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tibbarasden's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
4.5
I debated about giving this a five-star, but in the end, even though I thoroughly enjoyed the story/characters I couldn't quite give it that. The atmosphere of this book was spot on. I liked the little connections of the three main characters throughout the storyline. I loved the fire and ice/winter and summer theme throughout. The only thing I didn't like was the number of POVs (6) and the way the author transitioned through the POVs. It wasn't always clear initially whose POV it was, which would take me out of the story a little. Also, I didn't feel the tree's backstory was explained, which left me a little dissatisfied with its whole role. But everything else about the story was wonderful, and I loved how it played out in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Physical abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
ink_and_wings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Miscarriage, Violence, Antisemitism, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty
bebobel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse and Antisemitism
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I had much higher hopes since the Schoolomance books are some of my faves. This was glacially paced, I was frequently confused by the switching POVs since they all had similar voice. Some really interesting concepts but was not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexism, and Antisemitism
Minor: Rape
shostakofish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A fantastic and fresh take on a Fae based fairy tale that has about 20% too much of any given part. I enjoy multiple POV characters but this is over the top, and at the point where I thought it would be nice if the story wrapped up soon there was still a whole damn story arc left.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
blewballoon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I had a hard time with the first half of the book. It reads very much like a fairy tale, and I found it hard to connect with the characters despite the multiple points of view, because it felt like there was more focus on plot than character. Towards the end though, it became a lot more compelling and I really enjoyed watching all the plot threads weave together into the ending. It's a very a well crafted story, I just wish I could have felt more connection with the characters sooner. While the story is dark, it never crossed the line for me to where I'd be too uncomfortable, but please check the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Antisemitism, and War
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Miscarriage, Rape, and Alcohol
siobhan74's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
You know, most people spend their time writing bad reviews. I only really enjoy writing good ones. Spinning Silver immediately joined my Top 5 Books Ever list. I have reread it a half dozen times. It’s all about knowing one’s own value, the value of women, the value of stepping into the unknown. Spinning Silver is all about how much people are worth. Right there, that tells you something.
It’s a sort of retelling of Rumplestilskin without a Rumplestilskin. Or at least without a character with a direct Rumplestilskin correlation. That story begins with a father bragging about his daughter that she can spin straw into gold. Our primary heroine — because there are three stories here — is a young Jewish girl in the time when Christians were not allowed to lend money with interest so all moneylenders in Europe were Jewish (this little fact is a monumentally important part of history. European Jews lent to kings and financed wars and palaces, and religion was only the excuse used to chase the Jews out of any given country). She brags that she can turn silver into gold.
The wiring is incredible, the characters ARE complicated, the plot moves quite quickly. Nothing but wonderment here.
It’s a sort of retelling of Rumplestilskin without a Rumplestilskin. Or at least without a character with a direct Rumplestilskin correlation. That story begins with a father bragging about his daughter that she can spin straw into gold. Our primary heroine — because there are three stories here — is a young Jewish girl in the time when Christians were not allowed to lend money with interest so all moneylenders in Europe were Jewish (this little fact is a monumentally important part of history. European Jews lent to kings and financed wars and palaces, and religion was only the excuse used to chase the Jews out of any given country). She brags that she can turn silver into gold.
The wiring is incredible, the characters ARE complicated, the plot moves quite quickly. Nothing but wonderment here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Antisemitism
chattie_the_mad_chatter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The plot, atmosphere and retelling of the fairy tale Rumplestiltskin was really well crafted. All the different parts of the story pulled together for the final.
I enjoyed how it drew from Mythology as well as different aspects of the fairy tale and the use of thrice repeated. The Winter atmosphere of both the mortal and Stark Kingdoms along with the harsh world's of both created a fantastic winter setting.
Themes of a pragmatic business sense and greed were mixed with compassion and weakness along with women at the bottom of life's ladder finding inner strength to take their place in the harsh unrelenting world.
It was nice to see Jewish representation with a fantasy and the family values were the spot of warmth that was well needed.
Despite this, I did not warm to the characters and I can’t pinpoint why. I liked them and followed their adventures, but i did not make friends with them and grow attached like I usually do with at least one characte. I'm not sure if this was a narrative voice choice where secondary characters gave first person perspective and I would have preferred 3rd person? That could be a factor. I am glad I read this, but it's not going to be a favourite re-read, which I think is down to my personal preference.
I enjoyed how it drew from Mythology as well as different aspects of the fairy tale and the use of thrice repeated. The Winter atmosphere of both the mortal and Stark Kingdoms along with the harsh world's of both created a fantastic winter setting.
Themes of a pragmatic business sense and greed were mixed with compassion and weakness along with women at the bottom of life's ladder finding inner strength to take their place in the harsh unrelenting world.
It was nice to see Jewish representation with a fantasy and the family values were the spot of warmth that was well needed.
Despite this, I did not warm to the characters and I can’t pinpoint why. I liked them and followed their adventures, but i did not make friends with them and grow attached like I usually do with at least one characte. I'm not sure if this was a narrative voice choice where secondary characters gave first person perspective and I would have preferred 3rd person? That could be a factor. I am glad I read this, but it's not going to be a favourite re-read, which I think is down to my personal preference.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Antisemitism, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, and Violence
raquelrose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Rape, and Sexism
seadeepy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape and War