Kingfisher knows how to do fairytale retellings.

Fairytale retellings can be like stale bread - rigidly hampered by the bounds of the story, full of plot holes, tasteless, and hard to digest. Hemlock & Silver is none of that - Kingfisher has found a way to use the core elements of Snow White while allowing her own unique touch to flourish. I'm not surprised, given how much I loved A Sorceress Comes to Call, but pulling off a new, original, and enjoyable fairytale retelling of Snow White is much harder than the Goose Girl.

I really appreciate the elements of Snow White that Kingfisher kept and those which she discarded. It's an incredible balancing act - Snow White is the mirror, the stepmother, the apple, the prince, (and sometimes dwarves) - which of those elements can be discarded without alienating the reader? Kingfisher took incredible liberties with the foundational walls of Snow White, in a way that significantly differs from the last wave of queer fairytale retellings in 2018 through 2020. Kingfisher's goal isn't to follow the same plot beats and in that, Hemlock & Silver finds its life (or rather, its multiple poisonings).

Hemlock & Silver is about Anja - a spinster by choice who has a fascination with poisons. She's devoted all of her time to botanical and medical texts and exactly none of it to social decorum and human friends (since they make terrible poison test subjects). Anja is thirty-five and therefore outside the "norm" for a protagonist, but she is uniquely comfortable with both herself and her life. She discovers for the joy of discovery and her own scientific ego - not for the greater good of humanity. At the beginning of Hemlock & Silver, Anja is working on fantasy-naloxone, not because of an opioid death in her family, but because no one else has yet found a cure for opioid overdose.

Anja has no desire to fit in, is not unhappy with her "unusual" circumstances, and is both refreshing and inspiring for both of these traits. Kingfisher may have demolished half of the foundation for Snow White, but Anja stays true to her core throughout. The summons from the King is annoying, but she understands that "no" is not an option for royalty. Anja is one of the most level-headed protagonists I have read in quite a long time, which made Hemlock & Silver such an enjoyable read. Anja is there to solve a mysterious poisoning, and while she picks up unexpected allies along the way, she never loses sight of herself or her goals.

Current Kingfisher fans will devour Hemlock & Silver, and if you haven't picked up one of her books, you should.

Thank you to Tor books and NetGalley for this arc ebook of Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher in exchange for my honest review.

I swear, I don't normally gush this hard in my book reviews. This book is just that good.

Hemlock and Silver is the grown up fairy tale I've been craving! This book was equally nostalgic and brand new, familiar in the most comfortable way while also surprising me at every turn! I grew up on fairy tales and loved hearing those stories over and over again. Hemlock and Silver thrilled me in that same way. It's an absolute page turner, I had to know what happens next. I can normally predict reveals and this book kept me guessing until the very end. Highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a grown up fairy tale full of magic and creatures, romance and action, heartbreak and revulsion. I love that our FMC is 35, in a larger body and is fantastically smart. She's also fairly autistic coded in my opinion. What a genuinely good time!

6 STARS. NO NOTES. SHEER PERFECTION.

Huge thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

I’m not a first time reader of T. Kingfisher, and I loved every one of her books before this one. Hemlock & Silver is no exception! This dark retelling of Snow White has a very unique twist as Anja, a woman who would sooner believe in science and her poison experiments over fairy tales, is pulled into a complicated magical mystery when the king’s daughter falls ill. I had a blast meeting all the characters as they brought their charm on every page they made an appearance on and none of them felt unnecessary, but added to the story. I will say this isn’t quite five stars for me as I felt that some of the pacing felt a bit off and there were times that it almost lost my interest, especially near the climax of the book when things got a little too crazy, but I wanted to know what happens and I enjoyed the story enough to keep going, which I’m glad I did because I enjoyed it very much. It’s also nice to read of fantasy protagonists that are more my age as a woman in my thirties and I loved Anja's commentary. I will definitely be picking up the physical copy of this book once it releases so I can read it again.

What a wonderful tale Kingfisher has pulled apart and rewoven for us into a tapestry that reflects all the little grievances and quirks of grief and loss. Healer Anja is a wonderful character that feels real and bring emotions out of the reader with ease, whether it is delight or suspicion. The story she takes her role in is just as lively, with poison, roosters, bodyguards, and mirrors that capture everyone's gaze.

I just love T. Kingfisher’s work and this book was another 5 star read from her! Hemlock & Silver is a dark retelling of Snow White from the perspective of yet another actually relatable FMC in her 30s. Anja is a poisons expert recruited by the king to find a cure for his sick daughter, Snow. She goes with him to the secluded manor that Snow is being kept to observe her condition and try to find the cure that no other healer has been able to find and stumbles across more than she could have imagined with a talking cat named Grayling and a magic mirror that holds all the answers to her and Snow’s problems. This was a great twist of a classic story.

