I’m kinda obsessed with Kingfisher’s fairy tale retellings. They’re so good. I wouldn’t have expected to love a Snow White retelling, but she makes it completely her own, with the mix of fantasy, romance, action, and humor that she does so well. I also adored A Sorceress Comes to Call, and I really hope she keeps going with this quasi-series.

The main character, Anja, is fantastic. She’s a chubby, almost middle-aged scientist type who casually tests poisons on herself, extracts venom from snakes, and investigates strange other worlds like it’s just your average day. Total badass. She’s joined by Javier, a protective guard who communicates mostly in grunts, and a wonderfully sassy cat who obviously steals every scene he's in.

I also need Kingfisher to keep collaborating with Jennifer Pickens on narration. They’re a perfect match. Pickens nails the humor, the tension, and the blend of genres that make Kingfisher’s stories so wonderful.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

T. Kingfisher is an auto-read author for me, and I’ve loved all but one of her books that I’ve read so far. It was an absolute honor to receive an ALC of the Hemlock & Silver audiobook, and the author absolutely delivered in this twisted tale!

Poison expert and healer Anja is hired by the king to help solve the mystery as to what (or who) is poisoning his eldest daughter after a tragedy befalls the royal family. The story gives the vibe of a Snow White and Alice Through the Looking Glass hybrid with mysterious magic and touches of horrific elements.

Anja is such a delightful narrator, and Jennifer Pickens captures her essence beautifully in the audiobook narration. Anja is a snarky, dry-humored, autistic-coded, thirty-five-year-old, plus-sized badass. Some of her inner monologues and observations were often laugh-out-loud funny or painfully relatable, and they added so much depth to the plot and world building without being completely overbearing.

Did it get weird? Yes. Did I understand everything about the magic system and setting? No. Were there loose ends? Yes. Did I love it, and would I recommend this story? Absolutely (especially the audiobook). I’m grateful to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts.

I am leaving my opinion of this audiobook voluntarily.

T. KINGFISHER IS AN AUTOMATIC BUY FOR ME!!!!

Her ability to create emotion and atmosphere within her books is a constant jaw-dropping experience. I appreciate the time she takes to unfold both the characters and the conflict. Just when you think you have it figured out, there’s an unexpected turn of events that pulls you even deeper into her expertly created world.

Hemlock & Silver will go down as my favorite T. Kingfisher work to date. It reads almost like the diary of Healer Anja, a healer with unorthodox methods of researching various poisons. She has been commissioned to heal the ailing 12-year-old daughter of the king, Snow. Along the way, there are moments of levity, a talking cat, and a broody bodyguard who takes his job very seriously.

This is a wonderfully done reimagining of Snow White. There are just enough familiar elements to put you in mind of the timeless classic, but then Kingfisher snaps us into her mirror world. The magic system is refreshingly unique and so well written—it’s unlike anything else I’ve read this year. At times, it even reminded me of the Angel episodes of Doctor Who. So creepy!

I was lucky enough to have both a physical copy and the audiobook. The ability to tandem read made the experience completely immersive. Jennifer Pickens did an outstanding job voicing each member of the cast, bringing the story to life in a way that made me feel like I was watching it unfold. Honestly, I could see this book as a made-for-TV movie or Netflix series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and T. Kingfisher for the ALC of Hemlock & Silver.

Ahoy there me mateys!  This novel did not completely work for me but I believe that I am the problem.  This is a loose Snow White retelling.  However, the main character is Healer Anja.  She is not a healer in the traditional sense but studies poisons and how to counteract them.  The King summons her to help solve what is killing his daughter Snow.  Like the fairytale, apples, mirrors, and poison play a part.  This is dark and has some excellent horror elements.  And a talking cat!

I absolutely loved the beginning of the novel.  I was completely enthralled by Anja and how she came to study poisons and how she tests them on herself!  I appreciated her intelligence, her awkwardness, and her caring.  It is nice to have another protagonist in her 30s.  As the novel progresses, watching Anja use reason and deduction to try to solve the mysteries was a lot of fun.  I also really enjoyed some of the side characters too and the light romance that did not get in the way of the plot and was sweet.

