Litsy

pick

I started and stopped this a few times before I turned to the audio which is excellent. The book is a bit too flowery of language for me, but it does fit the fairy tale theme. Once I got into the story I loved the tale of Esther and Ysabel Hawthorn, 2 beloved sisters. You can feel their bond through the pages and that point where they start to want different things. I can see this story as a classic fairy tale to read to children.

dabbe 🖤🐾🤍 2d

Ruthiella 😻😻😻 2d

ChaoticMissAdventures Thinking more about this book. And about how I dislike reading songs. I think the audio helped me a lot with the cadence and tone of not just the story but especially the songs which have a sea shanty melody to them that I loved. 1d

33 likes3 comments

mariaku21

The River Has Roots | Amal El-Mohtar

pick

What a dreamlike quality novella.

I was a bit unsure at the beginning because of the very flowery prose but for the way the magic or "Grammer" is set up it works here. I'm not one for flowery prose in general but I've encountered more and more of it as of late.

This was the perfect length for the story. Absolutely an ethereal read.

@Lauredhel #pantone2025

19 likes

CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian

The River Has Roots | Amal El-Mohtar

pick

Wow, one of the best books I've ever read, beautifully imagined, wonderful sister relationship, and an intriguing story that feels timeless and like it's been around forever, like an old fairy tale (but make it queer). The audiobook, with harp music, singing, and background sounds like running water and party chatter, is truly next level. #QueerBooks

31 likes1 stack add

broughtyoubooks

The River Has Roots | Amal El-Mohtar

Love a dark fairy tale. This one has depth, siblings not overshadowed by love interest and I loved it so much.

39 likes1 stack add

Doppoetry

The River Has Roots | Amal El-Mohtar

so-so

This book had all the components that I would have adored under different circumstances. It had folklore, songs, and a whimsical fairy tale nature. The prose itself was very beautiful, but it's one of those books that unfortunately talks down to its reader, while at the same time trying to sound cultivated, but ends up being vapid and pretentious.

The book tries to redefine the word “magic“ with 'Grammar,“--

Doppoetry -which would be interesting if, again, it was not talking down to the reader and trying to explain magic that is already familiar. This is what Shakespeare meant by writing “A rose by any other name.“

Another thing that bothered me was that sometimes the dialogue between the two sisters sounded fake. An imitation of how people actually talk.

The story itself was okay; if you have read any gruesome fairytales, it follows a similar structure.

2mo

Doppoetry There were some inconsistencies, such as the parents not asking any questions when their daughter went missing, without saying goodbye, despite it being uncharacteristic for her. Then the shady guy showed up, being shady and getting away with a heinous deed for FAR too long, without anyone asking ANY questions.

2mo

Doppoetry It was never explained why Rin didn't just go and speak to the parents and tell them what happened to Esther, instead of spending time performing a magical ritual to turn their loved one into an instrument.
2mo

See All 6 Comments

Doppoetry I did like that the fey was referred to with a singular “They“ pronoun; I think fantasy books dealing with Faerie and fey should do this more often; however, I didn't feel any chemistry between Rin and Esther aside from “it's there for the story.“ Yes, they had an established relationship and knew each other for a long time, but there was nothing “romantic“ there. Aside from Rin's shadowdaddy “Who Hurt Her?!“ tantrum.
2mo

Doppoetry For a little while, it did give me the vibes of Lud in the Mist (A book I adored), but this just did not work as the author intended.

I wholeheartedly believe that trying to dumb down a concept like Magic and replacing it with words like “Grammar“ is just a ploy to make you believe the book is smarter than it is, while in fact, most of this book consists of “Empty prose“. That is to say, it uses many words without really saying anything. (edited) 2mo

Doppoetry Even for a fairytale, the conflict resolution came a bit TOO easily. There was conveniently a ballad about the exact same thing, with the exact same names, with no nuance. I found that to be a bit cheap. 2mo

7 likes6 comments

Blueberry

Peter Pan | J.M. Barrie

#Fairy-Elf-Pixie
#CharacterCharm

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@Eggs

Eggs Love the book cover and background 🧚 2mo

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💚 2mo

AnnCrystal 🤩💝📚💝🎬💝. (edited) 2mo

48 likes1 stack add3 comments

Doppoetry

The River Has Roots | Amal El-Mohtar

I'm 30% into this book and it initially peaked my interest because it dealt with fey and fairly tales but the way its written really bothers me.

The narrator is so pretentious and talks down to the reader and it irks me so much. The conversations feel so fake and hollow.

The flowery prose feels so overwritten.

I really want to like this book because it makes me think of Lud in the Mist, but it just isn't it 🥲

Doppoetry Lud has its issues, but at least it didn't feel like I was being talked down to. 2mo

4 likes1 comment

kspenmoll

Deadly Broadcast | Kate Parker

Days 4-9 in order:
4: #spy; #seamstress; #scientist #elderly; #nurse; #fairy
#charactercharm

I have read the top 3 books. The others are in my TBR.

Eggs, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs They all look wonderful, esp The Excitements! 2mo

42 likes1 stack add1 comment

Cuilin

If Women Rose Rooted: The Power of the Celtic Woman | Sharon Blackie

#CharacterCharm #fairy-elf-pixie @Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Part memoir and nature writing this also includes some Celtic mythology and fairy folklore. It should come with a warning “might make you run away to Ireland, Scotland or Wales.”

Eggs So lovely 🧚 2mo

TheBookHippie Let‘s go!! 2mo

52 likes5 stack adds2 comments

Welcome to Litsy!

Trending Hashtags

Trending Books