This was just ok for me. I really love Nettle & Bone and Thornhedge, but I found this one to be less well-done. The first half was excellent with a lot of cool information about poisons and the mirror stuff was spooky at first. But after the halfway point I found myself getting pretty bored. I do think fans of T. Kingfisher’s horror will like this one more than I did, but it was just ok for me.

Slow to start, as it only picked up about halfway through. But even then it never fully pulled me in and the pacing felt off — basically the entire first half was build-up, so I wish we got less of that and more of the main part of the story. Also the romance didn't do much for me — it would've been better with more tension and development, because there was barely any chemistry between them throughout most of the book so tit didn’t really seem too believable

Nevertheless, the premise and world itself were really cool, with everything to do with the mirror dimension. Plus I do really enjoy kingfisher’s storytelling and the darker elements included in this story

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC!

This book was such a refreshing take on a classic. Honestly, the premise alone had me hooked: “A dark retelling of Snow White steeped in poison.” Normally I avoid retellings, but my inner child and outer goth were both hyped, and this book delivered the entire vibe. 💚☠️💚

The story is beautifully unique with plenty of T Kingfisher’s usual wit. It’s nice that the main character wasn’t Snow, but instead we followed Anja, a poison healer hired to cure Snow. Once again, T Kingfisher blessed us with a snarky, intellectual, plus sized FMC and I ate it up like a shiny 🍎.

There are some pretty dark themes throughout (check your triggers jic) as well as some particularly creepy imagery I don’t want to spoil. The romance subplot was an unexpected but welcome little slowburn that was the cherry on top of a dark, enchanting story.

Some things I liked:
- Smart, independent, plus sized FMC
- Bodyguard trope
- Unique world building
- Soooo much info about poisons
- Sassy cat
- Creepy crawlies

Thank you NetGalley & Tor Publishing for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

T. Kingfisher is one of those rare authors who effortlessly spans multiple genres, consistently delivering captivating stories. Hemlock & Silver is no exception, standing as another shining example of her versatile storytelling. In this dark reimagining of the classic Snow White tale, Kingfisher injects a more sinister tone, focusing on poisons and betrayal. The narrative weaves through a web of deception, where every corner hides a secret, and the stakes are steeped in treachery. Kingfisher’s ability to blend elements of fantasy, suspense, and gothic horror makes Hemlock & Silver an engaging and atmospheric read.

T. Kingfisher is a wonderful writer and her style always keeps me entertained! Hemlock and Silver is a dark, yet fresh, Snow White retelling with unique magic and memorable characters. I appreciated the hint of romance, building of intrigue, and twists and turns! Thank you, NetGalley!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books, and T. Kingfisher for the chance to read this book early, all opinions are my own.

Hemlock & Silver is another fun, witty, slightly spooky fantasy by T. Kingfisher. If you are a Kingfisher fan this book will have everything you love about her brand of fantasy - reluctant, older FMC forced to save the day, humor and sarcasm, grumpy MMC, sassy animals, unique twists on fantasy tropes, some pretty creepy horror elements, and a satisfying ending.

Hemlock & Silver is the story of Healer Anja, who lives a solitary life, studying poisons and their effects, and seeking to find cures for their various afflictions. When she is summoned by the King to save his daughter, who seems to be poisoned, she leaves behind her home and travels to a creepy, isolated castle, with some really suspicious mirrors. And a talking cat.

The book is billed as a Snow White retelling and while all the original elements are there, I love the way Kingfisher twisted them to create this story. It felt like a fresh and interesting take on a fairytale I usually have zero interest in.

I also loved all of the details about poison and the study of poisons. I was actually hoping there would be even more poison in the book based on who the character was. For me the most interesting scenes were at the very beginning and when Anja was doing the scientific testing to see what was happening to Snow.

The story did drag a bit and I wanted the plot to move along a little quicker. I didn’t find myself sucked into the story like I often do in T. Kingfisher books. And while I really liked Anja, she felt like a lot of other Kingfisher FMCs (not always a bad thing). And Javier was a bit one dimensional for me and I didn’t really ship the romance.

Not sure if I just didn’t read this at the right time or if the book just didn’t click for me but I think this might be my least favorite Kingfisher book to date. That said, it was still a 4 star, as there was a lot that I did enjoy. It just wasn’t the 5 star home run I usually have with Kingfisher fantasy.

Whenever there is a new T. kingfisher book coming out, I have to pick it up for she is one of my favorite authors. I was thrilled to get my hands on an arc of this and immediately had to read it. Unfortunately, it’s not one of my faves but falls somewhere in the middle. The issue that I had with this book is that it gets really bogged down by the descriptions of the magic system. Towards the end I found myself really not caring nor fully understanding. Initially, when the magical elements are presented, it starts out on a much smaller scale and the reader is able to understand what is going on. However, as the plot thickens, it becomes more complicated and that’s where I had issues. To be honest, I think it kind of took away from the storyline and didn’t need to be .