The major problem for me came at about 53% of the novel once the mirrors become a major plot point.  As the story advanced, I got very confused as Anja uses the mirrors and theorizes.  I liked the concepts but got lost in the specifics and am not 100% sure what happened.  This is no fault of the narrator who is excellent.  I usually read Kingfisher books first before listening to the audiobooks for rereads.  I should have done that here.  I believe I will go back and some point later this year and reread my e-book copy.  I will review the reread based on the different medium and see what happens.  My enjoyment should go up with some clarity.  So if ye have an interest in this book, don't let my experience hold ye back.  Arrrr!

This is a review of the audiobook version.

A wonderfully imaginative twist on Snow White coupled with T Kingfisher’s signature humor and romance. It never misses.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing an alc through NetGalley for me to review!

Hemlock & Silver is a fresh and clever Snow White retelling told from the perspective of a healer. Instead of focusing on the princess herself, the story follows the healer’s attempt to uncover what (or who) is poisoning Snow. I really enjoyed the unique angle this POV brought to such a well-known tale. The writing style was engaging and flowed easily, with just the right amount of humor sprinkled in. The comedic relief balanced out the darker elements nicely, and the cat character ended up being one of my unexpected favorites. Overall, this was an inventive, entertaining twist on a classic fairytale, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys retellings with a touch of humor and heart.

The Dyslexic that reads (or in this case listens)

Stars: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🫑

What I loved about this book:

❤️ The narrator, Jennifer Pickens, was just amazing! She really brought the story to life. She evokes feelings and really pulls you in.

❤️ The story was unique, it never really went the way I expected.

❤️ The people were well written and believable. The MFC was an older (35) and heavier set, which I've run into other books that had heavier set characters that just didn't work. I'm also a larger gal, and I have to say that this aspect was very well written and in a way I could relate to and appreciate

❤️ There is hardly any romance in this book, but it didn't detract from the story for me.

❤️ I have to say that this book does the BEST when it comes to snake facts. It was well researched and I really appreciate that so much!

What could have been better:

😊 Personally, I would have like to see more romance.

🐍 Snake Facts Inspired by the viper she keeps:
The Gaboon Viper has the longest fangs of any snake at nearly 2 inches long (4cm) and they crawl like a caterpillar.

I got this book free from NetGalley for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75 stars)

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher, narrated by Jennifer Pickens, is a dark and whimsical Snow White retelling—though only in the loosest sense of the word 🍎🪞. Instead of following the traditional princess narrative, we journey alongside Anja, a 35-year-old poison master who is as brilliant as she is badass. 🙌 I absolutely loved seeing an older FMC at the heart of the story—one who knows her craft, owns her choices, and doesn’t need anyone’s permission to be fierce.

The premise hooked me right away: the King recruits Anja to save Snow from a mysterious poison. What unfolds is a tale full of wicked queens, enchanted mirrors, and dangers that extend far beyond a single poisoned apple. Add in a snarky talking cat sidekick (seriously, so sassy and delightful 🐈‍⬛✨) and you have a fresh twist on a classic fairytale.

There were a lot of things I enjoyed here: T. Kingfisher’s fantastical writing style created such a vivid, unique world that felt both eerie and enchanting. I also loved the originality in how familiar elements of Snow White were reimagined—this is definitely not your average retelling.

That said, a few things kept this from being a top-tier Kingfisher read for me... The romance subplot with Javier felt unnecessary and actually pulled me away from what I loved most—watching Anja stand on her own. The King’s role was also puzzling: he starts off the book with a strong presence, only to vanish almost completely once the main action shifts to the palace. It felt like a thread that got lost, which was disappointing after such a powerful opening from him iykyk. And finally…the middle section really dragged for me 😅. While the ending payoff was exciting, I had to push myself through the slower build-up to get there.

The audiobook narration by Jennifer Pickens was well done and added another layer of charm to the story. Still, this won’t go down as my favorite T. Kingfisher, but it was a fun, creative fairytale retelling that I’m glad I read. I’m especially excited to own a physical copy when it releases—it’ll make a gorgeous addition to my shelves. 📚💜

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group, MacMillan Audio, T. Kingfisher, and NetGalley for the advanced eBook and audiobook!

T. Kingfisher never fails to impress with her offerings. While chatting with a dear friend about it, I think I have landed on why! Her stories always feel like a study in contrasts. Readers aren't asked to choose between the dark and twisted or the cozy and quirky...the author effortlessly weaves each element into a delicate and detailed tapestry that's nothing less than masterful!!

Hemlock & Silver sticks with this style masterfully employing contrast to enrich its narrative, juxtaposing the protagonist's grounded, scientific approach against a fantastical mirror realm teeming with magic and danger. This creates a compelling blend of reality and the otherworldly, where the familiar tropes of the Snow White fairytale are subverted and re-imagined in a fresh and addictive way!

I was lucky enough to to listen to this offering and I think the nuanced narrative choices only added to the magic!

Loved this unique Snow White retelling! The healer Anja was so fascinating and funny! The way this story twists and turns kept it so fast paced and I just wanted to find out what was happening to Snow. The side characters were very well written. Highly recommend this book!!

T. Kingfisher is an absolute master of the modern fairy tale!

While Hemlock & Silver is technically a retelling, it feels more like an original story with nods to Snow White throughout. The story focuses on Anja, a healer adept in her work with poisons and antidotes. Anja is surprised to find herself working for the king to investigate and diagnose his daughter's mysterious illness. It quickly comes to light that things aren't always as they seem.... especially when magic mirrors are involved.

The ultimate dark fairy tale read, I HIGHLY recommend this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC!

P.S. - The narrator of the audio version did a fabulous job!

I received an audiobook arc of this book and the narrator did a wonderful job of making the story come to life. This is a retelling of the classic Snow White fairytale, but through the eyes of a side character and it's a whole new story. Anja is a plant witch that tries out poisons on herself to try and help people. When the king asks her for help to save his daughter Snow, Anja can't figure out why she's so sick... until she goes through a magic mirror into another world. With fascinating, awkwardly realistic characters (including a talking cat that steals the show), awesome world building, and fast pacing, this book is a must-read for fantasy lovers. Oddly enough, this is my first book by this author and now I'm excited to pick up another.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely love T. Kingfisher. This is the second book I've read by her, the first being A Sorceress Comes to Call, and, I just can't get enough. The way she blends fantasy and horror is fantastic, and I love the way she writes her main characters. Being 31 myself it's refreshing to read about a 35 year woman dealing with aches and pains while going on a grand adventure like we do in Hemlock and Silver. It's fun, exciting, mysterious, and the subtle romance is absolutely adorable. I highly recommend this book to absolutely everyone because this was a five star book for me.
The narrator did a fantastic job as well. She made listening so much fun!

Where has T Kingfisher been all my life?? I feel absolutely terrible that this is the first book I have picked up written by her. I thought that Hemlock & Silver might start slow but I was fascinated by the scholarly and scientific methods that Anja applies to poisons as well as any other discovery. I love that she is an older character, too and sometimes I do like a break from romance being a main plot of the story. The mystery of the book really kept me engaged and I honestly went in blind so the discovery where the poison was coming from was a surprise. It was both eerily creepy and descriptive and I cannot tell if I might have nightmares about it yet. Honestly loved every moment of it!

I adored the narrator Jennifer Pickens. I felt she was perfect for Anja and the way she delivered tactless dialogue and the way the emotions were easily heard through the characters… it was done so well! I never had any problem distinguishing one character from another.

My only complaint about the novel was the end felt a tiny bit rushed. Maybe it was because I wanted to stay more in the book and found myself surprised it was already going to end soon. I did thoroughly enjoyed it and I was glad to have been able to listen to it! Thank you so much for the ALC. I cannot wait to go and read more from T Kingfisher!

Honestly, I can't get enough of how T. Kingfisher is able to twist fairy tales and turn them into something so new. You still have Snow, the heart being cut out, the wicked Queen, the apple, and the mirror, but the way that it is put together is inspired. PLUS, each time I read one of her books I learn something! The sheer amount of research that goes into each of her books is quite impressive. The characters are imperfect, slightly awkward, and very real. No natural born heroes here! I will never tire of reading her books.

Now, for the audiobook portion. I thought the reader did a phenomenal job with the voices and the awkwardness that was Anya. I will say that her cadence was excruciatingly slow. I try not to speed up my NetGalley audiobooks so that I can get the true feel of what it is intended to be, but I just couldn't with this one. I sped it up to 1.25x and that seemed to be more along the lines of normal speaking speed.

