This was such a breath of fresh air! The main character Anja was so witty and fun to follow, and the writing overall was very simple and easy. If you're looking for a quick, fun fairytale retelling, I definitely recommend this book.

Also, I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job.

There is something so charming and hilarious and also darkly comforting in Kingfisher’s writing style and Hemlock & Silver bleeds that signature wit from the very first page. Anja is our grumpy middle aged protagonist - a healer who sees more so the problems of illness instead of the people attached to them. She’s assigned the task of determining who (or what) is poisoning the Princess - though she’d really rather not deal with nobility and be left alone to her experiments, studies, scientific methods, and yes, venomous snakes.

There is also a romance with one of the bodyguard’s assigned to Anja but it’s a very mature, yet adorable sideplot that doesn’t step on the toes of the main storyline. Those who liked the romance in the Saint of Steel series or Swordheart will appreciate seeing that same kind of approach here. You’ll get just a little bit of your fix while we wait for the next installment in Saint 👀
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Kingfisher lures you in with the mystery and brings in fantastical and eerie new elements to the story that had me glued to the audiobook for hours at a time. Jennifer Pickens does a fantastic job capturing Kingfisher’s voice and tone. Pickens also narrated Sorceress and I think that her and Kingfisher’s story are just a great match. I really hope the two of them get the chance to work together again with Kingfisher’s upcoming books.
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Dry, hilarious, clever, dark, and so funny - Hemlock & Silver is yet another T Kingfisher book that I know I’m going to want to re-read some day. Ahhh, I love that feeling!!
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*I received an audio ARC from Macmillan Audio & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
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Hisses & Kisses 🐍

I have never read a T. Kingfisher book that I didn’t like 😍 When I heard this was a dark reimagining of Snow White, I was very intrigued!

For like the first 10% I didn’t really see how it was going to incorporate Snow White, other than the name Snow, but was still really curious about the story. We start off really just learning about our MC, Healer Anja, who is the best - she’s a mid-30s poison healer and just has the driest humor!

Very quickly, however, it really makes sense how it’s a reimagining. We still have the main components of Snow White with the young Princess, an evil Queen, and, of course, apples. Other than that it is such a unique and adventure filled story that keeps you hooked to the very end.

If this all sounds interesting to you, you should absolutely check it out as it just released today, August 19!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A dark, inventive reimagining of Snow White, with familiar themes like the apple, mirror, and wicked queen—but reshaped into something entirely fresh. Anja, a healer and poison expert, is summoned to save Princess Snow, suspected to be poisoned. If you’re into fantasy with a gothic edge, quirky characters, clever worldbuilding, and emotional depth, Hemlock & Silver is a standout read. The audiobook narrator is perfect! Enjoyed how she told the story!

I've been reading a lot of origin stories, and why they are the way they are, while some of them are a miss, this one is beautiful, filled with hope, longing, love, and in the end, redemption, revenge, and sacrifice.

We've all wondered about the villains' origin stories, but what about the princesses? What were their lives like as the Queens were turning evil? What were they doing to survive the carnage? What did they survive? How were they still able to trust and even love again?

Speaking of love, Jennifer Pickens is phenomenal. She gave a voice to monsters, queens, and even a cat that may or may not be all cat, and I loved listening to her bring these characters to life.

If you're looking for a good story to pass away a rainy day or want to explore how a young girl can survive tragedy and still keep a pure heart this is the book for you.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this audiobook.

The premise is so intriguing and the introduction did a great job ensnaring me. Kingfisher always does a great job at interweaving the world building seamlessly into the plot. I kept wondering how the characters would fit into this version of the retelling of Snow White. The main character I really enjoyed, at least in the beginning. We see the world through her scientific and analytical lens, which is unique considering her field of study in poisons and antidotes. I also appreciate she was not a beautiful nor a small woman, which we can all agree is not common traits for most females to have in novels.

However, by about the halfway point in the book, her analysis of EVERYTHING becomes tiresome and boring. The plot became convoluted when I couldn’t follow her rapid trail of thoughts (and there were several points I wondered if I was just too stupid to grasp what was happening).

