Celestial | The River Has Roots
Log in or Sign up
The River Has Roots
Amal El-Mohtar
Save to Your Books
100% of affiliate revenue supports Celestial
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. The hardcover edition features beautiful interior illustrations.
“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…
Show more
Get the Bindery app
Posts about this title from Celestial
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 30
your friend really, really needs to read these books …
your friend really, really needs to read these books …
📚 books mentioned: - Our Sister’s Keeper by Jasmine Holmes - Her Body and Other Parties: Stories by Carmen Maria Machado - Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine - Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington - Canon by Paige Lewis - You Should Have Been Nicer to My Mom by Vincent Tirado - Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - Open Throat by Henry Hoke - Singer Distance by Ethan Chatagnier - Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow - Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson - Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino - The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter - Fury by Shirley Marr
👗💄: - shirt is from Hill House Home - eyeshadow is The Lord of the Rings Middle Earth Palette from Glamlite and In A Trance from Colourpop - eyeliner is Vegan Longwear Eyeliner (Ocean) from Pacifica Beauty - shimmer is a single (Enchanted) from Adriana Nichole Cosmetics - mascara is Clean Volume from Merit - lip combo is Suede Matte Lip Liner (Moonwalk) from NYX Cosmetics and Wonder Blading Top Gloss (Holographic) from Wonderskin
thank you to Bindery Books, Sourcebooks Landmark, Simon Teen, Viking Books, William Morrow, Tordotcom, and Tin House for the gifted copies!
#fantasybooks #horrorbooks #scifibooks #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @bindery_books @graywolfpress @sourcebooks @bookmarked @simonteen @vikingbooks @williammorrowbooks @entangledteen @tordotcompub @mcdbooks @tin_house @fiercereads @groveatlantic @fsgbooks @orbitbooks_us @hillhouse @glamlite @adriananicholecosmetics @merit @wonderskin @colourpopcosmetics @nyxcosmetics
15 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 21
makeup and books tag! | GRWM and chat about reading
17 books
1
here are some of my favorite fantasy & science fiction books that I read in 2025!
here are some of my favorite fantasy & science fiction books that I read in 2025!
honestly, it was very hard to narrow down because I had SO many incredible speculative reads.
📚 books mentioned: - Fate’s Bane by C.L. Clark - The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko - Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez
👗💄: - dress is from Free People, rented from Nuuly - eyeliners are Vegan Longwear Liners (Lilac and Ocean) from Pacifica Beauty - shimmer is Eyeshadow Single (Sparklepuff) from Half Magic - lip combo is Lip Lingerie Liner Stain (Up To No Good) from NYX Cosmetics and Bisou Jelly (Aissa) from Violette FR - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)
thanks to Tor and Tordotcom for the gifted copies!
#bestfantasybooks #readingwrapup #bestbooksof2025 #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @tordotcompub @abramsbooks @abramskids @flatiron_books @torbooks @freepeople @nuuly @halfmagicbeauty @nyxcosmetics @violette_fr @pacificabeauty
.
top books of 2025 • favorite yearly reads • annual reading wrap up • favorite SFF books • SFF book recs • favorite books of the year • best books of 2025 • best reads of the year • fantasy books • science fiction books • fantasy book recommendations • science fiction book recommendations • diverse books • Tordotcom • Amulet Books • Flatiron Books • Tor Books
5 books
2
top 10 books of 2025 | my favorite reads from the year
it’s time …. let me tell you all about my favorite books from 2025!
10 books
2
💭 what were your favorite reads from 2025?
💭 what were your favorite reads from 2025?
TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2025!! the first of my wrap up posts has ARRIVED! be on the lookout for a long form video where I go into each of these reads in depth, plus some favorites broken out into genres.
📚 books mentioned: - You Weren’t Meant to Be Human by Andrew Joseph White - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez - The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko - One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad - Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei - The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones - Model Home by Rivers Solomon - Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi - The Children by Melissa Albert
👗💄: - dress is from Aqua (thrifted) - eyeshadow is: In A Trance Palette from Colourpop, The Lord of the Rings Middle-Earth Palette from Glamlite, and You Make Me Happy Palette from KimChi Chic Beauty - eyeliner is Epiphany Glow Melt-On Eyeliner (Sea Sparkle) from Kaleidos - shimimers are duochrome singles from Ourbella - lip combo is Lip Lingerie Liner Stain (Send Nudes) from NYX Cosmetics and Jelly Job High Shine Gloss (Honey, It’s Jelly) from NYX Cosmetics - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)
thanks to Saga Press, Tordotcom, Tor Books, Amulet Books, Knopf, Flatiron, MCD, Get Underlined, and William Morrow for the gifted copies!
