1st read: March 2020
2nd read: August 2023

This is a great, stand-alone fantasy book. I really like the characters and the world that the author created.

But the way that the author switches from POV to POV is a little too abrupt. Sometimes it took me a bit to figure out whose perspective I was reading about.

I listened to some of the audiobook this time around, and the narrator is excellent. ( )

A wonderfully written book, and immediately one of my favourite standalone fantasy novels of all time. Novik weaves a terrific tale with fairy tale tropes tackled with realism and humanity, without giving up a single shred of the magical. The switch between -- and at time surprising introduction of -- viewpoints is excellently handled, and particularly the young boy's voice is delightfully idiosyncratic and engrossing. My sole complaint, really, is the rather unfortunate trend between this and Novik's previous (also excellent, if maybe slightly less memorable to me than this one is) fairy tale-inspired novel "Uprooted" -- spoilers ahead -- where a woman forced into subordination by a callous and powerful male figure eventually finds a way to redeem their captor. In a single instance, this is not too troublesome, but between the two novels this happens thrice, with siimlar outcomes, which on a metatextual level feels like a troublesome message be implying. But I won't let that diminish my enjoyment of or enthusiasm for this book, which I warmly recommend to just about anyone. ( )

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.

Wow! So good. ( )

I listened to this mostly on audiobook and partially in print, and have pretty mixed feelings. On one hand, I really enjoyed the beginning and ending of the novel. I thought the plot felt fresh, and ended up liking each of the three main women. They’re very strong and likable in their own way. I also appreciate the twisting of the Rumplestiltskin story, even if it’s never one I enjoyed before.
On the other hand, the middle of this book is also over the place. The plot feels inconsistent and I never knew what to expect, and not in the good way that made me want to read more. A couple more POVs from more minor characters are added and I found them more annoying than anything else, especially Magreta’s. The pacing is also inconsistent and drags out some scenes far too long while flying by others. Finally, the audiobook narrator honestly sucks. There are ultimately four different women characters who get a POV and the narrator makes them sound all alike, save for a stilted Russian (?) accent that makes Wanda easier to pick out. POVs also switch with no signal, so even in print it’s confusing.
I might recommend this to someone who enjoys retold fairytale fantasy with a slow pace. “Spinning Silver” isn’t my cup of tea, but I can see why others would enjoy this book. ( )