Novik feels like one of the last authors who really understands FOLKLORE. She's writing modern day fairy tales and I eat them up. I think the best thing she's ever written was Spinning Silver, so it's funny that I also love when she keeps it short and sweet. The thing is, I think she's at her strongest when she doesn't feel like she has to over-explain the lore. Feeling the knowledge gaps give the reader a great sense of unease, because it's usually what the protagonist feels. This was a perfect example of that. You spend the entire time not sure how this story will end, not sure what the summerlings will do next. Loved it!

Loved this.
I wasn't sure about it at first, so I encourage anyone who has doubts to keep going. I was worried I wouldn't like Celia, but I ended up liking her very much indeed. I loved how the relationships developed and how the characters changed, grew, and realized they could be wrong.

As wonderful a fantasy tale as Uprooted or Spinning Silver. Novik once again proves why her work is a must read the moment it is available.

A gorgeous little novella that felt like a fairy tale. Beautiful, lush writing that hearkens back to Uprooted (which I really loved) and just the most stunning atmosphere. I adored the descriptions of the summerlings and their lands, like YES give me fae with a new twist pleaseee

The family dynamic between Celia, her father and her brothers was so, so interesting and a joy to read. Her dad gives major Tywin Lannister vibes, but I feel like he lowkey cares and isn’t as much of a psychopath as we might first believe. And Celia and her brothers … oh my god SO FUCKING CUTE. I love a good sibling relationship, especially one built on growth and love, and Celia had plenty of this with Roric (my fav) and Argent.

The story was very fairytale-esque and dreamy, following Celia discover her penchant for sorcery before it goes off the rails. I loved how the story wove together and how every character had a moment to shine in this story.

I would’ve liked to see more action from Celia, but I think she was so strong and likeable so I’ll be able to forgive it. Argent and Roric have my heart!!

Definitely needed this one to be longer and I’m really hoping Naomi Novik will return to this world in a longer project because it was just so stunning!!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC <3

A novella fairy tale that shows the darker side of revenge and endless war. Celia is the sole daughter of the kingdom's most successful general. Her father managed to defeat the summerlings (fae) and end the Summer War, but the treaty negotiated by the old king isn't quite as it seems. And so Celia and her brothers find themselves on a journey where the must deal with the summerlings and the long shadow of vengeance. 3.5-4 stars overall,

This book captured all the elements of a classic fairy tale, balancing whimsical enchantment with the darker, more punishing nature of the fae. It was a quick read, but its atmosphere and storytelling left a lasting impression.

To say that I devoured this story would be an understatement. Naomi Novik is a rare author who never does the same thing twice, and yet manages to do everything masterfully and this little novella is no different! While I could have read about 400 more pages in this world, I think the way that this little story was paced was brilliant; at times it felt like time was slipping through my fingers, which I think provides interesting juxtaposition between the immortal summerlings and the mortal humans. I love this story so much and it will be sticking with me for a long time. I can't wait to purchase a finished copy this fall!

The Summer War is a fun, whimsical fairy tale. It is also *very* short, which I wish I had realized going into it—the danger of ebooks I suppose.

Celia is the daughter of the kingdom’s most successful general, who ended the endless Summer War with the faerie realm which had been raging each summer for generations. She has two older brothers, Argent the beloved eldest, up-and-coming young knight and her favorite person in the world, and Roric, who is also there.

When something happens with Ardent that makes Celia furiously angry, she unwittingly puts a terrible curse on him. She must then work together with Roric, if she can convince him to help, to save Ardent from his fate.

This short little tale reads delightfully like a fairytale of old, with a light and airy writing style and larger-than-life characters. It also has faeries who are actually fey, and not just the pointy eared humans with magic they have so often become

There is a lot about love fit into this tiny book, about how it can hurt us and heal us, and how we can choose it even when it didn’t happen as expected. Naomi Novik knows how to explore emotions and I appreciate her writing so much.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review

First, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well, that was just a great little fairy tale novella. Somehow Novik manages to both stick to fairy tale tropes AND turn them on their heads in this short novella (Goodreads claims this is 150 pages, but the ebook ARC I received was 75). I am maybe being a bit generous; it's probably more of a 4.5. However, it's really hard to take readers on an emotional journey in 75 pages, so I think rounding up is justified. I have loved or liked just about everything I've read by Novik, so to be fair, I was expecting to like this, but it was lovely to have my expectations confirmed.

