Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for sending me an e-ARC copy of Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was very hopeful for this book because I enjoyed the author's other standalone novels. I was quickly swept into their stories and became interested in the outcomes. I am unsure why, but I did not feel the same about this one. The characters were likeable enough. Anja is the stubborn, knowledgeable "healer" in her town known for her unconventional methods. I admired her grit and lack of care for social expectations. Snow is the ailing royal heir with all of the inconvenient demands of a princess. Even the supporting characters were enjoyable. Aaron with his quirks about bugs, Javier and his quiet stoicism, and Lady Sorrell with her odd, but kind ways. 

I think what lost me is the detail spent on the illustration. The author does spend a lot of time explaining the visuals of the landscape. Whether it's the desert, the castle, and the mirror scape, albeit beautifully done, I tend to skim over descriptions of locations, and I will completely admit that is a personal thing. The other slight rub that I had was the dialogue. It felt very casual and modern for the setting and period that this appeared to take place in. Again, a personal issue, but it did stick out to me. 

All in all, the concept of the story is an interesting one. I liked the idea that you never know who is observing you and it may just be yourself who is doing it the most. I am grateful for the opportunity to read this early and look forward to other works by Kingfisher in the future!

A twisted semi-cozy fantasy that take elements of the classic Snow White fairy tale and shapes it into something new. This was my first venture into T. Kingfisher's books, and I'm loving the vibes! Although this book started slow, I enjoyed the humor and unraveling the mirror mystery! I recommend as a spooky summer read!

Classic T. Kingfisher book!
I read Swordheart and The Saint of Steel series this year and I really loved them. It was not a surprise that I also loved Hemlock & Silver. The Snow White retelling/Poison testing adds a twist to the story while having great characters(as usual). I was tensed each time we were on the other side of the mirror, because I kept thinking they’d get stuck there. I loved Anja and Javier moments together and wished we had more of them. I would’ve like an epilogue to know what happens to everyone once they’re home.
I don’t usually read E-books, so I’ll probably read it again once I get my pre-order.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC!

This book was eerie, sharp, and completely addictive. It has that perfect blend of dark fairy tale and dry humor that T. Kingfisher does so well. I loved the magic system, the haunted woods, and that constant sense of something lurking just out of sight. The main character is practical and fierce in a very no-nonsense way, which made her voice such a joy to follow. Creepy without being overwhelming, cozy without being soft—it hit that sweet spot for me. Loved it.

T. Kingfisher brings Snow White to life in a new light in this book. Our protagonist, Anja, is a middle-aged woman who has spent the last few decades studying poisons and their antidotes. The King himself calls on her to help diagnose what is wrong with his daughter Snow. It bounces between horrific and hilarious with wonderful cadence. Kingfisher continues to be one of my favorite authors.

Unfortunately, the pacing of this book was so slow I ended up DNFing. I kept picking it up and putting it back down. Wading through the FMC's internal dialogue felt like a chore, and I felt like I was reading about characters meandering with nothing actually happening. It was a shame, because I've really enjoyed T Kingfisher's past work.

Let me start by saying I am not a spooky suspense thriller horror girly. I like my books with sunshine, snuggles, and maybe a cupcake or two. That said, I will always make an exception for T. Kingfisher because her writing is just that brilliant. Sure, she might give me a little bit of a nightmare, but honestly? Totally worth it. Every. Single. Time.

Hemlock & Silver is a dark and wildly clever twist on Snow White, full of eerie magic, unexpected allies (including a narcissistic cat, thank you very much), and a protagonist who absolutely stole my heart. Anja is such a fun FMC to follow—witty, wildly curious, and totally unafraid to ask the uncomfortable questions. She had me giggling one minute and clutching my blanket the next.

The romance in this one is subtle but oh so satisfying. As a certified romance girly, I deeply appreciated the soft, sweet undercurrent woven through the plot. There’s no spice here, just the kind of quiet connection that feels earned and heartwarming, a cherry on top of an already magical sundae.

T. Kingfisher is a master at weaving dark whimsy with genuine heart. I never quite knew where the story was going, and I loved that. The twists and turns kept me on edge, flipping pages with that delicious sense of dread and delight all tangled together.

Whether you’re a fairytale fanatic or a lover of atmospheric fantasy with a creepy crawly twist, Hemlock & Silver is an absolute treat.

Huge thank you to Tor Publishing Group and T. Kingfisher for the early copy of this enchanting nightmare. I adored every chilling, clever minute.

