From the opening chapter, I was immediately drawn in. The humor is sharp and well-timed, and I found myself laughing out loud in the very first scene. T. Kingfisher’s creativity shines throughout the narrative, with imaginative and unexpected details that give the story a unique charm.

Healer Anja quickly became one of my favorite protagonists. She is witty, endearingly awkward, and incredibly relatable, with internal thoughts that feel authentic and grounded. The supporting characters are equally engaging. Snow’s unpredictable nature kept me on my toes, and Javier, who was stoic at the beginning, was especially fun to watch as he slowly opened up and revealed a sweeter side. The inclusion of talking cats was a delightful bonus.

This fairy tale retelling offers a compelling blend of humor, heart, and adventure. The plot includes surprising twists, a slow burn romance, and the refreshing perspective of main characters in their 30s. I also appreciated the fascinating information about poisons woven into the narrative, even if I am unlikely to remember the specifics. While there were a few minor continuity errors, they did not affect my overall enjoyment.

Hemlock and Silver is an inventive and highly entertaining read. It will appeal to readers who enjoy clever heroines, richly imagined worlds, and fairy tales reimagined for an adult audience.

T. Kingfisher is my favorite author. I’ve especially loved her fairytale inspired stories. So I was thrilled to dive into this darkly reimagined tale based on “Snow White.” And I absolutely ate this up!

I related so much to Healer Anja, a scholar in her 30s who deals with poisons and doesn’t care much for frivolous conversations or court politics.

This story was so compelling and imaginative. I was fully invested in unraveling the mystery at the story’s core. 🍎

Read if you enjoy:
🍎 dark fairytales
🪞 a little mystery
🐍 reluctant heroes
☠️ dry humor
🐈‍⬛ plus-sized protagonists

Hemlock & Silver is a solid T. Kingfisher read. It’s a Snow White inspired fairytale, told from an unexpected point of view. There is a mystery to be solved, a helping of body horror, and a little bit of romance. The setting is very different from the world of the Temple of the White Rat, and yet it feels comfortably familiar. You don’t know where you are, but you can trust the storyteller to take you somewhere interesting (complimentary).

Anja is called a healer, but really, she specializes in poisons and their antidotes. She’s a researcher more than a practitioner. The King arrives just as she has dosed herself with poison asking her to save his daughter, Snow. I have spent three days trying to hit the important plot points without telling too much, and I’m just going to pop the book blurb in here and get on with my reaction:

Healer Anja regularly drinks poison.

Not to die, but to save—seeking cures for those everyone else has given up on.

But a summons from the King interrupts her quiet, herb-obsessed life. His daughter, Snow, is dying, and he hopes Anja’s unorthodox methods can save her.

Aided by a taciturn guard, a narcissistic cat, and a passion for the scientific method, Anja rushes to treat Snow, but nothing seems to work. That is, until she finds a secret world, hidden inside a magic mirror. This dark realm may hold the key to what is making Snow sick.

Or it might be the thing that kills them all.

Anja is a compelling character because she is curious and compassionate. Her desire to understand what is happening to Snow drives the book. Before the King barged into her life, she was focused on finding an antidote to combat lotus smoke overdoses. She has some feelings about interrupting that research to save a princess, but once she arrives, the mystery draws her in. She faces a number of ethical dilemmas and she thinks them through carefully. I’m all in favor of curiosity, compassion, and ethics leading the way.

Anja’s world feels self contained. If someone were looking for a place to start with T. Kingfisher that felt like a representative taste without several books of world building, this would be a good one. Greyling the cat is also a good reason to pick up Hemlock & Silver. Javier may be right that he isn’t a cat, but he is an excellent feline.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Tor Books and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

I’ve enjoyed every Kingfisher book I’ve read so maybe I’m biased, but this was great. This is a different take on the idea of Snow White, and even if you don’t like fairy tale retellings (which I do) this is different and fresh enough that I think you’d enjoy it.

