If I place River Row during setup, is it knelt until Round 2?

If you place it during setup, you reveal it standing 1st turn

Bolzano said:

thanks, i believe you, but what is the logic behind this? Is it because the wording says that it 'comes in to play knelt', and during setup you are considered to be 'placing cards' ?

In general, all card text (other than "Limited" and "Setup") is ignored during setup by rule.

dh098017 said:

Yep, that's it. the card is not "coming into play" but instead is being placed during setup. Same with cards that say "when character comes into play do X". If they are played during setup this does not trigger as they are not coming into play.

Marshal Lambert said:

(2.1) Card Effects in Setup
Cards revealed during setup do not trigger card
effects. This includes cards that contain the
text "When put into play" or "When played
from your hand." No actions may be taken
during the setup phase.

You can reason it out, or you can just accept the rules as written.