#favoritebooks #readingwrapup #bestbooksof2025 #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @sagapressbooks @tordotcompub @torbooks @abramsbooks @abramskids @aaknopf @flatiron_books @mcdbooks @getunderlined @williammorrowbooks @colourpopcosmetics @glamlite @kimchichicbeauty @kaleidosmakeup @ourbella.us @nyxcosmetics
.
top 10 books of 2025 • favorite yearly reads • annual reading wrap up • favorite books of the year • best books of 2025 • best reads of the year • fantasy books • science fiction books • horror books • nonfiction books • diverse books
10 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 8 2025
💭 what’s your favorite 2025 book?
💭 what’s your favorite 2025 book?
drum roll please … welcome to the THIRD annual StarrySteph Book Awards! no questions at this time!
📚 books mentioned: - The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King - Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei - Perfect Victims and the Politics of Appeal by Mohammed El-Kurd - Detained: A Boy’s Journal of Survival and Resilience by D. Esperanza and Gerardo Iván Morales - Fate’s Bane by C.L. Clark - Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto - Magic in the Melanin by C.M. Lockhart - Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi - Love Be Damned by Briana Garrett - The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta
👗💄: - dress is from Free People, rented from Nuuly - eyeshadow is In Trance palette from Colourpop - lip combo is Lingerie Lip Liner Stain (Send Nudes) and Jelly Job Gloss (Honey, It’s Jelly) from NYX Cosmetics - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)
thank you to Saga Press, Tordotcom, William Morrow, Flatiron, Atria/Primero Sueño Press, Harper Voyager, Ingram, Get Underlined, and Disney Hyperion for the gifted copies!
#goodreadschoiceawards #starrystephbookawards #bestbooksof2025 #bestbooksoftheyear #2025books #fantasybooks #scifibooks #horrorbooks #bookrecs #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #diversebookstagram #nycbookstagram #bookstagram #SagaSaysCrew #sagapressbooks #SagaSays #TorPartner #WilliamMorrowPartner #atriapartner #FlatironPartner #HarperVoyagerPartner #GetUnderlinedPartner #ingram @sagapressbooks @tordotcompub @williammorrowbooks @flatiron_books @haymarketbooks @atriabooks @primerosuenopress @harpervoyagerus @writtennmelanin @ingramsparkbooks @getunderlined @disneybooks @freepeople @nuuly @colourpopcosmetics @nyxcosmetics
12 books
1
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Nov 21 2025
it’s Wicked: For Good day!!! watch out world, I’m about to be super annoying!
here’s a little treat for the theatre kids.
📚 books mentioned: - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi - Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa - Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino - Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
👗💄: - dress is from For Love & Lemons, rented from Nuuly - eyeliner is from Kaleidos - eyeshadow is the Wicked: For Good Ozian Forest Palette from r.e.m. beauty - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)
thank you to Tordotcom, Avon, and Berkley for the gifted copies!
#bookrecsfrommusicals #ifyoulikethismusicalreadthisbook #wicked #wickedforgood #fantasybooks #horrorbooks #romancebooks #scifibooks #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #diversebookstagram #nycbookstagram #bookstagram #TorPartner #AvonPartner #BerkleyPartner @wickedmovie @wicked_musical @tordotcompub @avonbooks @harpercollins @berkleypub @fsgbooks @abramsbooks @forloveandlemons @nuuly @kaleidosmakeup @r.e.m.beauty
5 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Nov 11 2025
11/11 is 👹STEPH DAY 👹!!
📚 books mentioned: - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker - Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi - Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei - The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez - You Weren’t Meant to Be Human by Andrew Joseph White - The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko - Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar - The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones - The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta - Model Home by Rivers Solomon - Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad - The Reformatory by Tananarive Due - These Vengeful Gods by Gabe Cole Novoa
👗💄: - dress is from Chelsea Reece - eyeshadow is Mírame Eyeshadow Palette from Aora - duochrome eyeshadow is from Ourbella - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)
thank you to Tordotcom, MIRA Books/HTP Hive, Get Underlined, Flatiron, Tor Books, Saga Press, and Disney Hyperion for the gifted copies!
