Reviews

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

rlou's review

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

eponineeurydice's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars! I don't have the energy to write a good review but this was beautiful; it was absolute wintry fairytale perfection. This book has it all: gorgeous writing, tender found family, folklore-esque atmosphere, clever and incredible girl characters, and the very core of humanity at its heart. It was so perfect for this time of year, where it feels like winter will never end, yet it filled me with warmth. A truly evocative tale; though it simmers long and slow, it's well worth every page.

kittyluvr30's review against another edition

2.0

this started off so promising and i really loved the first half of the book. the second half was just sooo slow - i couldn’t force myself to try and slog through the rest so i stopped reading at ~80%

beccaj2180's review against another edition

4.0

Jumping between perspectives all the time seemed like an odd choice, especially because the number of narrators kept increasing. I listened to this book so sometimes that got a bit confusing, but the story was incredible. Loved it.

deluciate's review against another edition

4.0

It took me a little while to get into this one, but I really enjoyed the turns the story took as well as the world-building with its evocative imagery.

ninasbooks57's review against another edition

5.0

I’m not usually a fantasy book reader- I read this as part of a KDL book challenge. I must say I loved it! It was so creative and what great imagery! A great story of evil vs good. A love story based on caring and convictions and loyalty- not just feelings! Worth a read!

joshualeggs's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.0

Rumplestiltskin. 

sneeps's review against another edition

5.0

CW: fantasy violence, child abuse, domestic violence, miscarriage/stillbirth, maternal death, Antisemitism, some graphic descriptions of burn wounds, some blood and gore.

A story of 3 young women whose fates become intertwined after one makes a prideful boast: she can turn silver into gold. A re-imagining of Rumplestiltskin, one of the most ridiculous fairytales we have.

I loved these girls, each strong and clever in their own ways, and fiercely dedicated to protecting their people. Each girls' perspective of "their people" also grew as their knowledge of the world changed; expanding from blood relatives to chosen family, ethnic community, all citizens of their kingdoms.

The Staryk were an interesting fae, and I liked figuring out their morality with Miryem, seeing the difference between what is considered a debt depending on what is valued by the society, and what high magic may rule over all.

Also, just what I like in a fairytale: a happy ending, hard won.

rebeccafish23's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

pebblegosling's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5