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57 pages 1 hour read

Spinning Silver

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

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Book Brief

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Naomi Novik

Spinning Silver

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

480

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Fantasy World • Medieval Era

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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Super Short Summary

Published in 2018 by Nebula Award-winning author Naomi Novik, Spinning Silver is a modern take on coming-of-age fairy tales. Set in a Slavic fantasy world, Miryem Mandelstam becomes a successful moneylender to support her ill mother, attracting the attention of the Staryk king. Concurrently, characters like Wanda and Irina face their own challenges, revealing human experiences such as frustration, longing, and growth. The book contains depictions of abusive family dynamics.

Mysterious

Fantastical

Challenging

Dark

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.4

148,213 ratings

82%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik blends fairy-tale elements with rich world-building and nuanced characters. Reviews praise its beautiful prose, strong female leads, and inventive plot. Some critique the slow pacing and multiple viewpoints, which can be confusing. Overall, it’s esteemed for its depth and imaginative storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Spinning Silver?

A reader who enjoys Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik is likely to appreciate intricately woven fantasy tales, strong female protagonists, and folklore-inspired narratives. Comparable to fans of Uprooted by Novik herself and Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale, these readers relish atmospheric world-building and rich character development.

4.4

148,213 ratings

82%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Miryem Mandelstam

A young Jewish woman and daughter of a moneylender, who takes over the family business and claims to be able to turn silver into gold, leading to a series of transformative events.

The daughter of an alcoholic farmer, who becomes Miryem's dedicated servant to pay off her father’s debt, learns new skills alongside Miryem, and discovers a sense of belonging.

The daughter of the Duke of Vysnia, considered plain but has a hidden strength and keen intelligence, which help her navigate complex political landscapes and personal challenges.

An enigmatic winter king with powerful, magical abilities, who is initially seen as self-serving but reveals deeper motivations and forms an unexpected bond with Miryem.

A manipulative fire demon who is the primary antagonist, using possession and deceit to pursue his destructive aims against the Staryk and Lithvas.

Miryem’s kind and supportive mother, who struggles with the ethical implications of moneylending but remains devoted to her family's survival.

Miryem's father, a compassionate man ill-suited to moneylending, who tries to support his family despite his shortcomings in their business.

The tsar, who is outwardly charming but harbors a dark secret, struggling with the influence of those around him and his own internal battle.

Book Details
Pages

480

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Fantasy World • Medieval Era

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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