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meshuganush's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Very Jewish. Has a great face turn near the end. Neatly splits into three acts. The story feels like a beautifully and intricately woven tapestry. There is incredible depth and every detail matters for the whole.
An excellent portrayal of antisemitism in society as well as mob mentality. It explored themes of the importance of family as well as found family, the brilliance and fortitude of women and an enemies to lovers story that isn't cliche.
An excellent portrayal of antisemitism in society as well as mob mentality. It explored themes of the importance of family as well as found family, the brilliance and fortitude of women and an enemies to lovers story that isn't cliche.
Content Warnings
Minor: Antisemitism and Xenophobia
kurumipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Antisemitism, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
Minor: Animal death, Rape, Xenophobia, Blood, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Classism
keishbby's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Child abuse, Child death, and Antisemitism
Minor: Child death and Sexual assault
sshinesea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
5.0
The best Novik novel yet! Incredible depth of character, showing the many shades of grey in female characters missing in so many other books. Beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Child death, and Xenophobia
tactiq's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual assault
asha_m's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, and Antisemitism
kaziaroo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I’ll begin by admitting I was disappointed in this book because I was hoping it would be like Uprooted (by the same author), which I enjoyed a few years ago, and given the rave reviews I was sure I’d enjoy it even though the blurb didn’t sound very interesting to me. And in the first half, I was optimistic; it was nothing like Uprooted, but I still held out hope that I could enjoy it because it was well written if a bit slow. My attention was wandering, but I was sure that as the plot progressed and I got more into it I’d be more interested.
Unfortunately, the second half was only worse. By the time I was two thirds of the way through, I was thoroughly bored and couldn’t wait for it to end. I didn’t warm (pardon the pun) to any of the characters, and by the end I was sick of them. Unlike most reviewers, I enjoyed the unlabelled point of view (POV) transitions – that is, until the number of POVs kept increasing and I was dragged back to the perspective of side characters who had no reason to have so much time in the spotlight. None of the character relationships were convincing or fleshed out enough to be interesting, and the characters themselves were unlikeable. It seemed like no matter whose perspective was next, I was still disappointed.
I also want to mention some more serious flaws in this book (avoiding spoilers as much as I can). This book tries very hard to make certain characters forgivable, even for horrible sins, making their sins not only forgiven but also forgotten as if they never did anything wrong. This makes the ending very uncomfortable as the author clearly wants you to believe that the characters will live happily ever after, but there’s just no precedent for this. Characters who hated each other (for good reason) throughout the book suddenly love each other with no build-up, further shattering any remaining suspension of disbelief. Everything is tidied up into a neat happy ending with no negative consequences, even when they are justly deserved. This left me feeling sour and unsatisfied.
Despite this, I gave Spinning Silver three stars because it was still well written on a sentence level and the characters had distinctive voices (although I did forget who was talking halfway through a chapter once or twice, so maybe not always!), and the first half was decent. There were some nice domestic scenes which, while they slowed the book down, I found enjoyable to sink into. I’m now teetering between 2 and 3 stars, so who knows, maybe I’ll go back and edit this later after thinking further. On the other hand, I feel like I've spent more than enough time with this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Animal death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Antisemitism, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Grief, Body horror, Blood, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Confinement, and Sexism
Minor: Child death, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Rape, and Pedophilia
Passing mentions of infant death, death by childbirth, child marriage, and execution by hanging. Themes around agency, obligations, and possessiveness -- specifically of daughters/wives/women overall -- in family relationships and marriage. Sexual assault/harassment is mentioned and discussed but mostly not present; several scenes involve pressure upon mutually unconsenting parties to consummate a relationship and unwanted sexual advances.heartbrekker's review against another edition
5.0
Can I just start off this review by stating Naomi’s fairytale writing is pure gold? And, yes, that is a slight pun to this whole story reimagining Rumplestiltskin. It was just magical and marvelous with lush writing to its core.
They’re six point of views, and while I enjoyed all of them in the end, there was one that took me a bit of time to warm up to.
Naomi weaves a tone that resembles an old fairytale, but instead of the obsessive patriarchy that left women as empty shells of who they’re in those old tales, this story shows them as strong humans who do not bend to male will.
