It feels wrong to rate a collection of short stories as a whole rather than it's individual parts, but alas - it's how we must proceed.

While I didn't love every single story in this collection, I do think that it did a wonderful job of showcasing Naomi Novik's breadth of work and her immense talent for writing a compelling narrative. My favorite story was that of Pride & Prejudice, but retold in a style where Elizabeth Bennett is a dragon-riding soldier that Darcy falls in love with. It was fun, it paid homage to the original, and it still felt like a well-written story by the end of it.

A lot of the excerpts made me wish that I was reading them in their entirety, which is why I ended up docking points because they felt too short. Overall, this is a great collection and I think it's worth giving a read (especially if you've only read one or two Novik books but want to get into more of her writing).

If you love anthologies and Naomi Novik, this is absolutely one for your bookshelf. The nods to previous books like the Scholomance is appreciated as that was a world I didn’t think we’d get to see again.

As with all good short stories, there are some here you will wish you could spend more time with - fingers crossed they spin out into their own standalone in future.

3.5 overall.

This collection was an immersive and beautifully written blend of dark fantasy and compelling storytelling. Each story had its own unique charm, filled with rich world-building and engaging characters. The writing was lyrical and atmospheric, drawing me in with its depth and creativity. While some stories stood out more than others, the collection as a whole was a captivating read that left me wanting more!

If you’re a Naomi Novik fan like I am, this book is a must-read—definitely move it to the top of your list!

As soon as I saw that it included a return to the Scholomance universe, I knew I couldn’t miss it. Not only does it offer a look at the rebuilt Scholomance and other fantasy cities, but it also gives readers a first glimpse into Novik’s latest world—a mysterious, deserted land brimming with secrets.

What really impressed me was Novik’s ability to craft a collection that spans a wide range of themes, yet still feels perfectly cohesive. It’s rare to find a short story collection where every story hits the mark, but that’s exactly what happened here. Highly recommend!

This book reaffirmed the need for me to read everything on this author’s backlist. This collection of short stories sweeps across many of her established works. My favorite short story was the one set in the Scholomance, but that’s one of my favorite series and I might be biased.

Some of the short stories in this book held my attention better than others but overall I did love this book.

I'm not usually a reader of anthologies, but I have loved several of Naomi Novik's novels, so I thought I would give this a try! Was it worth it? Not sure. Some of the short stories were amusing, some truly unique and fantastical, and others read like fan fiction.

I quite enjoyed a few of the short stories (namely Spinning Silver, Seven, and Buried Deep) - I loved the truly unique magic systems and interesting characters. They felt fully developed and ended in a way that seemed complete. As is the pitfall for many short stories, a few of the stories cut off abruptly, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. There were two in particular that felt like fan fiction (Dragons & Decorum: Pride & Prejudice x dragon fan fiction; Commonplaces: Sherlock Holmes) that didn't particularly shiver my timbers. However, you may enjoy them based on your love of Pride and Prejudice and Sherlock.

That being said, Novik is such an excellent writer that she could write just about anything, and I would probably enjoy it.

If you like fantastical short stories or anything Naomi Novik, give this anthology a try. You will probably enjoy yourself, at least a little bit.

3/5 stars. Thank you Naomi Novik, Random House, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A stellar collection of short stories

Naomi Novik’s Buried Deep and Other Stories is a stellar collection of short fiction that displays all of her skill as a writer as well as the breadth of her imagination. I read it slowly, savoring each story. (Well, most of them.)

The book includes two tales set in the world of Temeraire, and while you don’t absolutely have to be familiar with the Temeraire novels to enjoy these stories, it certainly helps. “Vici” offers a glimpse at how Marcus Antonius (yes, that Mark Antony) first came up with the idea of a dragon-mounted air force. “Dragons and Decorum” reimagines Pride & Prejudice, with Elizabeth Bennett as the confident, capable captain of a Longwing, and was one of my favorite tales in the book.

Another favorite was “Araminta, Or, The Wreck of the Amphidrake“, a feminist, fantasy take on some of the familiar Regency and pirate romance tropes, including a heroine disguised as a man. It’s one of the lightest stories in tone, and left me smiling.

