Staff Book Review: The River Has Roots

Book review by Meghan, Digital Services Specialist

The River Has Roots, by Amal El-Mohtar, New York: Tordotcom, Tor Publishing Group, 2025. 133 pages. 

The River Has Roots, by Hugo Award winner Amal El-Mohtar, possesses all the charm of a fairy tale, with its idyllic setting, flowing prose and even the occasional illustration to add to the feeling of whimsy.

The narrative focuses on the bond between sisters Esther and Ysabel, whose family have forged an ancient compact with the remarkable willow trees bordering their lands. The young women sing to the trees and in gratitude, the trees provide magical gifts used for weaving spells and maintaining the boundary between the mortal world and the Fae realm of Arcadia.

However, as Esther and Ysabel grow from girlhood to womanhood, they are torn between the arcane mysteries of the willows and the more mundane demands of business and family, including an all-too-persistent suitor proposing a marriage of convenience. While Esther finds romance and adventure in enigmatic Arcadia, Ysabel dreams of a more stable, family-oriented existence in the town of Thistleford. The conflict between the sisters becomes ever more urgent, until a devastating incident threatens to part them forever. This enchanting tale is perfect if you’re seeking a poetic treat to whisk you away to another world for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.

If you liked The River Has Roots, Meghan has created a reading list with similar titles you may want to explore.

This review was originally published in the Saturday, October 4, 2025 edition of the Waterloo Region Record as part of the "At the Library" feature. This regular feature shares reading experiences and recommendations from local library staff.