I’ve really enjoyed T. Kingfisher’s fairytale reimaginings and Hemlock & Silver was no different! Jennifer Pickens did a good job with the narration. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook!

Grayling the cat absolutely stole my heart and the show, as is his right. And it was so fascinating to hear Anja talk about poisons and how to counteract them and the blasé way she would drop talk about horrific ailments she’d treated. The one about the hungry bat is going to haunt me.

What I loved most about this is that while there were certainly elements of Snow White’s story and periodic nods to it, this was not a retelling. Evil stepmother? Sort of. Apples, definitely. Cutting out the heart? Spoilers.

This Snow White retelling was so good. The characters were enjoyable and the audiobook narrator did a fantastic job.

This book was a dark retelling of snow white. We see things from the pov of a healer named Anya who deals with poisons. The audiobook was a wonderful way to fully immerse myself into this world. The narrator did an amazing job at getting the reader to feel exactly what Anya was feeling! Overall a great time and I will be recommending this to people!

If there is one thing I can say about T. Kingfisher, it is her retellings of fairytales are imaginative. She may take some overall concepts from the tale of Snow White, but Kingfisher twists them, balls them up, dips them in color and throws it all against a wall until you get something entirely new.

Hemlock & Silver is an interesting tale of a merchant’s daughter passed her subjective prime at 35, with an interest in poisons and antidotes. She is called on by the King, while slightly inebriated from testing the potency of an antidote she has made, the to leave her research and experimentation and travel to a far-off castle in hopes she can save his daughter from potential poising. Kingfisher is fantastic at introducing us to a character in a way that will help you connect with them and root for them right away and she did that fantastically in this one interaction.

Anja the MC of the book is not what the time would consider beautiful. Not only is she a tall, full-figured woman. She is also educated and mostly interested in tinkering in her lab to try and develop antidotes to poisons. You can often find her deeply involved in her notes or rushing off trying to save addicts who have overdosed on some type of illegal smoke or milking her pet Adder. But when a King asks you for help, there really isn’t a choice to be made.

This was an interesting journey. Anja wants to help Snow, who definitely has something wrong with her, although it is very unclear if it is poison related or something else. As she wanders around the Castle, across the desert, a few interesting things happen that throw her understanding of the world into disarray. Caught up in the discovery of a lifetime, some mirrors can be portals if you know how to walk through them, Anja uses her scientific knowledge to catalog and analyze how the mirror world works. It isn’t until her guard mentions some security dangers from mirrors people could just walk through that Anja starts to see it as somewhere the poisoner of Snow could hide.

Kingfisher as always gives the reader something new in a story they know so well. This is only a bare hint of the Snow-White tale we know. I did have a few small pacing issues in the very start and then after Anja walks through the mirror the first times. However, those are small blips to the overall of the story and after we get over some small hurtles there is so much to like. Grayson the mirror cat that can talk was a fun character to play with. He has so many answers of the mirror world, but you know he is a cat so getting those answers doesn’t come easily. Javier is a former soldier and now Anja’s guard to protect her from the potential poisoner. The slow burn attraction between them is adorable and I enjoyed and looked forward to any interactions between them.

Overall, the worldbuilding was unique and full of wonder. The characters were smart and the ones we got to know very three dimensional. The villain was extremely villainous and as evil as we would expect an evil queen to be. The conclusion of the story definitely satisfying. While not my favorite T. Kingfisher retelling it is very strong and worth exploring.

Narration:
Performance: ★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★★
Diction: ★★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★★★
Sound Effects: none

Jennifer Pickens was a solid selection for narration. She fits the voice for the age of the MC and did well with character separation. I usually knew who was talking but would have liked just a smidge more voice separation for clarity. Still the pacing of the narration when I listened to it at my usual 1.5x speed was good and the performance captured Anja’s competence and vulnerability really well. Grayson the talking cat was fantastic though an she captured the cattiness of him perfectly.

I loved this book so much! If Kingfisher writes it, it’s bound to be a slam dunk for me, but to take a known fairytale and retell it in a darker more sinister way…yes, please! Anja is a healer and when the King comes knocking on her door confessing to killing the Queen after finding her cutting their daughter’s heart out, and suspecting their other daughter Snow has been poisoned, Anja must go with him to investigate and see if Snow can be saved. During her investigation into what is going on, Anja makes a logic-defying discovery within the castle’s mirrors. And so, our story unfolds. An FMC in her 30’s (which I love), a dark story drawing on known elements from the fairytale we all already know, intelligent and sharp writing with wit woven into the dialogue, and of course my favorite, a vain cat character, Kingfisher delivers a delectably dark Snow White retelling that I could not put down!


