Although they're not split this way, I'd divide the 13 short stories in this anthology into 3 groups: one for Novik's existing series of books ("Temeraire," "Scholomance"), a second for those based on her fairy tale retellings ("Uprooted," "Spinning Silver"), and a third for standalone stories. There's enough variety in quantity and topics to please readers,, too.

(Full review in link)

I think this book will be perfect for fans of Naomi Novik, especially if they have read all of her works. I found this hard to get into due to the fact that I haven't had the chance to read most of her books yet. This is a book I will revisit once I have read het other books and understand her worldbuilding more.

I've read about half a dozen of Naomi Novik's novels and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I remember when I picked up Spinning Silver and, the entire time I was reading, felt acutely aware of how lucky I was to be experiencing such a book for the first time. It was truly wonderful, finely crafted and magical. I wasn't sure how I would like a collection of short fiction by the same author, but I was hopeful.

I haven't felt this electrified by a short story collection since I discovered Aimee Bender over a decade ago. This collection is brilliant. It's rare to find a book in which I love virtually every story. I usually find a few standouts and feel that the rest are decent. But every time I finished one story in this collection and thought, "Wow, that was really great. I can't imagine that I'll enjoy the next one nearly as much," I was proven wrong. Even the stories that I didn't instantly adore are solidly in the "very good" category.

I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley but intend to purchase a finished copy for my home library. I can't recommend this one enough.

3.5 Stars

This is a delightful collection of 13 short stories by Naomi Novik, a master storyteller. Each story stands alone, some more enjoyable than others. Each tale is accompanied by the author’s note giving us background on the tales, which I loved and enjoyed the insight into the author's way of thinking. A couple of the stories have been published previously. My favorite stories were Buried Deep, a take on the Minotaur myth, After Hours, which takes place in her schoolmance setting, and Spinning Silver, the origin of the novel. While I don't think previous knowledge of Novick's works is absolutely necessary I do think it would help. Overall I feel if you like Novick's other works you will like this. It is nice to have something you can pick up read a story and go on with your day.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read an advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

As expected of Naomi Novik this is an absolute delight filled with adventure, fantasy, dragons, and magic. In this collection of short stories you’ll find old favorites such as the Scholomance and Temeraire worlds revisited as well as a peek of something new to come.

For me returning to the world of the Scholomance was a big draw and it was so great to be able to jump back into that world . After Hours, is a story about a new group of students at the Scholomance that takes place after the book trilogy. This story could be a standalone but if you a haven’t read that series and would like to it may be good to hold off on just this story however.

This collection also has two stories set in the Temeraire universe and these require no knowledge of those books and work well as standalone stories. The dragons and settings were delightful taking place in a Pride and Prejudice and a Roman setting and it made me want to read that series as I haven’t had the chance to yet. I also found the short version of Spinning Silver to be a really surprising and interesting addition.

The Long Way Round gives us a taste of what to look forward to in a new upcoming novel and the story and characters were definitely intriguing and compelling. I’m really excited for it! Some of my other Favorites were the dark and mysterious Castle Coeurlieu and Common Places, a story featuring the character of Irene Adler from the Sherlock Holmes novels. I also found Novik’s take on Sci-fi to be unexpected and poignant.

This is a must read for Naomi Novik fans and a really good introduction to her work and style for those interested in giving her writing a try. It’s a perfect cozy autumn read!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

DNF @ 55%

There were a few stories in the beginning of this collection that I really liked (Antony with the dragon, the Scholomance story, even the very first pirate-esque story!). But then I started to DNF a handful of stories in a row and I just feel like maybe most of the stories in this collection aren't for me. I think if you've read a lot of Novik's work this will be really enjoyable, but I have only read her Scholomance series.

It is always difficult to review a collection of short stories because there are so many different ideas and narratives taking place. I very much enjoyed these, but for sure some more than others. One wonderful thing about this collection is that it really feels like a tribute to fans of all of Naomi Novik's work. I've read at least part of all her series and so it was great fun to dive into some of the worlds I hadn't been in for a while.