I also felt like “mirror, mirror, on the wall” should have been uttered at least once but I guess we can’t win them all.

The narrator was excellent. I feel like she really captured the personality and dry humor of Anya. I loved how she portrayed Greyling as well - snooty and aloof and, well, exactly like a cat.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC.

Hemlock & Silver is a beautifully dark and clever twist on Snow White, but what struck me most is how much it stands on its own as an original story. While it nods to the familiar fairytale, it feels fresh, inventive, and rooted in its own rich world.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Jennifer Pickens, brought the story to life in a way that made the experience even more immersive. The performance was pitch-perfect; enhancing the humor, tension, and magic woven throughout.
Anja, the protagonist, completely won me over. She's smart, witty, unapologetically herself, and refreshingly relatable. I loved that she's a mature woman working in STEM, dedicated to the scientific method even in a world steeped with magic, and that her intelligence drives the narrative as much as her heart. I especially love the flashbacks to her childhood, her inquisitive nature and determination to learn everything she can about her special interest, poisons, felt really relatable to me. The supporting cast adds great texture as well, from the stoic guard to the unforgettable (and hilariously self-absorbed) cat.
The story itself balances light and dark in just the right way. There's plenty of eerie, gothic atmosphere and a wonderfully creepy mystery, but also flashes of humor that keep the book from feeling heavy. The romantic subplot is handled with care; sweet, respectful, and consensual without veering into explicit territory.
The worldbuilding is subtle but enchanting, with the hidden mirror realm adding an extra layer of intrigue. It's a story that rewards paying attention, and I admired how clever and well thought-out the mystery was.
If you enjoy dark fairytales, smart and quirky heroines, a touch of mystery, and fantasy that blends science with magic, Hemlock & Silver is absolutely worth the read or even better, the listen.
Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and T. Kingfisher for this ARC to review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Blurb and Opinons:
Hemlock & Silver follows poison expert Anja as she is pulled from her workshop by a desperate plea from the king, who fears his last surviving daughter, Snow, is being poisoned. Reluctantly, Anja travels to Witherfield to investigate, where her blunt honesty and obsession with poisons alienate both courtiers and servants alike. She is joined by her steadfast bodyguard, Javier, who becomes her unlikely ally as she stumbles into a magical world even more perilous than the royal court. While Anja and Javier’s relationship grows quietly in the background, the true show-stealer is a contrary talking cat, written with Kingfisher’s trademark humor and charm. The novel reimagines Snow White in a uniquely dark way, focusing on the sinister magic of the mirror rather than dwarves, stepmothers, or princes. Kingfisher blends eerie mystery, clever banter, and a richly built world where saints once overthrew gods, creating a story that is as chilling as it is enchanting.

The audiobook performance by Jennifer Pickens deserves special praise. She brings Anja’s sharp wit, Javier’s steadiness, and the cat’s mischievous personality to life with incredible nuance. Her voice acting adds richness and depth to every scene, enhancing the humor and heightening the tension until the story feels almost cinematic.

Hemlock & Silver is a must read for fans of dark snow white fairy tale retellings, and it proves once again why T. Kingfisher is a master of weaving humor, horror, and heart into unforgettable stories. The narration by Jennifer Pickens makes the experience even more magical.

“You’ll laugh, but mirrors make me a bit uneasy. They're fine during the day, but I've never liked them at night. I go out of the way not to look into the ones at home after dark”

🪞poison healer mfc
🍎dark fantasy
🐍snow white reimagined
🍎mirrors
🪞one-eyed cat

Anja drinks poison every week, and every week, she heals herself so that she knows how to heal others. She is summoned to help save the kings daughter, Snow, who is dying. Anja travels deep into the desert to Snows home. Now, to solve the mystery of what is making Snow sick. There are no clues to help Anja until she finds herself hit in the head with a mirror. BAm! Anja is IN the mirror. Maybe she’ll find answers to why Snow is sick here.