This reads like a long-form fairy tale, as a sister accidentally curses her brother and then desperately searches for a way to undo it. There's a lot more than just that going on here, an almost impressive amount of world building in such a short space, but that's the gist. In the process, she also develops a strong bond with her previously overlooked other brother as well, possibly my favorite part of the story. To say much more would spoil the fun, though I will say, if you've read Novik's other works, this felt closest to Spinning Silver in overall tone.

Definitely worth reading if you like fantasy, fairy tales, or Novik's work in general!

What was this?? After finishing this, I really just don’t know what the point of this book was.
I’ve never really been a fan of Naomi Novik, more just like I haven’t been inclined to read her books. So I thought I might start with this, but no. Reading this was cringe. It was vanilla. I felt like I was missing something in the plot/worldbuilding, which was weird because it was just a lot of exposition dumps, with a non-existent plot. Plus, it tried to be whimsical and the writing very flowery, but I just don’t know what, it was just so bland.
1.5

I had a great time reading "The Summer War"! Novik’s writing is as rich and lyrical as ever, evoking a timeless, almost fairytale quality that completely pulled me in. Her storytelling feels both classic and fresh, and the world-building is so effortlessly woven in that I felt grounded in the setting right away without needing pages of exposition.

If anything, I wish the book had been a little longer, but not due to any lack of development, but because I wanted more. The ending, while satisfying, felt a bit rushed, and I would have loved more time to sit with the resolution. Still, it’s a testament to Novik’s skill that I was left wanting more in the best way.

Thank you to Naomi Novik, Del Rey, and NetGalley for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Naomi Novik is an incredibly talented author, and she proves it once again with this novella. The Summer War tells the story of a young girl named Celia who, quite accidentally, curses her brother never to love anyone again. It all takes place in the shadow of a war between humans and the realm of immortal beings called Summerlings – who in many ways remind me of the fae.
The entire narrative is concise and reads like a fairy tale – brief but enchanting. It’s well known that writing a good novella is no easy feat, and Novik handles it beautifully here. She delivers a compelling and genuinely interesting story, complete with some surprising twists that kept me engaged throughout. She even manages to pose a series of thought-provoking questions that remain relevant today. The characters are intriguing and diverse, with the story revolving primarily around the dynamics between Celia and her two brothers. At no point did the plot feel dull or drawn out. However, because the story is so captivating, I couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of longing for more – this tale could easily have been expanded into a full-length novel. Developing the structure further and deepening the individual character arcs would have added incredible richness to the story.
I realize it’s unfair to judge a work by what it isn’t rather than what it is, and The Summer War is undoubtedly a very good novella. Yet I keep thinking about how excellent it could have been as a full novel. Still, Novik’s talent shines brightly here, and I highly recommend this story to anyone who appreciates fantasy with heart and depth.

A short but beautiful little read. I haven’t read anything by the author before, but since reading this I have purchased several of her previous works. An enchanting tale of love, told in such a poignant and wonderful way.

An enchanting modern fairytale that illuminates love’s truest form—not merely found, but chosen. Loved this little book!

I loved it. A short read. This book tells a fairy tale with heroes and wit. It is a story of the love between brothers and sisters. For fans of Spinning Silver and Uprooted.

An impossible to put down fantasy that is far, far, far, too short! I want so much more of this story and anything else,by Naomi Novik! Five stars are not enough!

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC.

Naomi Novik distills a century of conflict into a compact, emotionally rich novella. Twelve-year-old Celia accidentally curses her eldest brother after he flees into the realm of the immortal Summerlings—Fae in everything but name—and must unravel the magic she unleashed. Alongside her middle brother, she navigates royal schemes, ancient grudges, and the fragile peace her father won at a terrible cost.

