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

- Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik was inspired by the classic fairy tale "Rumpelstiltskin," but it expands into a rich narrative interwoven with Eastern European folklore and a strong focus on female empowerment.
- Naomi Novik has described the magic system in Spinning Silver as being deeply tied to the theme of transformation, which is reflected not just in magical terms but also through character development.
- The book won the 2019 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and was also nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards, highlighting its wide acclaim and recognition in the fantasy community.

**Miryem Mandelstam**  
A young Jewish woman and daughter of a moneylender, who takes over the family business and claims to be able to turn silver into gold, leading to a series of transformative events.

**Wanda**  
The daughter of an alcoholic farmer, who becomes Miryem's dedicated servant to pay off her father’s debt, learns new skills alongside Miryem, and discovers a sense of belonging.

**Irina**  
The daughter of the Duke of Vysnia, considered plain but has a hidden strength and keen intelligence, which help her navigate complex political landscapes and personal challenges.

**The Staryk King**  
An enigmatic winter king with powerful, magical abilities, who is initially seen as self-serving but reveals deeper motivations and forms an unexpected bond with Miryem.

**Chernobog**  
A manipulative fire demon who is the primary antagonist, using possession and deceit to pursue his destructive aims against the Staryk and Lithvas.

**Rakhel Mandelstam**  
Miryem’s kind and supportive mother, who struggles with the ethical implications of moneylending but remains devoted to her family's survival.

**Josef Mandelstam**  
Miryem's father, a compassionate man ill-suited to moneylending, who tries to support his family despite his shortcomings in their business.

**Mirnatius**  
The tsar, who is outwardly charming but harbors a dark secret, struggling with the influence of those around him and his own internal battle.

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