My first T. Kingfisher book was The Hollow Places. Since then I've been reading everything new she puts out as I also read through the backlist. It's almost a full-time job!

Hemlock & Silver is a Snow White retelling, told from the point of view of a healer hired to find out what is wrong with Princess Snow. Our main character, Healer Anja, has a scientific mind and systematically approaches the mystery of what is plaguing Snow by experimenting on a local rooster.

This book has so many things I love: fairytale retelling, sassy cat character, mature main character, adorable slow burn romance with the bodyguard (so adorable), and a mirror world full of ... um... well you just have to read it to find out!

Some of the mirror world stuff gets kinda crazy and I'm still not sure I fully understand what happened with Snow and her sister, but I had a great time with this book. I laughed out loud many times, and Anja and her bodyguard made me smile. So did the cat.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the eARC in return for my honest opinions.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

A gorgeously grim fairytale full of intellect, alchemy, and bite—T. Kingfisher casts a spell that lingers.

Hemlock & Silver is everything you'd expect from T. Kingfisher: eerie, clever, and laced with unexpected warmth. This reimagining of Snow White trades glass coffins and poisoned apples for medical ethics, mirror magic, and a pragmatic heroine who’d rather analyze toxins than engage in royal politics.

🌿 What worked beautifully:
Anja, the poison-sipping healer. Smart, no-nonsense, and deeply human, Anja is a protagonist you root for not because she’s perfect, but because she’s relentlessly trying. Her love of science in a world of sorcery adds a unique twist to classic fairy tale logic.

Dark fantasy worldbuilding. From enchanted mirrors to deadly flora, the atmosphere is immersive without being overwhelming—like Snow White wandered into Pan’s Labyrinth with a medical kit.

The side characters. A grumpy royal guard and a hilariously self-important talking cat add levity and heart. (Seriously, the cat nearly steals the show.)

That deluxe edition! Bright green sprayed edges, foil stamping, and illustrated endpapers make this a collector’s dream. It’s a book that feels like it came from a fairy tale shelf.

🌘 Why it’s not quite five stars:
Pacing dips midway. The first half builds with eerie precision, but the second meanders slightly in the mirror realm before regaining momentum.

Emotional depth is subtle. While there is payoff, some readers may wish for a deeper emotional arc, especially between Anja and Snow.

🪞Verdict:
If you like your fairy tales thorny, your heroines pragmatic, and your fantasy grounded in grim whimsy, Hemlock & Silver is a must-read. It's not just a retelling—it’s a smart, unsettling reinvention that offers both danger and delight.

Four poison-green stars—and a strong recommendation for anyone who believes magic is best when it’s a little bit messy.

T. Kingfisher once again proves why she’s one of the most consistently inventive voices in fantasy with Hemlock & Silver, a smart, cozy, and quietly magical reimagining of Snow White. It’s equal parts mystery, fairy tale, and character-driven comedy, all wrapped in Kingfisher’s signature wit and warmth.

The story follows Anja, a 35 year old healer and self-taught poison expert with a sharp mind, blunt manners, and a deeply relatable awkwardness. She prefers venomous plants and reptiles to most people, and her idea of a good time involves testing antidotes on herself in the name of science. So when the king unexpectedly shows up in her cluttered workshop and asks for help with his mysteriously ill daughter, Snow, Anja finds herself pulled into a conspiracy that’s stranger and more magical than anything she’s studied before.

The first half of the novel is a slowburn procedural, with Anja investigating Snow’s illness through methodical observation, interviews with palace staff, and careful analysis of everything from eating habits to wallpaper mould. It’s deeply satisfying for readers who love stories rooted in practical knowledge, and Kingfisher does a wonderful job making poison lore feel both fascinating and accessible.

About halfway through, the book pivots into more overt fantasy as Anja discovers that Snow’s condition may be linked to a magical mirror and a sinister otherworld beyond it. This transition brings a new kind of tension, and some of the book’s most memorable scenes, including encounters with cryptic religious symbols, mirror magic, and a realm that challenges Anja’s firm grip on logic and science.

Throughout it all, the characters shine. Anja is a wonderfully flawed and funny protagonist whose dry humor had me laughing out loud more than once (and probably alarming everyone in the tearoom). Her slow growing bond with Javier, one of the king’s guards, adds a soft romantic undercurrent, while side characters like the arrogant one eyed talking cat Grayling and an unexpectedly heroic rooster steal the show in the best way.