#fantasybooks #horrorbooks #scifibooks #bookrecs #birthdaybooks #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #diversebookstagram #nycbookstagram #bookstagram #FlatironPartner #SagaSaysCrew #sagapressbooks #SagaSays #TorPartner #FlatironPartner #GetUnderlinedPartner #HTPHivePartner @tordotcompub @readmirabooks @htp_hive @getunderlined @flatiron_books @torbooks @sagapressbooks @abramsbooks @aaknopf @disneybooks @mcdbooks @groveatlantic @bychelseareece @aoramakeup @ourbella_cosmetics
14 books
5
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Oct 29 2025
scents and memories go hand in hand, so let’s create some immersive & memorable reading experiences together!!
📚 books mentioned: - Fate’s Bane by C.L. Clark (Sacred Santal from Cyklar) - The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson (Only Human from NOYZ) - The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez (Vanilla Blackberry from PHLUR) - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (Blond Musk from Ellis Brooklyn) - The Fall That Saved Us by Tamara Jerée (Kama Noir from Embarouge / Bellavita)
👗💄: - eyeshadow is Sparklestiks and single shadows from Half Magic - sweater was from a vintage street fair in Italy so I can’t help ya there! - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)
thank you to Tor Books and Tordotcom for the gifted books!
#booksandscents #fantasybooks #perfumereviews #fragrancerecs #romancebooks #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #diversebookstagram #nycbookstagram #bookstagram #TorPartner #torbooks #cyklar #noyz #phlur #ellisbrooklyn #bellavita @torbooks @tordotcompub @delreybooks @cyklarofficial @noyz_official @phlur @ellisbrooklyn @bellavita.official @halfmagicbeauty
5 books
4
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 30 2025
fantasy books that i NEED YOU TO READ!!! hurry up.
fantasy books that i NEED YOU TO READ!!! hurry up.
📚 books mentioned: - The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez - The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero - Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko - The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin - The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova - Squire by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi - The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter - A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan
👗💄: - eyeshadow is multiple @halfmagicbeauty sparklestiks - glitter is from @lemonhead.la - jumpsuit is from @shopcider - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)
thank you to Vintage/Anchor, Tordotcom, William Morrow, and Saga Press for the gifted copies!
#fantasybooks #fantasyfall #fantasybookrecs #fantasyrecommendations #bestfantasybooks #WilliamMorrow #TorPartner #SagaSaysCrew #sagapressbooks #SagaSays#starrysteph #nycinfluencer #diversebookstagram #nycbookstagram #bookstagram @delreybooks @peachtreeteen @abramskids @abramsbooks @orbitbooks_us @atriabooks @quilltreebooks @harpercollins @ireadvintage @tordotcompub @williammorrowbooks @sagapressbooks
11 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 2 2025
be quiet and listen!! kyle is reviewing his first book since the reading road to rings
be quiet and listen!! kyle is reviewing his first book since the reading road to rings and he really loved it (phew)!
📚 books mentioned: - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
we’ve all got to be nice and encouraging so that he keeps reading & chatting about books. 🥹 please?
i tried to look vaguely threatening in the background, but i fear my excitement about kyle loving this book leaked in lmao.
thank you to Tordotcom for the gifted copy!
#fantasybooks #fantasybook #fantasybookreview #fantasybookrec #theriverhasroots #amalelmohtar #torbooks #torpublishing #tordotcom #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram #nycbookstagram @torbooks @tordotcompub @kylewatkinsphotography
1 book
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 2 2025
fantasy books without spice (and minimal romance overall)!
fantasy books without spice (and minimal romance overall)!
but i know people will still ask if there’s spice every darn time. 😭
📚 books mentioned: - To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose - The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings - May a Divine Awaken by Michael Tinsley - The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong - The Undetectables by Courtney Smyth - Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko - The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson - When Among Crows by Veronica Roth - Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier - Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi - Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger - The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings
#fantasybooks #fantasybookrecs #favoritefantasybooks #noromancebooks #nospicebooks #isitspicy #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram #nycbookstagram
14 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jul 26 2025
it’s a midyear best list!! here are my favorite books that i’ve read in 2025 so far.
it’s a midyear best list!! here are my favorite books that i’ve read in 2025 so far.
📚 books mentioned: - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi - The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones - The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko
thank you to Tordotcom, Get Underlined, and Saga Press for the gifted copies!
#favoritebooks #bestbooks #midyearreading #bestbooksof2025 #favoritebooksof2025 #fantasybooks #horrorbooks #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram #nycbookstagram #sagasays #sagapressbooks #sagasayscrew #getunderlinedpartner @tordotcompub @delreybooks @getunderlined @sagapressbooks @abramsbooks @hotkeybooks @abramskids @piquebeyond
5 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jul 12 2025
here’s a mid-year reading tag for you
here’s a mid-year reading tag for you: personal growth edition!
you can use the sound or share your own answers to these prompts in the comments. :)
📚 books mentioned: - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata - Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us by Anna Malaika Tubbs - Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero - Detained: A Boy’s Journal of Survival and Resilience by D. Esperanza and Gerardo Iván Morales - Model Home by Rivers Solomon - The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones - Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi
thank you to Tordotcom, Grove Press, Flatiron Books, Little, Brown Books, Atria/Primero Sueño Press, Saga Press, and Get Underlined for the gifted copies!!
#readingtag #readingcheckin #readingchallenge #midyearreadingtag #midyearreadingcheckin #fantasybooks #scifibooks #horrorbooks #nonfictionbooks #SagaSaysCrew #sagapressbooks #SagaSays #atriapartner #grovereader #FlatironPartner #GetUnderlinedPartner #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram #nycbookstagram @tordotcompub @groveatlantic @flatiron_books @littlebrownyoungreaders @atriabooks @primerosuenopress @mcdbooks @sagapressbooks @getunderlined
8 books
2
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jul 5 2025
what book recs do YOU have for persephone? 🐇
what book recs do YOU have for persephone? 🐇 (also, do I need to do this for artemis next???)
📚 books mentioned: - Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier - Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
thank you to Little, Brown Books and Tordotcom for the free copies!
#fantasybooks #fantasybookreviews #fantasybookrecs #bestfantasybooks #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #nycbookstagram #bookstagram @clarionbooks @theshelfstuff @harpercollins @littlebrownyoungreaders @tordotcompub @tordotcom
3 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 13 2025
FANTASY BOOKS I LOVE AND THAT I WANT YOU TO LOVE (PLS)!
FANTASY BOOKS I LOVE AND THAT I WANT YOU TO LOVE (PLS)!
📚 books mentioned: - The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez - To Shape A Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko - Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott - Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi
thank you to Tordotcom, Penguin Random House, and Get Underlined for the free copies!
#fantasybooks #fantasybookrecs #fantasybookreviews #diversefantasy #GetUnderlinedPartner #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @delreybooks @tordotcompub @abramsbooks @ireadvintage @penguinrandomhouse @getunderlined
6 books
1
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Mar 6 2025
a very solid February reading wrap up!!
a very solid February reading wrap up!!
📚 books mentioned: - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar - Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor - Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi - Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero
thank you to Tor, William Morrow, Aardvark Book Club, and Little, Brown Young Readers for the gifted copies!
#readingwrapup #monthlyreads #bookreviews #bookrecs #fantasybooks #horrorbooks #bookrecommendations #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #nycbookstagram #bookstagram @torbooks @tordotcompub @forgereads @williammorrowbooks @delreybooks @littlebrownyoungreaders
5 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Oct 26 2024
a reading road to rings update AND a new york comic con vlog all in one? what an exciting weekend!
4 books
Posts about this book from across Bindery
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 30
your friend really, really needs to read these books …
your friend really, really needs to read these books …
thank you to Bindery Books, Sourcebooks Landmark, Simon Teen, Viking Books, William Morrow, Tordotcom, and Tin House for the gifted copies!
15 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 21
makeup and books tag! | GRWM and chat about reading
17 books
1
The Bibliothecary\ \ Samantha\ \ • Apr 14
Join for free
\ \ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/item/oBti5QfdmxXjDD9odCha/)
In which I discuss the books I've read recently..
♡ Join THE BIBLIOTHECARY: patreon.com/thoughtsontomes or https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ ►► Bibliothecary members get perks such as early access to videos, written posts, podcast-like ramblings, witchcraft book reviews and sharing about my personal craft, a year long interactive reading challenge, seasonal readalongs, and more!
★ Reading spreadsheet I use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhrdlRfnRs&t=626s ► End screen song: Magic Forest - Kevin MacLeod
★ FREELANCE EDITING SERVICES: https://tinyurl.com/editing-services -- I'm currently accepting clients for developmental editing and manuscript evaluation (I'm full for 2026 - I may open up additional editing slots later in the eyar depending on schedule so send me an email to get on the waiting list). I am still accepting book coaching clients for all of 2026. I'm interested in working with adult fantasy and scifi, especially Hades and Persephone retellings, stories involving polyamory, and mental health rep. I offer free editing samples of your first 1,000 words to make sure we are a good fit.
➝ DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.
WHERE TO FIND ME ► BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thoughtsontomes.bsky.social ► Storygraph (alternative to goodreads): https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thoughtsontomes ► Instagram: @thoughtsontomes ► Tiktok: @thoughtsontomes_
MORE THAN BOOKS? ★ Check out The Bibliothecary! I used to discuss witchcraft and other topics on my other channel but that content has all moved to The Bibliothecary: https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/
REVIEW/BUSINESS INQUIRES ➝ Email: thoughtsontomes@gmail.com ➝ Review Policy: https://thoughtsontomes.tumblr.com/reviewpolicy -- due to the volume of email requests I get, I do not accept review requests from indie or self-published authors at this time
12 books
1
Fairly Queer Books\ \ Fareeha\ \ • Apr 13
Join for free
I made a thing!
7 books
4
Boneyard Picnic\ \ Natalie Meagan\ \ • Mar 22
Join for free
Weirdo Book Club 2026 Selections
A little look at the books we've selected to read together this year!
10 books
9
Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • Mar 14
Join for free
\ \ To Ride a Rising Storm by Moniquill Blackgoose \ \ I waited two years for the second book in the Nampeshiweisit series and To Ride a Rising Storm did not disappoint!\ \ Anequs, Theod, and their dragons are reconnecting with their communities on Masquapaug during their summer break after a taxing first year at Kuiper’s Academy. Their hopes for some relaxing time with family & space to define their relationship are dashed when the Anglish begin encroaching more and more on the island.\ \ I love that we got a chance to get to know Anequs, her family, and her culture more in this book. Through Theod, we get to unpack European conditioning and think about what love and family could look like outside of those standards. Although I continued to enjoy the ways that Anequs pushes back against the status quo, I like that Liberty keep her grounded by explaining the ways that bucking the system in such a way can cause harm, too.\ \ We also get a bit more of a peak into Liberty’s world, which I’d hoped would be fleshed out more. Although we learn more about her concerns and community, I would like to see a lot more of them integrated into the storyline of the third book. The Black community in New England (IRL) were no strangers to the struggles of the Indigenous tribes around them, so it would be cool to read that in the Nampeshiweisit series, too. Do they have dragon-culture? Are there other creatures they are bonded with? I hope we find out!\ \ Pacing-wise, I think this book picks up a bit sooner than the first one with Anglish political conflict pushing the plot forward. It was really thrilling to see the way it all comes to a point and the plot definitely left me excited to get into book 3.\ \ I think this series is on par with my love of N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth Trilogy and The Greenbone Saga by Fonda Lee.\ \ Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow \ \ Read the full review here: https://bookish-afrolatina.binderybooks.com/item/4uuLHyJmLqIWL060tu5F/\\ \ The People's Library by Veronica G. Henry \ \ This book had me on a rollercoaster of emotions! Veronica G. Henry blends speculative fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery in The People’s Library.\ \ Our main character is a Black woman librarian named Echo London. At the start, she’s the head of a public library in near-future Cleveland until her boss informs her that it will no longer receive funding from the cit but she’s a top contender for the position of curator at the brand-new People’s Library. A place where patrons can check out a virtual historical figure/thinker and learn directly from them. To many, this seems like a pretty cool place to learn, but Echo is skeptical. With no other viable options, that she could see, Echo takes the job and begins to see its appeal. That is, until mysterious woman attacks her on behalf of the anti-tech rebellion. This rouses her suspicions and sends the librarian on a journey of dark discoveries.\ \ As a Black librarian, I vacillated between despair, suspicion, annoyance, and sadness as I read The People’s Library. In Echo’s world, AI is embedded in just about everything, which is a big fear of mine as I know how detrimental that will likely be. While I related a lot with her natural curiosity, I kept thinking that my girl was not being skeptical enough!! I was writing comments to her in my book like she could read it somehow. Despite my feelings, I found that this book was clever and engrossing. I felt like I could not put it down because I needed to know what would happen next! \ \ If you’re interested in discussions of the future of AI, utopias, privacy, surveillance, knowledge preservation, and what it means to be alive, this is a fantastic book to read.\ \ * Note: I chatted with the author about her book on IG Live thanks to Sistah SciFi, so if you want to hear more of our thoughts on it, you can head over to their social media or watch our panel discussion on Saturday, April 25th, 2026.\ \ The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar \ \ The audiobook of The River Has Roots is incredible! The story is entrancing but the music elevates the experience and gave me the feeling of being transported into it. \ \ It’s about two sisters with an unbreakable bond and powerful magic they were gifted by the ancient trees that they care for. This includes a queer main character and a suitor who refuses to take, “no” for an answer.