The River Has Roots

by Amal El-Mohtar

The River Has Roots is a 2025 fantasy novella by Amal El‑Mohtar. Set on the edge of Faerie, the story follows the Hawthorn sisters, Esther and Ysabel, who tend enchanted willow trees and bind their lives together through song. When Esther rejects a local suitor for a fae lover, the sisters are thrust into a deadly conflict that transforms Esther into a swan, a harp, and ultimately forces a murder‑ballad of vengeance. The tale weaves folklore, music, and queer love into a lyrical fable about sisterhood, sacrifice, and the power of song.