I cannot tell you the amount of times I screeched for Miryem, Irina, and Wanda because they all emphasize strong family dynamics and love for them. These girls in the end hold themselves higher. They don’t balk in the cruelty or threats of others because they themselves have seen the darker side of humanity. You watch them grow into themselves, and it is beautiful. They know what they want and what they’re worth, which is something fairytales never really gave to women.
SS also includes a mix of fairytale folklore with Jewish faith. Miryem is a Jewish moneylender, and throughout the entire novel we see the anti-semitism evident throughout Europe. It isn’t the main plot of the novel, but it is strongly there. I was curious to see how Naomi was going to juggle these two aspects (fairytale/ Jewish faith), and I’d say she represented them very well. Miryem was incredibly strong about her faith, and it made me happy to see her pursue her desires. She was strong willed and hardworking, but her intelligence was my favorite aspect. It’s runs along with her other attributes, and her thought process and scheming really surprised me. She was an equal Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Miryem just really became my absolute favorite, and I cannot thank the author enough for her complexity and empowering nature. Some may see her as greedy and all, but slowly, the reader realizes that that is just a front. Plus, starvation is a big motivation to change and work harder.
I’ve read from some other reviews that certain characters mirror different Rumplestiltskin personalities or ideals within the original fairytale, and after looking back, that aspect is really incredible. I’m annoyed I didn’t pick up on it while reading, but it’s such a unique aspect to this retelling.
Now I could go on and on to tell you about the beautiful writing or the stellar plot/ world building but all you really need to know is that it is there. And it was beautiful *heart eyes*
Okay I’m going to splurge on the setting a tad. It seemed to have magic edged into each word and description. It felt like you were reading a fairytale honestly (what I wanted so YAY!), and the countryside/ city dynamics really added to it. It felt peaceful, heart wrenching, and VERY cold. Naomi’s ability to mirror the environment to emotions is astounding.
They’re six point of views, and while I enjoyed all of them in the end, there was one that took me a bit of time to warm up to.
Naomi weaves a tone that resembles an old fairytale, but instead of the obsessive patriarchy that left women as empty shells of who they’re in those old tales, this story shows them as strong humans who do not bend to male will.
I cannot tell you the amount of times I screeched for Miryem, Irina, and Wanda because they all emphasize strong family dynamics and love for them. These girls in the end hold themselves higher. They don’t balk in the cruelty or threats of others because they themselves have seen the darker side of humanity. You watch them grow into themselves, and it is beautiful. They know what they want and what they’re worth, which is something fairytales never really gave to women.
SS also includes a mix of fairytale folklore with Jewish faith. Miryem is a Jewish moneylender, and throughout the entire novel we see the anti-semitism evident throughout Europe. It isn’t the main plot of the novel, but it is strongly there. I was curious to see how Naomi was going to juggle these two aspects (fairytale/ Jewish faith), and I’d say she represented them very well. Miryem was incredibly strong about her faith, and it made me happy to see her pursue her desires. She was strong willed and hardworking, but her intelligence was my favorite aspect. It’s runs along with her other attributes, and her thought process and scheming really surprised me. She was an equal Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Miryem just really became my absolute favorite, and I cannot thank the author enough for her complexity and empowering nature. Some may see her as greedy and all, but slowly, the reader realizes that that is just a front. Plus, starvation is a big motivation to change and work harder.
I’ve read from some other reviews that certain characters mirror different Rumplestiltskin personalities or ideals within the original fairytale, and after looking back, that aspect is really incredible. I’m annoyed I didn’t pick up on it while reading, but it’s such a unique aspect to this retelling.
Now I could go on and on to tell you about the beautiful writing or the stellar plot/ world building but all you really need to know is that it is there. And it was beautiful *heart eyes*
Okay I’m going to splurge on the setting a tad. It seemed to have magic edged into each word and description. It felt like you were reading a fairytale honestly (what I wanted so YAY!), and the countryside/ city dynamics really added to it. It felt peaceful, heart wrenching, and VERY cold. Naomi’s ability to mirror the environment to emotions is astounding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism
Parental abusea_new_elisabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'm docking half a point just because we never find out his name.
No, it's actually because the logic and writing style are not entirely 5 stars, but that name thing is slightly irritating.
That last sentence is still cute though.
No, it's actually because the logic and writing style are not entirely 5 stars, but that name thing is slightly irritating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
Minor: Child death