As with the three stories above, quite a few of the tales in Buried Deep reference other tales or genres. The title story, “Buried Deep,” revisits the Greek myth of the Minotaur from Ariadne’s point of view. It’s both beautiful and heartbreaking; I loved it. “After Hours” takes place in Novik’s magical school, the Scholomance, after the events of her eponymous trilogy. (I had no difficulty following along, although I have not yet read the Scholomance books.) “Commonplaces” explores the character and later exploits of Irene Adler, from the Sherlock Holmes story “A Scandal in Bohemia,” giving her even more agency and wit than are hinted at in the original. (In this instance, I recommend familiarizing yourself with the source material first.)

Several of the stories are fairytales in the styles of times past. “Castle Couerlieu” reminds me of medieval myths and fairytales, where the magic is unknowable, unpredictable, and often fearsome, but the hero (or heroine, in this case) comes through. “Lord Dunsany’s Teapot,” on the other hand, reads (as the title might suggest) like an early 20th-century fairy story, in keeping with its setting.

On the other hand, some of the stand-alone stories owe little to anything beyond Novik’s own imagination. “Seven” is a gem of a story, with rich worldbuilding that hints at a much deeper, broader history without ever losing sight of the human element. It’s notable, too, for its descriptions of pottery and the pottery-making process. “Seven Years from Home” is science fiction rather than fantasy, and one of the longest tales in the book. I found it rather disturbing, but it is well-written and compelling nonetheless.

Novik gives readers two glimpses into her writing process. The first is “Spinning Silver,” the short story that eventually evolved into her novel of the same name. While fans of the novel will recognize many of the elements that made it into the book, there are significant differences between the two. “The Long Way Round” is the final tale in the collection; Novik explains in her foreword that the story was written as part of her early process of world-building and exploration, toward a book which is still taking shape. The story and worldbuilding are intriguing, and I really enjoyed the first-person narrator, Tess. I look forward to seeing where these ideas lead Ms. Novik in the future

I haven’t mentioned every story here, just most of them, but all of them made an impression on me, and several I would happily read a second or even third time. If you’re not familiar with Ms. Novik’s writing, Buried Deep and Other Stories may not be the best place to start, if only because you will lack the background that those familiar with the Temeraire books, the Scholomance trilogy, and Spinning Silver already possess. But this collection isn’t a bad entry into her work, either. Novik’s imagination is wide and deep, her storytelling impeccable, and her prose is gorgeous. One way or another, I hope you read these stories.

An excellent set of short stories from Naomi Novik full of adventure, intrigue and fun. Some of the stories left me wanting more from that universe and others were just enough, but all of them were excellently written.

I've adored Naomi Novik's writing since Spinning Silver and then did very much enjoy the Scholomance trilogy as well. So when I saw Buried Deep, a collection of short stories, up for grabs, I knew it was for me. It then did take me longer than expected to settle down with it, but Novik came to my rescue in the midst of some anxiety and soothed the worried folds of my brain with her delightful words. Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My sincere apologies for the delay in reviewing!

Sometimes, especially if you're me, your brain is not your best friend. As I was trying to wrangle my anxiety under control, Buried Deep came in clutch and helped me escape towards a whole variety of worlds. Escapism is one of those things that is, in some corners, heavily debated. Tolkien wrote about escapism and how it has been unfairly maligned, arguing that readers are not so much looking to escape from something, but rather towards something and that literature, especially Fantasy, can provide that something. In this escape towards something, readers are not ignoring the present or their own, primary world, but rather they are mentally moving towards places and thoughts which will allow them to address what they are facing in reality. This is what Novik's short stories did for me, giving me a somewhere to go to, a whole variety of somewheres in fact. In the tradition of Jane Yolen's fairytale and short story collections, Novik presents a variety of stories from her writing past which cover different story telling traditions and tropes. There are fairies and dragons, but also historical settings and futuristic space confederations. There are characters fighting the every day battles and those facing off against grand dangers. The story which gives its title to the collection, 'Buried Deep', is a tale of how stories and myths come to be, about the struggles from which they originate, as well as a delightful retelling of Ariadne's plight. While sometimes life will have you lost in a labyrinth, there are stories you can tell which will bring you to an exit.