While Hemlock & Silver is pitched as a dark fairy tale, it leans more whimsical than gothic. Think low-stakes magic, a bit of cozy mystery, and deeply human characters navigating magical absurdities with deadpan practicality. The pacing may feel slow at first, but it rewards patient readers with rich worldbuilding, clever twists, and emotional depth.

It’s not quite as fairytale forward as Thornhedge or Nettle & Bone, but it delivers all the quirky charm, inventive storytelling, and grounded emotional beats that make Kingfisher’s books such a joy to read. With a relatable heroine, a satisfying mystery, and moments of laugh out loud absurdity, Hemlock & Silver is another standout in her already impressive catalog.

Highly recommended for fans of cozy fantasy, science-minded heroines, and anyone who enjoys their fairy tales with a healthy dose of poison and pragmatism.

This was my first T. Kingfisher book and I really enjoyed it. I’ve read a lot of Beauty and the Beast retellings but this was my first Snow White retelling. If you like dark fairytales with intriguing writing, a smart quirky FMC, a feisty but loveable animal companion (Grayling), strange mirror worlds (with a bit of Alice in Wonderland vibes thrown in) and some horrific creatures (mirror-gelds) then you’re in the right place!

The deluxe edition cover with poison green sprayed edges also looks to die for and will make for a gorgeous shelf trophy!

Thank you to Net Galley for the E-ARC!

Hemlock & Silver is a unique retell for the famous story we all know and love l, Snow White. Snow has been asleep and no one can figure out how or why. After many attempts by many the King is left no choice but to recruit the help of a unconventional healer named Anja. To the suprise of Anja the King shows up at her shop recruiting her to help figure out how and what has been poisoning his daughter, Snow.

Anja is escorted and protected by two appointed guardsmen, one whose name is Javier. Through thier unexpected adventures in the kingdom and another realm they develop a lasting friendship and possibly more. Together the two and a cat named Grayling end up in a twisted dytopian world.

Will they discover what actually has been happening to
Snow? Is poison the real culprit to her true ailments? This is an adventure worth going on especially to those that love a fairytale with a twist.

This story has somewhat of a dystopian feel mixed with a classic fairytale. If you love fairytales, action and mystery then you will love this story.

Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I think my T Kingfisher preferences are very specific, and not along the lines of fairy tale sort of retellings. This one just sort of dragged for me and I had trouble getting into it. That being said, I think if you like some of her other more fairy tale like books, then this one is for you.

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**TL;DR**: A slower starting Kingfisher with fun mirror elements.
**Source**: NetGalley , Thank you so much to the publisher!

**Plot**: Anya is obsessed with poisons and antidotes and gets asked to help the king’s daughter - creepy mirrors appear!
**Characters**: Kingfisher has a type of character she writes well and this is that character, smart and quirky.
**Setting:** I actually loved the desert setting here! It was different and fascinating. I’d like to see more of it.
**Fantasy:** Besides our setting it was pretty much just in the mirrors. I do wish we’d had a touch more.

**Thoughts:**

Kingfisher just works for some people, me included so unless you haven’t read her work you’re going to know where you fall here. It’s nothing ground breaking for her. It’s quirky, whimsical, with touches of horror and just a wholesome good time. If you’re not a fan this one isn’t going to change that for you.

That said I enjoyed it as I do almost all of her work. Anya is our quirky, maybe too smart for herself, main character who is asked by the king to find out who is poisoning his daughter. Trick is Anya isn’t sure she’s being poisoned. She follows the court to the desert palace for some rest and with the aid of her assigned bodyguards stumbles into to some unexpected magic.

There is a slight romance plot here, and a touch of horror as well. I do wish we’d had much more on the horror because mirrors can be used so well to be creepy, and we had a drop or two of that, but it definitely could have gone farther. The first portion of this was a bit slow as well but overall it came together fantastically.

If you like Kingfisher, pick this up. It’s as easy as that. I enjoyed myself and it’ll definitely be entering my Kingfisher collection when it’s released. Give me more Mirror Gelds though - I love those creepy fellas!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

4.75/5 stars

I freaking LOVE T Kingfisher so much - the way her brain works is a MARVEL. This is an amazing example of how to twist a fairy tale but make it something completely it's own. It has the key components of a princess named Snow, a poisonous apple, an even queen, and magic mirrors.....but that's where the main similarities end. It's dark and twisted but also funny and romantic and cute. I absolutely adore Anja and Javier and Aaron and Lady Sorrel - the whole cast is amazing.

The story writing can't be beaten and I will never stop being amazed at how she combines levity and humor with grim and dark storylines. Forever one of my favorite authors, and this has quickly become one of my favorites by her.

Unfortunately, this didn’t work for me. I didn’t enjoy the characters (why did the FMC act like 35 was ancient), the pacing was awful (I kept waiting for something to happen/pick up), and the magic system didn’t make any sense whatsoever.

