At long last, Amal El-Mohtar, co-author of the absolutely fabulous This Is How You Lose The Time War has her own novella out and it is WONDERFUL.

The River Has Roots is an original fairy tale come murder-ballad about two sisters living on the edge of Fairy. It’s too short to give you much more than that, but it’s impressively faithful to old fairy-lore while also feeling fresh and wholly new. El-Mohtar’s writing is rich and verbose in a way that might risk being too much (for me) from any other author, but the way she builds music, grammar and the many peculiarities of the English language into her magic is so clever. This feels like a story that should be told to you at the knee of a very charismatic old woman.

Absolutely stunning. A murder ballad, a fairytale, a love story about romance and family in kind. A story about the magic of language and the ways in can be written, spoken, transformed into anything you desire.

In less than a hundred pages El-Mohtar crafts a dreamy world from your favourite folklore, and then tells you a tale of heartbreaking beauty. I'm such a fan of stories that highlight familial bonds as much as they do romantic ones, and this is a glittering example of that. What happens when the sisters in a fairytale are not driven apart by sibling jealousy or spite, but rather hold onto one another through the strength of their love, from childhood pinky promises to young adulthood and beyond?

I'm going to be thinking about this one for a long, long time. Recommended for fans of This is How You Lose the Time War of course, but also for those who like Mark Lawrence's Library Trilogy and Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series.

This novella isn’t a long read and the story isn’t complicated. In fact, I quickly worked out pretty much the direction the narrative would take. Up to a point, that is…

To be clear, while the prose is exquisite and the descriptions lyrical and vivid – I’m not a fan of such writing, unless it is put to use in the depiction of the characters and backdrop. I loathe stories where it’s all about the style at the expense of the substance – it’s the main reason why years ago, I stomped off in a huge huff from the literary genre to make my reading nest within SFF. El-Mohtar manages to ensure her poetical prose is the tool and not the master of this beautifully crafted tale, where the tension comes from knowledge of the roots of such stories – and wondering exactly how this is all going to end.

This is a classical fairytale, where two sisters – one dark and one fair – have a gift bordering on the magical when singing together, which they use to serenade the willows in their family’s care. The Hawthorns pollard their trees to make a variety of useful objects, so their continued income and welfare heavily rely on the health of the trees on their land. And they have a reputation for having the best trees in Thistleford – a reputation that comes to bite them, when a jealous neighbour wants a piece of what they have… While both sisters are extremely close and love each other dearly, there is growing tension between them. Esther is increasingly drawn to the fae and her developing feelings for Rin – Ysabel wants nothing to do with the dangerous allure of Arcadia and instead, turns to the human community in and around Thistleford. Yet twice every day, they come together to sing to the trees and know in their hearts that each will always be there for the other.

The mechanism of how the magic works isn’t highly explained – I’m relaxed about that, so long as the details given sort of make sense, which they do. There are those who study the grammar by which magic can be accessed, there are some who can appreciate it on an instinctive level, such as Esther. Not that she knows sufficient to always keep her safe. I loved the character of Agnes Crow and I’d love to see a story with her as the main protagonist because she is so very cool. Any niggles? I got a tad exasperated with the illustrations. Any kind of graphic doesn’t play nicely with my Kindle and while I’m sure it all looks stunning in a print edition, the illustrations did mess up the formatting and generally get in the way of the story.

Other than that minor annoyance, I found this to be a beautiful story and I loved that it celebrated the relationship between sisters, without descending into sentimentality. Highly recommended for fans of Fantasy that draw on classical fairytale stories. While I obtained an arc of The River Has Roots from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

It is difficult consummate a tale as simple as this story of a sister who falls.in love with a fae and it's impact on her community. Suffice it to say it's not for everybody. However if you enjoy suspending belief and letting a story take you where it may, this book is a lovely afternoon's escape.

A tale to fall for and break your heart over
—
Calling to mind the very best of books that travel to Faerieland but most of all the classic Lud-in-the-Mist, El-Mohtar’s latest is a fairy tale that refuses to shy away from the darker facets of dealing with the Fae and their world. Two sisters, Esther and Ysabel, tend the willows that mark the boundary between the mortal world and Faerie, the trees providing magical ingredients sought after far and wide. Esther, the more adventurous of the two, finds herself flattered by the attention of a powerful Faerie citizen, which in turn stokes the jealousy of a human suitor. When things come to a head, Esther will have to choose between two impossible things, and in so doing, change her future and her sister’s forever.

An exquisite novella of just about 100 pages, this is a taut and brilliantly constructed tale that promises much in its gentle lyricism and delivers in surprising spadefuls. You’ll recognise the fairy tale tropes to which El-Mohtar refers but here they are given new and startling form and energy, helping you to fall in love with the characters and then break your heart without warning.

