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chili_reads 's review for:
Hemlock & Silver
by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I don’t even know where to begin with this book. I absolutely loved it and ended up devouring the entire thing in a single day. I just could not put it down.
The story felt so fresh and unique, a true breath of air in the fantasy genre. You can really see the amount of thought and care T. Kingfisher put into crafting this world and plot, and the execution was flawless. The conversational first person narration was one of my favorite parts. It is as if we are getting a direct window into Anja’s unfiltered thoughts, which makes the whole story feel so intimate and real.
There are so many layers woven into this book: mystery, science, fantasy, magic, comedy, and even a touch of romance. I especially loved Anja as the FMC. She is not the typical fantasy heroine, and her quirks, interests, and voice made her stand out in the best way. The plot itself kept me on my toes from start to finish. I never knew where it was going next, and I loved being surprised in such a good way. The unpredictability and complexity made it an incredibly engaging read.
The cast of characters was also wonderfully diverse and memorable. Each of them brought something different to the table, but I have to admit, Grayling the cat completely stole the show for me. That said, there were a few spots where I felt like I was missing some context, such as the details around Snow’s sickness when it began and how it tied into the king’s decision to move her, which later became clear that her location played into her sickness. It did not take away from my overall enjoyment, but it did leave me wishing for just a bit more clarity.
All in all, Hemlock & Silver is a brilliantly crafted and refreshing fantasy read. It is equal parts clever, heartfelt, and unpredictable, and it reminded me why I love T. Kingfisher’s writing so much.
The story felt so fresh and unique, a true breath of air in the fantasy genre. You can really see the amount of thought and care T. Kingfisher put into crafting this world and plot, and the execution was flawless. The conversational first person narration was one of my favorite parts. It is as if we are getting a direct window into Anja’s unfiltered thoughts, which makes the whole story feel so intimate and real.
There are so many layers woven into this book: mystery, science, fantasy, magic, comedy, and even a touch of romance. I especially loved Anja as the FMC. She is not the typical fantasy heroine, and her quirks, interests, and voice made her stand out in the best way. The plot itself kept me on my toes from start to finish. I never knew where it was going next, and I loved being surprised in such a good way. The unpredictability and complexity made it an incredibly engaging read.
The cast of characters was also wonderfully diverse and memorable. Each of them brought something different to the table, but I have to admit, Grayling the cat completely stole the show for me. That said, there were a few spots where I felt like I was missing some context, such as the details around Snow’s sickness when it began and how it tied into the king’s decision to move her, which later became clear that her location played into her sickness. It did not take away from my overall enjoyment, but it did leave me wishing for just a bit more clarity.
All in all, Hemlock & Silver is a brilliantly crafted and refreshing fantasy read. It is equal parts clever, heartfelt, and unpredictable, and it reminded me why I love T. Kingfisher’s writing so much.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Vomit, Death of parent
Minor: Gore, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail