Whilst the story is told from no less than six points of view these three women are at the heart of this fantastical tale. So, when it’s suggested that Miryem can turn silver to gold he visits and sets her several challenges, each as impossible as the last and even if she successfully completes the tasks her life and those of her loved ones will still be in danger.Īs the story progresses we are introduced to a whole host of characters including Wanda, the young girl sent to work for Miryem’s family to repay the debt her drunken, abusive Father cannot repay and Irina, the plain daughter of a Duke with a sprinkle of Staryk blood running through her veins. The master of Winter, this magical, ruthless creature lurks in the forest bringing fear and despair to people across the land as he seeks to fulfil his longing for gold. Successful in her endeavours she manages to strengthen her family’s position, but in turn attracts the attention of the Staryk King. However, her family are struggling to survive thanks to her Father’s refusal to call in debts from the local villagers so when her Mother becomes gravely ill she decides to take matters into her own hands, collecting the money herself. This story initially introduces us to Miryem, daughter and granddaughter of well-known money lenders.

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

And in her desperate efforts to succeed, Miryem unwittingly spins a web which draws in the unhappy daughter of a lord. Yet if she triumphs, it may mean a fate worse than death. He sets her an impossible challenge – and if she fails, she’ll die. Her success creates rumours she can turn silver into gold, which attract the fairy king of winter himself. They face poverty, until Miryem hardens her own heart and takes up his work in their village. Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father’s too kind-hearted to collect his debts. Many thanks to Pan Macmillan and Jamie-Lee Nardone for gifting me a copy of this book for review. It’s been sitting patiently in my TBR pile for a while as the Summer holidays has meant my reading time has diminished somewhat, but having finally devoured it I can’t wait to share my thoughts on this much anticipated novel from Naomi Novik. After seeing Spinning Silver continually popping up on my Twitter feed in the run up to it’s publication I was thrilled to be sent a copy to read and review.

Spinning silver book review