You know how we all have that one friend/coworker/family member who thinks they are <i>very clever indeed</i> and they get to talking, and talking, and talking, and talking… And as you slowly disassociate you realize they haven’t really said anything at all?

If that is a situation you enjoy being in, you will also enjoy this book!

Now listen, I am a HUGE fan of flowery prose and books where we get lots of descriptions of places or characters and the plot sometimes takes a back seat. Don’t get me wrong, there are several of those that are some of my favorite books.

But what I don’t like is feeling, is feeling like there is no goddamn point to it. Like what is actually happening STILL needs to be compelling. I’m sorry, I don’t like or buy the “one sister is a special magical free soul and the other sister is content with settling with the creepy neckbeard mansplainer next door because… he “notices” her SISTER? And she wishes SHE would be noticed?? BUT HE DOESN’T NOTICE YOU, YOU SILLY GIRL!

Another big complaint I have is that several times as I read this, I got the vibes that this was a creative writing assignment with a word count minimum. WHY. Just…. WHY. Get on with it!

I also feel as if the things that actually happened had almost zero substance or meaning at all. Like there is this “climatic” scene <spoiler>where it’s revealed that creepy mansplainer murdered one of the sisters, and it’s literally just like oh yeah they caught him and made him drink water to turn him into a tree…</spoiler> OKAY?!

In short, I got <a href=“ https://youtu.be/G7RgN9ijwE4?si=47rXNS0dQdc1HF7m”>“did you ever have a dream” kid</a> vibes from this story.

How can an author be so skilled as to create a novella as beautiful as this? It's enchanting that with so few words the magic of language and of being is captured.

It is lyrical and yet so effective at communicating a narrative. It feels as though you are being told this story directly from someone's heart.

As meandering as a river and yet each detour is welcome.

I am translated into something new by reading this, something wholler and formless.

Everyone say thank you Amal El-Mohtar. The River Has Roots is so beautifully written. I absolutely devoured this book. Every sentence packs such a punch. I knew this was going to be amazing, but I continue to be floored by her writing and storytelling. You need to read this!

What a fascinating way to tell a story! In this lyrical novella, Grammar is a tangible thing on the edge of faerie and I'll say no more because this is one of those stories that you'll devour in a moment, but will stick with you for ages!

An inventive and dreamlike fantasy novella from Amal El-Mohtar, who previously wrote the wonderful “This Is How You Lose the Time War” with Max Gladstone.

This is one of those books where I feel my lacklustre words are not even worthy of talking about it. It tells the story of two close sisters, Ysabel and Esther, who live in a small human town on the very edge of the faerie world. Esther has fallen in love with Rin, a being who takes on a different form every time we meet them. The sisters like to sing together, and it’s Esther’s songs that have captivated Rin. However, the farmer who lives next door has other opinions on who she should marry.

There is a fascinating description of magic here, visualised as untamed grammar that flows in the river between the two worlds, that people in the town carefully harvest and pass down to those who wield it:

“That is the nature of grammar—it is always tense, like an instrument, aching for release, longing to transform present into past into future, is into was into will.”

I feel it is best not to talk too much about the plot, but suffice to say it touches on misogyny and murder, so keep that in mind. While the main tale is not very long at all, it is ideally read in a single sitting, so I will not fault it for that. There is an additional short story “John Hollowback and the Witch” included too, which is an inventive fairy tale and also well worth your time.

Amal’s clever and imaginative writing style really feels like nothing I’ve encountered before, and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. Recommended!

Thanks to Tor for the early review copy.

I sat and read this book in basically one sitting. It was the perfect fall read with it's lyrical, folklore, faerie beauty. I adored it, and honestly cannot wait til this author comes out with more things like this!

Amal has such a lyrical way with words and worldbuilding. We are so lucky to get more of her brain with this stunning tale of magic and family and devotion.

Gorgeously written, on top of a fantastic premise and interesting world-building. Overall, The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar is unlike anything else I’ve read this year. It’s thrilling to read something so profoundly crafted and this is a small masterpiece. Highly recommended.