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Spinning Silver
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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
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Sandy
You should definitely read Uprooted anyway, though. That book is absolutely brilliant.
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Start your review of Spinning Silver
I am officially giving up on having a career to sit on warm patches of moss in the moors and recite 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 as I burn letters from ex-love ...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 as I burn letters from ex-love ...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. ...more
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. ...more
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
2020 reread for my IRL book club. We had an excellent discussion and I have a pretty good Powerpoint on this book that I made for our book club meeting if anyone ever needs it, lol. And I still think this book is marvelous.
All the stars!! One of my favorite fantasies ever ... I think it's officially part of my desert island collection. 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, ...more
All the stars!! One of my favorite fantasies ever ... I think it's officially part of my desert island collection. 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, ...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
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
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
“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
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!
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
Jul 27, 2018
Angelica
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
release-2018,
read-2018,
fantasy,
reviewed,
fairytales,
retelling,
five-star,
cool-tittle,
cover-love,
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
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
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
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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
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
...more
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
Novik impressed me with Uprooted but she blew me away with Spinning Silver. And just like Uprooted, Spinning Silver is a standalone fantasy set in Russia.
This was not just a Rumpelstiltskin retelling. The author incorporated other elements from old fairy tales as well — which, combined together, created a masterpiece of a story.
The writing was enchanting and had a nostalgic feeling to it. I love that even though the plot is simple, I still felt completely immersed in the story.
There isn’t any f ...more
This was not just a Rumpelstiltskin retelling. The author incorporated other elements from old fairy tales as well — which, combined together, created a masterpiece of a story.
The writing was enchanting and had a nostalgic feeling to it. I love that even though the plot is simple, I still felt completely immersed in the story.
There isn’t any f ...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
NReads
marked it as to-read
I heard it is good but I don't like the cover at all
...more
Sale Alert: Limited time deal at Amazon 5Apr21 $2.99
Uprooted was one of my favorite reads of 2016, so I was beyond thrilled that Naomi Novik was again going to give us a new fairytale. Spinning Silver has some roots in Rumpelstiltskin but don’t think that means you know how this story is going to go because even though you might see a resemblance this is a brand new fairytale.
The world for this has foundations from the Je ...more
Uprooted was one of my favorite reads of 2016, so I was beyond thrilled that Naomi Novik was again going to give us a new fairytale. Spinning Silver has some roots in Rumpelstiltskin but don’t think that means you know how this story is going to go because even though you might see a resemblance this is a brand new fairytale.
“A power claimed and challenged and thrice carried out is true”
The world for this has foundations from the Je ...more
I adored this book so much! The writing is absolutely stunning. The girl power is next level. The atmosphere is positively perfection.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✨Bookmarked✨: Spinning Silver: Fabitha, Erica | 41 | 14 | May 01, 2021 06:19PM | |
| Play Book Tag: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik: 5 stars plus all the hearts | 3 | 15 | Jan 24, 2021 11:18AM | |
2021 Reading Chal...:
Spinning Silver
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26 | 39 | Dec 15, 2020 11:50AM | |
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The Procrastinato...:
Spinning Silver (October 2020) Buddy Read Discussion ~ Laura & Mina & Michelle & Selina
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31 | 24 | Oct 10, 2020 11:35PM | |
| Play Book Tag: Spinning Silver - Naomi Novik (5 stars) | 6 | 12 | Sep 29, 2020 08:11AM | |
| Challenge Corner: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik -> Restarting September 19th, 2020 | 16 | 10 | Sep 20, 2020 11:23AM | |
| Book to the Future!: July 2020: Spinning Silver | 2 | 5 | Jun 28, 2020 10:55AM |
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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
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“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.”
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“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.”
—
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