alliepeduto's review against another edition
4.0
This book is like meandering along in a icy wood. It’s pretty and interesting, but the whole time you’re wondering where the hell am I and when am I ever going to get to the nice warm hearth!?! Luckily I trusted our guide (aka Naomi Novik) to not lead me astray, but I am fairly certain I was lost there for a bit.
I did respect the harkening to the story Rumpelstiltskin, of which this is a retelling; it cropped up in several different ways with a lot of the original elements fleshed out into the fantasy lore. But the world building and fantastical elements weren’t quite enough to push it over from a 4.5 to a 5 for me.
That being said, I did like all the characters, though I was very thrown off by the roaming first person. It took some guess work to figure out who was who, which on top of figuring out the world and the rules for magic was a little more than I bargained for. A bad deal, as the Staryk would recognize.
But I still really enjoyed this! It wasn’t my favorite by the author, but I would definitely read another fantasy retelling from her, though only once she’s finished with the Scholomance series because I’m still so pissed about the cliffhanger that I’m adding that rant again to this review. September can’t come soon enough…so I suppose I’m also glad this was a standalone!
I did respect the harkening to the story Rumpelstiltskin, of which this is a retelling; it cropped up in several different ways with a lot of the original elements fleshed out into the fantasy lore. But the world building and fantastical elements weren’t quite enough to push it over from a 4.5 to a 5 for me.
That being said, I did like all the characters, though I was very thrown off by the roaming first person. It took some guess work to figure out who was who, which on top of figuring out the world and the rules for magic was a little more than I bargained for. A bad deal, as the Staryk would recognize.
But I still really enjoyed this! It wasn’t my favorite by the author, but I would definitely read another fantasy retelling from her, though only once she’s finished with the Scholomance series because I’m still so pissed about the cliffhanger that I’m adding that rant again to this review. September can’t come soon enough…so I suppose I’m also glad this was a standalone!
__klara__'s review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
charlotatot's review against another edition
3.0
A great read, with fairy tale elements and three badass heroines.
okim2cool4u's review against another edition
5.0
mirnatius is the dark/asshole howl i didn't know i needed
cort_kaye's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
anagv's review against another edition
5.0
Una historia especial, con protagonistas fuertes e inteligentes, una ambientación increíble, una narración exquisita y con la moraleja de que los malos no son tan malos como pueden parecer.
picotly's review against another edition
3.0
Solid 3.5.
Don't know if all the different perspectives added equally to the story. Definitely wish I got more of Wanda's perspective and definitely felt like she fell a bit to the wayside. Also would have been interested to see the king's perspective at least once since we did the tsar once....some of the world building was a bit confusing. Not as put together as uprooted but still a good read. Would be interested to see if anyone takes her up on writing fanfic for the series.
Don't know if all the different perspectives added equally to the story. Definitely wish I got more of Wanda's perspective and definitely felt like she fell a bit to the wayside. Also would have been interested to see the king's perspective at least once since we did the tsar once....some of the world building was a bit confusing. Not as put together as uprooted but still a good read. Would be interested to see if anyone takes her up on writing fanfic for the series.
mundinova's review against another edition
5.0
"My mother had enough magic to give me three blessings before she died," I said, and he instinctively bent in to hear it. "The first was wit, the second beauty, and the third - that fools should recognize neither."
If you liked Uprooted it's guaranteed you'll like Spinning Silver.
Novik's books are fun to read and will give you characters to cheer for and say, "right on, sister!" I'm not sure what else to say. If you enjoy feminist fantasy fairy tale retellings, then Novik is the best you'll ever get. If you don't enjoy those things, then these books may not be for you. But for me, these books are the definition of capital F, Fun.
My only complaint about Spinning Silver is there were too many POVs. There should only have been three - Miryem, Irina, and Wanda. All others detracted from the story or watered down the emotional impact of critical plot points. Other than that, I wish I could read it again for the first time.
Character Development: 4 stars
Story: 5 stars
Writing/prose: 4 stars
ruinedbyreading's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bmertz's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75