Two sisters, Esther and Ysabel Hawthorn tend to the Willow Trees along the banks of the River Liss. In the tiny town of Thistleford, the Willows along the River give magic to their users and serve as a portal to the land of Faerie, Arcadia. The sisters sing to the Willows in order to pay them tribute, together Esther and Ysabel weave the strongest songs. A neighbor to the Hawthorn's, Samuel Pollard seeks to make a land deal by marrying into the Hawthorn family and forcefully courts Esther despite her interest in Rin, a citizen of Arcadia. Samuel takes Esther's refusal badly and turns worlds upside down with his actions.
The River Has Roots is a fantasy novella written in flowery prose. Much like the River Liss, you have to let this story take you as it flows along. The story begins by setting the scene and describing the unique magic that exists in this world, Grammar, or words create magic. I was entranced by the system and wished there were more and deeper examples of how residents used this magic. The sisters are the main focus of the story, their strong relationship and reliance upon one another as well as the power of their voices together. The songs that the sisters created and sang were charming and clever, I wish I could hear their melody. I enjoyed seeing the sisters interact and navigate within town and with the other residents. Rin's character adds another element of magic and mystery, I was entranced with their many forms and abilities. I would have loved to stay in Arcadia longer and see the many ways that Grammar can work. The ending combines magic, song and sisterhood to solve a riddle of a missing sister.
Two sisters, Esther and Ysabel Hawthorn tend to the Willow Trees along the banks of the River Liss. In the tiny town of Thistleford, the Willows along the River give magic to their users and serve as a portal to the land of Faerie, Arcadia. The sisters sing to the Willows in order to pay them tribute, together Esther and Ysabel weave the strongest songs. A neighbor to the Hawthorn's, Samuel Pollard seeks to make a land deal by marrying into the Hawthorn family and forcefully courts Esther despite her interest in Rin, a citizen of Arcadia. Samuel takes Esther's refusal badly and turns worlds upside down with his actions.
The River Has Roots is a fantasy novella written in flowery prose. Much like the River Liss, you have to let this story take you as it flows along. The story begins by setting the scene and describing the unique magic that exists in this world, Grammar, or words create magic. I was entranced by the system and wished there were more and deeper examples of how residents used this magic. The sisters are the main focus of the story, their strong relationship and reliance upon one another as well as the power of their voices together. The songs that the sisters created and sang were charming and clever, I wish I could hear their melody. I enjoyed seeing the sisters interact and navigate within town and with the other residents. Rin's character adds another element of magic and mystery, I was entranced with their many forms and abilities. I would have loved to stay in Arcadia longer and see the many ways that Grammar can work. The ending combines magic, song and sisterhood to solve a riddle of a missing sister.
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