Title: Spinning Silver
Author: Naomi Novik
Rating: ★★★★½

ARC provided by the publisher.

“The real story isn’t half as pretty as the one you’ve heard.”

Naomi Novik is extremely talented when it comes to fairytale retellings, and this was no exception. Spinning Silver was completely magic and totally atmospheric. She does such a tremendous job weaving an enchanting story that draws inspiration from European folklore and pulls you in from the first page.

Spinning Silver is a very loose retelling of the fairytale, Rumpelstiltskin. In addition to the main plot, there are a few subplots as well which intertwine together to tell one overall story. It’s told through the points of view of three very different girls, along with a few other side characters who lend their voices. 

Miryem – The moneylender’s daughter. She takes over her father’s business after he repeatedly fails to collect the money they’re owed. Her notoriety eventually reaches the ears of the Staryk lord, who challenges her to turn his silver into gold. She’s determine, brave, and resourceful.

Irina – The duke’s daughter. Her father hopes to marry her off to the young Tsar, who also happens to be possessed by a fire demon. Irina was so courageous and intelligent, and I absolutely loved her part of the story. Dare I say it, but I think I loved her plot even better than the ‘main’ plot. I want an entire book about Irina and Mirnatius. 

Wanda – Miryem’s servant, who eventually becomes a friend of the Mandelstam family. Her and her brother end up on the run after committing a crime. While I could see how her POV has an importance to the story, I could have done without it honestly.

The character growth in this book was amazing, as was all the different types of relationships that built and changed over the course of the story. We all know by now that hate-to-love and slow-burn romances are my aesthetic, and Naomi Novik has blessed us with not one, but TWO – and they are real good. Seriously, you guys are in for such a treat! I loved the ending; it was utterly perfect. I do, however, really wish there had been just one more chapter from about Irina to wrap up her storyline. Spinning Silver is an enchanting, magical, inspiring story that is an absolute treasure to read!