Poetry. Sheer, beautiful, exquisite poetry.
I loved this novella so much that I read it on NetGalley on a train, then immediately bought a physical copy at the closest shop to my stop. It’s sublime.
A tale of two sisters told through song, music, poetry, grammar, and murder ballads. Go in blind and enjoy the ride…

4.5 stars.

The most stunning writing and world building sets the scene for this folk meets Faerie-esque love story about the power of sisterhood. I usually struggle with novella, but this story has my whole heart!

Dreamy, atmospheric, magical. I'm really enjoying books that blend different genres at the moment and this one did it so beautifully - gorgeously written, really meaty to read. So, so talented.

This story had the feel of a classic fairytale. Beautifully written and captivating. I grew to adore the protagonists very quickly.

A very enjoyable novella.

*thank you to Netgalley and Quercus. I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review

The River Has Roots is the closest I’ve come to finding a book that feels like the folklore stories I grew up with.

I adored this book. It reads more like a story passed down and told over the fire than a book. I don’t think this is for those who like big political fantasies or skip songs in books. It’s all vibes and beautiful imagery. I sometimes found the language a little difficult to follow. The talk of Grammar honestly went over my head and I think I’d possibly understand it a bit more on a reread.

The world building in this is lovely. I adored the willows and the idea of generations who present songs as offerings. I found a lot of similarities to Celtic folklore, especially in the way the otherworld works. It all felt very familiar but in a nice way.

The e-book formatting wasn’t perfect, but I’m assuming that was only a problem for ARC readers.

If I had to choose two words to describe The River Has Roots then it would probably be 'beautiful' and 'frustrating'. The former is pretty self-explanatory, based on the quality of the writing which has a dream-like feeling even as the plot inexorably moves on (a bit like the river of the title). The latter because it's a novella and I wasn't expecting that - there's a set-up, a period in the middle, a denouement and then suddenly it's done.

The basic premise is that this book is the story of two sisters, the latest generation of a family whose job it is to sing to the local (enchanted) willow trees, a bargain struck with the local fae. The nearby town is starting to encroach on their land and when one of the sisters turns down a suitor from a local family, things start to get ugly.

This is probably going to be one of those books which people either like or are left cold by - if you like the prose, you'll like the book. Meanwhile if you like something a bit more matter of fact, this probably isn't going to be the book for you. It worked for me, with the previous caveat about unexpected shortness and sudden endings, so I'd happily pick up other stuff from this writer in the future.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley. This is my honest review of the book in question.

Not my cup of tea alas.

First and foremost I have to say that the layout/formatting in the ebook on Kindle was absolutely atrocious and definitely decreased my reading pleasure. The pictures were often broken in small pieces for some reason and every small piece interrupted the text, which lead to paragraphs, sentences and even words to be broken up and moved a line down.
For a book that is banking on it's prose and use of language, that's terrible.

Second, the story couldn't grip me. I liked the relationship between the sisters and especially the drama towards the end was well done, but anything else just didn't captivate me. Too whimsical and ethereal.

Last but not least, while the concept of equating magic with grammar sure was a novel one, it did nothing for my enjoyment.

All in all a disappointing read, however that's mostly personal and related to the terrible formatting of the ebook.

'The River Has Roots' by Amal El-Mohtar. Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy to review. I've been a fan of this author for years, beginning with her poetry in 2010. But this book wasn't for me. It felt too short, the characters didn't get room for development. No thoughts, just vibes. For much of the read, it felt like a shorter first draft of a much longer, more complex novel. If you go into this book expecting beautiful writing and very little else, you will probably have a better time than I did.

“So long as you can hear the waters, everything seems possible: that the sun is the moon, that a star is a cloud, that dusk is dawn, and everything is both hallowed and haunted at the same time.”

The River has Roots tells the tale of sisters Esther and Ysabel much like a song of old. With a similar sensibility to stories like An Enchantment of Ravens and Howl’s Moving Castle this book gently captures the reader in a glorious world of whimsy for a short but sweet moment.

El-Mohtar writes with a fluidity that captures the magic of this story wonderfully; it almost slips through your fingers as you read it and as you grip hold of it, starts to unravel from you again. Echoing the slippery nature of language in old faerie tales, El-Motar brings a refreshing take on the use of grammar in The River Has Roots, as spells but also as geography, objects and living things. The inclusion of riddles solidifies the importance of language in this magical world, a mirror to our own.

The bond between sisters Esther and Ysabel is sacred and touching captured in the intricacies of their actions, the time they spend together rather than apart and the care they take in the act of singing with and for each other. Love is explored with care in this short story; through both sisterhood and romance. This book has a quiet sadness throughout that ebbs and flows carrying with it an acute sense of both hope and dread, culminating in lovely ways. This bittersweet atmosphere is revealed firstly with the relationships between Esther, Ysabel and Rin and secondly by the beautiful imagery.

