learning about Egyptian culture and history, to the romance, the fantasy, the adventures, and the plot twists. Everything kept me literally at the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. I enjoyed this book so much! Can’t wait for you to have the chance to read it!

Picking up where its cliffhanger of a predecessor left off, this is an absolute page-turner of a sequel that more than delivers on the first book's promise. The characters feel more developed, and the magical elements feel more integrated. Inez is a determined, impetuous delight, and Whit is her exasperated and still-frustrating foil - their interactions are the highlight as they try to achieve their goals and encounter a breathless array of twists and turns in the process. With drama, emotion, and humour all set against a vividly-described Egyptian backdrop, this is a duology I'll definitely return to.

This book, just as the first, is rich with plot and characters and history and magic.....but honestly most of all it's vibes. Stubborn (in the best of ways) Inez and part-time idiot Whit just going on with their adventures, both emotionally and physically and secretly. In a world that is truly lush and also a bit dangerous.

I just love this dilogy and I'm glad about how everything ended. Expect good plot twists and fearing for Inez.

This series lives in my heart now and I love it.

4,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley @hodderbooks for the eARC!

#WhereTheLibraryHides #Netgalley #Bookstagram

This book was a much anticipated sequel for me and I absolutely loved it! I love Ancient Egypt and the integration of it within this duology was perfect! I devoured this and loved the adventure!

🐊📜Where the Library Hides 📜🐊

an absolutely smash hit follow up to What the River Knows!

I loved how Inezs personality shone through the trials and tribulations she goes through in the first book and, in this one, how she stays determined in her beliefs and morals throughout.
Isabel is the master of the hidden motive and the plot twist, I was just taken aback by developments so many times, and it was so fun and enthralling to read

I loved how more was revealed about Whits background and how this motivated and influenced his actions; and while he did annoy me at times, he never fails to be the dashing hero we all know and love

the research and time put into the historical context was incredible! I just adored the rich descriptions and storytelling surrounding cleopatra; she's such an interesting and important historical, and I think her depiction in this series was so wonderfully handled and respectful to her memory and standing in society.
the depictions and detail around older Egypt and the antiquities trading were so gripping and fun to read!

I got through this book in like a day and a half, and while it's bittersweet to know the duology has properly ended; WTLH is a beautifully rounded ending to it. It was so great to see how all the character arcs rounded out

I can't wait to see what Isabel writes next as well as reading her previous publications! 🫶

thank you to Netgalley for the advance e-arc! 🤎

4.5 STARS

This has been one of the best duologies I've had the pleasure of reading!

I especially loved the subtle use of magic in an otherwise almost normal world, which really helped the story feel fresh and entertaining. I'm so glad it was kept to a duology and not a longer series as Isabel Ibañez was able to keep up the pace of the story and at no point did I feel like I was losing interest.

I'm glad she has left a few characters futures open for potential future projects, as I would love to dive back into her Egypt!

I absolutely adored What The River Knows, so before even starting the second book in the duology, I knew I'd love this one too!

The book picks up right where the first left off, right after that shocking epilogue we were tortured with. Inez is mourning the death of a beloved family member, whilst still trying to find her parents and explore the mysteries Egypt has to offer her. Alongside this, she's also tackling the sudden proposal from handsome yet scheming Whit.

I'm happy to say Whit is still as charming yet brutish as ever, he's a conflicting character and I loved the switches between POVs since he doesn't always act to how he feels, so reading his genuine thoughts definitely supported the angsty romance and the push and pull the pair had. I also cannot get over how at every opportunity Whit never misses to call Inez his wife. I love me a man who's proud of his stubborn, adventurous woman!

The plot is fairly fast paced, though less action packed and full of adventure compare to the first book- at least until around 60 percent in- it made up for it with the sleuthing, ongoing mysteries, shocking plot twists and family revelations. I enjoyed Inez as a lead heroine, she's got flaws such as her naivety, but it also makes her a well developed character. I enjoyed the direction of the story, as well as all the history and world building.

I'm so glad that we finally got answers to everything, and that the ending was an action packed and intense journey as I'd hoped it would be. The book wraps everything up neatly, leaving off with a happily ever after, and a short but sweet epilogue with artwork, telling us what the characters did with their lives after the book, as well as hinting at a possible spinoff for Arabella, Whit's sister.

Overall, this was a fantastic duology and it gave me all the 'The Mummy' vibes I've been desperately searching for!

5/5 🌟

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year after reading the ending of What the river knows and it definitely lived up to the hype! I grew up to love our main characters (Inez and Whit) even more in the second installment of the Secrets of the Nile duology.
Inez is one of my favourite female characters ever: she’s headstrong, determined, cultured and softhearted, she definitely deserved so much better from the people around her but she got the happy ending she always deserved! Now about Whit: we finally have longer chapters in his pov! I’ve always had a soft spot for lonely, tormented, witty boys who are secretly the biggest sweethearts and Whit totally falls within this group. He does questionable things but for honorable or solid reasons, he’s dedicated to Inez and loves her to a fault, being always there for her through thick and thin.
The cast of secondary characters also earned a spot in my heart, especially Inez’s uncle Ricardo but also Abdullah, Farida and Tía Lorena.
I absolutely loved the little sentences in spanish and sometimes in french, as well as how the author explained the history behind certain artefacts or sites visited by the main characters and how it often mixed with real history. I think that using Cleopatra’s memories as a plot device to provide this was a brilliant idea on the author’s behalf!
I’m honestly quite sad that this series is over and i might have to do a reread of the first book soon.

(Also how beautiful are the covers for this series!?)

Thank you so much to the publisher Hodder & Stoughton and netgalley for the arc, i had a wonderful time reading it! All opinions are my own.

Everything I wanted and more.

Firstly, I adore What The River Knows- it was one of my favourite books from last year- so I was desperate to read Where The Library Hides.

Inez and Whit make the dream team- they banter, they push each other, they exasperate each other- and they make a fearsome pair. The chemistry continues to boil between them and we have a delicious amount of unspoken emotions and yearning.

Once again, I love the setting which is enthused with classical details and provides a perfect backdrop for Inez and Whit’s adventures as they continue their searches for alchemy. Familiar faces reappear and it was great to see ones like Farida having her moment.

Full of twists and turns, this was fast paced but I loved every page…in fact, I may have to read it again very soon.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton, Hodderscape, and Isabel Ibañez for granting me a Netgalley digital arc for Where The Library Hides in exchange for an honest and fair review. This was my most anticipated read for 2024. I've been eagerly waiting for this arc to go up on Netgalley to request, and I have never clicked the request button for any books before!

Where The Library Hides has been worth the wait! Our adventure sweeps away from the temples of Philae to hunt down mysterious in Alexandria about the once great library. The storytelling pacing was a rip-roar rollercoaster ride, and you were never quite sure what was coming next! There's never a dull moment in the adventures and romance of Inez and Whit. The tone of the adventure isn't as action-packed as in book one. The Mummy vibes might be on the back burner – but crank up the vibes of Death on the Nile. We've got some serious sleuthing, mystery, and shocks around every corner packed into the plot!

Isabel Ibañez writes some of my favourite fictional characters – I was so glad to be back in their company in Where The Library Hides. No character doesn't leap off the page with a big personality with quirks, flaws, and egos. Even the secondary character cast is life-like, with a big draw on your heartstrings. I'm so glad we get more into Whit's soul, back-history, and motivations. While ever the charming and mischievous chancer, Whit's got a heart of gold underneath, and his protective drive had me weak at the knees. He's the perfect partner in crime for lovely Inez with her strong, determined/stubborn, and adventurous streak but flawed by being too trusting and soft-hearted at times, landing in some hot water or staring down the barrel of a gun.

The romance between Whit and Inez hit the bulls-eye dead centre. I loved their banter, lovely one-liners, and the heartfelt, swoony declarations. Their romance was a cornerstone of the plot, driving them both to grow and fight for their relationship when everything was trying to tear them apart. I wouldn't say I liked some tropes in Where The Library Hides involving Whit and Inez. It's the only niggle I've got.

An exhilarating ending to the beautiful world of the Secrets of the Nile duology set! I'm sad this series is over, as it's been a whirlwind adventure with all the best vibes and a uniquely magical world crafting the perfect historical fantasy story. It didn't quite pack a punch as its predecessor, but it's held its own in the ring of Secrets of the Nile duology, keeping me hooked from start to finish as a gripping page-turner.

[Rating 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for this review]

The Nile did indeed have many secrets.

I could not put this book down. I read and LOVED the What the River Knows, I absolutely adore Egypt and all its history, I've always had a profound interest in it. But I'll be honest here- I picked up the series because I (may) have seen the B&N exclusive editions artwork and fallen in love with Whit. That still remains true, I love Whit's character- he's got depth.

Where the Library Hides 1000% lived up to the hype of the first book for me- sometimes I find that sequels fall off or I lose interest. That was not the case.

This book is rife with betrayals and misdirections and it hurt my soul in the best way. I laughed, cried and got irrationally angry all in the span of one book.

For anyone who is thinking about picking this series up- I urge you to do so. I found the storyline profoundly unique- Inez is a wonderful heroine (albeit maybe a bit reckless lol). Whit is an enchanting scoundrel and the plot and setting are remarkable.

It's one of those books that is going to live with me awhile.

✨5 stars✨

This was one of my most anticipated reads since loving the first book when I read it all the way back in January!!

What an amazing sequel and conclusion to this series. I loved being back with Inez and Whit while they attempted to solve the mystery of Inez’s parents. I found the setting of Egypt fascinating and the twists in this book continuously had me on the edge of my seat!

I would recommend this book to everyone but especially to people who read and enjoyed the first one because this is an amazing conclusion that manages to tie up all the loose ends leaving the reader incredibly satisfied.

I cannot wait to get a finished copy when it comes out in November!

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Amazing! Probably the only sequel that I have read that does the first book justice. I had my eyes on this series for a while but only picked up the first book a couple of weeks ago. I completely fell in love. Both with strong willed Inez and charming Whit. When I read the reviews and saw people were saying it was like Brendan Fraser’s The Mummy, I knew I had to read it.

I genuinely adored this series. It was quick paced, filled with adventure and steamy romance. All the characters were so well formed and the twists were so unexpected!

I wished that this series was more than just a duopoly. I need more!

What can't I say about this book It was utterly AMAZING!!! The moment I saw this on NetGalley I knew to automatically read this as I was obsessed with the story in What the river knows and to be able to read the second part before the book drops was a dream.

The story picked right back up where we left the main characters and let's just say we dive straight back into the mystery and drama of the story. I love the new characters we meet as well as some old ones. There was a lot of twist in turns in this sequel that really shocked the system but nonetheless it was fantastic. I will definitely be giving this book 4.75 stars.

Massive thank you to NetGalley and Hodder Books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC before release.

What a book!! After the first one (and its ending!!) I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one and it did not disappoint and I love it with all my heart!
I think it’s great we continue with the dual pov and therefore understand both characters quite great and I liked that there were a few new people introduced in this book, because it kept things interesting.
This story is just as packed with mystery and twists as the first one and the art is absolutely stunning! Couldn’t recommend it more.

LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT!!!!

omg what a ride!! Divibg back into Eygpt has been the highlight of my October. It was such a fun read and omg I love Whit EVEN MORE.

Cant wait to get my physical copy!!!

4,5 ⭐️

I was so happy to receive a complimentary advance copy of this book from Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

After the epilogue of What the River Knows I couldn’t wait to find the explanation.

For Whit, the betrayal is justified because he was saving someone else. He is morally and ethically gray and was not sorry for what he did. I understand why he did not apologize and instead did his best to protect Inez and make it up to her.

Inez tries to be brave and look like she is not affected by the lie, but, as Whit describes her, she is “resourceful, reckless, curious”, and also naive so she trusts the wrong people and ends up hurt.
Still, we have to remember that she is basically a teenager looking for a family so of course she wants to see the good in people.

Just like in the first book we have mystery, secrets, betrayals and magic.
There are a lot of twists that keep you engaged and entertained. I also like the writing, the descriptions and the illustrations.
There are so many paragraphs that I highlighted. It was nice to have both POVs and understand the characters better.

I had already read the first novel of this series and was really looking forward to the sequel. It was worth the wait, what an amazing book this is! Perhaps the vibes can best be described as Indiana Jones vibes mixed with romance and a touch of magic, it is really different than usual.

The story in short:

Inez is determined to find her mother, who stole many of Cleopatra’s possessions from her grave. However, her uncle wants to send her back to Argentina, and to ensure that she can make the choice to stay, she marries Whit, her father’s assistant. When Whit withdraws all her money and sends it to his sister, it seems clear that she is on her own. They receive a telegram that the grave of Cleopatra has been robbed and her uncle and his partner are accused of this crime and taken prisoner, and so Inez is suddenly alone. She does everything she can to find her mother, to find out what happened to her father, and to ensure that the stolen artifacts and Cleopatra’s mummy are found and her uncle can be released. Her search takes her to Alexandria, where it is said that there is a secret library where her mother is hiding. However, Inez is not the only one who is searching...

The book is super thrilling and Isabel’s writing style is amazing. She has portrayed Inez very well as a somewhat naive, gullible young lady with enormous willpower, stubbornness and perseverance at the same time. You can just picture old Egypt as you read the story and are transported back in time. The drawings in the book are very nice and helpful and make the story extra lively. I did not see the denouement coming at all and I read until 1:30 in the morning yesterday because I had to know how it would end. This novel is highly recommended, thank you @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the ARC!

I loved this book. What the River Knows was such a wonderful read and the sequel did not disappoint. The relationship and dynamics between Inez and Whit really move the story forward. Perfect pacing throughout, filled with twists. The setting is beautiful, really well described and great to read. Isabel Ibanez's storytelling is truly wonderful, capturing all of the emotion of these character with well written depth.

5 stars, arc review I honestly love this duology it’s the perfect balance of romance, suspense and historical fantasy. I loved the magic elements combined with Egyptian history they worked so well with each other. This book was just a great way to end the duology and probably has one of my favourite epilogues with everything tied up for each character. The artwork was incredible as well it was one of my favourite elements of the first book and I’m so glad they were incorporated in this one as well. If you’re looking for a ya historical fantasy with a romance sub plot this is the duology for you.

Where the Library Hides is book 2 in the Secrets of The Nile. Which was obviously an error on m part, so I had to go and read Book 1 before I could pick up book 2. And it gives me a reason to read a book that’s been stuck on my tbr for several months.

So book 2 in comparison to book 1 was much faster paced. There was more happening but with enough detail so you aren't left confused or wondering. The first book lacked quite a bit but book 2 is right up there and I thoroughly enjoyed it in comparison to book 1.

I was completely hooked to this book, especially after the cliffhanger we was left with on book 1. The one thing I can say for absolute certainty was that the research that must of come with writing this book was insane. The small details that just make you see Cairo and the area surrounding it. It was so beautifully done, I have zero faults for the world building in this book.

The pace is absolutely flawless in this book, there were moments where you had time to think about all that was happening and where it would lead, but they were placed perfectly in-between those faster paced moments where you found yourself holding your breath because it was so intense.

There honestly isn't much more I can say to sell this book to you. I loved every second of it and will continue to recommend it. I think reading book 1 is so worth it to the story, but just hold om through the parts that lag, because book 2 more than makes up for it.

I always find it quite difficult to review the second book in the series. For once, the expectations, though only slightly subdued by the sheer power of my will, are always high, and with that, a great deal of books end up being downright underwhelming. Apart from that, there's always a fine line between raving about the story and spoiling it for all future readers.

This was a masterpiece. Where the Library Hides proved to be the book that is impossible to put down. I was hooked from the very first letter I read and I'm proud to say the uncontrollable obsession lasted until I turned the very last page.

The dynamic between Whit and Inez was everything one dreams of when they're reading a book like that - intense, full of fire and love, and just a little bit of angst.

The story flowed effortlessly and Isabel once again showed just how well she understands both her characters and the storyline.

I could talk about this book for hours, so for now, let me finish with this - not only did Where the Library Hides meet my expectations. It exceeded them.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advance copy to read.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and it did not disappoint. Ibanez writes with such beautiful description and creates the most believable characters that it is pure magic to read.

I adore the setting in Cairo and it's abundantly obvious how much research and knowledge of the area and times has been loving poured into the story.

Our main characters, Inez and Whit, are just a wonderful love story. They are also brilliant characters who are full of wit (No pun intended). I love how defiant Inez in and won't be told no. I also love how defensive Whit is. They are the perfect book romance for me and their story really carries the duo.

I really enjoyed the twists in this book, especially after the cliff hanger from book 1. I did not see any of it coming until just before.

So much action, drama and love.

I fear I can never write eloquently enough just how much I adore this book. But urge everyone to read it and fall in love with it too.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the chance to read this book early in exchange for an honest review!

