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mrsrccockrell's review against another edition
5.0
I just this moment put this book down and Oh. My. Gosh.
You have to read it. It’s that simple.
I LOVE fairy tale re-tellings and Naomi Novik has done it better than any other I’ve ever read. I can’t wait to get my hands on another one of her books.
You have to read it. It’s that simple.
I LOVE fairy tale re-tellings and Naomi Novik has done it better than any other I’ve ever read. I can’t wait to get my hands on another one of her books.
romaisa_azim's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
chaz11's review against another edition
5.0
What a spell-binding tale. The world Naomi Novik creates is that of an enchanting, wintery kingdom, with very real and varied facets. Spinning Silver, follows the journey of three girls, Miryem, Wanda and Irina, as they overcome their struggles in order to save themselves, their families, and their people.
The sense of culture you get when reading the book is amazing, I was really in the world created here. I loved the themes throughout the novel, and how it shows the strength and beauty of women without being either too forceful or resorting to flawed ‘girlboss’ cliches.
One of my favourite things about the book was the theme of family. There were a variety of different families portrayed, none were perfect; some were loving, others abusive, but most importantly they felt real. A bad trait in a family member doesn’t make them wholly bad, and a bad family member in a family, doesn’t make the whole family bad. There also grew to be good solidarity between the girls and I liked how this dynamic happened organically. The girls didn’t meet the first time and immediately become best friends. Aswell as this, the girls’ families were extremely important to them and it was nice to see families more involved in a story, as often that’s not the case.
Nevertheless, my favourite character was definitely the Staryk King Very dramatic first appearance, which had me right away. He was fun to read and I was interested to see how his arrogance would clash with Miryem’s personality and it was as enjoyable as expected. I also appreciate how our perception of him changes. We’re not expected to sympathise with him merely because he had a ‘tragic childhood’, but he really did have noble justifications for his actions, and as he progressed, I grew more and more fond of him.
I loved how all the plot threads came together and the story was great with an amazing ending. For the most part it wasn’t predictable. It felt new and refreshing (from someone who reads a lot of YA, which tends to boil down to similar stories). The cultural elements were lovely too. They felt rich and true, not just added to appear different to standard fantasy culture. And as someone who observes shabbat, it was warming to see that in the story and left me hoping to see more protagonists of faith.
Spinning Silver is an imaginative (loose) retelling of Rumpelstiltskin which does not disappoint. The world is a beautifully crafted foundation for the authentic, likeable, and relatable characters, which allows a fantastical and intriguing plot to take place. It may be a longer read, and at points, not as fast-paced as other books, but it won’t stop you from wanting to keep turning the page and seeing how the characters deal with their challenges.
The sense of culture you get when reading the book is amazing, I was really in the world created here. I loved the themes throughout the novel, and how it shows the strength and beauty of women without being either too forceful or resorting to flawed ‘girlboss’ cliches.
One of my favourite things about the book was the theme of family. There were a variety of different families portrayed, none were perfect; some were loving, others abusive, but most importantly they felt real. A bad trait in a family member doesn’t make them wholly bad, and a bad family member in a family, doesn’t make the whole family bad. There also grew to be good solidarity between the girls and I liked how this dynamic happened organically. The girls didn’t meet the first time and immediately become best friends. Aswell as this, the girls’ families were extremely important to them and it was nice to see families more involved in a story, as often that’s not the case.
Nevertheless, my favourite character was definitely the Staryk King
Spoiler
still want to know his name ahhhI loved how all the plot threads came together and the story was great with an amazing ending. For the most part it wasn’t predictable. It felt new and refreshing (from someone who reads a lot of YA, which tends to boil down to similar stories). The cultural elements were lovely too. They felt rich and true, not just added to appear different to standard fantasy culture. And as someone who observes shabbat, it was warming to see that in the story and left me hoping to see more protagonists of faith.
Spinning Silver is an imaginative (loose) retelling of Rumpelstiltskin which does not disappoint. The world is a beautifully crafted foundation for the authentic, likeable, and relatable characters, which allows a fantastical and intriguing plot to take place. It may be a longer read, and at points, not as fast-paced as other books, but it won’t stop you from wanting to keep turning the page and seeing how the characters deal with their challenges.
allietrish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
frecldgal's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jayobees's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
I loved this retelling of the Rumplestiltskin fairytale, and the narrator for the audio book is fantastic.
The pacing of the book was slow and it felt just right to me - my interest never waned and the urgency in the plot built over time.
I loved the multiple points of view - different chapters or sections told by different characters, with more voices slowly expanding the story as it continues. The narrator used slight changes in accent & tone to indicate the changes in POV to great effect.
The characters became dear to me over time and I was moved by their stories. Magical.
The pacing of the book was slow and it felt just right to me - my interest never waned and the urgency in the plot built over time.
I loved the multiple points of view - different chapters or sections told by different characters, with more voices slowly expanding the story as it continues. The narrator used slight changes in accent & tone to indicate the changes in POV to great effect.
The characters became dear to me over time and I was moved by their stories. Magical.
mdelkins's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
odin45mp's review against another edition
5.0
Phenomenal. Novik sticks the landing here. This is a lavish retelling and mash-up of a few classic fairy tales, where a young girl manages to turn silver into gold and in doing so attracts the eye of the king of the Staryk - a fae race who embodies winter. It is also the story of a young woman whose abusive, violent father holds her family in fear, and how she and her brothers manage to escape. It is also the story of a young woman who is married off as a political tool for her father, and finds that her husband is much more than she bargained for... but she can bargain back. Rich, deep characters. Good dialogue. Multiple plots spinning in the air. This was a joy to read and a book that I will be recommending when people want something new and different in fantasy.
r3damancy's review against another edition
3.0
!!Opt for reading rather than audio format!!
The multiple POVs offer a rich view of the story's intricacies. However, this leads to moments of disorientation, particularly for those listening to the story in audio format. I was pausing to reference chapter numbers to keep track of the shifting perspectives using the wiki.
The book is a reimagining of the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, skillfully interwoven with themes of power, identity, and the bonds of family. Novik's portrayal of Polish-Lithuanian Jewish moneylenders (usury) adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.
It envelops you in its atmospheric world—a perfect companion for cozying up with blankets and a warm cup of tea or coffee on a wintry night.
The multiple POVs offer a rich view of the story's intricacies. However, this leads to moments of disorientation, particularly for those listening to the story in audio format. I was pausing to reference chapter numbers to keep track of the shifting perspectives using the wiki.
The book is a reimagining of the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, skillfully interwoven with themes of power, identity, and the bonds of family. Novik's portrayal of Polish-Lithuanian Jewish moneylenders (usury) adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.
It envelops you in its atmospheric world—a perfect companion for cozying up with blankets and a warm cup of tea or coffee on a wintry night.