This collection of short stories will transport you to richly developed worlds to interact with the characters Novik is known for. Several stories are set in worlds familiar to readers of this author – Temeraire, Scholomance, and Spinning Silver. Don’t fret, these specific stories are enjoyable even with a vague recollection of them. Many others in this collection are in new times and places. As with most any collection, a few stories left this reader wondering as to their inclusion here. Most others, however, result in a far different frustration – clamoring for more.

Two stood out from the rest. “Seven” had the potential to completely gut this reader. Therefore, each word was read with trepidation. It took a very unexpected and far less painful turn. However, there is a strong desire to read more.

The first glimpse at the world of Abandon, found in “The Long Way Round” also took an unexpected turn. The consequences of it are yet to be discovered and the mysteries revealed so far leave one wanting more.

It should come as no surprise Novik has crafted a solid collection in Buried Deep and Other Stories.

DNFd at 10%

I don’t know man, as much as I love some short story collections and I saw this as a great way of getting introduced to Novik’s work. The first story was not captivating for me, so I moved onto the next one and then skipped around and nothing really felt up my alley. As much as I wanted to love this, this just didn’t hit.

Buried Deep and Other Stories is an enjoyable read. The book consists of short stories, including looks into the world of Novik’s other writing, retellings of mythology, and completely original stories. Reading this was a fun look back (or forward!) on the worlds I already know and love, and those set in worlds I have yet to experience make me excited to read more in the future. I found the mythology retellings to be really interesting rethinkings of classic stories. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys short stories, fantasy, or retellings.

Rating: 4 Stars

The risk you run with an anthology is that, inevitably, some stories are going to hit the mark, and some stories will flop. The goal, when I'm reading an anthology, is to like more stories than I dislike. This anthology passed that test.

I will say that I do have an affinity for Naomi Novik. I loveeeedddd A Deadly Education, and both Uprooted and Spinning Silver are in the top of my favorite standalone fantasy novels.

I really liked the range in this series of short stories. Some were high fantasy, like you would expect from a story set in the Scholomance. Others were retellings and reimaginings of popular stories, like the retelling of Pride and Prejudice involving dragons. Still others had just the faintest touch of magic, but kept my attention so thoroughly.

Ironically enough, my least favorite story in here was the title story. Nearly all of the other ones were captivating, exciting, and just fun. I'd say if you are already a fan of Novik's work, this is a great supplement to her writing, and if you aren't familiar, this gives a good introduction to her writing style.

Posted on Goodreads (August 31, 2024)

This collection of short stories made me feel as if I was transported to different worlds. You can tell that Novik really put her heart and soul into these stories, and I believe anyone can appreciate the range of places and people you meet throughout the stories. Having read some of Novik's other books, I think that the more of her stories you have read, the more you will enjoy this book because you get a small glimpse into some of the worlds she has created in her other books. I am so glad I received a copy through NetGalley to review, and can't wait for others to share this fun book experience.

Naomi Novik's collection of short stories in Buried Deep encompasses all of her storytelling skills! You have stories about pirates, magic, and dragons alongside spins on fairytales, Sherlock Holmes, Pride and Prejudice and Greek mythology! I've read other short story collections and usually find a few I didn't really enjoy but I loved every story in here, especially Novik's teaser for her next series. Her writing is so fluid and you just flow with the story right from the beginning as she succinctly sets the stage and creates instant depth to the characters you meet. I really felt that in the Irene Adler story, you just instantly understand everything going on and the feelings and personality of Adler. I haven't read the Temeraire series but reading Vici and seeing a kind of origin story of that had me adding it to my tbr list. I loved getting to see how the Scholomance was faring after the events of that series and it was fun seeing the magic again! And a story about a teapot almost brought me to tears, can't say that's ever happened before! All in all, Novik is one of my favorite authors and this collection just proves that I will love anything she writes, no matter the genre!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Where do I start? This book took me a ridiculously long time to read (NetGalley sending me reminders every week that it was on my shelf awaiting review... Thanks NetGalley... super helpful...). Each story took me at least a day to read, and some almost 3 days, as they all required me to get into the headspace of that tale's world. This is not a negative! It just is. Novik's writing is so very transportative that you get to go to a new world every day, but you might have to take your time learning the rules, reread to remind yourself where you are, and take your time navigating through.

