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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?
319 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 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.
March 10, 2026
The waters and the wild caught my eye with its mystic cover and interesting premise. It reminded me a lot of both Maggie Stiefvater's the Scorpio Races and The Raven Cycle as well as Holly Black's Folk of the Air. All of which I love. Riffling through the pages in the bookstore showed me an interesting way of formatting the text as well, where words drift across the page to underscore the happenings in the plot. I knew that it was categorised as childrens when I picked it up, but some of the best books in the world are officially childrens books, it doesn't necessarily mean it cannot be enjoyable to read it as an adult. A bit more child-friendly language was to be expected, but I do feel the prose was the biggest let-down in the end. This story and formatting really demanded something a bit more lyrical and imaginative, than the matter of fact writing it got.
The themes of dealing with loss and grief, as well as not giving in to fear and prejudice were well interwoven with the story. I am not entirely sure how I feel about how the Irish myths were handled in this story. I rather like the changeable trickster versions of the Sídhe. That does also include them sometimes being kind and helpful, but trying to uproot the entirety of Irish folklore and say "what if we were wrong about them all along" feels wrong. I'm no expert on the matter and I don't really see an issue with there being a version of this story were the Sídhe do help a lonely grieving girl, but it did leave me a bit unsatisfied.
Finally the art. The art was simply beautiful and I loved how the drawings managed to hide certain aspects at first glance, only for me to look at it again after reading the text and suddenly notice new details. I don't really have a concluding remark, but those are my thoughts.
The themes of dealing with loss and grief, as well as not giving in to fear and prejudice were well interwoven with the story. I am not entirely sure how I feel about how the Irish myths were handled in this story. I rather like the changeable trickster versions of the Sídhe. That does also include them sometimes being kind and helpful, but trying to uproot the entirety of Irish folklore and say "what if we were wrong about them all along" feels wrong. I'm no expert on the matter and I don't really see an issue with there being a version of this story were the Sídhe do help a lonely grieving girl, but it did leave me a bit unsatisfied.
Finally the art. The art was simply beautiful and I loved how the drawings managed to hide certain aspects at first glance, only for me to look at it again after reading the text and suddenly notice new details. I don't really have a concluding remark, but those are my thoughts.
March 9, 2026
An absolutely spellbinding story with perfect illustrations! This is the kind of book that you force yourself to read slowly because you want it to last. If you have ever experienced grief, Eilish's main character will draw you right in. It may even inspire you to do some of your own research on Irish legends,
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.
April 28, 2026
When I picked up this book, I did so because it was just the most beautiful looking book ever.
I loved the foiling on the jacket, the artwork on the naked hardcover and on skimming through, I loved the illustrations inside and the fact this book is written in verse.
I had no clue what this was about and it was to be my first read by this author and indeed one of very few written in verse that I'd ever read.
Well, all I can say is that I need everyone to go out and get this book right now, because what's inside is just as beautiful as the outside.
Right from the start, we are plunged into this eerie, dark and sad atmosphere that just grips you so tightly.
This storyline takes a stark look at grief and how it affects us, how tradition often dictates how people react to society and explores what life could be, if only we opened ourselves up to questioning those long held beliefs that often don't work in today's world.
On top of this, we are taken on a wonderful journey through Irish folklore and explore part of the Other World with some of the magical creatures who hide within.
I absolutely loved everything about this book and can't recommend it enough.
Rowan was the perfect newcomer to town and having grown up with her father's stories of home, now revisited them after he died and started looking closely at the world around her.
This was dark and uncomfortable in places and the writing was so immersive that it really felt like I was right there in the woods with the girls.
But the way it portrays the Good Ones was so beautifully done throughout.
Being written in verse added to this magical atmosphere and I really found it difficult to put this down once I started.
A brilliant read for all ages and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
I loved the foiling on the jacket, the artwork on the naked hardcover and on skimming through, I loved the illustrations inside and the fact this book is written in verse.
I had no clue what this was about and it was to be my first read by this author and indeed one of very few written in verse that I'd ever read.
Well, all I can say is that I need everyone to go out and get this book right now, because what's inside is just as beautiful as the outside.
Right from the start, we are plunged into this eerie, dark and sad atmosphere that just grips you so tightly.
This storyline takes a stark look at grief and how it affects us, how tradition often dictates how people react to society and explores what life could be, if only we opened ourselves up to questioning those long held beliefs that often don't work in today's world.
On top of this, we are taken on a wonderful journey through Irish folklore and explore part of the Other World with some of the magical creatures who hide within.
I absolutely loved everything about this book and can't recommend it enough.
Rowan was the perfect newcomer to town and having grown up with her father's stories of home, now revisited them after he died and started looking closely at the world around her.
This was dark and uncomfortable in places and the writing was so immersive that it really felt like I was right there in the woods with the girls.
But the way it portrays the Good Ones was so beautifully done throughout.
Being written in verse added to this magical atmosphere and I really found it difficult to put this down once I started.
A brilliant read for all ages and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
March 30, 2026
A children's classics author in the making. What a beautiful story.
Lowkey sad that Dermot Flynn didn't illustrate this but David Rooney's scraperboard style really suits this story so well.
Lowkey sad that Dermot Flynn didn't illustrate this but David Rooney's scraperboard style really suits this story so well.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews