"Strong writing and striking illustration makes this memorable, beautiful book one which readers will want to return to again and again."
December 2025 Book of the Month
The Waters and the Wild is a striking and beautiful book in every sense. Eilish Fisher’s verse novel stands out not only for its strong storytelling but also for its careful design. David Rooney’s remarkable illustrations play a major part in the reading experience: sometimes full-page, sometimes small details, shifting from greyscale to green in ways that reflect the story’s movement between the everyday and the otherworldly. The hardback edition, with its gold-embossed cover and luxuriously, considered layout, feels deliberately made to be enjoyed and kept.
The story follows Rowan, who is dealing with the death of her dad and a move from the open landscapes of Arizona to a small, walled Irish village. She arrives feeling isolated and unsure of where she fits. The village itself carries tensions and old secrets, and Rowan soon realises that some of these reach beyond the human world. Missing her dad and the freedom she once had, she becomes drawn through the village wall to a mysterious horse and other creatures that hint at the presence of the Sidhe, the Faerie world. As she pieces together what is happening, she also starts to understand the stories she has inherited - and maybe a different way of interpreting them.
Fisher’s use of free verse works well throughout. The form keeps the story moving at a good pace and the poetry carries the shifts between the real and the magical world naturally. It also gives space for clear, honest moments about grief, friendship and finding your place in a new environment.
The Waters and the Wild is a well-told blend of folklore, legend and contemporary life. It offers a sensitive look at loss and belonging while delivering a mystery that will keep young readers engaged. The combination of strong writing and striking illustration makes it a memorable read and one which readers will want to return to again and again.
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A beautiful novel in verse about grief, family and the power of hope, from the incredibly talented Eilish Fisher, 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?
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Waters and the Wild and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Waters and the Wild features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Fantasy / Magical, Animal Stories, The Natural World, PSHE: Bereavement and Grief, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage fiction: Magical realism / Magical fantasy, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Ponies, horses and related animals, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Large land mammals, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Mammals, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Shortlisted for The Week Junior Book Award
The Waters and the Wild is available in Paperback, Hardback
The Waters and the Wild was written by Eilish Fisher and published by Puffin an imprint of Penguin Random House Children's UK
The Waters and the Wild has 319 pages
£15.29