After reading and loving What the River knows - and after that specific ending that had me reeling - I was so excited to finally get my hands on this arc and I have to say: Isabel ibañez did not disappoint (I literally finished this book in 2 days because I couldn't put it down). I already loved Inez and Whit in the first book but I really think they both got more opportunities to be developed in this one, both separately and as a couple. It made me really happy that we got more moments of these two alone, without the interference of other characters, because I did want them to grow closer in this book (again, Ibañez did not disappoint).

I think the pace in this book was better than in the first one and the story was still interesting. I love how the author sprinkled a little bit of magic all over this book because it did turn it into something special.

I'm sad that this duology is over but I do think this was the perfect conclusion and I'm so excited to read the next books (and you'll definitely know who's coming next by the time you finish this one).

A spectacular conclusion to the Secrets of the Nile duology. It's always bittersweet to see a beloved series come to an end, but I couldn't have hoped for a better adventure following Inez and Whit.

This review is spoiler free FYI :)

Isabel's worldbuilding was superb, very detailed and I always felt very much part of the story, exploring Egypt alongside Inez as the story developed. This book answered every question I had from What The River Knows and also had me squealing and kicking my feet like a small child.

I devoured Where The Library Hides, I struggled to put this book down - utterly obsessed with Whit (as scheming as he may be) and I enjoyed seeing Inez grow during her time in Egypt.

This book is full of secrets, magic, betrayals and above all a sense of found family. I only wish I could reread it again for the first time. I really hope I can convince at least one reader to pick up this duology because it really is that good, I've never read anything like it.

The pacing is pretty slow for the first half of the book, but once they move from Cairo the plot thickens and we really get a good glimpse into what is coming. It dives straight back in to the cliff-hanger that left me open mouthed, and I wasn't disappointed.

I'm so excited to see what Isabel Ibanez writes next, she is definitely an auto-buy author for me now and I will be collecting every edition I can of this duology (madness but it is worth it!).

Just like everything Isabel Ibañez writes, this book is golden!

This is book 2 of the finished What the River Knows duology, and if you've read book 1 you know we needed this book ASAP

Following Inez's and Whit's adventures in Egypt is a wonderful experience. The way it's written makes you travel to faraway lands and the tension between the main characters and the obstacles they need to overcome will keep you hooked!

I read this book in only 2 days and was constantly surprised by all the plot twists and new additions to the mysteries to be solved - I couldn't recommend this book enough, it's certainly been one of the best reads of the year

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this as an ARC, I don't know if I'd been able to survive longer without knowing what was going to happen next!

Really enjoyed the conclusion to this duology. It ended really well.
I feel like character progression was done well, as was the whole rounded up of the story.
A very satisfying ending.

A lush immersive historical fantasy filled with adventure, magic and a romance like no other. Steeped in historical detail that will bring these ancient times and rituals to life. We travel alongside these characters as they uncover new mysteries, experience character growth and learn more about the world that they live in.

I was captivated by the author’s lyrical writing, the plot twists that took me by surprise and the magical system that was expanded upon in this story. This was a stunning sequel and I will continue to read anything this author publishes.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐫 & 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧 (𝐇𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞) 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐳

WHERE THE LIBRARY HIDES returns us to late 19th century Egypt and the very determined Inez who is on the hunt for her mother.

As the blurb suggests, Inez and Whit's relationship is a major part of this book. It's not a simple cut and dry "we're getting married and are madly in love." Whit makes a few terrible decisions and Inez is forced to ask herself how much she knows about him and whether she's trusted the wrong person. Again. There is a lot of tension between them, which is a lot of fun.

I really liked getting to spend more time with Isadora. There were so many more girls Inez's age around this book (rather than mostly just men a generation older) and so we got to delve into a variety of female relationships. Isadora was the one on page the most so the relationship the book got to explore most. She's a very complex character and she also acted as a source of tension between Whit and Inez.

Whit has longer narration points, almost full chapters of his own, this book. I really liked getting to see more of his thoughts and actions. It made it easier to understand why he betrays Inez (not that I thought it was the right decision for him to make!) and also why he didn't like Isadora (which I did agree with!)

The book ends with a montage-like epilogue, with a little bit of info about "what happens next" for various characters - both the real ones and the fictional. It was a sweet little bonus that gives readers the basic answers they want but leaves it open for more stories (hopefully!)

