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mar_gier's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really loved Spinning Silver, but it could be a bit of a slog to get through at times.
All of the characters were very wordy in both their thoughts and their descriptions of things. Also, dialogue exchanges seemed few and far between at times, and I do wish that there was a bit of them.
Nonetheless, I really did adore this book. The cast of characters were all relatively likeable to some degree, and they all felt extremely distinct from one another. Like, despite the fact that the chapters and scenes weren't labeled when there was a change in POV, you could always tell within the first sentence or three. (BTW, this book is all in 1st Person with like 6 distinct POVs.)
My favorite thing was seeing all the plot threads intertwining with one another, along with all of the characters' arcs. The character development and motivations are so deeply entrenched with the former that I think it's impossible to separate the two without having the story structure collapse.
But yeah, loved this book, but it was a bit slow-paced for my liking. You should read it.
(Also, all of the TWs I listed aren't super prevalent in the book except to one character really, but I wanted to be thorough just in case.)
All of the characters were very wordy in both their thoughts and their descriptions of things. Also, dialogue exchanges seemed few and far between at times, and I do wish that there was a bit of them.
Nonetheless, I really did adore this book. The cast of characters were all relatively likeable to some degree, and they all felt extremely distinct from one another. Like, despite the fact that the chapters and scenes weren't labeled when there was a change in POV, you could always tell within the first sentence or three. (BTW, this book is all in 1st Person with like 6 distinct POVs.)
My favorite thing was seeing all the plot threads intertwining with one another, along with all of the characters' arcs. The character development and motivations are so deeply entrenched with the former that I think it's impossible to separate the two without having the story structure collapse.
But yeah, loved this book, but it was a bit slow-paced for my liking. You should read it.
(Also, all of the TWs I listed aren't super prevalent in the book except to one character really, but I wanted to be thorough just in case.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Violence, Gore, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
haley49's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was such an intricate and beautiful fantasy. All the povs fit together so well and told a story that was masterfully done. There were some skimmable parts, too many povs, some pacing issues, and a need (in my opinion) for more side character character depth. However, in the end the world building and continuous story was so well done I couldn’t help but enjoy it. I liked how the MC was Jewish as I hadn’t seen that in fantasy and you can really see how it effects her life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Grief, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Dementia, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Classism, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Violence, and Torture
olivia_goode's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this read. I walked into the book without knowing what it was about, and was very surprised by the cast of well developed, strong women. I like that the main character is openly Jewish. It was refreshing to not use an allegory for oppression, and to have it painted as it is. As for the fantasy aspects, I really enjoyed all of the mythology. I did feel the book dragged a little in the middle, and some perspectives were entirely needed. But overall a great read. I sort of wish for more romance but I realized that isn’t everyone’s jam.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Bullying
goizi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and War
Minor: Death of parent
rafafinhass's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Abortion, Violence, Misogyny, and Alcoholism
Minor: Rape, Death, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
misssophiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is so exquisitely crafted, it was an absolute joy to read. There are a lot of POVs interwoven to tell the story and despite all of them being told in first person, I found it (mostly) easy to follow who was speaking just from the writing style. I also loved seeing the representation of different parts of society, including what these people would know or not know simply because of their upbringing. The magic was interesting (though perhaps not explained in enough detail) and the retelling (of Rumpelstilskin) cleverly done.
My favourite part was definitely the moral strength and determination of the three main female characters. They all did the best they could with the situations they were faced with, relying on their intelligence and experience, trying to make the best choices while not betraying themselves or their families. Found family also plays a huge role, as do kindness and empathy. I already know this is a book I will want to reread as soon as some of the details have faded.
My only complaint would be that I would have liked to see a bit more of the love stories, but then this is not a fantasy romance, so it is not the fault of the book at all.
My favourite part was definitely the moral strength and determination of the three main female characters. They all did the best they could with the situations they were faced with, relying on their intelligence and experience, trying to make the best choices while not betraying themselves or their families. Found family also plays a huge role, as do kindness and empathy. I already know this is a book I will want to reread as soon as some of the details have faded.
My only complaint would be that I would have liked to see a bit more of the love stories, but then this is not a fantasy romance, so it is not the fault of the book at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Alcoholism and Rape
carolynnagain's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Addiction, and Child abuse
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Reads like a fairytale! I loved the many interconnected elements, and it was great having a Jewish main character in the cast. The way the author expertly wove in themes of supportive and toxic family, good and evil (and neutral), magic, antisemitism, misogyny, poverty, and others really called back to folktales. My biggest complaint is that it took me a long time (an hour of listening) to realize the narrative was switching between characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Grief, Sexism, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death
laurajeangrace's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Confinement, and Death
Minor: Rape
eve_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This book is layered and has so many moving pieces at all times! It’s impressive how Novik ties it all together, but the plot is over-complicated and bogged down at points.
⁕ The characters are so unique and distinct from one another… I just didn’t find them personable and had a hard time emotionally connecting to them.
⁕ Novik’s writing style has all the markers of dark, traditionally western fairytales. It is worth it for the ✨a e s t h e t i c ✨if nothing else.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ This book is layered and has so many moving pieces at all times! It’s impressive how Novik ties it all together, but the plot is over-complicated and bogged down at points.
⁕ The characters are so unique and distinct from one another… I just didn’t find them personable and had a hard time emotionally connecting to them.
⁕ Novik’s writing style has all the markers of dark, traditionally western fairytales. It is worth it for the ✨a e s t h e t i c ✨if nothing else.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Violence, Death, Gore, Domestic abuse, and Alcoholism