The River Has Roots
About the book
Author: Amal El-Mohtar
Publisher: Tordotcom
More info:
The StoryGraph | Goodreads
Note: Content and trigger warnings are provided for those who need them at the bottom of this page. If you don’t need them and don’t want to risk spoilers, don’t scroll past the review.
Buy and support indie bookstores (+ I earn a small commission):
Bookshop.org (print or ebook) | Libro.fm (audio)
My Review
The River Has Roots is a slim novella — seriously, it’s short, the itty bitty little print edition also includes a bonus short story in the back — but it offers a truly beautiful reading experience.
The story reads as a dreamy fairy tale, centering on two sisters who care for the weeping willows that line a magical river by singing to them. But when one sister rejects a neighboring bachelor in favor of the fae partner who holds her heart, the spell of their perfect life is broken.
You simply must “tandem read” this book, listening along as you read the hardcover — the print edition is stunningly illustrated, and the audio edition features gorgeous singing and sound effects like guitar and rushing water. To choose one format over the other would be a mistake.
If you’re looking for the perfect way to spend a Friday evening, this book is it. I can tell you from experience.
Content and Trigger Warnings
Murder, death, violence
Body horror
Homophobia