1,196 books
—
4,757 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Spinning Silver” as Want to Read:
Spinning Silver
by
Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father's inability to collect his debts has left his family on the edge of poverty--until Miryem takes matters into her own hands. Hardening her heart, the young woman sets out to claim what is owed and soon gains a reputation for being able to turn silver into gold.
When an ill-advised boast draws the atten ...more
When an ill-advised boast draws the atten ...more
Get A Copy
Kindle Edition, 480 pages
Published
July 10th 2018
by Del Rey
(first published July 9th 2018)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Spinning Silver,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Sandra
You should definitely read Uprooted anyway, though. That book is absolutely brilliant.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Spinning Silver
I'm officially giving up personhood to become the ghost of a tormented poet who sits on patches of moss in the moors and recites bad poetry about how amazing this book is!
I love this book so much—the kind of love that is peculiar to inhabiting the perspective of young women with agency and the relationships they form when relying on each other. I feel like I should have experienced this novel in some beautiful rose garden under the stars on the biggest bed with silk sheets, laughing maniacally a ...more
I love this book so much—the kind of love that is peculiar to inhabiting the perspective of young women with agency and the relationships they form when relying on each other. I feel like I should have experienced this novel in some beautiful rose garden under the stars on the biggest bed with silk sheets, laughing maniacally a ...more
Because that's what the story is really about: getting out of paying your debts.
There is just something about Novik's fairy tales. Something magical, atmospheric and utterly charming. I didn't like Spinning Silver quite as much as my beloved Uprooted - and I'll explain why a bit later - but it still kept me captivated from start to finish.
Spinning Silver is a loose retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. I say "loose" because you will recognise certain elements from the original - turning things into ...more
One of the best books I've read all year. Maybe THE best.
Good language. Excellent take on traditional faerie tale tropes. Brilliant storytelling. Amazing characterization.
There's nothing not to like here, honestly. And I'm going to be buying several copies as Christmas gifts for sure.
Good language. Excellent take on traditional faerie tale tropes. Brilliant storytelling. Amazing characterization.
There's nothing not to like here, honestly. And I'm going to be buying several copies as Christmas gifts for sure.
ARC provided by Dey Rey in exchange for an honest review.
“Bring me the winter king, and I will make you a summer queen.”
Spinning Silver is one of the best books I’ve read all year. I loved this story with every fiber of my being. And Naomi Novik is a master at storytelling and interweaving stories together. You all know that this is a very loose reimaging of Rumpelstiltskin but I’d say it’s more of an empowering tale of three girls, all on three different paths, all promised to three ...more
This novel is pure escapism; it is enchanting, mystical and, most importantly, it's a fantastic piece of writing. I loved it. Go read it!
I’m a critic but I found nothing to critique here. And for me that says a lot. I often find it hard just to sit back and enjoy a story without pulling it apart and dissecting all the elements of the book. It’s just want happens when you’re and English student. You consider the characters, the themes and everything the writing is trying to convey. With this, how ...more
I’m a critic but I found nothing to critique here. And for me that says a lot. I often find it hard just to sit back and enjoy a story without pulling it apart and dissecting all the elements of the book. It’s just want happens when you’re and English student. You consider the characters, the themes and everything the writing is trying to convey. With this, how ...more
Ok. This is a retelling of Rumplestiltskin...but not.
What I mean is, Novik really took the idea of spinning straw to gold and the importance of a name, and just made that shit her own new story.
*tips hat*
So, in this fairytale Eastern Europeanish setting, there's this spunky little Jewish girl named Miryem that kicks ass and takes names. She ends up with not only all the normal problems an ambitious female minority would have, but also the extra (and quite HUGE) problem of doing impossible thing ...more
What I mean is, Novik really took the idea of spinning straw to gold and the importance of a name, and just made that shit her own new story.