I don’t even know where to begin with this book. I absolutely loved it and ended up devouring the entire thing in a single day. I just could not put it down.
The story felt so fresh and unique, a true breath of air in the fantasy genre. You can really see the amount of thought and care T. Kingfisher put into crafting this world and plot, and the execution was flawless. The conversational first person narration was one of my favorite parts. It is as if we are getting a direct window into Anja’s unfiltered thoughts, which makes the whole story feel so intimate and real.
There are so many layers woven into this book: mystery, science, fantasy, magic, comedy, and even a touch of romance. I especially loved Anja as the FMC. She is not the typical fantasy heroine, and her quirks, interests, and voice made her stand out in the best way. The plot itself kept me on my toes from start to finish. I never knew where it was going next, and I loved being surprised in such a good way. The unpredictability and complexity made it an incredibly engaging read.
The cast of characters was also wonderfully diverse and memorable. Each of them brought something different to the table, but I have to admit, Grayling the cat completely stole the show for me. That said, there were a few spots where I felt like I was missing some context, such as the details around Snow’s sickness when it began and how it tied into the king’s decision to move her, which later became clear that her location played into her sickness. It did not take away from my overall enjoyment, but it did leave me wishing for just a bit more clarity.
All in all, Hemlock & Silver is a brilliantly crafted and refreshing fantasy read. It is equal parts clever, heartfelt, and unpredictable, and it reminded me why I love T. Kingfisher’s writing so much.

My reviews have been posted to Storygraph, Goodreads, and Fable on August 18th, 2025. They will be posted to Instagram, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon on August 19th, 2025.

T. Kingfisher has never let me down and I think this may be my new favorite from her. It is also one of my top books of this year so far. This creepy and atmospheric Snow White retelling grabbed me from the first page. I adored Anja and her love of learning new things about poisons and how to help heal people that come into contact with them. She is also deeply relatable and so dang funny. I love a main character that really knows who they are and are unapologetic about it. I also really enjoyed the slow burn romance. The mystery of what has been going on in the castle was very interesting and the plot was well paced with a satisfying conclusion.

I enjoyed the book so much I jumped to do an audio reread. It was even better the second time. Jennifer Pickens did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 out of 5

T. Kingfisher never disappoints, and this retelling of Snow White was no exception. I loved how she took a familiar fairy tale and breathed fresh life into it, keeping the folklore roots while twisting it in clever, unexpected ways.

The worldbuilding is immersive, with just the right amount of magic and darkness to make it feel authentic. The main character is smart, funny, and the narration really enhanced the experience — it felt like being pulled into an old story told in a brand-new voice.

What makes Kingfisher’s work stand out is how she balances whimsy with real depth. The humor, the sharp writing, and the emotional beats all landed perfectly. If you’re already a fan of her work, this one is a must-add to your TBR.

Brb putting library holds on T. Kingfisher’s entire backlist…

As the blurb mentions, Hemlock & Silver is a (pretty loose) reimagining of Snow White. The book follows Anja, a healer specializing in poisons, as the king recruits her to examine and find a cure for his daughter whom he suspects is being poisoned.

Although there are some dark and even scary moments, the general vibe here is mysterious and whimsical. Anja is such a delightful main character. Although she is very focused on her work, she is pretty self-aware and grounded. I appreciated that we got some of her backstory before jumping into the main events of the book.

Is T. Kingfisher doing anything particularly experimental or groundbreaking here? I don’t think so, but I cannot underscore enough how much I enjoyed the clarity and tone of the writing. I appreciate a tidy ending! Also, the magical elements!! I’ve read more books with sassy talking cats than previously realized, and this is by far my favorite rendition.

The romance was also a pleasant surprise to me! I appreciate that the pairing made sense and that the characters didn’t act super illogically because of their attraction (a critique I tend to have with many romantasies).

Deducting a half star because there were moments I felt frustrated about a lack of communication between characters (in a way that seemed like obvious conversations between characters were purposefully written around in order to save certain reveals for later). I think maybe the easiest way to solve this would have been to add a bit more emphasis on the stakes of confronting a certain individual…

The audiobook performance was also so so good! Loved the voices for the different characters.

I don’t know what has taken me so long to pick up a T. Kingfisher book, but I’m happy to be here now.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!

Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher was such an enjoyable read! One of the things I loved most was that the main character is a little older, eccentric and in her 30s, not the typical fantasy FMC we usually get. It gave the story a refreshing perspective and made her all the more endearing.

The plot itself felt really original. While I can’t say I was shocked by any twists, I was thoroughly entertained the entire way through, and the atmosphere and voice kept me hooked. This was only my second T. Kingfisher book, but it definitely won’t be my last.

If you enjoyed A Sorceress Comes to Call, I think you’ll love this one as well

Thanks to netgalley and Macmillan audio for this ALC that I chose to listen to and review.