Every single story was beautifully written. I don't know if I have a favorite - again, this is an annoyance of reading a collection of short stories: you want some stories to maybe not have taken you three days to read and you want to spend months in others that end too quickly. BUT, the writing is impeccable all the way through. I personally just don't like collections of short stories, and this one had a lot! So, it took me about a month to get through this (13 freaking stories and an average of 2 days to read each one. Could you speed read through it a lot faster? Yes, but I am convinced you wouldn't really be experiencing it if you did); each story is a mini-Naomi Novik book, so, all the attention and care that requires.

Now, a quick synopsis and impression from each story. These are not connected, so if you require a collection of short stories to have some unifying concept, go read something else. ALSO, 11 of them are not original, but published in other anthologies. This is fine, as they were all new to me, no shade, just... if the whole point of this was to introduce the two new stories... I wish she had just made those two the sole focus of this collection, with far fewer other stories, and made the two new stories longer. In my opinion, 13 is a bit much for one collection when they're all completely unconnected, but if you have a month to spare, it's a yes from me. Not enough for a full 5 stars, but rounding up to 5 because it's Naomi Novik and I'd read her rendition of the phone book.

Araminta, or, The Wreck of the Amphidrake: This was basically Pirates of the Caribbean where Elizabeth immediately becomes a pirate, which is totally fine by me, but it was not original... but it was fun.

After Hours: MORE!!! MORE!!!!! This is a continuation of the Scholomance story with a new crop of students in the improved school post El/Orion and it was perfect in every way except I wanted it to be three books long! Probably my favorite just because Scholomance is one of my favorite series of all time.

Vici: Latin for I conquered. I don't know what the point of this one was. This was a new tale from the Temeraire universe; I'm sad to say I've read none of this series, so I am probably missing context. The dragon was adorable. Antony was just as annoying as you would assume he would be.

Buried Deep: A really cool but long and boring Minotaur/Ariadne reimagining. Beautifully written but confusing. I do not know why the whole anthology is named for this story above any others.

Spinning Silver: This was a very interesting subversion of the Rumpelstiltskin story, where a shrewd young woman's success in business convinces the little men of the forest that she can turn silver to gold. This was a favorite. Probably should have named the anthology for this one...

Commonplaces: This was a Sherlock Holmes and Irene story that could have been super interesting but it was short and a bit convoluted. I think she tried to be a bit too Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in her writing and it confused the crap out of me at some spots. The story was told from Irene's perspective though and I absolutely loved the idea of that, just not so much the execution.

Seven: Loved this musical story about an expert sculptor and how the best things do not have to be the fanciest. I loved the personalities of this story: the quiet, practical sculptor and her surly but ultimately kind patron who ended up being a kind of stepdad to her kids. I wanted this one to be longer.

Blessings: A fun twist on Sleeping Beauty for anyone who has said "why does the damsel always have to get saved and married off to the prince?" Very short but sweet.

Lord Dunsany's Teapot: This one was super jarring and I don't even know how to explain it. It starts out talking about Lord Dunsany's Teapot taken from Dr. Lampshead's cabinet but then the story of the teapot had nothing to do with Lord Dunsany or Dr. Lampshead but two men named Russell and Edward, no relation to Dunsany or Lampshead. It was a very short story about the teapot and WWII... That's all I can say, I have no idea what the point was. The teapot was supposed to be a talisman but then the owner died anyway... I didn't get it. At all.

Seven Years from Home: This reminded me of Avatar or Interstellar. It had to do with colonization of distant worlds of "uncivilized" natives by the "civilized" colonizers and how the natives were more adept at surviving and pushed the colonizers out. The politics of it were such that I could have read a much much much longer story. The lack of background because you were thrust right into the story made it hard to follow sometimes. But I loved this one.

Dragons & Decorum: A Temeraire-esque reimagining of Pride and Prejudice. I absolutely LOVED that. Elizabeth Bennet as a captain of the Aerial Corps with her very own Gothic-literature-loving dragon. BUT, it was a bit cutesy. The romantic in me loved that, but the Naomi Novik lover in me was confused as to why she would bother being so precious when I know she's capable of fierce dialog and characterization, not just My Little Pony levels of cute.