The pacing was not what I wanted it to be, and there were times where I was super invested in what was going on and other times where I found myself skimming towards the end.

What is is about you ask? We are following Healer Anja who focuses on finding antidotes. She has had a 20 year career in her town and prefers her work to town gossip or people. She has a satisfying life and she does not want for anything else. When the king comes to her and requests that she follows him to the palace to see about his daughter Snow she obviously cannot say no to him.

Hands down the best things are Javier and Anja I think that it would’ve been a stronger book if instead of having the whole silver world, we instead focused on the Anja and the antidotes in her town. I realize that some of the things would have to have changed because Javier is a king guard but it would have made for a smoother and more enjoyable book. Thanks so much to netgally for the digital copy. All opinions on my own.

Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher is a fantastic fantasy retelling with just the right touch of romance. I was immediately drawn in by healer Anja, who specializes in poison. Her expertise and steely determination make her an unforgettable lead, and I loved watching her step outside her comfort zone to save Princess Snow.
The story gets off to a strong start when a desperate king begs Anja to determine whether his 12-year-old daughter, Snow, is suffering from poison and if so, how to cure her before time runs out. As Anja begins her investigation, she uncovers a dark alternate universe accessed magically through mirrors. This mirror world adds an ominous, urgent feeling to the story

Working alongside Anja is her steadfast bodyguard, Javier, with whom there’s a touch of romance. Their teamwork not only propels the investigation forward but also adds warmth and a pleasant dynamic to the unfolding adventure.

While the narrative starts slowly as the world is built and quickly hits its stride with sharp, complex has high stakes, intricate magic and a richly imagined narrative.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

T. Kingfisher has once again written a delightful, whimsical yet dark fairytale retelling that's so imaginative yet grounded with realistic characters I fell in love with. There's always such a since of realness to her stories because her characters feel like genuine people making genuine decisions. And this fairytale retelling manages to be fresh and fast-paced, with suspense that kept me reading late into the night.

The author worked her signature magic again with Hemlock & Silver, a dark, earthy, and wonderfully off-kilter reimagining of Snow White that balanced gothic intrigue with a dash of grim humor and a lot of heart.
Healer Anja was a delightfully grounded protagonist—fiercely intelligent, pragmatic to a fault, and so deeply committed to her craft that she regularly poisoned herself in the name of science. Her voice brought a refreshing sharpness to the fairy-tale landscape, and I loved how Kingfisher let Anja’s compassion shine through without softening her edges. The slow unraveling of the mystery surrounding Snow was handled with a deft hand—tense but never overwrought, weird but never confusing.
The supporting cast also delivered, from the grumpy, honorable guard who grew on me like moss to the gloriously self-absorbed talking cat who practically demanded his own novella. The mirror realm? Deliciously eerie. It oozed danger and decay, and Kingfisher’s descriptions were both beautiful and unsettling—exactly what I hoped for.
The pacing in the middle could have been a bit better—it meandered slightly as the story transitioned from court intrigue to magical mayhem, but the payoff in the final act made it all worthwhile.
Darkly whimsical and surprisingly tender, Hemlock & Silver was a twisted fairy tale that managed to feel both fresh and timeless.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

T. Kingfisher never disappoints! Hemlock & Silver is a Snow White retelling told from the perspective of a woman who has been hired by the king to find out who is poisoning his daughter, Princess Snow. I’m not familiar with the fairytale Snow White and Rose Red but I think the book pulls from that story as well.

Anja has devoted her life to studying poisons since she was a teenager, and now in her mid thirties she is one of the foremost experts in the field. Still, when the king asks her to discover what may be slowly killing his daughter, she is at a loss. There is nothing suspicious anywhere in the castle. Then at night, alone in her room, she catches a glimpse of a reflection in her mirror. Something not in her room when she turns around. Is the exhaustion and frustration getting to her? She certainly does not believe in magic, so there must be a logical explanation, right? Yet nothing physical seems to be harming Snow…

T. Kingfisher excels at building complete worlds filled with characters who feel real even when their roles are small (I love Grayling so much.) The dusty desert country with animal Saints and spirit boxes to memorialize the dead is no exception. Without spoiling anything, it also contains the fantastical almost but not quite horror elements that I love from her books as well.

T Kingfisher is a master storyteller . She takes familiar fairy tale elements and weaves them in to a story with poison , likeable characters in their thirties and mystery.

I love everything T. Kingfisher writes, by my heart holds a special place for her fairy tale retellings. This one is excellent. It's got the classic elements of Snow White there, but the twists are so imaginative and creatively done. I loved that our FMC wasn't some 17 year old who can do anything, but rather was older and a capable woman, but who felt so real cause she still had flaws. This book was captivating. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

I'm a big fan of fairytale re-tellings and this Snow White retelling was not only cozy in voice but incredibly unique!