📚✨ Book Review ✨📚

Hemlock & Silver
T. Kingfisher
Tor Books
August 19th

Thank you @torbooks @netgalley for the digital ARC and @macmillan.audio for the ALC! 🎧

The audiobook, narrated by Jennifer Pickens, was fantastic. She captured the voice and tone of Anja, the main character, perfectly.
I loved that this story was not a direct Snow White retelling. Instead, it takes inspiration from classic elements like magic mirrors and poisoned apples, making it feel fresh and original. 🍎✨

Anja is such a strong and fascinating lead. I really admired how she dove into the study of poisons, learning about both causes and cures after what happened with her cousin and the hemlock. She takes great pride in her knowledge and is always asking questions, just like any great scientist would. 🔬📚

One of my favorite parts of the book is the mirror gelds. The way they are described gave me serious Picasso vibes. They are strange, otherworldly, and completely captivating. Watching Anja and Javier try to communicate with them, more like playing charades 😂, was both amusing and clever.

I enjoyed the world, the magic, and the journey these characters experienced. While I felt the ending was a bit underwhelming, the overall story was creative and compelling. A solid and enjoyable read. 🪞🌿

3.5 ⭐️

I absolutely loved this book. It’s smart, funny, and mindbending in all the best ways. I devoured it

This is the book that is going to make a T. Kingfisher completist. I've read several of her books already, but this sealed it. I love her take on fairytales - she takes the familiar and turns it on its head just enough to give us something new and breathtaking. We have another thirty-something FMC, thank you, thank you! Anja is such a great character; a healer who studies poisons extensively and uses that know how to save lives. She is direct and unpretentious which is so refreshing. I love that we seem to always get an adorable, if unusual animal companion in Kingfisher's books and this one is no different. This time we get a rooster and a pit viper. As is also typical (I think), there is lovely romance, but it is soft and quiet. It is not central to the story, but we'd be missing out without it. Javier is so unfazed by Anja knowing more than him and is really just a supportive king. The mirror world and its processes was also brilliantly done. If I have a complaint it's that it felt as though the climactic action was over very quickly and without much fanfare, but I loved to see Snow's autonomy.

First of all, let me say thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the Arc!

To say that my TBR is a mile long is not an understatement. I have whole shelving units with stacks of unread books. Among those are a number of T. Kingfisher storie that I just haven't been able to get to. I can safely say, after finishing Hemlock & Silver, T. Kingfisher books have jumped to the top of the pile! This was a great retelling of a classic fairytale (Snow White).
Now, I'm such an immersive reader that I didn't truly understand that it was a dark Snow White retelling until I was nearly finished. (I know, a central character named Snow should have clued me in, right?!) It was so well written. Imaginative, amusing, and even creepy at times. Strong lead characters drew me in but even the supporting characters were fun.
The resolution seemed a bit rushed but overall, I really enjoyed this book.

I continue to be a fan of T. Kingfisher’s work. This is another great fairy tale type story with a strong female lead, one who isn’t pretty or delicate, but curious and smart. After a childhood friend dies from hemlock poisoning, Anya spends her youth studying poisons and looking for cures. Some 20 years later she is ordered to travel to the palace and heal the king’s daughter, who is suffering from a strange malady. The scientific process of diagnosing young Snow leads Anya on a completely unexpected adventure, questioning everything she knows about reality. It’s quite clever and very enjoyable. There’s even a little romance, and a dangerous and suspenseful conclusion. Loved it! Thanks @torbooks and @macmillan.audio for the gifted ebook and audiobook.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eArc!

I have never read any of T. Kingfisher's books, but now I will be reading their entire back stock! I loved this. It did take me a while to get into it, but there were so many twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I never knew what was coming next. To say it's inspired by Snow White would be doing it a disservice. It's very loosely inspired by it. If anything, it gives me Alice in Wonderland vibes having an odd alternate world.

Healer Anja, a poison expert, is called to heal the king's daughter from a mysterious illness. What transpires is nothing like anyone predicts. Without giving away the entire plot, Anja finds a hidden world while attempting to diagnose the poison Snow is ingesting. With a snarky cat as a side character and her body guard, she uncovers more and more secrets. A sweet love story on the undercurrent wraps this standalone up beautifully.

I've been thinking about this world that Kingfisher created frequently. While I wanted more within this world, and especially the mirror realm, I'm glad it was a standalone. It held the perfect balance of suspense, fantasy, intrigue, and romance. I would absolutely reread this and recommend it!

This book had everything I love in fantasy: relatable characters, a compelling and twisty plot, great pacing, and just the right blend of action, mystery, and suspense. But what I really loved about this one was having an older, socially awkward protagonist with a dry sense of humor and a brain wired more for logic than tact was such a refreshing change. I absolutely loved how unfiltered she was. Anja says exactly what’s on her mind, even when it’s wildly inappropriate, and I was here for it.

The story begins with Anja being pulled out of her quiet life of studying herbs and (occasionally) ingesting poison on purpose, all in the name of healing, to help the king’s daughter, Snow, who’s mysteriously dying. There’s no clear diagnosis, no obvious cause, but Anja is known for taking on the hopeless cases. What follows is a fascinating mix of folklore, science, and classic Kingfisher weirdness, including a magical mirror world, a delightfully arrogant talking cat, and one very stoic royal guard.