Castle Coeurlieu: This one was so delightfully creepy!! A young girl comes to a castle with an inner tower said to be haunted and she ventures in and sees all sorts of weird stuff and survives the tower. Short and sweet, well told.

The Long Way Round: So this is the crux of the collection, the novella on which her new series is to be based. I will be interested in reading more of this. This is a story of a whip-smart and practical young woman sailor who, with her ethereal shipwright brother, wants to find a new way to sail around their world to avoid paying the crippling customs tax. Their land is overseen by a young sorcerer who insists on coming with them as he has staked his reputation on them finding a new way around the world. On their journey, they discover a whole new continent. The power of Naomi Novik is that there wasn't anything particularly explosively exciting about this story, but I would still read more of it because she characterizes so well, and set up some really interesting exploration. Maybe I won't be chomping at the bit to get my hands on the new Folly series, but I am intrigued.

Buried Deep and Other Stories is a captivating collection that showcases the author’s incredible range and imagination. Spanning from dragon-filled skies to enchanted forests and eerie, deserted lands, these thirteen stories are a testament to the author's mastery of fantasy and her ability to weave magic into every word.
Each story is a gem, offering a glimpse into the author's most beloved worlds, as well as a tantalizing peek into her upcoming work. Fans of the Temeraire series will be thrilled by the tale of Mark Antony and his dragon, while Scholomance readers will chuckle (and shudder) at the story of a mushroom witch navigating the perilous waters of dorm life. The reimagining of Pride & Prejudice with Elizabeth Bennet as a dragon captain is both clever and utterly charming, blending classic literature with Novik’s unique twist on fantasy.
What makes this collection particularly special is how it balances the familiar with the new. The author's talent for building richly detailed worlds is on full display, but she also ventures into fresh territory, as seen in the haunting first glimpse of Abandon, the setting for her next series. This story alone promises an epic journey that readers will eagerly anticipate.
The unifying theme of destiny and the lengths to which characters will go to fulfill—or escape—it gives the collection a thought-provoking depth. The author explores the human (and sometimes inhuman) desire to shape one’s fate, whether it’s through a high-stakes gamble with Death or the forging of an unbreakable bond with a dragon.
While some stories may resonate more strongly than others, Buried Deep and Other Stories is a treasure trove for any fan of fantasy, myth, and adventure. The author's storytelling is as enchanting as ever, making this collection a must-read for those who appreciate tales that transport them to worlds where magic and destiny intertwine.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Don’t have time to plow your way through a sweeping fantasy series right now? Naomi Novik’s newest story collection will scratch your itch for magic, dragons, romance, and more. Her writing is as beautiful and rich as ever and each tale will leave you wanting so much more. The good news is, a few of these shorts come straight from the worlds of her novels, including a glimpse at her upcoming epic fantasy trilogy. (recommendation will be sent to email subscribers of WordSmarts.com

I do enjoy many of Ms. Novik's books but unfortunately, this book was extremely difficult for me to get through. It took me a really long time - and I do mean a REALLY long time for me to finally get through the book.

This was a collection of I think 13 different short stories from Ms. Novik - some from her existing and established worlds, and some just brand new. I did enjoy some of them, and unfortunately did not like some of the others - but that is okay.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be out for publication on Sep 17 2024.

Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik ebook ARC from NetGalley.

This book is masterful collection of stories that weaves together tales from various corners of the world, each story rich with atmospheric detail that feels tailor-made for a cozy fall read. Known for her brilliant storytelling, Novik doesn't disappoint in this anthology, creating immersive experiences that transport readers to different times and places.

Each story in the collection is distinct, yet they all share a common thread of exploring the depths of human nature, the mysteries of the unknown, and the eerie beauty of the world around us. Whether it's a haunting tale set in a foggy forest or a mythic journey across distant lands, Novik's writing pulls you in, making you feel as though you're living each moment alongside her characters.

The collection has been praised for its lush prose, intricate plots, and the way each story leaves a lingering impression long after you've turned the last page. Perfect for fans of fantasy and speculative fiction, Buried Deep and Other Stories is an evocative journey through the realms of the fantastic and the uncanny, all while wrapped in the warmth of Novik's exceptional storytelling craft.

For those looking for a book that resonates with the crisp, moody ambiance of fall, this collection is a must-read.