In the ideal reading experience I probably would have read this slowly. A few stories sprinkled between other books I was reading rather than straight through.

Overall 4.5 with the ratings per story ranging from 3-5 stars. None of them were bad but like I mentioned, some were far better than others.

I had some mixed feelings about this book which seems to be my MO for short story collections. I loved the story from Spinning Silver, the take on the Minotaur, as well as the Scholomance world. But other stories, I was confused the entire time and never truly understood what was happening so it is difficult to rate the book as a whole. Luckily, the stories I enjoyed made up for the ones I didn't.

Naomi Novik creates such amazingly complex magical worlds and intricate societies that I am amazed by her creativity. However, in short story form it is very difficult to explain such a complex world while also make sure certain things happen in such few words. This wasn't always the case, as half of the stories I was sucked right into and loved (and understood) every moment. But the other half I had to reread certain paragraphs or almost push through because I just could not wrap my head around everything.

I've read each of Novik's books and will continue to do so as I truly enjoy her way of writing fairytales and her creative worlds. I wish I could have received more of some of these stories, and maybe she will extend them some day.

Overall, another enjoyable "book" from Naomi Novik, and I look forward to the new world she is creating!

What a delight! Naomi Novik knows how to write tales that pull you in, and spark your imagination, and this collection does it over and over. I wish each one was its own book, I would read them all.

Buried Deep and Other Stories is a unique collection of fantasy short stories from Naomi Novik. Some of these short stories are set in worlds familiar to readers of Novik's fantasy novels, and some will be new. Some have been published in other anthologies, but they were all new to me. I honestly enjoyed this read and rated it 4.4 stars. The highlights of the short stories include: After Hours - set in the Scholomance world and I gave this one 5 stars. Dark academia done so well. I also loved Spinning Silver which started out as a short story and then was written as a full length novel. Seven, Long Way Round and Blessings round out the remainder of my favorites - all at 5 stars. The drunk fairy godmothers trying to outdo each other will stay with me for a long time. If you enjoy fantasy and short stories, and honestly, how could you not, you will like this collection from Naomi Novik. I highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley #netgalley and the Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Del Rey for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Naomi Novik is a go-to, always pick and read author for me. And I’m so incredibly thankful to have read this arc. I’ve been reading a lot of anthologies, short stories, essays, etc. because toddler life is time consuming. This was well done—pacing, characters, world building—it all hit the short story sweet spot. And there are dragons!

While some of the stories are related to Naomi Novik's other novels, it isn't necessary to read her other books. The short stories are a great peek into numerous fantasy worlds.

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read Buried Deep and Other Stories!

If you love Naomi Novik books, this is a win because you get more of her beautiful, magical words and worlds. And if you are new to this author, it's a win because you get to dip your toe in and you will want to dive in and immerse yourself in her magical words and worlds.

Naomi Novik never ceases to amaze me with the writings she is able to bring to her audience and help them feel new again.

I was introduced to her writings with Uprooted and loved her style of dark fairy tale, then continued my journey with her through Spinning Silver and the Scholarmance Trilogy. Even her dark academia, which has gained a genre all its own in book stores, finds a way to be unique by presenting a deadly school with no teachers just magic, monsters, and students doing their best to hone their skills and survive for the time they are there.

Within this book, we are able to glimpse into quite a bit of her various worlds, as though walking down a hallway lined with windows, peeking through one at a time and catching moments of the worlds she has been building or ones she has held in her mind. In some ways it feels like we are getting some rough drafts, or outlines but they are a bit more flushed out than that. They are works which could be full bodied in the future or give you an idea of what is going on beyond the main story we already know.

If you are a fan of this writer, I certainly think this book is well worth picking up. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance to dive into these pages before they released, so I could sing their praises for others to know they are worth the read.

An awesome collection of 13 short stories by the incomparable Naomi Novik, one of the greatest authors to ever pen fantasy. There are a few dragon tales and even a story set within the world of the Scholomance. The best part is if you listen, there is a different amazing reader for each story and each voice actor brings something a little extra to the story. Highly recommend!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for this e-arc.*

As a Naomi Novik fan, I was thrilled to come upon this book. Most of these stories have been published previously, but I hadn't read them, and this tome brings them all together for the reader. A fan of the author will love that some of the stories are set in worlds familiar to us from her books, and will rejoice in the new worlds she explores. However each of these stories stands alone, so if you're not familiar with this author, you won't be lost when reading this.

I really enjoy Naomi Novik’s work, so I was very excited to read this anthology. I enjoyed the opening tale, which focused on a noblewoman who must use all her wits to survive a pirate attack. I love pirate stories and the role reversal was excellent. I liked the shortened version of Spinning Silver and hope it draws new readers into that world. Another story that I particularly enjoyed was “Blessings.” I love the theme that blessings can have a twist to them and what one views as a curse, another views as a strength.

One of my favorite stories was the re-imagining of Elizabeth Bennet as a dragon rider. I loved her interactions with the dragon, the agency it gave her, and how parts of the beloved story still shone through. Another story that will haunt my thoughts long after the last page is “Seven.” In this creative and atmospheric tale, a young woman is forced to accept a deadly gift. She must sculpt a new statue for the city, but it will inevitably shorten her lifespan. With three young children, she is determined to make the most of her time. This story did an excellent job of reminding us that no one knows how much time they have and that all power comes with a price. That price may or may not be worth it, depending on your perspective.

The final tale is a peek into a new world, which promises to be spectacular. I love ocean adventures and was intrigued by the mysteries the crew found as they ventured off the map. The sibling relationship was so relatable! Buried Deep and Other Stories has something for everyone; I would highly recommend it. I can’t wait to read what Naomi Novik writes next!

Thank you to Naomi Novik, Del Rey, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Buried Deep and Other Stories was a delightful surprise. I'm a fan of her fantasy novels, so I was curious to see how she'd handle short stories. And honestly? She nailed it. Each story is a little gem, full of rich characters and unexpected twists. Novik's writing is as sharp and witty as ever, and she's not afraid to explore dark themes.

I especially loved "Araminta, or, The Wreck of the Amphidrake," a hilarious and poignant tale of a young woman's coming-of-age on a fantastical sea voyage. Novik's world-building is top-notch, even in these shorter pieces.

My only quibble is that a few of the stories felt a bit rushed, leaving me wanting more. But overall, this collection is a testament to Novik's versatility and talent. If you're looking for a quick escape into fantastical worlds, Buried Deep and Other Stories is a perfect choice.

What a joy it is to delve into the worlds and writing of Naomi Novik all in one collection of stories!

And these stories are beyond excellent. While the narratives dip into many different worlds and voices, they all share a connecting thread in Novik’s distinct style, world building, and subtle, wry humor.

I loved each one of the stories. Some returned to the rich worlds created in her previous novels like a side story from The Scholomance series. Another story was the original concept for Spinning Silver with alternate ending. And another was the prequel to the Téméraire series, laying out the history of the first dragon rider. While another was a gorgeous retelling of Ariadne and the Minotaur.

This set of short stories is such a gift! We delve into many different fantasy settings: magical regency, mythology retelling, & intricate alternate reality fantasy. And we get a peek in the lives of so many fascinating characters. This was a wonderful read and I will be buying a physical copy to return to as well!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
Out of thirteen stories, I liked all but one of them, and loved two. I haven't read a short story collection in a long time, and I forgot how difficult it is to get through a whole book of them when your investment in the book is constantly stopping and starting. Still, <i>Buried Deep </i> reminded me how much I love Naomi Novik's writing, and made me excited for her upcoming project. <i>Spinning Silver</i> was the first book of hers that I read, and seeing it in its original form was enlightening. Her version of Irene Adler left me wanting more - I could read a series of novels written about Adler by Novik. Being back in the Scholomance after <i>The Golden Enclaves</i> was a comforting add-on to the series, and illustrated the impact of El and Orion in their world. Novik's <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> retelling is utterly delightful, and is perfectly paced for a short story. The only story that fell flat for me was <i>Seven Years from Home</i>. I felt overwhelmed with the intergalactic world, and could not tell for the first few pages what exactly was going on. By the end of the story I had the gist of it, but I get the feeling that it was far more enjoyable to write than it is to read. Still, it was only one of thirteen, and will definitely be buying the book to hold in my hands, as several of the stories are eminently re-readable; I feel the need to return to the teapot story in particular, as its meaning has narrowly slipped my grasp.

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey and Ms. Novik for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I'm not a humongous short story fan - I really don't ever pick them up - but I could not resist revisiting some of my favorite fantasy worlds of Ms. Novik's. Uprooted, Spinning Silver, Temeraire and the Scholomance are all favorites and even a little more is a good thing. I tried to read each short story in one sitting for the most impact; I couldn't manage it with all of them but some of them had me glued.

One by one:

Araminta, or, The Wreck of the Amphidrake:
OK, enjoyable, but forgettable. 3/5

After Hours (Scholomance):
LOVED. Why can't I attend the Scholomance!!! 100% improvement over Hogwarts inasmuch as the danger is legit DANGEROUS and actions have consequences, every time. Loved Beata, loved her mushroom farm, loved her little friends group, loved everything about it, 5/5.

Vici (Temeraire):
This really didn't speak "Temeraire" to me but I loved the vibe overall. Wish it had worked its way over to Cleopatra too but I'll take what I can get. I love me a dragon and Ms. Novik's take is so original, I can't complain. 5/5

Buried Deep:
Hmmmm, I found this one gripping but also confusing. Loved the idea of it. Kept waiting for the mythological ending to pop up but it was avoided here which was nice. 4/5

Spinning Silver:
Alternate ending to the full-length novel but no complaints here. LOVE this setting. Lately I have been a real sucker for any take on Slavic fantasy. 5/5

Commonplaces:
Did Ms. Novik write anything else about Sherlock Holmes? I felt kind of bad for Godfrey, but, 99% of men married to Irene Adler would be here mental inferior, I suppose, and I guess I wonder if that is truly fulfilling. In entertainment terms, I love anything Sherlock, so I liked this a lot, but in terms of characterization, I had lingering questions. 3/5

Seven:
Really imaginative. I loved that Kath (a woman with children) was the first artist to question why working the special clay meant a death sentence. Great worldbuilding. 5/5

Blessings:
Drunk fairies! I love a spin on old fairy tales; this sort of reminded me of Thornhedge by Kingfisher inasmuch as it turned an old Disney fairytale on its head. 5/5

Lord Dunsany's Teapot:
Very Tolkien-at-war, All Quiet on the Western Front vibes. Sad, very moving, probably wouldn't have chosen to read it but had some profound feelings after. 4/5

Seven Years From Home:
This one is the one I struggled most with finishing, I just didn't find myself drawn to it as much. 2/5

Dragons & Decorum (Temeraire/Pride and Prejudice mashup):
Alternative take on P&P in which Elizabeth is an aerial officer with a Longwing dragon. I felt the dragon parts were great (5/5) but there was a lot lacking in the Darcy romance storyline (2/5). 3.5/5 average

Castle Coeurlieu:
Spooky vibe and one of those metaphorical fictions. I really liked this one even though I'm not absolutely sure what happened 😅 5/5

The Long Way Round:
Really cool world building, and I loved the premise and the explorative aspect. I did feel kind of bad for Tess, who continuously had to accommodate her dreamer brother, who literally got to have his cake and eat it too at every turn. 4/5

... overall this collection was a winner but I expected as much from Naomi Novik. 4.5/5 stars overall. I would recommend this highly.