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Will I ever come across a T Kingfisher book I don’t adore? Not today. This was simultaneously cozy and terrifying, endearing and dark - something I find only T Kingfisher can pull off over and over. My only wish was that this plot moved a bit faster because the magic and mystery was so interesting! I loved how Thornhedge was able to handle a retelling of Rapunzel in under 200 pages and part of me wishes Hemlock and Silver did something similar. I found myself a bit bored in the middle. That being said, I think fans of specifically Swordheart will eat this up and I am excited for Kingfisher’s next story :)

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Wow, I absolutely loved this one! T. Kingfisher continues to impress with their incredible storytelling - Hemlock & Silver is no exception. I dove into this without any expectations and enjoyed every moment. I truly don’t see this as a mere retelling of Snow White. Honestly, if I had known that going in, I might not have been as eager to pick it up since fairy tale retellings aren’t usually my thing. But this story feels so unique, only sharing a few tiny similarities. For me - it gives off dark fantasy vibes reminiscent of Coraline and Alice in Wonderland, yet it’s completely its own creation.

I absolutely adore the representation of a plus-size main character who’s not only curvy but also intelligent, quirky, and incredibly lovable. The little smidgeon of romance thrown in there was just - chef’s kiss. This had me giggling and smiling the whole way. There are definitely some dark and creepy moments, complete with delightfully terrifying monsters. Kingfisher has an extraordinary talent for weaving genres together into an orchestral narrative that will resonate with a wide range of readers. Without a doubt, this is one of my new favorite fantasies, and I can’t wait for it to be released so I can share it with my bookish friends!

A heartfelt thank you to TOR Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are my own.


- I will add my review to Amazon and Kobo on publication day. I'll also film a Tiktok closer to publication day.

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I really enjoyed this take on Snow White! Anja is a great character, and Kingfisher captures the obsessive academic well. It’s always nice to have a “mature” protagonist in a fantasy setting. Anja was thrust into an unimaginable situation, and her reactions feel authentic to that. Snow’s actions and dialogue also feel true to her age. Grayling is a great character and nice comedic relief to the tense moments.

The pacing at the beginning is a little slow, but it lends itself well to the world-building and establishing the cast of characters. The solution to the main mystery isn’t just handed to Anja or the reader. You get several scenes of Anja questioning different things, and she doesn’t always get an answer. The pacing picks up in the latter half, and that’s where the book really shines. There are several tense moments and some good twists. There’s body horror and a bit of existential dread, too. The romance subplot doesn’t take away from the main plot but is still interesting and helpful for seeing Anja’s character development. Definitely recommend reading if you’re a fan of Kingfisher’s other works and dark fantasy in general.

I received an ARC through NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Overall, this book was a great read! My favorite part was the worldbuilding--it's clear that Kingfisher did a lot of research about plants and their properties, and did a fantastic job integrating that knowledge into the book while still keeping the reader engaged.

The extrapolation on the Snow White fairytale was also well done--there were clear references to the original story, but done in an original way. I enjoyed the "mirror world" and the weird, ominous atmosphere tied to it. Each character added something to the story, and Anja, in particular, was a great heroine as someone who struggled to overcome her own senses of insecurity.

The only criticism I have is more of a personal preference in that the book starts a bit slow. For the first 30-40% of the book, it was hard to stay engaged at times because there was so much set-up for the rest of the book. Once the plot kicked off, though, it was hard to put the book down! Getting through the initial set-up for the book was absolutely worth it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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Hemlock & Silver is a retelling of the classic Snow White. But of course with the T.Kingfisher twist. I loved Anja as a character, and her obsession with poison that started as a child. Kingfisher is so good at creating odd and weird characters that you can't help but find endearing. I can't resist any book with a romance subplot and Javier was very swoon worthy in this.

I don't read/watch horror and there were some creepy moments in this book but it was never enough to turn me away from it completely. The mirror-geld was interesting body horror. I had some confusion understanding the mechanics of the mirrors, much like Anja and I think my brain works very much like hers. I am constantly asking questions and curious about the world.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor for letting me read this ARC early!

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This is very loose Snow White retelling. We follow a woman who studies poisons and is tasked with figuring out if the Kings daughter Snow was poisoned and if so by what.
I appreciated that this had an older MC (in her thirties) that was relatable with her lack of people skills.Kingfisher infused the story with humour, magic and a bit of romance. The pacing of the beginning was a little slow but I think the humorous interactions kept me interested. Overall this was a very enjoyable read.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. 