This is a collection of thirteen of Naomi Novik's short stories; eleven of those are previously published in various places, and of the two new ones, only one really feels new.

The positives
If you already like Naomi Novik's works but haven't read a lot of her short stories, there is a lot to enjoy here. There are two stories in the world of Temeraire and one new one set in the Scholomance. One of the later stories ("Castle Coerlieu") has horror elements to it that I didn't expect but enjoyed a lot; it felt very reminiscent of [book:The Seventh Bride|25935854] in a way, and those who like T. Kingfisher would like that story in particular. Novik's "voice" is very present throughout. My first Novik book was [book:Uprooted|22544764] and I thought she had such a wonderful style for writing fairytales; that is definitely the case here. I actually had to double-check that Novik is, in fact, American, because her writing can feel distinctly British at times in its simplicity while still conveying so much. She does a take on Pride & Prejudice ("Dragons & Decorum") that was absolutely delightful; I would read a thousand more pages of the dragons from Temeraire, they are always excellent, and this was such a fun use of that world. We get a glimpse of a world that Novik is exploring for her new longform work, and I loved it. There's also a sci-fi story in here; I honestly didn't think Novik dabbled in sci-fi (having read all of her novels) and would love to see her do more of this. The best works are definitely stacked at the end of the book, so my overall rating definitely went up in the later third.

The meh parts
You have to have read a lot of Novik and a lot of other things to really get the most out of this collection. Seven of the stories in the collection--more than half--really require you to have read Novik's other works (including pretty much all of the hefty Temeraire series) or some other work (from Sherlock Holmes to Greek mythology to Pride & Prejudice to [book:The Seven Pillars of Wisdom: a triumph|490798]) to really GET them. This could definitely lead to the collection feeling a bit unapproachable if you've only read Uprooted, for example. I also found one of the only two new stories to be disappointing; it's set in the Scholomance, and though Novik prefaces the story by saying she always imagined the Scholomance to be part of a larger world with more stories, this one is, in fact, just another Scholomance story with new characters. There are hints of an intriguing larger world beyond it, with different ways to gain and learn and use magic, but Novik shoves them all off to the side in favor of "more monsters in the halls at night!" And while the other new story in the book ("The Long Way Round") also offers glimpses of an intriguing new world, it feels unfinished, despite being one of the longest stories in the collection.

Overall, I did really enjoy this collection, because I have already read a lot of Naomi Novik and some of the other things she references a lot. But for those not in this situation, this is not a good collection to sample and see if Novik is for you.

I enjoyed some of the stories in this book and not so much some of the others. This is really just my own experience with Novik's work, sometimes I'm totally sucked in and other times the plot just isn't my cup of tea. The writing is wonderfully done and each story is expertly crafted. For anyone who loves all of the author's books this is a definite do not pass go must read. It's also enjoyable for those who haven't read all their other books. There are even a few that intrigued me enough I need to go find out what world the characters exist in.

Thanks, netgalley and delray, for this ARC!

Naomi Novik is quietly one of my favorite authors- i have been chasing the high of the first time i read uprooted for years, and have blasted through the entirety of her catalogue since. Her writing style is so honed, but the splashes of humor and emotions that shine out always leave me feeling grateful for the experience of what i just read. I sometimes struggle with short fiction (because i am greedy and i always want more story, never a comment on skill) but this story collection had me catching up with the worlds of old friends at the scholomance, fairy tales, and mythology (buried deep was such a stunning retelling it left me in awe). Also, basically pride and prejudice fan fiction in the temeraire universe- who could be mad? But there are some new to me stories and worlds here that i will be thinking on for a long time- tess and ashton on the sea, kath and grovin and their lives in clay. I truly enjoyed every story, and i am glad they are all gathered together to be enjoyed in this collection.

Thank you to Penguin Random House for this ARC in exchange of an honest review. Buried Deep and Other Stories is an eclectic collection of Novik's short stories that range from epilogues and prequels to some of her longer works to re-tellings of other authors' works to completely original pieces. Novik's genius at voice and setting provide a backdrop for a delightful foray into the short story genre.

