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The Waters and the Wild
A beautiful novel in verse about grief, family and the power of hope from Eilish Fisher, award-winning author of
Fia and the Last Snow Deer.
Rowan was raised in the desert. Growing up all she’s known is sunshine, warmth, love. Then her beloved Dad dies, everything changes.
Now Rowan and her mum have moved from the hazy heat of the desert to the cold landscape of Ireland. Each of them hoping that living in the town Rowan’s Dad called home will bring them closer to him.
But as soon as Rowan arrives, she knows something’s not right. Why is it so cold even in August? Why do lights turn on without warning or kettles boil with no one pressing a switch?
Even more mysterious is The Wall. It surrounds the town, but no one can tell Rowan who built it or how long it’s stood, or why it’s forbidden to cross over to the other side. So, when she spots a crack in the stone, Rowan can’t resist the temptation to explore. In the woods beyond, she discovers a strange horse whom she feels an instant connection with, a bond that brings the return of warmth and hope . . . but at what price?
Rowan was raised in the desert. Growing up all she’s known is sunshine, warmth, love. Then her beloved Dad dies, everything changes.
Now Rowan and her mum have moved from the hazy heat of the desert to the cold landscape of Ireland. Each of them hoping that living in the town Rowan’s Dad called home will bring them closer to him.
But as soon as Rowan arrives, she knows something’s not right. Why is it so cold even in August? Why do lights turn on without warning or kettles boil with no one pressing a switch?
Even more mysterious is The Wall. It surrounds the town, but no one can tell Rowan who built it or how long it’s stood, or why it’s forbidden to cross over to the other side. So, when she spots a crack in the stone, Rowan can’t resist the temptation to explore. In the woods beyond, she discovers a strange horse whom she feels an instant connection with, a bond that brings the return of warmth and hope . . . but at what price?
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 27, 2026
Have you lost someone? I have too. And this book was like a hug whilst at the same time it kind of destroyed me.
Grief and loss is an inevitable part of living, and of loving. Although we can accept that death is part of life, just like breathing, it doesn't make it any easier when the one who goes is someone that you hold dear. The Waters and the Wild is a beautiful book about love, loss, grief and how we can let go of the people that leave us. If I was going to draw comparisons to this book, I would say that it reminded me of "A Monster Calls" (a brilliant book by Patrick Ness, but make sure you get the illustrated edition), and "The Afterwards" by A. F. Harrold. There were also echoes of "The Worlds We Leave Behind" by A. F. Harrold, as there is the sense of something old and magical between the pages, but something which should be treated with respect or trepidation. All of these books also feature fantastic illustrations, which help to draw you into the tales even more. These books are something special.
What I truly loved about The Waters and the Wild is how Fisher used Irish mythology. As a lover of myths, folklore and faerie tales, books which have these as an element to the storyteller can often make them more engaging for me. And Fisher pulls it off fantastically. Rowan and her father's relationship was wrapped up in them, so even now that he has gone, she remembers what he used to tell her, and there are times it is so profound, for instance here, when he talks about a Banshee:
"Because maybe it isn't scary.
Maybe it's a comfort
knowing the love you feel for someone,
the grief when they're gone,
is felt beyond just yourself.
That somewhere
in the woods,
a woman as old as time
brushes her hair with a silver comb
and wails for what you will lose."
I found myself wanting to highlight so many other passages too (I refrained from this, as mine is a physical copy of the book, and I just cannot bring myself to do this).
I have to admit, because of the subject matter of this novel, I would have struggled to get through it if I had lost someone recently. Last year, following my aunt's death, A Monster Calls was literally shouting at me from my bookshelf, but I couldn't bring myself to re-read it. I think The Waters and the Wild would have been like this for me too. It is definitely a book which I will remember for a long, long, time. In fact, it may just have to sit next to A Monster Calls, on my shelf. I'll just be careful when I pick it up for a re-read.
Grief and loss is an inevitable part of living, and of loving. Although we can accept that death is part of life, just like breathing, it doesn't make it any easier when the one who goes is someone that you hold dear. The Waters and the Wild is a beautiful book about love, loss, grief and how we can let go of the people that leave us. If I was going to draw comparisons to this book, I would say that it reminded me of "A Monster Calls" (a brilliant book by Patrick Ness, but make sure you get the illustrated edition), and "The Afterwards" by A. F. Harrold. There were also echoes of "The Worlds We Leave Behind" by A. F. Harrold, as there is the sense of something old and magical between the pages, but something which should be treated with respect or trepidation. All of these books also feature fantastic illustrations, which help to draw you into the tales even more. These books are something special.
What I truly loved about The Waters and the Wild is how Fisher used Irish mythology. As a lover of myths, folklore and faerie tales, books which have these as an element to the storyteller can often make them more engaging for me. And Fisher pulls it off fantastically. Rowan and her father's relationship was wrapped up in them, so even now that he has gone, she remembers what he used to tell her, and there are times it is so profound, for instance here, when he talks about a Banshee:
"Because maybe it isn't scary.
Maybe it's a comfort
knowing the love you feel for someone,
the grief when they're gone,
is felt beyond just yourself.
That somewhere
in the woods,
a woman as old as time
brushes her hair with a silver comb
and wails for what you will lose."
I found myself wanting to highlight so many other passages too (I refrained from this, as mine is a physical copy of the book, and I just cannot bring myself to do this).
I have to admit, because of the subject matter of this novel, I would have struggled to get through it if I had lost someone recently. Last year, following my aunt's death, A Monster Calls was literally shouting at me from my bookshelf, but I couldn't bring myself to re-read it. I think The Waters and the Wild would have been like this for me too. It is definitely a book which I will remember for a long, long, time. In fact, it may just have to sit next to A Monster Calls, on my shelf. I'll just be careful when I pick it up for a re-read.
January 7, 2026
"The Waters and the Wild" is another beautiful book by Eilish Fisher. The verse format is as much a pleasure to read as is the story. A friend who was flipping through the book described it as "delicious" - the drawings, the verse format, the way the story unfolds on the pages, and the feel of them too...and she has yet to read the book! I agree with her too. Eilish paints a beautiful picture of love and hope.
I hope that you enjoy this tale as much as I did. Now to pass it on to my friend who I know will end up ordering a copy.
I hope that you enjoy this tale as much as I did. Now to pass it on to my friend who I know will end up ordering a copy.
November 14, 2025
Another stunning book by this author. It’s just pure beauty and an excellent mix of spooky, heart and sadness. I loved it to pieces. The poetry is beautifully written and it’s also well plotted with just a hint of creep. Excellently blended the mythology.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews