The River Has Roots

By: Amal El-Mohtar

Narrated by: Gem Carmella

2026 Audie Awards winner for Best New Voice and for Production & Sound Design!

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.

This program features music performed by the author and her sister, Dounya El-Mohtar with Amal and Dounya on harp, flute, and vocals; and songs sung by the narrator, Gem Carmella. It also includes the short story "John Hollowback and the Witch," from the author's upcoming collection.

"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…

"...Gem Carmella’s narration kicks the book up several notches. Her rich rural English accent and animated delivery lend the air of a tale told fireside by a beloved relative, adding so much to the novel’s charm..." — Slate

“Musical effects combine with Carmella’s singing at key moments…A stunning performance.”—AudioFile (Earphones Award Winner)

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor.com.

Creative brilliant word play

Original visceral bewilderment playing with the readers intellect. Engaging & unpredictable, beautifully read and sung. A real gem!

Gorgeous story, beautifully narrated.

This book was magical from start to finish. The stories were gorgeously written and the narration was the perfect match to the words. Amal El-Mohter is a new find for me, and she is a revelation. Both the River has Roots and John Hollowback embody all the timeless, best magic of fairytale and effortlessly blend into that genre. El-Mohter’s shift in perspective is organic and authentic, and imbues great power into her creation. I haven’t been this excited to find a new writer in a while, and I look forward to diving deep into her work

Unique Storyline

I particularly enjoyed the narrator and how she brought the story to life. This was a very unique story about the bond of two sisters and how no matter what that bond will not be broken. It was eccentrically heartwarming!

Excellent!!!

Fast paced, sisterly bonds and mysterious places. The performance for this novella was *chefs kiss*

Poetic fairy tale

I liked the magic and music, the story is slow and poetic. It’s definitely different from a lot of mainstream romantasy, so maybe not for you if you’re looking for fast paced drama. The narrator performed beautifully.