Anja is a healer, but she’s not very good with people. She’d much rather be left alone, spending her time drinking poisons in her quest to find an antidote for all of them. But when the King is certain his daughter is being poisoned and has exhausted all other options, she’s asked to help.

Magic and poison and horror and a grumpy talking cat, what’s not to love? I love that Kingfisher’s books often feature middle age or mature protagonists and it’s not all beautiful young maidens. All of the characters are engaging, from the 12-year-old princess Snow, to the bodyguard love interest, to Grayling, the poor, beset upon cat.

I’m so glad that Kingfisher seems to write as quickly as she does. Her worlds are unique, her prose is beautiful, and her heroines are smart and sharp and witty. I’ll devour anything she writes.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my review! This is another Kingfisher I’m definitely going to add to my shelves.

I’ve read other books by T. Kingfisher and absolutely love her writing style, it’s just so fun! This one was no exception. I loved that it’s told in first person POV, with little asides that feel like Anja is speaking directly to the reader. From the very first chapter, I adored her character. A determined young woman who tests poisons on herself and refuses to give up on finding a cure, even when everyone else says it doesn’t exist.

This is such a clever Snow White retelling, with all the right components: a strong FMC, a protective MMC, the slowest of slow burns, and a sarcastic, arrogant cat that completely stole the show. 🐈‍⬛ All of the characters are so well written, and the ending had little twists I didn’t see coming.

The only downside for me was the pacing. There were moments where it slowed down enough that I found myself skimming through parts. But overall, it was a witty and imaginative twist on a classic tale that fans of fantasy retellings will definitely enjoy.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for this eARC!

I am not a huge fantasy reader, but I am absolutely enthralled by T. Kingfisher's fairytale reimaginings. She manages to bring a fresh, exciting take to these old and popular stories. I loved the characters in this book, especially Anja. The creation of the mirror world was so visceral that I could imagine exactly what it was like. Once I was a few chapters in, I had to know what was going to happen and could not put the book down.

Hemlock and Silver stands out for its engaging writing style, which is both accessible and literary, making it an excellent recommendation for advanced younger readers as well as high school students. Themes of resilience, empowerment, and the importance of found family resonate throughout, encouraging thoughtful discussion among readers. The novel's balance between horror elements and hope makes it particularly well-suited for teens who enjoy stories with psychological depth but are wary of graphic content; Kingfisher respects her audience’s intelligence without overwhelming them.

For a high school library, this book is a strong addition: it’s a compelling standalone tale that appeals to those interested in fantasy, retold fairy tales, or character-driven stories. Its exploration of trauma, healing, and personal growth provides meaningful opportunities for classroom and book club discussion, and its fairy-tale setting offers an accessible entry point into deeper literary analysis. Hemlock and Silver is highly recommended as a purchase that will circulate well and inspire many conversations among students.

I have a soft spot for fairy tale retellings, and this one definitely hit the spot. I loved the take on Snow White that T. Kingfisher was able to accomplish. I at times forget it was even classified as a retelling until I saw the name "Snow" pop up again and again. Each character, both main and background, brought something special to table for this story. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a hard to put down retelling!

At this point, I’ve read quite a few novels by T. Kingfisher, and she’s one of my favorite authors. Whether it’s fantasy, horror or a combination of both, she is an amazing storyteller, and she’s FUNNY.

This latest book is a 3.75. I liked it, but it did take a long while to get going. It’s a slow burn slow burn (that means it’s a double slow burn). As such, the story didn’t grab my attention until halfway through. It needs some paring down so the action starts sooner, in my opinion. I only kept going because I love T’s books so much, but others might get a little bored.

I did guess a major plot point, and it is very creepy. It will certainly change the way you look at the world. No one writes fantastical horror quite like T. Kingfisher. Why do I read these kind of books at night?? You’d think I’d learn my lesson…

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

When it comes to T. Kingfisher’s novels, I’ve always been interested, but I’ve never taken the plunge until Hemlock & Silver.

