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A review by lostcanticles
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
4.0
I enjoyed this immensely! I went into this blindly, all I knew was that this was Amal El-Mohtar’s solo debut. Having loved Time War, there really wasn’t much that needed to be said.
Every phrase and word choice made reading this feel like a classic fairytale and a love song, though it is also a murder ballad in a way. The magic system in this book is grounded on grammar, which I found very fitting considering the lyrical prose and the hold this author has over language. Those familiar with Time War or Amal El-Mohtar’s other short stories would anticipate the way she creates worlds and introduces magic systems, in my opinion she leaves a lot for the reader to interpret themselves; this book isn’t different in that regard. The riddles and wordplay used throughout the novella to move the story along or make a point were also so satisfying and fun to read.
Can’t help but share one of my favorite passages (because so true!! that’s how you describe a man lmao):
“Queen of ducks and angels. You shall have poems written to you with a quill on fire. You shall have songs sung to you by enchanted harps. Whole branches of grammar will be invented only to praise you…demand better than to be worshipped by a crumb.”
*The review copy I was granted has a sneak peak at Amal’s upcoming short story collection. Looking forward to that as well.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the arc.
Every phrase and word choice made reading this feel like a classic fairytale and a love song, though it is also a murder ballad in a way. The magic system in this book is grounded on grammar, which I found very fitting considering the lyrical prose and the hold this author has over language. Those familiar with Time War or Amal El-Mohtar’s other short stories would anticipate the way she creates worlds and introduces magic systems, in my opinion she leaves a lot for the reader to interpret themselves; this book isn’t different in that regard. The riddles and wordplay used throughout the novella to move the story along or make a point were also so satisfying and fun to read.
Can’t help but share one of my favorite passages (because so true!! that’s how you describe a man lmao):
“Queen of ducks and angels. You shall have poems written to you with a quill on fire. You shall have songs sung to you by enchanted harps. Whole branches of grammar will be invented only to praise you…demand better than to be worshipped by a crumb.”
*The review copy I was granted has a sneak peak at Amal’s upcoming short story collection. Looking forward to that as well.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the arc.