The River Has Roots

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The River Has Roots
is the hugely anticipated solo debut of the New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award winning author Amal El-Mohtar. 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.


The hardcover edition features beautiful interior illustrations and a foil case stamp.

"Half delicious murder ballad, half beguiling love story." —Holly Black • "An absolute must-read." —T. Kingfisher • "Every sentence sings!" —Sarah Beth Durst • "Utterly enchanting." —Fonda Lee • "A story that outlasts itself." —Alix E. Harrow • "Truly exquisite." —Zoraida Córdova • "A beautiful, musical, and loving story." —Emma Törzs

“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…

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Published Mar 4, 2025

144 pages

Average rating: 7.38

56 RATINGS

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Bay Area Ladies' Fantasy Book Club

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *The River Has Roots* by Amal El-Mohtar is a beautifully poetic faerie tale celebrating sisterhood, family, and love with vivid, lyrical p...

suprmn80
Oct 27, 2024
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…
E_reader8
Jan 17, 2026
5/10 stars
When someone says a book is beautifully written I need to learn that it means flowerly language. I had no idea what the grammar magic was and even now I dont even remember what I read about it, as that was a bit confusing. Once you actually got to the story of the sisters themselves that at least was was easy to follow. I honestly feel like I read a children's overly complicated fairy tale
Jonathan Willis
Jan 13, 2026
8/10 stars
This is a book one definitely should listen to. The audiobook is done so well! The book itself is so lovely, I really enjoyed this read. I love the love between the sisters, I love having the human world and Arcadia, it feels very much like Enchantment by Orson Scott Card and Stardust by Neil Gaiman. The characters were great and the length was perfect! Could I have more and be okay with it, of course. But, I really think this told the story in a perfect length!
estudits
Jan 13, 2026
8/10 stars
Interesting read. Would like to read again to better understand the metaphors and underlying messaging. Charming, whimsical, and thought provoking—especially for one who hasn’t read much poetry in years.
Gias_BookHaven
Dec 30, 2025
9.5/10 stars
The River Has Roots is lyrical and whimsical. Weaving a story of two sisters with magic and music who become intertwined in the myth of Arcadia. A land beyond their realm where time and magic is unlike their own. One sister is constantly drawn to Arcadia, where her partner emerges from. While the other of bound to their world and desperate to keep her sister by her side.

When a malicious act forces them apart forever, Ren and Isabel lean into their bond through music.

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