Novik’s prose is lyrical without excess, giving just enough history and wonder to anchor the stakes. Celia’s growth—from guilt and confusion to courage and compassion—rings true, and the sibling bonds at the story’s core are deeply affecting. While a few twists feel familiar, I was fully absorbed by its blend of folklore, family drama, and the question of whether love can outlast vengeance.

Short, satisfying, and quietly powerful, The Summer War is a gem for anyone who treasures folklore-tinged fantasy with heart.
4.5/5 stars.

I'm glad I finally got to reading something by Naomi Novik! Yet another author I've been hearing about for years. I think we've started on a high note.

The Summer War reads like a broader-scoped fairy tale. All the requisite fairy tale ingredients are here: tricky fairies, binding oaths, unlikely heroes. Within this fairy tale scaffolding you'll find resonant themes, complex characters, and just the right amount of worldbuilding. I'd say this skews more YA than adult fiction, but the book isn't any worse off for it. If you find that off-putting (you shouldn't!) you'll get a sense of the tone pretty early on.

The story begins a few years after the Summer War. The humans of Prosper have enjoyed an uneasy peace with the Summer folk—a mercurial and immortal people from a dream-like land. Our point-of-view character, Celia, is the daughter of a baron who came to prominence through brilliance on the battlefield (and a teensy bit of scheming). That cunning and pragmatism which served him well in war did not translate to fatherhood. After Celia’s oldest brother runs off into the Summer Lands—and she accidentally curses him—their father falls apart. It’s left to Celia and her second brother, Roric, to hold the estate together, find their brother, and undo the curse.

At the heart of the book are the relationships between Celia and her brothers. Siblings share a special bond: they might not always get along, but at the end of the day, they're comrades for life. Novik explores a range of themes around acceptance, empathy, and self-confidence through this lens. I have a few siblings of my own, and I found this aspect of the book really touching.

The book's themes are driven home by a cast of well-written, complex characters. They face difficult choices. They make mistakes. They hurt each other. I'm impressed at how many of these characters have satisfying arcs in such a short book.

I also really appreciated the careful worldbuilding. A novella only has so much time to develop the concepts and history needed for a world to feel substantial. This world is fuzzy around the edges in just the right way; it evokes a sense of magic and mystery that really suits the fairy tale tone. One minor gripe here: most of the first ~1/3rd of the book is an info dump on the history of the Summer War. I personally didn't mind the history lesson, but others might find this jarring since it kills the book's early momentum.

My only real complaint is that some things happen without realistic consequences. These characters experience trauma, they make real sacrifices. The contrivances you would find in a real fairy tale feel out of place. This undermines some of the characters' journeys, but it has little impact to the book overall.

Altogether, The Summer War is a thoroughly enjoyable read. There's a good mix here of whimsy and emotional backbone. I'm looking forward to reading more from Naomi Novik!

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC.

This fairy-tale novella follows three siblings: Celia (sorceress), Roric (unwanted, forgotten), and Argent (skilled knight and also gay).

This is a fairy story in the way that a novella's shorter length necessitates quick, fairy-tale storytelling, but also in that it deals with the fae. Celia's home, Prosper, borders the Summer Lands, a magical place inhabited by the fae, who had been fighting an eternal war of vengeance against her people until her father's cleverness ended it. However, the war may not stay in the past forever.

This was very cute in the harsh, raw Naomi Novik style. I am THEEE sucker for sibling dynamics, and I loved all of them here. And I loved how Celia is indeed her father's daughter.

I like novellas or short stories when I am trying to get a feel for an author's writing without investing the time to plunge into a longer novel or series, and although I already know that I enjoy Naomi Novik's stories, I just couldn't resist this novella. The blending of waring kingdoms, magic curses, and dysfunctional family drama in a story that I could get through in a single sitting made it too tempting. And this story delivered on its promise, with a charmingly flawed young girl and her brothers, an unintended curse, centuries-old conflict and all the threads tied up by the end. Anyone who enjoyed the author's past fantasy fables (Uprooted, Spinning Silver) as I did, will likely connect to this story well and for those that aren't familiar with her writing yet, the novella is a great way to test the waters.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.