A review by beewitchtt
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-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


A robber who steals a knife and cuts himself cannot cry out against the woman who kept it sharp.

Spinning Silver, I think, has become my favorite book I have ever read. I originally picked this book up for the promise of a Rumpelstiltskin retelling and a romance- but instead I got a poignant story of three women saving the world despite their unsavory situations. It's a book about agency, about over-coming fear, and about finding the spaces that make you feel safe and holding them tightly.  

Not to say this book does not have romance, but it is extremely slow-burn, and keeps you on your toes. It will dangle these relationships in front of you, and you the reader, who is so used to unearned love and yearning will ask for it to just happen already. But Naomi Novik has complete control of this story the entire way through and does what's best for the story. It is beautifully written, and has captured me for days. 

I do not think that this book is for everyone, but I recommend everyone give it a try. If you give it a chance to enchant you- you will have no regrets. 
 
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