I found it hard to think of a better analogy for these works than the one Novik suggests at the beginning of the book - that the stories are guests at a party you're attending. As with any party, there are a variety of guests present. There are the stories that make you wish the party would last just a couple hours (or days) longer so you could dive deeper into conversation with them, that you can't stop thinking about afterwards. Then there are the stories you've met before but have totally changed their image and they look pretty incredible. Finally, there are the (few) stories that remind you of your college English class, a little bit cliche, somewhat mediocre standing next to the other party guests. I struggled with what rating to give Novik's latest work due to the varied nature of the pieces, but in the end I couldn't give it less than 5 stars. I enjoyed my time at the party, with this sample of her writing, and continue to be wowed by Novik's creative, innovative, and sometimes nothing less than brilliant works.

Buried Deep & Other Stories is a collection of 13 beautiful short stories that dive into the bond between siblings, discovering one's destiny through adventures, the lengths people will go to achieve their dreams, and finding friendship in the midst of chaos. Some of these stories are also retellings of famous classics.

TITLES:
Araminta, or, The Wreck of the Amphidrake - 5 stars
After Hours - 5 stars
Vici - 5 stars
Buried Deep - 4 stars
Spinning Silver - 5 stars
Commonplaces - 3 stars
Seven - 4 stars
Blessings - 4 stars
Lord Dunsany's Teapot - 4 stars
Seven Years from Home - 3 stars
Dragons & Decorum - 5 stars
Castle Coeurlieu - 5 stars
The Long Way Round - 3 stars

Wow! What a journey this has been. I’ve read short stories before, but nothing quite like this. It was such a fun and amazing experience for me. I’ve heard a lot about how great Naomi Novik’s books are, and now I can totally see why! I absolutely loved her twisted mind—it’s like she tapped into my inner child. Araminta, After Hours, Vici, Spinning Silver, Dragons & Decorum, and Castle Coeurlieu were all standout stories for me. I was blown away by how she managed to blend pirates, witches, wizards, dragons, fairies, goddess, retellings, classics, and horror all in one. Just wow!

Overall, if you’re into fantasy, classic retellings, mythology, and a bit of romance, I highly recommend this!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for giving me the chance to dive into this amazing and magical anthology by Naomi Novik.

✨ WHAT I LOVED:
📌 Araminta selflessly saving her maids and eunuch
📌 Even with all that power, Araminta still chose to help
📌 Beata promising Jayne she'd help break the curse
📌 The dragon talking (Vici was hilarious)
📌 Miryem standing up to Staryk
📌 Elizabeth and Darcy finally getting married
📌 Isabeau meeting the Queen

✨ TROPES:
📌 PIRATES
📌 STRONG & CLEVER FEMALE PROTAGONIST
📌 WITCHES AND WIZARDS (THE SCHOLOMANCE WORLD)
📌 TALKING DRAGONS
📌 MINOTAUR & ARIADNE RETELLING
📌 SHERLOCK HOLMES
📌 SHADOWED FAIRIES
📌 PRIDE & PREJUDICE RETELLING—WITH DRAGONS!
📌 AN ABANDONED CASTLE
📌 A DARING VOYAGE
📌 THE BOND BETWEEN BROTHER AND SISTER
📌 NO SPICE

🖥️ GOODREADS REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6776661156

💻 BLOG REVIEW: https://kimthebookdragon.wordpress.com/2024/08/26/arc-review-buried-deep-and-other-stories-by-naomi-novik/

👩‍💻 INSTAGRAM REVIEW: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_I7IgPSaie/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Short story collections are always challenging to review. Like most collections, this is a mixed bag of the outstanding and the mundane, but it was definitely interesting to see Novik's style across the years, and several of the stories left me longing for more, or wanting to embark upon a reread of old favorites.

"Araminta, or, The Wreck of the Amphidrake" - a Regency pirate tale, well done with some interesting exploration of gender, but ultimately didn't hold my attention (I'm not a huge fan of pirate stories in general).

"After Hours" - set in the Scholomance universe, loved this and could happily read an entire collection of Scholomance stories.

"Vici" - a story set in the world of Temeraire, but during Roman Empire times. I read a couple of the novels but they weren't for me. This story was good but it still didn't make me want to return to the Temeraire novels.

"Buried Deep" - an Ariadne retelling that I struggled to stay engaged with.

"Spinning Silver" - the short story origin of the novel. Although things are changed, both this and the novel are 5-star reads for me, and reading this made me want to go back and reread the novel.

