As always, Naomi Novik delivers! I enjoy her short stories as much as I love her more lengthy novels. She has the ability to create and intriguing and captivating world like none other.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I usually quite like Novik’s writing, but I also sometimes have the issue where her words slip and slide around my brain and really struggle to stick. A lot of that stays true for this anthology, the bulk of which I really liked and some of which simply did not work for me.

I do really love Novik’s writing, it’s just dense in a way that I don’t seem to focus on very well unless I’m in a particular mood. Still, many of these stories worked well for me, especially After Hours, Buried Deep, Seven, Castle Coeurlieu, and The Long Way Round. The ones that didn’t either felt like earlier, rougher work, or contained something I was otherwise uninterested in. For Araminta, Regency isn’t an era I get on well with in general, and I have historically struggled with pirate stories outside of One Piece and Amina. Commonplace, which is Sherlock Holmes fanfiction, and Dragons & Decorum, which is Pride and Prejudice fanfiction, are series that are outside my purview and interests, and so while very few people are doing fanfic like Naomi Novik is doing fanfic, I just couldn’t bring myself to get into it (or—I’m not opposed to Sherlock. I have enjoyed Elementary and Moriarty the Patriot, but it’s not something I seek out). Regardless, this was a good time, and I can see myself revisiting these stories.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Naomi Novik is back!

Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik is a set of short stories set in the world of Scholomance trilogy. From the dragon-filled Temeraire series and the gothic magical halls of the Scholomance trilogy, through the realms next door to Spinning Silver and Uprooted, this stunning collection takes us from fairy tale to fantasy, myth to history, and mystery to science fiction as we travel through Naomi Novik’s most beloved stories. Here, among many others, we encounter:
• A mushroom witch who learns that sometimes the worst thing in the Scholomance can be your roommate.
• The start of the Dragon Corps in ancient Rome, after Mark Antony hatches a dragon’s egg and bonds with the hatchling.
• A young bride in the Middle Ages who finds herself gambling with Death for the highest of stakes.
• A delightful reimagining of Pride & Prejudice, in which Elizabeth Bennet captains a Longwing dragon.
• The first glimpse of the world of Abandon, the setting of Novik’s upcoming epic fantasy series—a deserted continent populated only by silent and enigmatic architectural mysteries.
Though the stories are vastly different, there is a unifying theme: wrestling with destiny, and the lengths some will go to find their own and fulfill its promise.

Yes. Just yes. I will gladly take more Scholomance.

Naomi Novik's "Buried Deep and Other Stories" is an enchanting anthology that showcases her storytelling prowess across various genres. Featuring thirteen unique short stories, this collection takes readers on a journey through fantastical realms, historical settings, and intriguing mythologies.

In "Buried Deep," Novik reinterprets well-known historical figures like Mark Antony, Sherlock Holmes, and Elizabeth Bennet, placing them in unexpected scenarios that breathe new life into their narratives. Each tale explores the theme of seizing one's destiny, whether it involves embarking on daring adventures or navigating personal transformations.

Additionally, the collection includes two original stories that provide a fresh look at the aftermath of events in the Scholomance series and offer a sneak peek into Novik's upcoming work. With her imaginative flair and engaging prose, this anthology is a delightful read for fans of fantasy and those seeking to discover the depth of Novik's storytelling.

A wonderful mix of short stories with ties to all the wonderful worlds that Novik has created in her impressive career. There's a little bit of something for everyone, but I'm honestly elated to spend more time in the world of Temeraire. I am all in for an expanded universe in which dragons make up a part of the army in different wars throughout history. The Pride and Prejudice reimagining where Elizabeth Bennet is a dragon captain is brilliant and I would love to get a full novel out of that one.
The only complaint I could possibly have here is that the stories are too short and I want more of this author's fantastic writing.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Del Rey for the wonderfully fun read!

I was really excited to have this request approved. I love Naomi Novik's writing and found this book of short stories to be absolutely enthralling. Novik has an amazing way of describing scenes and situations that is sometimes hard to find.

I remain obsessed with Novik's storytelling. Because I am obsessed, this collection really worked for me, building on to worlds I already loved. However, I do think that if readers weren't already well familiar with Temeraire or Schoolmance, those stories would likely fall pretty flat.

I really enjoyed this anthology. Naomi Novik is a master of her craft, and it shows here! It was neat to go back into some of her previous worlds, but also really cool to see a set up for future longer-form works.

Highly recommend to anyone who wants to dip their toe into Novik's writing or maybe is having a hard time with the mood reader gremlins—short stories will calm them.

I’m a huge Scholomance fan and while some of these were set in that world not all of them were and I only really got drawn into a few of the 13 short stories. I’m realizing I’m not a short story kinda reader.

I would not recommend this to anyone who doesn’t already have a vested interest in Naomi Novik and her books. However, since I am that person, I had a blast. It was especially interesting to read the short story that eventually became spinning silver.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik in exchange for an honest review. This book is a collection of stories including one from the scholarmance and a few with dragons. I really liked the version of Pride and Prejudice with dragons, it seemed to really fit Elizabeth Bennett to fly a dragon.

I adored Buried Deep and Other Stories. I didn't expect to love it so much, but it brought me right back to my childhood racing through the fairy tale shelves at the local library. Certain stories--the original historical ship story, the minotaur story have haunted me. I find myself thinking about them from time to time, immediately becoming immersed in the worlds Novik always creates with such skill. I do hope more people read this and aren't turned off by the idea of short stories. Highly, highly recommend.

This anthology is Naomi Novik showing off her range and it is EPIC. There’s something here for everyone.

My favorites were the Scholomance one which healed a little part of my soul and the Lawrence of Arabia inspired one which was solidly good sci-fi.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for an ARC of this book! This is my honest review.

I loved the Scholomance series. So to go back in an 'unofficial' capacity was a lot of fun. The first story was a little confusing and I didn't understand how it belonged there, but it got better after that. Naomi Novik is one of my favorite authors so I'm so glad to have read this. Anthologies are not normally my thing and I did tend to skip the intros as I just didn't really have much interest in those.

I love Spinning Silver and Uprooted. I recommend them to everyone. Both have fantastic world building and character development and they are fantastic.

I didn't like this book. I know, I know. I am disappointed in myself as well. It just felt really slow. It's very much a me thing, because she has a series, Temeraire, as well as a trilogy, The Scholomance, and I didn't enjoy either of those. I was happy that there was a story in the book related to Spinning Silver, but the other stories were not holding my interest. I am not a die hard fan of Naomi Novik, which is a shame because she's incredibly talented. I highly recommend reading her work.

As always, it’s tough to rate a short story collection. I really loved the first story in the collection, as well as the final. As someone who is a fan of a few of Novik’s fantasies, it was nice to return to those worlds, particularly the Scholomance, and to see her setting up for new books. Though I do think that people who aren’t so familiar with her work will still find a lot to enjoy.

I’ve read a few of Novik’s books, and was immediately captivated by her ability to spin folklore into a new story, followed by her dark academia series. I haven’t started her other series, but have it on the back burner because what fantasy fan can resist dragons? Certainly not I. So I even specifically requested an anthology of short stories, despite not typically gravitating to this type of book. That was all on the merit of her previous stories.

One of the best things I’ve encountered about collections of short stories is the way that even if I don’t connect with certain stories, they are far outweighed by the ones that I do enjoy. And while this may not be true for every collection, I haven’t found any yet where I don’t find a single story to love. This one was especially appealing due to the guarantee of seeing some of my most favorite characters in stories that I loved, but see them in different ways.

Each short story is described a little bit by Novik, explaining when and where it was published, and what she tried to do with the story. I appreciated knowing more about the inspiration behind the stories, and with some, getting to see what seemed like an earlier draft of what turned into a book. This happened with Spinning Silver and I could see so many of the bones of the novel come through in a short story format. I loved seeing the Jewish culture and practices being described just as beautifully, even in a short story.

The book covers a range of stories, characters, and settings, so it ensured that there was something to appeal to every reader, no matter which subgenres are your jam. I was most excited to revisit the previous stories, such as the new and improved Scholomance and Spinning Silver, while also loving some new characters. Vici, dealing with Roman-inspired dragons and Mark Antony, and the most amazingly written and incredibly endearing dragon I have ever seen. Seriously, she’s better than Puff the magic dragon!

Other stories, such as Araminta, or the Wreck of the Amphidrake, took a little longer to capture my attention, although the end of the short story was so much fun, with some tongue-in-cheek humor. I shouldn’t exactly be surprised that Dragons and Decorum wasn’t for me, since it’s a Pride and Prejudice retelling, and I’ve never been a huge fan of classics.

Overall, this was a great collection of short stories from an author that I enjoy reading. There’s enough difference to appeal to any fantasy reader: romantic fantasy, fairy tale retellings, sci-fi, Regency stories, adventures, dark academia, and even delving into sci-fi. If you haven’t read anything by Novik and aren’t sure if you’d like her writing, this is the best way to find out. This would also be a great read for anyone who likes the novelist version of Behind the Music, if you enjoy the possibility of reading about new stories in an older world that you loved, and if you just want to read a damn fine fairy tale retelling.

thirteen stories that lend more proof to Naomi Novik's excellent story telling skills. Small bites of stories that will make her fans very happy. If you've never read her books, these stories will convince you to add her to your TBR list.

When has Naomi Novik disappointed me? (Never, the answer is never.) Her short stories are just as compelling as her long form fiction, and I loved every page.

Thank you so much to Del Rey and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC for this much anticipated book!

Naomi Novik has been a favorite author of mine for many years now due to her writing style and her wonderful storytelling. This collection of stories exemplifies both those talents and more! All the stories, despite some being shorter and I having no previous context of, captured my interest and left me wanting to know more. Even the ones that I’ve already read the full novel too, the short story of it made me want to go and pick up its full version. My favorite of all of them was the story which the title is after, “Buried Deep”, which is a retelling of The Minotaur. I also loved the Pride and Prejudice retelling set in the world of Temeraire. This and the other Temeraire story has definitely motivated me to read that series!

I would highly recommend this book if you love Novik’s other books and her writing! And if you haven’t read any of her previous books, some of the stories in this one are set in the world of some of her other novels, so you get a feel for what to expect in them!