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book early, all thoughts are my own!

I was soooo happy when I got approved for an eARC of this book since the first one ended on a cliffhanger and I absolutely loved it, it is one of the best books I’ve read in the past few years and its sequel did NOT disappoint. We go back to Egypt with our amazing characters, we’re traveling alongside them as they uncover new mysteries, as they go through so much, as they discover themselves and each other. I loved Inez so much more in this book, she was very easy to love and I felt for her so much during this book.
I was so captivated by the story and I just couldn’t find anything I didn’t enjoy about this book. The plot twists really surprised me and just.. wow!

“It’s a weak and unimaginative human being who resorts to violence to get what they want.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

1885, Egypt. Inez Olivera is left reeling from her cousin Elvira’s murder, and her mother’s betrayal, and when Tío Ricardo issues an ultimatum about her inheritance, she’s left with only one option to consider. Marriage to Whitford Hayes. Former British soldier, her uncle’s aide de camp, and one time nemesis, Whit has his own mysterious reasons for staying in Egypt. With her heart on the line, Inez might have to bind her fate to the one person whose secret plans could ruin her.

Inez goes through a lot in this book but she doesn’t let anything hold her back. She’s peppered with betrayal, lies, subterfuge and a whole lot of violence, but she sticks to her guns and focuses on her goals. I wholeheartedly admire Inez’s tenacity and dedication. She’s so devoted to her craft and the belief it should be shared by many, not the few. Her passion oozes from the pages and the way she cares so deeply for so many? You cannot help but love her. She’s had a brilliant arc over the course of these two books with so much growth. Bravo Ibañez for such a strong female lead!
Oh my dear Whit. You scheming bastard. You really tested my buttons here. But I forgive you because what you did in this book? You truly redeemed yourself. His roguish and deceptive ways became more of a background characteristic whilst his attention was held elsewhere. I am all for a morally grey male lead and Whit certainly gives us that. I think his overall journey over the course of these books was a great one, demonstrating plenty of growth whilst remaining true to himself.

After the events of the first book, I was beyond desperate to know what was going to happen. So, when the chance to read the e-ARC came along, I was not going to deny myself the opportunity! The plot had me utterly engrossed from start to finish. Blessedly, it picks up immediately after the ending of the first book and allows us to see everything unfold. There is untold levels of angst and tension and mystery and frustration… I was here for every morsel I was fed. I can be iffy with stories based off of history as they can occasionally feel a little dry but this was not the case here. It is so rich with history and the mystery that accompanies it, which meant I was gobbling down each finding and trying to work things out alongside our characters. Speaking of which, Ibañez has a skill for writing characters that are more complex than meets the eye - which is something I adore! Nothing worse than a character that has no substance to them beyond face value. There are so many layers to each character that we steadily got to delve deeper into as the story progressed. No story is ever good if we don’t get this in characters, in my opinion. The romance was so full of angst for so much of the book but considering the goings on, it wasn’t at all a shock. Yet I loved every bloody moment! We get a tiny bit of spice as well which whilst lacking description (understandable for the age group!) it did not lack in emotion. It had my heart all aflutter and a giddy smile on my face. The ending was absolute perfection that had me feeling all the emotions knowing it was over. This story has been an absolute marvel to read - I hoped it would never end!

Overall, Where the Library Hides is a stunning sequel and conclusion to this magical mystery!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on release day. Now available on Goodreads

4.5 ⭐️

I really loved What The River Knows the first book in Secrets of The Nile duet so I was even more excited for Where The Library Hides after the epilogue we were left with. While I enjoyed this book I didn’t love this as much as the first book but was very happy with the way it concluded. This was very much about solving a lot of the mysteries from the first book and the romance did take a little bit of backseat in this for the majority of the story.

We do get both Inez and Whit’s POVs in this book and I really think that helped seeing both sides of the story especially as this book deals with a lot of betrayals and twists and turns. Inez certainly goes through it in this book and the last part was certainly filled with a lot of action and twists and turns.

The writing is still one of my favourite things and the way the author describes the world it is so vivid and easy to visualise, I loved the illustrations and I especially loved the epilogue and the way it was done. I will always recommend giving this duo a read as the writing and world building is so beautifully done.

