If you love fairytales or T. Kingfisher, Hemlock & Silver is a must-read. It starts slow, but once it grabs you, you won’t want to stop. Dark, witty, and utterly charming. classic Kingfisher.

🍎Just a bite, a little taste...🐍

A Snow White retelling like no other!

After reading Thornhedge and loving how she absolutely remastered the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty with her witty dark fantasy style, I knew I had to jump into this dark fantasy retelling! And I was so lucky to get an ALC thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

And I was so delighted and fulfilled with this story, T. Kingfisher never disappoints! Whether it is with her fantasy, romance, or horror, it's all truly a treat of a tale!

In this story we follow "healer" Anja, whom begrudgingly has been recruited by the King himself to help aid and cure his daughter whom has fallen ill, presumably poisoned, time seems to be of the essence in finding a cure! Finding who to trust, who is a friend, who is a foe, and who might have some answers or clues.

The backstory for Anja and how she came to be a woman of "healing" is so interesting. Her backstory alone was such an entertaining listen! When meeting the new characters, including Snow, Javier, and the most peculiar character, who is my favorite, Grayling. So much mystery, witty commentary & banter.

I adored this audibook! The narrator, Jennifer Pickens, did such an amazing job with the characters! I was fully enveloped with a full cast coming from just one person! She did such a phenomenal job!

I can't wait for this book to publish so I can add this book to my ever growing collection of T. Kingfisher! She is an auto-buy author for me!

If you enjoy dark fantasy retellings, witty commentaries, The Apothecary Diaries anime/manga, and a cozy mystery, this book here is for you!

A huge thank you again to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the awesome opportunity to listen to this ALC!

Audiobook ARC generously provided by Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much NetGalley!
Publication: August 19

Ugh! I LOVED this book!! 🥰
Hemlock & Silver is wonderful and mysterious, with high stakes, and overall is hilarious. I adored our (proudly plus sized 💕) FMC Anja who was narrated by Jennifer Pickens literally perfectly 🙌❤️Anja’s narrative voice, inner monologue and opinions were blunt, sarcastic and entertaining and I was eating it up! I appreciate T. Kingfisher’s world building in this book as it is smooth and we are able to jump right in feet first without feeling lost or overwhelmed. I really liked their Saints system. I love the premise of this book and its twist(s). This is a fantasy book first, with a (hint of) romance (subplot - closed door) that complimented and in no way complicated the story. It felt adorable and natural. 🥰
Also, (spoiler?) if you love sarcastic talking cats then I suggest you prioritise reading this unique “dark” fairytale. ✨

Anja is a scholar and healer specializing in poisons and their antidotes. She’s summoned to save Princess Snow, who the King believes has been poisoned. But when Anja discovers a magical world within the palace’s mirrors, it becomes clear that there is more at play than first meets the eye, and poison may not be the only threat facing Snow.

This is another great novel by T. Kingfisher! Hemlock & Silver is inspired by Snow White, but Kingfisher takes it in a unique direction. Like most of her other books, there is a fair amount of humor, the characters are great, and there is an animal companion (a cat) that is one of the best parts of the book. The world building and magic were fascinating. Once Anja started to explore the mirrors, there was a sense of unease/dread that started to build and there were some really creepy scenes, all of which I really enjoyed.

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it! I usually prefer listening to audiobooks for books that are somewhat funny because I feel like the humor comes through better when narrated, and this is no exception. The narrator did a great job.

While this isn’t my favorite T. Kingfisher book, I really enjoyed Hemlock & Silver! If you like fairytale retellings with a dark twist, I’d recommend this book. If you’re already a fan of T. Kingfisher’s other books, you’ll probably like this as well. The tone and elements she incorporates into the story are similar to her other books, but the story and world building are unique.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review.

I liked this enough.

Narration: Jennifer Pickens is the perfect actor to voice Anja. She sounded confident, cautious, and steadfast.

Plot: I didn’t love this, it didn’t hold my attention like A Sorceress Comes to Call. I’m not a big fan of Snow White to begin with so there’s that, and Healer Anja bored me. I miss the trademark sass of Kingfisher’s leads. Anja is ok, but not as engaging as her other heroines. I love the nod to Alice, the darn cat was very Cheshire, everyone else just faded into the background for me.

I’m a huge fan of fairy tales and reimaginings and fresh takes, and time and time again T Kingfisher proves herself as an author I love. This was such a fun, interesting take on the story of Snow White, Rose Red and I loved Anya as the narrator so much. The sarcasm and snark and personality was such a delight to read. I loved learning about the different poisons and how Anya ended up as a sorta-kinda-maybe-not healer after her cousin died from eating hemlock, and suddenly she needed to find a cure. I just have so much fun with the fairy tale elements and the magic and the mystery and the way all the threads get woven together.

