Spinning Silver

Miryem’s father is good at lending money but fails at getting it back. Watching them grow poorer, Miryem takes up the position of moneylender and discovers she has a knack for it, but after she makes a claim that catches the attention of the Staryk king, she finds herself stuck in a deal to turn silver into gold. After living in fear of the Staryks, who come and rampage the town for gold, Miryem is surprised at what she discovers in their kingdom of ice. When Wanda and her brothers receive an opportunity to work for Miryem’s family, they see a chance to get away, but their plans go awry when they’re forced to flee. When Irina is married off to the tsar, it’s anything but a fairy tale. After she discovers a way through a mirror into a winter world, she uncovers her new husband’s alliance with a demon, which could come at the price of her life.

Naomi Novik weaves six voices together, interlocking their stories into a connected adventure with romance, magic, and danger in the fight for a kingdom. Novik’s unique style has charm and a stunning complexity that makes Spinning Silver a fairy tale like no other. The primary influence on the story is the tale of Rumplestiltskin, but several other fairy tales are seen throughout. The story is full of strong female characters fighting back in a world that tries to tear them down. Miryem, Wanda, and Irina have the strongest voices as each one faces their fears head on and never backs down. Each has a stubborn determination about them and a unique voice. Their distinct stories play a part in the journeys of the others and influence how the story is driven forward. Spinning Silver is a dazzling read with strong voices, layered characters, and a story unfolding in surprising ways. A perfect read for lovers of fairy tales and fantasy!