Author: Naomi Novik
Genre: Fantasy
Series: No
Brief Summary:
The story itself is a loose reinterpretation of Rumplestiltskin, with enough unique elements to make it a story all of its own. Told from the perspective of many characters, the main thread of the story revolves around a moneylender's daughter, who makes a very hard choice in order to save her village from an endless winter. Her decision, in turn, affects not only the climate but sets in motion paths that change the course of lives for several different characters, including a young servant girl and a rich lord's daughter, who is dealing with a very big problem of her own. Love, intrigue, drama, and horror all converge to offer a most surprising (but highly satisfying) conclusion.
Here is what Goodreads has to say:
My take:Spinning Silver draws readers deeper into a glittering realm of fantasy, where the boundary between wonder and terror is thinner than a breath, and safety can be stolen as quickly as a kiss.
Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father’s inability to collect his debts has left his family on the edge of poverty—until Miryem takes matters into her own hands. Hardening her heart, the young woman sets out to claim what is owed and soon gains a reputation for being able to turn silver into gold.
When an ill-advised boast draws the attention of the king of the Staryk—grim fey creatures who seem more ice than flesh—Miryem’s fate, and that of two kingdoms, will be forever altered. Set an impossible challenge by the nameless king, Miryem unwittingly spins a web that draws in a peasant girl, Wanda, and the unhappy daughter of a local lord who plots to wed his child to the dashing young tsar.
But Tsar Mirnatius is not what he seems. And the secret he hides threatens to consume the lands of humans and Staryk alike. Torn between deadly choices, Miryem and her two unlikely allies embark on a desperate quest that will take them to the limits of sacrifice, power, and love.
Channeling the vibrant heart of myth and fairy tale, Spinning Silver weaves a multilayered, magical tapestry that readers will want to return to again and again.
It is easy to see why this book was nominated for 2018 Best Fantasy. Admittedly, the story does seem confusing at first, as the perspectives of many different people weave together to form the whole, and sometimes without a clear delineation of who is 'speaking' at the moment. Once you get the hang of it though, the story is intriguing enough to keep you enthralled. Rumplestiltskin does happen to be one of my favorite stories, so that may contribute to some of my personal enjoyment, but the book is a joy all its own without the correlation. I would highly recommend this one!