I was really looking forward to this one, but maybe this wasn’t a good place to start with T. Kingfisher’s books. I’m still going to give her other books a try.

It looks like if you are an existing Kingfisher fan, you’ll really enjoy this! It just didn’t land with me.

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher

In the past 4 years, or so, I have become a HUGE fan of T. Kingfisher aka Ursula Vernon.

Ms. Vernon is the author of the Hamster Princess books, which both of my daughters have enjoyed (as have I!). Those books were my introduction to her, along with her social media presence, which I found through Seanan McGuire.

Ordinarily, I don’t like horror. I never wanted to watch scary movies as a kid. I got nightmares from E.T. But based on recommendations I read the Twisted Ones and The Holllow Places and I realized that I loved Ms. Vernon’s writing and I could make it through the scary parts unscathed with her as my guide.

I started devouring her back catalog and putting all new releases on hold at the library. I have subscribed to her Patreon and I convinced my wife to read Nettle and Bone, which she loved (as did I). I even backed the kickstarter for the rerelease of Digger, which was wonderful.

I was very excited when I heard she had a new book out in 2025 called Hemlock and Silver and I was even more excited when I got an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This new book is loosely based on the Snow White fairy tale, with some Rose Red in there too. Our main character is reminiscent of other Kingfisher protagonists - a somewhat awkward older (but not old) woman who is brilliant and skilled and in a bit over her head. She is an expert on poison and is recruited to try to figure out what is making the princess sick. Without spoiling things too much, I can tell you that you may never look at a mirror the same way again after this novel.

This book was wonderful and was a story I could have lived in forever.

This was the one of the best new releases I have read in 2025 so far and it will probably be on my Hugo ballot next year! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

Dark retellings of fairy tales are all the rage right now, and I am here for it, especially when it comes to the ones by T. Kingfisher. She is an absolute master of taking a concept and really making it her own while keeping the essence of the story at the heart of it, and Hemlock & Silver is no exception. With a pretty decent knowledge of the fairy tale of Snow White, I thought I’d know where this story was going, but was pleasantly surprised to be taken on a journey that was still full of unexpected twists and turns.

I absolutely love Kingfisher’s lead characters that always feel so real and fleshed out; who are so interesting to follow and learn about throughout the story. Anja is an amazing addition to Kingfisher’s leading ladies, and I have no doubt that this book is going to be an enormous success.

T. Kingfisher is so incredibly gifted at writing such imaginative fantasy worlds. Even in her novellas, I get sucked in immediately. Hemlock & Silver is another fresh story with a good balance of emotional humor. Highly recommended for fans of her and fantasy/magic.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first T. Kingfisher book, and I have to say -- I am now HOOKED! I will definitely be reading more of her books in the very near future! How have I not read any of these sooner?!?

Hemlock & Silver was a fun fantasy read. It is a Snow White-esque reimagining, heavily focusing on the poison aspect. The story follows Anja, a Healer who specializes in poisons. Then the King interrupts her life by requesting her assistance helping his daughter Snow, who has been sick for some time. Having exhausted all other options and remedies, he turns to Anja's unconventional talents. Anja's life then gets a whole lot more interesting. And confusing. And, magical? She discovers there is a whole 'nother  world inside the mirrors. With the help of an unfriendly-but-likeable talking "cat" and a quiet guardsman, it's a race against time to save Snow and not die themselves.

I loved this book! It was such a fun adventure, interspersed with both magic and science (two of my favorite things)! The information on poisonous plants and animals was very fun and interesting! I loved the nods to Snow White and enjoyed the talking cat. Anja was particularly endearing, as she reminds me a lot of myself (science-obsessed, and a little odd and unsocial). Her personality (and surprise romance) was very refreshing and made for a fun and adventure-filled read! I would definitely recommend this book to fantasy fans!

Hemlock & Silver is a wonderfully imaginative and absorbing fantasy that swept me off my feet. T. Kingfisher creates a world that feels familiar yet fresh, filled with quiet magic, danger, and unexpected warmth. I loved following Anja, a healer who is both grounded and deeply human, as she navigates a mystery that unfolds in surprising ways.

The prose is beautifully balanced with humor, emotion, and just the right touch of darkness. The setting is richly textured and full of personality, and I especially appreciated how the story unfolded with a quiet confidence, never rushing but always engaging.

This book reminded me why I love fairy tale-inspired fantasy. It's smart, heartfelt, and full of charm. I’ll definitely be thinking about it long after the last page.

Five stars, always and forever, for any T. Kingfisher project. This is another fantastic fairy tale retelling with dark twists.