Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik blends fairy-tale elements with rich world-building and nuanced characters. Reviews praise its beautiful prose, strong female leads, and inventive plot. Some critique the slow pacing and multiple viewpoints, which can be confusing. Overall, it’s esteemed for its depth and imaginative storytelling.

A reader who enjoys Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik is likely to appreciate intricately woven fantasy tales, strong female protagonists, and folklore-inspired narratives. Comparable to fans of Uprooted by Novik herself and Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale, these readers relish atmospheric world-building and rich character development.

Published in 2018 by Nebula Award-winning author Naomi Novik, Spinning Silver is a modern take on coming-of-age fairy tales. Set in a Slavic fantasy world, Miryem Mandelstam becomes a successful moneylender to support her ill mother, attracting the attention of the Staryk king. Concurrently, characters like Wanda and Irina face their own challenges, revealing human experiences such as frustration, longing, and growth. The book contains depictions of abusive family dynamics.

Mysterious / Fantastical / Challenging / Dark / Emotional

Naomi Novik

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Spinning Silver reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Spinning Silver | SuperSummary

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Overview

Novik’s fantasy novel explores themes of cultural difference, diversity, and acceptance. Dive in with this summary of Spinning Tales.

Spinning Silver Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

Get ready to explore Spinning Silver and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Spinning Silver Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 6-10

Spinning Silver Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-15

Spinning Silver Chapters 11-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 16-20

Spinning Silver Chapters 16-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-25

Spinning Silver Chapters 21-25 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Spinning Silver Character Analysis

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Themes

Spinning Silver Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Spinning Silver Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Spinning Silver Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Spinning Silver Essay Topics

Spinning Silver

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Spinning Silver?

Reading Age

Book Details