I love dark reimagined fairy tales! And T. Kingfisher’s version of Snow White is brilliant. This is the first time I’m reading something from this author and I love her storytelling. Her writing style is flawless, pulls me right in from the beginning. This is a very compelling and fascinating story that has a good plot, poison apples, an alternate dimension and friendly nightmares. I will definitely be reading more of her books from now on!

Firstly, thanks VERY much to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for an e-ARC of this book.

Absolutely loved it. I think I've read most of T. Kingfisher's fantasy books to date (and 1 of her horror books, which was absolutely terrifying, and I will not be reading another because it was so freaky...sorry...just not my thing, but I was curious). I have loved all of them. T. Kingfisher is one of my favorite authors and I was absolutely thrilled that my request to read this book was approved.

This one had a similar tone to "Nettle & Bone". It had a good mix of suspense and humor, with a smidgen of romance that made me squeal with delight. This is a very loose Snow White retelling with some darker elements and was told in first person by Anja, whose specialty is in poisons. It was a bit slow to start, but once Anja discovered the mirror magic, the plot really ramped up. However, even though it was a slower start, I was totally fine with it and was engaged. Anja's thoughts were really interesting and the plot needed that setup.

I really love how a lot of T. Kingfisher's main characters are older (typically 30s-40s) and not stereotypical in their appearances. This makes them infinitely more relatable and loveable for a reader like me. Anja is 35, taller than average, and plus size. She also has no tact and says what is on her mind. Superb.

HIGHLY recommend this book.

T. Kingfisher is an author that either satisfies, or doesn't. Her narrative voice tends to feel very cozy and conversational regardless of the subject matter, which gives some of her titles the unique feeling of 'cozy horror'. Personally, I found Hemlock & Silver to be some of her best work, as someone who loves Kingfisher but recognizes some of the general complaints readers may have.

This is a very loose Snow White retelling, as healer Anja, an expert in poisons, seeks to discover the source of Princess Snow's mysterious illness. However, the overall plot is entirely unique, despite featuring things like apples, queens, mirrors, and so on. It is told with Kingfisher's typical lighthearted, colloquial prose, and Anja is a worthy and relatable heroine. The characters are imperfect, average people who don't do everything with a smug attitude and a flourish; they freak out when appropriate and buckle down when necessary.

5 stars for being engaging, creative, having lovable characters, and wrapping everything up neatly. If you're in the mood for an exciting fairy tale that leaves you feeling content in the end, this would be the book.

T Kingfisher first seduced me with "Paladin's Grace" and I have been hooked ever since. Thankfully, "Hemlock & Silver" didn't disappoint!! This book follows healer Anja as she tries to uncover who is poisoning Princess Snow. With the help of a talking cat, rooster, and brooding palace guard, she explores a world within her mirror to find the source of Snow's illness before it is too late.

"Hemlock & Silver" is a unique retelling of the Snow White fairy tale. It draws inspiration from the classic story, but also creates a rich world and even richer characters that make it feel brand new. It blends mystery, mirror magic, quirky characters, and a sweet romance in a lovely way. The book balances comedy with the gruesome world inside the mirror well. Our main character, Anja, is so relatable and endearing. She truly loves poisons and healing. When she is stumped by the mysterious poison she is tasked to pinpoint, the audience is frustrated right along with her. As a plus sized person, I felt really seen by Anja. She is a larger woman, and has some moments of minor self doubt that I can relate to. However, she picks herself up and finds confidence in herself, not through the eyes of any one else. I really loved that touch. There is a scene were she is frustrated by an uncomfortable chair that was too small, and I just about fell in love with her.