While the concept of this book is absolutely fascinating, I don’t think it was executed as effectively as I was expecting. I was honestly pretty bored for a good portion of the time. The plot did pick up a bit about halfway through, but even then there wasn’t anything that truly gripped me.

The characters felt a bit one-dimensional and didn’t seem to be fleshed out enough. The only character I genuinely enjoyed was the cat. I was also very thrown off by the excessive use of parentheses and the word “uh.”

Overall this is a wildly original storyline that had so much potential. Unfortunately it just fell flat for me.

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First off a big thank you to the publisher for letting me read Hemlock & Silver , and 2nd is they did amazing job with thus cover , it's absolutely beautiful and the colors draw your eyes to the book. Now on to my thoughts, usually I have a hard time with retelling but with thus one I didn't have that problem at all and the reason is because of how T.Kingfisher puts a dark and creepy twist on her retelling, while it does take some time to get into the story , I found that that's one of the reasons I was enjoying it so much because it helped the characters as well as let you see the world building come to life before your very eyes . Plus the story itself was different then any of the other Snow White retelling that is out there , ìts the perfect blend of magic,but at the same time dark and twisted, with a touch of romance, and fantasy that makes you want to set and read .

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Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher is a fun yet dark twist on the classic Snow White story. The book follows Anja, a healer and poison expert, who’s called upon by the king to figure out why his daughter, Snow, is slowly wasting away. Anja’s sharp, chaotic nature makes her an interesting and refreshing heroine, and her relationship with Javier, the grumpy bodyguard, adds a lot of charm and humor to the story.

While the first part of the book is a bit slow as it builds Anja’s character and the world, things really pick up once the mystery of Snow’s condition begins to unfold. What starts as a simple poisoning investigation turns into something far stranger, with mirrors acting as portals to a supernatural realm. The mix of science, magic, and mystery keeps things exciting and unpredictable.

The setting is beautifully described, with the desert palace and eerie mirrors adding to the gothic atmosphere. The book strikes a good balance between humor and darker, more mysterious elements, but Anja’s antics can feel out of place with the more serious tone. Still, the humor, clever dialogue, and fun characters—like the talking cat Grayling—make this a very enjoyable read.

The romance between Anja and Javier is pretty "slow-burning" and sweet but doesn’t overshadow the main plot. Overall, Hemlock & Silver is a clever, vibrant retelling that mixes humor, fantasy, and a bit of mystery. It’s a great choice for fans of unique fairy tale retellings and strong, witty heroines.

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Hemlock & Silver is what happens when you take a classic fairy tale, set it on fire, throw it in the desert, and it comes out infinitely better. With a sense of humor, a spine of steep, and zero patience for nonsense, Ajna isn’t your typical female main character. She’s sassy, irreverent, and way to sharp-tongued and clever for courtly nonsense. But after establishing herself as an expert in poisons, the spinster is sought out by the King to save his daughter, Snow White, who seems to be wasting away in the desert palace. As Ajna works to find a cure, she must rely on Javier, her bodyguard, to survive. Between magic gone wrong, a desert landscape as beautiful as it is dangerous, and a lot of sharp banter, this reimagine Snow White tale is as hilarious as it is captivating.
This book perfectly blends fantasy, fairy tale retelling, and humor, with a dash of slow burn romance and a setting that feels so richly alive it’s practically a character itself. If you love T. Kingfisher’s signature wit, you’re in for a treat. I absolutely adored Ajna. She’s the kind of protagonist you wish you could be – smart-mouthed, sharp-witted, and just the right amount of chaotic. Javier fits the grumpy bodyguard trope to a T. He’s brooding, protective, and the perfect balance to Ajna’s wild energy. I was so invested in how their relationship unfolded. There’s also a mix of quirky supporting characters, such as Greyling the talking cat and Lady Sorrel, the wise, elderly former King’s mistress, who each bring something unique to the story.
In considering the pace, I enjoyed the balance. There was enough action to keep you hooked, with enough humor to keep you grinning. There wasn’t a moment where I felt bored or wanted to skim. Ajna’s inner dialogue was my favorite part. T. Kingfisher explores themes of survival, trust, found family, and carving your own path while telling a tale that shows that fairy tales don’t have to be predictable. The ending was super satisfying, though I wouldn’t say no to more of these characters. An epilogue would’ve satisfied my curiosity about Ajna and Javier’s future. Also, T. Kingfisher’s writing is witty, engaging, and just so FUN. The banter? Sharp. The humor? Laugh-out-loud worthy (which is rare for me). The descriptions of the desert setting? Gorgeous and immersive. You can feel her love for New Mexico woven into every page.
It’s been a long time since I had this much fun reading a book. I laughed, I swooned, and I was completely swept away by the world and characters. This book is proof that fairy tale retellings don’t have to be dark and broody – they can be clever, vibrant, and hilarious too. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If you love retellings with humor, sharp-witted heroines, and bodyguard romances with A+ banter, this is a must-read. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why reading is fun. It’s fast-paced, and full of unexpected twists. If you love T. Kingfisher’s style, this one is a no-brainer.