*tips hat*
So, in this fairytale Eastern Europeanish setting, there's this spunky little Jewish girl named Miryem that kicks ass and takes names. She ends up with not only all the normal problems an ambitious female minority would have, but also the extra (and quite HUGE) problem of doing impossible thing ...more
4.5 stars
I’m. Just. SO. Happy.
This is completely different from UPROOTED. Kind of. It’s still a fairytale-like story, but it’s wholly unrelated to the Dragon and Agnieszka. There are no awesome tree people. There’s no wooden Kasia or royal orphans or upstart wizards.
There are awesome some-other-kind-of-people who may or may not be wintery in origin. And a not-so-awesome demon. And not one, not two, but THREE new heroines, all hampered by expectations, all saying, EFF that, RAWRRR.
Full RTC. ...more
I’m. Just. SO. Happy.
This is completely different from UPROOTED. Kind of. It’s still a fairytale-like story, but it’s wholly unrelated to the Dragon and Agnieszka. There are no awesome tree people. There’s no wooden Kasia or royal orphans or upstart wizards.
There are awesome some-other-kind-of-people who may or may not be wintery in origin. And a not-so-awesome demon. And not one, not two, but THREE new heroines, all hampered by expectations, all saying, EFF that, RAWRRR.
Full RTC. ...more
All the stars!! My favorite fantasy of the year! Review first posted on Fantasy Literature:
It’s not often that I end a novel in awe of characters, the world-building, and the depth and complexity of the themes, while still being absolutely delighted with the storytelling. In Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik does all that and more.
In medieval Lithvas (according to Novik, a fantasy version of Lithuania with a little Russia and Poland blended in), Miryem Mandelstam is the daughter of a Jewish moneylen ...more
It’s not often that I end a novel in awe of characters, the world-building, and the depth and complexity of the themes, while still being absolutely delighted with the storytelling. In Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik does all that and more.
In medieval Lithvas (according to Novik, a fantasy version of Lithuania with a little Russia and Poland blended in), Miryem Mandelstam is the daughter of a Jewish moneylen ...more
“I am not your subject or your servant, and if you want a cowering mouse for a wife, go find someone else who can turn silver to gold for you.”
This was a buddy read with my elvish friend, Maica! I’m so glad that we decided to read this together! <3
Confession Time: I was a bit scared going into this because I loved Uprooted so bloody much. And how on Earth could Naomi Novik possibly improve upon that pure and utter perfection, which included wizards, royals, tree people, and all sorts of other f ...more
This was a buddy read with my elvish friend, Maica! I’m so glad that we decided to read this together! <3
Confession Time: I was a bit scared going into this because I loved Uprooted so bloody much. And how on Earth could Naomi Novik possibly improve upon that pure and utter perfection, which included wizards, royals, tree people, and all sorts of other f ...more
This review and other non-spoilery reviews can be found @The Book Prescription
Update: After finishing Uprooted, I know that Naomi's style is just not for me!!
DNF @25%
I was so excited for this book because I wanted to read a book by Naomi for so long now. Uprooted is one of the oldest books in my TBR. I didn't know the tale of Rumpelstiltskin so I read it before this out in preparation for this. Then I saw that this was a big book and I didn't know how the author is going to retell such a short s ...more
Update: After finishing Uprooted, I know that Naomi's style is just not for me!!
DNF @25%
I was so excited for this book because I wanted to read a book by Naomi for so long now. Uprooted is one of the oldest books in my TBR. I didn't know the tale of Rumpelstiltskin so I read it before this out in preparation for this. Then I saw that this was a big book and I didn't know how the author is going to retell such a short s ...more
Jul 30, 2018
Hannah Greendale
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mythology-folklore
Novik introduces three daring female protagonists in this clever re-imagining of Rumpelstiltskin. Here is a realm of magic and mysticism, of cruelty and heartbreak, fringed with glittering ice and populated with creatures carved from the wildest corners of the imagination. The initial chapters titillate with high stakes, compelling characters, and enchanting descriptions of warm food and a forest cloaked in snow, but the narrative is soon bogged down by several ruinous flaws.
Despite encounterin ...more
Despite encounterin ...more
![destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1557144778p2/15335689.jpg)
I’ve had Naomi Novik’s work on my reading list for a long time, but this was my first time picking up anything by her. I loved the Rumpelstiltskin story as a child, so when I heard that she was writing a retelling of it, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy—and now, it made me wonder how I ever lived without the incredible worlds of magic and fantasy she crafts.
The story alternates perspec ...more
I wasn’t sorry they didn’t like me, I wasn’t sorry I had been hard to them. I was glad, fiercely glad.
The story alternates perspec ...more
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik is a 2018 Del Rey publication.
I need more stories like this one in my life!
I rarely grab a fantasy novel, although, I am often tempted by them. I respect the genre immensely because of the thoughtfulness and work required for world building and the huge imaginations of fantasy writers. However, no matter how badly I might want to dive into a high fantasy, I always manage to talk myself out of it. My first excuse usually has to with the heft of the book, and the ...more
I need more stories like this one in my life!
I rarely grab a fantasy novel, although, I am often tempted by them. I respect the genre immensely because of the thoughtfulness and work required for world building and the huge imaginations of fantasy writers. However, no matter how badly I might want to dive into a high fantasy, I always manage to talk myself out of it. My first excuse usually has to with the heft of the book, and the ...more
No one freak out, but I just thoroughly enjoyed a fantasy book 😍 this was so immersive and well written and I liked it a heckin’ ton!
Jul 27, 2018
Angelica
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
retelling,
cool-tittle,
cover-love,
five-star,
release-2018,
read-2018,
fantasy,
reviewed,
fairytales,
stand-alone
Ok, so I’m officially impressed?
I was feeling a bit wary about picking this book up when I first heard about it. I head read Naomi Novik’s other book, Uprooted, a book that had was nominated for both the Nebula and Hugo awards for best fantasy, and even won the Nebula. And you know what? I hated it.
So, as you can imagine, I wasn’t too sure about this one. Then on a whim, I got it as my Book of the Month, and I decided to read it. Now, all I have to say is that Naomi Novik has found herself a new ...more
I was feeling a bit wary about picking this book up when I first heard about it. I head read Naomi Novik’s other book, Uprooted, a book that had was nominated for both the Nebula and Hugo awards for best fantasy, and even won the Nebula. And you know what? I hated it.
So, as you can imagine, I wasn’t too sure about this one. Then on a whim, I got it as my Book of the Month, and I decided to read it. Now, all I have to say is that Naomi Novik has found herself a new ...more
Novik has the golden touch—there is richness of writing, richness of setting and richness of characterisation.
Spinning Silver was vividly evocative—an artful rendering of snow swirling ghostlike against slate-smeared skies, of crimson flames licking hungrily at the winter air. And there was something about it that was so irresistibly beguiling, thawing my cynical adult heart.
I admired Miryem, Wanda and Irina—all of whom, despite the burden of their circumstance, rose up and raised their heads h ...more
Spinning Silver was vividly evocative—an artful rendering of snow swirling ghostlike against slate-smeared skies, of crimson flames licking hungrily at the winter air. And there was something about it that was so irresistibly beguiling, thawing my cynical adult heart.
I admired Miryem, Wanda and Irina—all of whom, despite the burden of their circumstance, rose up and raised their heads h ...more
But the world I wanted wasn't the world I lived in, and if I would do nothing until I could repair every terrible thing at once, I would do nothing forever.