A huge thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and Isabel Ibañez for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Firstly, I loved that the book was dedicated to everyone who was absolutely wrecked after the ending of book 1 and that Where the Library Hides picks up right where What the River Knows ended.
While reading, I found myself increasingly disliking Whit (I know! Sorry!). He was showing so many red flags that I was seriously worried about Inez. Every time I thought Inez (and I) couldn’t handle any more heartbreak and betrayal, the book proved me wrong.
However, the pacing was so incredible, especially at around 70%, that I couldn’t stop reading because the plot twists were so intense and insane. I loved the complexity of the characters and that they showed how nothing is just black & white. Whit made up for *no spoiler* and I liked how his and Inez’s relationship evolved despite everything that happened.

That being said, get ready for an incredible adventure and go read this book (and book 1 if you haven’t)!

By the way, I need Arabella to have her own book because this is one of my favourite storyworlds and I’m not ready to leave it!

You know when you love a book so much you don't know how to praise it? This is me with this book.
So let's start simple; I loved the characters, Whit and Inez. I enjoyed their back and forth despite the changes in their relationship and I do not think I will ever get enough of these two. The fierce protectiveness these two have for one another is just so sweet!

I also thought there weren't going to be more mysteries, more backstabbing and more adventures involved, but I was bamboozled yet again. There are so many characters that one has to look out for, you as the reader don't know who to trust!

As with the first book, the setting and descriptions transported me to a world I have only seen in movies. It felt like I was there with the characters, through the hardships and the dangers.
It's safe to say that I think this book will be a great movie adaptation because Isabel Ibañez just has a way with words!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC for my honest review.

5 stars - YA historical fantasy

What the river knows was one of my favourite reads of last year so I was super excited to get back into this one after that jaw dropping cliff-hanger. Picking up where book 1 ended I had no trouble picking the story back up.

Spoilers for book 1!

Inez has to decide whether to accept Whits proposal of marriage so she can stay in Egypt and claim her inheritance. She wants to find her mom to send her to prison for Elviras death and the stolen artefacts and find out what happened to her Dad. However we know Whit is hiding / planning something with his plans to marry Inez.

I went through a rollercoaster of emotions reading this book from anxiety, anger and betrayal to hope and happiness. I absolutely loved the story arc and my jaw dropped at some of the twists and turns the author created. I also loved the drawings and little pictures through the book as they really helped me picture the characters.

I would say given the title, the library part of the book is very small - I would have loved to see more scenes within the library but overall I still enjoyed the story for what it was.

Sad the story is over but I think the author hinted at a spin off story which I hope comes out!

“Where the library hides” by Isabel Ibanez is the sequel to “what the river knows” which was a five stars for me last year, so you can imagine my excitement when I got approved for the arc of this.

In here we follow Inez and Whit immediately where we left them off in book one. While hunting down her mother to bring her to justice, Inez is going to have to deal with more family drama, betrayal from someone very close to her all while trying to understand what happened to her father. Whit while hiding his own past is trying to help Inez get to the bottom of things, while trying to win back her trust.

I personally loved how action packed this was, as I said it started off where we left, so there was no boring recap or stall at the beginning. I personally loved Inez and Whit even more in this since you get more in depth of their pasts. The setting is as immersive and fun as the first book.

This book is also full of plot twists, some more easy to catch than others, but it kept the pacing super interesting. Overall a great sequel, one of the few that didn’t disappoint this year!

And also even if the ending is final, I loved the little crumbs of a possible continuation with different characters. If that ends up being true, I’ll definitely continue with this series! Thank you netgalley and hodderstoughton for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured the first book in this duology, and am forever grateful for being able to read this one in advance!

This was amazing! The perfect ending to the duology. I think I liked this one even more than the first, and that rarely happens for me! Inez and Whit grew so much and I enjoyed the side characters as well! I can't wait to see what Ibanez writes next!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 rounded to 5.

While I did spend a large amount of this book being VERY annoyed at the miscommunication between Inez and Whit, the mystery plot concerning Cleopatra, Inez's parents and the villainous underground of illegal artefact trading kept me interested enough to persevere. I'm so glad I did, because it really redeemed itself from the initial irritating misunderstandings and focus on the romance plot. There was a lot of danger, action and adventure from 50% onwards, so much double-crossing and a lot of secrets revealed. If you loved The Mummy (1999) and Indiana Jones then you'll 100% enjoy this duology - and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a spin-off with a few side characters too!