The only reason this was not a five star read for me was I felt the beginning of the story was a bit slow to pick up. However, I understood why this was necessary for the story structure. That being said, once the plot intensifies, the pacing of the book is very effective and makes it easy to keep reading. When I enjoy a story this much, it can be difficult to review. It is much easier to critique specific things I did not like. So, I hope my insight into who may like this book may be useful! "Hemlock & Silver" is a great addition to the tbr of readers who love folklore retellings and plot forward romance stories. Fans of "Howls Moving Castle", the tone/whimsy of the film "Mirror Mirror", and T Kingfisher's writing style in general should absolutely give this book a try!

Anja is a Healer, a title given to her as what she does, really has no other title. She is a scholar, with one of the most inquisitive minds of her time. She is a merchants daughter, and loves her father dearly. She is the sister of two beautiful women who have started families of their own. Most of all she is a problem solver, the problems she solve involve poisons.

Anja pours herself into trying to find cures for poisons and to help as many people as she can. Although, she's not a "people person", even more so when the people are children.

Anja often tests her remedies on herself, when a rooster just wont do the trick. Once day when Anja was doing such testing, the King walks in.

Remember Anja, is very much not a people person, She's somewhat of an awkward sort of person. Does very well with problems, Does not do well with small talk. So when the King summons her to help save his daughter, after some brief awkward exchanges, where she promptly forgets any manners she has for royalty.... She is on her way across the desert to see the princess. Luckily she's got two trusty guards for the trip.

While Snow has an emotional rollercoaster of an adventure crossing the desert for a few days, meeting the court, spending time with the king and praying to the saints she makes it there alive. The real adventure starts once she meets the Princess, Snow.

T. Kingfisher has the absolute best way of making you really get in to Anja's head. Her inner monologue is absolute gold. The "side characters" are also very flushed out, everyone from her very trusty ( some would even say lusty ) body guard, to our one eyed mysterious feline friend. You don't feel like you are missing bits and pieces that bring them together.

I really enjoy how the world building is done. Its detailed without taking away from the story or being a bit to intense. When the story brings you to somewhere else, you instantly know that your in a new place, without it being jarring.

The plot was tied up rather nicely in the end. The bread crumbs left through the story are all collected and we find our selves at an ending that leaves you wanting more of the story, but it still has great closure.

If you are like me and loved Nettle and Bone you will most certainly enjoy this as well! I feel very much that lady Sorel and The Dust witch would be great friends.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Books for the digital ARC for review.

A fun and enchanting read! The characters were vivid and compelling, each adding depth, charm and some mystery to the story. The writing was smooth and immersive, I kept telling myself I'd take a break soon, but the plot pulled me right back in every time. A true page-turner with just the right mix of magic and heart.

T. Kingfisher knows how to tell a story! I love a reimagining and this version of Snow White did not disappoint. In Hemlock & Silver, Kingfisher welcomes the reader to a beautiful and fully realized world - so interesting and creative. I loved the desert fantasy setting. I was born and raised in the Sonoran Desert and it never occurred to me how fun it would be for a traditionally European setting to be placed there. (In Arizona, there are lizard motifs all over public spaces, on the freeway walls, etc. My brothers and I always joked that thousands of years from now the future will assume we worshiped them. Saint Lizard!) Give me more middle-aged, introverted, herb gathering, poison-expert female main characters! Anja was a delight. I also thoroughly enjoyed her relationship journey with Javier. The mirror gelds are a fascinating idea, and I don't think I can look at my reflection the same way ever again. I will definitely be picking up a hard copy of this book, with that beautiful cover and green sprayed edges. T. Kingfisher has become a must-buy for me and I look forward to the next one! Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC!

This dark fairy tale from T. Kingfisher has the absolute best protagonist! I was hooked from page one and loved the tension the slow build provided in the first third of the book.

While Hemlock & Silver is a retelling of Snow White, Snow takes a back seat to Anja—a tall, sturdy, and 35(!) year old healer. She is smart and her town’s go-to for solving problems, specifically those involving poison.