Javier quickly became a favorite of mine, second only to Anja. I really enjoyed watching their relationship slowly shift from quiet tolerance to something more meaningful. I especially loved the moment where Anja decides she'd only ever confess her feelings if they're about to die, because then she won’t have to deal with the aftermath. That moment was hilariously relatable and painfully honest.

The supporting cast was just as strong, and none of them ever felt like filler. Every character added something meaningful to the story, and that’s rare. The pacing never lagged, the stakes felt real, and I was genuinely invested in both the magical mystery and the emotional journey.

My only small gripe is that some elements of the plot resolution felt a little too convenient or underexplained, especially given how well everything was built up. But overall, this was an engaging, immersive, and deeply enjoyable read. If you like sharp heroines, slightly creepy fairy-tale vibes, and unconventional magic, this one’s for you.

My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Tor Books for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Not quite what I expected but excellent! But am I surprised? No, it's T. Kingfisher!

Hemlock & Silver is a retelling of Snow White, but through the perspective of a side character and coming at it in a completely fresh way. Strange mirror worlds, a mysteriously ill princess, and a violent royal history weave together a creepy and novel take on a classic fairytale. The main character is a woman obsessed with poisons and antidotes, hired by the king to uncover what is making his daughter ill. But what she finds goes far beyond anything she expected...

This was eerie and tragic in the best possible way. I absolutely recommend it and the audio narration is great too! I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

Hemlock and Silver offers a fresh take on the Snow White story. Though I occasionally struggled with the mirror world's logic, I still enjoyed following Anja as she made discoveries through less scientific methods than she preferred. I did deduct one star because some explanations left me confused and distracted.

Anja is an incredibly relatable character. I appreciate her ‘lack of tact’ and stream-of-consciousness storytelling style. It's refreshing to encounter an older female protagonist (I refuse to label someone in their 30s as "middle-aged" as others have done). I particularly enjoyed experiencing a fairy tale from the perspective of a somewhat willing participant rather than the traditional main character.

Kingfisher delivers excellence yet again.

This was a cute, standalone, cozy fantasy. A retelling of Snow White that featured a poison expert and a 12-year-old Snow. I thought the book was slow-moving at times, but the ending was well done. Very low on romance, but still an enjoyable story. The first-person POV worked for this story, but it’s not my favorite POV. Anja is a flawed-but-relatable FMC, and I enjoyed her internal dialogue at times.

Another absolute winner from Kingfisher!!! At first I thought this felt different from her usual work, slightly slower, slightly less fantastical but boy was I wrong!!! Once it got going I could not put it down and every loose end was tied up beautifully by the end, even the ones I worried there wasn’t enough time left to address. This is obviously a Snow White retelling but with the breath of fresh air and slight horror that T. Kingfisher does so beautifully. Not for the first time, she has taken a well known and beloved tale and created something wholly new and deeply captivating. This is more Anja’s story than Snow’s or anyone else’s for that matter.
The Kingfisher formula for her adult fantasy books is undeniably a success each and every time! Take one snarky, self assured, relatable, 30 something female lead, throw in a talking animal with tons of sass and a seemingly grumpy but actually warm hearted hero to balance the mix, some magic, some fantasy, some light body horror and it never fails to entertain! I am buzzing and cannot wait for the audiobook of this to be out!

T Kingfisher never fails! This was another delightful fairy tale retelling with a twist. I love that Kingfisher manages to make fairy tales fresh with her stories told from the perspective of an unlikely witness. In this case it is through the eyes of Anja who was hired by the king to see if his daughter Snow was being poisoned by an unknown entity. The story unfolds in ways I could not imagine, and I enjoyed each twist along the way. The characters were interesting and often humorous, and I really loved Anja and her insights. If you're a fan of fairy tales or T. Kingfisher, you're in for another treat!

I love T. Kingfisher's dark takes on fairy tales. Her wit and characters are unbridled and here we follow Anja, a woman whose life's work is to create antidotes for poisons. So of course, when the king's daughter is mysteriously ill and no one seems to figure out how to help her, the king himself shows up at Anja's door to ask (more like demand, but he's a king, ya know) for her skills to save his daughter.

Anja isn't too sure about this but she is a capable, level headed woman who knows her stuff, so along with a couple of guards, she goes to help, and immediately gets the sense that something is off. Snow, the princess, has been bled and purged by just about every court doctor, and Anja can see that none of these conventional "cures" are doing her any good, and what is happening to Snow might just be a reflection of something darker.

Much like most of T. Kingfisher's heroines, I loved Anja. Strong, skilled, superb - Anja makes the story for sure. The magical worldbuilding was so well done, and the character arcs are charming to discover.

Another winner from one of my favorite fantasy writers.