THE RIVER HAS ROOTS is a beautifully-crafted and equally beautifully-worded novella that follows the story of two sisters, Esther and Ysabel, who live on the border of Faerie, tending to the enchanted willows on their property. This reads as an evocative and lyrical fairytale but doesn't shy away from the darker nature of human beings or darker topics like loss and death and sacrifice and violence, but at the core of it is a strong sisterhood binding Esther and Ysabel that defies so many immeasurable things. I don't know how to explain how amazing this novella is, or how amazing Amal El-Mohtar's writing is, but this novella captures it all. I finished reading this, full to the brim with so many emotions and thoughts, because even with such a short length, El-Mohtar manages to convey so much and with such dexterity. I loved the worldbuilding explored through Faerie/Arcadia, and I loved the motif of the river running through the story. I loved the grammar magic and the magic system based on language and song. I loved, loved the relationship between Esther and Ysabel. This is truly just a wonderful story to immerse yourself in!

Amal El-Mohtar’s The River Has Roots is an exquisitely crafted novella that resonates deeply, weaving a tapestry of love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between sisters. Set in the enchanting town of Thistleford, bordering the mystical realm of Faerie, the story follows Esther and Ysabel Hawthorn, whose harmonious songs to the enchanted willows embody their profound connection. El-Mohtar’s lyrical prose evokes the timeless allure of classic folk tales, immersing readers in a world where magic and reality intertwine seamlessly. The narrative’s dreamlike quality, combined with its emotional depth, makes it a captivating read that lingers in the heart and mind. While some readers may yearn for a more expansive exploration of the characters and their world, the novella’s brevity enhances its poetic charm. Overall, The River Has Roots is a luminous gem in contemporary fantasy literature, deserving of a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

In this book, we follow sisters Esther and Ysabel who live on the border with Faerie (here referred to as Arcadia) where they tend and harvest the enchanted willows.

This short leave has an ethereal dreamlike quality to it. It blends fairy tale and folk tale and contains many riddles and songs. I found the magical system slightly hard to understand, but the story flowed regardless.

A recommended read for fans of fairytale retellings.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Years and years ago I read a baffling, beautiful little book called ‘This is How We Lose the Time War’ and the second I found out that one of the authors of that book was bringing out a novella about sisters and the fae? I needed it immediately.

I’m a big fan of stories about sisters and I really love fae, especially when they’re treated under the magic, whimsy, dark and dangerous fairytale style and it makes a fun difference to the romantasy style fae.

Follow the river Liss to the small town of Thistleford, on the edge of Faerie, and meet two sisters who cannot be separated, even in death.

'Oh what is stronger than a death? Two sisters singing with one breath.'

In the small town of Thistleford, on the edge of Faerie, dwells the mysterious Hawthorn family.

There, they tend and harvest the enchanted willows and honour an ancient compact to sing to them in thanks for their magic. None more devotedly than the family's latest daughters, Esther and Ysabel, who cherish each other as much as they cherish the ancient trees.

But when Esther rejects a forceful suitor in favor of a lover from the land of Faerie, not only the sisters' bond but also their lives will be at risk...

While I didn’t love ‘The River Has Roots’ in the way that I did ‘ This is How We Lose the Time War’, I really did enjoy my time in Thistleford with Esther and Ysabel.


El-Mohtar’s writing is absolutely beautiful. It’s ethereal, dreamlike and straight out of a fairytale, woven with magic and folklore, love and sisterhood, and I really loved how the setting and atmosphere of Thistleford and the Liss river were evoked.

The magic system of “grammar” is rooted in riddles and music and was a little confusing at first, but I eventually got as much of a grasp on it as I could; it’s a very fluid and changeable, difficult to get a firm hold on. I wanted more from it. I wanted a deep dive into how the magic system works and how it weaves around the town from Arcadia and that wanting for more is a feeling I carried throughout the novella.

The richest part of the novella, and the heart of the story, is definitely the relationship between Esther and Ysabel. There was tension between them, but mostly love and affection, and while a love story (a queer love story with a non-binary fae love interest!) was my initial focal point in ‘The River Has Roots’, Esther and Ysabel ending up taking centre stage.

‘The River Has Roots’ is beautifully written and a magical escape from the world, but it was lacking the depth and richness of a fully developed novel; I wanted more from this world and these characters.

Thank you to Arcadia and NetGalley for the review copy.

Written by Sophie

A pretty fairytale about two sisters who sing to trees. Grammar is magic and the river Liss flows from the fairyland, Arcadia, to where the sisters live. The writing is lovely and it’s a light read (even though it’s based on an old murder ballad).

The River Has Roots
by Amal El-Mohtar

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance, Sci-fi and Fantasy

I didn't realise this was more novella than novel, and usually I find they don't work for me, I need the depth of a full length read. However this was a perfect read, full of emotion and love. Of course Faerie is always a draw for me and was a great read with all the magic of fae in it.

Stars: Five, a really enjoyable story.

ARC supplied by netgalley and publishers

#TheRiverHasRoots #NetGalley.