I’m all for a good retelling, and Kingfisher’s latest scratched that particular itch with an imaginative rework of Snow White. While it wasn’t a one-to-one reimagining (and I wasn’t expecting it to be), the story pulled details from the classic tale and wove them around Anja.

Honestly, Anja reminded me of the main character of The Apothecary Diaries. She was aloof, not a people person, and she had this, like, hyper-focus on exploring poisons and remedies (it was her forte). She was smart, to a certain degree, but there were limitations to her perspective, because, for the aforementioned reasons, she could overlook some things.

She was in a situation that required dealing with a multitude of people as well as their expectations and understanding of social conventions. But, don’t expect too much court intrigue, because the story was centered on unraveling the mystery behind the cause of Snow’s illness. The situation wasn’t straightforward. There was complexity to the “how” and “why” things occurred, and I loved how the story came together in the end.

Hemlock & Silver was the first T. Kingfisher novel I’ve ever read, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher (Tor Books) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

I just finished Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher, and it’s another reminder of why she’s one of my favorite authors. Kingfisher balances sharp humor with unsettling, fairy-tale darkness better than anyone I’ve read.

Anja, a poison expert, is such a refreshing protagonist—practical, intelligent, and not easily rattled. The shift from her quiet, plant-filled home to the dangerous mirror world was seamless, and the tension never felt forced. Even the talking cat—dry, self-interested, and often hilarious—fit perfectly into the tone of the story.

It’s smart, atmospheric fantasy with just enough edge, and I read it quickly because I didn’t want to put it down.

Despite previously loving books by this author, the writing felt very juvenile in this story and I could not get into the story.

This was wonderfully dark snow white retelling. A king, a sick child, and a poison scholar. Anja is set with the task of figuring out what's going on with the kings daughter, Snow. After the death of her mother and sister, she hasn't been the same. Physicans have found nothing, but maybe Anja will discover a poison.

As she arrives, she's as stumped as the doctors were, but she's taking the route of collaboration with others, and using her observation skills to try and figure out what's happening. As she begins to unravel the mystery of Snow's illness, she finds that there's far more to this castle that she thought. She finds herself in the mirror world, searching for clues and finding more trouble than she bargained for with the help of a guard and a...cat?

I loved the twists and turns this took, and it was beautifully written.

This was such a fun book to read. I feel certain I was smiling and giggling throughout this story more than I have with any other book I’ve read in a while. I enjoyed it far more than I expected and honestly would have loved to have more of these characters.

While it may have been my first dabble into the works of T. Kingfisher, it most definitely won’t be my last time reading their books. The writing was absolutely brilliant. Not only was there perfectly timed humor, there was suspense that kept me ready to learn what happened next. The plot twists weren’t predictable and the storyline was unique. It was honestly just so refreshing.

One of my favorite things about this book was the FMC’s internal monologue. Anja was hilarious right from the start and made reading this story so much fun. And the banter between her and Javier and even Grayling was the best. I loved that she was snarky and awkward towards everyone including the king, despite the internal struggle of knowing she should behave otherwise. Those qualities only made her more relatable. I also loved that broody Javier saw who Anja was and was more excited to know her because of those quirks.

Seriously, one of my favorite reads of the year. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for allowing me the opportunity to review this book in its ARC form.

T. Kingfisher hits my sweet spot every time. Give me a practical heroine with a messy bag of herbs, a sharp brain, and a cat who absolutely has notes, and I am in. Anja is a healer who studies poison to save people. The job pulls her to a princess who is fading fast and to a mirror that is not just a mirror. It is eerie in the right places, tender where it counts, and quietly funny in a way that feels very Kingfisher.

What I loved most is the confidence of the setup. The science-minded approach to magic, the prickly charm of the cat, the way the world tilts toward folklore without turning twee. Creepy, clever, and utterly irresistible, this one feels like classic Kingfisher with a fresh bite. If you like pragmatic magic, thorny fairy-tale roots, and a heroine who solves problems with stubborn compassion, you will be happy here.