\ \ I love that their magic system is literary and musical. It’s beautifully unique! I hope y’all listen to it when you get the chance.\ \ I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker( Accidents Happen #3) by Jessica Cage \ \ I love that each of the books in the Accidents Happen series has a Black woman main character who is a badass at her job and is guaranteed to be pampered by her loved ones.\ \ Jericha Brown owns her own security firm and is dedicated to all of its inner workings. When a lead agent leaves the firm, taking some of her other employees with him just as she's landed her dream contract, she's put in a precarious situation. All Jericha can think of to save her ass is reaching out to the backstabbing ex-bestie who stole her ideas in college for a temporary partnership. Turns out, Miss Klepto up and sold her company to an annoyingly gorgeous man named Raymond Statton. What Jericha doesn't know is that this man is a Shadow Walker.\ \ This is a super entertaining enemies-to-lovers romance with plenty of spice, hilarious banter, and found family. The book is a bit too long for my liking but it's worth it.\ \ If you haven't already, get your hands on the Accidents Happen series so you can kick your feet and cackle to your heart's content!](https://bookish-afrolatina.binderybooks.com/item/vxsGypY2I7dYLYL0wL20/)
5 books
Skies Press\ \ Emma\ \ • Mar 10
Join for free
WINNERS of our 2025 Best of Books
12 books
25
Littrilly Reads & Chats Club\ \ Tasj\ \ • Mar 6
Join for free
March TBR! 💐
💬 What book are you most excited to read this month ? And also are we feeling the spring vibes yet? ✨☀️
If you wanna join the bookclub to read “Seven Days in June” with us! Go ahead and follow @littrillyreadsandchatsclub Then go to the link in the bio to subscribe for free and gain access to the online bookclub!
#marchtbr #monthlytbr #womenauthors #bookishchallenge #readersofinsta readers, tbr of the month, women’s history month, diverse reading, books by female authors, booksta, bookclub
6 books
1
here are some of my favorite fantasy & science fiction books that I read in 2025!
here are some of my favorite fantasy & science fiction books that I read in 2025!
honestly, it was very hard to narrow down because I had SO many incredible speculative reads.
thanks to Tor and Tordotcom for the gifted copies!
.
5 books
2
top 10 books of 2025 | my favorite reads from the year
it’s time …. let me tell you all about my favorite books from 2025!
10 books
2
Wanderland Reads\ \ Sayer\ \ • Jan 4
Join for free
3 books
2
💭 what were your favorite reads from 2025?
💭 what were your favorite reads from 2025?
thanks to Saga Press, Tordotcom, Tor Books, Amulet Books, Knopf, Flatiron, MCD, Get Underlined, and William Morrow for the gifted copies!
.
10 books
Wanderland Reads\ \ Sayer\ \ • Jan 1
Join for free
What to expect (I hope) in 2026
6 books
2
Chanterelle Solace\ \ Sabie\ \ • Dec 19 2025
Join for free
Get a Rec from me & What my Taste in books look like
What are some books that represent your taste overall and do we have any in common? 👀
Before we dive into this, Bindery now has an option to request recs and you can go to the 🔗 in my bio and click “Get a Rec” and ask for details of what you’d like from the books I’ve read! I’m also making lists of 2026 releases in fantasy, romance and horror so far so happy to share some of these early on with you guys (these will be recs of what I’m looking forward to rather than what I’ve read) so GO GO GO 🤎
As for my taste in books, I’m never going to be the type that picks only 5 top books for the year guys and I’ve learned to accept it because honestly, what do you mean my top 5 books in one year? I would have to host a meeting with myself for a whole month to decide that 😭 So instead, you guys get my taste in books throughout various sub-genres that I yap about all the time!
Here is a list of the books (if you prefer to read through it or for accessibility needs)🤎: Cottagecore: 🍄 Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries 🍄 After the Forest by Kell Woods 🍄 A Witch’s Guide to Love and Poison by Aamna Qureshi 🍄 The Geographer’s Map to Romance by India Holton 🍄 The River has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar 🍄 An Arrow to the Heart by K.R. Bacher
Cozy Fantasy: 🍄 The Baby Dragon Cafe by Aamna Qureshi 🍄 Legend & Lattes by Travis 🍄 The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong 🍄 The Nameless Restaurant by Tao Wong 🍄 Watermoon by Samantha Sotto Yambao 🍄 The Spellshop by Sangu Mandanna
Witchycore: 🍄 The Hedgewitch of Foxhall by Anna Bright 🍄 House of Frank by Kay Synclaire 🍄 The Lone Wolf Cafe by Sydney Wilder 🍄 The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore 🍄 A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna 🍄 Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi
Retellings, Fairy Tale & Historical Fantasy: 🍄A Sorceress comes to Call by T.Kingfisher 🍄 What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez 🍄 Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross 🍄 We Shall be Monsters by Tara Sim 🍄 The Briar Book of the Dead by A.G Slatter
The rest is in my pinned comment!
