
Member Reviews

While Naomi Novik isn't my favorite author, she remains absolutely brilliant and this collection (and yes, I did preorder the audiobook) is no exception.
Think of this collection as a casket of jewels- you take it home, you admire it and then, once opened, you take each jewel out one by one, turning it this way and that, so as to savor every facet.
That's how I read this collection. I allowed myself one story a day (or so) and gave myself time to absorb and reflect between each. Since each little gem encompasses a different world all its own, this worked really well to allow me the maximum enjoyment without expectations. And if some of the worlds were delightfully familiar, still others were completely new (at least to me) and at least one was a jewel I'd already ejoyed but cut just a little differently and complete in itself.
Solid 5.
This review is based on an advance copy that I received for free.

I really enjoyed this. I had three separate stories that were 5 stars individually and several others that were 4 stars. I did dnf the scifi short story because it simply went over my head. I did like "The Long Way Around" it's a great concept, but I felt like it was dragging with the set-up. Overall really recommend this collections.

Buried Deep and Other Stories is a collection of 13 short stories by Naomi Novik that both take readers back to familiar characters and worlds and charts new territory. All but one of the stories have been published in other anthologies at some time and the last and longest tale is set in the world of one of Novik's upcoming works.
As with any short story collection I had favorites and least favorites, but overall I really enjoyed this book. My favorites were the original short story upon which Spinning Silver is based, an Ariadne retelling, and a Pride and Prejudice re-imagining where Elizabeth Bennet is a captain in the dragon army. If you are familiar with Novik's writing, I highly recommend this collection as a way to experience more and to get a glimpse at some old favorites. If you are new to her work, then this would be an excellent place to start!

I enjoyed this collection of stories, especially Dragons & Decorum. It was a delight to see Spinning Silver in its short story form. I had read Buried Deep in a previous anthology but it was lovely to revisit it. This book will certainly grace my bookshelf upon publication.

A bunch of stories that are a bit complicated to read. I've read Novik's work before and it's always been a delight. These short stories were written in a swirly whirly type of way where it takes an entire paragraph to finish a thought. They weren't for me and I'm going to stick with her full length novels.

I love the way this book was written, my only issue with it is that it is a collection of short stories (which is really just a me problem!). Totally worth the read, she is an amazing author.

What a great collection of fantasy short stories. I know a majority of these have been published previously, but they were all new to me. One of the things I love most about this book is that all but one of the stories has strong female leads-human or otherwise. They generally lead the men where they want them to go, fight for their livelihood, their independence, or just show their incredible strength. Some of my favorite stories from this collection are Vici-a female dragon that was meant to be killed as punishment; Blessings-drunk fairies come and haphazardly bless a baby with unflattering gifts; Seven Years From Home-a woman is sent to another planet to collect intel for her home planet; and Dragons & Decorum-a fantasy take on Pride and Prejudice. Some of the stories are infused with humor, some with problems and pain that hit close to home, but all show an aim that the character strive for-successfully overcoming obstacles and learning lessons along the way.
A solid collection for any lover of fantasy novels and stories. I would highly recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!
This collection of stories had some great ones and not so great ones. I thought the first five stories were pretty entertaining. My favorite were Buried Deep, After Hours, Vici, and Spinning Silver, which were all in the first half of the book. Unfortunately after the 50% mark, I just could not get into the stories and found them to be hard to want to finish, hence only three stars.

