I wish I had the words to really capture what reading her books is like. The closest I can say is there's something about Novak's writing that just enchants. I think that's the only word I can use with fidelity.

Reading her work, it pulls you in completely, it is utterly absorbing. I opened this novella at 8 AM and finish by 10 AM that's the power of her writing. Very few modern authors can transport one to a different world where you lose time. But it's not really time lost, its time forgotten in the way that forgetting is healing. Two hours but gone, and yet you feel reenergized. I don't know how else to explain it. Hopefully someone reading this review will understand the feeling.

I only have one quibble, and it is a very small one as this was a fine tale well told. I wish she would not use contractions. Don't, and won't, and wasn't. and couldn't, these words were the only times I came out of the story. They were too modern too foreign to the text and in the mouths of the characters. It is only due to these brief linguistic choices that broke the trance of the story.

For those fans of Novik looking for the next thing after Spinning Silver, this story is for you. As it is so small a tale, I will not reveal more plot or information here, it is too rich a story and world. I have no desire to spoil the smallest detail beyond what I have already shared.

Overall, another home run. I continue to look forward to more of her writing in the future. Thank you especially to NetGalley for the ARC, now I cannot wait for publication day and my own copy.

The cover perfectly matched the tone of this novella. I found this to be one of Novik's most memorable titles.

I don’t know how Novik always manages to stitch together myth and humanity so seamlessly, but this was haunting and hopeful and utterly unforgettable.

In this lovely fairy tale, Celia inadvertently curses her elder brother to a loveless life . She struggles to find ways to reverse the curse to no avail. When she is taken prisoner by the Summer King to avenge his sister, she fears she will never be able to make things right… but she did have another brother.
Great novella. Thanks Netgalley for the arc; my opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for this ARC!

“The Summer War” is a fairytale-like novella, set in a world ravaged by a war that has been ongoing for more than a century between the humans and the Summerlings, hailing from the neighbouring Summer Lands. It tells the story of Celia, who accidentally curses her oldest brother to a loveless life as her anger at him for leaving her manifests her magical powers. From there we follow her story as she attempts to find her brother again to break the curse, watching her grow up and learn of the true nature of the Summer War.

This was absolutely fantastic, and my only complaint is that it was too short. Now I have to clarify – it wasn’t too short in the sense of “this wasn’t a fully realised, well-executed idea” way or in the “this left you with too many unanswered questions” way, but simply in the “this was one of the best things I have ever read and I wish I could've stayed in this world for another 500 pages” way.

The pacing of this novella is superb, leaving you truly unable to look away for a second. The plot is well structured and thought out, though there were parts of the ending that I felt deserved more attention and to be fleshed out a little more.

The characters aren’t necessarily unique, but they are incredibly lovable, and even manage to surprise you with their actions, just when you thought you knew what to expect. Celia was especially fun because she reads exactly like the 12 year old she is at the beginning of the story, and you can feel her mature as we watch her grow up. The relationships between the characters were beautifully crafted, and I enjoyed watching these relationships change as the characters were changing.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a sweet and whimsical but also heart-wrenching story reminiscent of fairytales, with an extremely memorable cast of characters.

If ACOTAR and Game of Thrones had a dark, compact lovechild, it would be The Summer War. Naomi Novik delivers a fast-paced tale filled with magic, war, betrayal, and impossible choices — all within a novella-length story that still feels epic in scope.

At the heart of it is Celia, a young heroine with sorcery in her blood and a destiny tangled in politics, power, and a long-standing feud between mortals and immortals. Her journey is one of resilience and sacrifice, navigating a world where loyalty is rare and love often comes at a devastating cost.

The family dynamics are intense, the court politics are razor-sharp, and the emotional weight hits hard for such a quick read. It’s a story about broken trust, unexpected alliances, and carving your place in a world that’s constantly trying to use or destroy you.

If you’re looking for a high-stakes fantasy with lush world building , morally gray characters, and a heroine who refuses to bow — even when fate demands it — this one’s for you.

5 Stars!

I've read and loved almost everything Naomi Novik has written and The Summer War was no exception! A grown up fairytale about love, family, and the cost of revenge that was both clever and magical, the story completely wrapped me up and kept me reading until I'd finished

Perfect for anyone who loved T. Kingfisher's A Sorceress Comes to Call or couldn't get enough of Gail Carson Levine's books growing up!