Thank you BOTM for the early copy, and to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC. Book releases 8/19/25.

Audio review: I first heard Jennifer Pickens narrate A Sorceress Comes to Call last year by the same author, and was excited to see their name on this one. This narrator is a joy to listen to, they completely nail the tone, especially the banter and humor! The pacing and quality are excellent, and I look forward to listening to more books narrated by Jennifer Pickens.

Book review: T. Kingfisher remains an auto-read author for me. This book had everything. The FMC is so likable and unique for a fantasy book (yet not unique for real life): over 30, not small and dainty, and this one has a special interest in poisons and antidotes! We love a historical STEM FMC.

The mix of fantasy, horror-lite, romance subplot, and special brand of T. Kingfisher humor that is so comforting to me were on point. This is such a completely original and creative tale, with nods to Snow White, and T. Kingfisher continues to write my favorite fairytale retellings/reimaginings!

If Through the Looking Glass and the Grimm's fairytales had a baby, it would read like this. Absolutely loved everything about this, especially the fact that the main character is over 30 years old, tall and plus-sized (at least that's my interpretation of her), a badass on her own merit, she's not a fighter but neither is she looking for a knight in shining armour to come save her from the terrors that face her while she tries to heal Princess Snow. Always appreciate a cat in a story, and I feel like this has definitely earned a place among my favourite books from this year. The narration was great too, and together with the story this shaped up to an amazing reading experience <3

T. Kingfisher has a gift for dark fairy tale reimagining's—Hemlock & Silver proves why her fantasy shines. This isn’t a classic Snow White but a clever, witty, and eerie tale full of enchanted mirrors, poisons, slow-burn romance, and a heroine who refuses to fit into anyone’s mold of beauty or worth.

Our heroine, Anja, is refreshingly different— she’s 35, tall, full-figured, logical, and more comfortable tinkering in her lab with antidotes than playing into fairy tale beauty standards. Her sharp internal monologue often made me laugh.

Summoned to save the King’s daughter, Snow, Anja enters a castle shrouded in mystery, curses, and deception. Snow’s illness is anything but simple — and Anja soon uncovers the secret of a lifetime: enchanted mirrors that act as doorways to another world.

The plot is full of dark magic, enchanted mirrors, twist and turns, as well as a healthy dose of slow-burn romance. Javier, her guard, was a perfect foil for Anja — steady, patient, and quietly protective — and I adored every scene they shared. Grayson, the talking mirror cat (who gives answers only when he feels like it because he’s a cat), was pure chaotic delight.

The pacing did drag slightly at the start, but once the story settled in, I was hooked. The worldbuilding was eerie and lush, full of poisoned apples, dangerous reflections, and shadows that hint at the darker corners of fairy tales we only think we know. And of course, the villain — in true evil queen fashion — was deliciously wicked, embodying every ounce of menace a dark fairy tale requires. The conclusion was satisfying, and the blend of mystery, romance, and magic kept me invested.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the Advanced Listening Copy of this book.

This was a sheer delight from start to finish. T. Kingfisher serves up a generous helping of humour, magic, and mystery, with a delicious side of romance and a sprinkling of horror.

Intelligent and socially awkward, but determined to help others, I found the heroine, Anja, incredibly endearing. Despite her tendency to blurt things out and put her foot in her mouth, Anja's compassion towards people and animals was bottomless. Her thirst for knowledge is insatiable, and this passion ripples out into other areas of her life.

While the story was inspired by the fairytale Snow White and Rose Red, the characters and setting were very unique. I especially liked all of the different animal saints.

Jennifer Pickens was the perfect choice to narrate this audiobook. Her performance as Anja was compelling and charming. I highly recommend giving it a listen!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

As always T. Kingfisher wrote another banger but man, this was a fantastic audiobook as well, seriously Jennifer Pickens KILLED it!

I had read the digital copy a little while ago but there are a lot of things that still hold up. This is a delightful retelling of Snow White. Anja is still so sweet and Jennifer Pickens brought this already complex character even more depth! She also captured all the prominent supporting characters flawlessly (especially Javier and Grayling).