Do you have a favorite author(s) who you don’t even bother reading the blurb for their upcoming book, instead you just say, “gimme, gimme, please” and then wait with bated breath until it’s in your hands for complete devouring? Yep, T. Kingfisher is one of those authors for me. I don’t care what it’s about. I want to read it. So, I’ve read it and imagine my surprise to learn after just now inserting the blurb that it’s a reimagining of Snow White. And I didn’t pick up on that even though it has a character named Snow who is being poisoned. Ha! But, still, please trust my review. 😉

In this retelling of Snow White, we have healer Anja who specializes in poisons ever since the death of her cousin when they were kids and he had the misfortune of eating a carrot that was not a carrot. She is a researcher who is fascinated by the ailment but less so by the person who unfortunately has the ailment. This is just one of Anja’s many quirks that make her such a fabulously real character. (See how I didn’t use authentic because . . . let’s not even go there.)

When the King visits Anja after learning that she may know more about poisons than anyone else, he asks that she try to find the cure for his daughter, Snow, who is assuredly being poisoned. How can Anja refuse? Seriously. There’s no way that she can refuse. So she travels with the King and her very own bodyguards (just in case someone decides to harm her before she can treat Snow) through the desert to his home.

Anja employs all of her usual methods for poison deduction but arrives at a complete zero until one day when she’s on the palace grounds and discovers that Snow may be poisoning herself. A mystery becomes a thrilling adventure in which Anja, her bodyguard, Javier, and fascinating cat, Grayling enter a world which may be their undoing.

One of T. Kingfisher’s best talents as a writer is creating characters that are so unique and quirky, layered and unusual, that they make the book a delight to read/listen to. Anja is one of those characters, blunt, funny, self-deprecating, creative, wry, and self-aware. She is the type of character who one would happily read a series of books about. If only.

Frankly, I’m glad that I didn’t know that this was a fairytale reimagining–and it certainly didn’t feel obviously so like so many others available now. I suspect I would have been partly looking for similarities rather than focusing entirely on this story.

I highly recommend Hemlock & Silver, even if you don’t think you like Fantasy novels because I am firmly in that club but always make an exception for T. Kingfisher.

Many thanks to Tor Books!

T Kingfisher is one of my absolute favorite authors. I will read everything they write. But this one was a miss for me. I just couldn’t get sucked into the story like I normally do with their books. It felt boring and the plot just didn’t grab me. I’m so bummed!

This book is amazing!! 5/5 stars. T. Kingfisher knows how to bring her books to life. Hemlock and Silver gives off gothic fatasy vibes. The first sentence had me HOOKED. Anja is determined to find out what's making snow sick. With the help of her guard and a narcissists cat they discover a magical mirror.

T. Kingfisher strikes again!

I've been so obsessed with her books lately and after finishing A Sorceress Comes to Call, I was so thankful to get the opportunity to review Hemlock & Silver!

This one is a haunting and spooky Snow White retelling, as seen from the point of view of our main female lead Anja, who finds amusement in poisons and healing. She is tasked for finding out Snow's illness, and does so in her witty, sarcastic way! Definitely a fun character!

T Kingfisher sets scenes so nicely and while it was slower in the beginning, I still got so hooked! You'll definitely be in for a fun ride!

Thanks so much for the ARC opportunity and I can't wait to read more T Kingfisher in the future!

When in doubt, give me a fairytale retelling. Maybe this is my secret recipe for getting out of a reading slump. Maybe it is the sense of nostalgia, witty writing, and a curious FMC in her mid 30's who is celebrated for her attention and focus on solving a problem. Maybe fairytales just set everything right. The newest retelling by Kingfisher is exactly what I needed, what I always need. My only regret was not reading it sooner, and I will never forgive myself for that.