Unpopular Opinion: Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibanez.

Where the Library Hides is Isabel Ibañez’s stunning conclusion to the story that started in What the River Knows. A lush immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, and a rivals-to-lovers romance like no other!

“Ana Osorio and Ahmed Hamad are consistently excellent as they deliver this audiobook.”—AudioFile

Inez Olivera traveled across the world to Egypt, seeking answers into her parents’ recent and mysterious deaths. But all her searching led her down a perilous road, filled with heartache, betrayal, and a dangerous magic that pulled her deep into the past.

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.

Review

Don’t read this if you don’t want to be spoiled for book one!

Max 3 disappointed stars

This review will look like a rant, not about the author’s writing but about the choices she made to further her story along.

To set the scene: we begin after the first book when Inez’s mother betrayed her and her cousin Elvira has been killed in a power play.

Inez’s uncle, Tio Ricardo, wants to send her back to Argentina but Whit proposes. Blinded by love and faith (and a lot of naivety in my opinion) Inez accepts Whit’s proposition. While we, the readers, know that Whit has sent a telegram to his brother, Porter, saying: “INEZ FELL FOR IT”. Kind of ominous right?

Now let’s jump into Where the Library Hides and the first thing I couldn’t get along with was Whit’s betrayal!

Because yes, his telegram was ominous.

I won’t give details but I will say this: for someone who will say that she is the love of his life, his actions made it absolutely unbelievable!

That’s like telling versus showing in a book: not convincing at all.

So no, I don’t buy their love story, no matter the amount of groveling that could or could not happen.

I can’t stand that kind of betrayal pure and simple.

The second thing that absolutely grated me the wrong way was Inez naivety.

COME ON! I know she has been sheltered but literally every nefarious person with puppy eyes could make her believe the best of them. Not only didn’t she ever question Whit’s motives (some will say she has been blinded by love, okay, I can accept that argument) but when an another person that I won’t name also told her a beautiful and pitiful story, she will welcome that person with open arms while that stank of fish from a mile away!

I found it refreshing in the first book and very annoying in this one.

The third element or choice the author made that had me irate was her parents roles.

I won’t say more about it but was it really necessary? Or was it for the easy drama factor? Or was Inez indeed a fool her whole life?

Sorry but  just…no.

Now let’s end this tirade on a positive note: you have action, you are in Egypt chasing artifacts, you have magic and action so all is not lost.

Thanks for reading.