#fantasybooks #topbooksof2025 #favoritebooks
74 books
1
Basement Books\ \ Kaitlyn\ \ • Dec 9 2025
Join for free
Short books to read before the end of the year
If you want to finish your reading goal this year (although in my mind, if you read a single book this year, you already won), pick up some of these incredible short reads! #bookrecommendations #shortbooks #nonfiction #poetry
17 books
4
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Dec 8 2025
💭 what’s your favorite 2025 book?
💭 what’s your favorite 2025 book?
drum roll please … welcome to the THIRD annual StarrySteph Book Awards! no questions at this time!
12 books
1
Boneyard Picnic\ \ Natalie Meagan\ \ • Dec 4 2025
Join for free
Sleep Token Book Recs | Weirdo Vlogmas Day 4
Let's explore the Even in Arcadia & chat about books that gave me the same vibes.
14 books
8
chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Nov 29 2025
Join for free
Buried under the weight of my TBR but I couldn’t be happier #booktok #bookhaul #indiebookstore #romancebooktok #fantasybooktok
22 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Nov 21 2025
it’s Wicked: For Good day!!! watch out world, I’m about to be super annoying!
here’s a little treat for the theatre kids.
thank you to Tordotcom, Avon, and Berkley for the gifted copies!
5 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Nov 11 2025
11/11 is 👹STEPH DAY 👹!!
thank you to Tordotcom, MIRA Books/HTP Hive, Get Underlined, Flatiron, Tor Books, Saga Press, and Disney Hyperion for the gifted copies!
14 books
5
Reads with Rachel\ \ Rachel\ \ • Oct 29 2025
Join for free
\ \ Join for free or login](https://readswithrachel.binderybooks.com/item/2R2gwwTUZFtKrSFnNutc/)
ARE ANY FAE FANTASY BOOKS GOOD?
Head to https://squarespace.com/readswithrachel to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using readswithrachel
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDybFQWoc9NC87xgTD61Zxg/join Bindery: https://readswithrachel.binderybooks.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/readswithrachel Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/reads-with-rachel/ Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3ULISP5ME5YF1?ref\_=wl\_share CONTACT ME: Business inquiries please email me here: readswithrachel@thestation.io All other emails go to: readswithrachel@gmail.com
SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL BOOKSHOP IN JERUSALEM: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jerusalems-educational-bookshop-emergency-appeal?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYg9lO3Duech8Jk64ISYxAbTR3bVyzVv15l3WvgOL6p0W8YmYtK1btC8as\_aem\_jDI-hXFRmsOaQBzhEc59vw
The first 500 people to use my link in the description or scan the QR code will receive a one month free trial of Skillshare! Get started today!” https://skl.sh/readswithrachel07251
Outro created by E.V.A.
Support Roma children and youth in Ukraine: https://chuffed.org/project/support-roma-children-and-youth-in-ukraine
Support Palestinian children: https://www.pcrf.net/
Support Democratic Republic of Congo during their humanitarian crisis: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/democratic-republic-congo
SUPPORT INDIA DURING THEIR COVID CRISIS: *donation links* -https://www.careindia.org/ -https://www.projecthope.org/
SUPPORT COLOMBIA: *resources and info* -https://mailchi.mp/cb922315dfc8/soscolombia
BLACK LIVES MATTER. Resources: -Massive list of places and people to donate to: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-for-black-lives-matter.htm -Find a protest or fundraiser near you: https://www.facebook.com/BlackLivesMatter/events/ *Find literature to read* Watch Vee Kativhu's video on recommending books to learn about racism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPX7nhpuJ3s -Support some Black youtubers by watching Myonna Reads' playlist of Black booktubers: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz1aECHUN0DR2-8otiw5OzcpVK3W-lcIZ
*Support my channel* -Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/readswithrachel -Tip me on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/readswithrachel
-like my clothes? use my code to get $30 off your first Nuuly box: https://share.nuuly.com/rachel93236
*Follow me on socials* TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelwithreads INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/readswithrachel BLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/readswithrachel.bsky.social WEBSITE: WWW.READSWITHRACHEL.COM
3 books
5
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Oct 29 2025
scents and memories go hand in hand, so let’s create some immersive & memorable reading experiences together!!
thank you to Tor Books and Tordotcom for the gifted books!
