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nourhanhesham's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jenhurst's review against another edition
3.0
This is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, but with strong woman. Miryem is the daughter of money lenders, but her dad isn't a good one. She takes it upon herself to fill his debts and make money. Miryem gets one of the village girls (Wanda) to help her stuff around the house as Miryem makes her fortunes. She literally takes a punch of silver coins and changes it into cold as she collects her debts. Unfortunately, Miryem catches the eyes of the darkness of the wood and a king who's heard of her reputation.
I think Naomi Novak is really good at writing fairytales. She has built up a wonderful world, that is very atmospheric and I could picture every aspect of this world clearly in my head. I liked how Judaism was weaved into this world, in a way that felt natural. The magic elements worked well and felt natural in this world. The characters were strong and intriguing.
There are some aspects to Rumpelstiltskin that hold true in the book. The importance of names, money lending, but this is a full length story with woman as the leads and more complex plot lines. With the introduction of Judaism to the tale, it felt so natural and it made so much sense that I could see it being part of the tale. If it is or not, I haven't looked into it to be honest. I liked how we got a humanized version of a money lender and Judaism and Eastern European vibes.
I personally liked Uprooted more, as I felt like that one wasn't dense when it isn't need to be. Spinning Silver had six different perspectives that all sounded the same. Yes. Everyone's biggest pet peeve. I'm sure her whole idea was that we had to figure out who it was, but I felt like I was constantly taken out of the story trying to figure out who's viewpoint we were on. Their voices were all identical and it drove me crazy.
I like how they took parts that are essential to a fairy tale and made them feel fresh. One girls mother had passed away (Wanda), one girls mother loved her and was a bit over bearing (Miryem), the adoptive mother, etc. A series of loveless marriages for the girls, fathers who are either clueless (or abusive),
I did enjoy the forest, the other worlds on the other side of the mirror, breathing new life to a known fairytale and strong females. I hope Novak writes more fairy tell retellings, because I will definitely be interested in reading them.
Also: lets just look at how beautiful that cover is. I love it.
I think Naomi Novak is really good at writing fairytales. She has built up a wonderful world, that is very atmospheric and I could picture every aspect of this world clearly in my head. I liked how Judaism was weaved into this world, in a way that felt natural. The magic elements worked well and felt natural in this world. The characters were strong and intriguing.
There are some aspects to Rumpelstiltskin that hold true in the book. The importance of names, money lending, but this is a full length story with woman as the leads and more complex plot lines. With the introduction of Judaism to the tale, it felt so natural and it made so much sense that I could see it being part of the tale. If it is or not, I haven't looked into it to be honest. I liked how we got a humanized version of a money lender and Judaism and Eastern European vibes.
I personally liked Uprooted more, as I felt like that one wasn't dense when it isn't need to be. Spinning Silver had six different perspectives that all sounded the same. Yes. Everyone's biggest pet peeve. I'm sure her whole idea was that we had to figure out who it was, but I felt like I was constantly taken out of the story trying to figure out who's viewpoint we were on. Their voices were all identical and it drove me crazy.
I like how they took parts that are essential to a fairy tale and made them feel fresh. One girls mother had passed away (Wanda), one girls mother loved her and was a bit over bearing (Miryem), the adoptive mother, etc. A series of loveless marriages for the girls, fathers who are either clueless (or abusive),
I did enjoy the forest, the other worlds on the other side of the mirror, breathing new life to a known fairytale and strong females. I hope Novak writes more fairy tell retellings, because I will definitely be interested in reading them.
Also: lets just look at how beautiful that cover is. I love it.
sashammerk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
steel0rchid's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
emgf's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
aceinit's review against another edition
5.0
I'm gonna have to repaint one of my book stairs now to make room for this one. It's that good.
sunny_r's review
5.0
Another truly incredible read from a stellar author. Naomi Novik’s works are simultaneously gorgeous and cunning, covertly drawing you in before submerging you completely in a world so real you’re not even sure where one page ends and the next begins. I had high expectations for this novel, given the stellar success of Uprooted, and I’m so happy to say that Spinning Silver didn’t disappoint. It is a rich, lusciously crafted novel about three brave, intelligent, inspiring women who make difficult decisions in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. These women are smart and courageous and powerful and breathtaking. They see the reality of their situations, yet refuse to passively await the callous slaughter that fate seems determined to throw their way. They take action with fires in their eyes and barks in their bites.
There’s a crucial difference between simply claiming a character is “smart” and genuinely convincing the reader of that fact. Naomi Novik not only recognizes this distinction but also manages to overcome it with ease, not once, but three times within the same novel. It’s honestly impressive how impressed I was by the situations and solutions created in this novel.
But the magic of this book lies beyond the merits of its three protagonists (though there are plenty of those). This story is a magical, artfully woven tale that fills you with an insatiable desire for MORE - one more final glimpse at a world no sequel will ever reveal to you again. If I had a complaint, it would be the undeniable yearning to know more about the lives of the characters after the novel ends, though I recognize that the longing I feel is a concession that generally must be made when deciding to read a standalone novel. I know this review doesn’t explain much about the book or go into its merits very specifically, but the less background info the better. If you go into this book with nothing but blind faith, it just might be enough to completely transport you into a different universe: not a pristine, perfect utopia, but a very real world, full of putrid prejudice rearing its ugly head and breathtaking love planting its precious seeds. But at the very end of the day, aren’t those the very things that shape our own lives?
There’s a crucial difference between simply claiming a character is “smart” and genuinely convincing the reader of that fact. Naomi Novik not only recognizes this distinction but also manages to overcome it with ease, not once, but three times within the same novel. It’s honestly impressive how impressed I was by the situations and solutions created in this novel.
But the magic of this book lies beyond the merits of its three protagonists (though there are plenty of those). This story is a magical, artfully woven tale that fills you with an insatiable desire for MORE - one more final glimpse at a world no sequel will ever reveal to you again. If I had a complaint, it would be the undeniable yearning to know more about the lives of the characters after the novel ends, though I recognize that the longing I feel is a concession that generally must be made when deciding to read a standalone novel. I know this review doesn’t explain much about the book or go into its merits very specifically, but the less background info the better. If you go into this book with nothing but blind faith, it just might be enough to completely transport you into a different universe: not a pristine, perfect utopia, but a very real world, full of putrid prejudice rearing its ugly head and breathtaking love planting its precious seeds. But at the very end of the day, aren’t those the very things that shape our own lives?
debmeg's review
5.0
I don't usually take the time to write reviews. I also almost never give five stars. This was undoubtedly a five star book. It was wonderful on every level; the writing, the characters, the plot and the wisdom and wonder. Just stunning. I'm in awe of this author, and that happens to me very rarely.
haliespages's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5