Was really excited to get this eARC of BURIED DEEP as I'm a big fan of Novik's fantasy (especially SPINNING SILVER and A DEADLY EDUCATION). While the endings didn't always hit the way I love a good short story to do, I continue to be blown away by by Novik's inventive world building and writing talent (her language/tone adjusts to accommodate each story in a way that really shows this off). I wouldn't recommend this as the first book to pick up from her, but if you're already a fan of Novik's, I doubt you'll be disappointed with BURIED DEEP!
Some standout stories:
After Hours - This takes place after the events of the Scholomance Trilogy and was a great dip back into this very memorable academic institution.
Buried Deep - A haunting retelling of Ariadne, the Minotaur and the Labyrinth. Maybe the most emotional version of the myth I've ever read.
Spinning Silver - Just as immersive, even as one familiar with the plot. Interesting to see how this original short story was adapted into the full length novel.
Seven Years from Home - Politically-minded explorer gets emotionally invested in the native people she meets on an interstellar mission. I loved the play with language here (felt very historical)
Dragons & Decorum - Pride and prejudice but with dragons (although I admit I liked HEARTSTONE by Elle White more, which has the exact same idea)
The Long Way Round - This was the original reason why I requested an eARC of BURIED DEEP as the blurb promised "a glimpse at the world of Novik’s upcoming series, a deserted land, populated only by silent and enigmatic architectural behemoths whose secrets are yet to be unlocked"- which totally delivered. Will definitely look forward to her next full length pieces, especially if it takes place in this world!
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the free eARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It’s difficult for me to accurately rate this collection. I confess, I am not really a short story type of person. They tend to focus more on metaphors and I am unfortunately a very literal person so oftentimes the themes go over my head completely and leave me feeling confused. I requested this ARC dispute that fact because I am such a huge fan of Noemi Novik’s novels. So my feelings on the collection were sort of a mixed bag: I absolutely loved some of the stories while others I couldn’t quite “get”. But that’s more of a me problem than a problem of the book itself I feel. Getting to revisit the scholomance was absolutely delightful and I really enjoyed all the tales that were an extension of the Temeraire universe. So even though some of the stories were a “miss” for me I still rate the collection four stars and would absolutely get it for the bookstore

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories. From revisiting familiar worlds to getting glimpses of new ones I found something to love in every story in this collection. My favorites were a retelling of Pride & Prejudice set in Temeraire's world, and also the final story of the collection. I can't remember any of the titles but those two were highlights for me. But I also enjoyed the other stories. A wonderful collection!

I love Naomi Novik. I read everything she writes. Her writing is pristine and lush. I enjoy the characters in these stories. I was thrilled to see this book. Each story is unique, just like her other books. Highly recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.
I love Naomi Novik's work, this is the level of mastery that I aspire to one day have. So when I was approved for an ARC of this collection of short stories, I immediately dropped what I was reading to start reading this. Naomi Novik is one of those authors whose works I have physical copies of, in pristine condition on my shelf.
I love this collection. I find that with so many of her stories, I always wish for more. I cannot wait to read her new series Folly.

3.6 I guess…it took me a while to work my way through these stories, but most of them are enjoyable enough. Most are previously published and many are riffs on or side-stories of Novik’s novels, so it helps if you’re already a fan. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

Naomi Novim can do no wrong in my book and Burid Deep certainly loved up to my expectations! I loved these stories and am so happy I got to visit the lands of her imagination again. And with one of the stories being a Pride and Prejudice reimagining, well, need I say more? Every story I read in this book became my new favorite by the time I finished it!

Collection of stories, including from the worlds of Temeraire (Caesar, and also a Pride and Prejudice retelling), the Scholomance, and the in-progress world of (architectural) follies. Nicely representative.

If Naomi Novik writes something, I will read it. This short story collection includes previously published stories as well some new ones such as an appealing teaser of a story creating a new world that will be a novel (hopefully soon). There were a couple of the short stories (the ones with sevens) that need a re-reading to understand their worlds better, but they didn't pull me in enough for me to want to do that. The new Scholamance story is wonderful, and it would be great if she would continue to write more short stories set in that world if she didn't want to create another novel. The dragon story, set in Temeraire's world was previously published but so much fun to read again (as was the story that was a short re-telling of Spinning Silver). Each story has a short introduction by the author which added to the enjoyment. Novik fans will definitely want this book.

I love Naomi Novik. I was excited to find stories from her Scholomance world, her Regency dragon world, her Spinning Silver world and the new world with a new unexplored unpopulated continent in it. If you love Naomi Novik, you won't be disappointed either, except that each one ends so soon.

Naomi Novik is a genius. I have been her biggest fan for years. This collection of short stories was a breath of fresh air. I loved getting to be in her worlds without having to commit to a 400+ page book. It was dark, thrilling, and magnificent.

This book is great if you’ve read some of this authors previous books. Naomi Novik is well written and puts you in worlds you could never imagine.
Overall I recommend “Buried Deep and Other Stories”!