Spinning Silver | Новик Наоми (Novik Naomi); Macmillan, 2019

Naomi Novik has once again been influenced by classic folktales, following Uprooted. Taking Rumpelstiltskin as her starting point, Spinning Silver is rich, original and a joy to read.

Will dark magic claim their home?

Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father's too kind-hearted to collect his debts. They face poverty, until Miryem hardens her own heart and takes up his work in their village. Her success creates rumours she can turn silver into gold, which attract the fairy king of winter himself. He sets her an impossible challenge - and if she fails, she'll die. Yet if she triumphs, it may mean a fate worse than death. And in her desperate efforts to succeed, Miryem unwittingly spins a web which draws in the unhappy daughter of a lord.

Irina's father schemes to wed her to the tsar - he will pay any price to achieve this goal. However, the dashing tsar is not what he seems. And the secret he hides threatens to consume the lands of mortals and winter alike. Torn between deadly choices, Miryem and Irina embark on a quest that will take them to the limits of sacrifice, power and love.

'Dire and wonderful; I loved this book so much' - Laini Taylor, author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series.

'Pits the cold of endless winter against the fires of duty, love and sacrifice. I couldn't put it down'- Katherine Arden, author of the Winternight trilogy.

Cool and clever and warm and satisfying and dire and wonderful; I loved this book so much

Laini Taylor

A book as cool and mysterious as a winter's night, with two marvelous heroines at its heart. Spinning Silver pits the cold of endless winter against the fires of duty, love and sacrifice. I couldn't put it down

Katherine Arden

Dauntless women, cruel lords and wayward fairies come together in a beautifully realised world. Brimming over with fairy-tale magic, SPINNING SILVER proves Naomi Novik to be a master fantasist at the top of her game

Zen Cho