Amal El-Mohtar’s solo debut is brief but rich. I’m the kind of person who prefers long and dense books—many of my favorites are >1,000 pages. Even with lengthy books, I have difficulty finding myself becoming attached to characters and emotional at their tribulations. In The River Has Roots, I was tearing up on chapter one and sobbing by the end. The eternal love of sisterhood was so real and hard-hitting, and I found myself deeply attached to both Ysabel and Esther. The prose is lyrical and gorgeous, and El-Mohtar has clearly displayed her skills as a solo author. I look forward to more from her.

Thank you @tordotcompub for the eARC!

A fairy story told in riddles and puns and song (and maybe a few murder ballads).

I absolutely adored This is How You Lose the Time War, so I knew I had to grab Amal El-Mohtar's solo novella as soon as I saw it.
El-Mohtar has a way with words that reaches your heart. She carefully crafted a beautiful story that speaks to love between sisters, as well as the mystery of the fae world, in barely 100 pages.

A dark and dangerous story of family, rejection, and love. This was beautifully written and I can't wait to share it.

The River Has Roots is an ethereal, dream-like fairy tale about the bond between sisters. There's magic and fairies and mystical rivers and enchanted lands and romance, and honestly it's pretty much exactly what you'd expect from reading the blurb. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one going into it, because the description almost screams “this story is going to have flowery prose that uses too many words,” which is something that I don't usually enjoy. And while the prose does come dangerously close to being purple at times, I think I kind of liked it?

I mean, don't get me wrong, I think this story is a little over-ambitious considering its length. I never truly understood the magic system (called “grammar”), which gets repeatedly mentioned but never really explained. It's presumably why all of the weird bits of this tale are able to happen (like the river flowing backward and one character's physical transformation), but the heck if I know how it all works other than “it's a magic of sorts.” I also felt that the ending was a little rushed – we go from climax to prologue in a matter of pages, and the book's villain is dealt with in mere sentences.

But, still, if you don't expect anything too deep from this one, it's a decently entertaining read. I loved the bond between Esther and Ysabel, and the ending might even have gotten me a bit teary-eyed. And I would be delighted if there were someday an entire full-length novel featuring Agnes Crow, because she deserves far, far more page time than she was allotted in this short tale.

My overall rating: 3.49 stars, rounded down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is March 4, 2025.

I love Amal El-Mohtar, not just Time War and her short stories, but her criticism and general place in the science fiction and fantasy community. This novella is an absolutely perfect encapsulation of what she set out to write: a fable and a murder ballad that feels as old as it does new. The ideas about storytelling and language, of boundaries and narrative were new and wonderfully threaded through. If you're a folklore nerd like me, and even more a fan of murder ballads, there's a real joy in recognizing all the parts she chose to play with. That I wanted more has to do with my own personal preferences rather than any shortcoming in the work. I hope this is a sign of more and longer works from her! I'll read anything she tries!

This book may be tiny but it sure is mighty! For fans of Holly Black and Fairies, the co- author of How to Lose a Time War, has not disappointed. This stunning mythology will keep you turning the pages as you asorb the beautiful story within.

This book was so unlike anything I’ve ever read. The writing was poetic and powerful. The magic system was incredible and unique if not just a bit confusing. But I love the idea of a magic system based on grammar. The prose is whimsical and fun, and I can’t imagine how challenging it was to follow the rules for a world created in synonyms, homonyms, and puns. I would love to see a longer-format book set in this world. I LOVE Ester and Rin so bad and I’ll definitely be looking for more of Amal El-Mohtar’s works.

(I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review)

This book is a love letter to language.

This is How You Lose the Time War is my all time favourite book, so when I saw that Amal was coming out with a re-telling of a 17th century murder ballad, I knew I needed to read this - and I wasn't wrong! If you're here just like me, because of TIHYLTTW, then you'll be so pleased with this book.

I highlighted so much. The worldbuilding is creative and expansive. The characters are fully formed, with the bond between our two sisters showing their nuanced relationship, vulnerabilities and enduring love. The prose are lyrical and lushly descriptive.

A big part of this book revolves around language. Language as a currency, language as power, language as magic. Language in this story is also music and riddles that change the way our characters frame a situation.

A few of my favourite quotes
" But that is the nature of grammar - it is always tense, like an instrument, aching for release, longing to transform present into past into future . . ."
"Ysabel was fascinated by boys and their company while esther found them tedious and enjoyed being alone."
"The first time Esther met Rin, they were a storm"

The only thing I wish we had a little bit more about is there's a narrator who speaks to us, the reader. Telling us the story. I wish there was more from them, or a reveal as to who they were to us and to the story. Perhaps it's like a riddle and I'll uncover it on my second read through.

Read this if you love
- Queer romance 🏳️‍🌈 (n/b + f)
- Vengeance
- Beautiful prose
- Riddles + Wordplay

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for this ARC.

This book is best read while under a willow tree, watching the branches bleed.

The River Has Roots is half-ballad, half-enchantment, and entirely unforgettable. El-Mohtar’s writing has a musicality to it that makes each page feel like a spell, wrapping you up in a narrative that’s both dark and wondrous. If you’re drawn to lush, lyrical storytelling and a tale of sisterly devotion amidst harrowing circumstances, this book is one you won’t want to miss.

Two sisters, a small town on the edge of Fae land... marriage, betrayal, and murder.... and the enduring love between sisters. In the small town of Thistleford, located at the edge of Faerie, lives the Hawthorn family. This family tends and harvests enchanted trees and the latest heirs, Esther and Ysabel, sisters with a loving relationship find that all threatened when a nefarious suitor appears and a mysterious new love interests from Fairie comes too. The sisters find themselves and their relationship put to the test... but can their bond last? This was an enchanting and beautiful read, I found myself absolutely captivated. It's romantic, it's sweet, and it shows the sweet and tender love between sisters. It's a great read and one I'd absolutely recommend!

Release Date: March 4,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tordotcom for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

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.