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brassmonkey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Antisemitism, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Blood
Minor: Stalking, Miscarriage, War, and Animal cruelty
amkleio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It is a tale of debts unpaid and compensated; of friendships and families powerful enough to conquer trials and misfortunes; of women who are forces to be reckoned with and aren’t just women—they contradict men’s beliefs that a woman’s purpose is only to marry and bring life and they’re much more than how the society sees them. This is about strong women who aren’t afraid of facing challenges on their own.
Miryem has grown tired of their poor life, and also of her father’s inability to collect debts from the people whom they lent their money with. She started doing things on her own by taking over her father’s job and collecting debts. But gossips scatter so easily that the Staryk king awaits her on their doorsteps.
The book is said to be a Rumpelstiltskin retelling, but honestly, it felt very subtle. It wasn’t a lot like the original fairytale—which I, indeed, quite expected—as it was almost entirely different. The only similar elements were one character has the ability to turn things (silver) into gold, a plot where there is a greedy king who tests a young maiden’s abilities and then marries her after, and the huge importance of names. Yet those were enough. I loved that Novik didn’t stick a lot with the original tale, and she created a unique story with great representations and exquisite storytelling.
There are six POVs, which were confusing (if you don’t pay much attention), but I quickly identified them, as each character has their own voice. For example, when it’s Wanda or Stepon’s POV, it usually has the word “Da” in it (a term they use for their father).
Spinning Silver has three main protagonists: Miryem, Wanda, and Irina. Miryem is smart. I loved her ways of getting a good bargain and being merciless to bring back a comfortable life for her family. Irina is tough. Her determination to protect Magreta is admirable. Wanda is strong. To be honest, she’s the character who touched me the most. Dealing with an abusive father and taking care of her other siblings made me think, “I wish I'm as strong as her.” I love these characters. No matter how hard and terrible their life can be, they always find ways to get out of any unfortunate events. And if it’s anything, I find the novel “female-empowering”, which is a great aspect since the female characters here share the same challenging life.
This was such an escapism! It was as if I felt the winter season through this book. I was easily swept along the extraordinary world together with the charm of the characters, magical mirrors, and the never-ending winter world. Novik, you have my heart.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Minor: Rape and Sexual harassment
kaziaroo's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
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.