I listened to the audiobook, and I really liked the narrator. The voices were always especially distinct, but the intonations and how the snark and sarcasm was portrayed made for a delightful listen.

A Fresh, Smart Twist on a Classic Tale

Hemlock & Silver started off a bit slow for me, but once it found its rhythm, I was completely hooked. The story breathes new life into the Snow White legend with a clever, dark, and imaginative twist that only T. Kingfisher could pull off.

The standout for me was the fantastic female main character. She's plus-sized, smart, and wonderfully analytical - refreshingly real and deeply relatable. Her intelligence and grounded nature made her a joy to follow through the eerie and enchanting world Kingfisher created.

I love T. Kingfisher’s writing style, and this book is no exception. Her prose is sharp, witty, and layered with emotion and insight. Even with the slow start, the payoff was worth it, and I’m already looking forward to whatever she writes next!

3.5 Stars

This wasn't my favourite T Kingfisher read, and I was a little bummed to see a strong start to a story not go anywhere special. I deeply enjoyed the atmosphere and the mystery element to the plot, but I found myself growing bored quickly. I think this could have benefited from being a short story rather than a full novel, as the focus could have been more on the magic and mystery and less time would have been splitting the focus between the mystery and the half done romance.

the narrator was an excellent choice and felt perfectly chosen for Anya. I really enjoyed her work and would happily seek out her other narrations.

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

T. Kingfisher is officially an "instant read" author for me. This is the second of her books I've had the joy of reading, and it is now my personal mission to read everything she's ever written and will write.

Flawless. Emotional. A joy from cover to cover.

Going in, I didn't read the blurb. I had full trust in T Kingfisher's works after the first book I'd read from her, A Sorceress Comes to Call, that I decided I'd rather be completely surprised by whatever this book had in store for me.

I was indeed completely surprised— and in the best way. This was, to a certain degree, inspired by the fairytale snow white/rose red. The two princesses were named Snow and Rose, the plot revolves around a magic mirror, and Snow eats a poisoned apple given to her by an evil variant of her mother.

I hesitate to call it a "retelling" though, because the story was so unique and inventive, doing its own thing and never leaving me bored or able to predict the plot in the way many true retellings do.

The main character was a joy to read, as was her cute little romance. And as with all T Kingfisher works, the writing itself was masterful.

I look forward to my journey reading more of her works!

Ever been afraid of the mirror? watched it carefully to make sure the reflection didn't move without you? expected to see something peering out over your shoulder that wasn't really there? this book, is absolutely terrifying, and i really don't know if i can ever look at a mirror in the dark ever again. between the stunning mystery that needs to be solved, and the gruesome body horror we get to witness through the pages, this is probably the creepiest T. Kingfisher book i've had the honor of reading so far. it's charmingly enchanting, exciting, and you really want to explore more and more of the realm, both in and out of the mirrors, but it also, rightfully, TERRIFIED me. i had to cover my mirror because i stayed up too late listening to the audio-book in the dark. the narrator does a FANTASTIC job emphasizing the characters emotions as well. it's all around just a fantastic book. i 100% recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy horror, because you won't find a better one! and with a pleasant mix of Snow White and Alice in Wonderland themes, you'll never be able to guess how the story really goes!

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Macmillion Audio for this Advanced Reader Copy.

T. Kingfisher's HEMLOCK & SILVER is a clever take on the "Snow White" fairytale that feels both new and familiar. Anja, the book's pragmatic and slightly awkward protagonist, is a poison specialist more comfortable with plants than people. I found her to be a refreshing change from typical fantasy heroines.

​The story is a blend of mystery, fantasy, and a touch of horror. I enjoyed the witty humor and the clever world-building.

​The beginning of the story is a bit slow, but the pace quickly picks up.

I listened to the audio version of this book and quite enjoyed the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy of this book, My reviews will be posted to my socials on August 7,, 2025, (Fable and Goodreads

Anja is a fantastic protagonist - smart, sarcastic, and easy to root for. I loved the slow creep of the story’s magical horror. Dark, clever, and just the right amount of eerie.

The narrator was excellent and really added to the atmosphere. The pacing is quick without feeling rushed.

Overall, a sharp and unsettling fairy tale retelling with a great balance of humor and dread. Highly recommend if you like T. Kingfisher’s other darker works.

From the start, Hemlock and Silver showcases T. Kingfisher’s remarkable talent for blending wit, warmth, and a touch of the fantastic. The story follows Anya, whose deep fascination with poisons gives the book an almost documentary-like feel at first, immersing the reader in a world that feels both rich and grounded.

One of the standout aspects of Kingfisher’s writing is how she gradually introduces the fantasy elements, allowing the story to shift from a seemingly straightforward tale into something more magical. This subtle transformation is both surprising and engaging, adding layers to the narrative and keeping readers on their toes.