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T. Kingfisher truly never disappoints, she has quickly become my favorite author. I really loved everything about the main character in this story, and found myself believing she was a real person and wishing I could ask her more about poisons! Kingfisher masterfully remakes fairytales so there's just enough of a hint of the original so you know the inspiration, but then completely makes it her own. I'm a huge fan of how she is able to write the characters in such a way that is so true to their age, and especially how many stories have FMC's that are in their 30's or older! This was an easy five star read for me!

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This retelling of Snow White is not just a retelling, it’s a MASTERPIECE!

Anja is literally the coolest protagonist ever—she drinks poison to save lives, and I am HERE. FOR. IT! The way Kingfisher weaves magic, mystery, and suspense is pure magic. I was hooked from page one, and that vain cat? Iconic! The pacing is flawless, and the plot twists? Insert that mindblown gif! This is a MUST read.

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Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! I am a fan of T. Kingfisher’s work and this was another enjoyable one. The majority of the story does move a bit slow, making you feel like you’re living out each day with the characters, but it does pick up in the latter third. I enjoyed the MC Healer Anja and the banter with the cat Grayling. It’s nice to read stories with the main character being a bit older, too. This isn’t a direct retelling of the Snow White story, more inspired by it, but I enjoyed the world building with the added mirror world that was quite mysterious and creepy. There is a bit of romance, but not heavy on it. Another solid read from T. Kingfisher!

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Full disclosure - this is the first book I have read by T. Kingfisher, and I now know that I have been missing out! I am looking forward to exploring her work further and was grateful to receive this ARC to review. This is also my first - so many firsts! - ARC Book Review.

First, let’s look at this cover - it’s gorgeous! You’ve got these beautiful poisonous flowers, belladonna, foxglove and hemlock of course, in the corners, this snake-like creature made of plants, apples, fantastic execution.
This is a fairy tale reimagining of the Snow White tale, you’ve got a princess named Snow, weird fruit that are a little out of place, evil queen activity and some wacky magic mirror business.

Personally, I love the magic mirror business because - mirrors are weird, here in reality not even in a magical book world but the magic mirror business was particularly well done and borderline spooky if you’re into that. There were moments that it was slightly confusing, but it nearly felt intentional, because, it's magic mirror business.

Things I really liked about this story was the world building. While it was clearly a fantasy tale, the plants and descriptions of the desert plants were all very - real. The tale takes place in the desert and as she is describing the plants I was like, this sounds really specific, very similar to the high desert of New Mexico.. Well, it turns out, the author is currently living in New Mexico.
So, if you love plants, you will love the plant storyline, especially if you have a particular knowledge and fondness for poisonous plants, like I do, which isn’t strange at all.

This story is more fantasy than romantasy but there was a sprinkling of that in there as well, which wasn’t forced and worked quite well. I am not a Romantasy expert by any means but if you are looking for that, it’s present and if you’re not, this is a good enough story and the romance isn't overwhelmingly. So, worth reading even if you’re not here for the heart eyes.

End Result - Hemlock and Silver got 4.3 Stars from me.
It comes out in August, it’s delightful, well written and a lot of fun. And this cover is going to look so good on your shelf. Seriously. Just frame it.
Extra special thanks to Netgallery and Tor Publishing for this eARC and the opportunity to share this review with you.

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Hemlock & Silver is a unique and dark Snow White retelling.
The characters were great.
Anja is an expert in poisons mostly because she likes solving problems. She's in her 30's, unmarried, and lacks tact 🤣
When the king asks her to try to figure out if his daughter is being poisoned, she's thrown into a world she's not used to.

The magic was interesting, but I don't want to give anything away.

While I would have enjoyed this even without a talking cat, it certainly didn't hurt. Grayling was a fun side character to have around.