Once Anja starts to solve Snow’s mystery, the story picks up—and it gets delightfully weird. The love story plot isn’t front and center, but it’s so sweet. Oh, and there’s a feisty cat. Pretty sure Kingfisher has met my fluffy little demon.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! all thoughts and opinions are my own ✨

i was going back and forth on the rating for a little while, but ultimately, i've decided to give this one 3.5 stars ⭐

t. kingfisher is one of my favourite authors—so naturally, hemlock and silver crash landed on the list of my most anticipated reads of the year. and while i did enjoy the story overall, there were a few aspects that fell short. maybe it's my own fault for going in with such high expectations, but i dare you to read this novel's synopsis and try not to do the same.

my biggest problem with the book is the pacing, in that it takes quite a long time for the story to get going. our main character, anja, is a healer who specializes in the study of poisons and their respective antidotes. by the end of the first chapter, she is approached by the king and asked to cure his daughter, snow. but anja doesn't even meet snow until a quarter of the way into the book. even then, things don't become truly interesting until around the 45-50% mark. don't get me wrong, there were a few moments here and there that struck me as sinister slash intriguing, but i would have preferred it if kingfisher had gotten the ball rolling much sooner.

now, onto the things i did like. though this novel is advertised as a fairy tale retelling of snow white, i think the author did an amazing job of providing us with a fresh, new take on the classic story. i always enjoy seeing beloved narratives presented with a wholly original twist. the romance was also very sweet; i appreciated that it acted as more of a subplot instead of overshadowing the fantasy elements. and, as always, there were some hilarious one-liners thrown in there that actually made me laugh out loud.

the second half of the book was definitely much stronger than the first half. if i could split them apart, i'd say that the second half deserved a solid four stars, whereas the first was worth two and a half stars at best. hence, the overall 3.5-star rating—i think it's a decent compromise. i'd still recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a grimdark retelling with a creative flair. if you don't mind the slower pace at the beginning, it might become your new favourite!

Let’s be honest, I would read T. Kingfisher’s grocery list if I could. It doesn’t matter what it is.. if she’s selling, I’m buying.

This book might actually be my favorite one yet, although after reading it, I’ll never look at a mirror the same way 😅 Think Snow White but way darker, wittier, twistier, much more creepy and way cooler side characters

In true Kingfisher style, the main character is as relatable as they come. Anja is blunt, awkward and clumsy.. But she’s also an expert in poison. Because of this, she is summoned by the king in an effort to figure out why Princess Snow is so sick.

✨Many thanks to Tor Publishing for gifting me this arc via NetGalley. I give this review freely and honestly

As a longtime reader of T. Kingfisher's horror and a first time reader of her fantasy, wow, this book was a delight.

Kingfisher excels in the first person prose, and brings Anja to life in a way I didn't expect. Anja is incredibly unique in the fantasy genre right now: not secretly royal, possessing no secret powers, just a woman with a hyperfixation that brings her joy! And, well, the fact that that hyperfixation happens to be poison? So much the better. She is a little dicey on social niceties, but she tries her best (and her asides in parentheses like these are always a hoot). As someone who is prone to similar interests (but not poison!), Anja was a breath of fresh air. She knew what she knew, and admitted what she didn't. She was intelligent, but her intelligence was not all-knowing. She's one of my favourite protagonists I've read in a long, long time.

As for the story... it did end up a lot darker than I thought. I mean, the premise is that Anja has to save a princess who's being (potentially) poisoned, so I really should have expected it, but somehow I did not. You could see hints of Kingfisher's horror inclinations in some parts, but the rest of the book was so cozy that it never really dipped too far into it. The world was consistent enough that I followed along without issue, but left enough mystery (especially at the end!) that everything felt real, like other stories existed just beyond the pages.

In the end, this is a story about loneliness and grief as much as about poisons and people. How the losses we experience drive us forward, and can dictate our paths, but they don't have to define us. It was incredibly poignant and beautiful.

Well done, Kingfisher!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for providing this to me in exchange for an honest review.

