The book opens with a dedication to the readers who have agonized over the abrupt ending of What the River Knows, and I think more authors should respect a reader’s plight because darn right this is dedicated to me! As it should be! About time someone noticed! You can’t just leave me hanging like that with a final twist that stabs you in the gut!
That’s right—this week, we’re talking all about the epic conclusion to the historical fantasy mystery, Where the Library Hides. Careful, though; spoilers ahead!
Without missing any beats, we’re back in the same moment when What the River Knows left us: Whit proposing marriage to Inez. Of course, we’re all wondering what nefarious scheme he’s playing at since we readers already know about the telegram he sent to his brother. It’s obvious from the start of the book, Inez has no idea what’s going on and is completely swept away by the sudden romance of the situation. It’s the work of a true master by Ibañez that eventually you as the reader are caught up in the enchantment of an elopement, too, wondering whether or not the telegram is a red herring.
Soon, though, Whit’s intentions are revealed, and Inez is heartbroken to learn of his betrayal.
Even though it was expected, it didn’t lessen the blow for me when it was finally delivered. I spent the next half of the book wondering how long it would take them to reconcile, to admit their true feelings to one another, and half the time wondering if Whit had any true feelings for Inez at all or if he was playing her for a fool the entire time. Again, this is where Ibañez shines.
It’s only when they have an encounter with Death, Whit and Inez finally realize they want nothing else, no one else, than each other and their marriage is no longer a sham. Except when Inez is abducted, Whit must do everything in his power to not lose his battle against his raging self-doubt that she abandoned him hours after they reconciled while he tracks her down in a rescue attempt.
What about Cleopatra’s tomb? All her stolen belongings and artefacts? What about Inez’s double-crossing mother? And where is Inez’s father?
Despite their tempestuous marriage, the adventure continues with Whit and Inez hot on her mother’s trail, trying to recover the stolen artefacts. Only when Isadora—the demure and cherubic hired gun—involves herself in their investigation does Inez begin to understand how deep her mother’s treachery runs.
Their path unexpectedly crosses with Mr. Sterling, the slimy man who stole Inez’s ring at the beginning of the first book, who is revealed to be the curator and founder of the dubious Tradesman’s Gate. He threatens Inez and everything she holds dear, as any classic villain would, and Inez finds herself having to outmaneuver both him and her slippery mother.
Tensions run high as Inez combats betrayal on every side until—at last—Whit reveals his true colours, splaying all of his cards he’s held so close to his chest this entire game, and Inez finds a partner and support in the man she fell in love with from their first fateful meeting on the pier.
As the trail leads them closer to Inez’s mother, Lourdes, the final clue guides them deep underground in a labyrinthine system of ancient cisterns and canals where more than Cleopatra’s secrets are revealed as the book comes to its epic conclusion worthy of a Spielberg adaptation.
I tell you what, this second installment in the duology is a RIDE better suited for Six Flags.
The second book has much more Indiana Jones vibes than the first, which I loved. The stakes rose, and with it all the action. It was packed full of gripping scenes that never let go and forced you to keep reading. While River was more mysterious and adventurous, Library is the fast-paced, thrilling chase as Whit and Inez are locked in a game of cat and mouse. Though, there were times Inez and Whit acted a little too YA for me, Ibañez aptly straddles that elusive line between YA and adult equanimity with much more emotional maturity I think more crossover authors should adopt.
They second books are the worst to write, and sometimes are equally not as good as the first book, but Where the Library Hides is absolutely an exception to that rule. Ibañez majestically ends her duology, and unlike River, gives each of her characters the happy ending they deserve.
Go out and grab yourself a copy today! You won’t regret adding it to your collection!
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What’s on my Shelf: August
Pizza in the Rain Pt. II
Annual Report
WOMS: The Glass Spare Duology & the Deceiver’s Heart