"Commonplaces" - an Irene Adler short story, enjoyable but too short to really sink into.

"Seven" - blew me away, great world-building for a short story especially.

"Blessings" - the funniest of the bunch, wish it were longer.

"Lord Dunsany's Teapot" - two soldiers share tea and stories in the midst of war, a bit of a slog for me.

"Seven Years from Home" - this was a long one, and I never settled in to the world-building. I got Ursula K. LeGuin vibes, and maybe if this was a full novel I would have given myself over to it better.

"Dragons & Decorum" - another Temeraire story, but this one was a charming Pride & Prejudice retelling and I loved it.

"Castle Coeurlieu" - more of a creepy, horror fairy tale vibe to this one.

"The Long Way Round" - yes please, I hope this is developed into a full novel. A brother and sister adventure story. Outstanding.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for a digital review copy.

Getting through this book was a fight to the very end. I do not love short stories or anthologies, but I adore Novik’s writing, so I thought Buried Deep would be different for me. It was not. There were a couple stories that were okay, like the Pride and Prejudice retelling and the shortened Spinning Silver, but most of the rest fell flat for me. I struggled to get engaged and felt that Novik needed more time to develop the characters and the story so I could care about them.

Overall, I’m not a fan of Buried Deep. It’s nice that all Novik’s previously published shorts are all together in a single volume and the cover is pretty, but the stories themselves just didn’t do it for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A nice collection of stories for Novik fans. There are two stories set in the Temeraire universe and one in Scholomance, two of which I thought were real treats. Most stories have appeared in other collections. My ratings of each story are below.

"Araminta, or the Wreck of the Amphidrake"
3.5 stars
I liked the writing, as I pretty much always do. I didn't think there was much to Araminta, besides always knowing what to do in the strange situations she found herself in.
"After Hours"
5 stars
Scholomance story! Orion! Enemies become friends (or at least, friendly). I love this world, and I loved this story, set after the events of the Scholomance trilogy.
"Vici"
3 stars
I was excited to get a story from Temeraire's world, but the jerky protagonist kind of ruined it for me. I liked Vici, though.
"Buried Deep"
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this quite a bit until the abrupt ending. It probably would have meant more to me if I knew the myth it was based on better.
"Spinning Silver"
5 stars
This worked nicely as a short story. I enjoyed the novel, and I liked reading this variation.
"Commonplaces"
2.5 stars
I probably would have gotten more out of it if I was more familiar with Sherlock Holmes stories and Irene Adler.
"Seven"
5 stars
One of my favorites of the collection. I expected more to happen before it ended, but maybe I missed something I was supposed to understand. I loved Kath and her approach to life.
"Blessings"
3.5 stars
Really short, but I liked the idea of drunk fairies trying to out-blessing each other at a christening.
"Lord Dunsany's Teapot"
5 stars
Particularly lovely writing and a moving wartime story.
"Seven Years from Home"
4 stars
Novik's imagination is endless, and it's stunning in this story, but the plot was pretty depressing.
"Dragons and Decorum"
5 stars
Such a perfect blend of Novik's Temeraire world and Pride and Prejudice. I'd read it in another collection, but I was happy to read it again. Loved it.
"Castle Coeurlieu"
5 stars
Spooky ghost story set during a plague in an imaginary world. I loved the young protagonist.
"The Long Way Round"
4 stars
I really liked this brother-sister seafaring adventure. I'm curious how she'll flesh it out into a novel or series.

It's difficult for me to rate and review this book as I have opposing opinions as an aspiring writer and as a reader.

As an aspiring writer, I really enjoyed the insight into Naomi Novik's writing process. I really appreciated the introductions to each short story. They were an opportunity to get inside her head and understand why she wrote certain stories. It was also relatable as many of these stories were fan fiction of sorts (used here as a positive comparison).

But as a reader, I only connected with three of the thirteen stories (the Pride and Prejudice inspired one, the Spinning Silver expert, and the final story which is a sneak peek at her upcoming project). They weren't bad. They were well written. It's more that they just didn't capture my imagination and interest. I would say that this book is for Naomi Novik super fans. It's the type of book I'd borrow from the library rather than buy. And one that I would recommend enjoy one or two stories at a time.