And actually the small gripe I had with the pacing when reading the digital copy helped even out the pacing and because of that I am giving this a bit of a bump from 4 stars to 4.5 and rounding up here to 5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

T. Kingfisher does dark fairytale reimaginings like no other! I think this is my favorite of hers yet.

A healer extraordinaire—Anja, who gleefully poisons herself in her quest for cures—is summoned to treat Princess Snow, whose mysterious ailment defies diagnosis. Enter mirror-world horrors, unhinged scientific rigor, a sardonic cat, and a taciturn guard who may or may not be more interesting than Prince Charming (spoiler: definitely more interesting).

I LOVED THIS ONE!

🎧 Jennifer Pickens narration is superb! She absolutely brings this story to life.

A shimmering dark reflection of Snow White, bruised, eccentric, and utterly Kingfisher.

I loved Anja. A middle-aged, sharp-witted healer whose love affair with poison and science is both absurd and entirely believable. A rare gem in a genre drowning in doe-eyed youth. I would been an Anja in a dark fantasy world.

Hemlock & Silver doesn’t so much retell Snow White as it catapults her into a swirling mirror world, refashioning royal decrees into puzzle boxes and courtly intrigue into laboratory examinations. It was fantastic!

A triumph of dark fantasy that reminds you why Kingfisher remains the queen of reimagined fairy tales.

The opening quarter was rather slow for me. While rich in botanical musings and whimsical nonsense, it took a bit before I was immersed in a haunting mystery that utterly ensnares. By the 25% mark, I was spellbound, swept into its blend of sharp humor, creeping dread, and the kind of surreal logic that would make Pratchett raise an eyebrow (and Lovecraft back away nervously).

Did the cat steal the show? Absolutely! What a delightful fantastical treat the cat was.

T. Kingfisher, satirical alchemist of the fairy-tale realm, handed the classic Snow White to Anja, only for her to lob it into a cauldron brimming with rattlesnake venom, shattered mirrors, and a disdain for societal niceties. Then, she cackles and says, “Hold my apple.” 🍎

I love retelling, and this one did not disappoint! The point of view being from someone outside the usual characters in Snow White was very interesting and the knowledge on poison and antidotes really enjoyable throughout the book. I did have some difficulties understanding what was happening towards the end, maybe because I was listening to it and not reading it. Some things did seem to come out of nowhere, which made it a bit less enjoyable. I liked the narration, except when it was the romantic interest, because the guy sounded so blasé and old lmao but maybe thats just me.
Anyway, 3.75 stars!

What if the story of snow white was told from the perspective of a healer or poison expert as they attempt to find a cure?

This book by T. Kingfisher takes some of the hallmark aspects of Snow White —the apple, the mirror, and vanity —and blends them into something completely new and interesting.

Although there was a bit of a slow start, it laid the groundwork for the book, helping things move smoothly as the story got into the heart of the adventure. There was a fair bit of knowledge dropped throughout the story about poisons, venomous bites, finding antidotes, and various diseases. We learn of Anja's upbringing and what led her to become obsessed with finding antidotes. She shares various other situations where she has been able or unable to find cures for people in time to save them.
This leads up to the king seeking Anja out to help his daughter, Snow, after losing both his wife and his other daughter, Rose. He suspects his daughter is being poisoned, but other healers have not been successful in finding a cure. Anja takes her skills of observation and testing of various solutions to the royal castle while being accompanied by security (strong and handsome) in case the poisoner tries to stop Anja before she is able to help. We are probably almost halfway into the story before this fairytale takes any kind of twist into the fantasy. Even then, Anja is determined to find a scientific reason for every strange thing she experiences, like talking cats and falling through mirrors.

The narrator is amazing, especially when something seems obvious to others but is completely lost on our main character Anja. She is set in her ways and it is easier to just say things as they are instead of risking misinterpretation or trying to soften the blow when explaining something hard. The narrator does all of this perfectly.

I was completely swept away and did not expect almost any of the twists and turns along the way. Very creative. 4.5 rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the Advanced Audio Copy and letting me share my thoughts on this audiobook.

In this retelling of Snow White we follow Anja, an expert in poisons. She has had a life long obsession with poisons and their antidotes. One day the king shows up at her workshop, confessing to the murder of his wife and asking Anja for her help with his daughter Snow, who he believes is being poisoned. From there we follow Anja as she attempts to identify the source of Snow's "poisoning" and learns that things aren't what they seem.

If you like T Kingfisher's other books (especially Nettle and Bone) then I think you'll enjoy this one. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ARC.