Anya is a captivating protagonist, and her love for her craft is infectious. The romantic subplot is charming and adds a nice balance to the darker themes of the book. However, while the character development and world-building are strong, there were a few plot points that felt like they could have been explored further. The ending, while satisfying, left us wanting a bit more in terms of resolution and depth.

Overall, Hemlock and Silver is a delightful read, blending humor, intrigue, and a touch of magic. It’s a book that invites you into its world and makes you want to stay a while, even if it doesn’t answer every question it raises.

Rating: 4/5

T. Kingfisher delivers again! I love the way she has reimagined Snow White! The evil (step)mother, the apples, and the rescue are all there, but in a totally unique and different way. I loved Anya as the main character! She is super interesting with her knowledge of poisons and academic pursuits. She goes about trying to solve the problem in a very academic way and then stumbles into a very different experience. Then she tries to approach that with the same academic curiosity. I love that Joaquin is just there with her through it all. There was a point that I thought she was being obtuse about something obvious, but even in that there was a surprise for me.
Action, romance, fantasy realms! This book had it all.

4.75⭐️

This was my first T. Kingfisher book and I don't know why I waited so long!! I went into this book not realizing that it was a "dark" Snow White retelling and it was so much fun! The narrator really brings this story to life. Her narration combined with the story sucked me in and kept me engaged throughout the story.

I appreciated Anya's dry humor and found myself giggling at a few different spots throughout the story. Yes it does seem a little slow to start but I beg you, keep going! I promise it picks up as the story progresses.


Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced listener's copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

There are so many elements to love about this book! A middle-aged protagonist who is a scholar of poisons, a pet snake, a smug one-eyed cat, and a dark realm bursting with secrets. Anja’s character is both fascinating and relatable, and her dedication to the scientific method while investigating a magical world adds another layer of interest and complexity.

Although some readers might find the story a little slow to start, it is easy to become captivated by Anja and other supporting characters, especially as the story progresses.

If you loved Stephen King’s Fairy Tale, you’ll probably love Hemlock & Silver as well.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Macmillan Audio for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

T. Kingfisher brings Snow White to life in a new light in this book. Our protagonist, Anja, is a middle-aged woman who has spent the last few decades studying poisons and their antidotes. The King himself calls on her to help diagnose what is wrong with his daughter Snow. It bounces between horrific and hilarious with wonderful cadence. Jennifer Pickens’s narration gorgeously brings Anja and those who help her to life. I will be recommending this book for a long time to come.

I had a long drive and started this audiobook as I started driving. It pulled me in right from the start. I found myself making excuses to listen to just a little more and ended up listening to another hour in my hotel room. I finished the book on the drive home. Usually on this drive, I don't have patience for one book and end up switching to a podcast or music, but this book held me rapt for the duration.

Our heroine, Anja, is an oddball healer/poison expert in a fairy tale/fantasy land. The story is loosely related to Snow White, but it's really more an adjacent story than a retelling. I loved the backstory of how she became interested in poisons, her willingness to test potential cures on herself, and her academic and enthusiastic curiosity.

The first third of the book is Anja investigating the strange illness that's befallen Princess Snow. She's wasting away and none of the healers/doctors have been able to figure out the problem. I enjoyed the discussion of different poisons and Anja's review of everything Snow eats, touches, wears, etc.

Then, Anja discovers the magic of the mirror and slips through into a the magical world on the other side of the mirror. Kingfisher is a master at creepy creatures and wild fantasy worlds. The mirror world is well developed and the plotting for this portion of the book is tight and compelling.

The narrator for the audiobook is fantastic. She gives voice to the narrator and brings the story to life.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the audio ARC of this book.

I loved this book so much! T. Kingfisher is always a delight to read, and this one met all my expectations. It's a vey loose retelling of Snow White from the perspective of Anja a healer focused on poisons in order to find their antidotes. Anja was wonderful, a tall middle aged woman, who regularly ingests poisons, and is very excited to figure out the scientific reason for why things are the way they are. She's enlisted as a last resort by the King of her country to figure out what is poisoning his daughter. One at the daughter's castle, she's thrown into a web of mirrors, poison and magic. I love how Anja tries to use science to explain all the decidedly non-scientific things that she experiences.

Overall, just such a fun read. The narrator really did an excellent job of capturing Anja's energy and interpretation of the world.

Absolutely loved this twist in Snow White. It was played on enough to have me feeling nostalgic, but was inventive and different enough to not feel like it was just a rehash of a classic. It was dark enough to give me shivers (Hard pass on the Mirror Gelds!) but not too dark. The MC loving knowledge was super entertaining. Spouting facts to fill the silence & get over her nerves was very endearing.
Having an older MC was PERFECTION. And I love that T. Kingfisher continues that (I have read one other book by them) The narrator was wonderful and kept me engaged. It was a little slow to start, but once I was hooked I was all in.