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adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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:
No
I received this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
T. Kingfisher has done it again! This book is a fantastical reimagining of Snow White. I adore Kingfisher’s ability to look at a story or trope and say, “That’s great, but what if…?”
This book follows Anja, a middle-aged woman who specializes in poisons and antidotes. Summoned by the king to save his daughter Snow, Anja soon finds herself unraveling a deeper mystery behind the princess’s illness as she uncovers a whole world alongside a fickle one-eyed cat? and her bodyguard.
This book beautifully blends the familiar tale with fresh twists and turns, leaving readers horrified, delighted, and laughing in equal measure. It’s a masterful retelling with a heartwarming and irresistibly charming romantic subplot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Drug use, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-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
This was such a unique retelling of Snow White. The first quarter or so dragged on a bit for me, but also felt necessary for setting up the rest of the story. Healer Anja is a great female main character- strong, competent, and always learning. The mirror magic was a cool way to tie in the magic mirror from the original tale in a different, new way. I also loved the cat! The story was dark, with plenty of humor, and twists along the way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief
Moderate: Vomit, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
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
Spice Rating: 🌶️ / 5
My Summary: Healer Anja is a poison master and the best in the craft. One day, the king summons her to help save his daughter, Snow, who he thinks might be poisoned. But when Anja arrives to figure out what's wrong with Snow, she is met with a problem that might be unsolvable. Just when Anja is about to give up, she discovers a secret and the real reason Snow is sick.
My Thoughts: T. Kingfisher writes a dark Snow White retelling?! Sign me up!! Though the story starts off a bit slow, it is worth every minute. The main character, Anja, is refreshing with her curiosity, her strength, and her wit. Anja is dead-set on saving the king's daughter, Snow, from the poison ailing her, and not even an unsolvable mystery will stop her. She'll travel far and wide to figure out how to help Snow. Along with the mystery and fantastical elements, there's even a small subplot of romance, which is very sweet and coincides perfectly with the rest of the story. If you love T. Kingfisher's other novels like Nettle & Bone and A Sorceress Comes to Call, you will absolutely love Hemlock & Silver.
My Summary: Healer Anja is a poison master and the best in the craft. One day, the king summons her to help save his daughter, Snow, who he thinks might be poisoned. But when Anja arrives to figure out what's wrong with Snow, she is met with a problem that might be unsolvable. Just when Anja is about to give up, she discovers a secret and the real reason Snow is sick.
My Thoughts: T. Kingfisher writes a dark Snow White retelling?! Sign me up!! Though the story starts off a bit slow, it is worth every minute. The main character, Anja, is refreshing with her curiosity, her strength, and her wit. Anja is dead-set on saving the king's daughter, Snow, from the poison ailing her, and not even an unsolvable mystery will stop her. She'll travel far and wide to figure out how to help Snow. Along with the mystery and fantastical elements, there's even a small subplot of romance, which is very sweet and coincides perfectly with the rest of the story. If you love T. Kingfisher's other novels like Nettle & Bone and A Sorceress Comes to Call, you will absolutely love Hemlock & Silver.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Vomit, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Drug use, Sexual content
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Child death
Minor: Addiction, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Excrement, Dementia, Grief, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Thank you to Tor Nightfire for this arc! Hemlock & Silver is a refreshing new take on a familiar story. I enjoyed Anja’s character, as well as the light romance between her and the guard. A very enjoyable read for anyone who likes story retellings, strong female characters, and sassy sidekicks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Fatphobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Alcohol