I love all of T. Kingfisher's fairy tale retellings, but this one is a fresh and interesting take on snow white, with interesting features, an intelligent protagonist, and Snow getting hers back in the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a delightful retelling of Snow White. Anja is so sweet and I love that she has a one track mind when it comes to her craft that she doesn’t notices the social niceties that would help with her dealing with the king’s court or how the king’s staff is sort of prodding her to be the new Queen which she has absolutely no interest of being not to mention Javier.

Javier, be still my heart. And Grayling is the funniest little beastie there is.

I also loved the whole mystery of Snow’s condition and the actual cause, very clever though mildly terrifying.

My gripe is the pacing. It was really slow in the start and middle but well worth it by the end. Enthusiastic 4 stars.

I adore T. Kingfisher and will enthusiastically read anything they write, so this was no exception.

I'll say, I did find this to have a bit of a slower start than some of her previous works---nonetheless, when it got its legs, it really took off. Also (and this might speak more to my state of mind when I was reading this so keep that in mind), I found the idea and descriptions of the mirror world confusing. Again, maybe it was due to an imagination struggle and I'll leave it at that.

That said, the characters are charming and witty, with Kingfisher's typical wry humor. And who couldn't love a one-eyed cat with no business being so sassy. This is a whimsical, cozy and slightly dark fairy tale retelling that is basically an ultimate comfort read <3

T. Kingfisher's Hemlock & Silver was absolutely engrossing! Her reinvention of the Snow White story with a bit of Through the Looking Glass thrown in kept me sucked into this dark fairy tale. Absolutely loved Hemlock & Silver's weaving of magical intrigue with the politics of court and uncertainty of what else there might be to the world: magic, unknown scientific discoveries, maybe even love.

Thank you Tor Books for the Advanced Reader copy!

I have always loved T. Kingfisher's writing. Her wit shines through the pages. Yet never have I felt more seen then in this book. I did not realize I even wanted representation until Anya jumped out of the page at me. A tall, larger woman who is 35 and obsessed with finding answers to "why is there no cure for Hemlock." This and her father bragging about his healer daughter to the King brings Anya to Witherleaf, where she must put herself to the task of figuring out how and who is poisoning Snow and hopefully find a cure, before it's too late. This is a fun adventure with a mystery that unravels the more Anya discovers.

There is one section where, when I read it I cried: "Because it was what the voice of despair whispered all the time, whenever my guard slipped enough to listen. I was too big, too loud, cared too intensely about things that no one else did. Of course he’d find me revolting. Some days I found myself revolting."

I was able to see Anya and know this isn't true about her. It gave me the space to think about how I say this very thing to myself, and that it's not true about me either. Thank you T. Kingfisher for continuing to write about women who don't fit in, and show that they are just as brave, just as lovely and just as deserving.

I wanted to read this because 1) T. Kingfisher 2) retellings are pretty cool sometimes and 3) I'm biased towards anything vaguely fantasy or horror-esque. And you know what? I'm not regretting my choice.

H&S has a strong opening chapter. In the very first scene, Anja, our protagonist, is speaking to the king. He very quickly lets her know the queen is dead, he killed her, and he needs Anja's help saving his daughter Snow. She hesitantly agrees. Shenanigans ensue, her world is turned upsidedown, etc etc.

Anja's awkward in a pretty relatable way. She's also a master of poisons and antidotes, which isn't relatable--but quite fun! As always, I'm happy to have a main character in her 30s and thriving.

H&S does lose momentum (imo) after that first chapter. I really just wanted Anja to hurry up and leave after accepting the king's request. Keep up the sense of urgency, you know? I did really appreciate getting to see Anja in her element early on, though. Example: caring for the man in the temple who ended up dying. It further set the tone and SHOWED us what Anja can do rather than simply being TOLD.

The book picks up again once they finally start traveling to the castle. I appreciated Anja questioning people and doing various tests to see how Snow might have been poisoned. The trial and error.

I'm a huge fantasy lover, it's probably my favorite genre, so I was excited to see the mirror-world. Unfortunately, it feels a little boring? At least in the middle act.

I love Grayling. If cats could talk, I imagine a lot of them would sound like this little beast. Totally unhelpful except when he wants to be. Ready to cause frustration or chaos at any given moment. In his defense, I feel like Anja causes HIM frustration, too, so at least they've got something in common.

Ok so this is a personal preference type of nitpick, but I'm not a fan of "maybe he's gay" in a straight-passing romance. To Anja's credit, she did think "maybe it's me" first, but there was a whole tangent on how sometimes someone being gay is subtle and... as a queer person who reads a lot of queer fiction, I'm just really tired of this trope in M/F romance.

That being said, I did like the romance in H&S better than I did in Nettle & Bone. Which is shocking considering the fact that Javier & Anja don't spend meaningful time together in the first half of the book. But things really pick up in that regard in the back half and I enjoyed their dynamic a lot. Keeping in mind that the romance is a sub plot rather than the main point helps, too. I don't think it adds much to the story but it doesn't detract from it either.

Overall, despite my critiques, I think H&S succeeded in what it was trying to do and I'd definitely recommend it, especially to fans of T. Kingfisher.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!