Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik – Book Review

An inspired variation of the famous Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, Spinning Silver by Naomi Naovik, is a tale about a young, poor girl who learns to spin silver into gold and all the trouble of the world that brings her. There are fire demons and winter lords, not one but three strong female leads, dodgy romances and enough plot points to keep you interested. It’s a great way to pass these winter(ish?) evenings.

Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t read this and are planning to then skip the detailed review below.

So, what’s it’s all about?

Facing abject poverty, Miryem, the Jewish moneylender’s daughter takes on the failing family business and turns it around. She is smart, good at math (yay!), determined and an objective businesswoman. As her successes grows, so does her circle of influence and we are introduced to Wanda, a simple strong girl who is trying to get away from a drunk and abusive father.

Both girls are residents of Lithvas, a small kingdom under siege by winter and the magical creatures that bring it, the Staryks. The people of Lithvas live under the fear of the Staryks who often raid villages for gold and show no mercy when humans are found hunting on their land.  

As Miryem adds gold into her coffers, a careless boast by her on the white winter road, attracts the attention of the Staryk king. A challenge thrown thrice over, accepted and fulfilled, makes her his queen.  It also brings her in the contact with Irina, the future Tsarina of Lithvas, who in time will be fighting a fire demon on her side.

What makes it interesting?

Miryem’s growth from a scrawny girl to smart business women to the queen of the people is very rewarding. Her Jewish roots are central to her journey and it’s interesting to see a fantasy fiction novel go there.

My favorite character is Irina, the reluctant Tsarina. She hasn’t much magic on her side, but the sharpest of minds and hers is a true story of survival. Her relationship with Mirnatius is endlessly fascinating, and I could read a novel just about them and how they rule Lithvas.

Both Miryem and Irina are stuck with monsters as husbands, and both must find out a way to save themselves and their people. Their struggle is incomplete without Wanda, the servant girl, whose sheer courage and determination form the backbone of the story.

Debt is a huge underlying motif; from the literal money owed by the townspeople to Miryem to the more magical promises made to the winter king and demons. Every action has a consequence, and all kindness is a debt to be re-payed.

Magic is at the front and center of the story. While no history is explained on how the Staryks ruled winter or why Chernobog, the fire demon, wants to feed on the cold; there is still a lot going on. This land touched by winter and magic is somewhere in Eastern Europe. Novik’s description of the people, their struggles, and their relationships makes the heart of the novel.

What wasn’t all that great?

I found the whole underlying romantic undertones between the Miryem and the Staryk king quite problematic. Miryem seems to have classic Stockholm syndrome when it comes to the winter king. Though she feels quite murderous towards him in the beginning, as he kidnapped her and use her as slave labor, her quick acceptance of him is surprising. His immense pride and lack of empathy does not bode well for a relationship with a mortal.

The narrative structure is also exasperating, with multiple characters narrating in first person, creating moments of confusion on whose story it is. I could have entirely done away with Stepon whose point of view didn’t really bring anything to the story.

Shortcomings withstanding, Spinning Silver  is a perfect read for the upcoming winter!

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