First, a lot of the publicity around this book really leans into the Snow White retelling of it all --which, sure, there's a resemblance to that. There's the cutting of hearts, an evil queen, a princess called Snow. I don't say this as a negative, not in the least; I think the story is better served by it not following that formula.

T. Kingfisher continues to delight as an author. I admit she's an auto-buy author for me, and this book hasn't done anything but reinforce this idea.

One thing that particularly stands out is the... I'm unsure how to phrase this except action economy. There were things in the beginning of the book (and I mean the first couple of chapters) that set up important bits of the climax in a way that felt completely natural. There were a couple of scenes I may have counted as unnecessary kept parts of the climax from feeling contrived.

Additionally, Kingfisher has her way of making the women in her book feel more real than I'm used to seeing. The descriptions are presented largely neutrally, but clearly with intent and respect. The main character, Anja, is tall, large, blunt, and still respected, believed, and even desired. It's always delightful to read a woman written by T. Kingfisher.

First, thank you to Netgalley for the advance reading copy!

I have to admit my own bias here: I have thoroughly enjoyed every T Kingfisher I have read. 

This one started very slow, much slower than I am accustomed to for her books. But I powered on because this is the deal with early access. 

And then, halfway through, BAM. I WAS HOOKED. 

This story is a retelling of Snow White with the poisoned apple and a poisoner who is saddled with saving her. 

Our protagonist is a left-brained, logical woman who works to create poison antidotes. Can she figure out why Snow is constantly sick and lethargic?

The first half of the book sets the tone, setting, assumptions, and, well, honestly not much happens.

Until we meet the cat.

If you can make it this far, I think you'll be sucked in, but this is a slow starter initially.

I did enjoy the characters--Kingfisher always writes excellent characters.  There is nothing like an adult woman who isn't some giddy school girl and carries around her own venomous snake. And smart alec cat (aren't they all?)

A retelling of *Snow White* that takes the focus off of Snow and places it on Anja, a woman who has devoted her life to discovering antidotes to poison. Snow’s father, the king, fearing his daughter may have been poisoned seeks out Anja’s help

After reading the author’s *A Sorceress Comes to Call* in 2024 and then more of her work, I’ve become such a fan of the author’s novels that her work is an auto-buy for me now. So, you can likely imagine my thrill when I received early access to *Hemlock & Silver* 😍😍😍😍

*pulled me in immediately
*sooooo well written,
*solid plot and Kingfisher’s wit
*relatable MFC in humor and attitude; she’s a healer, in her late thirties ❤️
*excellent secondary characters

To a degree, I feel as though most of my reviews for Kingfisher’s books are all a variation of how much I loved it. Let me not break with that tradition, because I freaking adored this.

An excellent read and a definite recommendation. I’ll be getting the deluxe edition of this for my own shelves.



Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for the DRC

Anja is a healer who spends most of her time studying poisons and tinkering with concoctions. So when the king suddenly bursts into her life and demands her help she is thrust into an unfamiliar world. Navigating a royal household complete with courtly gossip and social clamoring is difficult but she must not be deterred from the task at hand. Snow White has been poisoned, she is seemingly wasting away and no one knows why. It falls to Anja to investigate and find the source of the illness. When her beloved scientific process yields no results Anja must look elsewhere to get to the bottom of it. To find the source of the poison she must step into a whole different reality. This likeable protagonist from the world of medieval medicine guides readers into a hair-raising world filled with enchanted mirrors, magic fruit, shadowy grey figures and freakish monsters made up of discarded human limbs. Kingfisher does a great job of building a classic fantasy story that gradually reveals an encroaching alternate reality that is creepy and atmospheric. The storyline is engaging and the twisting plot will keep readers guessing right up to the end. This alternate version of the Snow White story is full of original ideas but also has enough familiar elements that those looking for classic fairy tale fantasy and fans of retellings will be delighted.

