ISABEL IBAÑEZ
(Book 1 in a duology)
Synopsis:
Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.
When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and an ancient golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.
With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.
Content:
Language: Use of mild language and a few scattered uses of stronger ("f" and "s").
Violence: Discussion of murder, descriptions of blood, kidnappings, gunshot wounds, mercenaries, knife wounds, fist-fights, as well as discussion of war and resulting deaths. None of the violence is graphic.
Sex: Mentions of brothels (one scene takes place inside one, though there is nothing graphic), a few kisses, discussions of marriages and betrothals, some brief mentions of a man touching a woman's breast as they kiss and an allusion to an erection.
LGBTQ: Not present
My Review: Wow. This was so unique compared to a ton of other YA novels. I loved the setting, loved the characters—what I'm saying is that the ending killed me and I need the second one to be announced. The pacing of the romance bothered me at first, but that could just be because I have a harder time measuring the story arc when reading on an electronic. Still, I loved the couple. Whit and Inez are amazing and complex, just like all the rest of the characters.
My Review:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. This was so unique compared to a ton of other YA novels. I loved the setting, loved the characters, loathed and protested against the ending—it killed me and I need the second one to be announced. The pacing of the romance bothered me at first, but that could just be because I have a harder time measuring the story arc when reading on an electronic. Still, I loved the couple. Whit and Inez are amazing and complex, just like all the rest of the characters.
I saw some of the twists coming, but the way everything unfolded was spectacular. The plot felt extremely original and I really felt drawn into the 19th century Egyptian world. I would have loved a bit more explanation for the magic system, but I can live with what I got. Which is a very interesting and aspect in the world. I would also like to point of that I loved Inez's background. Her feelings toward Egypt and her parents (spawning from this background) were realistic and multi-layered. She and Whit both had their flaws, and that only made them all the more entertaining.
Can I also point out that they are pretty much the blueprint for banter? Sarcastic, witty, soft enemies-to-lovers—yes, please.
Here's to hoping the next one isn't too far into the future.