5 books
4
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 30 2025
fantasy books that i NEED YOU TO READ!!! hurry up.
fantasy books that i NEED YOU TO READ!!! hurry up.
thank you to Vintage/Anchor, Tordotcom, William Morrow, and Saga Press for the gifted copies!
11 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 2 2025
be quiet and listen!! kyle is reviewing his first book since the reading road to rings
be quiet and listen!! kyle is reviewing his first book since the reading road to rings and he really loved it (phew)!
📚 books mentioned: - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
we’ve all got to be nice and encouraging so that he keeps reading & chatting about books. 🥹 please?
i tried to look vaguely threatening in the background, but i fear my excitement about kyle loving this book leaked in lmao.
thank you to Tordotcom for the gifted copy!
1 book
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 2 2025
fantasy books without spice (and minimal romance overall)!
fantasy books without spice (and minimal romance overall)!
but i know people will still ask if there’s spice every darn time. 😭
#fantasybooks #fantasybookrecs #favoritefantasybooks #noromancebooks #nospicebooks #isitspicy #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram #nycbookstagram
14 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jul 26 2025
it’s a midyear best list!! here are my favorite books that i’ve read in 2025 so far.
it’s a midyear best list!! here are my favorite books that i’ve read in 2025 so far.
thank you to Tordotcom, Get Underlined, and Saga Press for the gifted copies!
5 books
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jul 12 2025
here’s a mid-year reading tag for you
here’s a mid-year reading tag for you: personal growth edition!
you can use the sound or share your own answers to these prompts in the comments. :)
thank you to Tordotcom, Grove Press, Flatiron Books, Little, Brown Books, Atria/Primero Sueño Press, Saga Press, and Get Underlined for the gifted copies!!
8 books
2
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jul 5 2025
what book recs do YOU have for persephone? 🐇
what book recs do YOU have for persephone? 🐇 (also, do I need to do this for artemis next???)
📚 books mentioned: - Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier - Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero - The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
thank you to Little, Brown Books and Tordotcom for the free copies!
3 books
Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • Jun 27 2025
Join for free
Pride Month ain’t over yet! I’ve got 9 Queer BIPOC Books for y’all to enjoy.
Pride Month ain’t over yet! I’ve got 9 Queer BIPOC Books for y’all to enjoy.
These Vengeful Gods by Gabe Cole Novoa (Queer YA Fantasy) In a world bound by violence, a teen descended from the god of Death must keep their true identity a secret as they fight their way through a gladiator-style competition towards victory and rebellion against the gods who murdered their family.
The Broposal by Sonora Reyes (Gay NA Romance) A queer romance about lifelong best friends entering a marriage of convenience to avoid the looming shadow of deportation. I really enjoyed this book! It’s got depth, sweetness, drama, & spice.
Heat and Run by Adriana Herrera (Sapphic Romance Novella) Heat and Run is a steamy sapphic omegaverse novella where insatiable lust meets the magic of the holiday season. Omega Melina thought she’d spend the chaos of her 1st heat cycle on an Tribarian island retreat, until she crashes, literally, into the mountain lodge of an irresistible alpha the broody & mysterious Dhanyaris.
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (Queer Romantasy Novella) 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.
Loving Safoa by Liza Wemakor (Sapphic Paranormal Romance) When schoolteacher Cynthia gets a tattoo at a block party in 1991 Flatbush, she doesn’t realize she’s embarking on a life-changing romance w/ an immortal Ghanaian vampire. This tale spans time & defies the utopian/dystopian binary.
The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron (Sapphic Historical Fiction) In the tumultuous town of Yáquimo, Jacquotte Delahaye is a shipwright, but her ambitions are bound by the confines of her self-seeking father. When her way of life is threatened, she is forced to flee her home & become a pirate w/ a motley crew of refugees, including the mysterious Teresa.
Continued in the comments! #PrideMonth #LGBTQBooks #QueerBooks #BIPOC #Bookstagram #BookRecommendations
[ID: Text - 9 Queer BIPOC Books. 9 books in rows of 3 lay over an ombre rainbow background. Each slide displays one of these books, the genre, and a short description listed in the caption.]
9 books
1
Skies Press\ \ Emma\ \ • Jun 25 2025
Join for free
BOOK CLUB RESULTS: The River Has Roots by Amal el-Mohtar (May 2025)
1 book
6