I loved this book. It was soooo good. The main character, Anja, was just fantastic; I would love to find her in the real world and be her friend. Her whole journey was just so entertaining, I had so much fun listening to this book. The narrator was the perfect pick for this book. The inflections of her voice and each character were perfect. The side characters helped take this book to the next level. The cat character, Grayling, was so very cat-like. It almost gave Alice in wonderland vibes with the exploration of the mirrors and the cat. Every side character really felt like they were a real person. I loved the relationship between Anja and her bodyguard. The little bit of romance was just enough towards the end. I’m ready to start the book all over again. It was easily one of the top books of the year for me.

Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillian Audio for the opportunity to listen early to the book and leave an honest opinion (I’m off to buy a copy for my shelves)


bonus quote that made me laugh so hard:
“Oh, hey, a jumping cholla, that doesn't have to be toxic. It's nothing but spines and hatred. If you imagined a porcupine crossed with a small tree and marinated in the bowels of hell - that's jumping cholla”

Hilariously morbid mashup of Snow White and through the looking glass with the storytelling vibes of Assistant to the Villain!

Big thanks to Netgalley and T Kingfisher for the audioARC in exchange for a review.

Anja is not a healer, but the people around her keep calling her that. Instead, she is a master of poison's. Does that make her a healer? The king sure thinks so.
he calls upon her to find out what is wrong with his daughter. She is sick, and nothing seems to help her. Maybe Anja's knowledge will stop the sickness before it's too late.

This is one of the first fantasy novels I've read, where the FMC is in her 30's. it's very clean, with one fade to black scene and a little innuendo.

The mirror characters are something straight out of a horror movie and I love it!

I think the authors end goal was a "happy" ending, but I would give my soul to have a dark ending on a story like that.

4 stars!

3.5 stars rounded up

This book immediately drew me in, and I was completely obsessed with the premise of a dark Snow White retelling. I also love that this was told from the POV of someone other than Snow White.

The FMC, Anja, was definitely a highlight of this book. She is super witty and sarcastic, and I related to her inner dialogue so much. She’s also described as not being the “ideal” main character in that she’s not what some would deem a standard for beauty—but I love how relatable this also feels. The romance subplot did not go where I initially thought it would, but I really liked it anyway and didn’t feel like it overtook the main plot.

The story starts very slowly, and I struggled to focus a bit while listening. Nothing was wrong with it—this is my first T. Kingfisher novel and I really enjoyed her writing—but there is just a LOT of world building. In fact, I felt like the world building just kept going on and on to the point of exhaustion. There were so many interesting elements added: the cat (best part!), the other world, the mystery, and the immaculate creepy vibes, but there still felt like something was missing.

I think my ultimate issue was that 60% or so of the story felt like a build up and waiting for something to happen. And while stuff does happen and eventually get resolved, it felt underwhelming after waiting so long.

That said, do I want to read more by this author? 100%, I am very intrigued!

🎧This was my first time listening to a book narrated by Jennifer Pickens and she was phenomenal! 10/10 recommend. She actually reminded me a lot of Julia Whelan’s tone and voice, so you know that’s an automatic win. All of the voices were done so well (especially Grayling!!), and I was totally drawn into the narration, even when the story itself was slower. Totally recommend the audio for this one!

This has got to be, hands down, my favorite T. Kingfisher fantasy. I loved both the fantasy and horror elements of this book. I really enjoyed the older protagonist and her reluctance to be the hero of this story. I even liked the nods to a few well known fairy tales. This has to be some of Kingfisher's most engaging writing, as well. I'm blown away.

T. Kingfisher has become an auto-read for me and this book has once again shown me why. This was a perfectly dark, atmospheric and eerie Snow White retelling.

2.75 STARS

Sorry to say but I found this book to be a bore. The cover got me and I like a retelling, usually.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my arc in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

⭐️4.5⭐️

In this dark reimagining of Snow White, we focus on a ‘healer’ named Anja who specializes in poisons and their antidotes. After the king’s daughter, Snow, falls ill, Anja is called upon to find a cure, leading her on a journey into a mysterious world that may hold the key to the princess’s illness, or her demise.