Spinning Silver is a masterful tapestry of interwoven stories. Containing some of the best lady protagonists of recent fantasy literature, a fantastic narrative around cultural Jewishness, and such diverse fairy tales inspirations as Rumplestiltskin, Hansel & Gretel, A Thousand And One Arabian Nights, and Hades & Persephone, this ...more
the only thing that has been spun is my never ending boredom.
while the silver strands were loosely woven in the beginning and partially spooled by a few enchantingly charming chapters, my attention eventually tangled and frayed away.
as with uprooted, this unraveling of enjoyment is most likely my fault and not the storys. because again, this is actually quite a beautiful fantasy concept and a remarkably unique retelling of a classic story. but i just couldnt get into it, the writing, the chara ...more
while the silver strands were loosely woven in the beginning and partially spooled by a few enchantingly charming chapters, my attention eventually tangled and frayed away.
as with uprooted, this unraveling of enjoyment is most likely my fault and not the storys. because again, this is actually quite a beautiful fantasy concept and a remarkably unique retelling of a classic story. but i just couldnt get into it, the writing, the chara ...more
3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2018/07/10/...
I know I’m in the minority here, but I didn’t love this book. Oh, I enjoyed it well enough, because it’s Naomi Novik and her prose is always excellent, and Spinning Silver was beautifully written. However, I’ve also had enough experience with work (especially with the Temeraire series) to know her books can be very hit or miss. Believe me, I was thrilled when she started writing fairy-tale-inspired fantasy novels, and I ...more
I know I’m in the minority here, but I didn’t love this book. Oh, I enjoyed it well enough, because it’s Naomi Novik and her prose is always excellent, and Spinning Silver was beautifully written. However, I’ve also had enough experience with work (especially with the Temeraire series) to know her books can be very hit or miss. Believe me, I was thrilled when she started writing fairy-tale-inspired fantasy novels, and I ...more
4.5****
“So the fairy silver brought you a monster of fire for a husband, and me a monster of ice. We should put them in a room together and let them make us both widows.”
While the blurb focuses on the plot of two women, I would go further to say that this book focused on three women whose stories and lives interlace.
Miryem is tough and clever (and my favourite), the daughter of a moneylender but lives in poverty as her father's too-kind heart doesn't go out to collect the money from the indebte ...more
“So the fairy silver brought you a monster of fire for a husband, and me a monster of ice. We should put them in a room together and let them make us both widows.”
While the blurb focuses on the plot of two women, I would go further to say that this book focused on three women whose stories and lives interlace.
Miryem is tough and clever (and my favourite), the daughter of a moneylender but lives in poverty as her father's too-kind heart doesn't go out to collect the money from the indebte ...more
I feel like every month so far I have read a book and said it was my favorite book of the year. But y'all. This is my favorite book of the year
4.25 stars
Do you know how long I’ve waited for a Rumpelstiltskin retelling?
It is the one fairy tale where the villain doesn’t deserve his comeuppance. He made a bargain with the miller’s daughter and she weaseled out of it. We don’t know for certain what he was going to do with that kid! Sure, he was dancing in front of a cauldron, but that evidence is circumstantial. He could have fed fine cuts of meat, sent it to the finest sch ...more
“The real story isn’t half as pretty as the one you’ve heard.”
Do you know how long I’ve waited for a Rumpelstiltskin retelling?
It is the one fairy tale where the villain doesn’t deserve his comeuppance. He made a bargain with the miller’s daughter and she weaseled out of it. We don’t know for certain what he was going to do with that kid! Sure, he was dancing in front of a cauldron, but that evidence is circumstantial. He could have fed fine cuts of meat, sent it to the finest sch ...more
This is a whole different beast from most fairytale retellings I read. Different even from the author’s previously released magnificent tale—Uprooted. Uprooted, from what I recall, was thoroughly enchanting and exquisitely written. Spinning Silver is not quite like that. It is not a love story first and foremost—it is a story of survival. It is very feminist with three central female protagonists who experience, learn and grow. The writing is in no way purple-y. The author's main concern is not
...more
Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Amazon || Pinterest
I loved SPINNING SILVER. And it's funny, because I only felt lukewarm about her previous book, UPROOTED. Don't get me wrong - UPROOTED wasn't a bad book, and I still occasionally have nightmares about heart-trees, but it didn't wow me the way I expected it to based on all the preliminary reviews, either.