As with all short story collections, not every story will hit equally. This is also true for Buried Deep, especially because Novik hops around quite a bit. There is 'Spinning Silver', for example, the short story that eventually grew into the novel, and 'After Hours', which takes place within the Scholomance universe. Here, you'll find settings and characters you might already be familiar with. 'The Long Way Round' is a sailing story set in a universe/world which Novik is currently plotting out for a new novel/series (I cannot wait because I adored this story!). 'Vici', meanwhile, dives into Roman history plus dragons, while 'Dragons & Decorum' is an absolutely delightful Pride & Prejudice retelling plus dragons. 'Seven Years from Home', though, gives Ursula K. LeGuin Sci-Fi vibes, while 'Commonplaces' is Irene Adler fanfiction (both complimentary). And there's more, like 'Seven', which is about a city with fascinating statues and traditions! Buried Deep, in short, has something for everyone and because of that it also will have something that is not for you. I am the happy kind of reader who enjoyed all of it and I think many other readers will as well.

It is maybe a little trite, considering how much of Novik's writing I have read and enjoyed, to talk about how good her writing is. However, a short story collection like Buried Deep is an excellent way to get a sense of how broadly she can write, how she can play with style and characterisation, and how deeply infused her storytelling is with humour and insight. What I also enjoyed about this collection is that, much like in Jane Yolen's collections, each story is preceded by a little blurb, almost, in which Novik contextualises her story. When was it written, why, what was she trying to do, how does she feel about it now. This gives an extra kind of insight into the craft of writing, of how - to be dramatic about it stories spring from the pens of authors. I liked reading about how some stories came to her almost fully formed, while others were an active exercise in world-building for other projects. She also credits the authors who might have inspired other stories, such as Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror (a historical account of the Black Plague) and its influence on 'Castle Coeurlieu'. As such, it is both a collection of stories and a collection of moments. I would recommend this collection wholeheartedly to lovers of Fantasy, but also those with a fondness for myths and fairytales or an interest in the craft of writing.

I absolutely loved Buried Deep and Other Stories and had a great time with each of the stories. Not only am I very intrigued to see where the world she explores in 'The Long Way Round' goes, but I am also just generally looking forward to anything Naomi Novik writes.

Amazing. Perfect. This was actually my introduction to Naomi novik and I am now kicking myself for not having read her work sooner. These stories were so well crafted and fleshed out I forgot they were shorts until they ended and I was left wanting more in the best way possible.

I think that the stories from multiple worlds would serve as a good into to Noviks writing. Sometimes it is hard to get context in the actual stories or you want some more of the story to know what happens to some of the other characters. I love how Noviks writing differs from a lot of other authors. If you want a unique perspective into her worlds then give this book a shot.

I had to DNF this book as I could not adequately focused on the stories. I was sadly bored, but have really enjoyed other works by this author and will be buying the book to read it in my own time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

I loved getting more stories from Naomi Novik. I especially loved the different “Spinning Silver” book. I wanted it to span the whole of the original. Honestly, I forgot I was reading short stories for a minute. When that one ended, I didn’t know what was going on at first. I also enjoyed the story linked to the “A Deadly Education” books. I thoroughly enjoyed that trilogy and loved being thrown back in. Some of the other stories weren’t as powerful for me, but it can be hard to get into a story at times, especially one on the shorter side. It’s so fun to see how the author takes on different tones and personalities to lay these stories out.

Naomi Novik has created a diverse anthology with original ideas, retellings, and stories based on her existing novels. No matter the category, Novik creates imaginative and (mostly) engaging stories. The only issue I kept coming across was wanting more. I understand this is supposed to be short stories, but her writing and ideas are so lovely that I would have been more engaged if she had expanded on them with just ten or more pages. Still, overall a great collection!

Since I’ve read the Scholomance series and her stand-alone novels Spinning Silver and Uprooted, those stories were more exciting to me than the others. I have not read the Temeraire series, but I still enjoyed those stories since I adore dragons. I would recommend going into this anthology after reading at least a few of her novels to get the most out of it.

Below is a quick note and rating on each story.

“Arminta, or, The Wreck of the Amphidrake”
3/5 stars: I will never pass on a pirate story, especially LADY pirates, but overall this was quite forgettable for me.

“After Hours”
5/5 stars: This was written for me, mark my words. As an avid Scholomance fan I will take any opportunity to revisit this beloved world. Little witches and monsters and a magical school, what more do I need?

“Vici”
3/5 stars: Naomi Novik’s somehow made dragons and ancient Rome come together gorgeously, I just wish it was longer.

“Buried Deep”
4/5 stars: Novik handles Ariadne’s and the Minotaur’s story with love and care. She chose to build onto this beloved myth instead of overhauling it to make a point. I love heartfelt and tragic sibling bond.

“Spinning Silver”
2/5 stars: Unpopular opinion, but I did not enjoy Spinning Silver, despite a couple of rereads, so reading it as a short story did not offer much for me.

“Commonplaces”
4/5 stars: Irene Adler, the woman you are. Novik kept the enigmatic aura that Sherlock and Adler are known for while expanding their story in a way that makes perfect sense for these characters.

“Seven”
4/5 stars: A gorgeous story reflecting on how life’s satisfaction depends on the love we give.

“Blessing”
4/5 stars: This story examines what women could consider a curse versus what men consider a blessing through fairies one-upping each other while blessing a baby girl.

“Lord Dunsany’s Teapot”
3/5 stars: Two soldiers find comfort in friends and imagination in extremely difficult times.

“Seven Years from Home”
1/5 stars: My least favorite story of the collection. This has potential but it needed to be at least novella-length. There is so much world-building crammed in the story that I lost track of the plot.

“Dragons and Decorum”
4/5 stars: Pride and Prejudice but Elizabeth is a Captain with a dragon? A fan-fic girl’s dream. This stayed relatively true to P & P and the changes Novik implemented made sense in the form of a short story.

“Castle Coeurlieu”
3.5/5 stars: A gothic and mysterious medieval tale with friends who become monsters and a mysterious card game that determines the fate of others.

“The Long Way Round”
1/5 stars: While the world piqued my interest a few times, there were so many descriptions of just sailing around that made the story boring.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this e-ArC! Naomi Novik will always remain one of my top authors. The way she crafts these short stories, bringing back tales from her other works is so well done. I can’t wait for her next book!

Naomi Novik in my book can do no wrong. Everything she writes is spun gold, turning an idea of plain fiber into a beautiful textile.

Buried Deep was an amalgamation of snippets of all her best ideas- bringing us into the old, the new, the nostalgic, and the adventurous.

The eponymous story, "Buried Deep," was particularly a shining gem amongst this collection. I was completely enthralled and taken away into the story in a way that I have not been as of late.

I am even more excited now for her new works to come!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. These stories were a nice refreshing way to read a complete story without committing the time to a whole lengthy book. It was quite nice to start and finish a story in under 30 minutes if you were ever short on time, and each one felt fully thought out and complete.

I knew I was going to like this because I have the (seemingly) unpopular opinion that everything Naomi Novik writes is amazing. This was such a fun collection of short stories! Every one was different than the last and it was so clear which story I was reading, which I tend to struggle with when I read anthologies. I really enjoyed seeing more from the worlds of her previous novels too. I wouldn't say they spoil anything, but my familiarity did add to my enjoyment. I have not read Temeraire yet, but the stories set in that world were still gripping and I don't feel like I missed out on anything by being unfamiliar! Overall, this was a great anthology and I loved the different settings throughout. And I'm super excited to read anything she writes in the future, because I know I'm going to love it!

There are favorite authors whose new book is always anticipated, savored, and loved no matter the series/genre/subject, and then there are favorite authors whose new works are favorites conditionally, depending more the specifics of the book at hand. I have been reading Novik's work for over a decade now, and this collection of stories made me realize she solidly fits in the latter category for me.

My initial excitement over receiving this ARC faded within a few short stories into the collection. While there were some I delighted in (returning to the Scholomance, visiting Ancient Greece, sailing a mysterious world's vast sea), many were simply not my cup of tea (including, ironically, a story about a teapot). I realized that while I don't mind a dabbling of historical fiction or an occasional fan reinterpretation of a classic, the many stories of their ilk began to wear on me, and reading the collection felt more a chore than a delight.

When I finally finished, my gut reaction was to give it 3/5, but upon reflection, I do think the stories that did not meet my high expectations were indeed very representative of Novik's bibliography, and rating it so low would do it a disservice as while I may not be the best audience for this work, I think plenty of Novik fans would find it a lovely collection to add to their shelves.

I personally love that we get kind of a survey of Novik's past work, both in her larger novel writing and smaller short stories, and serves as a preview of what's coming next for the last third of the collection. Definitely worth your time.