This was my first book by this author, and it certainly won't be my last. From the very beginning, I was captivated by the writing and the narration. I loved this unique retelling of 'Snow White' that focuses less on the familiar fairytale and more on the deeper mysteries of poisoned apples and mirrors. The world-building for the mirror realm was mind-bending and vivid; I could easily picture every detail.

Healer Anya is a relatable and hilarious main character, and the dynamic between her and Javier was a joy to read. Grayling, the talking cat, was an absolute delight and a standout character. I'm officially obsessed with this author and can't wait to dive into their backlist.

Easily one of my favorite reads of 2025—and one of T. Kingfisher’s best.

I experienced it through the audiobook, and the narrator’s performance was spot-on, adding an extra layer of magic and pulling me even deeper into the story.

While it takes inspiration from Snow White, it feels far more like an original tale than a straightforward retelling—which, for me, made it all the more captivating. The worldbuilding is subtle yet enchanting, and the characters are richly drawn and wonderfully complex.

The heroine completely stole my heart—sharp-witted, funny, unapologetic, and incredibly relatable. I loved every moment spent in her company.

An absolute delight from start to finish. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

“It’s not the most exciting life, but it was mine and I enjoyed it. Until the king turned up and turned everything upside down.”

I really enjoyed this dark reimagining of the Snow White fairytale. I like that the protagonist is not Snow herself, but rather a scientist recruited to fix her ailment. The juxtaposition of a no nonsense physician confronting magic with the scientific method was delightful. Anja is brusque and a little unorthodox, but I found her very relatable. I appreciated the role of mirrors in this particular retelling. I feel like most of the Snow White variations I’ve read focus more on the apples or the magic or the queen. This felt like a different angle, which I appreciated.

The audiobook is narrated by Jennifer Pickens. I loved the way she brought the character of Anja to life. Excellent audiobook!

This is a standalone. No need to read the author’s other books to understand this one.

Romance Steam Rating: Gentle Simmer [1.25 out of 5] (Closed Door/Fade to Black)

I enjoyed this retelling of Snow White. For people that enjoy an interesting magic system, I think you will really enjoy this. The only downside side for me was that the plot was a little choppy for me.

I loved the characters and their journey throughout the book. Anja, the healer/ poisoner FMC is far from the cookie cutter main character. She was relatable with her neurodivergent traits and funny at times as well. I really enjoyed how she tackled situations and her practicality. Snow’s character was interesting and for a bit, I thought she was doing this to herself. The talking cat was a great addition to keep the story moving and help the FMC figure out what was happening.

I loved the mystery and didn’t for-see the plot twist. Overall, it was intriguing but I was bored at times. It’s definitely more of a cozy fantasy with a tinge of sadness.

Thank you to Net Galley & MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to Hemlock Silver by T. Kingfisher.

ARC 📖 Hemlock & Silver | T. Kingfisher 🎧
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC & Macmillan Audio for the audio.

This is a review on the audiobook.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrator, Jennifer Pickens has an amazing voice! Loved listening to her bring this story to life.

A dark Snow White retelling. Anja is a healer who at a young age started studying poisons. The King summons her to help cure his daughter, Snow who seems to be dying. Knowing her odd and different views on healing and poison he hopes she can find a cure and the poisoner.

The king puts two guards, one named Javier on her as a precaution so she too won’t be poisoned and to help her uncover any foul play.

While in her search and discover, Anja comes across a one eyed sarcastic grey cat, his gloriousness, Greyling who pulls her into a supernatural Mirror Realm where danger lurks and mystery’s unfold while also scientific discovery is blowing Anja’s mind. She’s built her life around science and knowledge, black and white. So how can magic be real? How can she find a magical antidote for Snow from a supernatural realm she’s never studied?

I quite enjoyed this read! Anja’s character lacks tact and makes you laugh. She’s witty, funny and relatable in her own inner dialogue and unapologetically herself.

The beginning is a little slower but it picks up and got darker towards the middle/end and I was HOOKED.

This is my first T. Kingfisher book and I’ll definitely be coming back for more!

“They say poison is a women’s weapon.”

I’m a huge fan of T. Kingfisher’s books and can’t wait for her new releases. “Hemlock & Silver”is a dark, fairy-tale-inspired fantasy with a lot of clever twists. The main character, Anja, is a practical and no-nonsense healer who’s willing to drink poison to get cures.
The narrator, Jennifer Pickens did a great job especially with the pacing. Definitely kept me intrigued and easily able to become immersed in her story telling.