This was such a fun book! I was curious how Kingfisher was going to reimagine Snow White, and I was blown away by what she did with the classic story. There were so many unique elements in this one that changed the original story enough to make it feel new, yet kept the whimsical lore of the original fairy tale.

This may also surprise people, but I really enjoyed the romance in this story. I rarely enjoy romance in books, but I found myself rooting for our main characters to get together. I found all the characters unique, well fleshed out, and lovable. I also enjoyed the ‘creatures’ in this one. Such a unique creation!

What really made this book for me was that I listened to it on audio, and Jennifer Pickens knocked it out of the park. Her execution and narration were flawless. I enjoyed all of her voices (especially Grayling), and I found myself getting lost in her storytelling. I will for sure be listening to more of her narrated books!

Overall, I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys T. Kingfisher’s fantasy works, especially if you loved Nettle & Bone, or just enjoy fairy tale retellings!

Special thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for granting me access to this ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Okay this was so interesting! I really enjoyed it. Such a dark and twisty retelling of Snow White. Please read it !!!

This book felt like a dark retelling of Snow White with strong Coraline vibes. It was eerie and spooky, with hints of horror, but still an incredibly fun read. I absolutely loved it!

T. Kingfisher’s writing style is compelling. It's engaging, atmospheric, and totally immersive. I found myself completely hooked and always wanting more. The main character was especially likable. I appreciated how unique and blunt she was, which made her stand out in the best way.

The romance subplot was enjoyable, too. It was sweet and well-balanced without taking over the main story. What really captivated me, though, was the concept involving the mirrors, the other world, and the creepy creatures. It was imaginative, unsettling, and though it had a fairytale retelling aspect, it felt original.

Also, the audio is so awesome, and I highly recommend listening to it!

Definitely a perfect spooky read for the upcoming spooky season!
I give it 5 stars!

🗸Snow White retelling
🗸Poisons and evil queens
🗸Coraline vibes
🗸Mystery
🗸Hints of horror
🗸Falling in love with your bodyguard
🗸Creepy creatures

Thank you for the ARC!

T Kingfisher does it again. This book was phenomenal. I really enjoyed the snow white retelling in sucha refreshing, revisioned way. Anja, an expert in posions, was just the FMC that I never knew I needed in my life. She is not you typical bada$$, she is socially awkward, but it absolutely brilliant and pure perfection. I loved how she made her way through the world in her own way, while being a book smart hero.

I thought that the narrator was just the perfect choice, it truly felt like she was Anja.

Every time I pick up a T Kingfisher title I'm absolutely delighted at what I call her "uncommon" heroines - you won't see any stereotypical wilting flower, a girl barely out of her youth, a frail young thing here - our protagonist in Hemlock & Silver is in her 30s, a woman with curves and Stature and a mind that turns to science (of poisons) in times of stress or just, well, at all times. So who better to turn to when the king's family is in royal upheaval than this woman particularly learned in what could possibly be wrong with his young daughter Snow? No one is better than a woman with a vast knowledge of poisons, even if her bedside manner is questionable (read: blunt and clear, no softening for no reason), a scientist at heart with a full disbelief in magic... even when there *may* be a possibility of magic deeper down the story. Maybe. Possibly. Unsure.

This is a Snow White retelling, sure, but in such a way that a few people I was reading this with around the same time forgot. The focus is less on the standards of the old fairy tale but a lot more on the figuring out of it - Snow isn't a sleeping girl waiting to be awakened with a kiss in a forest, she's a girl dealing with the death of her sister and mother in a most troubling fashion (outlined in chapter 1 so, no real spoilers) while something is very wrong with her body at the same time....

Hemlock & Silver is a mystery and an adventure (even just in the one place) with a touch of maybe-magic maybe-not, a touch of romance, and a story that, on a long drive, had me listening through to the end instead of flipping to music when I got tired partway through like audiobooks often do.

Thank you to Tor and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for review!