This was such a great novella! The only bad thing I can say about it is that it was short. I wish the story were longer!
Even though it's short, it made me feel so many things - hearbreak, joy, anger. The pacing was inmaculate, and it was beautifully written. I 100% recommend this book.

A little note: his was my first Naomi Novik book but it won't be the last!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I read this in one sitting and could have had another 500 pages of this story and world, yet I was also totally satisfied by this novella. That’s how you know an author is talented and has me wrapped around her little finger.

Celia was 12 years old when she cursed her older brother for leaving her behind after disagreeing with their father, the Duke, about who he should love.
He is the greatest Knight in the realm and goes over to the Summerlings. An immortal people who sought vengeance until Celia’s father won the war.

Who does she turn to when the person she loves most betrays her and she betrays him (both unknowingly?)

What happens when you want love more than power? Peace over justice?

<b>Father did finally recognize that something was wrong, but he’d spent too much time with his brain shut up inside a dark room, and he couldn’t take it out and use it again right away.
</b>
How Naomi Novik can create such atmosphere, world-building, and intimate character insight is incredible. Her unique lyrical prose pulls you in and is very suited to this tale of love and tragedy.

Yes, I saw the twists, yes the ending was predictable, but I was RIVETED and gushing for her writing.

Arc gifted by Del Rey.

This story moved me in ways I didn’t expect. It’s delicate, it’s mournful, and it’s full of hope. And it reminded me that even in stories about war and curses and immortals, the most powerful kind of magic is the one we make out of forgiveness.

This novella is small in size but absolutely brimming with feeling. From the very first page, I was swept into something tender and aching, a story about family, forgiveness, and the kind of love that doesn’t always come easy. The writing is gorgeous. Every sentence feels carefully placed, gentle but powerful, like the author trusts you to feel the weight of what’s not being said. There’s something so delicate about how magic works in this world. Though, what stayed with me most is how much love is woven into every part of this story. Love that is angry and broken. Love that is trying. Love that doesn’t know how to fix itself but tries anyway. I finished it feeling full in that way only the best stories make you feel. Quietly beautiful and deeply moving.

The Summer War is similar to Novik's previous book, Spinning Silver, with a duke's clever daughter using her wits and knowledge to try and save her family and country from a war with the summer fae. The book explores identity and obligation to family. The Summer War is well written and would be enjoyed by anyone familiar with fairy tales.

The Summer War by Naomi Novik, a good short read on family love and loss. Novik almost always delivers a good read and this book is no exception. If you are a fan of her don't miss out on this book!.

You won't believe how much story can be put into 144 pages. I'd happily have read a full novel of this, but the story is perfect as it is.

We have Celia, a girl infused with magic, becoming a woman. And her brothers - one cursed, one overlooked.

The fate of her family and quite possibly the whole land is in her hands, and so she wanders into the land of the summerlings (think Fae), who have a whole agenda of their own with the mortals.

With love, endurance and much cleverness she manages to...no I won't spoiler this. Just saying that the ending will leave you satisfied.

I love Naomi Novik's writing, which is so refreshingly different from many others in the fantasy genre. She always manages to surprise me.

4,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @delreybooks for the eARC!

#TheSummerWar #Netgalley #Bookstagram

Many thanks to NetGalley and DelRey for the preview. All opinions are my own.

OMG 10/10 no notes 😭 I would have read a 500 page version of this happily.

This is sad and beautiful and heartbreaking and healing and OMG THE EMOTIONS! I was almost crying 10 pages into this, and I was definitely sobbing at the end. It’s not the same at all, and I can’t exactly explain it, but this made me feel the way Six Deaths of the Saint felt. But happy at the end.

It’s a fairy tale, it’s a love story, it’s the unbreakable bond of family, it is EVERYTHING.

Just, go read it, ok? I cannot possibly recommend it enough.

The Summer War, by Naomi Novik, is an absolutely amazing and refreshingly different novella! I absolutely adore it and it is one of the very best things I’ve read in 2025.
I especially liked that the main “love story” was one of the familial love between siblings; Celia, Argent, and Roric all fully stole my heart. The idea and beautifully-described setting of the Summer Lands is delicious, and a unique and badly-needed spin on the classic “elven” or “faerie” theme—I dearly hope Naomi Novik explores the Summer Lands again, in greater detail! The ending left me with a giant smile on my face and an overwhelming urge to go right back to page one and read the entire story again. 5 BIG Stars!

Thanks so much to Naomi Novik, Del Rey, and NetGalley for the Advance Copy.