The River Has Roots

The River Has Roots, Amal El-Mohtar, 2025 novella. This is really good - a very satisfying fairytale/murder ballad retelling with some gorgeous writing. Highly recommended if you like that sort of thing at all. I look forward to seeing it on next year's ballots. The book comes with a bonus story, "John Hollowback and the Witch", previously in a 2024 anthology, which was also good.