Highly recommend for fans of twisted tales!

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor for an early copy for review!

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Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher

Hemlock & Silver tells the story of Anja, a healer (problem solver) of poisons. She's 35, unmarried, with a wonderfully sarcastic un-tactful attitude. Anja is tasked with saving the kings daughter who may or may not have been poisoned. This was my favorite "Snow White" reimagined novel I've ever read. It was giving Snow White and Red Rose from a side character and I couldn't put it down.

It did start off a little slow but I think the world building and setting the tone for why Anja is the way she is was so important.

There are of course so many side characters and each of them were so different.
Some of my favorites:
- The love interest, ugh 😍, *loved* him.
- Snow was written exactly like a 12 year old.
- I'm not a cat person but I def would want a cat like Grayling.

You will not be prepared for the mirror-geld. Everything about this book was unexpected in the best way ever. I think this might be my new favorite T. Kingfisher book.

“It seems like the beasts in fairy tales might get lonely, being so different.”

Thank you to T. Kingfisher, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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T Kingfisher can truly do no wrong! Her latest book, Hemlock and Silver, is a dark and twisted fairy tale full of ups, downs, and most importantly, a talking cat. Her usual wit and humor is present to bring some lightness to the darker themes. I appreciated the ending and the exploration of the complex "mirror world," though at times I found myself frustrated alongside the main character by its inexplicable nature. Similar to A House with Good Bones and Sam, I felt I got to learn a lot about Anja's specific interests and could really tell that a lot of research and time went in to building Anja's knowledge. Thank you for the opportunity to read Hemlock and Silver!

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Overall:
I really enjoyed the story, and the author’s writing style kept me fully engaged. The main character carried the narrative with strength and presence. It’s a unique adaptation of a familiar tale, filled with unexpected twists and turns.

What I Loved:

The FMC: I especially appreciated that the female main character is in her 30s. Her age made her experience, research, and skills feel authentic and believable. She’s both realistic and relatable—her inner dialogue gives a great balance of courage and vulnerability.

The Setting: The story is set in a desert landscape, rich with local flora, curated courtyards, and adobe architecture. The atmosphere was vivid and immersive.

Grayling: The cat was a charming, witty addition to the story—definitely a standout.

The Magic System: Unique and intriguing, it added a fresh dimension to the narrative.

What Didn’t Work as Well for Me:

Worldbuilding: While the first half offered detailed and engaging worldbuilding, it ultimately felt larger than what the story required. Some elements seemed underutilized and not essential to this specific plot.

Pacing: The first half of the book moved a bit slowly—while still engaging, it felt somewhat repetitive. The pace did pick up in the second half, but not quite as much as I’d hoped.

Secondary Characters: The supporting characters felt a bit flat and one-dimensional compared to the depth given to the main character.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It was my first book of T. Kingfisher, and now I understand why people love this author's books. The writing is charming and quirky, and the humor is lovely.

But I give Hemlock & Silver 3 stars.
I have such mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I enjoyed the worldbuilding, the mirror world and its creatures. I loved Anja's obsession with poisons and her sense of humor (well, for the most part). The writing style was great, so much charm! Also, I'm always happy to see mature characters acting mature.
But on the other hand, I felt bored. The first 40% of the book was too slow, and even though the story picked up afterward, it was not enough to wow me. It felt like the plot was running in circles in some parts. The characters felt one-dimensional (except the cat, of course! He was the best part of the book), the "uh" joke was overused, and the romance was extremely underdeveloped and flat.

That said, I will definitely read more of this author's books.

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I have so many emotions and feelings about this book but just know I'm screaming and crying this ENTIRE review.

This book gave me so much nostalgia for 2015, first stumbling across T. Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon)'s books and spending every waking moment reading and rereading them every second I could. It was so cozy, yet dark. meaningful yet lighthearted, and humorous yet with deadly serious stakes.

Anja is better with poisons than people, yet a visit from the king brings her into his circle, in search of a cure for his daughter, Snow, and her mysterious illness. whether its poison or not is up for debate, as no healer has found a cause yet, but the king will try absolutely everything to try and save his beloved daughter.

There, at remote estate Witherleaf, we meet our colourful cast of characters, including one particularly grumpy and aloof cat, and watch as Anja and King's Guard Javier try to get to the bottom of the young princess' illness.

To say anymore will be to spoil some of the delightfully crafted surprises throughout so I'll leave it there, but If I could give it more than 5 stars? I'd do it in a heartbeat

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