Amal El-Mohtar, best known for her lyrical storytelling and imaginative worlds, returns with The River Has Roots, a haunting and poetic novella that explores sisterhood, language, and the blurred boundary between the human world and Faerie. This is not merely a story it is a song, a spell, and a lament woven through the branches of willow trees that whisper of love and loss.

A Tale of Two Sisters and a Living River
Set in the quiet town of Thistleford, at the edge of Faerie, the story follows the Hawthorn family, caretakers of enchanted willows whose magic depends on the songs sung by their stewards. The latest in this line are sisters Esther and Ysabel, whose devotion to each other is as deep as their devotion to the river Liss. Yet, when Esther rejects a forceful suitor and instead falls in love with Rin, a fae musician from Arcadia, the fragile harmony between life, love, and the old magic begins to unravel.

The narrative flows like the river itself, moving between tenderness and tragedy. The sisters’ love unconditional and fierce serves as the heart of the novel, even when death threatens to separate them. Through their songs and sacrifices, the book captures the ache of love that endures beyond mortality.

Magic in Language and Language as Magic
El-Mohtar’s fascination with words and grammar shines brilliantly here. Magic, in this world, is not a collection of spells or symbols but a living language that bends time and reshapes reality. “There was a time when grammar was wild,” she writes, tying together grammar, gramarye, and grimoire each suggesting that language itself is a form of transformation. This linguistic magic gives the story a unique resonance, reminding readers that words can wound, heal, and change the world.

The author’s prose is nothing short of breathtaking. Every sentence feels crafted with musical precision, evoking the rhythm of water, the hum of willows, and the pulse of grief. It is both accessible and elusive, drawing readers into a dreamlike state where emotion takes precedence over explanation.

Themes of Love, Loss, and Liberation
At its core, The River Has Roots is about love that refuses to yield to time, to death, or to social convention. Esther’s forbidden romance with Rin, her bond with Ysabel, and her defiance of the man who would claim her against her will all reflect the many faces of love: tender, rebellious, and self-sacrificing. The novella also touches on darker realities, including assault and the consequences of male entitlement, yet it does so with sensitivity and poetic restraint.

Ysabel’s character, though frustratingly naïve at times, embodies a different kind of strength. Her loyalty and persistence balance Esther’s fiery independence, creating a dynamic that feels both flawed and deeply human. Their relationship is not idealized it is raw, painful, and profoundly real.

A Lyrical and Emotional Experience
While some readers may find the story’s structure opaque and its worldbuilding incomplete, those who surrender to its rhythm will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience. The novella thrives on emotion and atmosphere rather than plot mechanics. It is a book to be felt rather than analyzed.

For longtime admirers of Amal El-Mohtar’s writing, this is another exquisite showcase of her signature style lush, mournful, and filled with the kind of beauty that lingers after the final page. For new readers, it may be a challenging introduction, but one that reveals the author’s rare gift for turning language into enchantment.

Final Thoughts
The River Has Roots is a lyrical ode to sisterhood and the enduring power of love. It may frustrate those seeking straightforward storytelling, but for readers drawn to poetic prose and emotional depth, it offers a truly magical experience.

If you are ready to follow the river into the heart of Faerie and discover what love sounds like when sung in two voices, this book awaits you.

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