SPINNING SILVER reads like Naomi Novik saw my review for UPROOTED, said to herself, "Aha," and then set about to write a story that pers ...more
I have a great many conflicting thoughts on this. Review to come on my channel and there will be much to discuss at the BookNet Fest Book Club panel for this book this year!
Wished it to be more romantic since it is an adult fantasy novel. Had to get the audiobook to finish it, but still very enjoyable as Naomi really knows how to create a sinister fairytale esque world. The main character is Jewish and her religion and customs is brought up many times which is something I greatly appreciated as it shows how your heritage and morals drives a person. Very smart and beautiful story, just wished for more elaboration on the romantic relationships.
Naomi Novik published this book in 2018 and it won the 2019 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. It was also nominated for 2019 Hugo Award for Best Novel. To me it is three things; a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, a mythic fable exploring mankind’s battle with winter, and the story of the powerless finding hope, strength and ultimately the power to overcome evil and subjugation. It is the third aspect that gave me the most enjoyment. I’m somehow fascinated with stories that deal with the underdog,
...more
A lot of these retellings of old myths and fairy tales are hit or miss with me, but I come to you today to tell you that this was not a miss. :) Indeed, nothing was amiss.
The combination of several different old fairy tales and the new-norm for Russian-style fantasy hit all the right buttons for me. There was nothing simple about this tale even though we learn, slowly, that the world is not all about hard poverty and abuse and little towns and harsh Czars. That jews aren't necessarily cracked up ...more
The combination of several different old fairy tales and the new-norm for Russian-style fantasy hit all the right buttons for me. There was nothing simple about this tale even though we learn, slowly, that the world is not all about hard poverty and abuse and little towns and harsh Czars. That jews aren't necessarily cracked up ...more
Oct 24, 2019
Nick
marked it as to-read
I heard it is good but I don't like the cover at all
Mar 15, 2018
Roshani Chokshi
added it
Mwahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!! I read this early!!!!! >:)
It’s definitely the spiritual successor of UPROOTED. It has all the heart, family, riveting magic you could ask for, and a gorgeous slow burn/unveiling of feelings that will make you desperate to turn the page and loathe to finish. Also. I loved the ending. It’s definitely up there with top 10 book endings. ...more
It’s definitely the spiritual successor of UPROOTED. It has all the heart, family, riveting magic you could ask for, and a gorgeous slow burn/unveiling of feelings that will make you desperate to turn the page and loathe to finish. Also. I loved the ending. It’s definitely up there with top 10 book endings. ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shut Up & Read: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik | 14 | 23 | Apr 18, 2020 07:04AM | |
| Fantasy Buddy Reads: Spinning Silver [February 15, 2020] | 60 | 55 | Feb 29, 2020 05:02AM | |
| Dragons & Jetpacks: Spinning Silver - Overall Discussion - Spoilers | 35 | 149 | Feb 25, 2020 02:36PM | |
| Go Fug Yourself B...: Spinning Silver! Its the December Book Chat! | 16 | 69 | Jan 09, 2020 01:57PM | |
| Fantastična čitao...: Čitaonica - oktobar 2019: N. Novik | 17 | 20 | Oct 29, 2019 12:35PM |
Readers also enjoyed
An avid reader of fantasy literature since age six, when she first made her way through The Lord of the Rings, Naomi Novik is also a history buff with a particular interest in the Napoleonic era and a fondness for the work of Patrick O’Brian and Jane Austen. She studied English literature at Brown University, and did graduate work in computer science at Columbia University before leaving to partic
...more
Articles featuring this book
Emily Henry has published multiple novels for young adult readers, from her 2017 debut love story, The Love That Split the World, to 2019's Hello...
96 likes · 17 comments
5 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“But I had not known that I was strong enough to do any of those things until they were over and I had done them. I had to do the work first, not knowing.”
—
146 likes
“But the world I wanted wasn't the world I lived in, and if I would do nothing until I could repair every terrible thing at once, I would do nothing forever.”
—
96 likes
More quotes…