I might be biased as a dedicated Kingfisher fan, but I truly love retellings and this one was a joy.
This story follows Anja, a 35 year old spinster who loves poison/antidotes and snakes (very relatable) who is contracted by the King to investigate a mysterious illness (poison?!?) in his daughter, Snow. Anja's unique mind and natural curiosity make this a very entertaining read, as we go along while she discovers the inner workings of a palace that is more than it seems. A bit of a slow start, but once she hits her stride you won't want to put it down. There is a fully fleshed out magical system that is just delightful, a tender slow burn romance, and a sassy cat. Not sure what else you could ask for.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Tor for providing a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. I very much enjoyed the opportunity to read this book.

5✨| find me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brittsendlesstbr?igsh=MXJ0emF5NG1scHFs"> Insta </a> @brittsendlesstbr

Hemlock and Silver is another enchanting and wonderfully strange addition to her collection of unique fantasy tales. True to her distinctive style, this novella masterfully blends elements of folk horror, gothic atmosphere, and a touch of surprising humor, all wrapped in a narrative that feels both ancienct and refreshingly modern. The story itself is deeply atmospheric, drawing readers into a world where old magic and hidden dangers lurk just beneath the surface. Kingfisher excels at building tension and a sense of unease, but always with her characteristic wit and understated charm. The characters are typically relatable and pragmatic, often finding themselves in absurdly perilous situations, which only adds to the book's appeal. Her prose is precise and evocative, painting vivid pictures with seemingly simple words. This book is perfect for those who enjoy their fantasy with a strong sense of folklore, a hint of the uncanny, and a dose of dry humor. It's a compelling read that manages to be both creepy and comforting, a true hallmark of Kingfisher's writing.

I have yet to be disappointed by a T. Kingfisher book, and Hemlock & Silver lived up to my expectations! I was originally a little wary about a Snow White retelling as it's not the most intersting story, but I would say this book is more loosely inspired by it with T. Kingfisher's unique humor and storytelling implanted in it.

Yet again, she writes about a relatable and strong women as the main character with a great cast of side characters. I was instantly pulled into the mystery Anja was trying to solve and devoured this book. At the same time, T. Kingfisher kept the writing light and I found myself loving Anja's humorous tone, which can often be a difficult balance to strike.

Great book and thank you to NetGalley and Tor for providing an ARC!

I'm a fan of T. Kingfisher's work but sadly I didn't love this one. As far as retellings go this felt more focused on Anja with Snow and the Queen as side characters. The book also took a long time to really get going, and by the time that it did my interest in the book had already waned. Perhaps if I didn't go into this expecting a different kind of retelling, I would have enjoyed it more.

Thank you to Tor Books for providing me an e-galley for review.

As always, T. Kingfisher delivers a tightly paced, thrilling novel filled with compelling characters and an inventive plot. The pacing in this book is phenomenal—I was glued to the pages all day and couldn’t put it down. It had my heart racing. The story has a slightly disturbing edge, which really heightens the suspense and mystery. The concept of the mirror world is especially original and intriguing. Although this is technically a "retelling," I wouldn't have known it was inspired by Snow White if no one had told me. The narrative is so unique that it stands firmly on its own. The clues throughout the book kept me constantly guessing, and I loved the integration of poisons. It added a sharp, fascinating layer to the story. While the characters aren’t deeply complex, they work well for the type of story being told. The book strikes a balance between character and plot, and its straightforward style makes it an easy and quick read without being too simple. This story also stuck in my mind. I found myself thinking about different elements and characters long after I finished. That said, I do wish the mirror world and its magic had been more developed, and the romance felt unnecessary; it could have been left out entirely with little effect on the story. It would also be cool to have a more developed romance. But considering its short length, there’s plenty of potential for more standalone stories or even a series set in the same universe, which I would absolutely love to read. Overall, this is an amazing, thrilling, quick read that I would 100% recommend to anyone looking for a mystery novel with a fantasy setting.